AGENDA TITLE:
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Adopt a Resolution Authorizing Immediate Repairs to Salas Park Due to Vandalism and Appropriate Funding to the Parks Maintenance Account in the Amount of $110,000 (PRCS)
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MEETING DATE:
November 19, 2025
PREPARED BY:
Christina Jaromay, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Director
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RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt a resolution authorizing immediate repairs to Salas Park due to vandalism and appropriate funding to the Parks Maintenance Account in the amount of $110,000.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Salas Park is located at 2001 South Stockton Street (“Park”). The Park is a primary sports facility for youth baseball, softball, soccer and football. The Union Pacific Railroad (UPR) borders the west perimeter of the Park. Unhoused individuals traverse through the Park or through a vacant city-owned property from Stockton Street to the railroad lines. Fencing is cut repeatedly between the Park and UPR property. People camp along the west perimeter of the Park or on UPR property. The Park’s parking lot is located at the front of the Park on Stockton Street and Recreational Vehicles typically park and camp along the street frontage of the park property on the road, in the parking lot or the Century Blvd. extension of the vacant lot.
Vandalism is a typical occurrence at the Park, but in the past few months it has dramatically increased. Fencing is cut repeatedly in order to access the Park during closed hours through UPR property, Century Blvd or Stockton Street. Parks Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) staff have to perform fencing repairs almost daily. The concession and restroom facilities have also been damaged including graffiti, broken toilets and sinks, and doors, locks and handles have been smashed or cut. The utility box encasing the Musco lighting controls has been completely destroyed and copper wires pulled out. Irrigation lines and sprinkler heads have been tampered with or destroyed. In early October this year, the PRCS Department closed the Park parking lot and concession/restroom facility to prevent further vandalism to the Park and allow time for repairs to be made.
UPR has requested Park perimeter fencing be repaired and strengthened. However, staff’s evaluation found the fencing needs to be completely replaced. Trees along the west perimeter of the Park also need to be thinned to prevent hidden areas where encampments may occur, the utility box and controls need to be rebuilt and reinforced with iron handles, and repairs need to be made to the turf and sprinkler system. Attachment 1 includes photos of the vandalism.
As presented to Council on August 6, 2025, additional one-time funds are available from unrealized project allocations from Fiscal Year 2024/25; including $500,000 in the Parks Capital unallocated projects fund.
Staff therefore requests Council authorize immediate repairs in the amount of $110,000 be made at the Park to correct the vandalism damage, and appropriate funding from Fiscal Year 2024/25 capital surplus funds to Parks Maintenance Account 20072202 to apply to those costs.
STRATEGIC VISION:
6C. Parks: Develop & maintain sports/recreational facilities for City & public use including an indoor sports facility.
FISCAL IMPACT:
$110,000 shall be appropriated from Fiscal Year 2024/25 Parks Capital unallocated projects to Parks Maintenance Account 20072202 to fund immediate repairs to Salas Park as a result of vandalism. The repairs will allow the city to continue to offer a premier sports facility to the community.
FUNDING AVAILABLE:
Fiscal Year 2024/25 Parks Capital Unallocated Projects - $110,000 to 20072202.