[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6477031,"mediaKeyId","5713867-5103b14aa00d3cf5d90e71b49b7dd0dd","parentId",5713867,"title","Vacaville Parks & Recreation honors Jennifer Baker for 20 years of service","audioSeconds",323,"startMs",686000,"endMs",1009000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713867-5103b14aa00d3cf5d90e71b49b7dd0dd&start=686&end=1009","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713867-5103b14aa00d3cf5d90e71b49b7dd0dd/thumbnail_686000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6477031/Vacaville-City/Solano-County/California/Vacaville-Parks-Recreation-honors-Jennifer-Baker-for-20-years-of-service","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477031-af6aa4b56a1d799c6e0b4cf809d5419e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001725&Signature=izSUZPzIJgGfmWZ~Q1rfVAyVC2nTsuxA2VZreg1oy~YM17RqpkmHNoH8y9OGxUkN7jHJUkzxhNgmCJIewwuXDGBEV~loQUAPhEiHT9fc~BNxGrYowDHBXiAWaJnTLAXaZvTS2HtldFy8U8mvOjOODyQgiPuZxhYoqPYtQJf6AV5QQVK-Olv4s~DlDbFD76B5aIzF60J-Axu7e8hSWU5Ij-BOKq8btXS-Tj9ACn~fuTwtjd1ryF517cTM55Pkhp-F8PVaW-uF9Fdd8lcGgdlY5jpn-rWWs5FepqB5wUbPknvLgCybsHz8Onma4dRbMm6pdfWF1arH8M99XnayWbckbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Vacaville","date","2025-09-04T03:37:24Z","article","The Vacaville Parks & Recreation Commission on Wednesday recognized recreation supervisor Jennifer Baker for more than 20 years of service to the city.

Director Mulder introduced the item and asked Baker to come forward. Elizabeth Crisante, recreation manager, described Baker’s tenure, noting that she began in part-time gymnastics roles after graduating from Sacramento State and rose to full-time recreation coordinator in 2008 and later to recreation supervisor. Crisante said Baker oversees youth and adult sports, aquatics, concessions and the Georgie Duke Sports Center and serves as liaison to local leagues.

“Jennifer has been with the city of Vacaville and the parks and recreation department for over 20 years, providing quality programming, customer service, and leadership,” Crisante said. She highlighted Baker’s role in growing the gymnastics program, leading teams during changes brought by COVID and mentoring staff.

Baker accepted a small gift and an award; commissioners congratulated her on the milestone. The item was presented as part of the commission’s regular meeting and did not require action beyond the recognition.

Ending: Commissioners thanked Baker for her decades of service to Vacaville and posed for a brief photo at the dais.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","9/3/25 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The commission recognized recreation supervisor Jennifer Baker for two decades with the city; colleagues highlighted her leadership in gymnastics, youth sports and aquatics programs.","taxTitle","Vacaville City, Solano County, California","taxId",3924,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477035,"City planner outlines large proposed rise in Vacaville park development impact fees; options offered to soften increase",1847,3296000,5143000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713867-5103b14aa00d3cf5d90e71b49b7dd0dd&start=3296&end=5143","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713867-5103b14aa00d3cf5d90e71b49b7dd0dd/thumbnail_3296000.jpg","/articles/6477035/Vacaville-City/Solano-County/California/City-planner-outlines-large-proposed-rise-in-Vacaville-park-development-impact-fees-options-offered-to-soften-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477035-6bc59c813002aa4c65760ec5a2b39b87/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001725&Signature=FsquDCtg7JOpRMjUJKlrHTlh6jhkyaskbM27xpNGO8KFkEu02sOz6numAfeTRj~wdbUCMT~9hQ0oJcNGmsaE1KCXHnWmRtz3ZyxxaVd0S1bIbQHv2943i4fOstMxiAwA~-LgVHgtOk~fO7w1kFhKag9A0ecTNkgG6GAjne63D4rXn~9gpJgthkLO8M9pkTVlI~nOZmrw989KgJDZHNlycv4jOeRPofqPAgcFRqfevtwjnGSDAIBEjw6YjaPmPn9upg8ANeDkN2BNyTgT8A5z1rJ7134-PA2wjp2l31tOf8lmez1LQ79Gmc7WPkV7GEQ9nLqNnVwQUVknhcUDBSCi8w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A technical briefing to the Vacaville Parks and Recreation Commission on the city’s proposed 2025 update to the parks Development Impact Fee (DIF) showed staff intend to raise the allowable fee to reflect higher construction costs and previously omitted “soft” costs, and offered council policy options that could reduce the proposed amount.

Nemo Gonzalez, park planner, told commissioners the presentation was “for informational purposes only” and that no decisions would be made by the commission. He said the update is driven by the Mitigation Fee Act and Vacaville Municipal Code requirements and responds to a fee schedule that, staff say, was not updated for roughly 30 years until the 2022 effort.

“Most of the capital improvement projects have soft costs,” Gonzalez said, noting that the 2022 update omitted soft costs such as environmental review and consultant fees. Adding those soft costs, together with recent bid and estimate data showing higher hard-construction prices, is a major factor behind the proposed increase.

Gonzalez summarized the fee components: parkland acquisition, park development (hard amenities), facilities (recreation centers and pools) and trails. He said facilities make up the largest portion of the revised fee because the city’s programming facilities are aging and the city must plan new or expanded facilities to serve projected population growth. The city’s level-of-service standard is cited as 4.5 acres of parks per 1,000 residents, distributed among neighborhood, community and regional parks; Lagoon Valley remains the city’s regional park.

Gonzalez outlined policy tools the City Council could use to lower a developer’s per-unit cost if council chooses: implementing a Quimby ordinance (a subdivision-map-act mechanism that changes how parkland obligations are collected), prioritizing which facility projects are included in the current update and creating incentives for developers to deliver turnkey parks in exchange for fee credits. Staff said the developer share for facility expansion is calculated as 30% of cost, reflecting the portion of population growth attributed to new development.

Commissioners asked whether higher parkland standards nationally would hinder development; Gonzalez and commissioners noted that some peer cities have higher levels of service (for example, Roseville’s larger acreage) without halting development. Several commissioners urged council to take a long-term view rather than sacrificing park standards to favor short-term development gains.

Public commenters supported higher fees if they produce usable parks and facilities. Brian Bates, speaking as a community volunteer and incoming tennis-association president, said the DIF discussion is a “giant picture” of cumulative underinvestment since 1992 and urged the commission to press council for long-term infrastructure planning.

Why it matters: The DIF funds new park land, park construction and recreation facilities that serve new development. Staff say allowing the fee to fall behind construction and consulting costs means parks promised to new neighborhoods can be delayed by years or built at lower standards.

Next steps: Gonzalez said staff will present policy options to City Council; the commission and public were urged to review the material and attend upcoming council hearings. Gonzalez emphasized these are staff recommendations and council retains policy discretion on fee levels and implementation.

Ending: Commissioners praised staff for outreach and transparency and reiterated the DIF update is a consequential policy choice that will shape Vacaville’s park system as the city grows.","A city planner said adding missing \"soft\" costs and rising construction prices produced a sizable proposed increase to the parks development impact fee; staff presented policy options including Quimby, prioritizing facility projects and incentives for turnkey parks.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477040,"Vacaville parks staff warn youth, adult leagues face growing wait lists and field shortages",1882,1121000,3003000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713867-5103b14aa00d3cf5d90e71b49b7dd0dd&start=1121&end=3003","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713867-5103b14aa00d3cf5d90e71b49b7dd0dd/thumbnail_1121000.jpg","/articles/6477040/Vacaville-City/Solano-County/California/Vacaville-parks-staff-warn-youth-adult-leagues-face-growing-wait-lists-and-field-shortages","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477040-90cbc3052a7e3d6b3179cd069e2eec9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001725&Signature=g1IIoc4Y9JZ7xLh1gSPi07-YkXm0ZC3D9PPb6w2cmYi8tUcCZE5F8FRVyTJwX-9KzZDm1JezwmAhhdbVcguT~P6KgSWIfzCzLw6fR7upgb0RqBx7th1~l4ooE5wPJCYIh9oBoONCq-CHwPXieDoJoGBr02cNMr-enq1SEeM73Ae7s9tIGyFucgwI66etVbLVvbWyEKu9Hcfon7cceruNh1uh2wP12oZyebf896DwuP0E35MUjhlFUgrACIzQylS9Y0DYLa4y3bclqHsHDOUlvsxDs4BgFQcOE9gZ0HDYiQrluEj8VHu9yA5UgMdYshzvIMcgsy5MiUU3egxNBa7g5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Vacaville Parks and Recreation staff told the Parks and Recreation Commission on Wednesday that booming participation in youth and adult sports has outpaced available fields and facilities, producing long wait lists, fewer volunteer coaches and scheduling conflicts with outside user groups.

The warning came during a presentation by Vicky Williams Jones, recreation coordinator for adult and youth sports, who described the city’s youth programs as “the cornerstone of our efforts to create a vibrant, inclusive environment for children of all ages.” She said registrations have grown across baseball, basketball, volleyball and newer activities such as pickleball, and that the department’s “sportsmanship rating system” introduced in 2024 has helped improve game-day behavior among coaches, parents and officials.

The lack of available practice and game space is the most acute problem, Vicky Williams Jones told commissioners. “If you look at what’s gonna start happening next week in practice field space, you won’t see an open field in Vacaville,” she said, adding that limited lighted fields reduce usable hours in fall and winter. Staff and commissioners repeatedly described the situation as “a great problem to have” — popular programs — but one that nevertheless leaves hundreds of children on wait lists.

Commissioners pressed staff for specifics about how the shortage plays out. Jennifer Baker, recreation supervisor, said fall baseball is particularly strained because internal city programs and multiple competitive leagues converge on the same fields in the fall, doubling demand. “We have double of what everybody else is trying to function with, but with the same field space,” Baker said.

Staff and volunteer shortages compound the problem. The department reports difficulty recruiting volunteer coaches and game officials despite offering incentives such as free registration. “We are trying everything — your kid could play for free — and we’re still struggling,” Williams Jones said, noting outreach to local high schools and UC Davis has found athletes are often unavailable because of school commitments.

City staff pointed to several operational steps already in use or under discussion: a sportsmanship rating and end-of-game peer evaluations for coaches and officials; expanded coaching clinics run by community volunteers (former commissioner Ryan Rucker will lead courtside coaching clinics and fitness classes before basketball seasons); seasonal caps and tightened nonresident participation rules for contractual leagues; and increased collaboration with the Youth Sports Advisory Team (YSAT) to coordinate maintenance and scheduling with the parks and public-works departments.

Public commenters urged larger-scale fixes. Tony Smith, a Browns Valley resident and longtime volunteer, told the commission that many recent neighborhood “pocket” parks lack the amenities needed for organized sports and urged the city to develop larger community parks with lights, restrooms and courts. “We need to build a park, a real park, a community park with bathrooms, tennis courts, baseball fields — the whole nine yards,” Smith said, adding that well-run tournaments bring hotel and retail revenue to Vacaville.

Sports organizations present at the meeting echoed the need to consolidate facilities where feasible and to give priority to Vacaville youth. Commissioner Goldinger, who sits on YSAT, said league leaders support the advisory team and described it as “invaluable” for reducing inter-league competitiveness over fields.

Why it matters: The shortage affects both everyday recreation and the city’s ability to accommodate larger tournaments that generate local spending. Staff and commissioners said a mix of short-term management (caps, tighter nonresident rules, coach recruitment) and long-term planning (new community parks, courts, lighting and facilities) will be needed to reduce wait lists and expand access.

The commission discussed several next steps: continued YSAT coordination, further outreach to recruit volunteer coaches, and highlighting facility needs in the city’s development planning and impact-fee discussions. Commissioners and staff also encouraged commissioners to visit fields and attend a September 23 City Council meeting where broader development and funding choices will be considered.

Ending: Staff asked commissioners to help publicize volunteer opportunities and to bring field congestion observations to the commission’s planned facility tour on Sept. 27. “We’re doing it right,” Commissioner Goldinger said, “but in order to do it even better, we have to build more space.”","City staff told the Parks and Recreation Commission that strong program demand, limited lighted fields and fewer volunteer coaches have produced long wait lists and strained partnerships with community sports groups.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Vacaville Parks & Recreation honors Jennifer Baker for 20 years of service

City planner outlines large proposed rise in Vacaville park development impact fees; options offered to soften increase

Vacaville parks staff warn youth, adult leagues face growing wait lists and field shortages