Parks staff briefed the committee on the park‑ranger program Oct. 28, reporting patrol activity, code‑enforcement contacts and a program of updated standard operating procedures.
Staff said the team logged roughly 6,500 patrols to business, storage, parks and beach patrol areas during the quarter and recorded about 2,500 municipal‑code violations observed; 322 citations were issued and about 5,500 public contacts were made.
The rangers are updating their standard operating procedures and a park‑ranger handbook; staff said three new part‑time rangers were recently hired and that the department is exploring use of a budgeted full‑time position. Field training and on‑the‑job shadowing are in progress for new hires.
Staff asked the committee to help shape park‑ranger role definitions — they emphasized rangers bridge municipal code enforcement and community engagement — and noted SOP completion and recruitment are near‑term priorities.
No formal action was taken; staff will return with the finalized SOPs and potential recommendations to the council if staffing changes are proposed.