Rec commission debates ‘opportunity award’

On March 4, Recreation Commissioners considered an “Opportunity Award” for Measure U in light of Town Council’s recent vote to suspend Measures R and U while forming the non-government Mammoth Lakes Recreation (MLR) entity.

Council voted to approve the formation of an MLR at the Feb. 18 Town Council meeting. MLR would outsource many current Municipal Recreation functions with the aim of enhancing recreational offerings and brand identity.

The suspension of the Measures would not limit the completion of current R and U funding awards, however Recreation Commissioners expressed concern that the formation of MLR could take well beyond the projected June 1 launch date, leaving the award process in limbo.

To cover any potential contingencies or maintenance and administrative costs for existing projects, the Commission proposed creating an Opportunity Award for Measure U such as already exists for Measure R.

In essence, it would be a reserve fund available for those entities which already have existing awards.

“We are frustrated with the suspension,” said Measure U Application Committee member Sandy Hogan. “To totally suspend the process when we’ve spent so much time putting it together, it’s disruption again.”

“This is a huge PR problem,” added Commission Chair Bill Sauser. “The perception is that R and U have been given to MLR. That is not the case. [But] I don’t see the time between now and June to have the public create a new process for R and U.”

While Sauser was supportive of an Opportunity Award to fund current Measure U projects, he expressed his fear that this funding process would keep applications from the light of public process, as well as taking applications only on a case-by-case basis, rather than considering them in the larger context of Measure U priorities.

Commissioners agreed to recommend the Measure U Opportunity Award to Town Council. Commissioner Sean Turner added a motion to support an ongoing discussion of MLR with staff and Council, and to “strongly request the reinstatement of the Measure R and U award process so as to provide continuity to a vetted process and reduce the public perception of …  misappropriation.”