The long-sought Los Alamos Sports Park Phase 2 with seven soccer fields was the subject of a Murrieta City Council meeting discussion on Tuesday Sept. 3. It was decided after a lengthy discussion to form an ad hoc committee with two city council members and staff to further discuss the future of the park and the hiring of consultants.
The ad hoc committee and the two council members to be appointed to it will be determined at the next council meeting on Sept. 17. In that time the Ad Hoc committee will further study the development of the seven needed soccer fields at the suggested Los Alamos Sports Park or at some of the other 54 city parks in the future. The result of the committee should be complete by December.
The original request by the city staff asked the council to determine if an agreement should be made with the Glenn Lukos Associates Inc. and RICK consultants for $470,000 to determine how to mitigate the environmental impacts of building the soccer park and its final design. The request was amended to determine if the consultants should be hired to do the work within the next three months.
The Los Alamos Sports Park Phase 2 Project land, off of Whitewood Road is owned by the city with one residence on the property used by the city community services staff, has been the center of attention by the Murrieta Soccer Academy who seeks to build seven soccer fields on the property just north of the current Los Alamos Sports Park.
It was already determined the land should only be used as an outdoor recreation park because of many sensitive protected plants and animals living on the property. The seven soccer fields on the project land would fit along with a large open space area to accommodate the protected species. The land would be ideal for the soccer fields after grading, according to staff.
The council, in discussing the amendment, voiced their concern that the project has long been delayed with no doubt the residents expressed needs for more soccer fields in the city. The delay has been held up by environmental studies. They learned that if the consultants were hired it would take up to 24 months for their analysis to be completed and another two years to build the fields if they were approved. With that information the council looked at the possibility of the fields being built on one or some of the current city parks in much less time to satisfy the residents’ desire for more soccer fields.
Council Member Lisa DeForest asked how much each of the fields might cost and if the construction of those fields on the property were still able to be built in light of studies and more endangered or protected species being found on the property in two to four years.
Staff said it would be difficult but possible. “At the end of the day we need this land for our residents,” Deputy Development Director Jarrett Ramaiya said.
Council Member Jon Levell asked if the project analysis could be “retooled” for another project like pickleball or tennis, which was supported by Ramaiya.
Mayor Lori Stone commented that environmentalists have halted the project since 2018 although it was badly needed in the community. She added even with the new environmental studies taking place there is no guarantee it would come to fruition within the next four years. She exclaimed, “I will tell you about our soccer industry. Our youth want fields today!” With that statement she proposed forming an ad hoc committee that will work with staff to identify other properties or parks that could accommodate soccer fields and build them by next year.
The discussion continued with a public comment by Kassen Klein, a local developer. He noted that with the council discussion no members of the Murrieta Soccer Academy were even present and that things have changed since the project was first favorably approved and should be reexamined. “Why are we chasing this now?” Klein asked. He said the council should look at other places for the soccer fields and not have to spend money on consultants due to the city’s current budget deficit.
Levell suggested that the city go ahead with hiring the consultants which would not increase any city deficit to determine the land’s future.
Council Member Cindy Warren agreed an ad hoc committee should be formed and bring in more discussion.
DeForest agreed that an ad hoc committee be formed and see if it could be used for soccer fields or other outdoor activities, but the decisions should be made as soon as possible.
Calling a workshop was also discussed, but it was still favored toward an ad hoc committee, and not wait even more time.
Council Member Ron Holliday made a motion to create an ad hoc committee, but hold for a few months the hiring of consultants. Bringing back their decision would come on or before December. Stone seconded. It was approved by a 4 to 1 vote with Council Member Levell dissenting.
In other discussion the council reviewed the tentative agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) on annual compensation plans, health benefits and merit raises with the Murrieta General Employees Association and the Murrieta Management, Professional, and Confidential Employees.
The approval of both MOUs followed with much of the agreement based on the annual Cost of Living increases, averaging about 4 percent per year, seniority and work achievements. The council thanked the staff for working with the two organizations in coming to the compensation package.
There were 14 consent items including the second reading of Ordinance No. 609-24, adopting and approving the Triangle Specific Plan (once called the Murrieta Springs Mall) discussed at the last council meeting at length that brought a standing applause by the council and those attending.
Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com.
