Albany staff outline how city applies AB 2404 to parks programs, commissioners ask for more participation data

Recreation staff presented Albany’s approach to implementing Assembly Bill 2404, the Fair Play and Community Sports Act, explaining how the city manages reservable fields, prioritizes girls’ participation where applications show need, and works with contract providers such as Skyhawks and Hit Elite.

Joy White, a recreation supervisor, gave a seasonal inventory of city facilities — Memorial Field (adjacent to the high school, no lights), Ocean View Field (open to public and lighted until 10 p.m. with reservations), and tennis/pickleball courts — and walked through the application deadlines and priority‑use rules in the master fee schedule. White said organizations that serve youth must complete a questionnaire reporting expected numbers of boys and girls and that the city uses time‑stamping to prioritize reservations.

Commissioners and public commenters pressed for comparative participation data to measure whether the city is meeting AB 2404 goals. White said Albany maintains internal tracking and that to her knowledge the data are not submitted to the state; she offered to follow up.

A public commenter who plays in Albany’s adult soccer league said fees rose from about $500 in 2021 to $1,000 last year and urged staff to review pricing and options to keep community sports affordable. Commissioners noted Brown Act limits for back‑and‑forth during public comment but asked staff to forward the concern to Recreation & Community Services and to clarify which department sets fees. Staff identified Recreation & Community Services as the contact and said contract providers can apply to offer sports that are open to both girls and boys.

White also noted new and returning contract classes (Skyhawks volleyball and basketball camps, Hit Elite tennis/pickleball, and a planned NFL flag program in 2026) and said the city seeks additional offerings for girls and will work with community partners to contract new programs.

The presentation closed with an agreement to return with more detailed participation breakdowns and to explore whether joint reporting with the Albany Unified School District would be useful for planning field capacity and future infrastructure.