Amador County staff roll out parks and recreation handbook; board directs staff on insurance and fee approach

County staff presented a new parks and recreation handbook, reservation website, and proposed fee schedule on March 10 as the county assumes park management after ACRA's dissolution.

Glenn Spitzer, GSA director, outlined two permit classes: ministerial permits (simple reservations) and discretionary permits (events with 100+ attendees, alcohol or food sales, amplified sound). He said discretionary permits should require insurance and staff recommended requiring insurance for events with higher liability exposure.

"My recommendation is that we definitely require insurance on all the discretionary permits," Spitzer told the board, adding that ministerial (small, routine) reservations could be handled differently to avoid discouraging use. Staff presented sample costs: ministerial reservation application and space fees in the tens of dollars, whereas county‑procured insurance for small outdoor reservations could raise costs by roughly $128 for outdoor ministerial events and about $87 for indoor events.

Board members and community groups pressed for exemptions and streamlined processes for longstanding nonprofits. Jamie Lubanco (district 5) and representatives from Upcountry Rotary and local scout troops urged multi‑event or annual permits and fee waivers for groups that do regular community work and fundraising. "We want to continue to be good partners," one Rotary member said, asking how to submit grant or in‑kind offers to improve park facilities.

The board gave staff direction consistent with staff recommendations: require insurance for discretionary permits, allow ministerial reservations with a required hold‑harmless acknowledgment (rather than county‑procured insurance), and return with a fee ordinance that can be adjusted at first reading to reflect board guidance on fee levels and nonprofit waivers.

Next steps: staff will bring an ordinance with the proposed fees and handbook language to the board for adoption; staff also will outreach to annual event holders to smooth transitions.