Sarah Hoffman

The board meeting included several presentations, including volunteer appreciation awards and a post-event overview of the Johnny Appleseed Days festival. The discussion highlighted the importance of community partnerships, the success of the festival in terms of attendance and vendor participation, and the potential for future growth. Additionally, the board discussed the transition to a new recreation software system to improve customer experience and operational efficiency, and approved the consent agenda, which included the payment of bills and disbursements.

The meeting focused on the Wildfire Resiliency Buffer Project funded by the Building Resilient Infrastructure in Communities (BRIC) grant. Presenters discussed the methodology for identifying and mitigating fire pathways to protect the community. Key topics included wildfire risk modeling based on topographic, weather, and fuel data; the implementation of strategic fuel reduction treatments such as vegetation management and prescribed grazing; and the importance of structural home hardening and defensible space in slowing fire spread. The project aims to reduce community vulnerability by creating buffer zones that provide additional time for evacuation and firefighting response.

The agenda for the Regular Meeting included reviewing and approving minutes from the February 11, 2026 meeting, and authorizing payment of bills/disbursements. Key discussion items involved staff recommendations to authorize the District Manager to open a new Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) checking account at Tri Counties Bank, approve a one-year maintenance agreement with Jesse Heating & Air for the Paradise Community Center (PCC) HVAC system, and finalize a Temporary Power Access Agreement for Lakeridge Park construction with the Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) and Sunseri Construction, Inc. New business included authorizing a Request for Bid (RFB) for the Paradise Pool Repair and Resurfacing Project, finding it exempt under CEQA, and authorizing the District Manager to finalize a land lease agreement draft with CHIP for Lakeridge Park development. The Board also planned to meet in Closed Session to discuss anticipated litigation under Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4).

Key discussion topics included the Volunteer Awards presentation and the Johnny Appleseed Report. The consent agenda covered the approval of the January 14, 2026, Regular Meeting Minutes and the payment of bills/disbursements. New business focused on the recommendation to authorize the District Manager to sign an agreement with Rec Technologies Inc. for a new Recreation Software System following legal review, and authorization to complete a new 2025-2026 agreement with the Paradise Piranhas Swim Team for pool usage. Reports covered an update on the energy audit, resolution of bike path drainage concerns, and monthly financial and parks updates, including fencing repair at Aquatic Park and playground wood fiber topping off. The session also included a closed session to discuss potential real estate negotiations and expected litigation initiation.

The meeting included a special presentation from Mr. Jim McCort of Meter Investments regarding the district's investment portfolio, which totals approximately $32.5 million in securities. The discussion covered the investment strategy, which involves fixed income securities, the current weighted average yield of 4.36%, and the laddered approach to maturities. Market conditions, including Federal Reserve actions on interest rates and inflation, were analyzed, noting that current portfolio yields exceed market rates and inflation, creating unrealized capital gains. Cash flow usage from the portfolio for various projects was also reviewed, alongside projections for future investment income.