Dozens of parents, kids and coaches filled Chula Vista City Hall Tuesday evening to ask the council to reconsider increasing rental fees for youth sports fields.
Salvador Hernandez spoke on behalf of several Little Leagues in the city during public comment.
“This could potentially eliminate all Little Leagues in Chula Vista,” Hernandez said. “The item needs to be revisited and sent back to City Council.”
Councilman Steve Castaneda said when the council initially voted to approve the fee increase June 7, he didn’t know there been no discussion with the public.
“You were not part of the initial process and this is not the way it should work,” he said. “We expect and hope that when the city manager and staff come forward with a recommendation that will impact the public, that it would have been aired in the community.”
City Manager Jim Sandoval said he sat down with some people from the Youth Sports Council June 6 who said they were unhappy with the increased fees, but understood the decision.
Because of  budget cuts, the city is unable to adequately maintain its sports fields.
Increased revenues from higher fees would allow the city to improve their maintenance and, according to the city, increase the availability of facilities and avoid additional costs incurred to rehabilitate damaged fields.
The proposed ball field rental fee increase is $10 per hour for unlighted fields and $25 for lighted fields for the Youth Sports Council and city adult leagues.
If adopted, the increase would generate approximately $375,000 annually.
Opponents said the fee increase is significant enough to deter youth from playing sports.
