A resident of Fair Oaks expressed concerns over a homeless encampment near the Fair Oaks Library. Photo courtesy of Freepik

FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - At the Dec. 17 meeting of the Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District (FORPD) Board of Directors, a resident shared concerns about homeless encampments at Fair Oaks Park near the library. 

The resident lives nearby and used to visit the park frequently, but she said now there are too many health and safety issues. In addition to trash and off-leash dogs, she’s seen various drug paraphernalia including used needles and foil packets of fentanyl. When she reported it to the sheriff’s office, she was told not to touch the foil packets, because fentanyl can be deadly. 

She added that there have also been homeless advocate groups bringing food and supplies to the encampment, which she said is encouraging more people to stay there. 

Another resident agreed it’s a safety issue. While the resident said he’s sympathetic to people experiencing homelessness, he said his right as a citizen to enjoy the park is being infringed upon. His taxes pay for the park, so he said he shouldn’t feel unsafe there.  

Parks and Facilities Manager Sean Ventura said, “I’m in constant contact with the homeless outreach team,” which is through the Sacramento County’s Sheriff’s Office.

District staff call the non-emergency number almost every night to report homeless people sleeping in the park, but they get put on a list and it can take some time before officers respond. 

Ventura encouraged residents to also submit reports to the sheriff’s non-emergency line.

“The more voices that are raised in concern over this, the more attention we’ll get,” Ventura said.

Ventura said as soon as people are removed from the encampments, district staff go in and clean up the trash and debris. But they don’t have any enforcement ability to physically remove people.   

Chair Delinda Tamagni said, “It’s a safety issue. It needs to be handled.” 

She suggested adding information to the district’s website directing residents to report incidents to the sheriff, stating that the district and the residents should be “the squeaky wheel.” 

The Board considered an agreement with CPS-HR for recruitment services to hire a district administrator to replace Mike Aho upon his upcoming retirement in June. 

The agreement recruitment process is expected to take 12–14 weeks, and the firm will handle advertising the position and reaching out to potential candidates. The full cost of services is a fixed fee of $30,000, which includes a one-year guarantee if the selected candidate leaves or needs to be removed in that first year of employment. 

A CPS-HR representative called in to say the process will begin with the board outlining their ideal candidate.

Director Ralph Carhart said he’d like someone who can replicate Aho’s deep engagement in the community. “He listens to people. ... Everyone knows him.” 

The agreement was approved 4-0, with Director Darren Mounts absent. 

A new Religious and Cultural Displays in Parks and Public Spaces Policy was considered by the board, after receiving a request this year to display a menorah in Village Park. 

The district did not have an existing policy on religious displays, but they granted the request and decided it would be best to establish a policy to guide consideration of any future requests. 

The proposed policy would allow for temporary displays that meet constitutional requirements. Disclaimer signage will be included to ensure there is no district endorsement of particular religions. 

The policy was approved 3-1, with Director Raymond James Irwin dissenting. 

The board voted 4-0 to approve a revised salary schedule to reflect the state’s minimum wage increase that will go into effect Jan. 1. T

The new rate will be $16.90 per hour, a 2.4 percent increase. That rate covers most of the district’s entry-level part-time and seasonal positions. 

Director Irwin was selected to serve as board chair for 2026, with Director Mounts to serve as vice chair.  

The next meeting of the FORPD Board of Directors is scheduled for Jan. 21.