Logo courtesy of the City of Marysville

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - The Marysville City Council on June 16 approved a facility use agreement with Boom Time Sports LLC to manage the softball fields at Beckwourth Riverfront Park.

The agreement is intended to support improvements and reactivate the softball complex while reducing the city's maintenance responsibilities. The city will retain ownership and overall control of the facilities, while Boom Time Sports will oversee operations, general maintenance, scheduling and programming.

Boom Time Sports has committed to investing $200,000 in facility improvements, including renovations to the snack bar and restrooms, irrigation repairs, perimeter fencing upgrades and development of a dog park area.

The agreement runs through December 2031 and includes one optional five-year extension.

Kyler Caldwell recently formed Boom Time Sports to help revitalize the facilities.

"We want to turn it back to the community again," Caldwell said.

Caldwell said adult softball has not been offered at the complex for several years despite strong community demand. The organization hopes to host tournaments, travel ball and league play to keep the fields active throughout the week.

Council members also considered amendments to the city's commercial cannabis ordinance. Current regulations require a 500-foot buffer between cannabis businesses and residential zones. However, recent General Plan updates created mixed-use zones that allow residential uses in many areas, effectively preventing new cannabis businesses from locating within the city.

Staff said the current ordinance also limits the ability of existing cannabis businesses to relocate or expand.

The proposed amendment removes the buffer requirement except in residential-only zones while maintaining distance requirements from schools, day care facilities, libraries and other sensitive uses. Commercial cannabis businesses will still be required to obtain a conditional use permit and will not be allowed by right.

Mayor Chris Branscum said cannabis businesses have been beneficial to the city. The council unanimously approved the ordinance update.

The council also approved revisions to the city's outdoor dining ordinance.

Recommended changes from the Planning Commission included limiting sidewalk seating and dining decks to local streets with speed limits below 25 mph, clarifying that the ordinance applies to both food and beverage establishments, aligning outdoor dining hours with existing business hours, prohibiting smoking in dining areas and allowing minor use permits to streamline approvals.

Vice Mayor Bruce Buttacavoli raised concerns about a provision requiring dining area designs to be stamped and approved by an architect or design professional.

He said the requirement could cost businesses thousands of dollars and create a financial burden for local establishments.

City Manager Jim Schaad suggested developing preapproved designs that businesses could use, reducing costs while ensuring compliance with safety and aesthetic standards.

The council unanimously approved the ordinance revisions after removing the design stamp requirement.

The next Marysville City Council meeting is scheduled for July 7.