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access and opportunity when there is a matching grant process with a private entity. He said <br />that if the County owns the fields and Recreation and Parks manages them, then it is the <br />County's decision. <br />Commissioner Carey agreed with Commissioner Halkiatis. He said that these comments are <br />consistent with what was said at the last meeting, regarding striking the language in 1A about <br />constructing fields on private land. He said that it depends on whether this policy is focused <br />only on the current funds available or if it will apply beyond the current funds. If this policy is <br />only for the funds available now, then he would like to strike all the language about matching <br />grants. <br />Commissioner Brown said that striking #2 would be good and using the money to construct <br />public fields for the County that are open to the public. <br />Geof Gledhill said that the way that this is written, it does not mean that the facilities have to be <br />built on private land. It is written such that the County could provide the land and a soccer <br />group could agree to develop the property. The matching money might help to develop the <br />facilities. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that she knew this when she made her comments, and she stands <br />by them. <br />Chair Jacobs said that this is a policy that he sees extending beyond the $2 million. He would <br />like to leave the opportunity open on a case by case basis to create partnerships with private <br />entities that may have money and may want to help build a soccer field. <br />Lori Taft said that if all of this language is struck in terms of private non-profits, there is still a lot <br />of opportunities to interact with these agencies. <br />Commissioner Carey said that he thinks that leaving the language in does provide the County <br />with more flexibility. He said that even if the language is left in, the Board does not have to <br />approve anything that it does not want to approve. <br />Commissioner Brown said that a private agency would have a very strong sense of ownership <br />and it will be very confusing for scheduling, etc. She would prefer to leave this item out of the <br />policy. The agency could donate money without the County obligating itself to their needs. <br />Commissioner Gordon said that she supports what Commissioner Brown said and that there <br />could be expectations from groups that provide funds. She suggested that these policy <br />guidelines should be specified for the $2 million for now, and then the policy could be amended <br />if needed. She would like to have this limited to public entities for now. <br />Chair Jacobs said that when they did the Soccer Symposium Task Force and report, all of this <br />was addressed. He thinks that leaving the language in would be inconsistent with what was <br />said and he does not think the County would be obligated to da anything that it would not want <br />to do. <br />Commissioner Brown said that if her memory serves her then, she does not remember <br />encouraging anyone to become partners. She thought that the Board asked far a survey of the <br />soccer groups to see what the needs were and the composition of the groups. She said that it <br />was clear that there were very few women involved and it cost a lot of money to join the clubs <br />