MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
WEST ANAHEIM YOUTH CENTER
320 S. BEACH BLVD., ANAHEIM, CA 92804
October 23, 2024 – 6:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT:
Ryan Balius, Chair Sjany Larson-Cash, Director
James Cook Anaheim Sporn, Community Services Manager
Lynn Cudd JJ Jimenez, Parks Manager
Tony Flores Ana Straabe, Principal Project Planner
Greg Martin Kamila Rodriguez, Senior Secretary
Fred Sigala, Jr.
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
CarlottaRhea Clark, Vice Chair
A G E N D A A C T I O N T A K E N
1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Balius called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Sigala led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: None.
4. SCHEDULED COMMUNICATION: None.
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Chair Balius presented the September 25, 2024 Minutes to the Commissioners for changes or corrections. Commissioner Martin made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded by Commissioner Flores. The motion was approved with 4 votes in favor and 1 abstention; Chair Balius accepted the minutes.
6. REPORTS:
a) Park Ranger Report – September: Anaheim Sporn presented the report and noted a general increase in all occurrences from the previous year, indicating a higher amount of patrols with a fully staffed Ranger team as well as a higher number of patrons in parks. She explained that higher numbers of occurrences can also, in part, be due to events such as the Center Greens grand opening. Anaheim shared that the number of curfew advisements has increased which again can be attributed to high patron activity and a high number of patrols.
Commissioner Cook entered the meeting.
Questions were answered regarding rattlesnake sightings, data from Center Greens since its opening, and Center Greens maintenance.
b) Recreation, Human & Neighborhood Services Activity Report – August/September: Anaheim Sporn presented the report and noted over 1,400 participants who enrolled in summer contract class programming as well as 70 recipients of youth scholarships for these programs. Anaheim highlighted the variety of programming including the wilderness survival themed camp for teens at the Oak Canyon Nature Center and the summer adult basketball season at multiple facilities throughout the City. She shared the success of the Center Gallery’s reception celebrating Chicano Heritage Month with works from Emigdio Vasquez, his daughter Rosemary Vasquez Tuthill, and local Anaheim artist Oliver Cortez.
Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
October 23, 2024
Questions were answered regarding pickleball and the summer concert schedule.
c) Parks Capital Project Progress Report: Ana Straabe presented the report and updated the Commission on the Little Pine Park and North La Palma Green Promenade projects which are both currently undergoing construction. She also presented an update on the Paul Revere Park play area which will soon be completed as well as the upcoming start of construction on the Riverdale Park play area. Finally, she highlighted the award of the $6,000,000 Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership grant for the La Palma Park Improvement project.
Questions were answered regarding the process of creating a new park and future Kaboom! projects.
7. NEW BUSINESS:
a) Park Ordinances: Sjany Larson-Cash presented an overview of the preliminarily approved Anaheim Municipal Code (AMC) additions to Chapter 11.11, Chapter 11.13, and Chapter 6.30. Sjany presented three recommended additions to AMC Chapter 13.08 which would incorporate the aforementioned amendments into the Park Ordinances.
Questions were answered regarding previous Commissioner input being considered in the proposed ordinance changes and procedures for unattended property.
Chair Balius made a motion to support the ordinance to amend Chapter 13.08 of the AMC, seconded by Commissioner Cudd. The motion was approved with six votes in favor.
8. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Anaheim Sporn announced that a future agenda will include a presentation from Janis Heckel, Executive Director of the Anaheim Community Foundation, with an overview of the Needs Assessment Survey results.
Commissioner Sigala commented on the success of the Center Greens grand opening and provided feedback regarding parking for the new park.
Chair Balius thanked staff for the Boards and Commissioners Dinner event.
Vice Chair Clark thanked the Park Ranger staff for their quick response in a recent situation.
Anaheim announced the annual Fall Festival and Halloween Parade event on October 26 th and Dia de Los
Muertos event on November 1st and encouraged Commissioners to attend.
9. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Balius adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.