Community & Library Services
Commission
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
6:00 PM – Regular Meeting
MINUTES
STAFF:
CHRIS SLAMA, Director
Community & Library Services
ASHLEY WYSOCKI, Deputy Director
Community & Library Services
CHARLENE GOMEZ, Administrative Secretary
Community & Library Services
City of Huntington Beach
2000 Main Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
City Council Chambers
JANIS MANTINI, Chair
REV. JAMES PIKE, Vice Chair
PAT BURNS, Commissioner
LAURA COSTELLOE, Commissioner
DR. RICHARD HARRISON, Commissioner
LISA KEMMERER, Commissioner
ELAINE PARKER, Commissioner
FAITH VOGEL, Commissioner
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order by Chair Mantini at 6:02 pm, at which time a quorum was met.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Led by Chair Mantini
ROLL CALL
Burns, Costelloe, Harrison, Kemmerer, Mantini, Parker, Pike, Vogel Staff in attendance: Slama, Wysocki, Cole, Gomez, Vukoje (via zoom)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Chair Mantini moved this item forward to accommodate public comments on the upcoming administrative item.
1. Request approval of the March 9, 2022 meeting minutes.
MOTION: Commissioner Pike moved and Commissioner Burns seconded the motion to approve the minutes as written.
AYES: Burns, Costelloe, Harrison, Kemmerer, Mantini, Parker, Pike, Vogel NOES: None
SUPPLEMENTAL COMMUNICATIONS (Items received after the publication of the agenda)
1. A Power Point Slide highlighting the meeting agenda items was provided by City staff.
2. Seven (7) public comments were received and provided to Commissioners at the dais.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Chris Varga spoke on Administrative Item #1, in opposition of naming the park Rodgers 17 th
Street Park. Mr. Varga recommended naming the building the “Rodgers Community Center” and naming the parkland “17th Street Park”.
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Amory Hanson, resident and member of the Historic Resources Board - Spoke in support of “Rodgers 17th Street Park” as recommended by the Park Naming & Memorials Committee
Barbara Haynes , C hair of HB Preserve Our Past (HBPOP), former Chair of Historical Resources Boar d (HRB) - Spoke in support of naming the park “ 17th Street Park ” and provided historical information from newspapers and past City Council minutes. Ms. Haynes further suggested naming the building after Mr. Rodgers.
Gloria Alvarez, past Chair of the HRB and current member of HBPOP – Ms. Alvarez stated that Commission has received public comments not only from residence, but former Huntington Beach Mayors. Ms. Alvarez provided historical information on naming buildings separate from land. She is in support of naming the park, “17 th Street Park”, and the building
after Michael E. Rodgers.
Karen Millet - Supports the recommended name of “Rodgers 17 th Street Park ”, but will
accept and support whatever the Commission decides.
Catherine Johnson, UCI history student – Ms. Johnson is in support of naming the parkland as “17th Street Park”. Ms. Johnson is in favor of compromising by naming the building after Mr. Rodgers.
ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
1. Naming of the Parkland at 1706 Orange Avenue (former Rodgers Seniors’ Center site) – A meeting of the Park Naming & Memorials Committee was conducted on March 22, 2022. The Committee will present the naming recommendation to Commission.
Slama provided a quick chronology of how we ended up where we are today with this item. In addition to the chronology, Slama summarized the Park Naming Resolution No. 2017-25. The site master plan diagram was provided with Slama stating that the redevelopment is underway. The parcel is 2.13 Acres, with 13 parking stall, and will retain the 2, 623 square foot outreach building. Slama provided cl arification on the remaining building, saying that it will be renovated inside and out, with walls moved to enlarge the meeting space. There will continue to be space for the American Legion Post 133, and it will be available for community gathering. It will include two ADA compliant restrooms and other amenities.
Commissioner Parker asked if a kitchen would be included. Slama said it would be a small kitchenette.
Committee Chair Pike provided a summer of the March 22, 2022 Park Naming & Memorials Committee. He said there were very strong feelings and remarks from the public for the park to be named “17
th Street Park”. There were also those wanting to
retain the Michael E . Rodgers name. The C ommittee wanting to compromise, therefore, that was the reason for bring forth the name “Rodgers 17th Street”.
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Chair Mantini asked if the building could be named separately. Slama said yes, it is possible. Mantini said that the way she understands the process, the Rodgers name cannot be moved to the new Senior Center . Slama confirmed that there are other naming rights in place at the new Senior Center in Central Park.
Commissioner Burns commented that the park should be named “Rodgers 17th Street Park” and that the building should be named “Veterans Hall”.
Commissioner Pike recommends naming the park “17th Street Park” with the building named after Michael E Rodgers.
Commissioner Parker said that as a veteran and member of the Ameri can Legions, she is in agreeance with Commissioner Burns.
Commissioner Harrison agrees with Pike that the park should be named “17 th Street
Park” and the building after Michael E. Rodgers.
Commissioner Kemmerer is in favor of “17th Street Park” and naming the building separately after Mr. Rodgers.
MOTION: Commissioner Burns moved to name the park “Rodgers 17 th Street Park”
and the building, “Veterans Hall”, with Commissioner Parker seconding the motion.
The item failed, 2-6, and discussion continued.
Commissioner Costelloe feels differently about the naming now than she did at the time of the Committee meeting. She did not realize the significance of the building at the time. She now supports naming the park “ 17
th Street Park” and the building
after Mr. Rodgers.
Chair Mantini said she prefers a geographical name for the park, and, yet, there is a need to honor those who have done excellence for the City. And, although she feels there should be something named for V eterans, she thinks this building should be named after Michael E. Rodgers.
MOTION: Commissioner Costelloe moved to name the park “17 th Street Park” and
the building as the “ Michael E . Rodgers Clubhouse”. Commissioner Kemmerer seconded the motion. The motion passed, 5-3.
AYES: Costelloe, Harrison, Kemmerer, Mantini, Pike
NOES: Parker, Burns, Vogel
Additionally, Chair Mantini asked if there were alternative opportunities that could be named after veterans. Slama said that with the Park Naming & Memorials Committee activated, they could look in to it and come back to Commission with ideas.
2. Naming of the City Operated Beach RV Campground – The Community & Library Services Department operates a Recreational Vehicle (RV) camping facility in the south beach parking lot, commonly known as Sunset Vista RV Campground. There Community & Library Services Commission May 11, 2022
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is a need to formally name the campground, and in an effort to better reflect the location of this beachside campground and enhance customer service, it is recommended that “Huntington Beach” be included in the name.
Recommended Action:
Recommend that City Council approve to name the City Operated Beach RV Campground as “Huntington Beach RV Campground.”
Alternate Action:
Do not approve the recommended action and direct staff accordingly.
Slama provided an overview of the RV Campground and all of the new upgrades that will be taking place at the campground. Slama introduced Milan Vujole, Parking & Camping Supervisor for Community & Library Services, who provided information on how services and reservations are taken. Vujole said that after researching other campgrounds, he found that most incorporate their geological location (name of the City). It was clear that the name “Sunset Vista” does not represent Huntington Beach and could be loc ated anywhere. Vujole said that “Huntington Beach” is a strong brand name and should be included in the name for identification . Cole said that Vujole reconfigured the campground and provided some of the highlights such as the addition of 4 new spaces and the widening of spaces overall. Cole stated that the City is looking to brand itself, and this is a good opportunity.
MOTION: Commissioner Pike moved to approve the action as written .
Commissioner C ostelloe seconded the motion . All in favor and the motion passed 8-0.
AYES: Burns, Costelloe, Harrison, Kemmerer, Mantini, Parker, Pike, Vogel NOES: None
DIRECTOR’S / DEPUTY DIRECTOR’S ITEMS – Not Agendized
Wysocki provided an overview of the L ibrary tours that were held on April 25 and 27 for Commissioners. In addition to the libraries branches, a few parks were included in the tour, along with the Oak View Family Resource Center, which is slated for a new conceptual design, and Commissioners were driven by the parkland construction site at 1706 Orange Avenue.
Wysocki also reported that the Library master plan, which began in 2020, is continuing. The design consultant is currently synthesizing the info received from public comments. This item will come to the Commission in the near future for recommendation to City Council.
Slama thanked the Commissioners who went to the tours and said that those who were unable to attend, should contact Gomez to reschedule.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
1. Project Updates
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a. Edison Park Conceptual Plan - Wysocki reported that a topographical survey will be conducted this month. Arborgate Consultants will tag, measure and evaluate the existing trees. Afterward, RJM will analyze the information and compile the data for review. Staff continues to provide public outreach, i n addition to the project website, which continues to be updated as well. Wysocki reported that 20 signs have been posted around the park, 6 large banners, and a 10,000 piece mailer went out to addresses within a 1 mile radius; 80,000 residents received an eblast, and there will be an announcement in the HB Sands recreation guide, which will go out to 65,000 homes, all in addition to social media posts.
b. Playground Improvements - Booster park playground replacement will be in this fiscal year’s budget. Ribbon cutting ceremonies for the new playgrounds at Glen View and Sun View parks took place, respectively.
c. Blufftop Park Improvements - The railing installation is completed.
Widening should be completed by end of June. Upgraded landscaping will take place, and a r ibbon cutting celebration is expected in June 2022 as well. Mantini asked about the squir rel issue. Slama said that it is being addressed.
2. Huntington Central Park Non-Profit Groups and Stakeholders Slama reviewed the n on-profit groups in Huntington Central Park as requested by Commissioner Mantini at the March 9, 2022 meeting. Slama explained that the Huntington Central Park Collaborative is made up of representatives from each of the groups. Kemmerer asked about the management of the Sports Complex. Slama said that it went out to RFP and a new operator was selected after the retirement of long-time City staff.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. See Administrative Item #1.
MEMBER & STAFF COMMENTS – Not Agendized
Mantini thanked staff and the naming committee for their hard work.
Costelloe thanked staff for the tour. She also reported that she received a tour from Steve Engel at the Secret Garden.
Kemmerer thanked the committee for providing such a complete report so that Commissioners were able to make a sound decision.
Pike reported a couple of ribbon cuttings he attended and thanked staff.
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ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, Chair Mantini adjourned the meeting at 7:20 pm.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Minutes – March 9, 2022
2. Park Naming Request for Action – Parkland at 1706 Orange Avenue
3. Campground Naming Request for Action
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The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Huntington Beach Community & Library Services Commission is Wednesday, June 8, 2022, at 6:00 PM in City Council Chambers at City Hall, 2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648.
Internet access to Community & Library Service Commission agenda and staff report material is available prior to the Community & Library S ervices Commission meetings at http://www.huntingtonbeachca.gov.
MEETING ASSISTANCE NOTICE: In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, services are available to members of our community who require special assistance to participate in public meetings. If you require special assistance, 48-hour prior notification will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements for an assisted listening device (ALD) for the hearing impaired, American Sign Language interpreters, a reader during the meeting and/or large print agendas. Please contact the Community & Library Services Department at (714) 536- 5434 for more information, or to request assistance from the staff at the meeting.