1 CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
MINUTES OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Virtual – Zoom meeting
January 24, 2022
4:00 PM
CONTENTS
A. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 4:00 PM.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Karger, Greenberg, Weiner, Doran, McCarthy, Turkmany, Grampp
Absent: none
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Commissioner Weiner moved to approve the December 14, 2021 minutes as written.
Commissioner Doran seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Ayes: Karger, Greenberg, Weiner, Doran, McCarthy, Turkmany, Grampp Nayes: None
Abstain: None
Absent: Karger
D. CEREMONIAL
None
E. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit)
None
F. GENERAL BUSINESS
Discussion of 2022 Workplan Items: Workplan item summary sheet reviewed El Porto Family Park (Greenberg, McCarthy, Turkmany) – Commissioner Greenberg reported that City Council directed staff to reach out to LA County regarding providing funding for any changes that are in the current development plan, but not to ask that the County pursue development of the Park. Before spending any more staff or commission time on design or public outreach, it needs to be determined if the new County Supervisor will fund the project. Director Leyman stated that he will reach out and next steps will be determined by the County response.
Nature Areas and Trails – (Greenberg, McCarthy, Turkmany) Commissioner Greenberg gave the following update: City Council would like to look at master planning Sand Dune Park and determine what the community would like this park to be. Whether it should be a nature conservancy to protect the bird habitat or a park for the enjoyment of humans, or a mix of the two, is to be studied along with the budget to bring the park up to standard, and maintain. Commissioner Greenberg emphasized that the City Council voiced a sense of urgency to establish and plan through communication with Public Works, the arborist, and community outreach. Commissioner Turkmany added that he is not clear whether the Sand Dune Building should be a separate project or lumped into the Master Plan project. Director Leyman relayed that the City Council has identified $1,200,000 in ARPA funds for facilities, 2 and that in addition to the trails and building, programming will need to be considered. There is a small classroom space in the existing building. Whether or not to keep that or expand is a consideration. The estimates received to date are for modular, prefab buildings.
Director Leyman reported that the department is putting together a list of everything that is needed in the parks and prioritize. He will prioritize all of the department projects and assign staff to work with the ad-hoc committee. He explained that the department is down four full- time employees, is in the middle of a reorg and is currently supporting 40 work plan items. He will be working with the City Manager to coordinate the City Council priorities with the department priorities.
Dog Runs/Parkettes – Commissioner Weiner summarized that ther e are not a lot of opportunities to expand in this category. The message that he got from the joint meeting. The City has three usable dog parks that are not in the greatest condition. The first goal is to address any safety concern s and potential upgrades with Public Works. Next step is to do walk throughs to confirm what needs to be put through to Public Works. The message received from City Council is that we have enough dog runs and parkettes but the Greenbelt and Marine Park were also mentioned as possible options. Commissioner Weiner reminded that commission that there is already a small, relatively unused, dog run at Marine Avenue park, and suggested that money necessary to develop a larger park at that location may be better used elsewhere. He would like to explore doubling the size of the Polliwog Park dog run. The Marine Avenue Park location may be reevaluated based on the outcome of the Pay N’ Play situation.
Exploring Repurposing the Pay N Play Racquetball Courts – (Karger, Turkmany, Greenberg) Commissioner Karger reported next steps are to get accurate costs for remodeling vs. demolition. The lease and communication with the Lessee is in the hands of the City Attorney. Once staff is advised to move forward, community outreach will be essential to determine future use of the space. Preliminary research has been done for alternative uses but community input will be key. Commissioner McCarthy suggested that if the Pay N Pay building were removed, there could be a large area (including the basketball courts and community center) that could be reconfigured. Director Leyman stated that once staff received confirmation that we can take over operations of the building, program options and cost estimates may be prepared and presented to the Commission and City Council.
Exploring Acquisition of the Armory – This item will be removed from the Commission work plan and is now a staff item for annual follow up with state elected officials.
Exploring the feasibility of developing an aquatics center – (McCarthy, Weiner, Doran) Commissioner McCarthy gave the following report: The message she got from the joint meeting is that there seems to be a conflict between wanting to have facilities fixed and where to find the money to do so. She is concerned that the aquatics facility does not seem to be viewed in the same way as the other parks and does not agree with the opinion that this is a five to seven year minimum project. She stated that statistically valid polling needs to confirm what people are interested in doing with Begg Pool.
1. Fixing Begg Pool
2. Expanding Begg Pool
3. Building a new facility on the Begg Pool site
4. Improving Begg Pool and building an additional facility on a different site
In her opinion, the public should be asked if they would support a bond measure after a scope 3 is established. Commissioner Greenberg mentioned that what he heard in the joint meeting, is that residents should be polled for their appetite to support a bond measure first because most people would say yes to new aquatics facilities. Until you ask if people are willing to be taxed in order to pay for it, you don’t know whether you have community support.
Commissioner McCarthy added that there are people who are willing to financially support the project and there may be an opportunity to partner with a 501c3. She is concerned that Begg Pool will get to a point where it will need to shut down before any action is taken.
Director Leyman reiterated that City Council wants a statistically valid survey. He would like to see where the community wide survey landed on the topic and then work with a company for more specific statistically valid survey. Commissioner McCarthy would like the survey to be presented in a way that educates the public the current facility is in need of significant repair and is at the end of its useful life. Commissioner Weiner does not think that residents should be asked if they want the City to repair and maintain an existing facility and that the survey should pertain to a new facility. He feels that the maintenance of Begg Pool and the concept of a new aquatics facility are separate items. Director Leyman will speak with the City Manager to determine next steps and what can be done before the survey. Commissioner Doran added that demand for water should also be considered and presented.
Donation Policy and Programs – (Turkmany, Karger, Weiner) Commissioner Turkmany reported that the amenity catalog is currently on hold
. He would like to speak with the City Attorney
about the legacy donation program. Commissioner Karger is working on drafting bylaws and a structure for what the donation process through a 501c3 would look like. Her goal is to present to City Council before her term ends in May. Commissioner Weiner recommended using a consultant who is an expert in the field to facilitate. Director Leyman commented that authorization for a consultant could be requested with a detailed justification presented to City Council.
Director Leyman stated that it would be good to bring this to City Council in May with the Military Wall.
Sand Dune Building Replacement – Commissioner Turkmany reported that there were estimates received for ADA improvements in the $100,000-$140,000 range, to the existing structure and also for a small reservation booth. Commissioner Weiner added that there were additional quotes received for a larger prefab building in the $500,000 range. Director Leyman mentioned that an engineer should also look at any quotes to make sure they are realistic. This item will be included in the larger Sand Dune Master Plan project requested by City Council.
Options for Historical Red House – Director Leyman reported that commission involvement is dependent on the outcome of the approval of usage of Library Surplus Fund dollars. Possibilities for the facility include building an adjacent facility to aid in East Manhattan Beach library services. The facility may also include a museum space and study rooms for students. Parks and Recreation Commission involvement will be joint with the Library Commission and Cultural Arts Commission. The Library Commission has put together a survey to assess the need for library services on the east side.
Other work plan notes: The City Council did not include the lighted volleyball courts on the 2022 workplan. The Parks and Recreation Commission will work jointly with the Cultural Arts Commission when considering the Polliwog Park band shell and there should be a discussion with the contractor for the Peck Reservoir project regarding a community garden at Begg Field.”
4 G. STAFF ITEMS
Director Leyman gave the following updates:
City Council tentatively approved the Leadership Manhattan Beach mural project for the Manhattan Beach Art Center (MBAC). The mural will be developed in a paint by number format and painted by members of the community.
The Charles Bragg Exhibition opening at MBAC will be held on February 4th.
The Polliwog Playground Project is now due to complete in August, 2022, due to shipping delays.
Sean Roberts has been promoted to Public Works Superintendent. Staff will be working with Sean on a whole laundry list of projects. Bobby Dobson will be in charge of parks and fields.
There are some excellent candidates for the Sr. Recreation Manager position. Updates to come.
H. COMMISSION ITEMS
Older Adult Program update – no update
District update – no up-date.
Student update – Commissioner Grampp reported that the first day of school was January 3rd and there have been many COVID related absences.
He added that due to the omicron variant, the Students to Seniors program he was organizing with Community Programs Manager, Jan Buike, will not be happening.
He is looking for other ways to contribute to intergenerational causes.
I. ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Turkmany moved to adjourn. Commissioner McCarthy seconded the motion.
The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 5:57 PM to Monday, February 28, 2022.