CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Monday, October 24, 2022
4:00 PM
Location: Hybrid format (1400 Highland Avenue, Manhattan Beach and virtual via zoom)
MINUTES
A. CALL TO ORDER - Chair McCarthy called the meeting to order at 4:19 pm.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Allen, Greenberg, Weiner, Windes, Serota, Vice Chairperson Doran, Chairperson McCarthy
Others Present: Director Leyman, Sr. Management Analyst (SMA) Robb; Melissa McCollum, Sr. Recreation Manager, Rosemary Lackow, Recording Secretary C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – none
D. CEREMONIAL – None.
E. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit) – None
F. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. 2022 Workplan Item updates
El Porto Family Park –Commissioner Greenberg confirmed this item is no longer a work plan item and may be taken off the agenda. Sand Dune Park Master Plan , including Nature Areas/Trails and Building (Greenberg, McCarthy, Windes) Commissioner Greenberg reported the committee met October 18 and provided updates on progress made in planning the park event: the “Sand Dune Park Revitalization Open House” will be November 12, Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.; a simple survey on long term desired uses and programming has be en drafted and given to staff; the mayor is lined up to participate. Attendees will be informed about the survey and encouraged to fill out. Dog Parks and Community Parkettes (Weiner) Commissioner Weiner reported:
Dog Parks: Live Oak Park and Polliwog: He has visited all parks; at Live Oak the shade canopy is not yet installed; Director Leyman will look into that issue.
Commissioner Weiner has talked to people at the dog parks about replacing wood chips with d ecomposed granite commonly referred to as “ d.g”. He found most people did not understand what d.g is. He has done some research and found
that it is fairly expensive ($40 - $50/cubic foot) compared to wood chips; has found some concerns about d.g. such as that it retains odors and, although drains water, can get soggy. He will discuss with Maintenance Manager Sean Roberts.
The Commission discussed briefly. Chair McCarthy suggested that the busiest times at dog parks (for obtaining input from users) are on Saturdays either 8:30 to 10:00 am or 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Parkettes: Larsson Street and 8 th Street: Commissioner W einer intends to consult with Maintenance Manager Roberts on the various tasks to be done and materials that are needed so that scheduling work and purchasing materials can be done/ordered in an efficient manner.
Repurposing Pay N Play – (Windes, Greenberg, Allen) Commissioner Windes does not have an update at this time. Commissioner Weiner reported that about one week ago he noted that the lock has been removed from court number two; Director Leyman noted and will investigate.
Explore Aquatics Facility – (McCarthy, Weiner, Doran) - Commissioner McCarthy reported this item is essentially tabled until after the city election. She and others from Manhattan Beach plan to meet again with Councilmember Lowenstein and others from Redondo Beach. She is working with Jessica Vincent on the True North survey (about 500 respondents) and was informed that a True North representative will attend a future Parks and Recreation Commi ssion meeting to present about the survey.
Donation P olicy and Programs (Weiner, McCarthy, Allen) – Commissioner Weiner reported that the committee has a meeting tomorrow with Gary Wayland and Gary will walk them through the process of setting up a 501c3 organization.
G. STAFF ITEMS
Director Leyman reported/announced on the following events:
October 21 - the MBAC had the opening for the new “Fly High Dive Deep” Lynn Aldrich exhibit, was a great success with approximately 250 attendees.
October 22 - Family Halloween Carnival was tremendous success, at least 300 attendees. Staff did a great job.
October 29 - 10 am: Polliwog Park “Rainbow Gazebo” ribbon-cutting.
October 30 - 4 pm: pumpkin race. Commissioners Windes will decorate a pumpkin for Parks and Recreation Commission a nd encouraged other Commissioners to join in at the event.
November 4 - 4 pm: MBMS Pickleball courts reopening event. Going forward, the courts will be open to the public on weekends only, for now unstaffed.
November 11 - 11 am: Veterans Ceremony Day
The Commission discussed the upcoming joint city council/commission work plan meeting in January. Director Leyman reported the date is January 9th; he will check into the agenda and order of presentations.
Director Leyman informed he believes that each committee chair will make a brief presentation (2-3 slides each) for his/her project. The Commission will have a total of one hour to present /discuss with Council. As homework, each commissioner should put together slides to cover: the project description, what has been done to date, and what remains to be done for each of the current work plan items. Each Commissioner was asked to also look at the master park plan and choose three projects that he or she would like see treated as a priority and possible consideration as a new work plan item . These will be compiled for discussion at the next meeting.
SMA Robb informed that the department staff report for the council/commission work plan meeting will need to be finalized around mid-December; all information going into the presentation will need to be received by staff before that date.
Commissioner Greenberg will share background information that he may have regarding the Pay and Play repurposing project with Commissioner Windes.
Director Leyman emphasized that the work plan summaries that will be prepared by the committees should be more general to be used as talking points to guide discussion. Summaries should include a background, a description of what has been accomplished and what the Commission is asking for the next work plan.
Director Leyman suggested that guidance will also be available at the next meeting from the deferred maintenance list as well as the CIP project list.
After a brief discussion, i t was de termined that the Commission would meet on Wednesday December 21st in person, at 4:00 p.m. (as opposed to December 26).
H. COMMISSION ITEMS
Older Adult Program update - Commissioner McCarthy reported that she attended a council forum where concern was expressed regarding school vandalism in the form of antisemitic or racist graffiti. She found it disturbing and shocking to see as she was vetting speaker requests at the forum that about 5 or 6 speaker cards submitted by senior residents at the forum contained statements that she believed were antisemitic or racist.
School District update – Commissioner Greenberg reported on a few exciting high school sport events including the girls’ volleyball CIF round 2 competition and the upcoming football game with Redondo Union.
Student update - Commissioner Serota updated on e-bike enforcement at Mira Costa. He believes that relying on fines may not be effective and that perhaps a license should be required. The Commission briefly discussed e-bike
enforcement.
I. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved and seconded (Greenberg/Windes) to adjourn. The motion passed, 7-0 with a voice vote. The meeting adjourned at 5:21 p.m. to November 21st.