City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission February 27, 2023 1 CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Monday February 27, 2023
4:00 PM
Location: City Hall - City Council Chambers / Hybrid
MINUTES
A. CALL TO ORDER – Chair McCarthy called the meeting to order at 4:03 pm.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Allen, Greenberg, Weiner, Vice Chair Doran, Serota, Windes, Chairperson McCarthy
Absent: None
Others Present: Parks and Recreation Director Leyman, Sr. Management Analyst (SMA) Robb, Public Works Maintenance Manager Sean Roberts
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - January 23, 2023
It was moved and seconded ( Greenberg/Windes) to approve the minutes as submitted.
The motion passed 7-0.
D. CEREMONIAL – None
E. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit) – None
F. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. 2023 Work Plan Items Discussion
Chair McCarthy provided introductory comments noting the Commission will discuss each item and aim to outline progressive steps that need to be taken to get each back to city council. a. Dog Parks & Community Parkettes (Weiner) Commissioner Weiner reported that t he Committee is waiting for updates from City Hall; Director Leyman indicated that the school district is also waiting for cost estimates from the city and is generally supportive. Maintenance Manager Roberts reported: 1) The shade structure at Live Oak Park is about two weeks out from installation; 2) At Polliwog, Public Works is still working with the school district to relocate archery equipment in the area where the dog park is to be expanded ; this project is taking more time as, while bids are being processed, the contracts are having to go through legal review.
b. Explore Repurposing Pay ‘N Play Racquetball Land/Building (Windes) Commissioner Windes reported the committee will be meeting soon with the city including public works and is expecting to receive a spreadsheet of cost estimates for all options. Director Leyman further reported he believes the cost estimates will be ready for Commission review at its next (March) meeting. Director Leyman stated realistically this may not be ready for Council until May.
Commissioner Windes noted that the various options for the land near the Pay ‘ N Play building will be discussed at the next Committee meeting; s he commented that at least one option, “teqball” will require too much land area and suggests that this be deleted from the programming City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission February 27, 2023 2 options. R egarding project scope, Commissioner Windes again stated the scope of possible options will be discussed soon in committee; her opinion is the area from and including Rocketship Hall (which she believes is not being used except for storage) and the Pay ‘N Play building should be among the options to be costed out. Chair McCarthy emphasized that the committee should refine exactly what the “ask” will be of the City Council and should be in line with the direction of the City Council in January. Commissioner Windes stated she feels confident that the Council asked that the Commission identify and cost out all possible options which could include reprogramming Rocketship Hall as well as building demolition; this was affirmed by Director Leyman.
c. Sand Dune Park Master Plan (Nature A reas & Trails, building) (Greenberg) At Sand Dune Park, the hillside is revegetated and stabilized and a decorative fence will be a joint project with the Cultural Arts Commission and otherwise Public Works is waiting for direction on the new work. Comm issioner Greenberg reminded that from the January meeting Council affirmed going out to bid for a landscape designer. Director Leyman asked whether more outreach for Sand Dune Park is needed (to be discussed under Sand Dune Park item).
Commissioner Greenberg reported t hat one community event will be planned for April, and outreach should be the same as for the first event. It was agreed that staff could move forward on a parallel track and develop the project RFP. Director Leyman clarified that procedurally the RFP will come back to the Commission before going to council which could be as early as May, but likely later.
Commissioner Weiner raised the issue of whether, although $200k has been allocated, the project may not need to spend that much and he questioned that a licensed architect and/or landscape architect was needed. He suggested that they consider using a prefab structure if a new building is desired as such prefab companies typically have in-house architecture service which could make this a cost-effective option.
SMA Robb reminded that for the last event, a postcard invitation was sent to all neighbors within a radius of 1,000 feet around the entire park boundary and the event was also publicized through the city’s social media.
Commissioner Greenberg noted outreach is necessary even if just a few residents wind up participating.
Commissioner Windes stated she recalled that residents were asking about having a dog run at Sand Dune; she feels very strongly that a priority should be to refurbish or replace the playground equipment. Chair McCarthy summarized and the commission and staff affirmed the pathway forward: 1) have a gathering in April, well publicized; 2) Committee to meet with staff and establish what the scope of “ask” will be to City Council with costs estimated; and finally, 3) go out to bid.
Commissioner Windes expressed concern that there will not be sufficient time to get enough feedback from the public if the event is in April and the item goes to Council in May. Commissioner Greenberg suggested reopening the survey for a short amount of time in addition to getting input at the park event. The additional survey input can be provided at the council meeting if not in time for the staff report.
d. Explore Aquatics Facility (McCarthy). Chair McCarthy reported: 1) True North presented to council in February at which time questions were asked (pool size, costs etc.) and since answered; 2) Council directed the Commission to proceed to work with staff to develop an RFP to get cost proposals for drawing up schematics for a facility; and 3) on Wednesday the committee will meet with staff (Sr. Recreation Manager McCollum) to get started on the RFP; and, City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission February 27, 2023 3 4) as a next step the committee is trying to get in contact with a school board member .
Commissioner Greenberg reported that, while in a meeting with the school superintendent, as a Parks Commissioner he briefed the superintendent on the aquatic facility initiative and work of the aquatics committee and counci l discussion at the February council meeting, including the mayor’s idea of flipping the location of the pool and the maintenance yard.
The Committee has been approached by some council members who want to establish a dialogue as an initial step. Commissioner Greenberg noted he has as a new school board member, found that he will not be on the committee that meets with the city. He suggested the two board members who serve on the city/board ad hoc committee.
The Chair reported that the committee continues to be approached by private parties interested in this initiative but it’s too early to discuss. A possible private/public partnership has been discussed and Sherry Kramer of Continental Development has been a resource providing the bylaws of a 501c3 developed for a new sport complex through a partnership between the City of El Segundo, the Wiseburn Unified School District, Continental Development and a few others.
This may also serve as a template useful to the donation policy committee. Another person has approached the Chair and may be a good resource for the committee. The Committee want to go to council in May.
e. Donation Policy and Programs – Commissioner Weiner recalled that Council basically called for more information and emphasized that such an entity would be independent of the City.
Concepts are being explored ongoing by the Committee. Time frame wise, Commissioner Weiner believes by the end of May a basic structure and estimated costs will be ready. Director Leyman indicated he will be happy to be involved in meetings.
G. STAFF ITEMS
City Council Recap and Parks and Recreation Department Updates
Director Leyman reported the following:
• At its next meeting the Commission will be considering and making a recommendation regarding a city-wide field or facility naming policy and process. Once a policy is established, the naming of a field for Walt Dougher will be brought back and processed in accordance with new established policy.
• Congratulations to Commissioner Greenberg for his election to the school board. Very exciting in that the city has a long-standing partnership with the school district. • The “Acting Out Again” comedy improv was held on February 25, and was spectacular, with 120 in attendance–great work by the older adults group. • February 27 is the first day of spring registration and summer camps and the sign ups were amazing with 1,700 registrations for $450,000 in revenue and over the last 3 quarters there have been over 10,000 participants for over 1,100 activities. • Special events: the 5-K run and the Chargers withdrew thierproposalsl; Council approved the Catalina Classic and Tour de Pier as legacy events • Pickleball noise issue, MB Middle School: S taff is working on this issue, met with 3 residents, school rep and staff and is now working on sound barrier design that will also allow for sight lines. Hopefully will be in place in 4-6 weeks. Today the hours will remain unchanged. The court hours were noted (only open on weekends); Director Leyman will check on signage regarding hours, contact phone number, and restroom locations.
Changes in hours to be more open will need to be discussed with school district and City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission February 27, 2023 4 residents. Commissioner Greenberg suggested that the topic of greater hours once daylight savings time begins be discussed with the school Ad Hoc Committee when it next meets.
• To Commissioner W einer who reported that The Strand was unusable due to storm activity, Manager Roberts reported that the Strand was cleared by the City as of today but the bike path maintenance is the responsibility of the condition is Darryl Pitman of LA County Beaches and Harbors. He believes the city would not have the resources to assume storm clearance maintenance.
H. COMMISSION ITEMS
Older Adult Program update (McCarthy)—The Chair reported: the seniors recently had a very lengthy meeting and much discussion was held over a number of topics.
Of high interest was concerning the placement of fast chargers in existing public parking spaces at the Joslyn Center. It is alleged that able bodied Tesla owners are parking their cars in the charging spaces, then jog home and back to retri eve their cars; meanwhile seniors who come for activities at the Joslyn Center have a very hard time finding a convenient place to park.
Director Leyman responded that the city is aware of this issue and the plan is for the city to host a neighborhood meeting attended by the City Traffic Engineer who, upon receiving input, will look to see what is the best model for use of the parking spaces and charging stations.
Commissioner Greenberg added that parking along Valley has been used by contractors working in the area and he highly encourages the city, in gathering input, to try to be inclusive and transparent with the neighbors and public.
Commissioner Windes noted that a related issue is that senior parking permits are difficult to obtain.
The seniors also expressed frustration at the meeting with the lack of progress for the Scout House project and the feedback was—to the Council, to decide what is to be done and get some momentum going.
School District update (Greenberg)— There is a new school board member and an open seat was filled after a selection process and Commissioner Greenberg was selected, appointed, sworn in and seated. He will serve out the remainder of his Commission term through May.
Student update ( S
erota)—Commissioner Serota reported on a variety of school activities at Mira Costa including a basketball tournament and spring dance.
Chair McCarthy encouraged the Commissioners to spread the word about the school board vacancy on the Parks and Recreation Commission. Commissioner Greenberg clarified the student seat on the Commission is appointed by the City Council while his seat being vacated is appointed by the School Board and ratified by the City Council.
I. ADJOURNMENT
At 5:27 p.m. it was moved and seconded (Greenberg/Windes) to adjourn to Monday, March 27
th at 4:00 p.m. The motion passed unanimously with a voice vote.