City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission January 23, 2023
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Monday, January 23, 2023
4:00 PM
Location: City Hall - City Council Chambers / Hybrid (Virtual and in per-son) – Instructions within Agenda
MINUTES
A. CALL TO ORDER – Vice Chair Doran called the meeting to order at 4:07 pm.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Allen (arrived 4:10 pm), Vice Chair Doran, Greenberg, Weiner, Windes, Serota.
Absent: Chairperson McCarthy
Others Present: Parks and Recreation Director Leyman, Sr. Management Analyst (SMA) Robb
C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – December 21, 2022
It was moved and seconded ( Windes/Weiner) to approve the minutes as submitted.
The motion passed 5-0-2 (Commissioners McCarthy,and Allen absent – Commissioner Allen arrived after vote)
D. CEREMONIAL – None
E. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit) – None
F. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Review of new Special Event applications.
SMA Robb gave a brief overview regarding two applications for new proposed special events, which, in accordance with established policy, as “Tier 3” events , require approval by City Council, with review and a recommendation to Council, provided by the Special Events Committee and the Parks and Recreation Commission.
a. Unify FCU 5K
SMA Robb invited Beena Patel, representing Unify Federal Credit Union to address the Commission regarding a submitted Special Event Permit application for a 5-K run to be held April 16 from the Manhattan Beach Pier to the Hermosa Beach Pier. The purpose is to allow the applicant to have a public forum and to promote financial literacy, to include schools.
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission January 23, 2023
Between 2,000 and 4,000 persons are expected. This will be community oriented, including offering approximately 14 booths to be used by businesses . Sponsors include Northrop Grumman and Skechers.
Responding to Commission inquiry: Ms. Patel stated some proceeds will go back to the schools and there will be donation to an animal group.
Vice Chair Doran invited Commission discussion.
Commissioner Windes expressed difficulty understanding the benefit for the city other than marketing and promoting financial literacy and it was commented that the event doesn’t seem to be fully vetted.
SMA Robb explained that the action by the Commission will go to the committee and then on to the Council at their second meeting in February.
Commissioner Greenberg stated that he felt this event was quite different than the Chargers event in that this credit union event is mainly a marketing purpose with little benefit to the community that might offset the impacts. He cannot support.
The Commission was unanimously in agreement with Commissioner Greenberg and it was added that this is not a unique event, the city already has a pier to pier “Friendship Walk” that has much stronger community ties.
Commissioner Windes moved, seconded by Greenberg, that the Commission recommend that the application for the Unify 5k run be not approved, for reasons stated.
Vice Chair Doran called for a vote, there was unanimous support for the motion which passed by voice vote 6-0-1.
SMA Robb explained that this recommendation will be discussed by the Special Event Committee and then forwarded to the City Council for a decision (along with the Chargers application) in February.
b. LA Chargers Draft Day event
LA Chargers representative Lisa Simmons gave a slide presentation detailing the application including the layout at the pier and activities including areas for “the fan experience”, “VIP Hospitality” and “Food and Beverage Sales”. The event is scheduled on April 27
th, and as encouraged by the NFL for all its teams, is a local market event , held in conjunction with the live NFL draft in Kansas City . Ms.
Simmons showed a film of a similar draft event held in 2019 at the pier in Santa Monica and emphasized that the Chargers will work with the city to learn what is
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission January 23, 2023
and what is not acceptable and plan the event accordingly.
Ms. Simmons fielded several questions from the C ommissioners regarding activities, attendance; possible shuttles and ride sharing arrangements, the event’s past history ; fo od and alcohol sales , community and business association collaboration, possible support for a local nonprofit, etc.
Director Leyman explained that the Commission’s role is to raise concerns as well as offer suggestions for a recommendation for Council action. He also pointed out that the beach is a county jurisdiction for permitting.
Vice Chair Doran opened the floor to the Commission to discuss.
Commissioner Greenberg stated he supports recommending approval, subject to two issues being accommodated:
1) Figure out a way to provide more of a benefit to the local community, to balance out impacts , possibly by reserving a significant number of tickets (e.g. 50%) to be provided on “first dibs" basis to city residents. 2) Figure out a way to give a benefit back to the community with some kind of donation to a local organization or group.
Commissioner Windes stated her agreement with Commissioner Greenberg and added she was disappoint ed that local football teams have not been invited to participate.
The remainder of the Commission was generally in agreement, but some concern was expressed as to the appropriateness of requiring the 50% local “first dibs” number.
Commissioner Greenberg moved to recommend that the City Council approve the Special Event application subject to conditions requiring the applicant to:
1) Clear review by the City’s Special Events Committee; 2) Give members of the Manhattan Beach community “f irst dibs” on up to 50 % of the total number of tickets.
3) Come back with a recommendation for a contribution to the Manhattan Beach community.
4) Invite targeted local sport teams to participate in the event.
Commissioner Windes seconded the motion. In discussing, the Commission asked the applicants representative whether, as in condition two, 50% is an acceptable number. Representative Simmons indicated that 50% would be acceptable to have as long as it was applied for a specific limit of time.
Vice Chair Doran called for a vote; the motion passed unanimously by a voice vote 6-1.
2. Review of City Council direction on 2022 Work Plan Items and Next Steps
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission January 23, 2023
Commissioner Weiner reviewed and led discussion on the list of projects, highlighting whether, at the January meeting, council accepted the Commission’s recommendations and ideas and next steps as follows:
• Explore Acquiring Armory Land: council felt lack of response is due to correspondence not going to the right person. Staff was directed to draft a letter for Mayor’s signature to be sent to state senator Ben Allen. Staff has completed the letter.
• Consider El Porto Family Park Enhancements: direction - remove from work plan, and dormant due to lack of County interest.
• Parks Master Plan: Commissioner Weiner noted that as there is only one project that has yet to be developed: the Community Garden and a number are still active.
He suggested going forward, with new Commissioners coming on board, that the entire commission take a field trip to look at all parks and recreation facilities and start building a project list back up.
• Expand/Upgrade Dog P arks and Community Parkettes : Council affirmed Commission recommendations and also directed that staff look for opportunities for a dog run on the greenbelt.
• Consider Repurposing Pay-N-Play Racquetball Land/Building: Council asked for a full “game plan” including evaluation of the life of the roof, staffing, etc.
Commissioner Weiner suggested that if the Commission wants to expand the scope of the project, e.g., to include Rocketship Hall, then he feels this should be developed as a separate and new master plan item. Towards that, the subcommittee should meet with Sean Roberts (Public Works) to evaluate and develop a full master plan including cost estimates. However the committee will first meet with the Director to clarify what the Commission is asking and perhaps as has been discussed in subcommittee, consideration should be given to demolishing the building.
• Sand Dune Park Revitalization and Building Replacement: Council is requesting a master plan and 1.2 million dollars is still available to spend. Commissioner Weiner suggests that the grassy area to the south be evaluated as to whether it is part of the park, and if so, addressed in the new master plan along with public outreach and, working with the Cultural Arts Commission, some decorative fencing at the bottom of the hill.
• Explore Feasibility of an Aquatics Facility : Council informed that the Manhattan Village site is not an option, so going forward the focus should be on Begg pool site and developing a master plan for that. Commissioner Weiner suggests that City Council should firsthand tour the site to get familiar with the site. The Ad-Hoc committee will continue to work with Public Works to develop costs.
• Update Donation Policy and Programs . Committee will move forward to form a 501c3; Commissioner Weiner believes the entity formed should apply to not just donating to Parks and Recreation projects, but to many projects. • 2023 Work Plan items : R egarding items that were recommended by the Commission, t he beach volleyball light ing was not approved, and in Polliwog Park, development of options for the “red house” historic museum is to be removed from the list and regarding the bandshell - the council would like a more usable stage and improved sound system for concerts
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission January 23, 2023
in the park.
Commissioner Weiner concluded that he feels its very important to find doable projects.
G. STAFF ITEMS
City Council Recap and Parks and Recreation Department Updates
Director Leyman reported the following status:
• Polliwog playground project – should be complete summer 2023. • NFC: will be done before this Fall 2023.
• The Strand Parcourse: expected to be done in about one or two months. • Staffing: an offer has been accepted for Recreation Supervisor, Sports division.
H. COMMISSION ITEMS
Older Adult Program update (McCarthy) – No report
School District update (Greenberg) - None
Student update - Commissioner Serota reported events: testing, choir concert, winter formal, blood drive, and a great e-bike assembly for grades 6 th- 8th. It was
reported that since the holidays 90% of the 1,300 students drive e-bikes to school.
It was reported that the pickle ball court is working well, except there seems to be a lot of wind. Director Leyman reported that the city and school will be looking at ways to mitigate issues including noise.
Director Leyman reported on the Scout House status : staff is waiting for an assessment analysis directed by council which will look at the original plan and issues such as ADA compliance. Hopefully it will come back to council in March.
Director Leyman reminded that the next meeting will be February 27th.
I. ADJOURNMENT
At 6:50 p.m. it was moved and seconded (Windes/Weiner) to adjourn to Monday, February 27th at 4:00 p.m. The motion passed unanimously with a voice vote.