CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Monday, December 21, 2022
4:00 PM
Location: City Hall - City Council Chambers / Hybrid (Virtual and in per-son) – Instructions within Agenda
MINUTES
A. CALL TO ORDER - Chair McCarthy called the meeting to order at 4:02 pm.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Greenberg (Zoom – left meeting at 5:09) ), Weiner, Windes, Serota (Zoom), Vice Chairperson Doran, Chairperson McCarthy
Absent: Allen
Others Present: Parks and Recreation Director Leyman, Sr. Management Analyst (SMA) Robb; Sr. Recreation Manager Melissa McCollum, Public Works Maintenance Manager Sean Roberts, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – November 28, 2022
It was moved and seconded ( Windes/Weiner) to approve the minutes , with the following changes:
Chair McCarthy: Pg. 4,
Bullet “Explore Aquatics Facility”: revise to read:
Explore Aquatics Facility – (McCarthy, Weiner, Doran) - Commissioner McCarthy reported: she and Commissioner Weiner have met and they are waiting for the election to be over at which time she will seek a meeting with the school board.
Bullet “Donation Policy and Programs: revise to read:
Donation P olicy and Programs (Weiner, McCarthy, Allen) – Chair McCarthy reported that she will be seeking a meeting with the school board and she and Commissioner Weiner have met with Gary Wayland regarding forming a 501 c3. Commissioner Weiner reported that it appears that the process itself is fairly simple - the big question is whether this is what the city wants.
Commissioner Weiner: Pg. 2: Item 2. Presentation of Park Maintenance Priorities for Fiscal Year 2022-2023, third paragraph starting with the 2nd sentence, revise to read:
“In discussing, Director Leyman indicated that projects that didn’t get listed were essentially those that were deemed too costly at this time; the Director described
the process staff used to create the list. Director Leyman provided a status for various projects, and made clarifications about costs (estimates only at this time) and funding.”
Commissioner Windes: Pg. 4, 5th bullet: change “Dewer” to “Dougher”.
D. CEREMONIAL – None
E. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit) – None
F. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. Consideration of Commission Work Plan and Parks Master Plan Project List
Director Leyman provided direction: today the Commission will review and finalize proposed slide content for the January 9 th joint council work plan meeting, summarizing recommendations for the 2023-24 Parks and Recreation work plan.
The main goal is to determine whether there are any substantive changes from the staff report and staff will “wordsmith” for the final product as needed. Staff received each commissioner’s vote for new projects they have been tallied and two or three of those with the most votes will be added to the list.
In discussing it was decided that Chair McCarthy would do a brief lead in adding a slide about the Park Master Plan (PMP) with a list of all ongoing projects that will continue into 2023, but not including Polliwog Park enhancements such as playground enhancements, NFC installation, and Begg Filed upgrades. The list will include: 8 existing/ongoing projects: 1) Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan (‘living document’ to be added in); 2) Exploring acquiring the armory land (to be removed from work plan); 3) El Porto Family Park (to be removed from work plan); 4) Dog Parks and Community Parkettes; 5) Explore repurposing Pay-N-Play (including evaluation of outdoor sunken area in Marine Avenue Park for new use); 6) Sand Dune Park Revitalization and Building; 7) Explore feasibility of developing aquatics facility; and lastly 8) Donation Policy and Programs.
New projects being recommended and added to the slides presentation include:
1) Lighted beach volleyball courts south of the pier; 2) Polliwog Park permanent bandshell; 3) Developing options for the “Red House” Museum/library.
Each project will have three slides: Item Background, Status, and Recommendation. Director Leyman emphasized that s taff will wordsmith as needed and related costs are presently estimates as the budget process which begins in February will result in fine-tuning.
Commissioner Windes suggested that for Marine Avenue Park the new meeting room be added into the slides as a new item.
Chair McCarthy and Commissioner Weiner will provide input off-line, respectively, on the Aquatics Facility and Donation program items.
Other clarifications made included: In the staff report attachment, “Q1” is based on a calendar year (January, February, March); common seating area Marine Ave, Park: as irrigation repairs are done, this space can be re-programmed and this can be added to the “Pay N Play” reuse pro ject; staff can possibly revise the Polliwog pavilion project status; the ping pong table relocation (Marine Avenue Park to Polliwog) can stay on list but the status could say “shelved” due to low priority.
Director Leyman noted that Commission sub commit tees will be formed, subject to council direction received on the work plan. How to manage the Red House project will become clearer.
2. Presentation of Park Maintenance Priorities for Fiscal Year 2022 – 2023
Director Leyman gave a brief overview and directed that the Commission discuss and finalize its recommendations on park maintenance priorities, Fiscal Year 2022- 2023 for City Council approval. There are no fiscal implications; upon directing the Commission, council may need to make funding appropriations in the future.
The activities in the maintenance plan are funded in the adopted budget in the amount of $1,000,000 in order to address deferred park maintenance.
The list (previously presented at the November meeting, has been revised to include 9 projects that are estimated to fall within the budget recommended (see staff report). Additionally, should council appropriate additional funding during the budget process there are two possible mid -range projects: Installations in playgrounds and fencing and windscreen replacements at all parks.
The Commission briefly discussed and affirmed the staff revised list presented.
At 5:09 Commissioner Greenberg left the meeting.
Chair McCarthy noted that the Commission wants to be involved in the “New for 2023” Work Plan items.
Chair McCarthy invited public comment, seeing none, called for a motion.
It was subsequently moved and seconded (Windes/Doran) that the Commission approve the staff report regarding the Park Maintenance priorities as amended and incorporating their comments as a recommended to the City Council.
Chair McCarthy called for a roll call vote:
Roll Call:
AYES: Weiner, Doran, Windes, Serota, Chair McCarthy
NOES: none
ABSENT: Allen, Greenberg
ABSTAIN: none
It was announced that the motion passed 5-0-2.
Director Leyman, thanked the Commission for its input and noted this will be presented to the Council
G. STAFF ITEMS
Director Leyman reported the following:
Dec. 6th - new councilmembers Howorth and Lesser to be sworn in and seated. Dec. 11th - fireworks show
Dec. 10 th - 11th – Holiday crafts night: gingerbread workshop , Santa craft workshop is sold out.
Older Holiday party: lunches by Rotary Club and live music - was great. Dec. 30th - Exhibit “Fly High Dive Deep” closing reception with live ballet by American Contemporary Ballet, 3 -5 p.m. RSVPs are required - email [email protected]
H. COMMISSION ITEMS
Older Adult Program update (McCarthy) – None.
School District update (Greenberg) - None
Student update (Serota) – school having finals, many students are using the library which is working very well.
Director Leyman reported that Leadership Manhattan Beach may be coming to the Commission in February to present one proposal for their project: “Mile Markers – Along Veterans Parkway” have reached out to the community and others and this project seems to be very well received.
Chair McCarthy asked whether the net meeting date January 23 rd can be on another day; since the Commission will have met on January 9 th. In discussing it was determined that due to conflicts the regular scheduled date on the 23 rd will stand and should the Chair not be able to be present, Vice Chair Doran will chair the meeting.
I. ADJOURNMENT
At 5:30 p.m. it was moved and seconded (Weiner/ Windes) adjourn to January 23rd at 4:00 p.m. The motion passed, 5-0-2 with a voice vote.