City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation
Commission, April 24, 2023
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Monday, April 24, 2023
4:00 PM
Location: City Hall - City Council Chambers / Hybrid (Virtual and in person) – Instructions within Agenda
MINUTES
A. CALL TO ORDER – Chair McCarthy called the meeting to order at 4:03 pm.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Allen, Vice Chair Doran, Greenberg, Windes, Serota, Chair McCarthy
Absent: Weiner
Others Present: Parks and Recreation Director Mark Leyman, Senior Supervisor Melissa McCollom, Management Analyst (SMA) Linda Robb, Public Works Maintenance Manager Sean Roberts, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – March 27, 2023
It was moved and seconded (Greenberg/Windes) to approve the minutes with the following changes:
Revise the second line below “The committee provided a report”: strike “football” and replace with “soccer” to read…”Futsal” a soccer based game….
2) The committee met with school board president Cathey Graves. Although the pool facility is not, l ike the parcel tax, a high priority, the district is very interested and listening. Chair McCarthy has sent board president Graves a summary of survey results including facts and figures and a wish list (which has already been sent to the city council). Discussion was very open, positive but emphasized at this point that it is very granular, based only on estimates.
The motion passed 6-0-1.
D. CEREMONIAL – None
E. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit) - None
F. GENERAL BUSINESS
Chair McCarthy made brief comments and it was agreed that in discussing matters, the commissioners will wait to be recognized before speaking.
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation
Commission, April 24, 2023
1. 23/0123 – Work Plan Items Discussion
a. Dog Parks & Community Parkettes
Director Leyman report ed with input from Public Works Maintenance Manager Sean Roberts:
1) Live Oak Park: shade structure is now installed, with positive feedback. 2) Polliwog Park dog run expansion: moving forward. The city team (Public Works, Parks and Recreation) with school district reps recently walked the site; staff hopes to have a bid package ready in 6-9 months with assistance enlisted from city landscape architect. The amount of work necessitates an outside contractor. Staff is working on removal or relocati on of storage structures, including a 40 -foot container (hopefully gone in 30-60 days), aquatic sheds (possibly to be moved to the southwest corner of the parking lot area); and, working with user groups some “Tuff sheds” will be moved to a new location, not yet determined.
Regarding a large tree that fell during heavy rainstorms , Director Leyman reported: it has been removed and the city arborist is assessing the health of other trees but the dog run is open. Manager Roberts added that sections of leaning fencing on the west side as well as damaged fencing on the east side (belonging to the school district) have been repaired but, after assessment of trees has been completed, Public Works will come in and grind the stump and cleanup this area.
Director Leyman affirmed the school district will be doing the relocation of its large container, and it may be replacing school “Building A” which is going to be demolished.
b. Explore Repurposing Pay ‘n’ Play Racquetball Land/Building. (Windes, Greenberg)
Commissioner Windes reported the committee met last week and compiled the following list of improvements that will be costed out for the building; she invited the commission to add any additional items.
1. Painting outside and inside
2. New windows
3. New doors
4. Auto/digital entry
5. Sound baffling
6. New roof
7. HVAC/ventilation
8. Removal of side panels on west side
In response to Commissioner Greenberg, questioning whether the roof should be on the list , Commissioner Windes stated that the committee a greed to get
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation
Commission, April 24, 2023
estimates for “the big picture” and cost all potential items, including roof work, and, once all is costed out, it will look at the list again and scale back if needed. The committee is looking at taking this to council on June 20th, and will meet beforehand to finalize the list.
As to programming, the list is:
1. batting cage
2. golf simulator
3. sports classes (e.g. soccer, basketball, volleyball)
4. pickleball wall (pickleball practice)
5. wallyball
6. open play (racquetball, squash, etc.)
The committee did not include any older adult programming as it is not needed.
Scheduling of options included weekdays and possibly weekend summer camps.
Staff will assist in providing revenue estimates.
They are looking at costs for demolition of th e building as well as for installing a futsal court. Director Leyman described the futsal courts as like a mini hockey rink and Commissioner Serota provided more details . Commissioner WIndes noted there is strong support including AYSO for this option.
c. Sand Dune Park Master Plan (Nature Areas & Trails, building) (Greenberg, Windes)
Commissioner Greenberg reported on the upcoming A pril 30 th community outreach event at Sand Dune Park, emphasizing that the main objective is to get input both quantitative (survey results) and qua litative (thoughts from attendees regarding their desires for the building, amenities and p rogramming. A link to the survey will be emailed to all commissioners before the event to serve as a framework for discussing with attendee s and then the commission will send their notes from interactions back to staff to consolidate and send on to the committee.
Commissioner Windes noted the commissioners all received an email from a resident inquiring about fencing. Commissioner Greenberg recalled that this issue was not covered on the survey; Chair McCarthy recalled that fencing was a significant issue at the first community event. It was noted that the m ayor and landscape architect will be there.
Commissioner Gree nberg clarified that the scope of the project work will be confined to the bottom area of the park. Commissioner Windes noted that the community does not want rubber materials such as used in Polliwog Park, to be used in the tot lot. SMA Robb will pass alo ng any input received from the
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation
Commission, April 24, 2023
reactivated survey, when she sends the link to the survey. Final preparation details such as refreshments, city representative attendance, etc. were discussed and the committee will check with Melissa McCollum about refreshment policy.
A brief discussion ensued with Maintenance Manager Roberts on maintenance of the hillside vegetation growth . Manager Roberts explained maintenance will involve trimming back all pathways and other than that, to mainly maintain a perimeter around new plantings and then in summer, do a good cleanup again.
Maintenance crews monitor irrigation systems weekly.
d. Explore Aquatics Facility (McCarthy)
Chair McCarthy reported that the committee has had some significant meetings over the last four to six weeks including as reported before, with Cathey Graves of the school board. They also met with Linda Lytle who has a lot of experience with 501c3’s and grant writing (referred by the Senior Advisory Committee) and who provided some contacts and is available to help.
The committee has had various briefing meetings with some council members and two other meetings with South Bay United, a water polo club and Beach City Swim, a large South Bay swim club. The committee learned what they spend for pool time and about the distribution of the types of swimmers /water sports participants , where geographically they come from, and how more might join their clubs if there was more access to pool time. Th e Chair emphasized that everything is very speculative at this point and that the goal is to have a community, not club pool.
However, such clubs might be interested in using a pool when not programmed for community activity which could help cover operati ng costs. The committee is looking to have additional similar swimming group meetings to continue this conversation. She feels that mainly it is clear that the re is a lot of interest in this subject and a lot of money is being spent on water sports. These two groups are both 501c3 organizations and have Manhattan Beach residents on the board, but the membership is often not Manhattan Beach dominant.
Chair McCarthy reported an RFP was drafted with staff assistance , sent out and three strong responses were received and evaluated and now interviews are being set up. T he committee hopes to go back to council at the end of May with recommendations for next steps.
Commissioner Greenberg noted that some public input has been received which is appreciated and considered. Chair McCarthy encouraged the public to remain engaged as this provides important information.
e. Donation Policy and Programs (Weiner)
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation
Commission, April 24, 2023
In Commissioner Weiner’s absence, Chair McCarthy reported:
The committee has a draft operating agreement that is used for managing a 501c3 and is reviewing it – have al ready discussed some ideas with some council members and the school district. When Commissioner Weiner and former Parks and Rec Commissioner Karger are back from vacation, they will meet and discuss and hone the document. They also need to address the need for a website page linked from the city website
G. STAFF ITEMS
City Council Recap and Parks and Recreation Department Updates
Director Leyman reported the following:
Staffing: Recreation Supervisor Jan Buike will be retiring at the end of June.
Jan has been a significant staff asset for years and he hopes to expedite recruitment.
Bo Bridges mural on the south side of City Hall - now installed. Volunteer recognition d inner held yesterday at the Zimmerman Automobile Driving museum has had great feedback.
Director Leyman advised that the Parks and Recreation Commission like the Cultural Arts and Library Commissions will be involved in public outreach regarding a proposal to introduce a new library facility in Polliwog Park, however at this time the discussi on is very preliminary and discussions are “high level”, not specific. Staff is waiting for direction to move forward.
Commissioner Doran suggested that when the new commissioners are seated, it would be beneficial to have a tour of Parks and Recreation facilities and this was strongly endorsed by other commissioners; Commissioner Greenberg suggested creating an annual event of reviewing facilities.
Manhattan Beach Art Center Exhibit: concurrent exhibits opened last Friday ( “Swell” at the Manhattan Bea ch Art Center and “Hot Batch” at Gallery 208 (Dennis Jarvis) Downtown ). The o pening at the Art Center had over 300 attendees. The exhibit - a celebration of surf culture will run through July 2nd. A Library Commission sponsored concert at the library is on April 29th. Manhattan Beach Education Foundation donor wall mosaic unveiling by artist Betsy Schulz, will be held May 6, 10:00 am to noon.
City Council update s: 1) council approved a surfboard sculpture that will be installed in about a month as a one year loan by the North End BID; 2) council authorized the solicitation of bids for replacing the athletic field turf at Marine Avenue Park; this will be coming back to this Commission; 3) council directed that Parks and Recreation Commission assist with the Juneteenth event.
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation
Commission, April 24, 2023
Pickleball court update: met again with neighbors and Police Department which approved adding sound barriers on the north and west fencing and this will now be discussed with the school district.
Polliwog Park playground project: is coming together after weather and other delays.
H. COMMISSION ITEMS
Chair McCarthy praised retiring Sr. Recreation Supervisor Jan Buike.
Older Adult Program Update (McCarthy) The Chair noted that Jan Buike ’s retirement leaves a huge gap. Overall issues that are big: parking, new community center/scout house, and city staffing for older adult services. They remain very interested in all the subcommittees programs of this Commission.
School District Update (Greenberg) Commissioner Greenberg n oted 1) Scout House: Monday May 1 , the leaders of that program are having a public update meeting (5 p.m., Joslyn Center); 2) the construction at the Polliwog Park playground is very exciting; 3) the birding community has reported that at Sand Dune Park, the hillside habitat is now very alive, with 52 bird species observed; 4) Two School Board items: Rhond a Steinberg (24-career as an MBUSD educator, 11 as Principal at Pacific Elementary) is retiring at the end of this school year and will be recognized in June. Secondly, the school board selected Karen Komatinsky as its appointee to the Parks and Recreation commission (present in audience, introduced and welcomed by the Chair).
Student Update (Serota) Commissioner Serota reported on school happenings including: April 25th: ASB elections; April 26: Mamma Mia! Musical will be April 26- 27 and 29th; weeks of May 1, 8: AP exams: May 12 th: strings concert; May 18 th :
blood drive; week of May 25th: dodgeball tournament.
I. ADJOURNMENT
At 5:00 p.m. it was moved and seconded (Windes/Greenberg) to adjourn to Monday, May 22, at 4:00 p.m. The motion passed unanimously with a voice vote.