City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission March 25, 2024
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Wednesday, March 25, 2024
4:00 PM
Location: City Hall - City Council Chambers / Hybrid (Virtual and in per-son) – Instructions within Agenda
MINUTES
A. CALL TO ORDER – Chair Doran called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Doran, Komatinsky, Windes, Greenberg, McCarthy, Zimbalist
Absent: Allen
Others Present: Parks and Recreation Director Mark Leyman, Sr. Recreation Manager (SRM) Melissa McCollum, Sr. Management Analyst (SMA) Linda Robb, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES –
January 22, 2024: It was moved and seconded (Windes/Komatinsky) to approve, subject to the following revisions:
Pg. 1, Roll Call, change “Melissa McCollum” to “Sr. Recreation Manager (SRM) Melissa McCollum”
Pg. 1, General Business, Dog Park report, first line, strike “Zimbalist”; replace with “Allen”.
Pg. 2, (c): capitalize m in Master (Plan) in item title.
Pg. 3: H. Staff Items, second line: insert “Senior Recreation” before “Manager” (McCollum)
February 26, 2024: It was moved and seconded ( McCarthy/Windes) to approve, subject to the following revisions:
with “Allen”.
fails,…”
Pg. 3, Commission Items, Student update, second paragraph, second sentence:
strike “Donner”, replace with “Donné ”; and in the third sentence, strike “program and will”.
Pg. 2, Staff items, first paragraph: Director Leyman noted that revenue for classes/summer camp should read $380,000 (as opposed to $180,000).
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission March 25, 2024
E. CEREMONIAL – None
F. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit) –
Rosemary Lackow, for the SBCCOG (South Bay Cities Council of Governments ) announced COG’s 24th annual General Assembly: Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe for the South Bay Cities? All interested parties are welcome to this free event to be March 28th at the Carson Community Center.
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. 24/0325.01 Begg Pool Modernization Study Findings and Conceptual Designs SRM McCollum gave an overview, thanking the Commission and Aquatics Subcommittee for their work and introduced HMC consultants Brad Glassick and Simon Solis, who, with the aid of slides presented findings and conceptual designs for a proposed community aquatics facility in Polliwog Park.
The HMC presentation covered several topics: 2023/2024 p ool study (in cluding survey and community engagement ); existing conditions; two options ( keep and m odernize existing or new construction with one or two pools); project program highlights (increased pool area, deck space, bleachers, etc.); conceptual design; details for both options ; imagery of interior and exterior views , both options ; and next s teps, including cost estimating, final report and future meetings with City Council and the MBUSD Board respectively, April 16 and 17, 2024.
A question/answer session discussion followed. Highlights include:
• Splash pad: the current plans are conceptual (next phase = detailed “schematic plans”). The city is looking into whether this is the best site for such and, until the city has finished studying this, it has been left off the plan. SRM McCollum noted that the community survey results show that the need/desire for a splash pad does not rise to the level of want/need compared to other things . (to review survey findings, visit: www. https://www.manhattanbeach.gov/departments/parks-and- recreation/begg-pool-feasibility-study)
• S ol ar energy: provision for solar panels has been looked at and a more detailed design is needed to fully analyze the cost/benefit. It is likely, however, that “going solar” will work only for the buildings, not the pool(s). As to an electronic pool cover, this works very well in private settings, but will likely not be a good solution for a municipal facility. Providing for battery storage but for peak shading only will likely be a requirement before the project is approved. “Rip cords” will be built into the design that might enable the city to install feasible solar facility in the future. • L ig
hting (security, safety): all lighting will be code compliant in all respects (ADA, energy, etc.) and has not yet been designed but is being figured into cost estimates at a good visual level standard.
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission March 25, 2024
• Notification of n eighbors have been informed about lighting and several other issues through the postcard notices in a wide radius from the site. As to lighting, it is believed that the only potential impacts are to upper level apartments and the plan shows trees are proposed to mitigate glare.
• G rading to improve access: a widened access (to make two lanes) will be designed by a civil engineer; generally, the lower terracing will be used to start to build a small retaining structure, the edge of road on the northwest side stays and the widening will be made from the east side.
• P
arking: the number of spaces will be reduced by 15 (69 to 54) . The majority of parking space loss is attributed to the need to bring the site into code compliance.
The change from one to two pools will cause the loss of only 4 spaces. A study is being done jointly (City/MBUSD) to determine how much overflow parking along Peck Avenue could be provided.
• C
ost estimates : as soon as available will be shared with the subcommittee but will not be available to the full commission prior to the City Council review in April. • C onstruction duration (Option 1 vs 2) – it is estimated that Option 2 would take 4 more months compared to Option 1.
• T ime frame to completion/built condition : Once funding allocation is done by council, project requires the following (best case, based on a similar LA County project):
i. S chematic design (2-3 months)
ii. Design development (3 months)
iii. Prep submittal documents: 4 months
iv. Department of State Architect (DSA) review: 8 months (minimum) v. Procurement/bidding: 3-4 months – to City council for allocation process vi. Construction: 14-15 months (a few months less if Option 1) Commissioner Komatinsky expressed appreciation for the collaboration between the City and MBUSD especially in the area of parking.
Chair Doran invited public comment.
Roseanne Wegrich, resident on 12
th Street and retired coach, stated that she feels the
splash pad is a great concept; while Begg is a very nice pool, feels that if the new facility is built well, users will definitely come and feels it’s very important to have warm water temperature, good shower drainage well planned maintenance once built.
2. 24/0226.01 Work Plan Items Discussion
a. Dog Parks & Community Parkettes
In Commissioner Allen’s absence Director Leyman updated regarding the March 23 rd community meeting held at Polliwog Park where the f irst renderings of the d og park expansion project were reviewed . The DVD team was present ; attendees left post -it comments on the renderings; staff will now capture and send out all comments . DVD will next revise the plans in response to public comments. When updated plans are available, a small sign with QR code will be placed at the dog run entrance notifying and inviting further comment and the plan will be brought to the Commission. Responding to
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission March 25, 2024
Commission questions, Director Leyman indicated: 1) overall regarding enhancements/features: only minor tweaks are needed; the main question is how big should the dog park be—and can a space for smaller dogs be provided; and 2 ) storage facilities relocation: will be coordinated with MBUSD when project final decisions are made. The c urrent plan is for AYSO, Pony/Little Leagues to be consolidated near the southwest end of the field and the aquatics program portables will be set on a concrete pad area on the southwest corner just south of the locker building. b. Explore Repurposing Pay ‘n’ Play Racquetball Land/Building Commissioner Windes reminded that the project (existing facility to be demolished and new futsal court installed at Marine Avenue Park ) is now a CIP (Capital Improvement Program) project. Public Works is evaluating project costs; the next action will be for City Council allocation of funding on May 14 (tentatively).
c. Sand Dune Park Master Plan (Nature Areas & Trails, Building) Commissioner Zimbalist updated regarding the community input meeting held March 9 and the subcommittee and other commissioners provided input.
The project team ( city staff/subcommittee/David Voltz Design), other Parks and Rec Commissioners and Mayor Franklin were present and engaged with attendees .
Attendees posted input on the renderings which were collected and passed on to the design consultant. DVD will revise the plans and submit for city and subcommittee review; the plans will then be presented to the Parks and Rec reation Commission. One new element, “south l awn improvements” addresses the lawn space. It needs further development (location and size).
Commission input:
Commissioner Windes: noted positive reactions regarding the location of the tot lot and bollard lighting, negative reaction to a brightly colored feature dubbed “the tulip” as not in keeping with the natural feel of the park and there were many comments about the placement of the building (may need to be revisited) . Commissioner Windes noted that some lighting may be able to be motion-detecting.
Commissioner Greenberg: feels an area marked “additional playground elements” invites discussion and debate; heard support for swings, and concurred that many were not happy with the ”tulip”. He also heard concerns for children’s safety regarding a proposed bike pathway but feels that safety will actually be enhanced as uses in that an area will be demarcated for bikes.
Commissioner Komatinsky: bollard lighting may, being relatively low to the ground, result in youngsters climbing them, however other Commissioners (Greenberg/Windes) did not feel that this would be a problem. Staff indicated that the lighting will not be solar powered.
Commissioner Komatinsky also inquired as to a proposal that has been reviewed by the Cultural Arts Commission —installation of a lacy artistic fencing. Director Leyman explained that staff is looking into cost estimates for such and, if approved by council (will be considering May 6) this installation could be paid for out of the C ity’s Public Art Trust Fund.
Commissioner McCarthy commented: 1) uplighting (along with the bollard lights) can be
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission March 25, 2024
effective if placed under a tree’s canopy can prevent light from spilling out to neighboring homes; 2) supports using DG (decomposed granite) vs. pavement for paths, because it will be permeable; 3) feels that, referencing the south lawn area, there isn’t any place (feels there should be) for sitting/picnicking (feels adding benches for park users should override concern for use of benches for sleeping); 4) likes providing shading with trees as opposed to shade structures; 5) likes t he second rendering for building placement as it consolidates structures and provides more open area; 6) feels that there should be more swings; and 7) agrees that the play structures should be natural looking (made of wood, boulders, etc.).
Subcommittee members Zimbalist and Windes noted that the play equipment will be natural looking (not bold colors; the teal color was used in rendering for emphasis). d. Explore Community Aquatics Facility
See item G.1. of this agenda; Commissioner McCarthy noted planning meetings are continuing but reminded that the next presentations will be before the City Council, MBUSD board respectively, April 16 and April 17. HMC will be submitting its final report in the first week of April, which will include cost estimates broken down by bui lding structures, pools and infrastructure, for each scenario. There is much community interest and momentum.
e. Donation Policy and Programs / LoveMB Discussion
Commissioner Komatinsky updated: The LoveMB 501c3 is “off and running”. It has been approved by City Council including some funding ($50k); the subcommittee is moving forward, continuing to build documents and a structure for this legacy foundation and is about 60 days away from submit ting docs to the state. The committee is developing relationships with possible future donors, but is not ready to ask for money. The subcommittee has discussed marketing the program and how a launch might be handled/publicized. It was discussed, determined that this project can be taken off a subcommittee and be managed at staff level.
f. Enhanced Holiday Events (Flags, Memorial Day, Memorial to the Fallen) Commissioner McCarthy reported: the committee circulated its “due diligence” input and turned information over to staff. Likely a report with the subcommittee’s ideas (including for Memorial Day event) will be made on May 7th to City Council. The number of “fallen” in the City has been extensively researched by Gary McAulay, and if this gets approved and funded then the initial list will be ready to be nominated. A nomination process managed by staff will be developed, it is envisioned that the nominations will be vetted and then presented to the Commission which will make a recommendation to the Council perhaps on a quarterly basis.
Gary McAulay spoke, noting that he has not yet talked to (but intends to) VFW but has worked with the American Legion. Some issues he is working on: biographies (to be a part of this recognition) and what constitutes “hometown.”
H. STAFF ITEMS
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission March 25, 2024
Director Leyman reported:
Corrected info provided at the March meeting—the revenue for the opening day of class registration for spring and summer camp was actually $380,000, as opposed to $180,000.
Important dates for meeting:
4/22 Parks and Recreation meeting will be cancelled (Passover) (will look at 4/29). 5/29 Parks and Recreation regular meeting (Wednesday) 6/24 Parks and Recreation regular meeting (Monday)
Polliwog dog park project deliverables: will be shared with the Commission as discussed.
The Department’s Cultural Arts Manager, Eilen Stewart will be leaving the C ity, her last day is March 29
; he will fill in temporarily as interim Cultural Arts Manager and recruitment is expected to begin asap. Eilen is credited with really elevating the arts in the City and will be missed very much.
Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan update: offsite management meetings have occurred with facili tator Paul Connor, followed by department employee engagement groups with a lot of positive feedback; public engagement will occur (date tbd) in April with reporting to council in June.
Software programs: the department has been looking at various options to improve user interface that look like can be implemented next year. As this develops info will be shared with the Commission; will be a great asset to the community.
I. COMMISSION ITEMS
Older Adult Program update (McCarthy) Nothing significant to report; older adult interest in the Parks and Recreation programs and subcommittees remains high. The group is considering ways to market themselves to the community.
School District update (K
omatinsky) The renewal of the 2018 parcel tax was narrowly approved by voters in March so $2.5 million will stay in the General Fund; this is great news but budget issues remain at the state level which greatly affect local schools. 2) the stadium way project is progressing and is still expected to be completed in time for June graduation.
Student update (Greenberg) The scholar quiz final event will be held tomorrow . Sports- wise, boys volleyball won the Best of the West Tournament and were ranked number 1 nationally; recently a great volleyball match last Friday (Mira Costa lost) occurred between Mira Costa and Loyola High School (see today’s positive LA Times article). Commissioner Greenberg highlighted other upcoming events: winter sports in full swing, school dance, Footloose play, spring break, and coverage by KTLA news.
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission March 25, 2024
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 6:15 it was moved and seconded (Windes/Komatinsky) to adjourn; the motion passed unanimously with a voice vote.