City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission June 24, 2024
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Monday, June 24, 2024
4:00 PM
Location: City Hall - City Council Chambers / Zoom
MINUTES
A. CALL TO ORDER – Chair Allen called the meeting to order at 4:02 pm.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Doran, Komatinsky, Schreiner, Zimbalist, Windes, Chair Allen
Absent: Jacobson
Others Present: Parks and Recreation Director Mark Leyman, Sr. Recreation Manager Melissa McCollum, Management Analyst (SMA) Linda Robb, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – May 29, 2024
It was moved and seconded (Windes/Komatinsky) to approve with one change: Page 1, Section G.1.a.i.—Presentation by David Volz Design Team: third line, strike “Brian” and replace with “Bryant”. Motion passed 6-0-1 (Jacobson absent) by voice vote.
E. CEREMONIAL – None
F. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit) – None
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. 24/0226.01 Work Plan Items Discussion
a. Sand Dune Park Master Plan
Commissioner Zimbalist recapped the project review process and advised that since last meeting, the tentative date for City Council review/approval has been set for August 20.
The plan that will be before the council will be the same one that the Commission approved to recommend and retains existing benches at the park entry . Budget numbers will be provided.
Commissioner Zimbalist complimented the Public Works Department on the healthy condition of the park vegetation and encouraged continued vigilance, especially in encouraging native plantings and removal of invasive non- natives. He also thanked Girl Scout Troop 4825 for installing temporary “Free to Be” positive messages on a tree, creating a very visible and positive public message in the weeks prior to (and taken down right after) Juneteenth . He stated that t he troop’s action, in response to a racist act of City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission June 24, 2024
vandalism provided comfort to the community.
b. Dog Parks & Community Parkettes
Chair Allen and Director Leyman updated: the online survey closed May 31, and the survey results, concept plan schematics and cost estimates will be br ought to the Parks and Recreation Commission for review and recommendation on July 22. The dog park design will be simple, but will expand the area with new fencing, screening, fountain and a bench. Once City Council approv es a design, it will take at least six months for construction to begin.
c. Explore Community Aquatics Facility
Commissioner Komatinsky reported that the Begg Pool modernization project has been presented twice to the school district and HMC is responding to district questions. After the school district completes its review and acts, its decision will be passed to the city which will look at its options. Meanwhile, a new conversation has started between the Bay Club and City as to a potential new pool location, as an alternative to Begg, behind Manhattan Village Shopping Center. More information will be provided as available.
Commissioner Komatinsky reiterated that the project purpose remains unchanged in that the proposal is for a locally oriented aquatics facility. The Commission’s work on this item is on hold, pending further direction.
d. Parks Master Plan project list ad-hoc committee selection Director Leyman explained that a 3 -commissioner committee is needed to update the Parks Master Plan project list. The Commission subsequently formed a committee consisting of Commissioners Schreiner, Windes and Komatinsky. Director Leyman encouraged all commissioners to provide input even if not on the committee.
H. STAFF ITEMS
Director Leyman reported:
• Juneteenth: both events were well attended and successful and debriefings will be held. Director Leyman thanked all commissioners who worked hard to make this a successful event and especially praised the great outreach that was done.
Commissioner Windes and Zimbalist expressed their thanks for s taff, especially Melissa McCollum and Kari Bell, former Commissioner Daniel Greenberg; Janet Allen, Mira Costa school psychologist who emceed the Bruce’s Beach ceremony.
Commissioner Komatinsky found the music especially high quality at the Polliwog Park event; Commissioner Zimbalist praised Commissioner Windes’ leadership in bringing many groups together and recognized Mayor Joe Franklin as well as others for their contributions.
• Concerts in the Park launches June 30th with Salute to the Troops program featuring the Satin Dollz; for the first time food trucks will be provided. • Kiln installation: expected to be completed by end of August/early September. Open Lab continues to be open on a limited basis.
• MBAC Art Exhibit: July 26 is the date for the o pening reception for the Annual Community Exhibit; 293 artworks (maximum 2 per person) have been received; about 90 pieces will be chosen.
• Cultural Arts Sr. Recreation Supervisor position: Recruitment now open.
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission June 24, 2024
• NFC fitness court: hopefully installed this summer; timeline is forthcoming. • The All-Parks and Recreation Commission Bus Tour of citywide cultural and recreation facilities has been scheduled for July 29, 4-6 pm and will start from the Manhattan Beach Art Center.
I. COMMISSION ITEMS
Older Adult Program update (Schreiner) Commissioner Schreiner reported:
• Mayor Update: Mayor Joe Franklin attended a recent Senior Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting, updating on s everal topics , including but not limited to: C apital Improvement Program projects, e-bike enforcement , city phone app “Reach Manhattan Beach” and an audio visual upgrade to the council chambers that is to be paid for by local communications companies (Frontier, Spectrum). • Senior Advisory Committee (SAC) activities: 1) SAC has volunteered to assist with some artworks that were the subject of an exhibit, but have been stored away since the COVID lockdown; 2) SAC has reorganized its leadership composition as requested by the City (in line with city commissions); 3) “Acting Out Again”, an OAP drama group presented Cheers to a standing room only crowd, but ongoing difficulties with an antiquated sound system were noted; 4) OAP citizen survey: r esults were generally very positive, with only a few classes being under-enrolled. It was noted that the Bingo group, while underenrolled has been able to collect $500 for charities and the Dayle Eisenhauer I-Phone classes are particularly popular; 5) “Lunch Bunch” has increased its charge for lunch from $4.00 to $5.00; 6 ) Excursions and movie nights - all very popular and successful.
Director Leyman responded regarding the Joslyn Center sound system: staff is aware of problem; more information will be provided at a future meeting.
Commissioner Windes reported in using the “Reach Manhattan” app, it works very efficiently to respond quickly to service requests.
School District update ( Komatinsky) – Commissioner Komatin sky reported that while school is out , summer is a very active time for handling administrative duties including hiring and she noted that the position of Mira Costa High School Principal is undergoing a recruitment. Discussions on the board continue as to whether to place a facilities bond issue on the November ballot and school reopens August 21st.
Student update (J acobson) – no report
Other matters:
Brief discussions were held and Director Leyman responded regarding the status of tree plantings in Polliwog Park and Brown Act limitations on the size of Parks and Recreation Commission ad-hoc committees.
Polliwog Park: Director Leyman reported on two tree removals being completed and some repair of the irrigation system; he will put in a request for Ernest Area, Urban Forester, to provide an update to the Commission on the park tree plan. The Director also noted that Public Works has been in contact with the school district maintenance manager.
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission June 24, 2024
Brown Act: Director Leyman assured that the City Attorney has confirmed that based on the Commission composition of 7 members (including a student commissioner), there can be a maximum of three commissioners on any ad-hoc committee.
Director Leyman clarified for a member of the audience that the proposal of a futsal court at Marine Avenue Park, to replace a former Pay ‘N Play facility is being considered by the City Council as a CIP project. The Council has requested more information and, unless the council directs otherwise, this is no longer an active project before this commission.
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 4:51 it was moved and seconded (Komatinsky/Windes) to adjourn to the meeting of July 22nd; the motion passed unanimously 6-0 (Jacobson absent) with a voice vote.