City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission December 20, 2023
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
4:00 PM
Location: City Hall - City Council Chambers
MINUTES
A. CALL TO ORDER – Chair Doran called the meeting to order at 4:05 pm.
B. ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Doran, Allen, Komatinsky, Zimbalist, McCarthy, Windes, Greenberg (arrived 4:39).
Absent: None
Others Present: Parks and Recreation Director Leyman, Sr. Management Analyst (SMA) Robb, Urban Forester Ernest Area, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – None
D. CEREMONIAL – None
E. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit) – None
Urban Forester Ernest Area gave a presentation regarding the Public Works project to remove diseased and/or structurally compromised trees and plant new trees in Polliwog Park. He responded as he spoke, to Commission questions. There has been a lot of collaboration with the public and a few “working groups” as well as with the school district which owns the park land. Urban Forester Area mentioned two important issues: for new tree placement, they will work with Parks Department staff regarding the bandshell and along Redondo Avenue the school district has requested that an open space area for play be kept. He showed a large map that lays out locations and types of trees as well as justifications for all removals. The plan is based on recommendations by Hamilton Biological, Inc., a biological service consultant, considering possible impacts to birds. New trees will be minimum 36-Inch box in size which will, at planting, be about 16-feet in height; and some trees can grow as much as 1-2 feet per year.
A total of 78 trees will be planted and 14 removed for a net gain of 64 trees. Public outreach will be done. All the removals can be done in 2 days and planting can be done within three weeks. Ideal time is prior to the start of nesting season (April). The removal of eucalyptus trees is the highest priority to prevent spread of disease and reduce risk due to structural deterioration. Roots are checked when the trees are inspected. The school district concern regarding maintaining line-of -sight has been addressed.
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission December 20, 2023
Urban Forester Area also reported on a diseased Aleppo pine tree that will be removed from Sand Dune Park due to infection with pine pitch canker after bird nesting season.
Three 48-inch box California sycamores have been planted (16-18-feet tall) which are great for migratory birds. The Urban Forester is monitoring trees for spread of disease; unfortunately, it is expected that more trees will become infected to a point of needing removal.
Commissioner McCarthy complimented Public Works on the Polliwog Park project and the high degree of collaboration and special attention to every aspect as well as the benefit to the overall community in having so many new trees.
F. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. 23/0123.02 Work Plan Items Discussion
a. Dog Parks & Community Parkettes
Vice Chair Allen updated: Polliwog dog park plans are back from DVD (David Voltz Design) and a community meeting is expected in February/March. Commissioner McCarthy commented on the ongoing need for shade, suggesting that the city work with the biologist to add trees that will through their positioning, provide cooling shade.
Urban Forester Area acknowledged this can be considered.
b. Explore Repurposing Pay ‘n’ Play Recreational Land/Building Commissioner Windes updated: still awaiting council direction. Director Leyman advised that such direction is expected at the February Work Plan review.
c. Sand Dune Park Master Plan (Nature Areas & Trails, Building) Commissioner Zimbalist updated: DVD plans are expected tomorrow and after conferring, the committee will plan the next community meeting, with extensive outreach. The plan will be ready to share with the Commission in January.
d. Explore Community Aquatics Facility
Commissioner McCarthy updated: 1,400 responses have been logged for the online survey. Feedback has been pragmatic from residents (seems no bells and whistles asked for). Meetings have been held with all parties; preliminarily it appears that new construction will be involved. The next community meeting may be held in February; the venue and format are being worked out. Project updates can be found online at:
www.manhattanbeach.gov\beggpoolproject
e. Donation Policy and Programs/LoveMB Discussion
Commissioner Komatinsky updated: name LoveMB is official. The presentation to city
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission December 20, 2023
council by the Director has been pushed to February 6 th. Much information will be presented including a budget component.
f. Enhanced Holiday Events (Flags, Memorial Day, Fallen Soldier)
Director Leyman clarified and reported: another item (g) is to be added to this section regarding a Memorial Day event per recent direction by council. However, the enhanced holiday events work plan item is complete and is not in staff’s hands.
g. “Memorial for the Fallen” (service member) is being worked on separately.
When a memorial is created, the event will be held at that memorial. The committee met today and has created a checklist of topics to be looked into and which need recommendations, what design work is needed and a budget estimate. There was a brief discussion about what is done in other cities and nationally. There will be display of flags on the 2024 Memorial Day, the new memorial will take more time to develop.
At 4:39 Commissioner Greenberg arrived and was seated.
h. 2024 Juneteenth Celebration.
Commissioner Windes updated; on December 5
th staff (Manager McCollum and
Supervisor Bell) gave a great presentation to the city council. A main event will be a celebration at Polliwog Park to be on June 22 from 11 am to 3 pm which will have jazz and several activities and a quieter opening event will be held at Bruce’s Beach on Juneteenth; a budget of $30,000 is estimated. At the recent community meeting there was great support from ci ty youth due to notification and efforts at Mira Costa. If council approves on January 16t, an events planner will be hired and perhaps will be needed only for this inaugural event. The plan will be reviewed and approved by the city Special Events Committee. The Mira Costa Black Students Union will have a booth and the history and the meaning of the holiday will be worked into the celebration.
Chair Doran invited public comment.
Tim Jones commented that he attended the City Council meeting of 12/5/23 and was disappointed that the council did not give final approval then; however, he was encouraged by council statements of support and work of this commission.
Manager McCollum stated that a detailed breakdown of the survey results will be provided to council. Commissioner Windes commented, to resident Jones comment, her belief, that in taking longer, the issues will be able to percolate and be better planned in advance.
The Commission discussed various aspects of the event planning including that there will be two separate events one more somber and thoughtful and other at Polliwog will be more active and a happy celebration about freedom.
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission December 20, 2023
G. STAFF ITEMS
City Council Recap and Parks and Recreation Department Updates
Director Leyman reported or announced:
• The family craft night is sold out.
• Holiday fireworks will feature a tribute to the Moffett family which has sponsored the fireworks.
• The Homeira Goldstein art exhibit will be closing on 12/29 and will be a memorable event.
Director Leyman concluded by thanking all for their hard work and happy holidays.
H. COMMISSION ITEMS
Older Adult Program update (McCarthy) – Nothing new to report School District update (Komatinsky) – School enrollment is increasing which has revenue and budget implications.
Student update (Greenberg) June 13th will be the last day of classes for the year and a Mira Costa student, girls volleyball team’s Charlie Fuerbringen has been named National Volleyball Player of the Year, a great honor.
I. ADJOURNMENT
At 5:43 p.m. Chair Doran, with no objection, adjourned to Monday, January 22, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.