City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission January 22, 2024
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Wednesday, January 22, 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: Allen, Chair Doran, Komatinsky, Zimbalist, Windes, Greenberg, McCarthy
Others Present: Parks and Recreation Director Leyman, Sr. Recreation Manager Melissa McCollum, Sr. Management Analyst (SMA) Robb, Recording Secretary Lackow.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – November 27, 2023 and December 20, 2023
It was moved and seconded (Komatinsky/Windes) to approve the minutes for both meetings, subject to two revisions for November 27, on page 3, last and second to last paragraphs from bottom: Change “Se” to “Regarding: (updated survey results) and in the last paragraph, correct “McCollom” to read “McCollum”.
SMA Robb announced the motion passed - 6-0.
E. CEREMONIAL – None
F. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit) – None
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. 23/0123.02 Work Plan Items Discussion
a. Dog Parks & Community Parkettes
Commissioner Allen announced that a community meeting is scheduled for March 23 rd at Polliwog Park to receive public input on the dog park expansion project at Polliwog. The meeting is tentatively scheduled from 9-10 a.m. and renderings will be available.
b. Explore Repurposing Pay ‘n’ Play Racquetball Land/Building Commissioner Windes reported that the committee work is still paused, awaiting City Council direction. Director Leyman informed that staff hopes to receive direction at the February 13
th city council work plan meeting and the
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission January 22, 2024
recommendation of the Parks and Recreation ad hoc committee at that meeting will be to demo the existing building and replace with a “futsal” court/facility. c. Sand Dune Park master Plan (Nature Areas & Trails, Building) Commissioner Zimbalist noted that on 12/22/23 the committee and staff met with DVD (David Voltz Design) and went over first version renderings; a site visit was held January 9th with staff who walked the full length of the park (DVD not present due to illness) . Notes from the site visit were sent to DVD and a community outreach meeting at the park is scheduled for March 9, 9- 11 a.m. The committee will schedule a meeting with DVD and go over the renderings and start planning for the community meeting. The committee will be heavily involved with publicizing the March community meeting and assisting with planning presentation details.
The Commission discussed. Commissioner Zimbalist clarified that t he two ideas presented so far are over-lapping but at different levels of detail (preliminary plans included in agenda packet). The timeframe is only an estimate at this time – hopefully early 2025 for groundbreaking. Director Leyman explained that cost estimates will be based on community input and estimat e in the CIP was basically a placeholder; likely the final costs will be greater than the CIP budget estimate.
Commissioner Windes opined that she felt having meaningful mockups at the March meeting will make a big difference and help a lot. Commissioner McCarthy feels that the renderings show a much more visually open and efficient layout which feels like a breath of fresh air. Commissioner Komatinsky offered to help Commissioner Zimbalist go door to door to inform about the outreach meeting.
Ideas for publicizing were raised: going door to door, providing a flyer to the preschool next to the park etc.
d. Explore Community Aquatics Facility
Commissioner McCarthy gave an update, highlighting a couple meetings have been held, most recently on January 12
th at which the survey results (1,400
respondents) and basic options were summarized and was well attended including the school district. Generally , the two pool option is preferred with some master swimmers as an exception who want a much larger pool for competitions. Most do not want a lot of “bells and whistles” but the basics for a lot of programming and a lot of support for local swim teams.
Next steps: upcoming public presentations:
February 27, 6-8:00 pm hybrid (zoom/in-person) community meeting in council chambers: (present survey and meeting input results and Q and A session-details to be worked out)
March 25, committee to present to the Parks and Recreation Commission April 16: HMC to present to MB City Council (get council endorsement) April 17: HMC to present to MBUSD (at a school board meeting).
e. Donation Policy and Programs / LoveMB Discussion
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission January 22, 2024
Commissioner Komatinsky reported that on February 6 th the committee will be taking its concept to city council; otherwise building documents and a structure for the foundation.
f. Enhanced Holiday Events (Flags, Memorial Day, Fallen Soldier) Commissioner McCarthy noted that on January 16th they met with Gary McAuley and went through the document attached to the agenda for today, and will be going to city council for direction. She noted that on reports the two work items can be combined (Fallen soldier, Memorial Day)
g. Juneteenth update: Commissioner Wi ndes reported that t he committee recommendations were taken to council, which approved the committee’s recommendations. The committee’s work is now complete in obtaining council approval. She summarized the planned events and added that a n anonymous donor has given $45,000 ($15,000 per each of three years). Responding to Commissioner Greenberg, Recreation Manager McCollum noted that after the inaugural celebration in 2024, this will be a staff item (no ad hoc committee) with staff working closely with this Commission as is routine for major programming .
The staff lead going forward will be Kari Bell, who works with the older adult programming.
Commissioner McCarthy clarified that going forward, under the General Business portion of the agenda, the enhanced holiday events will not need to be itemized as on this agenda.
H. STAFF ITEMS
City Council Recap and Parks and Recreation Department Updates
The following were reported or announced by Manager McCollum:
• The “Return to Form” exhibit opening at MB Art Center is this Friday,5 pm • Joe Franklin is now Mayor and new Mayor Pro Tem is Amy Howorth. • City Council gave direction for charging for recreational funds. Funds are set aside to replace field turf over time. The Marine field is replaced and looks amazing, staff will notify of a future ribbon-cutting.
• City Council approved the release of an RFP for utility box art work/wrapping.
• $400k from Measure A (LA County) funds accumulated will be coming for Marine Avenue field improvement (thanks to Linda Robb for processing). • February 13
th: City Council will be considering the 2024-25 Work Plans for all city commissions and some department projects.
I. COMMISSION ITEMS
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission January 22, 2024
Older Adult Program update (McCarthy) At the last group meeting, two items were discussed: 1) Results of a survey looking for programming preferences of older adults in the city’s program; and 2) Older Adult holiday party: 225 meals served of which 165 were paid for; attendance was very good (older adults refers to anyone over 55 years). This is very positive with food and music and almost back to pre- Covid level.
Update: tr
ees at Polliwog : had a short meeting with the City’s Urban Forester: the plan is laid out and now the order is getting placed and trying to remove all trees and replaced before nesting season. Great collaboration with the community.
School District update (K omatinsky) – March 5 there will be a ballot measure for the renewal of the parcel tax. The campaign to support the measure is launched.
If successful, will be able to retain 21 teachers.
Student update ( G reenberg) Rules are now in place for grading at Mira Costa (approved by the school board) which is a positive thing and really helps those applying for college. Winter sports have started. ASB hosting winter formal and “Stadium Way” project funded by left over bond money, has finally started and will be completed by June. User groups will not be inhibited from access.
Commissioner Komatinsky asked about timeline for tree replacement at Polliwog:
Commissioner McCarthy noted that Ernest Area is watching very closely. A report will be provided at a future meeting.
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 5:30 it was moved and seconded (Komatinsky/Windes) to adjourn to Monday, February 27
th at 4:00 p.m. The motion passed unanimously with a voice vote.