City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission October 28, 2024
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Wednesday, October 28, 2024
4:00 PM
Location: Zoom and City Council Chambers, City Hall
1400 Highland Avenue
MINUTES
A. CALL TO ORDER – Vice-Chair Windes called the meeting to order at 4:01 pm.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present: Chair Allen (arrived 4:04), Commissioners Zimbalist, Windes, Schreiner, Komatinsky, Doran, Jacobson
Absent: None
Others Present: Parks and Recreation Department Director Leyman, Senior Recreation Manager Melissa McCollum, Senior Management Analyst (SMA) Linda Robb, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – September 23, 2024
It was moved and seconded ( Zimbalist/Komatinsky) to approve as submitted. Motion passed 6-1 by voice vote (Allen absent).
E. CEREMONIAL - None
F. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit) – None
Chair Allen was seated at 4:04; Vice Chair Windes continuing to chair the meeting.
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. 24/0226.01 Work Plan Items Discussion
a. Sand Dune Park Master Plan – Director Leyman reported that Public Works continues to work on a timeline as part of the CIP project prioritiza tion process .
Commissioner Zimbalist noted that the minimum number of swings desired is 3 per each play area or 6 total. Director Leyman clarified that ultimately the project will come back before the City Council for approval. The Commission will be kept informed of the project status.
b. Dog Parks and Community Parkettes . Director Leyman reported that due to staffing challenges, an update from Public Works is delayed until November. Staff continues to explore how costs can be reduced by using Public Works Department crews.
c. Explore Community Aquatics Facility . Senior Recreation Manager McCollum
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission October 28, 2024
reported that there are no significant updates. The Bay Club continues to analyze the site near the Country Clu b. In addition, plans and cost estimates for priority repairs at Begg Pool (deck resurfacing, plumbing, and fencing) are being evaluated for future consideration by City Council.
There were no public comments about these items.
Director Leyman noted that the Parks Master Plan Update and the Pay ‘N Play site reuse projects will be added to the November agenda.
H. STAFF ITEMS
Strategic Plan and Department Overview
Director Leyman gave a brief update on the Strategic Plan Update. Staff has gathered input from the community through stakeholder interviews and strategy sessions and implementation teams have been formed to accomplish strategic priorities. To implement the Department’s mission: “to create community and enrich the quality of life for residents through people, parks and play”, the implementation teams are guided by three priorities:
1) employee development; 2) maximize and enhance recreation facilities; and 3) elevate and expand programs, experiences and engagement.
The City Manager will make a presentation before City Council on December 3; staff will share a final draft of the Plan with the Commission as soon as it is available.
Senior Recreation Manager McCollum reported that the deadline for city commissioners to submit the parks and facilities survey has been extended to November 30 . Ms.
McCollum highlighted a variety of comments received to date. The survey input will be shared first with the Parks Master Plan subcommittee, the results then will be synthesized and shared with the full Commission.
Vice Chair Windes noted, upon touring parks with Commissioner Schreiner, some concerns about trees in parks and restrooms at Manhattan Heights. Commissioner Windes stated she hopes that several mature carrotwood trees i n Marine Avenue Park will be carefully considered as the city proceeds with the Pay ‘N Play re-use project, and in Sand Dune Park , several tree limbs have fallen and need attention . Manager McCollum stated that there’s a current project in development with Public Works to renovate some of the bathrooms at Manhattan Heights.
The following presentations were made by members of the Parks and Recreation Department leadership team:
• Sports and Facilities Div ision: Senior Recreation Supervisor Archie Sherman gave an overview of this division’s main programs including: facility and park reservations and operations; fitness classes; tennis and pickleball; special events and tournaments, and sport field allocations. Mr. Sherman highlighted: four new pickleball courts installed at the Middle School, new access to the Mira Costa gym for the city recreational volleyball program, and implementation of a turf replacement program, enabling year-round use of city soccer fields.
• Aquatics and Youth Programs Division: Senior Recreation Supervisor Jesus Sandoval, assisted by Jasper Nery (aquatics) and David Ibarra (after school programs) gave an overview regarding this division’s main programs including: aquatics; afterschool programs; and youth enrichment classes and summer camps (the latter provided through
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission October 28, 2024
private contractors). The division also conducts certain annual special events (Pumpkin Race, Halloween Carnival, Family Campout, Winter Holiday Workshops).
Mr. Sandoval highlighted: Aquatics reservations last year totaled: 3,300 for swim class registrations, over 6,000 for lap swim and 65 for pool parties. Last year, the elementary afterschool program served approximately 85 students per month (for both parks) and the Teen Center at Manhattan Heights had an enrollment of about 80 middle school students.
Afterschool programs are offered year round, except on certain holidays.
David Ibarra commented that the demand for the afterschool program is currently accommodated, however indoor space can be limited (notably at Manhattan Heights) which can be challenging on rainy days.
David Ibarra commented that, regarding scheduling of the Pumpkin Race on the same day as other community events, the race dates for the next two years are already set and there are various factors which make changing the date difficult (e.g. staffing needs). • Community Programs Division: Senior Recreation Supervisor Kari Bell provided an overview of this division’s main programs: Older Adults , Dial -a-Ride and Volunteers. The Older Adults program offers many activities to promote healthy aging, prevent cognitive decline and create a community within a community (see online calendar of events and activities) and includes the Senior Advisory Committee, a liaison between the community’s older adults and City Council. Supervisor Bell highlighted: Dial-a-Ride currently operates 4 bu ses and last year 11,558 rides were provided ; the volunteer program engaged with 330 volunteers who contributed 20,000 hours. The program is currently looking for more teen volunteers.
The Commission recognized staff for its very successful and robust services including Senior Supervisor Bell, Older Adults Supervisor Mary McCabe and Michelle Ami- Cortez, who manages the Dial-a-Ride and Volunteer programs.
• Cultural Arts Division: Cultural Arts Coordinator Andrew Booras (for Eric Brinkman) updated regarding the division’s main programs: Ceramics Studio in Live Oak Park, the Manhattan Beach Art Center (MBAC), and Concerts in the Park. Mr. Booras noted the Live Oak ceramics program is one of the biggest community studios in the Los Angeles area and reservations reach capacity quickly. MBAC holds 4 curated art exhibits per year (most recently “Back to the Roots”); and also operates Glaze Lab on weekends; a side gallery serves as a craft/arts education space. Mr. Booras highlighted that Concerts in the Park, consistently draws between 2,000 and 4,000 people per event. The addition of food trucks this past summer was very successful and did not result in a significant trash problem.
Commissioner Windes suggested having the Mira Costa Jazz Band perform, and Commissioner Komatinsky suggested a jazz band that performed at the Juneteenth celebration.
• Registrations and Marketing Division: Senior Management Analyst Linda Robb summarized this division’s main functions; class and event registration, parks and facility reservations and department marketing. Ms. Robb highlighted: over a year, they handle close to 15,000 enrollments for over 1,500 classes (revenue: $3,000,000); and 450 park facility reservations. A new reservation system will be in a trial mode in January for pickleball and tennis court s. The division manages departmental social media accounts
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission October 28, 2024
on Facebook (9,000 followers) and Instagram (17,000 followers),and publicizes events and activities in a weekly 11,000 email blast (What’s Manhappening), the quarterly Manhappenings brochure (now digital only) and, as needed, in local newspapers.
In response to Commissioner Komatinsky, Senior Analyst Robb stated she was not aware that there is a link to the city recreation activities on the school district website and is not aware as to whether this is something that the school district would support; this can be looked into.
Director Leyman, in closing, thanked the Commission for the opportunity to present and the leadership team for their presentations and commitment to the community. Staff will send a pdf of the PowerPoint presentation that was viewed to the Commission.
City Council Recap and Parks and Recreation Department Updates – No report.
I. COMMISSION ITEMS
Older Adult Program Update – Commissioner Schreiner reported on a recent meeting of the SAC (Senior Advisory Committee) including updates by Mayor Franklin on a number of city items of interest (Lot 3, outdoor dining pilot program denial by council , proposed hotel downtown, student e-bike sticker program, etc.). The SAC also received information regarding a new program “Vial of Life” being launched by the Los Angeles County Commission for Older Adults that will assist the older population in making medical information and emergency contacts accessible in the event of an emergency or disaster.
School District Update – Commissioner Komatinsky clarified that the student e -bike program being launched by the school district will authorize students, upon certification of completion of an e-bike safety course, to park their bikes on campus. The district continues to work with the Police Department on refining the program.
Student Update – Commissioner Jacobson reported on Mira Costa Activities and events including: Homecoming, “Red Ribbon Week” (promoting a drug-free lifestyle), a Hispanic Heritage Month Assembly, and the TEDx event.
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 5:28 pm it was moved and seconded (Zimbalist/Doran) to adjourn to the meeting to 4:00 pm, November 25, 2024; the motion passed 7-0 with a voice vote.