City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission January 27, 2025
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Monday, January 27, 2025
4:00 PM
Location: Zoom and City Council Chambers, City Hall
1400 Highland Avenue
A. CALL TO ORDER – Chair Allen called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present: Commissioners Zimbalist, Schreiner, Komatinsky, Doran, Vice Chair Windes, Chair Allen
Absent: Jacobson
Others present: Parks and Recreation Director Mark Leyman, Senior Recreation Manager (SRM) Melissa McCollum,, Senior Management Analyst (SMA) Linda Robb, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – November 25, 2024
It was moved and seconded (Windes/Komatinsky) to approve the November 25, 2024 minutes as submitted; motion passed 6-1 by voice vote (Jacobson absent) E. CEREMONIAL - None
F. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit)
Lee Barr commented that he appreciates the work done by the Commission but urges that the Commission push forward to get projects done more quickly.
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
1. 24/0226.01 Work Plan Items Discussion
a. Parks Master Plan – Commissioner Schreiner updated that the committee has been meeting with management staff with a focus on Section 5 – “The Plan”, pages 32 – 51 and expressed appreciation for the work being done by the whole committee including Commissioners Komatinsky and Windes.
SRM McCollum presented a quick update via a PowerPoint presentation that outlined the committee’s preliminary r ecommendations would like to receive input from the whole Commission. The slides summarized several projects categorized by 1) Progress made since 2020 (completed projects), 2) Projects proposed to be kept or added (differentiated by quick wins, mid-range and long term), and, 3) Next steps, a timeline.
SRM McCollum emphasized that in general, the intent of the subcommittee and staff i n
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission January 27, 2025
updating the Plan, i s to update existing facilities as opposed to a dding new additional facilities, as has been reflected in community input (with the exception of a new aquatics facility and exploring the acquisition of the Adventureplex in Marine Park). She noted that it has been determined that there are no additional sites in the city to create more facilities for “four legged friends” and two possible areas (6 th/Aviation, Voorhees/Rowell) are proposed to be removed from the Plan.
The next steps in updating include updating information such as demographics, graphics and photos identifying maintenance needs and replacement schedules and possible funding sources. The subcommittee is coordinating with the Staff Strategic Plan Facilities Work Group to make sure recommendations are comprehensive and realistic and aligned.
The committee hopes to have the updated plan in place by July 1, 2025, after completing further Commission review and obtaining community input.
Input from committee members was invited.
Commissioner Windes clarified that the committee is not opposed to more dog parks, rather, they found that two potential park sites in the Plan (Voorhees/Rowell and 6th/Aviation) are infeasible: Voorhees/Rowell site is too small, after considering utility equipment locations, and the 6 th Street site, for public safety, is too close to very busy Aviation Boulevard and has little or no parking.
Commissioner Komatinsky complimented the presentation and requested a copy of the Power Point slides be sent to the Commission and made accessible to the public.
SRM McCollum suggested that, similar to the Begg pool modernization study, a link can be provided on the Parks and Recreation webpage that provides access to the current Plan, status reports and proposed plan updates and related information.
It was decided that the commission hear public comment and then have a discussion on the initial information provided.
Chair Allen called for public comment.
Ken Wiener, resident and former Parks and Recreation Commissioner commented: the LoveMB nonprofit foundation, is now fully functional; the bus tour of park facilities as held for the existing PMP resulted in observations leading to ideas and proposals that formed the basis of the master plan . He urged the Commission to keep the updated Plan a relevant and living document that reflects what is needed to be worked on and possible funding which now might be LoveMB.
Bruce Greenberg, resident and former Parks and Recreation Commissioner suggested:
1) to aid future updates, add an Appendix that lists all projects being removed with an explanation; and 2) the committee reconsider retaining, not removing the “Acquiring the Armory Land” project from the long-term projects, due to the Armory site’s high strategic importance and in recognition that in the long term, the States’s position and interest could change.
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission January 27, 2025
The Commission briefly discussed.
Commissioner Komatinsky endorsed the suggestion to add an Appendix as suggested listing removed projects; Commissioner Windes agreed with having an Appendix and also endorsed the suggestion to retain the project to explore acquisition of the National Guard Armory land.
Commissioners Doran and Zimbalist did not have any specific issues at this time, feel it is going in the right direction. Commissioner Zimbalist likes the idea of highlighting the plan update project with information on the City website.
SRM McCollum indicated that the PowerPoint presentation will be emailed to the Commission and encouraged the Commission to keep reviewing the information and contact either Commissioner Schreiner or her if any issues come up.
b. Pay ‘N Play Outreach – Vice Chair Windes updated: O n December 7 th a community meeting was held at the site; the 2-hour meeting attracted 15 persons notably from soccer user groups who indicated preference for a futsal court with priority for city clubs and residents. The online survey was provided to meeting attendees and in advance mailed to homeowners near the park, hand-delivered to nearby homes, posted at the Pay N’ Play building and adjacent dog park, and broadcast through the city’s social media. The survey – now officially closed had 909 responses, the vast majority from city residents and in an age range of 18-54. The highest preferences were: futsal court (689 votes), pickleball court (165 votes), playing field (85), basketball court (82), open space (66) expanded dog run (64) mini roller hockey rink (64), tennis court (50) and various other uses (40) for a food truck area, mobile library, jump house, trampoline, garden, batting cage and yoga studio).
Commissioner Winders noted that th e project is already designated as a CIP funded project and the funding will be considered by council this April.
Chair Allen called for commission comment.
Commissioner Windes commented that the space could be big enough for a tennis court and only the existing Pay ‘N Play structures (not basketball courts) will be demolished (timeline tbd). Director Leyman clarified that the existing dog run may remain, or possibly relocated and n ow is the time to brainstorm all ideas for reuse of the site ; All commissioners ae encouraged to bring ideas to the next meeting. Staff will provide a more comprehensive report with design options and from there a recommendation will be developed. Commissioner Windes commented that there is a space in the southwest portion of the park that might be feasible to relocate , possibly enlarge, the existing dog run.
Chair Allen called for public comment.
Bruce Greenberg requested clarifications . Staff responded: r egarding timeline , the Commission will refine the options and decide on a recommendation in February and March and the Council will consider the recommendation in April. Although the survey is
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission January 27, 2025
officially closed there will be more opportunity for public input during Commission and Council discussions.
c. Polliwog Park Dog Run
Director Leyman gave a brief update, re minding that this project will be done in -house by the city workforce, with a budget not to exceed $50,000. The project will be presented to city council next Tuesday (February 4) and then to the school board on February 5th.
He described the expected reconfiguration, and removal or relocation of storage sheds which will result in a clear line -of-sight through the area. The removal of trees in the dog run area (if any) is still to be determined.
Chair Allen called for public comment. There were no persons wanting to speak.
H. STAFF ITEMS
City Council Recap and Parks and Recreation Department Updates • New City Art Exhibit: Director Leyman reported that the opening last Friday at the Art Center of “The Ripple Effect” exhibit was well attended; will close March 30th.
• New Pilot Parks and Recreation registration program: Director Leyman introduced a new pilot online Parks and Recreation reservation program, soon to be launched on a limited basis. The program is a customized product of Kaizen Labs and is very intuitive and user friendly . SMA Robb not ed that as a pilot, the program will be limited to reservations for only racket court activities such as pickleball and tennis. The existing Active Network reservations for court racket sports will shut down 1/31, with the new Kaizen Labs system starting reservations on February 3.
The City’s contract with Kaizen Labs for the pilot will go to the end of 2025 after which the department will evaluate and decide next steps. The city’s contract for Active Network will run until for the end of 2027 for the remainder of the activities. Staff will be posting flyers and publicizing on city social media. People with current court reservation accounts can now go into the system and create new accounts and existing accounts will be migrated to the Kaizen Labs system.
SMA Robb and Director Leyman responded to questions and handed out a flyer with a QR link to the pilot program and encouraged the commissioners to access the system, become familiar, create an account and report any issues to staff. Although this represents a change, staff feels the reservation system will be greatly simplified and be very user - friendly.
I. COMMISSION ITEMS
Older adult Program Update – Commissioner Schreiner reported on the November Senior Advisory Committee meeting including a detailed report s by Councilmember Franklin on the November election results, Parking Lot 3; and various committee member reports including fundraising (e.g. Bingo) and older adult activities.
School District Update – Commissioner Komatinsky called for and the Commission
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission January 27, 2025
observed a moment of silence to acknowledge the recent tragic passing of Mira Costa student Ford Savela. Commissioner Zimbalist commented on the many compliments received about the response initiated by the Mira Costa student body to help those suffering from the fires and noted that city schools have been enrolling displaced students.
Student Update – None
Commissioner Komatinsky asked for a report on the status of the tree project in Polliwog Park.
Director Leyman noted that a Polliwog tree report will be provided at a future meeting; the sculpture Egrets in Flight which has been damaged by a maintenance vehicle has been moved a short distance away and is scheduled for repair.
Commissioner Windes clarified that the Polliwog Park bandshell replacement project is being recommended to be removed from the Park Master Plan due to concerns from nearby community owners.
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 5:11 pm it was moved and seconded (Komatinsky/Zimbalist) to adjourn to the meeting of February 24 at 4:00 pm; motion passed unanimously by voice vote.