City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission September 29, 2025
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Monday September 29, 2025
4:00 PM
Location: Zoom and City Council Chambers, City Hall
1400 Highland Avenue
A. CALL TO ORDER – Chair Windes called the meeting to order at 4:06 pm.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present (7): Commissioners Aggarwal, Allen, Doran, Schreiner, Zimbalist, Vice Chair Komatinsky, Chair Windes
Absent: None
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
1. This item contains the Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of July 28, 2025
It was moved and seconded (Komatinsky/Zimbalist) to approve as submitted; motion passed 7-0 by voice vote.
E. CEREMONIAL – None
F. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit)
Lee Barr, resident inquired tennis court 4 at Live Oak Park should have benches on both sides of the court, and also asked whether the city accepts credit cards during class or activity registration. Director Leyman will check, report back regarding the tennis court benches and clarified that the city does not take credit card info over the phone bu t can take that info in person at City Hall.
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
2. 25/0324.02 Work Plan discussion
a. Pay ’N Play . Director Ley man updated: City Council will give direction at the October 7, City Council meeting whether to move forward with demolishing the old Pay ‘N Play building and installing turf and fencing so that the existing dog run can be maintained after the demolition. Director Leyman will follow up with Chair Windes on her inquiry of maintaining or the removal or 3 carrotwood trees near the Pay N Play building and clarified that no long-term decisions will be made for the replacement use of the
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission September 29, 2025
former Pay N Play space until after the library needs assessment work is completed (estimated to be done by end of 2025) and City Council reviews options. SRM McCollum also noted that, in the event that the City Council decides that Marine Avenue Park will not be chosen as a site for new library service, then it can be expected that the City Council will provide direction to staff on how to proceed with redevelopment of the area, with knowledge that extensive community outreach, including a survey and on -site meeting, has already been conducted. The interim measures (demo, turf, fencing) will cost $142,000 which will come from grant, not CIP funds.
Director Leyman provided an update regarding Sand Dune Park. The project is moving into the construction phase; a “working” plan design is anticipated to be awarded in January, 2026 with the construction project ready to go to bid in September; he will keep the Commission informed of progress.
H. STAFF ITEMS
Director Leyman reported:
• The City Council met with the Bay Club regarding a partnership for a new city pool.
Issues were identified and City C ouncil provided direction to staff; a second meeting will be scheduled, date tbd.
• The annual pumpkin race will be held October 19
• The library, partnering with MB Library Commission will have an author talk at the library 10/25 (best-selling young adult author Nic Stone), 2-3 pm. • City Council on 10/7 , besides Pay ‘N Pay will be reviewing Cultural Arts Commission recommendations for: Memorial of the Fallen and Phase III of utility box wrappings.
• Staff anticipates direction from City Council as to preparation and programming of activities related to the 2028 Olympics.
City Council Recap and Parks and Recreation Department Updates – see above I. COMMISSION ITEMS
Older Adult Program Update – Commissioner Schreiner reported on information provided at the September 9th Senior Advisory Board’s meeting, including a report from Mayor Lesser regarding important city issues. Also reported: the SAC hosted a successful High Tea event and art auction on September 24 th at which $2,000 was raised for the Scout House project; on September 15 th plans were submitted for the Scout House project; and Rotary Club initiated an improvement project at a women’s shelter in Compton (SAC Chair Steve DeBaets involved), and on October 18 th Mira Costa senior Evelyn Green who started “Elderly Melodies ” club, will be brin ging a middle and high school orchestral group to Joslyn Center to perform classical music for older adults.
School District Update – Commissioner Komatinsk y r eported the last school board meeting was cancelled (no new information).
Student Update – Commissioner Aggarwal updated regarding several happenings at Mira Costa in athletics, social activities and volunteer groups including the Veterans Club
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission September 29, 2025
which he founded that assists in the development and upkeep of the Veteran’s Garden at the West Los Angels Veteran Affairs campus.
Pumpkin Race – Chair Windes announced that this year’s Commission pumpkin theme will be the renovated Polliwog Park Dog Run, all commissioners are encouraged to help/participate in going for a “threepeat” victory.
Polliwog Park Tree Project: Commissioner Komatinsky requested that staff provide an update at a future meeting.
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 4:50 pm it was moved and seconded (Komatinsky/Schreiner) to adjourn; motion passed unanimously by voice vote.