City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission October 27, 2025
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Monday October 27, 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 4:01 pm.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present (5): Commissioners Doran, Schreiner, Zimbalist, Vice Chair Komatinsky, Chair Windes
Absent: (2) Allen, Aggarwal
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 AGENDA
It was moved and seconded (Windes/Komatinsky) to approve, no changes; motion passed 5-0 (Allen, Aggarwal absent) by voice vote.
E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Special Meeting Minutes of September 29, 2025
It was moved and seconded (Windes/Komatinsky) to approve with one change: page 2, Older Adult Program Update, strike “Elderly Melodies singing club” and replace with “Elderly Melodies Club”. Motion passed 5-0 by roll call vote (Commissioners Allen, Aggarwal absent).
E. CEREMONIAL – None
F. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit) – None
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
2. Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan for 2025-226 a. Pay ’N Play. Director Leyman updated: On October 7th City Council approved the Commission’s recommendations to demolish the Pay ‘N Play building and install natural turf and perimeter fencing. Fencing options will be identified and brought back to council for approval. He will keep the Commission informed of the timeline.
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission October 27, 2025
H. STAFF ITEMS
1. Polliwog Park Tree Update from Urban Forester
Ernest Area, Urban Forester, informed: Only a few of the 85 new trees planted a couple years ago have not thrived and will be removed, including some big leaf maples in Polliwog Park which he believes were affected by a micro-climate issue. The trees will be removed and replanted with new trees between this December and next February; new replacement trees include tipuanas (aka “tipu tree” as was planted in the Polliwog dog run), sycamores, and oaks. The tree work is being done in accordance with the city’s Urban Forest Master Plan which calls for the city to plant, annually, 100 trees on public land throughout the city; priority is placed on increasing and maintaining canopy within the park.
At Sand Dune Park, Mr. Area meets monthly with a resident group to review conditions and maintenance needs which includes bird nesting considerations. Starting in late November, Public Works will remove dead vegetation and plant at least 15 new trees mostly in the switchback area and trim the mulberry trees near the restroom.
Responding to Commission inquiries Mr. Area informed:
• Re: Urban Tree Master Plan: the annual 100-tree planting goal far exceeds the number of public trees removed in the city. The tree budget has been significantly increased ($620,000 currently) consistent with tree maintenance goals. The Plan can be accessed online through the Public Works home page:
https://www.manhattanbeach.gov/departments/public-works then click: field operations division → Urban Forestry Section → Master Plan. • The micro-climate issue in Polliwog Park relates to differences in temperature influenced by the proximity to the pond and nearby sports field irrigation. Regarding the older park trees, one large pine had been removed near the botanical garden, but a second large pine, though found to be infected has been retained for now and is being monitored; one oak will be removed, but generally Mr. Area has not seen an increase in significant damage by disease or pests over the last couple of years. • A eucalyptus tree in the vicinity of Veterans Parkway/8th Street (near Vons) has been found to be infected with a pest and will be removed.
• In public parkways due to narrow planting width, a lot of thought has gone into the type of tree that can be planted to avoid root intrusion into sewer pipes and Public Works has an approved street tree list that reflects this. • At Metlox, it will take about 3 years for non-flowering olive trees to achieve a shade canopy; a maintenance schedule is being developed for those trees.
Chair Windes expressed appreciation to the Public Works Department for assistance recently given to her and her neighbors regarding very large 100-year-old eucalyptus trees on her street.
2. City Council Recap and Parks and Recreation Department Updates Director Leyman reported:
• Begg pool plumbing repair project: anticipated to be completed this week; updates forthcoming in briefing notes.
• NFC station at Polliwog Park: Beach Cities Health District will be providing monthly instruction on how to use the station, and the District, with the City are
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission October 27, 2025
exploring ways to keep the community aware and actively using, e.g. certifying volunteers who can provide instructions or lead groups similar to classes provided through the city’s older adults programming.
• Sand Dune Park renovation project: design plans are under review; the date for council review and approval of a design firm will be forthcoming. • Annual pumpkin race, 10/25: a great success; Chair Windes noted that the use of zip ties this year was a “game changer” and she intends to discuss this with city staff; she thanked all for assisting and participating including Parks and Recreation staff.
• Library Speaker Series: 10/25 best-selling young adult author Nic Stone addressed approximately 150 attendees at the library; hosted through partnership between LA County Public Library and city (through Library Commission). Stay tuned for announcement of the next speaker event in Spring, 2026.
• Halloween carnival last weekend, hosted 3,500 participants; fantastic community engagement
• Memorial for the Fallen: 10/7 City Council approved recommendations of the Cultural Arts Commission, including an allocation of Public Art Trust funding, authorizing release of an RFQ – more information to follow. Some issues will come back for Council action, including approval of the memorial’s location and parameters for eligibility of names to be added to the monument, and procedures going forward. Director Leyman clarified that although the design of the monument has been handled through the Cultural Arts Commission, once the monument is erected, the process for submitting names for recognition will be an annual review under Parks and Recreation purview; he will contact former Parks and Recreation Commissioner McCarthy and inform of project status. • Utility box wrappings, Phase III: 10/07 City Council approved as recommended by Cultural Arts Commission; 20 new wraps throughout the city (10 youth/10 adult artists; installation expected to start in about a month. • Future City Council agenda items: 1) November 4th, City Council will discuss Bay Club proposal for a community pool (public input invited) and 2) At a future date City Council will discuss possibly exploring space/venue options for older adult programming. The SAC (Senior Advisory Committee) has discussed and has made some recommendations which will be reported by Commissioner Schreiner.
Chair Windes raised concerns about improper or illegal use of the newly renovated Polliwog Park dog run that she observed recently. Issues relate to disposal of dog waste (private group using a private trash receptable brought in to the enclosure, vs. a city receptable provided near but outside of the dog run); using private chairs brought in vs. city benches (group expressed need for seating with back support) and indications that private parties intend to acquire and use “off the shelf” shade devices within the dog run.
Director Leyman advised that all issues relating to the dog park should be directed to him. Collecting trash including dog waste should be part of a discussion with Public Works. As to seating, two additional benches with back support are being
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission October 27, 2025
considered by LoveMB for possible donation. As to shade, Director Leyman will look at the tree canopy situation, but recognizing a similar situation at Love Oak Park, he cautioned that “off the shelf” solutions are not viable due to liability issues.
The Director emphasized it is important that those using the park communicate and work with the Parks and Recreation Department for solutions. Chair Windes will provide the contact information she obtained from a spokesperson (the “Mayor of the Dog Run”) for the dog park user group to both Commissioner Komatinsky (as liaison for LoveMB) and Commissioner Allen (as Parks and Recreation Commission liaison).
Chair Windes invited public comment.
Resident Lee Barr asked about follow-up to his comment at a previous meeting about benches at tennis court 4 in Live Oak Park (should there be benches on both sides of the court?). Director Leyman responded, stating that, following last month’s meeting, he checked with the park tennis supervisor as to whether this is a problem.
The tennis supervisor indicated that he spoke to court users and is not aware of any concern about tennis court benches. Director Leyman emphasized that park staff will address any such concern upon receiving a request.
I. COMMISSION ITEMS
Older Adult Program Update – Commissioner Schreiner reported on the October 14 Senior Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting including updates from Mayor Lesser on topics of city-wide interest and several SAC activities. The SAC primarily discussed two topics: the status of the Scout House and whether some older adult activities should be moved to other parts of the city, beyond the Joslyn Center.
Regarding the Scout House, Mayor Lesser updated that the project is in design phase; the architect resubmitted plans to Public Works on October 2nd; the City’s review is expected to take eight weeks (from October 2) after which the City will have an opportunity to approve, and discuss budget and funding; construction is hoped to begin in the fall of 2026.
Regarding older adult recreation programming, Parks and Recreation staff commented that existing programs are serving residents very well and that, based on input solicited, residents as well as teachers prefer to come to Joslyn for activities (as opposed to Adventureplex or Manhattan Heights, for example), as they feel a strong sense of community at Joslyn, familiarity, and reliability as to class schedules and locations. It was recognized, however, that there is a growing need to create more programming for “younger” older adults, or those who have recently retired but want to stay active, which is a goal of the Older Adult Program. The SAC voted unanimously in support of keeping older adult classes centralized at the Joslyn Center but with every effort made to expedite the construction of the Scout House Community Center.
Commissioner Shreiner reported on older adult related activities that have recently occurred or are coming up through December including the Home Town Fair, Older Adult High Tea/Art auction, intergenerational technology classes (Coffee, Tea And You), concert by Elderly Melodies Singing Club (through Mira Costa student Evelyn Green) and various others, including upcoming holiday events.
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission October 27, 2025
School District Update – Commissioner Komatinsky provided brief reports on two items: 1) the District, due to certain safety incidents over the past several months will be updating and implementing district wide safety measures including, but not limited to; safety plans, security training, emergency maps and procedures and safety and security awareness and training. More information may be obtained on the MBUSD website, Board meeting materials for October 22, 2025; 2) The District has approved replacement of fences at several schools, to be funded by original bond dollars.
Komatinsky gave a brief update for LoveMB (501c3 city nonprofit): The non-profit is extremely active, working hard on many fronts, including building a website, developing donor lists, meeting with various stakeholder entities, etc. and is also working with the City to identify specific projects that may be funded by donations (subject to City Council approval). The name “LoveMB” was suggested by Commissioner Zimbalist, and the tagline: “love where you live” came from Commissioner Komatinsky. The first donor, Manhattan Beach Bay Club, has pledged $1,000,000 to go towards Begg pool repairs such as the current plumbing work. A launch party is being planned for early 2026.
Student Update – In Commissioner Aggarwal’s absence, Chair Windes and Commissioner Schreiner commented on the Mira Costa Homecoming Court comprised of 12 students, including Commissioner Aggarwal. The 12 students are nominated by the school service clubs and to be chosen is a great honor, reflecting peer recognition of significant community service. Commissioner Aggarwal was selected in recognition of his club that organizes volunteers to support the UCLA Veterans garden in West LA, focusing on growing and harvesting vegetables distributed to a food bank helping food insecure veterans.
Future Commission meetings: Chair Windes noted that the Commission will next meet on November 24 but will be “dark” in December.
Food trucks: Commissioner Komatinsky commented that she has observed food trucks in the parking lot at Marine Avenue Park. Director Leyman noted that City Council has recently had a second reading of a new ordinance adopted to regulate food truck parking in the city. The ordinance may not yet be in effect but enforcement can commence as soon as it is in effect.
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 5:06 pm it was moved and seconded (Schreiner/Doran) to adjourn; motion passed unanimously by voice vote.