City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission November 24, 2025
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Monday November 24, 2025
4:00 PM
Location: Zoom and City Council Chambers, City Hall
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 Allen, Aggarwal, Schreiner, Zimbalist, Vice Chair Komatinsky, Chair Windes
Absent: (1) Doran
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 (Komatinsky/Schreiner) to approve, no changes; motion passed 6-0 (Doran absent) by voice vote.
E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of October 27, 2025
It was moved and seconded (Komatinsky/Schreiner) to approve with one change: page 4, Older Adult Program Update, last paragraph: delete “Singing” as follows: ….concert by Elderly Melodies Singing Club…..
Motion passed 6-0 by roll call vote (Commissioner Doran absent).
E. CEREMONIAL – None
F. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (3-Minute Limit ) – Resident Lee Barr thanked the Commission for their hard work and wished all happy holidays; Chair Windes expressed thanks to Mr. Barr for his engagement.
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
2. Consideration of Eagle Scout Service Project – Installation of Manhattan Beach Greenbelt Mile Markers
After a brief overview by Director Leyman, SMA Robb summarized . E agle scout
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission November 24, 2025
candidate Aaron Sung, Manhattan Beach Troop 849, proposes to lead a volunteer team in installing eight eco-friendly mile markers , replacing existing markers along the Manhattan Beach Greenbelt, from the Hermosa Beach boundary northerly to Sepulveda Boulevard overpass, with n o fiscal impact to the city. In support of the project, Public Works will remove old markers, verify new marker locations and supervise the installation to ensure safety. Staff has reviewed, finding the proposed project supports the City’s commitment to sustainability, recreation, and public engagement, while enhancing community wayfinding and trail usability.
Chair Windes opened the floor to questions or comments.
Director Leyman reviewed that the r ole of the Parks and Recreation Commission is to review and make a recommendation to the city council . The Director also clarified that while Public Works staff has been working for several months with the boy scout group, procedurally the Commission review would have occurred much earlier, but was delayed due to communications issues related to staff turnover . The Commission recommendation is scheduled for the December 2
nd council meeting, and, if approved,
would be installed soon after.
Chair Windes asked whether the candidate is a student in Manhattan Beach; D irector Leyman responded that that information was not available but clarified that Troop 849 is a Manhattan Beach based scout troop and staff believes that the proposed project will be a benefit to the city. SRA Robb clarified that the height of the markers will be 5-feet above ground.
The Commission came to a consensus to support the project. It was moved and seconded (Komatinsky/Schreiner) that the Parks and Recreation Commission recommend that the City Council approve the subject eagle scout mile marker proposal.
Motion passed 6-0 (Doran absent) by roll call vote.
Commissioner Komatinsky commented that she strongly supports the project but suggested that, in advance of the council meeting, s taff obtain more background information about the candidate and look into any applicable scout-imposed deadlines, and encourage the candidate to be present at the council meeting when the item is considered.
3. Parks and Recreation Commission Work Plan for 2025-2026 a. Pay ’N Play. Director Leyman updated: Demolition plans are being prepared by Public Works. A demolition timeline is expected to be ready to share with the Commission in January with start of work expected in late spring or early summer.
H. STAFF ITEMS
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission November 24, 2025
City Council Recap and Parks and Recreation Department Updates . Director Leyman announced:
• December 2: City Council will discuss forming an ad hoc committee to provide input on future Veterans Day ceremonies, to be routed through the Parks and Recreation Commission.
• November 14: Pier Lighting and downtown Holiday Open House; great attendance • November 18: City Council approved a new Chamber of Commerce agreement ; two of four existing parking spaces (in the Joslyn Center parking lot) previously dedicated for chamber use will be converted to use by the older adult program. • 2026-2027 Work Plan for Parks and Recreation Commission: to be scheduled for the Commission’s January meeting. New plan items may include forming a committee to address engagement with 2028 Olympics ; more information forthcoming for the January meeting.
• Upcoming holiday events: Nov 28 – 30: 5th Annual Turkey Pickleball Tournament:
Manhattan Heights Park ; Dec 6 -7: 39 th Annual Holiday Crafts with Santa; Dec 6 :
Gingerbread house decorating; Dec 7: MBAC Winter Open House; Dec 7: North Manhattan Beach Holiday Stroll; Dec 14: 37th Annual Holiday Fireworks • December 8: Registration for Parks and Rec classes (residents)
• Senior Recreation Manager Melissa McCollum has accepted a position as Library Director for the City of Des Moines, Iowa Public Library System, which has six branch libraries and a half a million items in its collection; h er last day at the city will be December 17 th. SRM McCollum addressed the Commission describing her new position and express ing her appreciation for the Commission and Parks and Recreation staff. Chair Windes and fellow commissioners joined Director Leyman in congratulating and thanking Melissa for her many significant accomplishments in Manhattan Beach; she will be greatly missed.
I. C OMMISSION ITEMS
Older Adult Program Update – Commissioner Schreiner reported on the November 18 Senior Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting, including updates from Mayor Lesser on three topics:
1) Scout House Community Center Plans: Per an update from the City Manager in October, construction plans were submitted by Friends of the Scout House to the city (Public Works) for a formal plan-check in early October, 2025; the first round of the plan checking is expected to be completed by end of November but the full plan check process may not be finalized for another 6- 12 months. The Mayor wants very much to get a realistic cost estimate of the amount of money needed to fund the project (beyond that amount raised) so that this can be incorporated into the city budget process. SAC discussion focused on frustration for a very long process and possible ways to advocate for expediting the project.
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission November 24, 2025
2) Bay Club proposal to build an aquatics facility for resident use on city property adjacent to the Bay Club facility : City council discussed on Nov ember 4 and directed staff to continue discussions with Bay Club and explore cost if Manhattan Beach, not Bay Club, were to build the proposed aquatics facility on the city owned site, and also identify possible parking and traffic issues. 3) November 18 (upcoming): City Council will be considering renewing the Chamber of Commerce lease for its office on 15 th Street as well as a new Chamber Work Plan Agreement.
Upcoming older adult activities include the upcoming annual “Sparkle and Shine” holiday luncheon December 17 (sold out within hours) and intergenerational technology classes (Coffee, Tea And You) being scheduled for 2026.
School District Update – Commissioner Komatinsk y reported: 1) D istrict vacancies:
Superintendent, as Dr. Bose is retiring; and Public Information Officer, vacated by Habah Samad, and, 2) The board at its meeting last Wednesday , discussed its aging 35-meter pool and is moving forward to build a new 50 -meter pool. Commissioner Komatinsky emphasized that this board action reflects the city’s high need demand for pool facilities and hopes that the city can engage in a broader discussion on a path forward to address the community’s long-term aquatic needs.
Commissioner Komatinsky clarified t hat a $1,000,000 donation made by Bay Club to LoveMB is specifically dedicated to Begg pool and only for physical repairs to extend the pool’s life, and is not contingent on a pending decision by the City regarding the Bay Club pool proposal. Commissioner Komatinsky commented that repairs at Begg are a “bandaid solution” and feels a conversation about the future of Begg Pool is needed.
As a follow- up to discussion at the October Parks and Rec meeting, Commissioner Komatinsky stated she has reached out to the resident dubbed “Mayor of the Polliwog Dog Park” to set up a meeting with the city and Parks and Recreation Commission representative to address issues such as seating, shade, and trash disposal at the dog park. She has not heard back yet from th at individual, but it may be noted that LoveMB board recently approved sponsoring two benches to be installed in the Polliwog dog park and is working with Public Works to make that happen.
Student Update – Commissioner Aggarwal reported on various Mira Costa activities or events: Lip Sync contest; athletic college signing for seniors (29 students have committed so far); school play “ A Beautiful Day in November on the Banks of the Greatest of the Great Lakes”; girls and boys ’ cross-country team high level achievements; and “Grad Day”. Commissioner Aggarwal also updated that his UCLA Veteran’s Garden non- profit group is making progress on raising funds for a 24-tree orchard on the site. Commissioner Aggarwal thanked Melissa McCollum for her guidance in orienting him when appointed
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission November 24, 2025
to the Commission.
Future Commission meetings: Chair Windes reminded the Commission will next meet on January 26, 2026.
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 4:57 pm it was moved and seconded (Komatinsky/Schreiner) to adjourn to Monday January 26, 2026; motion passed 6-0 (Doran absent) by voice vote.