City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission February 23, 2026
CITY OF MANHATTAN BEACH
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Monday February 23, 2026
4:00 PM
Location: Zoom and City Council Chambers, City Hall
A. CALL TO ORDER
– Chair Windes called the meeting to order at 4:00 pm.
B. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
C. ROLL CALL
Present (7): Commissioners Allen, Aggarwal, Doran, Schreiner, Zimbalist, Vice Chair Komatinsky, Chair Windes
Absent: (0) None
Others present: Parks and Recreation Director Mark Leyman, Senior Management Analyst (SMA) Linda Robb, Recording Secretary Rosemary Lackow D. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
It was moved and seconded (Zimbalist/Komatinsky) to approve, no changes; motion passed 7-0 by voice vote.
E. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Parks and Recreation Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of January 26, 2026 It was moved and seconded ( Komatinsky/Aggarwal) to approve as submitted. M otion passed 7-0 by roll call vote.
F. PUBLIC COMMENTS (3-Minute Limit) – None
G. GENERAL BUSINESS
2. 2025/2026 Work Plan Update
• Veterans’ Day Event (Zimbalist, Doran): after a brief introduction by Director Leyman, Commissioner Zimbalist, as Ad Hoc committee chair, described the project and updated. The project goal is to enhance the existing Veterans Day event ahead of Veterans Day, 2026 in November. The committee comprised of himself, and Commissioner Doran will join and support efforts by Bob Holmes who is passionate about this and has many resources. The commission discussed; Commissioner Aggarwal volunteered to join the committee. Commissioner Zimbalist noted the committee will meet with Director Leyman tomorrow to discuss and create a broad outline for carrying out the project and then bring the outline to this commission to refine, to form a more specific recommendation which will be brought to City Council for approval. Some general “bullet points” of an outline so far: bringing to the event military hardware/equipment, families and students and doing more publicity. The
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission February 23, 2026
event will still take place at the veterans’ memorial on the greenbelt at Valley/15 th Street. The commission discussed and suggested reaching out to: city of Torrance regarding their Veterans Day programming, Councilmember Franklin, past Parks and Recreation Commissioner Laurie McCarthy, and the Redondo Beach Veterans of Foreign Wars.
• Pay ‘N Play: (see staff items)
3. Consider Recommending Approval of an Agreement with Association of Beach Volleyball Professionals LLC DBA AVP to Operate the Manhattan Beach Open
Senior Recreation Supervisor (SRS) Archie Sherman presented with the aid of a Power Point, a proposal for a new 3-year contract with AVP to operate the Manhattan Beach Open (2026 – 2028). This year’s Open will be held August 14 – 16 (Friday –
Sunday) and marks the 65 th anniversary of the tournament. The same basic court layout and plan will be followed from 2025 which included: VIP courtside seating, bleachers on the west and north sides of stadium court for general admission (75% open and free seating), and the “Walk of Champions” Pier Ceremony and reception.
The contract provides for development of special programming marking the 65 th
anniversary to be developed. Within elevated VIP areas AVP will provide food and alcohol service.
The AVP will adhere to all applicable regulations and obtain special permits such as State Coastal permit, State ABC alcohol license, County Beaches and Harbors permit, and city permits (Building and Safety, Fire Department). AVP will hire private security to be on hand during the event to enforce the alcohol permit.
SRS Sherman invited Commission input.
The Commission discussed and came to a consensus to support, including the proposed layout, with input that more food should be made conveniently available to attendees.
It was moved and seconded (Komatinsky /Aggarwal) to recommend that the council approve a new 3-year agreement with AVP, including proposed layout, to operate the Manhattan Beach Open tournament.
Motion passed unanimously by voice vote 7- 0.
H. STAFF ITEMS
City Council Recap and Parks and Recreation Department Updates . Director Leyman informed:
• City Engineer Gil Gamboa will present an update on the city’s CIP program at the April meeting.
• Pay ‘N Play Demolition: Public Works Engineering is currently prepping a bid package; bid process is expected to open in four weeks, after completing the required
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission February 23, 2026
construction contract and document process, it is expected that the demolition will start, tentatively, at end of summer; updates will be provided. The preservation of mature carrotwood trees per inquiry by Chair Windes will be carefully considered during the development of the demolition plan.
• Sand Dune Park: David Voltz Design (DVD) is preparing the final design of the plan that will be in the construction bid documents. When that plan is 90% ready, DVD will make a presentation to the Commission and Director Leyman will provide a timeline at next month’s meeting. Otherwise, the Cultural Arts Commission, through staff liaison Eric Brinkman, will be working with the Commission and DVD towards a recommendation on the lace fencing as directed by City Council.
• Marine Avenue Soccer Field Fencing: bid package now ready; expect to be complete by summer.
• Mira Costa Tennis Courts: As a pilot program, city is working with the school district, using six school courts Tuesdays/Thursdays, primarily for Marine League and private lessons; going very well and hope to expand.
At 4:31 p.m. Chair Windes called for a recess; the Commission vacated the chambers to accommodate City Council closed session.
At 4:45 p.m. Chair Windes reconvened the meeting in the council chambers.
Present: (6): Commissioners Allen, Aggarwal, Doran, Schreiner, Zimbalist, Vice Chair Komatinsky, Chair Windes
Absent: (1) Allen
I. C OMMISSION ITEMS
Student Update: Commissioner Aggarwal reported on several student items : a thletics (track and field in full swing, basketball now ended - g reat season) and special activities (Senior Superlatives, Senior Assassin, Scholarship notebooks).
Older Adults Update: – Commissioner Schreiner reported on the February 10 th Senior Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting, including updates from Mayor Lesser regarding:
Senior and Scout House Community Center status (in plan check with city, construction costs being estimated), council consideration of space needs for older adult activities (3/3/26 council agenda, with recommendation to table discussion); and various legislative advocacy items (e.g. impacts of new very dense residential development, e-bikes and traffic safety on Sepulveda). Many well attended older adult programs were mentioned as well as “Rotary Cares” community improvement projects.
School District Update: Commissioner Komatinsky reported: the district is engaged in union negotiations and is conducting a wide search for a new superintendent.
LoveMB: Commissioner Komatinsky reported that the non- profit will be sponsoring two additional benches for the Polliwog Park dog park and showed a tile, crediting LoveMB donations that will be attached to all donated items.
City of Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Commission February 23, 2026
Director Leyman updated that LMB to submit needed information for its Iron Rails to Green Trails to the city this week ; upon receipt he will create a timeline and share with the Commission.
Chair Windes requested a copy of the Parks and Recreation current Work Plan.
J. ADJOURNMENT
At 5:06 pm it was moved and seconded (Zimbalist/Komatinsky) to adjourn to Monday March 23, 2026; motion passed 6-0 (Allen absent) by voice vote.