Loading...
Parks and Recreation 2010/12/01PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Brookhurst Community Center, 2271 W. Crescent Avenue, Anaheim, California DECEMBER1, 2010 MINUTES COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:Vice-ChairmanCrawfordand Commissioners Brennan, Huitt,Navarro,and Vadodaria COMMISSIONERS EXCUSED:Chairman Baldwin and Commissioner Manes STAFF PRESENT: Larry Pasco, Park ManagerCathy Glasgow, Community Services Superintendent Pamela Galera, PrincipalProject PlannerGail Barruga, Administrative Assistant CALL TO ORDER–Commissioner Vadodariacalled the meeting to order at 5:38p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE–Commissioner Vadodaria led the Pledge of Allegiance. INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS AND COMMUNICATIONS Written Communication –None. A. Unscheduled Oral Communication from the Public: Mr. Thomas “Hoagy” Holguin,Anaheim resident and former Anaheim B. Union High School Trustee,spoke to the Commission regarding concernsbrought to him by several Anaheim seniors about thecancelation of senior programs, not being able to use the gymnasium at the Downtown Community Center, and the closure of the senior centers during the holidays.He asked if the programs are being cut due tolow attendance or budget issues. Mr.Holguin stated the seniors in Anaheim have always been proactive and he would hope theseprograms would not be cut. He asked thatsomeone follow up with him on these issues. Commissioner Huitt statedthe holidays are particularly difficult for seniors who are alone and whosefamilies live far away and are unable to visit. Commissioner Huitt stated that CalState Fullerton and SeniorServ(who provide the daily lunches at the Brookhurst Community Center) were conducting a survey on the impact of the holidays on seniors. Also, she had also been asked about a memo from Moses Menchaca, Community Services Supervisor,which provided information onthe holiday closuresof the senior centers at Brookhurst Community Center and Downtown Community Center; the seniors did not understand why the two senior centers were being closed, but notthe East Anaheim Community Center.They felt the costs associated with part time staffing ofthe facilities and the utilities could not be very much, but would provide a great benefit to the seniors, even if for only a few hours a day. Cathy Glasgow, Community Services Superintendent,provided an overview of the holiday closures, its purpose and agreed, since lunches will be provided for seniors, to suggest addingthe two senior centers to the list of facilities that provide essential services.Also, staff will be meeting with SeniorServ regarding the holidayclosures.Cathy stated the memo only referred to the two facilities that Mr. Menchaca oversees; the operation of the East Anaheim Community Center is under the supervision of another section of the department. Cathy stated the East Anaheim Community Center will be closed unless a fee rental event was scheduled. Cathy provided an overview of the January 2011 budget impacts to staffing at Brookhurst Community Center and Downtown Community Center. She statedat this time there is no plan to eliminate any specific program. Staffwillbe able to do almost everything as now, justin a different way. Shecould not speak directly about the status of the gymnasium.Cathy stated she would bring Mr. Holquin’s concerns to Lynn Smith, Community Services Manager. ï Park and Recreation Commission December 1, 2010Minutes APPROVAL OF MINUTES–The approval of the October 27, 2010 Minutes weredeferred to the January 2011 Commission meeting. ACTIVITY REPORTS A.Parks Activity Report–August/September2010:Larry Pascopresented the report to the Commissioners. B.Parks Capital Project Progress Report–Pamela Galerapresented the report, provided updated information on the following projects,and answered questions fromthe Commissioners. Anaheim Coves–Staff will be meeting with the Policy Advisory Group for the Santa Ana River Parkway Project which includes Supervisor Campbell, Mayor Curt Pringle, Carolyn Cavecche, Mayor ofOrange and other dignitaries. Staff provided a tour and updateson the project. Pamela stated there are many agencies very interested in this project. Anaheim Tennis Center–Staff is preparing the bid documents so that construction can begin in late spring 2011. Cerritos Avenue Property–Thereis a 10 acre parcel north of Cerritos and east of State College Avenue for sale. Staff is researching grant possibilities to purchase this park land site so close to the Platinum Triangle development. Pamela stated this site could have several sports fields incorporated into the park plans. Colony Park–Staff is working with the builderon the punch list items. Connectivity Plan–The City was awarded $250,000 under Prop 84 to study non-vehicular connections around the Platinum Triangle, to the Resort, Convention Center, downtown Anaheim andout to the Canyon Business Area. Staff is anticipating another grant award from SCAG. Dog Park–The Task Force has identified Olive Hills Park as an opportunity for a dog use area. Staff held a community meeting with the neighbors of this park. Staff is researching grant funding opportunities for this project. Founders’ Park–The Park is under construction and is moving forward quite nicely. Miraloma Park–The City was awarded a grant in the amount of $4,227,426under Prop 84 to develop the site and re- use ofthe building on site as a community center. Oak Canyon Nature Center–Staff attended an interview for a grant with a representative from the State and spent 90 minutes on site.Pamela stated there are over200 applicant interviews for this grant award. Ponderosa Master Plan–The fourth public community meeting will be conducted Saturday, December 4, 2010. The landscape and architect have developed three conceptual drawings based on the suggestions from the three previous community meetings. The last community meeting will be held second week in December. City of Fullerton Owned Property on La Palma–Larry Pasco provided an update on the status of this site per Chairman Baldwin’s continued requests. Larry stated staff contacted the City of Anaheim’s Code Enforcement who sent staff to the site to evaluate. Code Enforcement staff took photographs and reported there wasn’t anything they could do regarding enforcement as the property was in good shape. Larry stated after reviewing the photographs he had to concur with Code Enforcement’s evaluation. The grass is green and there is no debris. The only possible option would to insert slats in the chain link fence, but this may provide a slate for graffiti. C.Senior Citizen Sub-Committee–Commissioner Huitt stated she had provided much of her report during the public comment along with Mr. Holguin’s requests. INFORMATION ITEMS Commissioner Huitt asked regardingthe installation of the countdown crosswalk lights on Anaheim Blvd.if staff could send letters to the property managers of the apartment complexes near the intersections, informing their residents of the change. Commissioner Huitt provided a mailing list of four apartment buildings near the intersection. Vice-Chairman Crawford stated the Nutcracker Tree Lighting event will be held on Saturday, December 4in downtown Anaheim th and he again will provide Santa’s transportation via his motorcycleto the event. î Park and Recreation Commission December 1,2010Minutes Commissioner Navarro thanked everyone for the nice welcome back to the Commission. Commissioner Brennan stated he appreciated the hard work staff is doing in finding alternative funding sources for the various projects. He stated grantsinvolve a lot of work not only during the application process but also after the award. Also, he noted even during these times of economic woes, the city provides activities toresidents, at reasonable prices. He appreciates staff’s dedication. Commissioner Vadodaria seconded Commissioner Brennan’s comments about staff’s dedication to Anaheim residents. ADJOURNMENT–Vice-Chairman Crawford adjourned the meeting at 6:30p.m. í