Parks and Recreation 2011/08/24
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Brookhurst Community Center, 2271 W. Crescent Avenue, Anaheim, California
AUGUST 24, 2011 MINUTES
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:Chairman Crawford
Commissioners Brennan, Huitt, Lappin, and Navarro
COMMISSIONER EXCUSED:Vice Chair Manes and Commissioner Vadodaria
STAFF PRESENT:Lynn Smith-Community Services Manager, Larry Pasco-ParksManager,
Pamela Galera, Principle Project Planner, Joe Perez-CS Superintendent,
Moses Menchaca-CS Supervisor, Maureen Richardson-CS Specialist,and
Gail Barruga –Admin.Assistant
CALL TO ORDER–Chairman Crawfordcalled the meeting to order at 5.30p.m. Chairman Crawford introduced
Commissioner Georgia Lappin. Commissioner Lappin provided backgroundinformationas it relates to the
issues of the commission.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE–Chairman Crawfordled the Pledge of Allegiance.
INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Written Communication –None
A.
Unscheduled Oral Communication from the Public –Alejandra Ponce de Leon,with OCCORD,along with
B.
Maria D. Rosales and MarianaAngelesrepresenting the Ponderosa Neighborhood Union. The women
spoke in support of the Ponderosa Park Master Plan and opening the library at the Ponderosa Elementary
School.They asked the city representatives to find the necessary funding resources to build the park and
open the school library. They presented the Commissionwith a copy of the signatures they collected in
support of these two projects. The original waspresented to the City Council at their meeting of August 23,
2011.They invited theCommissioners to their monthly neighborhood meetings which are held on the last
Monday.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES–Chairman Crawfordpresented the July 27, 2011 Minutes to the Commissions for
changes or corrections. Commissioner Huitt asked for a correction to the last sentence of Item C to read:
“Commissioner Huitt reported Supervisor Shawn Nelson’s office will help arrange for the future foreclosure
seminar.” There being no further additions or corrections, Chairman Crawfordaccepted the June 22, 2011
Minutes as amended.
ACTIVITY REPORTS
A.Recreation and Human ServicesActivity Report –June/July2011:Lynn Smith presented the report and
answered questions regarding the Art in the Park program;training for Day Camp counselors and volunteer
coaches; Park Ranger program staffinglevels , donationlevels from the community and city staffas
employee numbers dwindle;membership costs to participate in the senior citizen club,the reason for the
varying number of contacts from month to month in Project SAY.
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Park and Recreation Minutes
August 24, 2011
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B.Parks Capital Project Progress Report–Pamela Galera presented the report and provided updates on the
following projects:
Anaheim Coves(Burris Basin)–This project is substantially complete. A dedication will be scheduled in
November2011.
Connectivity Plan (Platinum Necklace)–The first community meeting will be held on August 25, 2011 in
the Gordon Hoyt Conference Room, Anaheim West Tower, 201 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim.
Dog Parks–Staff is working on two dog park/use locations –at the southeast corner of State College
Blvd. and Cerritos which is owned by SCE, and adjacent to Olive Hills Park. Staff is working with SCE to
obtain a lease agreement for their property. A discussion ensued regarding the potentialof corporate
sponsorship of thesefacilities.
Founders’ Park–Staff will be pursuing adding the two historic buildingstothe Federal Historic Register.
Guinida Lane–This project is located near Paul Revere Elementary School.Community meetingswill
soon be scheduled for the development of a pocket park on the half acre parcel. CDBG funds are
available for this project.
Miraloma Park–This site is located just north of La Palma Avenue where Sunkist changes name to
Miraloma. Staff is moving forward with the design/development phase of this project. Some of the items
to be included in the design will be a playground, splash pad and perimeter walking path around the
property for exercise. Lynn Smith statedRequest for Proposalswill be issuedto non-profit organizations
to operate/furnish thisfacility.
Ponderosa Community Center and Gymnasium–The grant application was submitted July 1, 2011 for
design and construction. Grant notification will bemadein thespring 2012.
Schweitzer Park–Grant funds have been awarded to the City to replace the restroom facility at this
park. The existing building will be renovated, similar to the Twila Reid Park project.
C.Senior Citizen Sub-Committee–Commissioner Huittreported the Senior Sub-committee met with Lynn
Smith and her staff. Commissioner Huitt stated the meeting was very successful. Commissioner Huitt asked
if during the annual closure of the Downtown Anaheim Community Center,the senior exercise classes could
be held at another location due to the problems experienced there last year. Lynn stated staff would
research alternative sites.
NEW BUSINESS
A.East Anaheim Senior Programming Update –Lynn Smith introduced Moses Menchaca, Community Services
Supervisor responsible for Human Services programs which includes senior programs. Moses introduced
Maureen Richardson, Community Services Specialist whois responsible for the senior programs at
Brookhurst Community Center and Downtown Anaheim Community Center. Moses presented a follow-up
reportproviding the history of senior programming, the state of current programming and the potential for
future senior programs at the East Anaheim Community Center. Information was provided regarding the
instructor’savailability and restrictions to teach classes when employed by college districts.
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August 24, 2011
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INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Chairman Crawford encouraged the Commissionersto attend the Connectivity Meeting the next evening, August
25, 2011.
Chairman Crawford asked for more information regardingan email he received from staffto vote for Pearson
Parkin a contest. Larry Pasco provided information about a grant through the Coca-Cola Company. City of
Anaheim has nominated Pearson Park. There is a link at Anaheim.net to vote for our park, and you may vote as
many times as you like. The winner will receive a grant for $100,000 to be used for refurbishments.
Lynn Smith announced the “September 11 Remembrance Memorial Service” at Pearson Park Theatre beginning
at 12:30 p.m. The guest speaker is Brad Burlingame, brother of Chic Burlingame, the American Airlines Flight 77
pilot.
ADJOURNMENT–Chairman Crawfordadjourned the meeting at 7:12p.m. to meet on September28, 2011 at
Founders’ Park, 400 N. West Street, Anaheim at 5:30 p.m.
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