Parks and Recreation 2016/09/28PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
Brookhurst Community Center, 2271 W.Crescent Avenue, Anaheim, California
September 28, 2016 MINUTES
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairman Manes, Commissioners Jensen, Farrow and Balius
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Vice Chairman Navarro, Commissioners Anderson and Levy
STAFF PRESENT: Brent Dennis, Community Services Director, Sjany Larson -Cash — Community Services Manager,
Wendy Solorio, Community Services Supervisor, Larry Pasco — Deputy Community Services Director,
Pamela Galera — Principal Project Planner, Eleanor Granflor— Senior Secretary
CALL TO ORDER — Chairman Manes called the meeting to order at 5:31 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Chairman Manes led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS AND COMMUNICATION FROM OTHERS
A. Introduction of the new Community Services Director — Larry Pasco introduced the new Community Services Director, Brent
Dennis. Brent Dennis stated he is looking forward to getting to know the Commission and helping the Commission with any
available resources.
B. Written Communication — None.
C. Unscheduled Oral Communication from the Public— None.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES — Chairman Manes presented the August 24, 2016 Minutes to the Commissioners for changes or
corrections. Commissioner Jensen made a motion to accept the Minutes, seconded by Commissioner Balius. There being no further
additions or corrections, Minutes were accepted with one abstention by Chairman Manes.
REPORTS
A. Parks Activity Report — July/August — Larry Pasco presented the report and highlighted the grand re -opening of Little People's
Park, the grand opening of the Boys & Girls Club at Manzanita Park, opening day for high school football at Glover Stadium, the
grand opening of Olive Hills Dog Park, the grand opening of Palm Lane Skate Park, and the grand opening of Ponderosa Skate
Park and groundbreaking for the new Family Resource Center.
Commissioner Balius questioned if the high school or the City charges a parking fee when an event takes place at Glover Stadium.
Sjany Larson -Cash stated the City has a joint -use agreement with the high school district, which allows usage of the stadium and
no parking fees are charged. Larry Pasco stated the Swan Street Parking Lot is only unlocked when there are scheduled events
at Glover Stadium.
Commissioner Balius questioned if the number of mainline breaks that occurred in the last two months is a high number of
occurrences. Larry Pasco stated there are many mainline breaks to fix, but they are mainly due to old irrigation or joints that leak
due to age. The nature of the City's Park system is to react to mainline breaks, it would be cost prohibitive to replace mainlines in
the entire park system. Larry Pasco stated the number of mainline breaks continues to be minimal for the amount of park acreage
the City has.
Commissioner Balius questioned if the City uses reclaimed water at our parks. Larry Pasco stated the only reclaimed water
system is around City Hall and the area between the Downtown Anaheim Community Center and the Downtown Anaheim Youth
Center. There is a water treatment facility is next to City Hall. Larry Pasco stated Public Utilities plans to expand the system to
Pearson Park.
Commissioner Balius shared photos taken of park facilities while he visited locations in West Anaheim. The photos included fence
areas, backstops, trees, trash and broken glass, charcoal boxes, signs, sidewalk areas, lighting, and restrooms. Larry Pasco
stated staff is looking into these issues. Commissioner Balius presented each photo to the Commission. Discussion took place
regarding photos, and Larry Pasco reported on the specific items as follows:
Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
September 28, 2016 — Page 2
• Fence/wall along the residential neighborhood at Maxwell Park — Since the wall is private property, it is the resident's
responsibility to perform repairs if needed. Code Enforcement will follow up with the residents and investigate any
pending repairs.
• Backstop at Maxwell Park — The Facility Maintenance Division of the Public Works Department completes the
maintenance and/or repair of backstops in parks. The Parks Division pays an annual rent amount to Public Works and
provides a "wish list" of what necessary maintenance projects at City parks and Parks staff has notified the Public Works
Department of backstops that are in need to replacement. The Parks Division relies on the Facility Maintenance Division
to obtain funding and prioritize projects.
• Walkway between private parcel and Maxwell Park — City staff has been in contact with the property owner and the
wooden gate is the only access into the park for the residents. Private gates that access into parks are relatively common
in some parks within Anaheim.
• Walkway path between school and neighborhood at Edison Park — The Anaheim Family YMCA received a grant from
Kaiser to help encourage the community to be healthier, and patrons are encouraged to visit the park regularly for
exercise. Therefore, it is important that this walkway remains open, as it is a key access point into the park for the
residents. The walkway is also an important path for students to walk to school.
• Tree branches on the roof at Pearson Park — City has a tree -trimming contractor that schedules park visits to check trees.
This particular tree has been trimmed by our contractor.
• Charcoal boxes — Boxes are installed on a request basis, staff will be reminded of the importance of regularly emptying
the boxes on an as needed basis.
• Graffiti — The city works with a contractor to paint over any graffiti reported. Graffiti can be reported on the "My Anaheim"
app on smartphones, and is removed within 24 hours.
• Trash at parks — Trash is picked up daily at parks each morning. Staff is notified of any large scheduled events in order to
perform a second trash pickup as needed.
• Faded/old park signs — Staff is in the process of replacing signs throughout the parks.
• Lighting at parks — Facility Maintenance Division (Public Works) is responsible for the repair/replacement of lighting in
parks. Community Services staff regularly submits work orders on an ass needed basis for the repair of inoperative
lighting in parks.
• Restroom cleaning — At this time park restrooms are cleaned daily each morning, a second restroom cleaning is
performed on an as needed basis in some parks and during special events such as sports tournaments, park gatherings,
etc. Staff is in the process of hiring additional part-time Laborers who will perform a second cleaning of all restrooms.
• Closed Bridge at Twila Reid Park — This bridge is in the process of being replaced by the Facility Maintenance Division.
The existing wood bridge will be replaced with a metal bridge.
Commissioner Balius asked about the the installation of cameras at City parks. Larry Pasco stated that staff has completed a walk-
through with the Police Department and Facility Maintenance, to determine where to place and install the cameras. The camera project
will begin at three parks; Maxwell, Twila Reid and Brookhurst. Future parks will be added as funding is provided.
B. Recreation and Human Services Park Ranger Report — August — Sjany Larson -Cash presented the report and highlighted that
over 4,300 patrols were completed, over 105,000 patrons were sighted at our parks, and over 38,000 public contacts were made.
Other highlights included the increase in alcohol activity and the increase in skate boarding due to the opening of two new skate
parks. Sjany Larson -Cash answered questions regarding daily staffing and work hours, citations, and special event staffing.
Sjany Larson -Cash reported the Park Ranger section is fully staffed and trained. August was a busy month for patrols; in addition
to their normal duties, Park Rangers also worked Disney events, soccer finals, Pearson Park Theatre, and Summer Concerts in
the Park. Sjany Larson -Cash also reported that Park Rangers is also preparing for fire season. When Anaheim Fire and Rescue
announces a "red flag warning", Park Rangers will close and schedule 24-hour patrols at the City's three natural parks: Oak
Canyon Nature Center, Pelanconi Park, and Deer Canyon Park.
C. Parks Capital Project Progress Report — Pamela Galera highlighted the following projects:
• Anaheim Coves Northern Extension — a community meeting will be held on October 41h
• Founders' Park - Shade Structure / Seismic Upgrades — bid opening was held on September 22nd and no bids were received.
The project will be re -bid.
Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
September 28, 2016 — Page 3
• Pioneer Restroom and Trail Improvements — Notice of Contract Award was issued. A pre -construction meeting will be
scheduled.
• Ponderosa Family Resource Center— project construction has begun.
Chairman Manes asked for a status on the pickleball courts at Twila Reid Park. Sjany Larson -Cash stated the courts opened on
September 241h.
Larry Pasco stated the Commission will be notified of all upcoming community meetings for their attendance should they desire.
Commissioner Balius requested the status of the Cactus Garden at Pearson Park. Pamela Galera stated a task force meeting has
not been scheduled. The Commission will be notified when a meeting is scheduled.
Commissioner Balius stated the replacement of the Twila Reid Shade Structure was approved by City Council. Larry Pasco stated
the shade structure is a project that will be completed by the Facility Maintenance Division of the Public Works Department. The
structure will be replaced with material similar to the existing structure, but will have metal structural supports as well.
D. Senior Citizen Sub -Committee Report — Commissioner Jensen stated the Seniors would like to find a pickleball location to play in
Central Anaheim. Wendy Solorio stated that City staff is organizing pickleball play to take place at the Downtown Anaheim Youth
Gymnasium as well as the East Anaheim Gymnasium.
Commissioner Jensen stated the men's restroom located in the Senior Center area is not clean. Wendy Solorio stated there is high
traffic in that restroom and will have the maintenance crew check the restroom.
Commissioner Jensen requested a new Commission roster be provided to the Commission. Eleanor Granflor will provide the
updated roster to the Commission.
Commissioner Jensen reported the exercise equipment that was installed outside of the Downtown Anaheim Community Center is
heavily used.
(FORMATIONAL ITEMS — Commissioner Balius requested to schedule a ride -a -long with Park Rangers. Sjany Larson -Cash will assist
in scheduling one in addition to the ride -a -long with CityNet that is being arranged. Commissioner Jensen stated she is also interested
in scheduling a ride -a -long with the Park Rangers.
Chairman Manes stated the Fall Festival and Parade will be held on October 291h from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Chairman Manes stated she can publish any information provided to her for her news article in the Anaheim Bulletin every other week.
Brent Dennis announced the Euclid Library will have their grand re -opening on October 241h and the Sunkist Library will have their
grand re -opening on October 251h. Also, the MUZEO will have a big exhibit opening in February 2017.
ADJOURNMENT — Chairman Manes adjourned the meeting at 7:23 p.m.