Parks and Recreation 2016/10/26PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Brookhurst Community Center, 2271 W. Crescent Avenue, Anaheim, California
October 26, 2016 MINUTES
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chairman Manes, Vice Chairman Navarro and Commissioners Jensen, Anderson, Levy,
Farrow, and Balius
STAFF PRESENT: Sjany Larson -Cash — Community Services Manager, Wendy Solorio, Community Services Supervisor,
Larry Pasco — Deputy Community Services Director, Pamela Galera — Principal Project Planner,
Eleanor Granflor —Sr. Secretary
CALL TO ORDER — Chairman Manes called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Chairman Manes led the Pledge of Allegiance.
INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS AND COMMUNICATION FROM OTHERS
A. Written Communication — None.
B. Unscheduled Oral Communication from the Public— None.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES — Chairman Manes presented the September 28, 2016 Minutes to the Commissioners for
changes or corrections. Commissioner Jensen made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded by Commissioner Farrow.
There being no further additions or corrections, Chairman Manes accepted the Minutes with two abstentions by Commissioner
Anderson and Commissioner Levy.
REPORTS
A. Recreation, Human and Neighborhood Services Activity Report — August/September — Sjany Larson -Cash presented the
report and highlighted the season conclusion of "Summer Nights Under the Stars" at Pearson Park Amphitheatre; the
Aquatics program at Pearson Park Pool (run by the Anaheim Family YMCA) and the Aquatics program at Canyon High
School (run by the Anaheim Aquatic Association); and the VolunTEENs program's end -of -summer appreciation event.
Commissioner Farrow questioned if the outstanding VolunTEENs can be recognized at a City Council meeting. Sjany
Larson -Cash stated it is a good idea and will look into it.
Sjany Larson -Cash reported the Anaheim Fall Festival and Halloween Parade will take place on October 291h in
Downtown Anaheim on Center Street Promenade. The Dia De Los Muertos — A Night of Community and Culture event
will also take place on October 291h in conjunction with the Anaheim Fall Festival in the CtrCity Plaza.
Commissioner Balius questioned the usage of Pearson Park Pool. Sjany Larson -Cash stated certified lifeguards must be
on duty when the pool is open and the City no longer staffs lifeguards. The pool is only open when swim lessons are held
by the Anaheim Family YMCA or if events are scheduled by other swim clubs that staff their own lifeguards.
B. Park Ranger Patrol Statistics Report — September — Sjany Larson -Cash presented the report and highlighted the number
of patrols, patrons, and public contacts made. There was an increase in the amount of personal public contacts made by
Park Rangers due to more foot patrols, interaction and quality contacts. Sjany Larson -Cash also stated there is an
increase in the patrols at Palm Lane Park due to complaints of the skate park area.
Sjany Larson -Cash stated there was a red flag warning last month and 24-hour patrols were conducted at Oak Canyon
Nature Center, Deer Canyon Park and Pelanconi Park.
Commissioner Balius asked if there is only one Park Ranger specifically assigned to Anaheim Coves. Sjany Larson -Cash
stated the City has an agreement with the Orange County Water District and is contractually obligated to have a Park
Ranger onsite.
C. Parks Capital Project Progress Report — Pamela Galera presented the report and following projects were highlighted:
• Anaheim Coves Northern Extension — A community meeting was held on 10/4. Design is in the final steps to
completion.
Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
October 26, 2016 — Page 2
• Barton Park — Disney and KaBOOM! will be funding the installation of a new playground. Staff will develop a Master
Plan with some community input.
• East Anaheim Skatezone — City staff will be working with the Logan Wells Foundation to develop a skatezone in East
Anaheim.
• Edison Park — Construction is almost complete.
• Founders' Park — Project will be re -bid on November 17, 2016.
• Gramercy Trail — Grant application was submitted to the Habitat Conservation Fund Grant for trail improvements.
• Imperial Park — Disney and KaBOOM! will be funding the installation of a new playground. Design Day will be on
December 1, 2016 at Canyon Library. Build Day will be on February 25, 2017.
• Pioneer Restroom and Trail — Project construction will begin soon. A walking path and new restroom will be installed.
• Ponderosa Park and Family Resource Center — Construction is going well. The foundations will be poured in the
next few weeks.
Pamela Galera explained to the Commission the process of the five upcoming projects with Disney and KaBOOM! to
install new playgrounds.
Chairman Manes requested the status of the Pearson Park Cactus Garden. Pamela Galera stated a meeting was held on
October 121h. Commissioner Anderson reported the task force recommended which plants should be taken out or remain
in the garden. Staff and the task force are working with a consultant team for this project. Pamela Galera stated the
consultant will put together a construction package for the project, consultants will then be pre -qualified by staff before
project will go to bid.
Commissioner Balius requested the status of the Ronald Reagan Park playground equipment. Pamela Galera stated
staff is awaiting the playground design. Once equipment is purchased, a contractor will be hired to install the equipment.
Senior Citizen Sub -Committee Report — Commissioner Jensen reported there were two closures at the Senior Center —
one for fumigation due to bug infestation and one for the replacement of all the lights. Commissioner Jensen stated the
senior members are not happy with the replacement of chairs at the Senior Center. Sjany Larson -Cash stated a concern
was brought to the attention of staff regarding bugs at the Senior Center. Staff met with Facility Maintenance and a pest
control company, to which it was recommended to have the wooden chairs with fabric removed from the Senior Center.
The cleanliness and safety of the Senior Center is the priority of staff. Sjany Larson -Cash stated the plastic chairs that
have been placed in the Senior Center are a temporary fix until the evaluation of the wooden chairs with fabric is
completed. Wendy Solorio stated the wooden chairs were only on Senior Center side of the Downtown Anaheim
Community Center.
Commissioner Jensen stated she would like to be more aware of the issues that occur at the Senior Center.
Commissioner Farrow suggested that needs to be better communication between the Senior Club President and
Commissioner Jensen. Chairman Manes suggested that Commissioner Jensen notify Senior Club President to request
updates on the Senior Center as she reports to the Commission on any matters each month.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
A. Anaheim Community Square Description — Pamela Galera reported that staff is working with Brookfield Residential
Development to develop a small relatively unused pocket park, Colony Square which is located just west of next to
Anaheim Ballet building, into a skate park. The open space east of City Hall, between Center Street and Broadway, was
originally purchased to develop housing. Brookfield has proposed to develop 100 units on the property, and the skate
park adjacent to the former location of Boys & Girls Club will be removed. Staff believes that Colony Square would be a
good location for the relocated skate park. As part of the project, staff will also work with Brookfield to improve the grass
area next to the outdoor exercise equipment in between the Downtown Anaheim Community Center and the Downtown
Anaheim Youth Center to create a plaza area for special events. Pamela Galera stated parking has been considered by
the developer and the latest rendition shows available accessible parking spaces adjacent to the Downtown Anaheim
Community Center leading to the Downtown Anaheim Youth Center. City vehicles will be park at a different parking lot
north of the current location. Commissioner Jensen requested that more accessible spaces be made available.
Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
October 26, 2016 — Page 3
Pamela Galera introduced Summer Fox and John O'Brien, Brookfield Residential. Summer Fox presented plan and
answered questions regarding the development information for the Anaheim Community Square.
B. Other Informational Items:
Commissioner Balius shared that the parks in East Anaheim are looking well and the ballfields look great. The following
walkway issues were seen:
• Eucalyptus Park — cement offset on the walkway
• Peralta Canyon Park — basketball court cement issues
• Ronald Reagan Park — big pieces of cement offset 1-2 inches
Larry Pasco stated Facility Maintenance will be contacted of these cement issues and work orders will be placed to fix the
areas.
Commissioner Balius requested a status on the camera installation and lighting project at Twila Reid Park. Larry Pasco
provided an update on the progress of the project which would not be completed until early 2017. Commissioner Balius
reported that the horseshoe pit has lighting, but there is lack of lighting between the end of the pit and the parking lot.
Larry Pasco reported that the camera installation will consider areas of the park that are not highly lit, and that tree
trimming and/or lighting improvements will be accomplished as needed.
Chairman Manes reported there is a Haunted House at the Business Expo building and will be open until November 41h.
Halloween Family Movie Night will take place at Miraloma Park.
ADJOURNMENT — Chairman Manes adjourned the meeting at 7:02 p.m.