Parks & Recreation 2023/08/23MINUTES
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Ryan Balius, Chair
CarlottaRhea Clark
James Cook
Greg Martin
Fred Sigala, Jr.
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Tony Flores, Vice Chair
Lynn Cudd
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
DOWNTOWN ANAHEIM COMMUNITY CENTER
250 E. CENTER ST., ANAHEIM, CA 92805
August 23, 2023
STAFF PRESENT:
Sjany Larson -Cash, Director
Anaheim Sporn, Community Services Manager
JJ Jimenez, Parks Manager
Ana Straabe, Principal Project Planner
Priscilla Pena, Senior Secretary
STAFF ABSENT:
Eleanor Granflor, Senior Secretary
AGENDA ACTION TAKEN
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Balius called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Balius led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: Olivar Ullibas, Anaheim resident, thanked staff for the improving
Olive Hills Tennis Courts to be safer and more playable.
Mark Lopez, Anaheim Elementary School District, requested to receive the Commission packet via email, offered
to meet regarding joint use of green space in elementary schools, and shared his concerns regarding
homelessness. Anaheim Sporn reported that the Commission packet is also available to view on the city
website, which is posted the Friday before each meeting.
4. SCHEDULED COMMUNICATION: None.
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Chair Balius presented the July 26, 2023 Minutes to the Commissioners for
changes or corrections. Commissioner Clark made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded by Commissioner
Cook. The motion was approved with 4 votes in favor and 1 abstention by Commission Martin; Chair Balius
accepted the minutes.
6. REPORTS:
a) Recreation, Neighborhood & Human Services Activity Report — July/August: Anaheim Sporn presented the
report and highlighted Concerts in the Canyon, Tiny Tots Academy, CampVenture and TeenVenture, East
Anaheim Gymnasium sports programs for youth and adults, Active Adult Programs, Project S.A.Y.
Brookhurst Tean Center Leadership Group, West Anaheim Youth Center recreation activities, and the Fourth
of July Celebration.
Questions were answered regarding the waitlist for the East Anaheim Gymnasium, recommendations of
bands for Concerts in the Canyon, the possibility of a Teen Park Ranger Program, resident/non-resident
registration, and the city hosting the Fourth of July Celebration.
b) Park Ranger Report — July: Anaheim Sporn presented the report, provided information on recruitment and
staffing of Park Rangers, and reported the City Council approved the pay increase for Park Rangers.
Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
August 23, 2023
Page 2
Questions were answered regarding the estimated time for Park Rangers to respond to a call, homelessness
in the parks, if Park Rangers are notified of reported homeless activity from Anaheim Police Department, the
assistance of Lyons Security for patrolling parks with homeless activity, and the history of acquiring a pay
increase for Park Rangers.
c) Parks Capital Project Progress Report: Ana Straabe presented the report and highlighted Brookhurst Splash
Pad, Center Greens, and Oak Canyon Nature Center.
Questions were answered regarding possible student involvement in park design, Little Pine Park amenities,
and Brookhurst Splash Pad - a possible theme for the splash pad to incorporate the lunar theme of the park,
the tribal consultation, and the location.
7. PREVIOUS BUSINESS:
a) Commission Presentation to City Council: JJ Jimenez provided an overview of what was discussed at the
previous meeting for the presentation that will be presented to City Council to include photos of each
Commissioner and a video composed by Commissioners.
Chair Balius recommended for the presentation to include a brief overview of the Commission, a photo and
short biography of each Commissioner, a review of what the Commission does, what the Commission would
like to see, and a short video compiled of visits at different parks with a voice over description.
Commissioners provided their input regarding the Commissioner biography and photo, the breakdown of
time for the presentation, video clips provided by each Commissioner, who should be the speakers when
presenting to City Council, the message/theme told in each video clip, what to include in the slide for what
the Commission does, and the layout/order of the presentation, and highlights of projects the Commission is
involved in. Sjany Larson -Cash recommended to include Commission accomplishments. The Commission
agreed for each Commissioner to send in their video clip to Commissioner Clark by September 9th and to
complete a draft presentation to share at the next meeting.
8. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
Sjany Larson -Cash reported Council Member Kurtz requested for staff to provide an update and presentation on
projects completed by the Community Services Department at the October 17th City Council meeting.
JJ Jimenez reported staff will continue to address improvements at Olive Hills Tennis Courts and will include
information as an agenda item when a contractor is secured to complete a design of the court improvements.
Guests that have attended a Commission meeting will be invited that meeting.
Commissioner Sigala requested for an agenda item to be added for the next meeting regarding green space
usage within the partnership of school districts. Sjany Larson -Cash reported staff can provide information of
joint -use agreements that are already in place with school districts.
Anaheim Sporn shared the new Activity Guide and information regarding Chicano Heritage month, including the
new art mural at Little People's Park. Anaheim also reported swim lessons will be extended through the end of
October and public swim through September 17th.
JJ Jimenez reported Ana Straabe designed an art mural for Betsy Ross Park. An event will be held on
September 20th and details will be provided to the Commission.
9. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Balius adjourned the meeting at 7:44 p.m.