Parks & Recreation 2024/02/28MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
MIRALOMA FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER
2600 E. MIRALOMA WAY, ANAHEIM, CA 92806
February 28, 2024
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT:
Ryan Balius, Chair Anaheim Sporn, Community Services Manager
Tony Flores, Vice Chair JJ Jimenez, Parks Manager
CarlottaRhea Clark Ana Straabe, Principal Project Planner
James Cook Marissa Granados, Community Services Coordinator
Lynn Cudd
Greg Martin
Fred Sigala, Jr.
AGENDA ACTION TAKEN
1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Balius called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Cudd led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: AESD Trustee Mark Lopez expressed his gratitude for being
approved as an Ex-Officio Member.
4. SCHEDULED COMMUNICATION: None.
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Chair Balius presented the January 24, 2024 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, 2 abstentions; Chair Balius accepted the minutes.
Vice Chair Flores entered the meeting.
6. REPORTS:
a) Park Ranger Report — January: Anaheim Sporn presented the report and noted that the previous month's
numbers have been added to the statistics. Anaheim stated that the new Community Services Coordinator,
Kelly Kim, has assisted in providing insight on the differences between the December 2023 and January
2024 numbers. Anaheim noted that there were some increases in patrols due to the holiday season and
several new Park Ranger staff but otherwise the numbers had no significant changes.
Questions were answered regarding discrepancies in the Public Assists category from month -to -month,
differences in the alcohol category between parks, and social media posting for Community Services.
b) Recreation, Human, and Neighborhood Services Report — December/January: Anaheim Sporn presented
the report and highlighted the Nutcracker Holiday Craft Village and Tree Lighting, commented on the
Community Services Department's efforts to highlight the Park Rangers through social media posts, and the
Human and Neighborhood Services Division's Adopt -a -Family project.
Questions were answered about social media, Park Rangers utilizing bikes for their patrols, seating at the
Tree Lighting event, and dates for the summer concert series.
c) Parks Capital Project Progress Report: Ana Straabe presented the report and highlighted the upcoming
KABOOM! project at Little People's Park. Ana provided an update on the construction at Oak Canyon Nature
Center and commented on the recently installed synthetic turf at Paul Revere and Miraloma Parks. She
Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
February 28, 2024
Page 2
stated that the designs for both Paul Revere and Riverdale are completed and updated the Commission on
the progress at Center Greens.
Questions were answered regarding outreach in communities neighboring Little People's Park, adding shade
to existing play areas, manufacturers and designs for playground structures, and monitoring for vandalism at
Barton, Rio Vista, and Little People's Parks. Additional questions were answered around the Brookhurst
Splash Pad design, funding for Little People's Park, and funding for OC Riverwalk.
Vice Chair Flores left the meeting.
Chair Balius suggested that a future agenda include an item to address cameras being added to parks with
the inclusion of an Anaheim Police Department representative.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
Anaheim Sporn informed the Commission that the department will offer membership to the California
Association of Parks and Recreation Commissioners and Board Members (CAPRCBM) to any interested
Commission Members. Chair Balius expressed that the membership provides networking, education and
advocacy opportunities. Questions were answered regarding the membership timeframe and cost. Chair
Balius requested that interested Commissioners contact Parks Manager JJ Jimenez.
Parks Manager JJ Jimenez thanked the Commission for their efforts in the letter sent to City Council
regarding park in -lieu fees and announced that steps are being taken to reevaluate development impact fees.
JJ stated that the topic will be evaluated by City Council in late summer.
Anaheim Sporn announced dates for the summer concert series.
8. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Balius adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m.