Parks & Recreation 2024/03/27MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
DOWNTOWN ANAHEIM COMMUNITY CENTER
250 E. CENTER ST. ANAHEIM, CA 92805
March 27, 2024
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT:
Ryan Balius, Chair Sjany Larson -Cash, Director
Tony Flores, Vice Chair Anaheim Sporn, Community Services Manager
James Cook JJ Jimenez, Parks Manager
Lynn Cudd Ana Straabe, Principal Project Planner
Greg Martin Marissa Granados, Community Services Coordinator
Fred Sigala, Jr. Kamila Rodriguez, Senior Secretary
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
CarlottaRhea Clark
AGENDA ACTION TAKEN
1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Balius called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Sigala led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: None.
4. SCHEDULED COMMUNICATION: None.
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Chair Balius presented the February 28, 2024 Minutes to the Commissioners
for changes or corrections. Commissioner Cudd made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded by
Commissioner Sigala. The motion was approved with 5 votes in favor; Chair Balius accepted the minutes.
6. REPORTS:
a) Park Ranger Report — February: Anaheim Sporn presented the report and noted that the previous month's
numbers remain on the report for comparison. Anaheim stated that the new Park Ranger staff have adjusted
well to the online reporting system. Anaheim noted that the process of hiring more Rangers is still ongoing to
prepare for the busier summer months. Chair Balius suggested that future reports include the data from the
same month of the previous year in order to observe differences.
Questions were answered regarding full-time Park Ranger positions.
b) Parks Activity Report — January/February: JJ Jimenez presented the report and highlighted the restoration of
baseball facilities throughout all sectors. JJ commented on the anticipated increase in labor and maintenance
required with increasing levels of rain due to higher rates of plant growth and erosion. Chair Balius shared
that he has received positive feedback about the restoration of Maxwell Park.
c) Parks Capital Project Progress Report: Ana Straabe presented the report and highlighted the upcoming
KABOOM! project at Little People's Park and the recent community design day. Ana provided an update on
the progress with Little Pine Park, the improvements at Rio Vista Park and the construction at Center
Greens.
Vice Chair Flores entered the meeting.
Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
March 27, 2024
Page 2
Questions were answered regarding the process of naming new park spaces, repairs around the outside of
the Downtown Anaheim Youth Center, parking for the Downtown Anaheim Community Center, and
manufacturer options for the Brookhurst Splash Pad project.
7. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Chair Balius requested to postpone the Play Area Update presentation to the
following meeting so that all Commissioners may be present.
Anaheim Sporn provided a flyer about the Anaheim Community Foundation Needs Assessment and encouraged
commissioners to complete the survey and distribute it to the community. Anaheim noted that the survey will be
open until the end of April and that the final report is expected to be completed by October. Commissioner Sigala
requested to agendize the survey results for the October meeting.
Questions were answered regarding the distribution of the survey and the availability of translated versions.
JJ Jimenez commented on the upcoming community beautification event at Modjeska Park on April 6th.
Commissioner Sigala requested updates on summer swimming activities. Anaheim Sporn provided updates and
stated that more information would be shared in the coming months. Sjany Larson -Cash invited the
commissioners to meet with the Department individually for further program details.
8. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Balius adjourned the meeting at 6:52 p.m.