Parks & Recreation 2024/05/22MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
DOWNTOWN ANAHEIM COMMUNITY CENTER
250 E. CENTER ST, ANAHEIM, CA 92805
May 22, 2024
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT:
Ryan Balius, Chair Sjany Larson -Cash, Director
CarlottaRhea Clark Anaheim Sporn, Community Services Manager
James Cook JJ Jimenez, Parks Manager
Lynn Cudd Kamila Rodriguez, Senior Secretary
Greg Martin
Fred Sigala, Jr. STAFF ABSENT:
Ana Straabe, Principal Project Planner
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Tony Flores, Vice Chair
AGENDA ACTION TAKEN
1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Balius called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Commissioner Martin led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: None.
4. SCHEDULED COMMUNICATION: None.
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Chair Balius presented the April 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 6 votes in favor; Chair Balius accepted the minutes.
6. REPORTS:
a) Park Ranger Report — April: Anaheim Sporn presented the report and noted that many of the differences in
statistics can be attributed to having a higher number of Park Ranger staff as well as the seasonal weather
change attracting more users to the parks. Anaheim stated that a trend of increasing numbers is anticipated
during the summer months. Anaheim highlighted that a GIS system error has resulted in an inaccurate count
of skateboarders for this month's report.
Questions were answered about where to direct residents who may have safety concerns at parks or City
events.
b) Parks Activity Report — March/April: JJ Jimenez presented the report and highlighted the efforts to prepare
play areas for higher use in the summer season such as woodchip installation and play area inspections. He
shared an update on the newly opened KABOOM! play area at Little People's Park which has already
attracted many residents since opening. Commissioner Clark shared the positive feedback that she received
from constituents. JJ also shared updates on improvements at Anaheim Coves, fire clearance progress, and
community tree plantings.
Questions were answered regarding details of the memorial tree planting program.
c) Parks Capital Project Progress Report: JJ Jimenez presented the report and shared updates on Center
Greens, Little Pine Park, and Oak Canyon Nature Center.
Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
May 22, 2024
Page 2
Questions were answered regarding bids for Barton Park, concepts for Little Pine Park, and progress on
Center Greens and Riverdale Park.
7. NEW BUSINESS:
a) FY 2024/2025 Proposed Budget Summary: Sjany Larson -Cash presented an overview of the core services
of the Community Service Department, and the proposed budget for FY 2024/25.
Questions were answered regarding electrical updates at Pearson Park, funding for the OC River Walk, and
general fund allocations to the Community Services Department.
Chair Balius made a motion to support the FY 2024/2025 Proposed Budget, seconded by Commissioner
Cudd. The motion was approved with six votes in favor.
8. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Commissioner Cook announced the presentation of the 10th annual Mitchell Cook
Memorial Scholarship with Council Member Natalie Meeks on May 28th.
Commissioner Sigala shared his experience participating in the Little People's Park KABOOM! build and
expressed appreciation for the unifying community effort that he witnessed.
9. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Balius adjourned the meeting at 7:13 p.m.