Parks & Recreation 2024/10/23MINUTES
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
Ryan Balius, Chair
James Cook
Lynn Cudd
Tony Flores
Greg Martin
Fred Sigala, Jr.
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
CarlottaRhea Clark, Vice Chair
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
WEST ANAHEIM YOUTH CENTER
320 S. BEACH BLVD., ANAHEIM, CA 92804
October 23, 2024 — 6:00 p.m.
STAFF PRESENT:
Sjany Larson -Cash, Director
Anaheim Sporn, Community Services Manager
JJ Jimenez, Parks Manager
Ana Straabe, Principal Project Planner
Kamila Rodriguez, Senior Secretary
AGENDA ACTION TAKEN
1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Balius called the meeting to order at 6:05 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 September 25, 2024 Minutes to the Commissioners
for changes or corrections. Commissioner Martin made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded by
Commissioner Flores. The motion was approved with 4 votes in favor and 1 abstention; Chair Balius accepted
the minutes.
6. REPORTS:
a) Park Ranger Report — September: Anaheim Sporn presented the report and noted a general increase in all
occurrences from the previous year, indicating a higher amount of patrols with a fully staffed Ranger team as
well as a higher number of patrons in parks. She explained that higher numbers of occurrences can also, in
part, be due to events such as the Center Greens grand opening. Anaheim shared that the number of curfew
advisements has increased which again can be attributed to high patron activity and a high number of
patrols.
Commissioner Cook entered the meeting.
Questions were answered regarding rattlesnake sightings, data from Center Greens since its opening, and
Center Greens maintenance.
b) Recreation, Human & Neighborhood Services Activity Report — August/September: Anaheim Sporn
presented the report and noted over 1,400 participants who enrolled in summer contract class programming
as well as 70 recipients of youth scholarships for these programs. Anaheim highlighted the variety of
programming including the wilderness survival themed camp for teens at the Oak Canyon Nature Center and
the summer adult basketball season at multiple facilities throughout the City. She shared the success of the
Center Gallery's reception celebrating Chicano Heritage Month with works from Emigdio Vasquez, his
daughter Rosemary Vasquez Tuthill, and local Anaheim artist Oliver Cortez.
Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
October 23, 2024
Page 2
Questions were answered regarding pickleball and the summer concert schedule.
c) Parks Capital Project Progress Report: Ana Straabe presented the report and updated the Commission on
the Little Pine Park and North La Palma Green Promenade projects which are both currently undergoing
construction. She also presented an update on the Paul Revere Park play area which will soon be completed
as well as the upcoming start of construction on the Riverdale Park play area. Finally, she highlighted the
award of the $6,000,000 Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership grant for the La Palma Park Improvement
project.
Questions were answered regarding the process of creating a new park and future Kaboom! projects.
7. NEW BUSINESS:
a) Park Ordinances: Sjany Larson -Cash presented an overview of the preliminarily approved Anaheim
Municipal Code (AMC) additions to Chapter 11.11, Chapter 11.13, and Chapter 6.30. Sjany
presented three recommended additions to AMC Chapter 13.08 which would incorporate the
aforementioned amendments into the Park Ordinances.
Questions were answered regarding previous Commissioner input being considered in the proposed
ordinance changes and procedures for unattended property.
Chair Balius made a motion to support the ordinance to amend Chapter 13.08 of the AMC, seconded
by Commissioner Cudd. The motion was approved with six votes in favor.
8. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Anaheim Sporn announced that a future agenda will include a presentation from
Janis Heckel, Executive Director of the Anaheim Community Foundation, with an overview of the Needs
Assessment Survey results.
Commissioner Sigala commented on the success of the Center Greens grand opening and provided feedback
regarding parking for the new park.
Chair Balius thanked staff for the Boards and Commissioners Dinner event.
Vice Chair Clark thanked the Park Ranger staff for their quick response in a recent situation.
Anaheim announced the annual Fall Festival and Halloween Parade event on October 26t" and Dia de Los
Muertos event on November 1st and encouraged Commissioners to attend.
ADJOURNMENT: Chair Balius adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.