Parks & Recreation 2025/05/28MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
DOWNTOWN ANAHEIM COMMUNITY CENTER
250 E. CENTER ST., ANAHEIM, CA 92805
May 28, 2025 — 6:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
CarlottaRhea Clark, Chair
Greg Martin, Vice Chair
Bill Couture
Tony Flores
Robert Ryan
Fred Sigala, Jr.
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Jim Cook
AGENDA
STAFF PRESENT:
Sjany Larson -Cash, Director
Anaheim Sporn, Community Services Manager
JJ Jimenez, Parks Manager
Ana Straabe, Principal Project Planner
Kamila Rodriguez, Senior Secretary
ACTION TAKEN
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Clark called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Vice Chair Martin led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: Resident Shorlette Knighton addressed the Commission
regarding the Olive Hills tennis courts and requested that staff update her on the status of future improvement
projects.
4. SCHEDULED COMMUNICATION: None.
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Chair Clark presented the April 23, 2025 Minutes to the Commissioners for
changes or corrections. Chair Clark made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded by Commissioner Sigala.
The motion was not passed with 3 votes in favor and 1 abstention; the April 23, 2025 Minutes will be agendized
for approval at the June 25, 2025 meeting.
Commissioner Flores entered the meeting.
6. REPORTS:
a) Park Ranger Report — April: Anaheim Sporn presented the report, noting the addition of six new trainee staff
members who began in April. She reported an increase in patrol counts compared to the previous year, likely
attributed to a higher number of Rangers on staff. Anaheim also highlighted a growing number of park
patrons as warmer weather and an increase in events and programming draw more visitors. Lastly, she
emphasized the continued partnership between Rangers, Parks Division staff, and the Police Department in
managing curfew advisements throughout the City.
Commissioner Couture entered the meeting.
Chair Clark commented on the improvement she has noticed at a park that previously had many curfew
violations. Commissioner Couture commended a Ranger who he witnessed assisting a child with a broken
bicycle at a park.
Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
May 28, 2025
Page 2
Questions were answered regarding the training process for new Rangers and procedures for addressing off -
leash dogs.
b) Parks Activity Report — March/April: JJ Jimenez presented the report, highlighting recent partnerships that
have supported enhancements across City parks. He noted the success of the Big Give event at Brookhurst
Park, as well as Love Anaheim volunteer projects at Pioneer, Miraloma, and La Palma parks. He also
recognized the Orange County Conservation Corps for assisting with fire clearance efforts in the Peralta
sector, and commended TreePower staff for collaborating with local schools on tree planting events.
Questions were answered regarding the feasibility of providing regular updates to residents on certain
maintenance projects such as the improvements at the Olive Hills tennis courts.
c) Parks Capital Project Progress Report: Ana Straabe presented the report and provided a brief update on the
La Palma Park Improvements Master Plan, noting that it is nearing completion and is expected to be brought
before the Commission for approval in June. She also highlighted the completion of the Little Pine Park
project and the upcoming grand opening celebration for the City's 68th park, scheduled for June 13th.
Additionally, she shared the success of the Maxwell KABOOM! Design Day and announced that the
community build day is set for September 4th.
Questions were answered regarding the status of the Maxwell KABOOM! Design and details of the La Palma
Park Improvements Design.
7. NEW BUSINESS:
a) FY 2025/2026 Proposed Budget Summary: Sjany Larson -Cash presented an overview of the core services
of the Community Service Department, and the proposed budget for FY 2025/2026.
Questions were answered regarding improvement projects at Pearson Park, the use of Community
Development Block Grants, restroom renovation projects, the approximate timeline for River Park and the
OC River Walk construction, the ratio of staff to community members at KABOOM! build day events, and the
status of development impact fees revenues.
Chair Clark made a motion to support the FY 2025/2026 Proposed Budget, seconded by Commissioner
Ryan. The motion was approved with six votes in favor.
8. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Anaheim Sporn promoted the release of the new Summer Activity Guide and
highlighted the upcoming concert series scheduled at Pearson Park Amphitheatre, as well as Maxwell and
Ronald Reagan Parks. She also shared details about the annual Fourth of July celebration taking place at
Peralta Park.
Commissioner Couture commented on his positive experience attending the Children's Day Festival at Pearson
Park.
9. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Clark adjourned the meeting at 7:00 p.m.