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Parks & Recreation 2026/01/28MINUTES PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION DOWNTOWN ANAHEIM COMMUNITY CENTER 250 E. CENTER ST., ANAHEIM, CA 92805 January 28, 2026 — 6:00 p.m. COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: CarlottaRhea Clark, Chair Greg Martin, Vice Chair Jim Cook Bill Couture Robert Ryan Fred Sigala, Jr. COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Tony Flores STAFF PRESENT: Anaheim Sporn, Deputy Director JJ Jimenez, Parks Manager Ana Straabe, Principal Project Planner Kamila Rodriguez, Senior Secretary STAFF ABSENT: Sjany Larson -Cash, Director AGENDA ACTION TAKEN 1. CALL TO ORDER: Chair Clark called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Chair Clark led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: Residents Scott and Denise Barnes addressed the commission regarding requested maintenance at Maxwell Dog Park. 4. SCHEDULED COMMUNICATION: None. 5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Chair Clark presented the December 3, 2025 Minutes for changes or corrections. Commissioner Ryan made a motion to accept the Minutes, seconded by Commissioner Cook. The motion was approved with 6 votes in favor. Chair Clark accepted the Minutes. 6. REPORTS: a) Park Ranger Report — November/December: Anaheim Sporn presented the report and noted an increase in patrols from 2024 to 2025 for both months reviewed. A decrease in patron attendance from October to November was attributed to the time change and colder weather. Public assists remained consistent between both years. In December, Rangers conducted additional patrols and issued more curfew advisements than in November, which was correlated with newly hired Rangers completing their training period. Rangers also reported an increase in off -leash dog incidents in east Anaheim parks and are prioritizing enforcement efforts in those areas. Rangers continue to support overnight patrols in coordination with Police and Fire and provide resources to unhoused patrons. Questions were answered regarding curfew advisements related to pickleball players, reported coyote sightings, and Ranger training protocols for coyote encounters. Commissioner Sigala shared constituent reports of increased bike theft at Schweitzer Park. a) Recreation, Human & Neighborhood Services Activity Report — October/November 2025: Anaheim Sporn presented the report and highlighted the 101 st Fall Festival and Halloween Parade, which continues to see increasing participation from both City staff and residents each year. She noted that this year marked the first time the Fall Festival was held at Center Greens. Anaheim also highlighted another milestone: the Center Gallery's first Employee Art Exhibit. In addition, she recognized the second annual Acorn Festival at Oak Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes January 28, 2026 Page 2 Canyon Nature Center, which celebrated Indigenous culture and traditions. Lastly, she noted the annual Dia de Los Muertos event at Center Greens. Chair Clark and Commissioner Couture thanked staff for their efforts in executing the Fall Festival and commented on the success of hosting the event at Center Greens. b) Parks Activity Report — November/December: JJ Jimenez presented the report, highlighting ongoing efforts to maintain playground areas through woodchip installation and play equipment repairs. He also provided an update on athletic field renovations underway in preparation for the upcoming baseball season. Additionally, he noted the continued replacement of Park Rules signage with the updated design introduced in 2025 to reflect recent additions to the Municipal Code related to park ordinances. Within the Peralta sector, he highlighted the repair of a fence at Imperial Park in response to resident concerns. He also recognized the TreePower program's participation in recent events, where staff engaged youth participants and educated them on the benefits of trees. Lastly, he acknowledged the Facility Scheduling team's recent efforts to review permits and allocate baseball fields for the season. Commissioner Ryan complimented the recent field renovation work. Questions were answered regarding the renovation of fields near Modjeska Park. c) Parks Capital Project Progress Report: Ana Straabe presented the report, beginning with an update on the Energy Field Improvements project and noting that community meetings would be taking place sometime in the month of February to share information with residents and collect feedback on possible amenities to be added to the site. She then introduced the La Palma Water Treatment Facility Renovation Project, which will transform a vacant area outside the Anaheim Public Utilities site into an educational space where students can participate in field trips focused on sustainable landscaping and water conservation. Ana also provided an update on the OC River Walk Project, noting that the agreement with the OC Water District has been executed and that a $7 million grant from the Southern California Association of Governments has been awarded to support the bridge component of the project. Lastly, she reported that the Rio Vista Park Improvements are anticipated to be completed before the end of February. Questions were answered regarding tribal monitoring services for the Brookhurst Splash Pad project, public access to the La Palma Water Treatment Facility, and the construction bid timeline for the River Park project. 7. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Anaheim Sporn provided the Winter 2026 "Your Community" publication to the Commission. JJ Jimenez shared that the Center Greens mural installation is scheduled for the second week of February. Commissioner Couture thanked staff for their quick response to electrical issues related to the Twila Reid Holiday Tree Lighting. Vice Chair Martin thanked the Oak Canyon Nature Center for the positive experience with the Winter Camp program. Commissioner Ryan requested to agendize a follow up on the status of the requested maintenance at Maxwell Dog Park. 8. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Clark adjourned the meeting at 6:55 p.m.