Parks & Recreation 2026/04/22MINUTES
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
EAST ANAHEIM COMMUNITY CENTER
8201 E. SANTA ANA CANYON RD., ANAHEIM, CA 92808
April 22, 2026 — 6:00 p.m.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:
CarlottaRhea Clark, Chair
Bill Couture
Tony Flores
Robert Ryan
Fred Sigala, Jr.
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT:
Greg Martin, Vice Chair
Jim Cook
STAFF PRESENT:
Kimberly Kelemen, Community Services Superintendent
JJ Jimenez, Parks Manager
Ana Straabe, Principal Project Planner
Kamila Rodriguez, Senior Secretary
STAFF ABSENT:
Sjany Larson -Cash, Director
Anaheim Sporn. Deputy 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: None.
4. SCHEDULED COMMUNICATION: None.
5. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Chair Clark presented the March 25, 2026 Minutes for changes or corrections.
Chair Clark made a motion to accept the Minutes, seconded by Commissioner Couture. The motion was
approved with one abstention and four votes in favor. Chair Clark accepted the Minutes.
6. NEW BUSINESS:
a) Parks, Recreation, Neighborhood & Human Services Fees For FY 2026/2027: JJ Jimenez presented the
user fees proposal for fiscal year 2026/27.
Questions were answered regarding the average annual fee increase, program scholarships, and athletic
field fees compared to league participant fees.
Chair Clark made a motion to recommend that City Council approve the proposed Parks, Recreation,
Neighborhood and Human Services Fees For FY 2026/2027, seconded by Commissioner Couture. The
motion was approved with five votes in favor.
6. REPORTS:
a) Park Ranger Report — March: Kimberly Kelemen presented the report and noted a decrease in patrols
correlated to a decrease in staffing. She highlighted a recent all -staff training that reinforced Rangers'
knowledge of park ordinances, effective communication with park patrons, and key safety protocols. Kimberly
also reported an increase in patrons and public contacts, attributing this to spring break across local school
districts and the commencement of spring sports league seasons. She noted an increase in the
Syringe/Other category and advised that staff has responded proactively by increasing patrols and
conducting targeted sweeps in affected areas, which has been met with positive feedback from residents.
Lastly, she highlighted the rotating monthly category, Soccer players, reporting nearly 8,000 players utilizing
park facilities during the month of March.
Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes
April 22, 2026
Page 2
Questions were answered regarding prioritization of resident sports teams for field use, E-Bike usage within parks, and
procedures for ensuring allocated fields are being properly utilized.
a) Recreation, Human & Neighborhood Services Activity Report — February/March:
Kimberly Kelemen presented the report, highlighting two featured exhibits at the Center Gallery including a
Korean Folk Art exhibit by local artist Hyejung Shin and the AUHSD's Color and Light exhibit showcasing
student artwork. She then provided an overview of current seasonal programming, including several notable
initiatives. The Tiny Tots program completed an excursion to Tanaka Farms, while local AESD schools
received incentive packages from Youth Programs staff in support of their spring break camps. Youth in
Government Day offered local students a hands-on opportunity to learn about the civic process and public
service. The Older Adults program hosted seasonal social events, including Lunar New Year celebrations.
Lastly, she highlighted the Community Open Houses that have been introduced as a replacement for
previous District Meetings, offering a more conversational and open -dialogue format for community
engagement.
Questions were answered regarding resident response to the Community Open House meeting format and
the Youth Programs involvement with AESD's Expanded Learning Opportunities Program.
b) Parks Capital Project Progress Report: Ana Straabe presented the report, beginning with an update on the
Boysen Park Refresh project, noting that a notice to bid for construction of the Skate Park component has
been advertised and Council approval of a contract is expected in June with construction anticipated to begin
in late summer. Ana showcased the Boysen play area designs that will be presented to the community for
their consideration at an upcoming community meeting. She then informed the Commission of the amenities
chosen by the community for the Energy Field Improvement project and the next steps for the project design.
Lastly, Ana reported that the Chaparral Park basketball courts will soon be resurfaced and the Twila Reid
pickleball court resurfacing has been completed.
Questions were answered regarding the plans for the Boysen play area airplane, community input on the
Boysen play area designs, amenities for pets in the Energy Field Improvement plan, River Park completion
date in comparison to Meadow Park, and interpretive panels at River Park.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS: Commissioner Couture shared the details of the upcoming West Anaheim
Organization event at Maxwell Park on April 25.
Kimberly Kelemen encouraged Commissioners to attend the Community Services Department's annual Cinco de
Mayo event at Center Greens on May 2.
8. ADJOURNMENT: Chair Clark adjourned the meeting at 6:53 p.m.