Parks and Recreation 2011/01/26PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Brookhurst Community Center, 2271 W. Crescent Avenue, Anaheim, California
JANUARY 26, 2011MINUTES
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:Vice-ChairmanCrawfordand Commissioners Brennan, Huitt,Manes, Navarro,and Vadodaria
COMMISSIONERS EXCUSED:Chairman Baldwin
STAFF PRESENT:
Antonio Karraa-Park Superintendent,Lynn Smith-Community Services Manager, and Gail Barruga-Administrative Assistant
CALL TO ORDER–Vice-Chairman Crawfordcalled the meeting to order at 5:30p.m.
PLEDGE OFALLEGIANCE–Vice-Chairman Crawfordled the Pledge of Allegiance.
INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS AND COMMUNICATIONS
Written Communication –None.
A.
Unscheduled Oral Communication from the Public: Mrs. Jan Harp Domene, AUHSD Trusteeintroduced herself. She is
B.
replacing Brian O’Neal as the Ex-Officio representative for the Commission. Mrs. Domene is a long time resident of
Anaheim having attended junior and senior high schools in the City. She has also been very involved in PTA which
culminated in her holdingtheposition ofNational PTA President from 2007-2009.Mrs. Domene was elected to the AUHSD
Board in November 2010.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES–Vice-Chairman Crawford presented the Minutes of the October 27, 2010 andDecember 1, 2010
Commission meetings and asked for any changes or corrections. There being none, Vice-Chairman Crawford accepted the
Minutes for both meetings as presented.
ACTIVITY REPORTS
A.Recreation and Human Services Activity Report –October/November 2010:Lynn Smith provided an overview of the budget
including the recent reductions in January 2011, in the Recreation, Humans Services and Neighborhood division.Since
2008 her division has reduced its budget by $2 million. This has been accomplished through the reduction of full-time staff
from 47 to 33; part-time staff from an average of 444 to 175,which includes seasonal employees. Some of the programs
that have been eliminated include the Kids In Action program, theHomeless Prevention Office,aquatics program, youth
sports program, staff support to the Senior Centers, and Community Support Office which did all the fund raising and grant
submittalsfor the various programs including the annual volunteer recognition event.
Commissioner Manes stated at the State of City luncheon, in addition to the budget,the Mayor’s message addressed the
importance of building of a sense of community. Commissioner Manes stated this Commission should have a stake in this
effort. Specifically mentioned were the city parks, how they areused to create thesense of community; lookingand at the
events we are currently having, but more importantly what we are not doing that could promote this theme.
B.Parks Activity Report–November/December 2010:Antonio Karraa provided a brief overview of the recent budget
reductions in the Parksdivision including the reduction from 5to 4 park maintenance crews andthe transfer of the Urban
Forestryresponsibilities to the Public Works Department. Mr. Karraa presented the report for the Commissioners questions
and/or comments.
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Park and Recreation Commission
January 26, 2011 Minutes
C.Parks Capital Project Progress Report–Antonio Karraa presented the report to the Commissioners for their questions
and/or comments.Antonio noted in January the Capital Projects Section’s staff was reduced from 5 to 3. Vice-Chairman
Crawford asked with the budget cutbacks is it wise to proceed with any new parks or is everything going to be placed on
hold. A discussion ensued regarding the community’s long term needs and the benefits ofcontinuing to build towards those
future needs. It was agreed the economic woes will not last forever, and the city needs to be responsive to the community’s
future.
D.Senior Citizen Sub-Committee–Commissioner Huitt provided thesummary of Anaheim’sresults tothe senior health survey
conducted by theHealth and Nutrition Committee ofSenior Citizens Advisory Commission(SCAC). SeniorServ assisted the
SCACcommittee by distributing the surveys at the senior centers that did not have a SCACmember. The SCACcommittee
will compile the information from all the surveys and provide the results to the county’s senior centers and SeniorServ.
SeniorServ is in a joint project with California State University Fullerton about senior issues.Commissioner Huittreported
on the many changes with the Medicare program and providedhandouts to share with seniors. CommissionerHuitt
provided information on the POLST form “Physician Orders for Life-Saving” which replaces the DNR (Do Not Resuscitate).
Commissioner Huitt state they learned from a presentation that fire departments staff and emergency room staff do not
legally have to follow through with what a person’s DNR states. Additionally, finding one’s DNR in an emergency is the last
item on a person’s mind.
Commissioner Huitt reported she held a telephone conference with the Senior Citizen Sub-Committee members. They
would like to request acrosswalk be added, from the door of the Downtown Senior Center across to the entrance of the
parking structureon Center Street. Ms. Huitt noted many people already cross at this location and since the street is being
worked on, this may be a good time to add the crosswalk. Lynn stated staff would make an inquiry.
ADJOURNMENT–Vice-Chairman Crawford adjourned the meeting at 6:40p.m.
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