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Parks and Recreation 2011/03/23PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Brookhurst Community Center, 2271 W. Crescent Avenue, Anaheim, California MARCH23, 2011MINUTES COMMISSIONERS PRESENT:Chairman Baldwin, Commissioners Brennan, Huitt,Manes,Navarro, and Vadodaria COMMISSIONEREXCUSED:Vice-Chairman Crawford STAFF PRESENT:Larry Pasco -Park Manager,Lynn Smith -Community Services Manager,Gail Barruga-Admin.Assistant CALL TO ORDER–Chairman Baldwincalled the meeting to order at 5:30p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE–Chairman Baldwinled the Pledge of Allegiance. INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS AND COMMUNICATIONS Written Communication –None. A. Unscheduled OralCommunication from the Public –Megan Daw and David Gromikintroduced themselves asCal State B. University, Long Beach students majoring in recreation. Theywere in attendance to fulfill a class assignment. APPROVAL OF MINUTES–Chairman Baldwinpresented the February 23, 2011 Commission Minutes for changes or corrections. There being none, Chairman Baldwinaccepted the Minutes as presented. Chairman Baldwin referencedthe February 23, 2011 Minutes and asked Larry Pasco for updates on the Anaheim Family YMCA agreement and the tree planting schedule at Anaheim Coves/Burris Basin. Larry Pasco reported the Anaheim Family YMCA Agreementto provide swim lessons to the Anaheim communitywas approved by Councilat their March 22, 2011 meeting. Larry stated the tree planting at Anaheim Coves ison schedule. Chairman Baldwin asked Lynn Smith for an update on the medical waste disposal boxesfor the senior centers. Lynn Smith reported the programwould cost the City $8,700 annually which covers leasing two bins, one each for pills and syringes, an agreement with a licensed medical waste disposal company, and security to insure the bins are not tampered with or stolen. Staff researched alternative programs already available in the community that were free and accessible to the senior community. Western Medical Centeracceptsboth itemsat no cost, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Also, Anaheim Disposal will accept both items at their location on Blue Gum. There area number of medical facilitieswho charge a fee(Kaiser - $3.00)to receive the medications items. Staff also contacted cities surrounding Anaheim who may provide this type of program. Buena Park was the only cityin this immediate area of the County.Their staffindicated it is a costly program and a time investment. Lynn suggested the information about the two free drop-off locations –Western Medical Center and Anaheim Disposal,be listed in the Courierpublication. Commissioner Huitt stated there are a couple cities in south county (Lake Forest and Mission Viejo)who provide this service.She said thisis a very worthy projectfor Anaheim’s seniors.She is aware of the financial crisis facing Anaheim,but suggested the Lyons or Kiwanis clubs could fundthe program noting many seniors have difficulty with transportation around town. Chairman Baldwin asked if groups like CareMore, Secure Horizons or SCANcould assist. Commissioner Huitt suggested seeing if there is interestin the community to support this program.She asked about Anaheim Memorial Hospital, suggesting they could have their name onthe bins and share the costs. She stated she would be happy to do more research if staff wasn’t available. Lynn stated staff contactedAnaheim MemorialHospital andthey do not offer this program; funding was not discussed. Lynn asked Chairman Baldwin and Commissioner Huitt ifthis would be a research project thatthe Senior Sub-committeewould like to take on since she does not have the staff resources to pursue it any further. Chairman Baldwin and Commissioner Huitt concurred this would be a projectfor the Senior Sub-committee.Commissioner Huittrequestedthe contact informationfrom staff that did the initial research. ï Park and Recreation Commission March 23, 2011 Minutes ACTIVITY REPORTS A.Parks DivisionActivity Report –January/February 2011:Larry Pasco reportedduring the coldermonthsof January and February slows the growth ofturf and shrubs, as well as usage of the parks due to the colder weather. Larry reported during this spring there will be a strong emphasis to rehabilitatemany of the fields. This will be a combined effort with Recreation’s schedulingto free up fields for 60 to 90 days in order to renovate the fields. Recently this was accomplished at Boysen and Ponderosa parks. Ross and Toyon parks are next on the schedule. Chairman Baldwin asked if this could be accomplished by over seeding. Larrystated while the over seeding of all parks is cost prohibitive at this time, we do target the highest use areas for turf rehabilitation on an as needed basis. Larry provided information about the removal of fallen limbs/trees debris in the parks after heavy storms. Staff now contacts an outside contractor to remove the debris. Parks staff will remove what they can, but, many times it requires special equipment/services. In the past, staff would contact Urban Forestry; however since this function was transferred and then outsourced, there is no city staff toperform these types of tasks. Larry reported duringspring the TreePower program really gets busy with their free tree program. Larry asked the Commissioners to let him know if there areany events/programs TreePower staff could attend to help residents become more aware of theirprogram. Commissioner Manes asked about the status of renaming Toyon Park to Ronald Reagan Park. Larry stated the sign has been ordered and there will be an event later in the year so that Reagan family members could attend. Larry reported the ballfield lights at Pioneer Park had not been working due to theft ofthecopper wire in the ballfield lights standards. Facility Maintenance staff werequick to respond and replace the wiring. Commissioner Huitt stated she lives in the neighborhood near Pioneer Park and complimented how nice the lights alongUnderhill look and she doesn’t recall any problems. B.Parks Capital Project Progress Report–Larry Pascopresented the report and providedupdates onthe followingprojects: Anaheim Coves:The contractor is finishing the hardscape,walkways,irrigation,and planting ofsometrees. Since it is still nesting season, another contractor will install thenative plants and material. Staff may schedule a soft opening, but a grand opening will not be scheduleduntil after the 90 maintenance period. Anaheim Tennis Center–Bid opening was on March 17and the low bid was $5.3 million, very close to the Engineer’s th estimate. There were 5 or 6 bids submitted. 2201 E. Cerritos–Staff will be submitting a Prop 84 grant by July 1for this project. st Founders’ Park–Completion is scheduled in May. Palm Lane Playground–Chairman Baldwin stated this project has taken a long time. Larry reported the old cement and equipment had recently been removed and bids will be going out soon. Larry noted that due to the reduction in staff, many projects have been re-prioritized and reassigned. Alan Hudak, the former Urban Forestry Superintendent has been reassigned to theParks Superintendentposition and assigned this project. C.Senior Citizen Sub-Committee–Commissioner Huitt reported the South County Senior Summit will be held on April 1, 2011 in Laguna Woods. TheNorth County Summit will be held in August. These summits are informative and have several interesting speakers.She announced UCI is conducting a study for stroke patients using a robot developed to improvehand and wrist strength of stroke patients. The study includes 19 sessions. î Park and Recreation Commission March 23, 2011 Minutes Commissioner Huitt asked for updates on the following two projects: notification to apartment managers around the Downtown Anaheim Community Center regarding the new crosswalk lights on Anaheim Blvd.;and the realignment of the crosswalk from the brick parking garage to the entrance of the Senior Centeron Center Street. Lynn Smith reported letters had been mailedto the apartment managers regarding lengthening thetime to cross at Anaheim Blvd. Lynn stated Public Works has taken on the projectto relocate thiscrosswalk.It will take approximately three weeks to complete the design phaseand up to seven months to complete the project. Chairman Baldwin noted the light at Lincoln and Citron next to Anaheim High School is an audible crosswalk light. Chairman Baldwin suggested Commissioner Huitt visit this intersection to determine if this type of light would be helpful at the crosswalks on Anaheim Blvd. atCenter and Center Promenade. CommissionerHuitt stated there are many seniors who have visual issues. NEW BUSINESS A.Senior Citizen Sub-committee Vacancy–Chairman Baldwin noted the application from Antonio Rodella for the position vacatedby Ed Repic. Lynn Smith stated the Commission’s Ordinance stipulates the Senior Sub-committee serves at the pleasure of the Park and Recreation Commission who would select the members of the sub-committee. Lynn stated there are two applications; Mr. Rodella and one from Joyce Ackerman that was submitted prior to the realignment. Lynn read Ms. Ackerman’s information from her application and staff would provide a copy to Commissioner Huitt. Commissioner Huitt stated she was not familiar with Ms. Ackerman, but knows Toni Rodella as he served with her on the former Senior Citizen CommissionastheChair when she was Vice-Chair. Chairman Baldwin stated since she is the Sub-committee’s Chair,he would accept her recommendation on which candidate should fill the vacancy. Commissioner Huitt stated she would bring information on both applicants to the Commission for the members to vote. Lynn Smith asked the Commissioners to review the application form used by Mr. Rodella. This form was developed by staff since there are no sub-committee applications available through the City Clerk’s Office.Lynn asked the Commissioners to review the form andprovideaddition information they would like on the application to Lynn at the next Park and Recreation Commission meeting. INFORMATIONALITEMS Commissioner Manes provided information on upcoming events in the city including: The Civil War Re-enactment at St. Catherine’s; Historical Home Tour in May; and Children’s Festival. Commissioner Huitt asked for an update about the city’s sistercity, Mito, Japan; their proximity to the location of the earthquake and if the city will be having any events for their citizens. ADJOURNMENT–Chairman Baldwinadjourned the meeting at 6:30p.m. í