2024-11-19 CC Agenda - Public Communication - Misc. - ESYD Storage2024-11-19 CC AGENDA
PUBLIC COMMUNICATION - MISC. - ESYD STORAGE
From: Mancini, Aly <amancini@elsegundo.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2024 2:50 PM
To: jenmw7184@hotmail.com <jenmw7184@hotmail.com>
Cc: *ALL CITY COUNCIL <allcouncil@elsegundo.org>; 'Bob Motta (bmotta@elsegundoccb.org)'
<bmotta@elsegundoccb.org>; Marc Cavagnolo <mcavagnolo@elsegundoccb.org>; 'Stoinack, Julie'
<jstolnack@elsegundoccb.org>; 'Dave Lubs (dlubs@elsegundoccb.org)' <dlubs@elsegundoccb.org>; 'Kelly
Watson' <Kwatson@elsegundoccb.org>; George, Darrell <dgeorge@elsegundo.org>
Subject: ESYD Storage
Good Afternoon,
I have been forwarded an email that you sent to the City Council and Rec and Park
Commissioners regarding the storage for El Segundo Youth Drama.
I wanted to clarify my request for ESYD to relocate materials from the lower level storage area at
the Clubhouse.
As you may know, the Drama program currently occupies approximately 90% of the available
storage areas at the Gordon Clubhouse including a large, lower level storage room, and multiple
closets and cabinets throughout the facility. Staff estimates that the program currently occupies
close to 1100 sq feet of space to store hundreds of costumes, props and equipment.
As you probably know, the Recreation Department offers hundreds of programs and activities
each year that serve thousands of residents. All of these programs and activities have related
materials and equipment that need to be stored safely, securely and in a central location for the
most efficient inventory tracking of these resources.
In your email you stated:
It has come to my attention that the Director of the Parks & Rec Department has required all of the
costumes and theatrical props (which have been used and reused over the last35 years of
theatrical productions) be relocated to another location, far away from the Clubhouse where most
of the rehearsals and shows take place.
This is not accurate and I am sorry if that is the perception. I certainly value the drama program
and understand the tremendous amount of work that goes into community arts programs. My
daughter, who is now 15, participated in community theatre in Orange County from 4 years old
until 13 years old and I was one of the most active parent volunteers in the company. I helped
make costumes, ran fundraisers and volunteered backstage. I am well versed in the passionate
work of parents and drama staff and the creative ways in which challenges are managed to ensure
the children have a meaningful experience in the arts.
In July, staff met with Natalie Kahn to discuss the need for centralized storage for Department
supplies and equipment. At that time, Rec staff and Natalie agreed that the drama team would
work to relocate the items in the storage area to any or all of the following locations: the
Sunroom at the Clubhouse, the storage area behind the curtains of the auditorium or in any of the
sheds currently located on the handball courts in Recreation Park. Drama will retain the use of
multiple cabinets and closets in the Clubhouse that are currently storing costumes. I understand
there are concerns about supplies being exposed to the elements while being stored in the sheds
offered to drama, but the sheds are brand new, protected from the elements and have shelving.
There are hundreds of plastic bins storing props that will fare very well in the storage sheds.
I understand that the drama program has been collecting and procuring props and costumes for
many, many years and that this move will require some downsizing. Similarly, the Department will
be doing some downsizing of supplies and equipment as well. As more programs and events are
added to the Department's schedule, all parties will need to work together to meet storage
needs.
I understand that this move may cause some additional planning for gathering props and
costumes for shows. However, my team stands willing and able to assist as needed. I believe that
the move will also allow drama to get a clean inventory of what is on hand so items needed for
shows can be quickly and easily located and accessed.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please reach out to me directly and I would be glad
to talk further.
Thank you.
Aly Mancini
Director
Department of Recreation, Parks and Library
City of El Segundo
(310) 524-2730
El Segundo
REC. PARKS,
& `LIBRARY