2019-03-13 RP MinutesCITY OF EL SEGUNDO
RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, March 13, 2019, 6:00 p.m.
City Hall Council Chambers,
350 Main Street, El Segundo, CA 90245
A. CALL TO ORDER — The Special Meeting of the Recreation and Parks Commission was called to
order by Chairperson Motto at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Led by Commissioner Stolnack
C. ROLL CALL
Commissioner Julie Stolnack
- Present
Commissioner Alex Farfan
- Absent
Commissioner Dave Lubs
- Present
Vice Chair Lee Davis
- Present
Chairperson Bob Motto
- Present
ALSO PRESENT
Meredith Petit, Recreation & Parks Director
Arecia Hester, Recreation Superintendent
Joseph Casillas, Park Supervisor
Darnell Jenkins, Acting TV Program Manager
Jackie Day, Senior Administrative Specialist
D. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
None
E. NEW BUSINESS
1. Consideration and possible action regarding the installation of fencing or landscaping as
part of the playground renovation project at Holly Valley Park to act as a protective
barrier adjacent to the street. (Fiscal Impact: $8,000)
MOTIONED by Commissioner Lubs and SECONDED by Commissioner Stolnack to not add
any physical barriers between the park and the sidewalk at Holly Valley Park. MOTION
CARRIED 4-0.
2. Consideration and possible action related to the selection of a final design for Acacia
Park and Washington Playground. (Fiscal Impact: None)
Doug Grove and Greg Meek from RHA Landscape Architects -Planners, LLC presented
design concepts for Washington Park Playground and Acacia Park.
The Commission provided input on the Washington Park playground design and what
items they would like to see changed or added.
MOTIONED by Commissioner Lubs and SECONDED by Vice Chair Davis to accept the
Washington Park design. MOTION CARRIED 4-0.
Based on input from the community at recent public meetings, there were two design
options presented for Acacia Park. The allocated budget for the project for this fiscal
year is $550,000.
Design Option 1 includes keeping the pool and adding a new restroom. The cost for this
option is significantly over the current allocated budget.
Design Option 2 removes the pool and renovates the existing restroom. It includes a larger
lawn area, more play equipment, and is within budget.
The majority of the Commissioners expressed their desire to make a fiscally responsible
decision based on the budget.
The original motion, made by Chairperson Motta, was to recommend Option 2. After
further discussion, his motion was revised to eliminate the restroom.
MOTIONED by Chairperson Motta and SECONDED by Commissioner Stolnack to
recommend Design Option 2, without the pool and restroom, to City Council. MOTION
CARRIED 3-1. (Commissioner Lubs voted against)
MOTIONED by Commissioner Lubs to move both designs to City Council. MOTION FAILED.
F. REPORTS —
1. REPORTS OF SUBCOMMITTEES
a. Aquatics Subcommittee — Commissioner Davis
The subcommittee is in limbo as the public is now making the decisions.
b. Golf Course Subcommittee
Has not met
c. Youth Sports Council — Chairperson Motta
Has not met
d. Gateway Committee — Commissioner Stolnack
The last meeting was cancelled due to not having a quorum.
2. DEPARTMENT STAFF REPORTS
a. Arecia Hester
• Written report submitted.
• The drama variety show is the last two weekends in March.
• Summer Camp Expo is April 20.
• Spring break camp is April 1 -5.
• Recreation staff are starting programs at Park Vista.
b. Joseph Casillas
• Written report (by Christopher Hentzen) submitted.
• The fields are still damp from the recent rain.
c. Darnell Jenkins
• Written report submitted.
• El Segundo TV is covering the drama program's Variety Show.
3. DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR REPORT — Meredith Petit
• Written report submitted.
• The 2nd Annual Civic Day with the City and El Segundo High School will focus on
the Teen Center.
G. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS
Commissioner Stolnack: The planning and meetings for Washington and Acacia Park parks
worked out well. Recycle barrels were added to Stevenson Field, but people are putting trash
in them. She received positive feedback on the Star Party.
Commissioner Lubs: He was at the field at 8:OOpm on Friday night and although it looked dry,
it was soggy and would have been ruined had it played on. He acknowledged and
apologized to staff for what they have to go through to keep the fields nice. He thanked the
Commissioners for being able to disagree comfortably.
Vice Chairperson Davis: He agrees with Commissioner Lubs about the pool concept, but feels
that financially, there has to be a line drawn. He is dumbfounded to hear the aquatics
committee may disband and mentioned Aquatics Supervisor Jeanette Gant is leaving after just
a year. He expressed his concern about the future of aquatics and monitoring pool usage.
He wants to see the best Aquatics and Recreation and Parks programs possible and is hopeful
we can achieve success and not do what is just easy.
Chairperson Motta: Thanked the Commissioners. Thanked Commissioner Lubs for talking about
fields and thanked staff for preserving them.
H. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
I. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. The next Regular Commission Meeting is scheduled
for Wednesday, April 17, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 350 Main
Street, El Segundo, CA, 90245.