01-17-23 Minutes MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CYPRESS
RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
January 17, 2023
The regular meeting of the Cypress Recreation and Community Services Commission was called to order at
6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, in the Cypress Community Center Conference Room.
PRESENT: Commission Chair Croce, Commission Vice Chair Burtle, Commissioners Dronkers, Erbe,
Jackson, Park, and Ridgeway
ABSENT: None.
Also present, Jeff Draper, Director of Recreation and Community Services; Ian Kokot, Recreation Manager.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The pledge of the flag was led by Commissioner Dronkers.
INTRODUCTION OF COUNCILMEMBER BONNIE PEAT
Councilmember Peat provided background of herself and spoke on public safety and recreation and
community services issues.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (Limited to 30 minutes – three minutes per speaker, unless extended by the
Commission)
Frank McCoy, Cypress resident, spoke on alternative locations for pickleball courts during the Arnold/Cypress
Park renovation.
Commission Chair Croce recognized Youth Action Committee members Sanjana Devanathan, Devipriya
Nishadevi Ajith, and Sivapriya Nishadevi Ajith.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approve Minutes – Meeting of November 15, 2022
Commissioner Ridgeway referenced a remark in the minutes made by Commissioner Park regarding political
booths at the Cypress Community Festival.
It was moved by Commissioner Ridgeway, and seconded by Commission Erbe, to approve the minutes of the
regular meeting of November 15, 2022.
The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES:
7 COMMISSIONERS: Burtle, Croce, Dronkers, Erbe, Jackson, Park, and Ridgeway
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
2. Review of 2022 Holiday Decorating Contest
The Recreation Manager reported on the ad hoc committee’s recommendations for the 2023 contest.
Commissioner Dronkers spoke of the ad hoc committee’s recommendations for the contest: condensing
categories to a total of six, which include a Gingerbread Award, Light Up the Town Award, Santa’s Workshop
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Award, Toyland Award, Classic Christmas Award, and Best of the Best; participants choosing their categories;
promoting the event at the summer concerts; being able to submit a contest entry form using a QR code; and of
judging from a digital scoring sheet.
Commissioner Erbe spoke in favor of participants being able to pick their own categories, and suggested still
doing a North Star Award for those not winning in a category.
Commissioner Dronkers responded that those in each category not picked for an award will get a participation
sign.
Commissioner Jackson suggested flyers be left at decorated homes that are not entered in the contest to
encourage them to participate the following year.
Commissioner Park asked if the “Best of the Best” category can be voted on electronically, or if it needs to be in
person at the December 19, 2023, commission meeting.
The Recreation Director responded that the entire Commission will be involved in voting for “Best of the Best,”
and that each commissioner will be given a category in which they will choose the winner, but will all vote as a
group for the top award.
Commissioner Ridgeway asked if the Commission or the participants decide on “Best of the Best.”
The Recreation Director affirmed it is the Commission.
Commissioner Park inquired if “Best of the Best” is coming from one of the other five categories, or is its own
category.
Commissioner Dronkers stated that “Best of the Best” should be its own category.
The Recreation Director responded that the Commission can move to accept the ad hoc committee’s
recommendations or make amendments as they see fit.
It was moved by Commissioner Ridgeway, and seconded by Commissioner Erbe, to accept the ad hoc
committee’s recommendations with the stipulation that there be six award winners including “Best of the Best”.
The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Burtle, Croce, Dronkers, Erbe, Jackson, Park, and Ridgeway
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (Five minutes per speaker, unless extended by the Commission)
None.
STAFF REPORTS AND DISCUSSION:
The Recreation Director announced the following: “Breeding Ecology of Snowy Owls, January 19; Strategic Plan
item to present alternate options for pickleball play and Cypress Girls Softball during Arnold/Cypress Park’s
renovation; presentation of a commission agenda calendar at the February 21 meeting.
Commission Vice Chair Burtle asked the estimated length of time for Arnold/Cypress Park renovation and if there
will be one reopening or in stages.
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The Recreation Director responded that estimated construction time will be 12-18 months, and the park will
reopen when the renovation is completed and not in phases.
The Recreation Manager reported on rain disruptions of some recreation programs.
OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS:
Commission Chair Croce reported on the favorable conditions of her parks during her visitations.
ADJOURNMENT:
It was moved by Commissioner Dronkers, and seconded by Commission Chair Croce, to adjourn the meeting at
6:50 p.m. to the regular meeting of February 21, 2023, to be held in the Cypress Community Center Conference
Room at 6:00 p.m.
_________________________________________
CHAIR OF THE RECREATION AND COMMUNITY
SERVICES COMMISSION
ATTEST:
__________________________________
SECRETARY TO THE RECREATION AND
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION