05-16-23 Minutes MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CYPRESS
RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
May 16, 2023
The regular meeting of the Cypress Recreation and Community Services Commission was called to order at
6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in the Cypress Community Center Garden 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 and
Community Services Manager; Courtney Powers, Recreation and Community Services Supervisor; Andi Terry,
Recreation and Community Services Coordinator.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The pledge of the flag was led by Commission Chair Croce.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (Limited to 30 minutes – three minutes per speaker, unless extended by the
Commission)
Commission Chair Croce recognized Leah Lee and Jessica Miller from Youth Action Committee.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approve Minutes – Meeting of April 18, 2023
It was moved by Commissioner Dronkers, and seconded by Commissioner Ridgeway, to approve the minutes
of the regular meeting of April 18, 2023.
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. Contract Classes Review and Update
Recreation Supervisor Powers and Recreation Coordinator Terry provided information on Recreation contract
classes.
Commissioner Erbe asked if non-residents pay more.
Recreation Supervisor Powers affirmed that non-residents pay $11.00 more per class.
Commissioner Erbe asked if Cypress and Oxford students can teach a class through the Recreation Department.
Recreation Supervisor Powers responded that contract class instructors must be at least 18 years old; that a
student could partner with an advisor who would be willing to be the contracted class instructor; and that
instructors are allowed to have volunteers assisting them.
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Commission Vice Chair Burtle suggested a running group contract class that would align with the City’s 5K/10K
Run/Walk.
Recreation Supervisor Powers spoke of a Senior Center class offered for participants of the Cypress 5K Walk.
3. Review of the City of Cypress’ Six Month Strategic Objectives
The Director provided background on recreation’s goals for maintaining infrastructure and facilities and
enhancing recreation facilities and programs through the City of Cypress’ strategic plan.
The Director reported on the following: an agreement has been negotiated with Anaheim Union High School
District for usage of their facilities for Cypress Girls Softball; construction plans and specs for the
Arnold/Cypress Park renovation will go before Council at the June 26 meeting; a security system with an
automated license plate reader to be installed at Oak Knoll Park due to issues of cars being driven onto turf.
Commissioner Jackson asked if the automated license plate reader will only be at Oak Knoll Park.
The Director affirmed.
Commissioner Ridgeway spoke of noticing maintenance and police vehicles driving onto Arnold/Cypress Park
turf.
The Director informed that staff has keys to the bollards if they need to drive onto the parks.
Commission Chair Croce asked about security cameras for Oak Knoll restrooms.
The Director responded the area outside of the restrooms can be monitored, but not the interiors.
The Director spoke of an upcoming commission project to present recommendations to Council for updating of
park regulations in order to make them more consistent and fair with those of comparable cities; suggested the
commission set up an ad hoc committee to filter through the ordinances; and that staff will be bringing examples
of different park regulation signs.
Commission Vice Chair Burtle asked for an example of a conflict in the park regulations.
The Director spoke of a variance between the City’s municipal code and the Recreation’s field usage permits.
Commissioner Ridgeway asked if there is a charge for open space permits.
The Director affirmed, and explained that an open space permit doesn’t hold a particular space in a park, but
informs staff that a large group will be utilizing a park.
Commissioner Dronkers asked if any changes made to open space and field permits facilitates revising the
municipal code and if there can be multiple changes made to the code at one time.
The Director responded that there can be multiple revisions made to the municipal code at one time, and that
any changes to the code requires a public hearing.
Commission Erbe asked if a lot of people attend public hearings.
The Director responded that typically public hearings are held during Council meetings.
Commissioner Dronkers asked about comparable nearby cities and of the last time the City’s mission and vision
statements have been changed.
3
The Director responded it is difficult to find cities nearby that are comparable to Cypress, but it’s preferred to
work with neighboring cities, and that the current mission and vision statements have been in place at least six
years.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (Three minutes per speaker, unless extended by the Commission)
None.
STAFF REPORTS AND DISCUSSION:
Arnold/Cypress Park Update
The Director provided updates: current plans at 60%; next set of plans will be 90%; working with designer on
construction documents; working to pre-qualify contractors to ensure the City is hiring the most qualified one.
Commissioner Dronkers asked if the City will still seek out the lowest bid.
The Director affirmed.
Commissioner Ridgeway asked if the demolition of the existing park will be done all at once.
The Director responded that the demolition won’t be done in phases.
Commissioner Ridgeway asked about the progress of negotiations with Cypress College for temporary pickleball
courts.
The Director spoke of the college staff being focused on commencements at this time, but that negotiations will
resume after graduations are done.
Commission Chair Croce asked if purple piping will be done at Arnold/Cypress Park.
The Director responded that the City is looking at installing purple pipe at the site, but may not have reclaimed
water running through it at the beginning due to costs.
OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS:
None.
ADJOURNMENT:
It was moved by Commissioner Ridgeway, and seconded by Commission Vice Chair Burtle, to adjourn the
meeting at 6:45 p.m. to the regular meeting of June 20, 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