09-19-23 Minutes MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CYPRESS
RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
September 19, 2023
The regular meeting of the Cypress Recreation and Community Services Commission was called to order at
6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, in the Cypress Community Center Garden Room.
PRESENT: Commission Chair Dronkers, Commission Vice Chair Jackson, Commissioners Edwards,
Erbe, Logovii, Medrano, and Ridgeway
ABSENT: None
Also present, Jeff Draper, Director of Recreation and Community Services; Ian Kokot, Recreation and
Community Services Manager.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The pledge of the flag was led by Commissioner Medrano.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (Limited to 30 minutes – three minutes per speaker, unless extended by the
Commission)
Commission Chair Dronkers introduced Youth Action Committee members Gina Helmy and Michelle Choy.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approve Minutes – Meeting of August 15, 2023
Commissioner Ridgeway noted on Page 2 under “Arnold Cypress Park Naming” that the word “complied” was
used instead of “compiled.”
It was moved by Commissioner Edwards, and seconded by Commissioner Ridgeway, to approve the minutes of
the regular meeting of August 15, 2023, as amended.
The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Dronkers, Edwards, Erbe, Jackson, Logovii, Medrano, and Ridgeway
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
2. 2023 Holiday Decorating Contest
Recreation and Community Services Manager Kokot provided background of the contest: contest reduced to
five categories at the January 2023 Recreation Commission meeting; participants can choose their own
category; each commissioner will be assigned a category and choose the winner from that category; Best of the
Best will be voted on by entire commission; judging will take place December 16 and 17; commission will meet
on December 19 to decide the winners.
Commission Chair Dronkers asked if one of the categories will be selected to be Best of the Best.
Recreation and Community Services Manager Kokot affirmed.
Commissioner Edwards asked if people enter their own homes.
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The Director responded they do, but commissioners can also leave a “Spirit of the Season” postcard at decorated
homes and businesses to encourage residents and business owners to enter the contest.
Commissioner Erbe asked how the commission will judge if they haven’t seen the houses.
The Director responded photos will be provided.
Commissioner Logovii asked when the contest entries can be viewed.
The Director replied that those entering will be informed when judging will take place.
3. Arnold Cypress Park Softball Field Naming
The Director distributed a summary of the names submitted and provided background: City Council directed the
Recreation Commission to propose names for the four softball fields; recommendations are to focus on those
who have made significant contributions to Arnold Cypress Park and/or Cypress Girls Softball; recommendations
will be presented to Council at a future meeting.
Commission Vice Chair Jackson asked if the commission is naming specific fields.
The Director affirmed that the commission will be specifying the fields.
Commission Chair Dronkers asked how the fields will be laid out.
The Director responded field #1 will be the largest, fields # 2 and 3 will both host multiple ages, and field #4 will
be the t-ball field.
Commission Vice Chair Jackson asked if the person nominated can decline and if the fields can be named after
a company.
The Director affirmed they can decline, that those chosen will be contacted, and that the direction received from
Council is for the fields to be named after individuals.
Commissioner Edwards asked how many years Cypress Girls Softball League has been playing at Arnold
Cypress Park.
The Director replied 52 years.
The Director spoke of three nominees who were instrumental in establishing Cypress Girls Softball League:
Lloyd McPherson, Gordon Mullins, and Tony Nieto, and suggested Founders Field as a name for one of the
fields to honor those three, with signage listing their names placed on the backstop.
Commission Chair Dronkers asked if there is framework in place for naming rights of snack bars.
The Director replied there is not now, but a policy could be established if there is interest.
Commission Chair Dronkers asked if the commission needs to consider those who received numerous
nominations.
Commissioner Erbe stated that contributions to Cypress Girls Softball League should be considered rather than
the number of nominations.
Commissioner Logovii stated that the 75 nominations Anthony Hinojos received should not be disregarded.
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Commissioner Medrano stated that an argument could be made for Players Field or Volunteers Field.
Commissioner Edwards endorsed naming a field after Rob Johnson and expressed approval for Founders Field,
with the stipulation that the names of the three organizers be listed on the signage.
Commission Vice Chair Jackson expressed her support for Founders Field, Rob Johnson, Lucy Polanco, and
Karen Rokosz as the nominees.
Commission Chair Dronkers, Commissioners Edwards, Erbe, Logovii, and Ridgeway expressed support for
naming a field for Karen Rokosz.
Commissioner Medrano asked if Council might question why a field wasn’t named after a nominee who received
a lot of votes.
The Director responded that the process was more about the contributions the individual made versus the
number of votes.
It was moved by Commissioner Ridgeway, and seconded by Commission Vice Chair Jackson, to approve the
individual names for the following fields:
Field #1: Rob Johnson
Field #2: Lucy Polanco
Field #3: Karen Rokosz
Field #4: Founders Field
The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: 7 COMMISSIONERS: Dronkers, Edwards, Erbe, Jackson, Logovii, Medrano, and Ridgeway
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
The Director stated staff will verify information provided on the nomination forms and that the commission will be
notified when the Council meeting for the softball field naming will take place.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (Three minutes per speaker, unless extended by the Commission)
Youth Action Committee member Michelle Choy spoke of the civility of the debate amongst the commissioners.
Youth Action Committee member Gina Helmy spoke of the interesting discussion that took place for naming the
softball fields.
STAFF REPORTS AND DISCUSSION:
The Director announced the following upcoming events: Cypress Community Festival, October 6 and 7; 5K
Run/Walk, October 7; State of the City, October 17; Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, October 19; Women’s
Conference, October 25.
The Director stated commissioners would receive invitations to State of the City.
The Director reminded that the commission will not be meeting in October and November, and that the December
19 meeting will only be for the Holiday Decorating Contest, but that a special meeting can be called if something
arises.
Commission Chair Dronkers asked the Director to explain what is the State of the City event.
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The Director explained the event has been opened up to the community; there is no admission fee; and that the
Mayor will speak of this year’s accomplishments and challenges.
OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS:
Commissioner Edwards: Saturday Walking at the Nature Park.
Commissioner Erbe: used the Cypress Central app to report an abandoned rug at the Arnold Cypress pickleball
courts and that it still has not been removed; asked about the Veterans Park pavilion.
The Director reported the pavilion is compromised structurally, and that a contractor is being hired to rebuild the
structure, but the project will need to go to Council.
Commissioner Logovii: thanked staff for putting together the list of names for the softball fields.
Commissioner Medrano: thanked staff for all their work done for the October events.
Commissioner Ridgeway: asked when Arnold Cypress Park will be closing down for renovation and if the parking
issue has been resolved with Cypress College.
The Director responded that the target date is November and that parking will not be free.
Commission Chair Dronkers: thanked commissioners for choosing softball field names and thanked staff for
compiling the information.
Commission Chair Dronkers asked the of the timeframe to submit to staff any items a commissioner would like
placed on a meeting agenda.
The Director responded that at least two weeks prior to the meeting date would be ideal.
Commission Chair Dronkers asked for an update on the home at the Baroldi/Sycamore Park site.
The Director reported that Council authorized the purchase of the home; will be at least two years before plans
for the site will be developed; the design aspect will eventually be brought to the commission.
ADJOURNMENT:
It was moved by Commissioner Ridgeway, and seconded by Commissioner Erbe, to adjourn the meeting at 7:13
p.m. to the regular meeting of December 19, 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