12-19-23 Minutes MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CYPRESS
RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
December 19, 2023
The regular meeting of the Cypress Recreation and Community Services Commission was called to order
at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, in the Cypress Community Center Ballroom A.
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 Erbe.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (Limited to 30 minutes – three minutes per speaker, unless extended by the
Commission)
None.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approve Minutes – Meeting of September 19, 2023
Commissioner Ridgeway, referencing Page 4 of the September 19 minutes, asked what funds are to be
used for the purchase of the home on the Baroldi/Sycamore Park site.
The Director responded that the funds will come from Recreation and Park District’s Capital Funds at a cost
to the District of about $600,000.
It was moved by Commissioner Ridgeway, and seconded by Commissioner Edwards, to approve the
minutes of the regular meeting of September 19, 2023.
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 Manager Kokot provided background of the contest guidelines and discussion from the
September 19 meeting, and recommended that Commissioners choose a winner from each category and
the “Best of the Best.”
Following discussion, the Commission chose the winners from the following categories:
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“Classic Christmas”—Saylor residence
“Gingerbread”—DiPietro residence
“Light Up The Town”—Dennis residence
“Santa’s Workshop”—Rodermund residence
“Toyland”—Carter residence
“Best of the Best”—Shah residence
Commission Vice Chair Jackson stated that she liked this year’s judging process much better,
recommended listing better descriptions of the themes for each of the categories, and also adding a “Small
Space” category for those homes with reduced front yards.
Commission Chair Dronkers spoke in favor of the contestants choosing their own categories.
Recreation Manager Kokot stated that the Commission will revisit the contest at a later meeting, with
emphasis on better category descriptions and adding another category for smaller spaces.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (Three minutes per speaker, unless extended by the Commission)
None.
STAFF REPORTS AND DISCUSSION:
The Director: thanked the Commissioners for judging the Holiday Decorating entries; fencing to be installed
at Arnold/Cypress Park January 2.
Recreation Manager Kokot asked if the Commissioners were fine with staff distributing phone numbers and
emails of each to the group.
All Commissioners were in agreement to have staff distribute each other’s emails and phone numbers.
OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS:
Commissioner Edwards: Enjoyed attending the State of the City and viewing homes for the Holiday
Decorating Contest.
Commissioner Erbe: Asked if there was a better process than picking up the pickleball nets from the
Community Center to take to Cypress College and if the Cypress tennis courts could be used instead.
Reported restrooms at the Civic Center were all locked on her last park visitation.
The Director responded that the college has indicated pickleball nets will not be provided, but it is still an
ongoing conversation, and that the tennis courts are heavily utilized for classes and public play.
Commission Vice Chair Jackson: Spoke of finding drug paraphernalia and discarded undergarments
around the bathroom area at Oak Knoll Park and asked if there can be more of a police presence at the
site.
Commissioner Ridgeway responded that as the police won’t be monitoring Arnold/Cypress Park due to the
renovation, they may be able to patrol Oak Knoll Park more.
The Director informed that as there is no youth baseball being played at this time, bad elements can be
encouraged when park is not used, and that staff can work with P.D. and Public Works to monitor the park
more.
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Both Commission Vice Chair Jackson and Commissioner Erbe praised the condition of the City’s parks. .
ADJOURNMENT:
It was moved by Commissioner Ridgeway, and seconded by Commissioner Erbe, to adjourn the meeting
at 6:48 p.m. to the regular meeting of January 16, 2024, 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