01-16-2024 Minutes MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE CYPRESS
RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
January 16, 2024
The regular meeting of the Cypress Recreation and Community Services Commission was called to order
at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, in the Cypress Community Center Ballroom A.
PRESENT: Commission Chair Dronkers, Commission Vice Chair Jackson, Commissioners Edwards,
Logovii, Medrano, and Ridgeway
ABSENT: Commissioner Erbe
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 Commission Chair Dronkers.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (Limited to 30 minutes – three minutes per speaker, unless extended by the
Commission)
Commission Chair Dronkers recognized Youth Action Committee members Derek Di, Claire Jung, Gurnett
Kaur, Tyler Nguyen, and Priyasi Patel.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Approve Minutes – Meeting of December 19, 2023
It was moved by Commissioner Edwards, and seconded by Commissioner Ridgeway, to approve the
minutes of the regular meeting of September 19, 2023.
The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Dronkers, Edwards, Jackson, Logovii, Medrano, and Ridgeway
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Erbe
2. Recreation and Community Services Commission 2024 Meeting Schedule
The Director reviewed the 2024 meeting schedule, noting the addition of the tentative joint meeting with
Council on August 26 and recommending cancellation of the October 15 meeting due to State of the City
scheduled on that date.
It was moved by Commissioner Ridgeway, and seconded by Commissioner Medrano, to approve the
Recreation and Community Services Commission 2024 meeting schedule.
The motion was carried by the following roll call vote:
AYES: 6 COMMISSIONERS: Dronkers, Edwards, Jackson, Logovii, Medrano, and Ridgeway
NOES: 0 COMMISSIONERS: None
ABSENT: 1 COMMISSIONERS: Erbe
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3. Review of 2023 Holiday Decorating Contest
The Recreation Manager reviewed the 2023 contest: new format; one new category; participants choosing
their own category; reducing categories to five and Best of the Best; 29 entries received.
Commission Vice Chair Jackson recommended: a “Thanks for Participating” email to all participants; better
descriptions for the categories; addition of small spaces as a category; showcasing all homes on City’s
social media sites.
Commissioner Logovii recommended: suggested doing a certificate for all participants; more detail in the
descriptions.
The Recreation Manager suggested a letter that Commissioners can sign to be emailed or mailed.
Commissioner Edwards recommended: include use of inflatables in the Toyland category description.
The Recreation Manager asked how a small space would be determined.
Commission Vice Chair Jackson responded it could encompass a business, apartment, or mobile home.
The Director related the contest used to include separate awards for businesses and condos, and that the
Commission can add mobile homes if they want to bring those categories back.
Commissioner Ridgeway asked about giving yard signs to all participants.
The Director responded that used to be done, but it proved to be a lot of yard signs to deliver, and would be
up to Commissioners if they want to bring back.
Commission Vice Chair Jackson spoke about a participant entering in two different categories, and if it
needs to be stated in the rules only one category per address.
Commissioners Medrano and Ridgeway agreed only one category for each address should be permitted.
Commission Chair Dronkers asked about sponsorships for the contest, with a cash prize being awarded for
Best of the Best and naming a category after a sponsor.
The Director responded sponsorships could be feasible, but need to check with the City Manager, and
would have to be done through the Recreation’s foundation. The Director spoke of eventually planning to
bring back to the Commission a sponsorship program at a later date and that Holiday Decorating could be
included in that.
Commissioner Medrano stated he is not entirely comfortable with sponsorships for this contest.
Commissioner Edwards inquired of the possibility of doing a Halloween decorating contest.
The Director responded it would be up to the Commission, and could place this item on the February
agenda, but staff could not assist with this due to all of the other City events that take place in October.
Commissioner Edwards stated he will research if other cities do a Halloween decorating contest.
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Commission Chair Dronkers provided the following recap for revisions to the Holiday Decorating Contest:
(1) adding the two new awards of small spaces and businesses; (2) more detailed descriptions for each
category; (3) “Thank you for participating” letter for all participants; (4) only one category per address; (5)
recognize all applicants on social media instead of just the winners; (6) exploring potential sponsorships for
cash awards.
Commissioner Edwards asked if a list of all business in Cypress can be obtained.
The Director replied can look into doing that, but the list is large, and many Cypress businesses have now
become home-based since covid.
The Director informed that these revisions to the contest will be brought back to the Commission at a later
date, and asked the Commissioners to send descriptions from other cities’ contests.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS (Three minutes per speaker, unless extended by the Commission)
Commission Chair Dronkers asked the Youth Action Committee members for feedback on the Holiday
Decorating Contest.
Youth Action Committee: endorse the idea of a Halloween decorating contest; encourage businesses to
enter as a means of promoting their company; support a recognition letter sent to all participants.
STAFF REPORTS AND DISCUSSION:
Update on Arnold Cypress Park
The Director provided updates: fencing around the site; demolition of the buildings; grading to start shortly;
plans and specs approved; goal is for the park to reopen spring of 2025 in time for Cypress Girls Softball
League’s season.
Commissioner Ridgeway asked if the grading will be shallow or go deeper.
The Director responded the ground will be over excavated to allow for rain water capture.
Commissioner Ridgeway asked about the new pickleball courts at Arnold Cypress.
The Director replied the new courts will be modelled after the ones at Veterans Sports Park in Tustin.
OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION FROM COMMISSION MEMBERS:
Commissioner Edwards: asked if new park regulations have gone to Council yet.
The Director replied those will go before Council at the January 22 workshop session; if Council approves,
a public hearing will be scheduled at a future Council meeting; staff working with City Attorney to make sure
all new rules enforceable.
Commission Vice Chair Jackson: commented that Oak Knoll Park has improved since last meeting.
Commissioner Longvii: commented on the poor lighting at Oak Knoll Park and asked for an update on the
park’s security issues.
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The Director responded that as the busy season approaches, will be more eyes in the park; a security
company now locks the restrooms at night and the cleaning crew opens them in the morning; adding security
cameras that will have a direct feed to Cypress P.D.; police also monitoring the park more frequently.
Commissioner Medrano: taking pickleball class through Cypress Recreation.
Commissioner Ridgeway: asked if Vessels School is a City park and related of the large amount of gopher
holes at the site; inquired if a Cypress business owner can check out a pickleball net from Recreation
Department.
The Director replied Vessels Park is Cypress School District property, but that the City installs and maintains
the playground equipment; staff will inform the school district about the gopher holes; only Cypress residents
can check out pickleball nets.
ADJOURNMENT:
It was moved by Commission vice Chair Jackson, and seconded by Commissioner Medrano, to adjourn the
meeting at 6:47 p.m. to the regular meeting of February 20, 2024, to be held in the Cypress Community
Center Ballroom A at 6:00 p.m.
__________________________________________
CHAIR OF THE RECREATION AND COMMUNITY
SERVICES COMMISSION
ATTEST:
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SECRETARY TO THE RECREATION AND
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION