[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6320354,"mediaKeyId","2356922-f1f2febb7e58f89e06fa219b1399d680","parentId",2356922,"title","Commission briefed on aquatics consultants, staffing study and Plunge timeline","audioSeconds",1188,"startMs",1599000,"endMs",2787000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2356922-f1f2febb7e58f89e06fa219b1399d680&start=1599&end=2787","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2356922-f1f2febb7e58f89e06fa219b1399d680/thumbnail_1599000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6320354/El-Segundo-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Commission-briefed-on-aquatics-consultants-staffing-study-and-Plunge-timeline","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320354-0fc11a39acf0a405cb5d58bebaabf5ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1770394650&Signature=Vl61F6A9XgtvidwKKIcY5qGGPeUWt4ILYEgLshrY-GJHdU1V5-s-yK4NUuUUGYANVPS8oUFNReE3hRjw5Pc849VpCwlnWHZbMj0f3k1aLKe5gCi3c~wr-sRUUHBQ7KZa0P0BFZlGvIBlj8QINAuYhbM8pmUpZxVtHwqlTG3rrKF8v1wtxpVfGdON2Z01ijXzm-0W-gsCMg92o0dnOuo8s0ENGo6PzEYH4n0DVu-Vrav5YuSK6BtprYBmFWaf8KL-Mmg2HN40tFILdPIlT-E3FH6qrQJKFpGGHtNuVKs1E-QT127hLdZe~NnEiEa8QVFsUjuRZf9USgVItZSqte7NnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of El Segundo CA","date","2025-02-19T23:10:49Z","article","The Recreation, Parks and Library director told the commission on Feb. 19 that the department is contracting with a consultant identified as Councilman Hunsicker to develop a business plan, lane and user-group allocation guidance for the aquatic facilities and to address operational issues raised when the aquatic center opened. The director said the contract had been submitted to the city attorney for review and that work was expected to start soon, with deliverables timed to be complete by the Plunge construction finish, which staff currently anticipates in December pending no schedule changes.

The director also said the department will hire Baker Tilly to perform a staffing analysis of Recreation, Parks and Libraries to evaluate positions, workloads and organization structure. That analysis will include staff interviews and is intended to inform a possible reorganization.

The director announced that a candidate for the senior analyst position had accepted and will start March 10; that role is expected to focus on contract management, budget and procurement. The cultural arts coordinator position is on hold after a resignation, and the department plans to post an aquatics manager job—at a level above current supervisors—while proceeding in parallel with the consultant work so recruitment can move forward without waiting for each consultant deliverable.

On Plunge construction, commissioners who toured the site reported progress and noted that the critical-path item is switchgear expected to arrive in the May timeframe. The department has communicated a planned seasonal closure of pool operations from July 1 through Sept. 1 to user groups; staff said the closure timing has been shared with user groups and will be incorporated into planning.

No formal actions were taken; commissioners reiterated the need to coordinate lane allocation work with field allocation policy and to expedite hiring and staffing support for aquatics operations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Recreation and Parks Commission Meeting - Wednesday, February 19, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Recreation, Parks and Library director told the commission on Feb. 19 that the department will hire consultants to produce a Plunge business plan and conduct a staffing analysis, announced a new senior analyst hire, and reported a planned seasonal closure of pool operations tied to Plunge construction.","taxTitle","El Segundo City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",70907,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6320358,"Commission hears update on tree removal policy after Library Park removal",175,1028000,1203000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2356922-f1f2febb7e58f89e06fa219b1399d680&start=1028&end=1203","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2356922-f1f2febb7e58f89e06fa219b1399d680/thumbnail_1028000.jpg","/articles/6320358/El-Segundo-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Commission-hears-update-on-tree-removal-policy-after-Library-Park-removal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320358-c8c219498639f29b0ee93de21d45c0db/orig.mp4?Expires=1770394650&Signature=AY9RJ7F6~v5am4aDHJuDsyzt4PF4GwCLsIjQbr-jS5muLWuzyLa0ZnVZL~MzKy68vrgvL-~Wf9T7mUB5ZCsb10iDqJV0J2qH-dv4HDTisAyTV0f1KtcoXfHXRvJIkcPCj7Ymt3WmInEJpIZqg0z8ka-HusSRvHxRwE~ubgnVCOFWqid9pWOwNivzfvvaj08Q3W2FozOoHkTmczCn1he-SG5wLOvlcXuv-nmXwVcSZng39Hq9yQUcwvjoZoVThNC2OaOXESoW7ZyhTbaE~vGY-2VB8atBGH6MKPzBvwpGJ1~SYQmdbquV3fRGJNy67XNZ4K-jFozuXL-u0eYBUn~oxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Park Superintendent Christopher Henson briefed the Recreation and Parks Commission on Feb. 19 on the city’s tree removal policy, inventory and replacement practices in the wake of a recent removal at Library Park.

“We have approximately 6,000 trees, located in parkways, medians, parks, open space, golf course, and public facilities,” Henson said, describing the city’s tree inventory and the West Coast Arborist ArborAccess application used to record species, diameter, condition and maintenance history. He summarized the city’s responsibilities (trimming, planting, staking, removals) and residents’ responsibilities (watering and litter pickup).

Henson outlined the criteria that prompt removal: dead, diseased, severe physical decline such as large splits, or infrastructure damage to curbs, sidewalks, streets and sewer lines. He said photographic or video evidence is requested for infrastructure claims, a replacement tree is usually a 24-inch-box tree (36-inch box available for an additional fee), and there is an appeal period to the Recreation and Parks Commission.

Commissioners asked about arborist reviews. Henson said the city now has three certified arborists on staff and that West Coast Arborist serves as an external backup for additional review. Commissioners raised the recent Library Park removals and asked whether larger-caliper replantings (36-inch boxes) could be standard there since the park has lost many trees; Henson said the city typically orders trees in batches (about 10) for cost efficiency, which can slow turnaround times.

Commissioner Julie asked about an especially large, dead “Christmas tree” in Library Park; Henson said West Coast Arborist had taken samples, performed soil analysis and requested to observe removal to assess the disease and whether wood could be reused. No formal policy change was proposed at the meeting.

The commission received the report for information; commissioners urged staff to shorten replacement lead times where possible and to consider larger-caliper plantings in heavily used parks such as Library Park.","Park superintendent outlined the city’s tree inventory, removal criteria, replacement standards and appeals process; commissioners pressed for faster replacement and larger-caliper replanting in Library Park.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6320363,"El Segundo residents ask commission to improve neglected dog park",129,373000,502000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2356922-f1f2febb7e58f89e06fa219b1399d680&start=373&end=502","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2356922-f1f2febb7e58f89e06fa219b1399d680/thumbnail_373000.jpg","/articles/6320363/El-Segundo-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/El-Segundo-residents-ask-commission-to-improve-neglected-dog-park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320363-4576c421eaad15488da7b6b86f5b9193/orig.mp4?Expires=1770394650&Signature=bgmju-6KGaQZnu3Ih-td-4~OFiOTxowmmjPSwEKWyOZCVCOJSt02JGhrc77LMNJ1nQqIk0xYymCrB1AWSz8Ty7j7y0DMmCZqej8o3l9OvIpxVUP-~gS-T7ppesICI6MRQGw6bk5lVsJtAJD9Hsq6tbKKiZ~W2DvgInuGvL4flPFy9Hc7336t78vn~Xo0KQa8xawhU4tCHElCm5g~lUlaKzVIsmKp8qmU2BVGKckRgEqD9PUc3ZNTqRFnUaHgit1mm4R~leaRIh3VakZn3giW9MTHIT~kV3zJU7ks~qIHnjUPaU6xpJ6IcjntkHMgT6H0kxigFnnWELYpMLXXaC3Zqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ashley Ellsworth, a longtime El Segundo resident, told the Recreation and Parks Commission on Feb. 19 that the city’s dog park is “primarily a large dirt pit” with nonworking fountains, damaged gates and erosion that makes the site a tripping hazard. Ellsworth spoke with her husband, Robert Nargis, and said the current conditions discourage use and require immediate attention.

Ellsworth said the family had spent time at nearby Ala Dog Park in Marina del Rey and Bluff Creek dog park in Playa Del Rey as examples of well-maintained off-leash spaces and provided a handout with photos. “It’s really not tenable,” she said of the El Segundo site, adding that dog owners often avoid it because their animals get so dirty they need a bath immediately afterward. She and her husband suggested synthetic turf as a long-term solution but acknowledged the “significant upfront price,” and proposed temporary approaches such as rotating grass recovery areas to keep at least part of the site green.

Park Superintendent Christopher Henson provided the staff response at the meeting. A staff member also told the commission that they had met with the resident last week and explained how capital improvement projects are considered; the staff member said the resident would be welcome to address the City Council if she wished and that it would be at the council’s discretion whether to direct staff to research a project at the dog park.

No formal motion or funding decision was made during the commission meeting. Commissioners and staff discussed volunteer involvement and noted a recent cleanup event; residents who brought the concern said they are available to help with future efforts.

The issue was raised during the public communications portion of the Feb. 19 meeting and was not an agenda action item. Staff indicated the matter could be advanced through the City Council capital projects process if the council chooses to direct additional research or funding.

Community members who want to follow up were referred to the contact information included in the handout provided at the meeting.","Residents told the Recreation and Parks Commission the city’s dog park is unsafe and uninviting, urged capital improvements and offered volunteer help; staff said the resident had met with staff and could raise the issue with City Council for potential capital funding.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6320345,"Commission approves Jan. 15 meeting minutes, 5-0",12,700000,712000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2356922-f1f2febb7e58f89e06fa219b1399d680&start=700&end=712","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2356922-f1f2febb7e58f89e06fa219b1399d680/thumbnail_700000.jpg","/articles/6320345/El-Segundo-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Commission-approves-Jan-15-meeting-minutes-5-0","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320345-66076c6a43134f24b03c3c11894cd60d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770394650&Signature=c4ms-qoJQVhRWYjFED8WWmSHDm4nCsXPiYzGUdzFT~mrLw7627JeNj5n~ii5exyo14lpcK3SeetE6vTAT6VjQUz59Phwfyayo9XmHKr3S2cSjd12CFBzMvGi4RReL8FV6ZvBYw-EHDi5krm~XG2kiP67s21lr3VD1PlF3~sH0jmIUswHRD2fOYqcS0F87vAl5W4QSxvANRCBO~dze-p4GGjq~4~iWRoA8BSPoohDArxdU0A0RzLFG9LDVZRO0hE2wwbC~lEUvpDvgF5nrSoI31SRKqKe0-Os2vBAo7g27iHQwNRvnbnsS0FcVAYFunSUDgmN5kCOcX3i5tKS6tkLMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The commission approved the Jan. 15, 2025 regular meeting minutes during the consent portion of the Feb. 19 meeting. A motion to approve was made and seconded; the roll call recorded five ayes and no noes, yielding a 5-0 vote in favor of approval.

The commission did not discuss the minutes further before the vote. No amendments were proposed on the record.","The Recreation and Parks Commission moved to approve its Jan. 15, 2025 meeting minutes; the motion passed unanimously, 5-0.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6320349,"Field allocation working group reviews policy; youth sports council reports smooth transition",0,2887000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2356922-f1f2febb7e58f89e06fa219b1399d680&start=2887&end=2887","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2356922-f1f2febb7e58f89e06fa219b1399d680/thumbnail_2887000.jpg","/articles/6320349/El-Segundo-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/Field-allocation-working-group-reviews-policy-youth-sports-council-reports-smooth-transition","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6320349-3be4584e3ef9f3ccdde6fb478ea6ab89/orig.mp4?Expires=1770394650&Signature=jAeYMh6FSiNj0RkAp2w840JsB~gQQEH-hzdKs8FIuI3Kq4nYNtwi4d-iN9LcbUYVGO8f0XZdZJ1tIdDDl77WcIOGjhgzHmdw79Z6myyOj37OClLHEqBfF~B-cxgbkrDTVHQX1V7BDgvAnf2H6EMZGKBoQ16xUJtETMqTsQoEddtpi6Y3r6Q5-mTlNDJBA0VcYZIG-o5e5nI7t5WaMprs-CkWXSJ6mP9BYo2ewjWX-6EJnzlq9YWacx~kP28KLn9e1voP46WnH6OeAwcbwnB5gFMzcWyl8lQiezRyJXMvcpl19fSB11PzCfNS0yfociddLUlFGQ-f5Uoxi3QvrWyINg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners reported Feb. 19 that the Field Allocation Working Group is meeting regularly with staff to review proposed changes and legacy language in the field allocation policy. Commissioner Bob and Commissioner Mark said they have met with Recreation staff (Rachel Cummings and Linnea Palmer) several times and are working through the policy “with a fine-tooth comb” to provide clearer guidance to staff and the community, emphasizing fairness and unambiguous procedures.

Rachel Cummings and Linnea Palmer will continue to collaborate with the working group to ensure the field allocation guidance dovetails with upcoming lane allocation work for aquatics. The group is focused on clear language to reduce discretionary ambiguity when staff makes allocations.

Commissioner Dave Luebs reported the Youth Sports Council meeting since the commission’s last session was “fairly uneventful”: presidents of local leagues appear to be coordinating around the new allocation website and spring sports have begun. No formal policy changes were adopted at the Feb. 19 meeting; work continues in subcommittees and staff will return with revised policy language for the commission to review.","Commission subcommittees reported the field allocation working group is methodically reviewing policy language to ensure fairness and clarity; the youth sports council told commissioners the spring season and the new allocation website are functioning without major issues.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission briefed on aquatics consultants, staffing study and Plunge timeline

Commission hears update on tree removal policy after Library Park removal

El Segundo residents ask commission to improve neglected dog park

Commission approves Jan. 15 meeting minutes, 5-0

Field allocation working group reviews policy; youth sports council reports smooth transition