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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmailed Comments from Hector Huffington1 Gloria Harper From:Hector Huffman <huffmanhlls@yahoo.com> Sent:Monday, January 24, 2022 8:35 AM To:Schelly Sustarsic Cc:Gloria Harper Subject:Re: Seal Beach Tennis Center Vote for remodeling please. Sorry the P&L would be informative. Hector Huffington On Jan 24, 2022, at 7:11 AM, Hector Huffman <huffmanhlls@yahoo.com> wrote: Hi Schelly, Not sure if this is the right meeting for these questions. My name is Hector Huffington and have been active/member at the tennis club for nearly 18 years. The club design focus should be to improve member experience in order to retain the members. Let’s make our club a destination! Let’s take into consideration the stakeholders input. 1) The stand alone building should be the pro shop/snack shop and pro offices and equipment storage. The building was avaiabe for use and rent and was never used. “Build it and they will come” approach for that building is not the best approach. 2) In the club house there should only be a simple reception desk with check in technology. 3) where are refreshments and ice going to be located where members will have access? Laundry Machines? 4) I spoke to multiple tennis members and tennis pros and they said no one every consulted with them on ideas. Can we schedule a panel discussion. 5). Is there a media center and place to post computer for tournament and daily check in. 6). The locker room area can maybe be a community outdoor exercise area. 7) Maybe just open great space with an entrance to welcome CPE neighbors. Can be a key coded for admittance. 8) The storage space on the club house level is prime Real estate and should be used as a weight room to improve location and utilization. 9) Can there be a liquor license to compete with other clubs? Can this be designed into the club. 10) Lot’s of windows and open doors, will there be a media area to watch sports, etc. 2 11) Pickle ball is a loud sport tennis. Pickle ball fencing should be lowered to promote visibility and fan support. 12) I would like to see more of a “GREEN” approach in the design. Where is there water access for the members/visitors? 13) Please budget new furniture to fit with the remodel. A designer should be hired. 14). Are there more bids coming in for the retrofit? 15) Be REALLY careful on the LED lights. They are some made for tennis and spreading out the light. Others that are spot lights and bad for sport lighting. The design should be functional and take into consideration the “living and comfort” of the club. I believe the goal is to get the people who visit want to stay and lounge. Right not it is a club of play your sport and leave. It should be a place to invite a friend and lounge. Once they stay how do we keep people entertained? Food and media? Reach out if you have any questions. Good Luck, Hector Huffington Belay Insurance Services PS Can I see the operating expense of the club so I can see how revenue is generated and then we can look at what is the primary focus should be. On Jan 13, 2022, at 8:34 AM, Schelly Sustarsic <ssustarsic@sealbeachca.gov> wrote: Hector, I did email the City Manager and City Engineer working on the SBTPC project, asking for more information. I received an email from the City Manager last night asking for patience as City Hall has been closed again due to a COVID outbreak. We have multiple staff out and most others working remotely. I will get more information as staff returns. Did you view the Power Point in the Agenda Packet for the December 13th meeting? Packet_20211220211321711.pdf 3 It does have a diagram of the clubhouse remodel (the Power Point begins on page 717 of the packet). Also, the diagram of the courts, which you must have seen. Additionally, you can watch the meeting replay on video – it is the next to the last item in the meeting: City Council Meeting - December 13, 2021 - YouTube Best regards, Schelly From: Hector Huffman <huffmanhlls@yahoo.com> Sent: Wednesday, January 12, 2022 12:27 PM To: Schelly Sustarsic <ssustarsic@sealbeachca.gov> Subject: Re: Seal Beach Tennis Center Vote for remodeling please. Hello Shelly hope all is well. Pretty exciting stuff happening at the club. The layout is really strange. Pickle ball courts should stay next to Pickleball courts because they are loud. To put lights by the condos might be an issue for those residence. Lights should stay by the Parkside. It looks like they didn’t consult with anybody who plays sports or understands facility layouts. I also think they’re not gonna have a weight gym? Not having a gym is shortsighted. Right now the design is for people age 60 and over who will not use a gym? If younger people which is the goal start attending the club they will want a gym. Give me a call if you have any questions. 562-370-4235. Hector Huffington On Dec 13, 2021, at 10:58 AM, Hector Huffman <huffmanhlls@yahoo.com> wrote: Hi Schelly, hope all is well. 4 Hi I think you have a big voting night tonight. I think updating the club will be a positive vote for our neighborhood. The changes will definitely generate more revenue here at the club. Eventually more revenue for our parks! Plus if we don’t use those funds somebody else will. Good Luck tonight I hope you vote for the tennis center plan. Looks like your vote will be a deciding factor. Call me if you have any questions. Hector Huffington 562-370-4245 On Sep 13, 2021, at 11:42 AM, Schelly Sustarsic <ssustarsic@sealbeachca.gov> wrote: Okay. See you then. Schelly From: Hector Huffman <huffmanhlls@yahoo.com> Sent: Monday, September 13, 2021 11:37 AM To: Schelly Sustarsic <ssustarsic@sealbeachca.gov> Subject: Re: Seal Beach Tennis Center Saul Martinez Tennis Center Manager Great. See you this Wednesday at 5 o’clock at Heather Park. I’ll be at the benches next to the tennis courts. Take care, 5 Hector Huffington On Sep 13, 2021, at 8:06 AM, Schelly Sustarsic <ssustarsic@sealbeachca.gov> wrote: Hector, Thanks! And thank you for the email. I hope that you too are well. Yes, I would be interested in hearing your insights and concerns about the SBTC. I am available this Wednesday at 5pm, if that works for you. I have 2 afternoon meetings next Wednesday (Sept. 22nd) but I am available on September 29th as well, if that would be better for you. Best regards, Schelly From: Hector Huffman <huffmanhlls@yahoo.com> Sent: Saturday, September 11, 2021 7:32 PM To: Schelly Sustarsic <ssustarsic@sealbeachca.gov> Subject: Re: Seal Beach Tennis Center Saul Martinez Tennis Center Manager Hello Schelly, hope all is well. Great news about Saul and his promotion! Great move by the city to extend him full employment. Seal Beach tennis center is CPE. I have been a resident going on 20 years now and have been a part of the club for 19 years. I have just about seen it all there. Sadly, the club culture is still that same as it was 20 years ago. The club is living for the moment and not looking at the future. No community outreach or interaction. There are probably more people that play there that live 20 minutes out of Seal Beach in my opinion than locals. Why? It should be 50/50 to sustain membership? We are the most expensive club with no real value. We have the cheapest walk in fee for pickle pall (it should be 6 at least $5.00). Employee turnover is insane. I been to other clubs where they pay people less, terrible working conditions, etc. and they are still there. What is happening? My concern right now there is a little momentum (that can be misinterpreted as success) at the club and CPE should capitalize on this momentum. One simple step towards progress, is if our club became little more "green" by adding a water fountain accessible by patrons. Do you know there is still plastic cups handed out with water pitchers? Easy fix. Maybe adding solar panels since the roof is new now. I think a local Boy/Girl scout troop could help make the place green. If you every have about an 45 minutes maybe we can meet and have a casual conversation at Heather Park on a given Wednesday about 5 pm. I think the more you know the better it would be on how the city spends CPE money at Tennis center. Take care and keep up the great work! Sincerely, Hector On Saturday, March 20, 2021, 01:39:58 PM PDT, Schelly Sustarsic <ssustarsic@sealbeachca.gov> wrote: Hector, Thank you for the email. I too value Saul. May I pass your email on to the City Manager? Best regards, Schelly Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone -------- Original message -------- From: Hector Huffman <huffmanhlls@yahoo.com> Date: 3/20/21 7:30 AM (GMT-08:00) 7 To: Schelly Sustarsic <ssustarsic@sealbeachca.gov> Subject: Seal Beach Tennis Center Saul Martinez Tennis Center Manager Hello Shelly, Saul Martinez should really be running SBTC. The tennis center has become a mecca for pickle ball and it is in our neighborhood and belongs to CPE. People come from all over California to play and enjoy our great corner of the city. Pretty amazing and something to be a part of. My family and I have been playing tennis at the center for over 20 years and have seen the ups and down of the club. Unfortunately, more downs because of the last 4 (including Chuck Kingman) coordinators loose interest and get comfortable with easy paychecks, etc. The club is stagnant with no new activities (maybe 1 or 2) or events in the last 5 years. The only consistent face that holds the tennis center together is Saul Martinez. If you need anything about the club you reach out to Saul. If the lights go out at Heather Park you reach out to Saul. If you want to see a friendly face go play some tennis and Saul greats you with kindness. He is well known in the Seal beach and Long Beach tennis/pickle ball community. Today, he is still the one person at SBTC showing exceptional leadership and kindness to my family and visitors. He represents our community and makes everyone feel welcomed and handles the day to the pro shop and tennis events. In reality, he is running the place today and has been for the last 15 years in my opinion. He knows every corner of that club and truly cares about the place. He is there for our city, guest, members and friends. Saul personifies the club and he should be "given the keys" to run the place. It would save the city a substantial amount of money by not paying two people to run the club, resources and headache of constant change. The more people involved the more challenges. Saul, has great ideas based on experience so it should be kept simple by having him run the pro shop and the club. It would give us a person who prioritizes guest experience off and on the court. With all the challenges Saul has been the common thread of sanity that has held the club together all these years. We love our city because people like Saul who make an impact in how we play and live in Seal Beach and should be acknowledged. 8 Be safe and thank you for your time and all you do. Sincerely, Hector Huffington