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Home My WebLink AboutRP Minutes: 01/09/2019 RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, January 9, 2019 RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING CALL TO ORDER — Chairperson Swinney called the meeting to order at 6:00pm in the Recreation Conference Room. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Commissioner Cheung ROLL CALL OF COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Raymond Cheung, Randy Fowler, Joe Shivan, and Steve Swinney EXCUSED: Lyn Tom A motion was made by Commissioner Cheung, seconded by Commissioner Fowler and unanimously carried on roll call vote to excuse Commissioner Tom. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None REPORTS FROM RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Cheung reported he and his family had a great time once again at the Santa Breakfast. Commissioner Cheung stated his son has baseball try outs this Saturday. Commissioner Cheung reported that sign up's for American Little League are down from last year. The new President this year is Aaron Schulman and Opening Day is February 23. Commissioner Cheung checked out Arcadia Par 3 Golf Course and was impressed with the crowd in the office inquiring about their memberships due to new management and stated things were running smoothly. Commissioner Fowler reported he attended the Snow Festival this year and noticed attendance was greater than last year due to the nice weather. Commissioner Fowler stated he was impressed with the traffic flow due to the shuttle service between the Community Center and the Santa Anita Race Track. Commissioner Fowler commended Public Works Services for their speedy response to a broken light fixture on his street. Commissioner Fowler also checked out Arcadia Par 3 and commented "everything looks great!" Commissioner Fowler reported he looked at the report from the Citizen's Financial Advisory Committee (CFAC) on the website and is in the process of reviewing all the material. Chairperson Swinney reported he volunteered at the Santa Breakfast and was impressed with how organized the set up and breakdown was between the first and second breakfast. Chaiperson Swinney also noticed attendance for the Snow Festival was up from last year due to the great weather. Commissioner Shivan reported his family had a nice time at the Santa Breakfast and liked the new props for the pictures with Santa. Commissioner Shivan heard through friends that the City's Santa Breakfast is one of the best around and similar breakfasts'were more expensive and a longer wait time to see Santa. REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LIAISON Mayor Pro Tern Verlato wished everyone a Happy New Year! Mayor Pro Tern Verlato updated the Commission on the Historic Preservation Ordinance (HPO). The Planning Commission reviewed the HPO recently and made their comments to City Council. Mayor Pro Tern Verlato reported the HPO will go before City Council on February 19 and invites the Commission to check out the proposed HPO on the City's website and submit their comments if any as soon as possible. Mayor Pro Tern Verlato reported CFAC will submit their final review and report to City Council on January 15. Mayor Pro Tern Verlato stated City Council will give direction at that time regarding the City's long-term financial outlook. Mayor Pro Tern Veralto encourages the Commission to read the CFAC's review and submit their comments to City Council. Mayor Pro Tem Verlato reported she had a very busy holiday season attending many special events throughout the City. Commissioner Fowler inquired as to the possibility of the City's of Arcadia and Sierra Madre combining their fire response services. Mayor Pro Tern Verlato reported former City of Arcadia, Fire Chief Kurt Norwood is the current Interim Fire Chief for the City of Sierra Madre and City of Arcadia, Fire Chief Mike Lang are in the beginning stages of discussing this possibility for fire response services. Director of Recreation and Community Services Sara Somogyi (DRCS) reported at the Sierra Madre City Council meeting on Jan. 8, 2019 the council approved a non-binding term sheet which would allow the City of Sierra Madre and the City of Arcadia to explore a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for fire response services. Mayor Pro Tem Verlato will report back to the Commission on this issue. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of January 9, 2019 It was moved by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Shivan and unanimously carried on roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar Item 1.a. AYES: Cheung, Fowler, Shivan, and Swinney NOES: None ABSTAIN: Lyn 3. REGULAR ITEMS a. Report from Public Works Services Department Public Works Services Street Superintendent (PWSSS) Dave Thompson reported Public Works Services has completed the resurfacing of the tennis courts at Tierra Verde Park and will begin the same project at Hugo Reid Park next month. Mayor Pro Tem Verlato commended Public Works Services for their speedy service in taking down a dead tree at the Gold Line Transit Plaza in time for the Tree Lighting Ceremony. b. Report of Director of Recreation and Community Services DRCS Somogyi commented she will thank the Recreation and Community Services staff for all of their hard work on the Santa Breakfast and Snow Fesitval. DRCS Somogyi explained the entire department's staff works together to provide these very special events for the Community. DRCS Somogyi reported Pickleball classes began at Camino Grove Park on January 8. Classes are available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 10am and open play is available for everyone from 10am to noon. There are currently 17 participants registered. DRCS Somogyi announced at 8pm on January 22, 2019, the City of Arcadia in partnership with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), will conduct its annual Homeless Count starting at 8:00pm in the Arcadia Community Center. DRCS Somogyi stated Arcadia participates annually as one way to comprehensively identify and address homelessness in their communities. Volunteers are needed for the event and will receive training on site the day of the count and all materials will be provided. DRCS Somogyi reported last year's homeless count for the City of Arcadia was three (3). DRCS Somogyi stated the City adopted it's Homless Plan, to combact and prevent homelessness. The first goal is to develop a group of Community Stakeholders. DRCS Somogyi announced the first Stakeholder's meeting for the City of Arcadia's Homeless Plan is scheduled later this month. DRCS Somogyi reported the City applied for additional funds through Measure H to help secure a part-time Homelessness Coordinator to help get folks connected to services, but we have not heard back yet. DRCS Somogyi announced the Opening Day Ceremonies for all three little leagues will be Saturday, February 23. Senior Administrative Assistant, Toni McKiernan will be contacting the Commission to coordinate representation for the ceremonies. I. Department Monthly Report DRCS Somogyi reported on the Senior Services Division: On Wednesday's participants play bridge with a total of 210 seniors for the month. Beginning in January a new volunteer coordinator was selected to oversee the bridge play and he also brings in all of the equipment. Over 2,000 seniors attended classes this last month despite the holiday season. DRCS Somogyi reported the Center is closed for two weeks during the holiday season, except for the lunch program, for maintenance on the building. The wood floor in the main ballroom was refinished and looks great. HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Medicare Program) provides peer counseling every month for approximately three seniors through a trained Medicate advocate on Medicare, Medi-Cal and other benefits issues. A group of 27 seniors gathered this last month to knit, crochet, and socialize with each other in the lobby. The Monday Dances provide an important social element for senior participants and is very popular with 198 dancers this month. A new addition to the Community Center is Table Tennis and is available Monday-Friday, from 10:30am-3:30pm and provided 108 seniors the opportunity to drop in and play to gain exercise and socialization. The annual Holiday Brunch took place on December 7 with 150 individuals attending. On December 14, 56 participants playbed bunco, enjoyed refreshments, prizes, and a raffle. On December 18, 80 volunteers for Arcadia Senior Services enjoyed a festive holiday party to celebrate another year of hard work. DRCS Somogyi reported on the Recreation Services Division. The School Year Playgrounds Program began on August 20 at all six AUSD Elementary Schools and had over 5,430 children in attendance in December. Winter Kid's Camp was held at Holly Avenue and had 159 enrolled for December 26-28. On December 1, Breakfast with Santa was another success with 300 in attendance enjoying breakfast, hot coco, a photo with Santa and much more. The Snow Festival held the same day was another great event with over 2,500 participants enjoying the free event. Active adult classes being offered at the Dana Gym and Community Center had over 1,800 particiants. Wilderness Park held Merit Badge Classes for Scouts to earn badges, which had 46 in attendance. Community Center Rentals served 720 attendees. II. Financial Statements DRCS Somogyi referenced the November 2018 Financial Statement. Total expenditures through November are $1,321.144 which is 39.3% of the budgeted amount for this fiscal year. The total fiscal year revenue as of November 2018 is $695,342 which is 56.3% of the budgeted amount. DRCS Somogyi referenced the November 2018 Park & Recreation Facilities Fund, with an account balance of$11,251,929. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Sweeney adjourned the meeting at 6:55pm to February 13, 2019 in the Recreation Conference Room located at 375 Campus Drive, Arcadia. .. Agin.«. _ Ar .,__�_ �i' xcr� Steve Swi neT Sara Somogyi Chairperson Secretary