HomeMy WebLinkAboutRP Minutes: 01/08/20RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER — Vice -Chairperson Fowler called the meeting to order at 6:OOpm in the
Arcadia Recreation Conference Room.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Commissioner Swinney
ROLL CALL OF COMMISSIONERS
PRESENT: Cheung, Chu, Fowler, Swinney, and Tom
EXCUSED: None
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS
REPORTS FROM RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSIONERS
Vice -Chairperson Fowler reported the renovation of Eisenhower Park is looking fantastic. The
baseball field is lined and 80 percent finished. Vice -Chairperson Fowler attended the Downtown
Arcadia Holiday Fair on December 14 and stated it was impressive and well attended.
Commissioner Chu wished the Commission a Happy New Year. Commissioner Chu will attend
and speak at the Arcadia High School Korean/American Parent Association meeting on January
16.
Commissioner Cheung announced that he will be running for the Arcadia Unified School District
School Board of Education. The election is on March 3, 2020 (during the Presidential Primary),
with three seats being voted on with five encumbants running. Commissioner Cheung reported
the new playground equipment at Hugo Reid Park is very nice. Commissioner Cheung thanked
Public Works Services for installing a new sign regarding "clean up your dog litter", at Windsor
Field. Commissioner Cheung announced tryouts for Arcadia American Little League will be this
Saturday, January 11 at Windsor Field. Commissioner Cheung stated he would like to see better
communication between the various sports leagues and the Recreation and Parks Commission.
It was moved by Commissioner Swinney, seconded by Commissioner Cheung and unanimously
carried on roll call vote to add an item to the next regular meeting agenda of the Recreation and
Parks Commission, a discussion regarding a possible liaison between the Commissioners and
the sports leagues in Arcadia.
AYES: Cheung, Chu, Fowler, Swinney, and Tom
NOES: None
Chairperson Tom reported she brought co-workers to shop in the Senior Gift Shop in December
and they were impressed.
REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LIAISON
Council Member Tom Beck reported he attended the 100th birthday celebration of long-time
Arcadia resident, Jack McEwan. This celebration was part of Coffee with the Mayor and was well
attended. Council Member Beck stated there is one week to go in the nomination period for the
2020 City Council/Clerk Election. On Tuesday, January 28 at 5:OOpm there will be a Special City
Council Meeting to cancel the election for any position where there is a single candidate. Council
Member Beck stated as of right now, that looks like it might happen for the City Clerk, which is
the only Citywide election this cycle. If the City Clerk's Office were to cancel that particular
election, it would save significant dollars, as they would only need to do mailing and ballots for a
portion of the City instead of the entire City. The City Council is asking for the Special Meeting
because the election laws only give us a short window to declare a victory and cancel the election.
Council Member Beck reported it is expected at this point that there will be contested elections in
both Districts for City Council by the end of today, as the City Clerk's Office expects at least two
candidates in each district to have submitted all the necessary paperwork. Council Member Beck
requested Public Works Services change burned out street lights throughout the City as he has
noticed many are out. Public Works Services Street Superintendent (PWSSS) Dave Thompson
stated he would handle it. Council Member Beck announced a project to erect a statue of Anita
Baldwin is in the begining stages.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of December 11, 2019
It was moved by Commissioner Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Cheung and
unanimously carried on roll call vote to approve corrections made to Consent Calendar
Item 2.a.
AYES:
Cheung, Chu, Fowler, and Tom
NOES:
None
ABSTAIN:
Swinney
3. REGULAR ITEMS
a. Report from Public Works Services Department
I. Project Updates
PWSSS Thompson reported a new sign was posted at Windsor Field in Hugo Reid to
help keep the field clear of dog litter. A fence was installed around the basketball courts
at Camino Grove over the holiday break. PWSSS Thompson stated the baseball field
at Eisenhower Memorial Park is almost complete with finishing touches put on the
restrooms, snack shop, and parking lot. This portion of the Eisenhower Memorial Park
renovation project is on schedule and should be complete in time for the 2020 opening
day ceremony for Arcadia Santa Anita Little League.
b. Report of Director of Recreation and Community Services
Department Monthly Report
Director of Recreation and Community Services (DRCS) Sara Somogyi announced at 8pm on
January 21, 2020, the City of Arcadia in partnership with the Los Angeles Homeless Services
Authority (LAHSA), will conduct its annual Homeless Count starting at 8:OOpm 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 announced a Stakeholder's meeting for the City of Arcadia's Homeless
Plan is scheduled this week. The Homeless Case Manager will begin in January at the Arcadia
Public Library and will work 20 hours in Arcadia and 20 hours in South Pasadena, providing
homeless resources for the community.
DRCS Somogyi reported on the Senior Services Division. Over 4,748 seniors attended
classes this last month held at the Community Center and the Floretta K. Lauber
Museum Education Center (MEC). Coffee with the Mayor had a record 76 participants
which included a 100t1 birthday celebration for long time resident Jack McEwan. Mayor
Verlato brings fresh homebaked goods and the seniors have the opportunity to listen
and chat with her about City issues and topics of personal interest. The gift shop had
287 visitors with a monthly revenue of $1,075. Every Wednesday, James Iranfar plays
guitar in the lobby area attracting 53 seniors this month to sit down and sing along.The
Senior Nutrition Program provided 1,191 seniors a hot, nutritious meal. Every month,
a City Council Member introduces seniors to a restaurant in Arcadia. This month 30
participants had lunch at Outback Steakhouse. On December 13, 42 people
participated in a holiday themed Bunco game. The annual holiday brunch took place
December 6 with 150 individuals attending. On December 17, 80 volunteers for
Arcadia Senior Services enjoyed a festive holiday party to celebrate another year of
hard work.
DRCS Somogyi reported on the Recreation Division. The School Year Playground
Program held at all six Arcadia Unified School District Elementary Schools had a total
of 4,388 youth participating. On December 7, Breakfast with Santa had 300
participants enjoying breakfast, hot chocolate bar, holiday caroling, games and a photo
with Santa. The Snow Festival also held on December 7 had over 1,300 participants
in attendance, down a little from last year due to the rainy weather. Letters To Santa
was popular once again with over 350 letters written by Santa (Recreation Elves). The
Winter Kids' Camp held at Camino Grove Elementary School on December 23, 26 &
27 had over 364 kids participating.
II. Financial Statements
DRCS Somogyi referenced the November Financial Statement. Total expenditures
through November 2019 are $1,355,585 that is 41.0 % of the budgeted amount for this
fiscal year. The total fiscal year revenue as of November 2019 is $667,201 that is
52.9% of the budgeted amount. DRCS Somogyi referenced the November 2019 Park
& Recreation Facilities Fund, with an account balance of $12,275,865.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson Tom adjourned the meeting at 6:45pm to February 12, 2020 in the Recreation
Conference Room located at 375 Campus Drive, Arcadia.
Lyn Tom
Chairperson
By: l '- � 6M s S
Sara Somogyi
Secretary