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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAB Minutes: 10/08/2020ARCADIA BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES THURSDAY, October 8, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. ARCADIA BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING CALL TO ORDER — Chairperson Miller called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. virtually via GoToMeeting. ROLL CALL OF COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Robert Miller, Gary Brewer, Burton Brink, Ethel Laczko, Lee Shimmin ABSENT: Sheryl Hunter, Barbara Lyle SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS - None PUBLIC COMMENTS — None. REPORT FROM ARCADIA BEAUTIFUL COMMISSIONERS- None REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LIAISON- Council Member Paul Cheng said that he was very appreciative of the many meal donations made to City staff and first responders. He also said that the most recent donation of face masks to Methodist Hospital was in the amount of 300,000, the largest donation to date. Council Member Cheng said that the City was moving forward with the bond issue, and that the City would be saving about 90 million dollars with this bond. The bond would allow the City to get two to three percent interest per CFAC Commissioner Mickey Segal. Council Member Cheng said that the State of California expects cities to make up the shortfall and that the CFAC did a great job. Commissioner Laczko said the City should organize a Prop 16 event to inform residents. Council Member Cheng said that the City should not take a position on Prop 16. Commissioner Shimmin thanked Council Member Cheng for updating the Commission. Staff Liaison Laena Shakarian said that upcoming Commission meetings would take place at 5:00 p.m. on January 14, April 8, July 8, and October 14, 2021. Ms. Shakarian said that special meetings could be called if projects came up. Commissioner Laczko said that the commission should be branded better, as the group brings great spirit to the community. Commissioner Laczko said that this subject should be added to the January agenda for further discussion. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of July 9, 2020. It was moved by Vice Chairperson Brink, seconded by Commissioner Brewer and carried on roll call vote to approve the minutes. AYES: Commissioners Brewer, Brink, Laczko, Miller, Shimmin NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioners Hunter and Lyle 2. DISCUSSION OF THANK YOU LETTER Chairperson Miller said that the letter should be signed by him or by all of the Commissioners. Commissioner Brewer said the letter should mention appreciation to the Police Department for protecting the community. Commissioner Laczko said that sometimes words of appreciation make a big difference. She said that we need to let the Police Department know that the Commission supports Arcadia's great police officers. Commissioner Shimmin said that the Commission should write an appreciation letter to the Fire Department as well. He said that the letter should include mention of the Fire Department's hard work in fighting the Bobcat Fire and their efforts to protect the City. Chairperson Miller said that Commissioner Laczko should draft the letter to the Police Department and that Commissioner Shimmin should draft the letter to the Fire Department. Ms. Shakarian said that once the letters were drafted she would send them to the Commissioners for approval and circulate for signatures. It was moved by Chairperson Miller and seconded by Commissioner Brewer to send a thank you letter to the Police Department and the Fire Department. AYES: Commissioners Brewer, Brink, Laczko, Miller, Shimmin NOES: None ABSENT: Commissioners Hunter and Lyle 3. DISCUSSION OF 2020 HOLIDAY DECORATION AWARDS Chairperson Miller said that Ms. Shakarian sent out judging information, and that timeline needs to be determined. Chairperson Miller asked if the Commissioners should continue to drive around solo and select their top 3 choices in their respective area, and then provide addresses and pictures of the properties to Ms. Shakarian who would then compile a list of the 21 recommendations along with any indivival nominations. Chairperson Miller said that the Commission should decide how to present awards this year in light of Covid-19. Commissioner Brewer asked if the Commissioners would be judging in same zones as last year or would they be given a new zone this year. Ms. Shakarian said that last year there were 30 properties submitted for review. Chairperson Miller said that he would prefer to drive around and see properties in person, rather than looking at photos of the nominated properties. Ms. Shakarian said that nominations could be divided into 3 categories: commercial properties, churches, and homes. She also said that she would need to figure out specifics. Ms. Shakarian said that she would do a random drawing to determine what zone each Commissioner would be assigned, and then the Commissioners will drive their zone to view properties and submit their list of nominations by December 7. Commissioner Laczko said that this is a great process and approves 100 percent. Commissioner Brewer said that he likes the process, as did Commissioner Shimmin and Commissioner Brink. Commissioner Brewer said that he would be happy to deliver yard signs and gifts to the winners and would wear a mask when doing so. Ms. Shakarian said that in addition to the yard sign and gift, that the City is putting together a holiday video. Ms. Shakarian said that the holiday video would be a nice addition since the Santa Squad could not go out this year due to the pandemic and stay at home orders. Ms. Shakarian said that out of an abundance of caution she would be coordinating drop off and pick-up of the gifts to the winners' properties and would not make physical contact with them. Commissioner Brewer said that he would be happy to deliver gifts and could plant the yard signs in the yards. Commissioner Miller said he agreed that Ms. Shakarian should deliver the gifts, and that the holiday video should be posted on the City's website for all to see. Chairperson Miller said that all of the Commissioners should submit their holiday greeting on the video. Commissioner Brewer said that this is a great way to honor our residents. Chairperson Miller said that the message board should go up by November 16 to advertise the holiday awards, and that humorous language should be added to both the message board and banner to attract more nominations. 4. DISCUSSION OF ARCADIA BEAUTIFUL PROGRAMMIG FOR FY 2020-21 IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 Chairperson Miller said that the Commission does a lot and asked if there is a limitation regarding having a study group meeting to talk through each event. Commissioner Miller said that some events could be modified, and that new events could be added, including a Halloween event and tree giveaway. He said that the study group could review past events to see if any improvements could be made. Ms. Shakarian said that special meetings could be scheduled if needed. Commissioner Laczko said that she loves the idea of organizing a study group and will volunteer to participate as it is important to improve events. Commissioner Brewer stated that when he was previously on the Commission, they gave away small trees at City Hall. He said that if the Commission wanted to do similar event that he could deliver and plant the trees for residents. Chairperson Miller said that the Commission should have separate meetings to discuss programming for next year. Ms. Shakarian said this discussion could be added to January 14, 2021 agenda. Commissioner Laczko said that it would be good to have plan prepared for new ideas for the new year. She stated that it would be good to have a retreat meeting where the Commissioners could bond as a group. Commissioner Laczko said that there is not enough time to talk about events at regular meetings, and that the Commission should meet to discuss new ideas. Chairperson Miller said that the Commission should meet prior to January 14 to assign events to each commissioner, and to discuss creative ways to save money. Vice Chairperson Brink said the Commission should meet one hour before the regular meeting time to hash out details. Commissioner Shimmin stated that this is a good idea. It was moved by Commissioner Brink to meet an hour earlier than regular time at next meeting and seconded by Commissioner Shimmin. It was moved by Vice Chairperson Brink, seconded by Commissioner Shimmin to close the meeting at 5:55 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Commissioner Miller adjourned this meeting at 5:55 p.m. By: Robert Miller. Chairperson Laena Shakarian. Staff Liaison