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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRP Minutes: 04/14/21RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION VIRTUAL MEETING MINUTES Wednesday, April 14, 2021 RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING CALL TO ORDER — Director of Recreation and Community Services (DRCS) Sara Somogyi called the virtual meeting to order at 6:00pm. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Commissioner Cheung ROLL CALL OF COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Cheung, Fowler, Swinney, and Yu EXCUSED: Chu A motion was made by Chairperson Fowler, seconded by Commissioner Cheung and unanimously carried on roll call vote to excuse Commissioner Chu. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS REPORTS FROM RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Swinney noticed the lawn was brown at the dog park in Eisenhower Memorial Park but is happy to report it is getting greener. Commissioner Cheung reported she is very happy little league has started up and to see families out enjoying the parks. Thanks to Director of Recreation and Community Services (DRCS) Sara Somogyi for giving her a tour of the Homeless Resource Hub at the Par 3 Golf Course, she was very impressed with the set up. Chairperson Fowler reported he is very happy to see the plans for the renovation of Newcastle Park posted at the park so residents can be informed. Chairperson Fowler inquired as to the status of the sale of the Par 3 Golf Course and would like to see the residents be able to vote on it if necessary. REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LIAISON Council Member Beck responed to Chairperson Fowler's inquiry as to the potential sale of the Arcadia Par 3 Golf Course. Council Member Beck stated for the sale of the Par 3 Golf Course to happen and be voted on, there would have to be a special election which would be very expensive. Council Member Beck stated if there was an election and the residents did not want not to sell the Par 3 then would they want a parcel tax increase instead? In December of 2018, one of the recommendations from the City of Arcadia Citizen's Financial Advisory Committee was to explore the sale of the Arcadia Par 3 Golf Course to make up for the unfunded pension liabililty with California Public Employees' Retirement System (CaIPERS) estimated at $6.9 million per year. Council Member Beck reported at this time, there is no imminent sale of the Par -3 property pending or any development plans under consideration for the site. In July of 2020, the City began taking the initial steps toward exploring a potential future sale and/or redevelopment of the Arcadia Par 3 Golf Course. Council Member Beck stated it is important to note that simply going through this process does not mean the property will be sold. The City Council is merely exploring the possibility. Council Member Tom Beck reported the City Council took a tour of the new Le Meridien Hotel last week and is very impressed. The hotel is expected to open in May 2021 and has 234 rooms and over 14,000 square feet of event space. Council Member Beck announced the reorganization of the City Council at their regular meeting on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. Council Member Beck commented City Staff did an admirable job weathering the pandemic and hopes the City will create a playbook for the future. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of October 14, 2020 It was moved by Commissioner Swinney, seconded by Commissioner Cheung and unanimously carried on roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar Item 2.a. AYES: Cheung, Fowler, Swinney, and Yu NOES: None ABSTAIN: Chu 3. REGULAR ITEMS a. Report from Public Works Services Department Project Updates Deputy Public Works Services Department (DPWSD) Paul Cranmer reported on Commissioner Swinney's comment about the brown grass at dog park at Eisenhower. DPWSD Cranmer stated Bermuda blend grass is always brown in winter and turns green in spring. DPWSD Cranmer reported the baskeball hoops have been reinstalled at Eisenhower Park so the courts are up and running. b. Report of Director of Recreation and Community Services DRCS Somogyi reported on Senior Services. Seniors are enjoying the free virtual presentations offered by Arcadia Methodist Hospital and City of Hope. On January 19, the virtual presentation was on sleep disorders and had 62 seniors in attendance via zoom. On February 5, 46 seniors enjoyed the Drive- in Valentine's Bingo event at the Community Center. Participants followed protocol by playing bingo from their car while wearing a mask. The numbers are read through a transmitter to a radio station by a staff member and when a senior gets bingo, they honk their horn! On February 23, 172 seniors participated in a free virtual presentation on how to improve mobility and balance, offered by Physical Therapist, Larry Nakamura from Methodist Hospital. DRCS Somogyi reported seniors are very interested in keeping the virtual presentations after the Community Center is open. Staff continues to make senior wellness calls to ensure they have everything they need. On March 19, 105 seniors drove through the Arcadia Community Center to pick up a traditional Irish Faire meal and goodies to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Over 1,800 seniors participated in virtual classes including line dance, cardio plus, and Zumba. DRCS Somogyi reported on Recreation Services. The Half Day After School Camp held at Baldwin Stocker Elementary School had over 250 partiipants. This fee-based program in February and March 2021 was open to students in grades K-5 and they enjoyed a variety of organized recreation activities led by trained Activity Leaders. The Bunny delivered grams to 98 special peeps from March 22 -April 2. Participants had the option of getting their spring bunny grams delivered to their Arcadia home or pick-up from the Community Center. The virtual Merit Badge classes have been the most popular over the last year with over 190 Scouts trying to reach their goal of being an Eagle Scout. Virtual and off-site classes are offered to the community for all ages and include enrichment, sports, and fitness and over 1,500 adults and children registered. DRCS Somogyi reported in March 2021, the City Council approved Wilderness Park to re -open for public use Monday -Sunday without reservations, except for small groups of 6-10 people or resident and non-resident non-profit groups, who would still require reservations. Currently, Wilderness Park is closed because of damage from the Bobcat Fire and potential mudslides. The park is expected to open again in summer. The approved Reopening Protocols for Use of Public Trails from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health will be followed to safely operate the park. DRCS Somogyi reported the City along with Union Station Homeless Services will be presenting a virtual Community Forum on Homelessness on May 6 at 6pm. The topics of discussion will include an overview of programs and services currently provided to those experiencing homelessness, an overview of the grants received, the possible two month extension of the homeless resource hub, an overview of the tiny shelter project (inexpensive housing system), Arcadia's Camping Ordinance, myths surrounding homelessness, and an overview of the case management process and how many individuals have connected to various services in Arcadia. DRCS Somogyi stated the Forum will be an interactive presentation to answer questions from the Community. DRCS Somogyi reported the City is working with Union Station for a staff training. The training will be via zoom and covers: an overview of the Union Station Homeless Services; successes in 2020; review of the best practices and why they are used; general state of homelessness in LA County, the SGV, and Arcadia; myths around homelessness; and the next steps to solve homelessness. DRCS Somogyi stated this will help staff to become more knowledgeable about getting people experiencing homelessness connected to services. Financial Statements DRCS Somogyi referenced the March Financial Statement. Total expenditures through March 2021 are $1,484,203 that is 53.6 % of the budgeted amount for this fiscal year. The total fiscal year revenue as of March 2021 is $215,928 that is 28.9% of the budgeted amount. DRCS Somogyi referenced the March 2021 Park & Recreation Facilities Fund, with an account balance of $6,718,924. DRCS Somogyi reported staff is working on the next Fiscal Year 21-22 budget. DRCS Somogyi stated we are planning our summer programs and camps, and are moving closer to reopening hopefully by mid-June. Newcastle Park Proposed Renovation Project DRCS Somogyi thanked the Commissioners who attended the three interactive virtual community webinars on the renovation of Newcastle Park. DRCS Somogyi explained, after gaining input from the community for the renovation of Newcastle Park, the City is in the final stages of updating the plans. DRCS Somogyi introduced Jeff Scott from ICG, Inc., who provided the Commission with a powerpoint presentation. Mr. Scott reported on the proposed changes to the major elements from the previous plan: move the play equipment for 2-5 & 5-12 year old children away from the street; move the new restroom facility away from the street, still next to the play equipment; retain and renovate the four handball courts; move the new lighted pickleball courts to where the sand volleyball courts are currently located and reduce the number of pickleball courts from 6 to 4, these would be the first stationary (and lighted) pickleball courts in the City; remove the sand volleyball courts; revise the route of the perimeter walking path and the location of the four exercise equipment stations (lighted); still include the flat natural grass area and retain a portion of the grass slope area; still includes new park benches, BBQ's, and picnic tables; includes new drinking ofountains/water bottle filling stations; still includes two renovated tennis courts with lighting; and, still includes new plant material and landscaping to reflect Newcastle, Australia (the park's namesake) when possible. After discussion, it was moved by Chairperson Fowler, seconded by Commission Swinney, and carried on a roll call vote to approve Option 1: Go out to bid for a design/build proposal with a guaranteed maximumprice of $3.7 million and negotiate with the low bidder prior to award of contract beginning 90 days from May 18, with the option of staff electing to place a Request for Proposal at a later date. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Fowler adjourned the meeting at 7:15pm to August 11, 2021, at 6:OOpm in the Recreation and Community Services Department Conference Room, 375 Campus Drive, Arcadia. Randy Fowler Chairperson By. Sara Somogyi Secretary