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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAB Minutes: 09/13/2022 ARCADIA BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. ARCADIA BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING CALL TO ORDER – Chairperson Brink called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers Conference Room. ROLL CALL OF COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Burton Brink, Gary Brewer, Ethel Laczko, Barbara Lyle, Lee Shimmin, City Council Liaison Paul Cheng ABSENT: Robert Miller SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS Staff Liaison Brutus advised there was no supplemental information to share. 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS – None REPORT FROM ARCADIA BEAUTIFUL COMMISSIONER – Commissioner Brewer shared that he goes on walks in the morning and sees some properties with their trash cans out on the street when they shouldn’t be. He asked if the City’s Code Enforcement cites properties who do not bring in their trash cans. Staff Liaison Brutus advised Commissioner Brewer that Code Enforcement would first need to make a property visit to observe the violation and would first start with a warning. She directed him to notify Code Enforcement of the properties in question. Commissioner Brewer also asked if the City is cutting back on water usage for the City Hall front lawn. Staff Liaison Brutus explained that the City is also participating in water conservation and follows the same watering schedule as residents. Commissioner Laczko expressed concern over the cleanliness of the 99 Cent Store, 140 E. Duarte Road, and reported instances of trash in the parking lot. Staff Liaison Brutus explained that the Public Works Services Department did follow-up on her previous complaint earlier in the year and they did not observe a trash issue. Brutus explained that it’s possible that the trash has already been picked up by the business or has been resolved prior to Public Works’ visit to the parking lot. Brutus advised Commissioner Laczko that if she sees an issue, she should take a picture and send it same day, either directly to Brutus for forwarding or to the Public Works Services Department directly for timely follow-up. Commissioner Laczko also inquired about Water Conservation programs with the Los Angeles County Arboretum. She explained that she would like the Arboretum and the Public Works Services Department to discuss a potential programming partnership and has already communicated her request to the City Manager and Public Works staff. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR All matters listed under the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine and can be acted on by one roll call vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless members of the Commission, staff, or the public request that a specific item be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate discussion and action. 3. REGULAR ITEMS a. Discussion and Planning of the 2022 Community Clean-Up Day; and Dedication Selection Staff Liaison Brutus explained that the Public Works Services Department has designated an outer portion of Orange Grove Park, located at 670 W. Orange Grove Avenue, to serve as the cleanup location on Saturday, November 5, 2022, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Volunteers will beautify the space by installing irrigation and drip line, planting bushes and trees, and placing mulch throughout the area. Brutus explained the community cleanup will be guided by Public Works staff and is limited to 50 volunteers. Commissioners were shown photographs of the cleanup space. City Council Liaison Paul Cheng explained that last year the Community Cleanup Day was dedicated to Jim Barrows and the Arcadia Beautiful Commission would need to decide who the 2022 Community Cleanup Day should be dedicated to. Cheng explained that Jim Barrows represented volunteerism in Arcadia and through this cleanup event wants to bring more people together. Chen said that he would defer to the ABC on who they felt would be deserving of this year’s dedication, whether the individual is alive or deceased. Chairperson Brink recommended Mary Hansen. He explained that Mary, who recently passed away, volunteered many hours to the City and made significant financial contributions to the Arcadia Police Foundation, having helped secure the Arcadia Police Department’s first K-9. Commissioner Lee Shimmin recommended Former Arcadia Mayor, James (“Jim”) Helms for his current volunteer work and positive impacts on the community. The Commissioners highlighted Jim’s work on the Charter Review Committee and 100th Anniversary. Commissioner Ethel Laczko recommended that all names be recorded for future consideration. Commissioner Laczko explained that she was in favor of Jim because he is alive and would be able to experience the recognition. It was moved by Commissioner Brink, seconded by Commissioner Lyle, and carried on a roll call vote to approve Mary Hansen for the 2022 Community Cleanup dedication. AYES: Brink, Lyle, Hunter, Brewer NOES: Laczko, Shimmin ABSENT: Miller Staff Brutus Liaison offered a recommendation to the Commission for future consideration such as involving the community in the designation of cleanup spaces. She explained that the Commission could take cleanup requests from residents; according to specific criteria such as cleaning up outdoor spaces belonging to elderly residents or individuals with limited mobility. The volunteers could split into groups and make a difference for residents in need. Brutus also explained that the Commission could include the community in deciding the dedication by taking recommendations or continue its current practice of the Commission deciding.