HomeMy WebLinkAboutAB Minutes: 07/14/2022
ARCADIA BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, JULY 14, 2022, at 6:00 p.m.
ARCADIA BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION REGULAR 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
ABSENT: Sheryl Hunter, Robert Miller, City Council Liaison Paul Cheng
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS – None
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS – None
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Approve the meeting minutes of April 14, 2022
It was moved by Commissioner Shimmin, seconded by Commissioner Brewer, and carried
on a roll call vote to approve the minutes.
3. REVIEW OF ABC STATEMENT OF POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS
a. Discussion of statement last edited in 2010
b. Discussion of preferred methods of communication and email addresses
Staff Liaison Brutus provided a copy of the Arcadia Beautiful Commission’s Statement of
Policy for review, which was requested by Commissioner Laczko. A copy was provided
in the Spring Home Awards judging binders to each Commissioner. The Commission
read through the policy and Commissioner Laczko requested that Brutus email the file to
them so they can track requested edits and present them at a future meeting. Staff
Liaison Brutus confirmed the email addresses on file for each Commissioner.
4. DEBRIEF OF 2022 SPRING HOME AWARDS
a. Discussion on any recommended changes/improvements for 2023
The 2022 Spring Home Awards was debriefed. A total of 16 properties received awards.
Commissioner Sheryl Hunter was not available to participate in the judging, so Chairman
Brink explained that the properties were judged by six Commissioners, rather than
seven. The group commented that the PowerPoint photo presentation completed by
Staff Liaison Brutus was well done and included lots of beautiful photos taken by each
property. Staff Liaison expressed thanks to the City Manager’s Office Administrative
Intern Chile Gomez who went around to each property to take photographs.
Commissioners Laczko and Shimmin, and Chairman Brink also thanked Brutus for
creating their organized judging folders.
5. DEBRIEF OF PARICIPATION IN DAIA’S PATRIOTIC FESTIVAL
a. Discussion on any recommended changes/improvements for 2023
Chairperson Brink, Commissioner Miller, and Commissioner Shimmin represented the
Commission at the Patriotic Festival on Saturday, July 2, 2022. The ABC booth handed
out approximately 1,000 free giveaways including glow and patriotic necklaces and
bracelets, water conservation playing cards, toilet leak kits, doggy waste bags, and
informational pamphlets on the Commission’s purpose.
6. DISCUSSION OF 2022 ARBOR DAY CELEBRATIONS
a. Debrief Arbor Day Proclamation on June 21, 2022
b. Debrief of participation in June 30, 2022, Concert/Movie in the Park
c. Establish a sign-up list for ABC’s participation in July 21 and August 4, 2022,
Concerts/Movies in the Park
The Commission discussed giveaway options for their Concerts and Movies in Park dates
such as tree saplings, miniature plants such as drought tolerant succulents, and other
items for children. Staff Liaison Brutus explained that photos from the June 30, 2022,
information booth were included in the City Manager’s Weekly Report and also posted on
social media including Facebook, Twitter, NextDoor, and Weibo. The Commissioners
explained they had a great time talking to residents about water conservation efforts,
beautification efforts, and requested that Brutus forward photos from the events.
Commissioners Shimmin and Brewer requested that next year staff purchase more
giveaways as they run out within the first 30 minutes.
7. DISCUSSION OF 2022 WATER SMART HERO AWARDS
a. Review Selection of Water Smart Properties
b. Select City Council Date for Awards Presentation
Staff Liaison Brutus explained that the water usage for the properties from the Spring
Home Awards judging would be examined to determine who is eligible for a Water Smart
Hero Award. Brutus will request the water statistics from Public Works and determine
which owners were water savers and what they did to become “water smart”. Brutus
advised she would contact the Commission at a later time to determine which City Council
Meeting Agenda would be best for the presentation of Mayor’s certificates to the winners.
8. REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LIAISON – None
9. REPORT FROM COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Laczko expressed concern over residents planting artificial grass. She
requested that the City do more to education residents on the placement of rocks and said
she reached out to the Los Angeles County Arboretum to see what classes they can
partner with the City on, specifically related to drought tolerant planting. Staff Liaison
Brutus explained that Public Works Services has a Management Analyst dedicated to
water conservation and would be able to provide more information on the history of