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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRP Minutes: 02/09/2022RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2022 RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING CALL TO ORDER — Chairperson Chu called the virtual meeting to order at 6:01 pm. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Vice -Chairperson Cheung ROLL CALL OF COMMISSIONERS PRESENT: Chu, Cheung, Yu, Swinney, and Fowler SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS - None REPORTS FROM RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSIONERS Commissioner Yu wished everyone a Happy Lunar New Year. Commissioner Yu reported driving by a few parks, and everything looks good. There was a power outage in January, but everything is fine now. Chairperson Chu reported the recent rains and wind left a considerable amount of debris around the city which the Public Works Services Department quickly attended to. Chairperson Chu reported he is happy to see Eisenhower Park active with so many community members using the facility. Vice -Chairperson Cheung reported field usage is up, most noticeably with soccer practices. Vice - Chairperson Cheung reported she is looking forward to the Arcadia Little Leagues opening day ceremonies and the start of the league. Commissioner Fowler reported he is looking forward to opening day ceremony for the Arcadia Little Leagues on February 26. REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LIAISON Mayor Tay reported City Council voted on a proposal to have a special election, in June, for the replacement of the vacant City Council member seat in District 5. Mayor Tay reported there was not a unanimous vote to hold a special election. The vacant seat will be filled in the regular election in November 2022. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of January 12, 2022 It was moved by Chairperson Chu, seconded by Vice -Chairperson Cheung, and unanimously carried on roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar Item 2.a with the correction the January 12, 2022, met virtually. AYES: Chu, Cheung, and Fowler ABSTAIN: Swinney, Yu 3. REGULAR ITEMS a. Report from Public Works Services Department Project Updates Public Works Services Department Street Superintendent (PWSDSS) Dave Thompson turned the Newcastle Park Renovation update over to the Director of Recreation and Community Services (DRCS) Sara Somogyi. DRCS Somogy reported the project was presented to the City Council with the additional information that a substantial grant, the Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant, has become available and applied for. If approved, the grant will provide $2.2 million dollars toward the $3.8 million dollar bid being considered. The caveat to applying for the grant is construction cannot begin until the grant is either approved or denied. This would delay the renovation a few months while the application is being considered. The contractor has agreed to hold the current bid while the City waits for the results. The City Council approved the delay in construction to await the result of the grant application. A second grant, the Proposition 68 Grant, in the amount of $200,000 dollars, has been applied for as well. PWSDSS Thompson reported the Carol Libby Garden has been approved by the City Council. The garden will be in the front of the Floretta K. Lauber Museum Education Center with drought tolerant landscaping and will include a memorial plaque. Longden Field Proposal PWSDSS Thompson reported the Arcadia National Little League has presented a proposal to modify the infield at Longden Field. PWSDSS Thompson turned the report over to Assistant Director of Recreation and Community Services (ADRCS) Candice Cheung. ADRCS Cheung presented a diagram showing the infield expansion. ADRCS Cheung reported the modifications will increase the size of the infield to accommodate a transitional, intermediate league between the Majors and Juniors. The infield will become adjustable to fit the regulated dimensions for the division using the field at the time of play. The services will be completed by the little league. b. Report of Director of Recreation and Community Services Monthly Reports DRCS Somogyi reported on several of the senior activities starting with the popular senior nutrition program averaging 50 seniors daily. Another popular activity, table tennis, is held on the back patio of the Community Center, with an average of 56 participants throughout the week. Efforts will be made to keep table tennis program on going while the Carol Libby Garden is being constructed. DRCS Somogyi reported the information and referral services program is offering services, including notary service and the Veteran Peer Access Network that provides resources to Veterans. DRCS Somogyi also reported the seniors enjoyed a Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration during the lunch program with a guest speaker and music. DRCS Somogyi reported recreation services are operating as much as possible with the current state of the world. The Adult Basketball program continues to run at near full capacity. The afterschool program has the maximum 30 participants at each of the six locations. DCRS Somogyi reported the Volunteen program is active with summer applications available on March 14, 2022, for volunteers who wish to help over the summer months. DRCS Somogyi highlighted the success of the Father and Daughter dance with 65 participants in attendance. Participants dined and engaged in interactive games together. DRCS Somogyi reported Wilderness Park is still closed awaiting assessment from the City and County regarding how and when to begin clean up. DRCS Somogyi reported Los Angeles County spoke at a recent City Council Meeting presenting the challenges and possible procedures to move forward with the storm clean-up. The County's presentation can be viewed on the City's website. II. Financial Statements DRCS Somogyi reported the department financials have reached the mid -year budget timeline with revenue above the estimated percentage of 50% at 84%, and expenditures are right on track at approximately 48%. DRCS Somogyi concluded her report stating there will be little to no change over the next few months in the Park and Recreation Facilities Fund while the grant application for the Newcastle Park project is being considered. ADJOURNMENT Chairperson Chu adjourned the meeting at 6:46pm to March 9, 2022, at 6:OOpm either in person or virtually. By: Nk ' Peter Chu Sara Somogyi Chairperson Secretary