HomeMy WebLinkAboutAB Minutes: 01/12/2023ARCADIA BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2023, at 6:00 p.m.
ARCADIA BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING
CALL TO ORDER — Chairperson Brink called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. in the Council
Chambers Conference Room.
ROLL CALL OF COMMISSIONERS
PRESENT: Burton Brink, Gary Brewer, Sheryl Hunter, Ethel Laczko, Robert Miller,
Lee Shimmin
ABSENT: Barbara Lyle
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS — None
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS — None
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Approve the meeting minutes of December 22, 2022
It was moved by Commissioner Brewer, seconded by Commissioner Shimmin, and carried
on a roll call vote to approve the minutes.
AYES: Brewer, Brink, Hunter, Laczko, Miller, Shimmin
NOES: None
ABSENT: Lyle
3. DEBRIEF OF 2022 HOLIDAY DECORATION AWARDS & SANTA SQUAD VISITS
Commissioner Miller said that he liked scheduling the Santa Squad visits later in
December as it gave residents additional time to put up decorations; therefore, there
were a larger number of properties to choose from. Chairperson Brink said that the
commission should announce the holiday decoration deadline by December 10, 2023,
for residents to have holiday decorations completed, and that the commission should
complete their group judging on December 14, 2023, and schedule the Santa Squad
delivery for the week of December 18, 2023. Commissioner Laczko said that the
December 2022 event was beautiful and she appreciated Commissioner Miller's
grandson Bryce A. Stevens' beautiful video of the event.
children in Arcadia schools. Council Member liaison Kwan said that it is her job to advocate
for the Arcadia Beautiful Commission and that she is excited to be a part of their work.
9. REPORT FROM COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Miller said that he would like to have the commission meeting dates
included on the 2023 calendar. Staff liaison Brutus said that the meetings are scheduled
for the second Thursday of the month quarterly, and that she would add the dates to the
ABC calendar and email the document to the commission. Commissioner Miller asked if
there were any updates to the tiny homes project. Council Member liaison Kwan said that
she was continuing to attend meetings discussing the homelessness issue, and that there
are ongoing efforts from various agencies to find resolutions. Commissioner Laczko
suggested that the commission present a $200 Amazon gift card to Commissioner Miller's
grandson Bryce A. Stevens in appreciation of the video he produced of the Santa Squad
visits.
It was moved by Commissioner Laczko, seconded by Commissioner Brewer, and carried
on a roll call vote to purchase a $200 Amazon gift card to be given to Bryce A. Stevens. It
was agreed that the card and gift would be mailed directly to him.
AYES:
Brewer, Brink, Hunter, Laczko, Miller, Shimmin
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
Lyle
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Miller adjourned this meeting at 7:23 p.m.as Chairperson Brink had to leave the
meeting ear_lv---
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Burton Brink, Chairperson J nnif SrW, S iaison
b. Report from Commissioner Ethel Laczko on possible participation of Arcadia Unified
School District (AUSD) in 2023 Holiday Decoration Awards and update on meeting with
AUSD Superintendent Dr Vannasdall.
Commissioner Laczko said that she met with Superintendent Dr. David Vannasdall to
discuss including Arcadia schools in the holiday decoration awards program this year.
Commissioner Laczko said it is important to educate the students about the holiday
decorations program at a young age. Commissioner Laczko said that Dr. Vannasdall
indicated that he was honored to have the schools to be considered in program.
Commissioner Laczko explained that each school could decorate a small outside area at
their school site in the spirit of the holidays. Commissioner Laczko said that program
guidelines would need to be provided to each school. Staff liaison Jennifer Brutus asked
if the incentive for the schools to decorate would be the yard sign and box of See's
candy or would something else be included. Staff liaison Brutus said that perhaps there
could be a new category such as student manufactured decorations at each school and
a different award process. Commissioner Miller said that Commissioner Laczko could
write a letter to every school in the City to see which schools would be interested in
participating in the holiday decorations program. Staff liaison Brutus suggested that the
winning school could come to a City Council meeting to accept their award as do
property owners; and also be announced in the City's Hot Sheet and Newsletter
publications. Staff liaison Brutus said that the award to schools could possibly include a
couple hour visit from Santa Claus in December prior to the school's winter break, as
was suggested by Commissioner Miller in the previous meeting.
4. DEBRIEF OF 2022 COMMUNITY CLEAN UP DAY
Staff liaison Brutus said that the Commissioners Hunter, Lyle, and Brink attended the
November 5, 2022,Community Clean Up Day event at Orange Grove Park. Staff liaison
Brutus said that approximately 75 volunteers participated including students, City staff,
Mayor Tom Beck, and Mayor Pro Tern Paul Cheng participated in the event at which
plants, trees, and irrigations were planted in the park.
5. DISCUSSION OF THE ARCADIA BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION'S PARTICIPATION IN THE
CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE TREE MANAGEMENT POLICY
Commissioner Miller said that he had mentioned at the previous meeting that the
Arcadia Beautiful Commission is noted in the Commission handbook as being involved
in the City's Comprehensive Tree Management Policy. Commissioner Miller said that the
commission should play a part in determining tree planting and replacement in the City.
Commissioner Miller said that it is also noted that the commission should review the
annual tree inventory as mentioned in the Master Plan under Ordinance.9803.
Commissioner Miller asked what level of involvement should the commission have. Staff
liaison Brutus said that she brought this matter to the attention of the City Manager and
Public Works Services Director via email after the last meeting who indicated that Public
Works could begin involving the Arcadia Beautiful Commission in the tree review
process. The specific tasks or activities, and timeline are unknown at this time. The
Commission requested that a member of the Public Works Services Department attend
the next ABC Meeting in April to further discuss this matter and explain possible
involvement in the tree management policy and procedures.
6. DISCUSSION OF 2023 ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION
a. Arbor Day Proclamation — Date to be determined
b. Continuation of Arbor Day Recognition at Summer Concerts and Movies in the
Park
Staff liaison Brutus said that the succulent and tree sapling giveaways provided at last
year's summer concerts were successful, and the commissioners were able to make
contact with a large number of attendees. The commissioners decided to continue with
the plant giveaways at the 2023 Summer Concerts and Movies in the Park and selected
the following dates for their information booth: June 29, 2023; July 13, 2023; and August
3, 2023. Commissioner Miller said that he liked the small bubble containers as a giveaway
for children. Commissioner Miller requested that the commissioner's 2023 event dates be
included in an Arcadia Beautiful Commission brochure to keep the community informed
about their upcoming activities and encourage attendance. Staff liaison Brutus also
suggested that specific flyers be created for their upcoming events, which the
commissioners could hand out.
7. DISCUSSION OF 2023 SPRING HOME AWARDS
a. Assignment of individual judging areas (Email to be sent out in April)
b. Start of individual judging (Date: TBD — April)
C. Group judging (Date: TBD — early May)
d. Spring Home Awards Presentation at City Councill Meeting (Date: May 16, 2023)
The commission explained that the Spring Home Awards is conducted first, and those
winners are utilized to determine the annual Water Smart Hero awards. Staff liaison
Brutus said that the City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto requested last year that he would
like to hear more about the specific reasons as to why properties were chosen to receive
a Water Smart Hero award. Staff liaison Brutus said that the homeowners should speak
for example, about what they did to reach their water savings level or what actions were
taken to accomplish drought tolerant plantings. While a slideshow is shown of the winning
properties at a City Council meeting, the supporting information and facts should also be
presented. Commissioner Miller and Staff liaison Brutus explained that once winners are
determined for their beautiful landscape, data on water usage is collected and staff
determines water conservation, however a better definition is needed as to what this
entails. Staff liaison Brutus said that the commissioners could discuss this further at that
April 2023 meeting to improve upon the judging criteria. Staff liaison Brutus said that the
presentation of the Spring Home Awards typically takes place in the spring, and the Water
Smart Hero Awards is presented in August.
Commissioner Hunter said that instead of random assignments of judging areas that the
zones should be rotated annually so that commissioners could have the opportunity to
view different areas.
The selection of dates for the Spring Home Awards was discussed. The commissioners
present decided that individual judging by commissioners should take place by Monday,
April 10, 2023, commissioners should submit their list of nominations to the City
Manager's Office by Thursday, April 13, 2023, and group judging should take place on
Thursday, April 20, 2023. Although Commissioner Brink was not present, the commission
desired to select the above tentative dates, which could later be altered if needed.
8. REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LIAISON
Council Member liaison Sharon Kwan said that she was happy to attend her first Arcadia
Beautiful Commission meeting, and that she was impressed by their passion to keep
Arcadia a beautiful city. Councill Member liaison Kwan said that she is aware that the
community cares about preserving existing trees, as well as planting additional trees.
Council Member liaison Kwan said that she has lived in Arcadia for 20+ years and raised her