HomeMy WebLinkAboutAB Minutes: 07/13/2023ARCADIA BEAUTIFUL COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES
THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023, at 5:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER — Chairperson Brink called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. in the Council
Chambers Conference Room.
ROLL CALL OF COMMISSIONERS
PRESENT: Burton Brink, Gary Brewer, Sheryl Hunter, Ethel Laczko, Barbara Lyle,
Bob Miller, Vivien Watts
ABSENT: None
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS — None
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS — None
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
a. Approve the Special Meeting minutes of A ril 13 2023
It was moved by Commissioner Hunter, seconded by Commissioner Lyle, and carried on
a roll call vote to approve the minutes.
AYES: Brink, Hunter, Brewer, Laczko, Lyle, Miller, Watts
NOES: None
3. INTRODUCTION OF NEW COMMISSIONER VIVIEN WATTS
Commissioner Watts introduced herself to the rest of the commission. She noted that
she lives in the Lower Rancho area and has been an Arcadia resident for over 25 years;
she oversees school nutrition for the Alhambra Unified School District; enjoys her home
life with her husband and two golden retrievers and has been a Winter Holiday Award
winner, twice.
4. DEBRIEF ON 2023 SPRING HOME AWARDS
a. Discussion on any recommended changes/improvements for 2024
The commissioners debriefed on the 2023 Spring Home Awards process. Commissioner
Laczko commented on the importance of recognizing winners at a City Council Meeting
and expressed her preference to use Home Depot gift cards for winners again next year.
Commissioners Miller and Brewer noted that the heavy rains from the winter and spring
season made judging difficult this year. The rain delayed the judging timeline because
many plants and flowers had not begun blooming yet. The commissioners recognized
that heavy rains are expected again next year, and this amended timeline for the Spring
Home Awards may be repeated.
5. DEBRIEF ON PARTICIPATION IN THE DATA PATRIOTIC FESTIVAL & SUMMER
CONCERT SERIES
Commissioners unanimously agreed that due to the attendance and foot traffic, it is
worthwhile for the ABC to have a booth at the event next year; however, commissioners
also noted that having a booth at a Summer Concert and the Patriotic Festival in the
same week should be avoided. Giveaways at the Patriotic Festival were gone by 7:00
p.m. and the commission discussed adding bubbles for kids, dog waste bags, and
succulents as giveaways for future events.
6. DISCUSSION OF 2023 WATER SMART HERO AWARDS
a. Review selection of Water Smart properties.
b. Select City Council date for Awards Presentation
There will be a maximum of seven winners for the Water Smart Hero Awards, similar to
prior years. Public Works gathered data on the corresponding water reduction rates for
each property and those were shared with the commission. The commission agreed to the
list of winners and to recognize them at the August 15, 2023, City Council Meeting with a
certificate and swag bags from Environmental Services.
7. ELECTION/RE-ELECTION OF COMMISSION CHAIR
A motion was made by Commissioner Lyle and seconded by Commissioner Hunter to
reelect Burton Brink to the role of Chairperson, which carried on a role call vote.
AYES: Lyle, Hunter, Brewer, Brink, Laczko, Watts, Miller
NOES: None
A motion was made by Commissioner Miller and seconded by Commissioner Hunter to
elect Commissioner Laczko as the Vice Chairperson, which carried on a role call vote.
AYES: Miller, Hunter, Watts, Brink, Brewer, Laczko, Lyle,
NOES: None
8. REPORT FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBER LIAISON
Council Member liaison Sharon Kwan was not present for this meeting.
REPORT FROM COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Laczko expressed her interest in receiving an update from Environment
Services regarding educational outreach/partnership with the Arboretum.
Several commissioners expressed their interest in learning more about the City's drought
tolerant landscaping guide as well as more information about Arcadia's protected trees
and the process to remove and replace.
Commissioner Brewer and Miller expressed that the final judging for Holiday Awards
occurred too late last year. For 2023, the ABC discussed December 5 as the submission
deadline; December 14 as the date for group judging; and December 18 for presentation
of the awards by the `Santa Squad'. Furthermore, the commission discussed the desired
promotion and advertising for the Holiday Awards, which included promotion in a City
newsletter or other printed publications, inclusion in the digital message board at the
Chamber of Commerce, and added to digital message boards the City owns.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson Brink adjourned the meeting at 6:07 p.m.
By.
Ethel Laczko, Vice hairperson Just! r7l,
Staff Liaison