Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, September 03, 2024
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER AN UPDATE ON CITY COMMISSIONS (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
This report provides an informational update to the City Council regarding the recent activities of City Commissions.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
RECEIVE and FILE this report.
Body
III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate and that is consistent with applicable laws.
IV. BACKGROUND
Updates on recent and planned Commission activities are included below.
Economic Development Commission
The Economic Development Commission convened its monthly meeting on August 1, 2024, at Carson City Hall. The meeting agenda included the following: Discussion on the relaunch of the Grow Carson Loan Program, which has an estimated $1.1 million in lending capacity to support the growth of local small businesses. Discussion on median enhancements, pavement improvements, and wayfinding signage, led by the Director of Public Works, Dr. Arlington Rodgers. Discussion on additional beautification initiatives of interest to the Economic Development Commission.
Environmental Commission
On August 7, 2024, the Environmental Commission (EC) met to continue discussions on Zero Emission Day activities. The Commission recommended that staff proceed with the Zero Emissions Day flyer featured in the Carson Report, approved Chair Taylor to present at an upcoming City Council meeting and proposed a proclamation for National Drive Electric Week. Additionally, the Commission received a presentation from the South Bay Cities Council of Governments on Carson’s Community Green House Gas Emission Inventory. The preliminary results are promising, showing the City exceeding its target goals; however, further analysis will be conducted as part of the Climate Action Plan update before the findings are presented to the City Council. The next EC meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 4th at 6:30 pm in the City Manager’s Conference Room.
Public Works Commission
The Public Works Commission failed to achieve a quorum on August 12th and will resume in September.
Human Relations Commission
On August 21, 2024, the Human Relations Commission successfully held their regular monthly meeting. The Food Pantry Ad Hoc Committee reported on their monthly effort of donation dropping off in July and share action plan for more drop off the week after the meeting. They also went over more planning tasks for the 2025 Rising Star Conference. The Human Relations Commission will reconvene in September for their regular meeting.
Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Commission
The Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Commission convened on Thursday, July 25, 2024. The Public Works Landscape and Building Maintenance Superintendent, Freddy Loza and Operations Superintendent Kirby Jones joined the Community Services/Recreation/Park Maintenance Department to discuss upcoming projects with the commissioners. One of the projects that the departments are working together to complete is the Park Maintenance Standards, which establish general standards, guidelines and criteria for the design and development of improvements in Carson parks, trails, and open spaces. They ensure quality parks by basing designs on aesthetics, function, economics, and health and safety. This will be an evolving document and is subject to changes as needed.
Other projects discussed in the meeting were Carriage Crest and Anderson Park and their progress regarding construction. Commissioners voices their concerns with deadlines, and the superintendents provided updates regarding changes. One major concern was the reopening timeframe of Anderson Park. Commissioners wondered if the park would reopen before one of the city’s most popular events, the Jazz Festival. The department assured them that although the completion date has been moved, it would be ready for visitors by the Jazz Festival.
The next Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Commission meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 29, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Center, Hall B and will recognize the past season’s youth baseball and softball champions.
Planning Commission
See Exhibit 1.
Public Relations Commission
The Public Relations convened a meeting on 8/27/24. The Public Relations Commission is currently deliberating on the possibility of providing stipends for performers participating in the upcoming 2025 “Why I Like Carson” Essay Contest. This initiative aims to recognize and support the contributions of performers who enhance the event’s appeal. As part of this process, the commission will review past budget considerations and formulate proposals for the 2025 budget to ensure the feasibility and sustainability of this new initiative. The next commission meeting is on 9/24/24.
Public Safety Commission
The Public Safety Commission met on Thursday, August 15 and successfully had a quorum. In this meeting we had Jan Tupuola, Code Enforcement Supervisor attend. She engaged in in a Q and A session with the commissioners. The commissioners had a lot of questions and concerns regarding Code Enforcement. Jan was able too successfully assist them with that. In addition, we also had chair and vice chair elections. The two commissioners that were elected were Louis Joseph Cogut as Chair and Jeffrey Allen as Vice Chair.
Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
The Senior Citizen Advisory Commission met on Monday, 8/12/2024, in the Carson Event Center Activity Room. The meeting began with the confirmation of a full quorum, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and approval of the agenda for 8/12/24, as well as the minutes from 7/8/24. Votes were recorded and noted.
Discussions on pending issues proceeded, along with updated staff reports on a range of current and upcoming programs and events in Carson, including a Halloween Luncheon to be held on October 11, 2024, along with the Women's Health Conference to be held on Friday, October 18, 2024, both of which will take place at the Carson Event Center.
Following discussions by the commission and staff, a unanimous vote was cast to adjourn the meeting at 4:47 pm. The next Senior Advisory Commission meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 9, 2024, at 4:00 pm, at the Carson Event Center. The precise room location will be announced later.
Veterans Affairs Commission
The Veterans Affairs Commission met on Monday, August 19, 2024. The commission's Veterans Day Subcommittee provided updates on the current status of their plans for this year's Veterans Day event. The commission decided to host a booth at the City's upcoming Heroes Day event where they will distribute their brochures along with other resource flyers containing relevant information for veterans. The commission continues to provide feedback on their respective assigned parks, advising the Recreation Division on flag presentation and other maintenance concerns.
Women’s Issues Commission
The Commission did not meet in August 2024.
Youth Commission
The Youth Commission had its first meeting with its newly appointed commissioners on Wednesday, August 14, 2024. During the meeting, the commissioners were briefed on the commission's purpose, the influence they wield as commissioners, and the procedures, structure, and protocols for conducting commission meetings. The commissioners exchanged ideas for the parks and programs and their aspirations for serving on the commission along with the impact they hope to make. Overall, the first meeting was a great success.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this report.
VI. EXHIBITS
Planning Commission Update (pg. 5)
Prepared by: City Manager's Office