Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, May 03, 2022
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. Most of the City Commission meetings except for the Planning Commission were canceled at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Since that time, some of the Commissions were authorized by the City Council to resume meeting so they could address specific needs pertaining to the Commission’s focus area. These included the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Commission, the Economic Development Commission, and the Women’s Issues Commission, all of which have been meeting regularly.
In summer 2021, the City Council directed that all remaining Commissions shall be reactivated on a rolling as-needed basis starting in September 2021 with meetings conducted digitally or in-person based on the preference of the Commissioners. Since then, the Environmental Commission has resumed.
At the Disaster Council meeting on January 10, 2022, Mayor Davis-Holmes called for all Commissions that had not yet resumed meetings to suspend meeting until further notice. At the April 19, 2022 City Council Meeting, the City Council authorized all City Commissions to start meeting. This item includes updates on only those Commissions that have been meeting so far and the next report will include additional updates.
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.
Human Relations Commission
The Human Relations Commission had paused meeting due to COVID-19 and began meeting again in 2022. So far, the Commission has had three meetings and is working on several projects. These include a parent-teacher conference and essay contest, food bank donations to California State University, Dominguez Hills and Compton College, and a backpack giveaway that includes book donations.
Economic Development Commission
After the pandemic-related suspension of meetings, the Economic Development Commission resumed meeting on January 26, 2021 and selected a Chair and Vice-Chairperson. Recently, the Commission has formed a Major Task Events Subcommittee to discuss the major events coming to Southern California in the near future that will be substantial economic drivers, such as the Super Bowl, World Cup, and the 2028 Olympics. The Subcommittee met on March 29, 2022 and proposed examining a number of issues related to tourism and the visitor economy and will agendize the formation of a Tourism Business Improvement District (TBID), the impact and regulation of vacation rentals, and other City-directed marketing programs for destination businesses.
The EDC also received a presentation on the City’s Capital Improvement Program, especially with respect to streets and bike lanes, and the status of 157 Acre Project. In April, the EDC will review and provide guidance on the recommended small business grant program established in the City’s ARPA allocation, for City Council adoption. The EDC also discussed the Small Busines Grant Program. Staff provided a questionnaire to the EDC to further obtain their input.
Environmental Commission
The Environmental Commission (EC) last met on April 6, 2022. At the meeting, the Commission welcomed newly appointed Commissioner Roye Love and heard a presentation about fireworks from the Carson Sheriff’s Department and from the City’s Acting Emergency Services Manager, Zak Gonzalez. The Commission also finalized their priority list for the 2022 calendar year, identifying the following 6 priority areas: (1) Update on oil refineries, trash companies, and other companies that may be polluting, (2) Fireworks, (3) Local and regional water efforts, (4) Assessing truck routes, truck idling, enforcement and impacts, (5) Long-term plans for the Dominguez Channel, and (6) Increase tree planting to help with climate change and beautification. The EC also received a Brown Act presentation about fair process laws and avoiding bias by Deputy City Attorney Lona Laymon.
Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Commission
The Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Commission continue to meet monthly via Zoom. The Commission provides recommendations to the City Council on multiple service and purchasing contracts managed by the Community Services team. Additionally, the Commission provides stakeholder feedback for the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Master Plan. Information has been collected from various City Departments, a census of Department facilities and their amenities was completed, five (5) workshops have been held at the Community Center and at four (4) parks, and two (2) surveys have been released. A final workshop is scheduled for Thursday, May 19, 2022, at the Community Center. The final report should be completed before the end of the fiscal year.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission took the following actions:
April 12, 2022 Meeting
1. Appeal of Director Approval of Design Review (DOR) No. 1831-20 - Approved, the final resolution to be considered on April 26, 2022
Appellant: Andy Lee, 320 S. Ardmore Avenue Unit 110 Los Angeles, CA 90020
Property Owner: LIT 9th Street 223rd LLP P.O. Box 3388 Manhattan Beach, 90266
Request: 126,013 square foot, tilt-up warehouse building with 6,512 square feet of mezzanine office space, surface parking: including 20 truck loading docks and 2 truck/forklift doors.
2. Proposed Ordinance Establishing Regulations that Implement Senate Bill 9 and Amending Regulations of Accessory Dwelling Units - Approved
Applicant: City of Carson
Request: Recommending to the City Council adoption of a proposed ordinance establishing regulations for housing developments and lot splits under Senate Bill 9 and amending regulations of accessory dwelling units in the City of Carson.
April 18, 2022 Special Meeting
1. Specific Plan Amendment No. SP 27-2021, Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SCH No. 2005051059), General Plan Amendment No. 112-2021, Development Agreement No. DA 29-2021, Site Plan and Design Review No. DOR 1877-2021, Vesting Tentative Tract Map No. VTTM 83481- Approved
Applicant: Carson Goose Owner LLC, 4132 Katella Avenue #205B, Los Alamitos, CA 90720
Property Involved: Southwest of I-405 and Del Amo Boulevard
Request: Request for approval of 1,567,090 square feet of light industrial development including 75,000 square feet of office space and approximately 12 acres of publicly accessible but privately owned and maintained open space community amenity areas and 10,000 square feet of commercial/retail uses, 12,600 square feet of restaurants (some with drive-through capability), a 2,200 square foot square feet walk-up cafe adjacent to the dog park and event lawn, and 9,000 square feet of food and beverage kiosks within the 96 acre PA3 within the 2018 District at South Bay Specific Plan
Women’s Issues Commission
The Women’s Issues Commission has been planning for Mother’s Day donations and finalizing outreach materials related to domestic violence prevention that are being distributed through various channels. At its March 28, 2022 meeting, the Commission received a presentation from the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking and discussed new potential works plan items including a clothing drive. At its April 25, 2022 meeting, the Commission continued discussing its Mother’s Day donations planning, clothing donations to the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking, and will be contacting the Women’s Resource Center at California State University, Dominguez Hills to facilitate a potential food drive.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with this report. Recommendations for funding expenditures associated with the Commissions would be brought to the City Council separately and as needed.
VI. EXHIBITS
None.
Prepared by: City Manager's Office