Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, July 19, 2022
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER AN UPDATE ON CITY COMMISSIONS (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
This report transmits an update to the City Council on 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
After the pandemic-related suspension of meetings, the Economic Development Commission resumed meeting on January 26, 2021 and selected a Chair and Vice-Chairperson. The Commission 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 reviewed the recommended small business grant program established in the City’s ARPA allocation, for City Council adoption. On July 7, the EDC reviewed and provided comment on the City’s proposed ordinance to impose CUP requirements on new industrial facilities.
Environmental Commission
The Environmental Commission (EC) last met on June 1, 2022. At the meeting, the Commission welcomed newly appointed Commission Member, Christina Tresvant (Alt. No 1). It heard a presentation from the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, Joint Water Pollution Control Plant along with the Metropolitan Water District. The Commission also discussed fireworks and unanimously approved that a letter be transmitted to the City Council to consider additional measures to deter illegal fireworks in the City of Carson and recommend studying the feasibility of discontinuing the Safe and Sane Fireworks Program in advance of the July 4th holiday. The Commission meeting was canceled for July and is anticipated to resume in August.
Public Works Commission
The Public Works Commission has not yet resumed meeting due to a lack of quorum.
Human Relations Commission
The Human Relations Commission is currently working on several projects. Most recently it hosted a Grand Opening for MD Advantage Medica Group and Urgent Care (June 11, 2022); is currently overseeing the “Why I am a Rising Star Parent Conference/Essay Contest” with continuous planning through February 2023; managing ongoing donations to the CSUDH Food Bank for Students and the Compton College Food Bank for Students. Upcoming initiatives include the Back to School Giveaway in August 2022 and Red Ribbon Week in October 2022.
Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Commission
The Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Commission continues the regular monthly meetings with the first “in-person” meeting held in June. As we hit spring and summer months, the Reservation/Permit section along with the ActiveNet program is in full swing taking in reservations for the parks and facilities and the commissioners are updated monthly. The Commission continues to focus on providing recommendations to the City Council on multiple service and purchasing contracts managed by the Community Services/Parks and Recreation team. The Commission has also provided stakeholder feedback for the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Master Plan which is nearing completion. Since the project’s kickoff in August 2021, information has been collected from various City Departments, an inventory of Department facilities and their amenities was completed, 5 workshops have been held (1 at the Community Center and 4 at select parks), and 2 surveys have been released. A report detailing the study’s findings is currently in development and will be released in the near future.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission took the following actions:
Planning Commission July 12, 2022
1. Proposed Mural Installation at 21140 S. Avalon Boulevard - CONTINUED
Applicant: Trophy VPC, LLC, 21140 S. Avalon Blvd. Carson, CA 90745
Request: Consider a proposed mural installation at 21140 S. Avalon Boulevard
Property Involved: 21140 S. Avalon Boulevard
Public Relations Commission
The Commission met on May 24, 2022, and established subcommittees (volunteers) to explore using messenger as a method to communicate and they volunteered to pass out flyers at City events in June to help promote other future events and programs. A subcommittee meeting was established for the planning of the 9/11 21st Anniversary. The subcommittee meeting is scheduled next Tuesday, July 19th at 12 pm. The regular commission will be dark in the month of July and will convene again Tuesday, August 23rd
Public Safety Commission
The Public Safety Commission will meet in July 2022. There are three issues that have been requested by commissioners and to be discussed by the Commission. These include homelessness in the Carson and possible solutions, coyote prevention and updating the Carson Coyote Management Plan and Community Outreach and Education including the recruitment of more Block Captains. Staff recently met with the current cadre of Block Captains to provide an update on city initiatives, plans for emergency services and a briefing from the Carson Sheriff’s department. The Block Captain’s Drive-thru event is currently scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at the City Hall Parking lot; hours are to be announced.
Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
The Senior Citizen Advisory Committee met on July 11, 2022 at 4:00 PM in Room 111 of the Carson Event Center. Elections were held where Dr. Vergie Seymore was appointed as the Chair of the Commission, Julie Ruiz-Raber was appointed as the Vice-Chair of the Commission, and Maria Pilapil was appointed as the Secretary of the Commission. Presentations were made by California State University Dominguez Hills, Denise Jefferson and Angela Renchie on the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) program for seniors. Informational flyers were distributed for interested Commissioners and Staff. The Committee requested to have meetings via Zoom moving forward.
Women’s Issues Commission
The Women’s Issues Commission has been working on several recent projects. These include collaborating with California State University, Dominguez Hills in support of women on campus and the broader community. Starting in July 2022, the Commission will begin planning for the 2022 Women’s Health Conference and Business Expo
Youth Commission
The Youth Commission is unable to meet on its second scheduled meeting on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, due to not having enough commissioners with validated appointments. Staff has mailed out (3) letters on May 9th, May 16th, and June 2nd instructing the commissioners to take their oaths. Staff has also called each commissioner and left voicemails on June 13th, June 23rd, and July 7th, but we have not received any calls back. As of today (7/11/22), only 5 of the 14 commissioners have done their oaths. Staff will continue to contact the commissioners to assist with getting them cleared. Staff will proceed to hold the next meeting on Wednesday, August 10th, 2022 at 7 p.m. at City Hall in the Executive Conference Room.
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