Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, December 07, 2021
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 Public Works Commission and the Environmental Commission have resumed meeting and other Commissions are planning to resume starting in 2022.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
RECEIVE and FILE this report.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action deemed appropriate by the City Council 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 has discussed and provided input on the City’s Business Assistance Program, budget, bike paths, Economic Development Strategy Request for Proposals, and General Plan update. Additionally, they have received presentations from California State University Dominguez Hills and the Carson Chamber of Commerce. 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 Committee will examine what other regions have done leading up to major events to capitalize from a revenue and infrastructure perspectives and make recommendations to the City.
Environmental Commission
A Special Environmental Commission meeting was held on October 28, 2021 via Zoom. The Commission Members and City staff introduced themselves, a Chair and Vice Chair were elected, and staff provided a report on the duties of the commission. Staff also provided an oral update on the City’s storm water permit and the new waste ordinance. The Commission also discussed their work plan for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. The Environmental Commission will continue to discuss their work plan at a future meeting and provide additional updates to the City Council.
Human Relations Commission
This Commission will begin meeting in January 2022.
Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Commission
The Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Commission resumed regular monthly meetings in May 2021. Since then, the Commission has focused on advising community services staff on reopening procedures and protocols as pandemic restrictions have eased. In addition, the Commission has assisted with providing recommendations to the City Council on multiple service and purchasing contracts managed by the community services team. These include the online registration and reservation software platform contract with ActiveNet, the Parks, Recreations, and Community Services Master Plan study contract with RJM design group, and various procurement contracts for park amenities and furnishings at the new department headquarters in the city’s corporation yard. Additionally, the Commission has assisted with review and feedback on various capital improvement grants including Prop 68 applications for Carriage Crest Park and Foisia Park, LA County Measure A funds for improvements at Mills Park, and CDBG funds for ADA improvements at Anderson Park. In preparation for the remainder of the fiscal year, the Commission has prepared and approved an annual work plan that outlays anticipated items for their consideration through June 2022. The Commission will be instrumental in providing stakeholder feedback for the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Master Plan, which will initiate community engagement meetings beginning in January 2022.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission met via Zoom monthly throughout 2021. During this time, it reviewed and acted on twenty-one discretionary applications that considered residential, commercial, and industrial proposals. They also made recommendations for City Council consideration on policy matters such as zone text amendments, development agreements, and the soon to be updated housing element. Staff provided an informational presentation to the Planning Commission on the Draft Carson Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District (EIFD) and Infrastructure Financing Plan (IFP). Staff also presented a workshop on the Brown Act and Conflicts of Interest matters for city officials. Although 2021 consisted of primarily monthly meetings, staff expects 2022 to include more bimonthly meetings to ensure the timely adoption of the general plan update and the comprehensive zoning ordinance update.
Public Relations Commission
This Commission is scheduled to meet starting on January 25, 2022.
Public Safety Commission
This Commission will begin meeting in January 2022.
Public Works Commission
This Commission will begin meeting in January 2022.
Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
This Commission will begin meeting in January 2022.
Veterans Affairs Commission
This Commission will begin meeting in January 2022.
Women’s Issues Commission
The Women’s Issues Commission resumed meeting in July 2021, did not meet in August 2021, and met in September, October, and November 2021. The initial focus of this Commission was on planning for the 2021 “It’s All About Me” Women’s Health Conference and Business Expo that occurred in October 2021. Since then, the Commission has finalized its remaining work plan items for the 2021 calendar year. Current projects include developing an informational flyer and City webpage with resources for victims of Domestic Violence and collaborating with California State University, Dominguez Hills in support of women on campus and the broader community.
Youth Commission
This Commission will begin meeting in January 2022.
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