Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, March 01, 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 Public Works Commission and the Environmental Commission have 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. This item includes updates on only those Commissions that have been meeting.
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 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. The Economic Development Commission most recently received a presentation by RRM Design Group, the selected Economic Development Strategic Plan consultant. The agreement was approved by the City Council.
Environmental Commission
The Environmental Commission last met on February 2, 2022 via Zoom. The Commission held nominations and elections for the positions of Chair and Vice Chair. Commissioner Hourie Taylor was elected to the position of Chair and Commissioner Lillian Hopson was elected to the position of Vice Chair. The Commission received a presentation from Deputy City Attorney Lona Laymon on a Brown Act issue concerning extra meeting and serial meeting communications. The City Attorney’s Office plans to provide short presentations about different Brown Act topics at each meeting moving forward. The Commissioners have developed a list of 17 priority issues they want to focus on during the 2022 calendar year. Each Commissioner has been tasked with ranking the issues 1 - 17, 1 being the highest priority and 17 being the lowest priority, to determine if there is consensus amongst the Commissioners and to narrow down the list to a more manageable size. The results of this exercise will be shared with the Commission at their next regularly scheduled meeting on March 2, 2022.
Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Commission
The Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Commission resumed regular monthly meeting on January 27, 2022 following a two month break for winter holidays. The Commission continues to 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 procurement contracts for park amenities and furnishings as well as youth sports leagues related materials and supplies. The Commission also providing stakeholder feedback for the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Master Plan during a presentation in January. Community workshops for the study are scheduled to begin in February 2022, pandemic permitting.
Planning Commission
A summary of the recent Planning Commission meetings is provided below.
February 8, 2022
1. Meeting Cancelled- No change.
February 22, 2022
Planning Commission will consider the following items:
1. Site Plan and Design Review (DOR) No. 1802-19: CONTINUED ITEM FROM JANUARY 25, 2022 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
Applicant: Herman Architecture and Design 16201 Scientific Way Irvine, CA 92618
Property Owner: LIT 9th Street 223rd LLP P.O. Box 3388 Manhattan Beach, 90266
Request: To demolish a former chemical manufacturing facility and associated ancillary structures and construct a new 124,324 square foot tilt-up warehouse building with 5,000 square feet of ground floor office space, an additional 5,000 square feet of mezzanine office space, 15 truck loading docks and 128 surface parking spaces.
Property Involved: 2104 E 223rd Street
2. Determination of General Plan Consistency for sale of City owned property
Applicant: City of Carson 701 E. Carson Street Carson, CA 90745
Request: Make findings related to the proposed sale of real property owned by the City of Carson on 223rd Street (APN: 7315-012-900, 7315-012-804) as consistent with the General Plan.
Property Involved: 223rd Street (APN: 7315-012-900, 7315-012-804)
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 finalized its remaining work plan items for the 2021 calendar year, which included delivering donations of socks, blankets, and personal amenities to the Heritage Rehabilitation Center.
The Commission held its regular meeting on January 24, 2022, to discuss its current projects. These include finalizing an informational flyer and City webpage with resources for victims of Domestic Violence, planning for future donations to support local women for Mother’s Day, collaborating with the Office of Congresswoman Barragán on ways to support women in Carson, and collaborating with California State University, Dominguez Hills in support of women on campus and the broader community. At its February 28, 2022 meeting, the Commission will discuss plans for Mother’s Day donations and finalizing outreach materials related to domestic violence prevention.
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