Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, April 05, 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. 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. 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.
Environmental Commission
The Environmental Commission last met on March 2, 2022 via Zoom. The Commission received a presentation from Nancy Shrodes, Senior Watershed Specialist, from Heal the Bay about Stormwater and the Safe, Clean Water Program. The Commission also received a presentation from Deputy City Attorney Lona Laymon on a Brown Act issue concerning agendas. The Commission continued to discuss their priority items and narrowed the list down from 17 items to 8 items and directed staff to recirculate the list one last time to each Commissioner. The Commission is expected to finalize their priority list at their next regularly scheduled meeting on April 6, 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
The Planning Commission took the following actions:
March 8, 2022
Meeting Cancelled- No new items to discuss.
March 22, 2022
Conditional Use Permit (CUP) No. 1114-21-Approved
Applicant: Efrain D. Espinoza, South Bay Tattoo, 22811 S. Figueroa Street, Unit No. 22813 Carson, CA 90745
Property Owner: Phil John Papadakis, Anchor Investments Co, 660 W. 6th Street San Pedro, CA 90731
Request: Consider approval of a CUP No. 1114-21 for a proposed tattoo service operation.
Site Plan and Design Review (DOR) No. 1889-22-Approved
Applicant: Jeff Jeannette, Jeannette Architects, 296 Redondo Avenue Long Beach, CA 90803
Property Owner: Grace and Federico Ulanday, 140 E. 218th Place Carson CA 90745
Request: Consider approval to expand a one-car garage into a two-garage attached to an existing single-family residence on a 40-foot-wide lot.
Site Plan and Design Review (DOR) No. 1864-21-Approved
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: Consider approval of Site Plan and Design Review No. 1864-21 to demolish an existing 58,965 square-foot vacant warehouse and construct a new 60,558-squarefoot tilt-up warehouse building with 4,000 square feet of ground floor office space, an additional 4,000 square feet of mezzanine office space, 7 truck loading docks and surface parking.
Appeal of Director Approval of Design Review (DOR) No. 1831-20-Continued to the April 12, 2022 Planning Commission Meeting
Applicant: 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: Consider the appeal of the Director’s approval of a new 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.
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 discussed plans for Mother’s Day donations and finalizing outreach materials related to domestic violence prevention. At its March 28, 2022 meeting, the Commission received a presentation from the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking, discussed new potential works plan items including a clothing 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