Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER AN UPDATE ON CITY COMMISSIONS (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
This report is an update to the City Council on 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 twelve City Commissions to resume 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 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.
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.
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 resumed regular monthly meeting on January 27, 2022 following a two month break for winter holidays. The Commission continues to focus 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 of contracts for park amenities and furnishings as well as youth sports leagues related materials and supplies. The Commission has also provided 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 and conclude in June 2022. The complete report will be given to the Department in July of 2022. The PRCAC also made recommendations regarding the Department Re-organization process. To date the re-organization of the Department is 85% completed with all job vacancies.
Planning Commission
The Planning Commission took the following actions:
Planning Commission June 14, 2022
1. Site Plan and Design Review (DOR) No. 1855-21 - APPROVED
Applicant: In-N-Out Burger, Attention: Marc Levun, 13502 Hamburger Lane, Baldwin Park, CA 91706
Property Owner: J&J Carson, LLC, 5850 Canoga Avenue, #650, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Request: Consider approval of a proposed In-N-Out restaurant with drive-thru.
Property Involved: 20512 S. Avalon Boulevard
2. Site Plan and Design Review (DOR) No. 1629-16, Conditional Use Permit (CUP) No. 1014-16, Tentative Parcel Map (TPM) No. 74135- APPROVED
Applicant: Comfort Properties LLC, 2114 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Suite B, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
Property Owner: Comfort Properties LLC, 2114 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Suite B, Redondo Beach, CA 90278
Request: Consider approval to develop two detached residential condominium units.
Property Involved: 140 W. 223rd Street/ APN 7341-014-025
3. 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.
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, coyotes and updating the Carson Coyote Management Plan and Community Outreach and Education including the recruitment of more Block Captains.
Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
The Senior Citizens Advisory Commission met on June 13, 2022, for the first time since March of 2020. Ten of the 14 members were present. Each member introduced themselves and spoke about their goals for the Commission. An election of officers will take place in July, as many new members have been appointed to the Commission. New Community Services Superintendent Bobby Grove was introduced, and the mission of the Commission was discussed. Commissioners were reminded that they serve as an advisory board to the City Council, and that they are liaisons between the older adult community in Carson and the City Council.
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, planning for Mother’s Day donations, and finalizing outreach materials related to domestic violence prevention. The Commission also received a presentation from the Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking and discussed new potential works plan items including a clothing drive. Starting in July 2022, the Commission will begin planning for the 2022 Women’s Health Conference and Business Expo
Youth Commission
Staff is continuing to coordinate Commissioners to take their official oaths. At this time, only 5 of the 14 commissioners have done their oaths. Staff will continue to contact the commissioners to assist with getting them cleared to participate.
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