Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, April 04, 2023
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.
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
The Economic Development Commission saw a presentation from EDC Vice Chairperson Deborah Wallace on the development updates at California State University Dominguez Hills. The commission also heard an update on the Small Business Grant and Façade Improvement Programs.
Environmental Commission
The Environmental Commission met in person on March 1, 2023. At the meeting, the City of Carson’s Tree Maintenance Supervisor, Gregory MacDonald, provided a verbal update about the number of trees in the City, the number of vacant tree sites, tree species, tree maintenance zones, frequency of tree trimming, types of plant diseases that are currently in the area, preferred parkway trees, and beautification projects that are planned. The Commission approved staff’s recommendation on No Idling signs, however, the Commission requested additional sign locations be considered. This item will be presented to the City Council for consideration at their meeting on April 18, 2023. The next regularly scheduled Environmental Commission meeting will be on April 5, 2023.
Public Works Commission
Staff met with the Public Works Commission on March 13, 2023, but we were not able to proceed due to lack of quorum. There were only 4 Commissioners present. Also present was 1 Alternate Member. Staff needs at least 6 Commissioners/Alternate Members present to move forward with the meeting. One of the Commissioners indicated they are planning to resign. Another also indicated they would like to resign but would stay on for next meeting in hopes of having a quorum.
Human Relations Commission
On March 15, 2023, the Human Relations Commission met and successfully had a quorum. The Commission went over the survey results for their annual Parent Conference event that was held in February and was pleased with a lot of good feedbacks, which gave them encouragement and excitement to start on planning their next events to benefit the community and the rising stars. One event under consideration is the Book Signing event, potentially to be held in June. They also planned on inviting a sponsor to the next meeting to discuss potential assistance with their Food Pantry project to help out CSUDH students in need. The Commission also discussed their participation at the Mayor’s upcoming event “State of The City Address” on March 30, 2023.
Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Commission
The Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Commission continues to be kept abreast and provide input on the planning of all upcoming City of Carson 55th Anniversary events: the 5K Walk, Golf Tournament, Street Fair, and Tour de Carson. Members have also been submitting regular reports regarding their assigned park, as well as the various programs held at each facility. Opportunities for programmatic and service delivery improvements are frequently discussed at its meetings. Maintenance and upcoming renovations at the parks and the Carson Event Center remain a focus, as the physical condition of each site impacts the public’s experience of the City’s services.
Planning Commission
A summary of Planning Commission actions is included as Exhibit 1.
Public Relations Commission
The Public Relations Commission met on March 28 and discussed the following topics: Why I Like Carson Essay-Writing Contest Awards Ceremony and Program; Leaves of Carson; Meeting adjourned to April 20, 2023 - Why I Like Carson Essay-Writing Contest Awards Ceremony; and Commission/Committee/Board Members Business Cards.
Public Safety Commission
The Public Safety Commission was not able to have a formal meeting for the month of March due to a lack of a quorum. For the next scheduled meeting in April, it is on the agenda to have a briefing and Q & A regarding crossing guards and CERT Training.
Senior Citizens Advisory Commission
At the March 13, 2023 meeting held in Room 111 of the Community Center, the Senior Advisory Commission acknowledged a full quorum. The commission confirmed and approved the 3/13/23 agenda and the previous 2/13/22 minutes, followed by unanimous acceptance votes. Two representatives from Mercy Health (a 501c non-profit and assistant organization to Mercy Pharmacy Group) presented details concerning the organization's inception and vaccine distribution/testing services warranted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They emphasized having nine locations for services provided, including flu and chickenpox shots. At length, the commission discussed material covering continued and unfinished business, followed by unanimous votes. The staff provided updated reports, including ongoing Carson programs and events. Staff member Dani Cook presented a recap of the Black History Month celebration. The commission and staff members' oral communications were noted toward the end of the meeting, followed by a unanimous vote to conclude at 5:34 pm. The next Senior Advisory Commission meeting will occur on Monday, 4/10/23, at 4:00 pm at the Community Center.
Veterans Affairs Commission
The Veterans Affairs Commission have been meeting regularly in their new location at the Veterans Park Large Activity Room. They continue to advise the Recreation Division on flag presentation at the parks and other maintenance concerns. The commission has created a subcommittee that meets with staff and assists with the planning of the Memorial Day Tribute which will be on May 25, 2023.
Women’s Issues Commission
The Commission met on March 27th and provided a list of items delivered to the campus students at Cal State University Dominguez Hills - CSUDH food pantry. Shortly after the delivery, the food pantry closed due to a lack of supplies; a motion was carried from the commissioners present at the meeting to change their financial contribution for supplies from quarterly to monthly to support the CSUDH students in need. CSUDH Dean of Education met with a Commissioner to discuss new initiatives the Women’s Issues Commission can serve and aid to the demand of the less fortunate campus students, especially students expecting and new mothers on campus. A follow-up meeting is set with the University’s Housing Assistant and a group of selected students to identify the specific needs. Since the February 27th meeting, Commissioners have supported and attended various meetings and events in the City of Carson and aboard, such as; City Council meetings, local meetings, conferences, memorial services, CSUDH student step, and more to stay informed. One Commissioner was selected out of a group of 30 people to be a part of the Carson Sheriff Citizen’s Academy, which offers citizens the opportunity to experience various types of training.
Youth Commission
The Youth Commission is currently not able to hold meetings due to a lack of quorum and not having enough commissioners with validated appointments. As of today, only 5 of the 14 commissioners have taken their oaths. Staff has tried numerous times to get in contact with these commissioners by letter and phone but have not received any response. Due to no responses from these commissioners, staff has sent a memo to our Director of Community Services/Parks and Recreation stating we would like to request these commissioners be removed and new commissioners be assigned. A new flyer was sent to PIO to start drawing interest from youth from our Parks and Local Schools.
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
1. Planning Commission Summary (pg. 5)
Prepared by: City Manager's Office