SUMMARY OF ACTIONS
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF
January 8, 2008
I. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Chacon called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.
II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE / MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER
Chair Chacon led the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silent prayer.
III. ROLL CALL:
Commissioners Present: Armbrust, Blackburn, Carrico (6:37), Chacon, Martinez, McIntosh,
Valles, Vargas, and Woods
Commissioners Absent: Puchalski
Staff Present: McNeill, Morgan, Smilowitz, McDonald, and Headley
IV. CORRESPONDENCE AND ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None
V. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL
Approval was made of the Minutes of the Regular Community Services Commission meeting
of Tuesday, November 13, 2007.MOTION:Motion by Armbrust, and seconded by Valles to approve the Minutes of the Regular Community Services Commission Meeting on Tuesday, November 13, 2007. Motion carried 9-0. Puchalski was not present.
VII. ADMINISTRATION
A. NEW BUSINESS 1. City Council Staff Reports
12/18 - Councilmember Hernandez — Partnership with Amigos del Rios
Director McNeill stated that on the December 18, 2007 City Council meeting, the City Council executed the Emerald Necklace Accord with Amigos del Rios, a non-profit organization. Director McNeill passed out a map showing the "Vision for the Emerald Necklace Park Network" explaining how it helps communities with various issues of park and tributary improvements. Councilmember Hernandez questioned if partnership with this program would benefit our Green Linkage Plan. Director McNeill stated that the Emerald Necklace Accord coincides with the purpose of the Green Linkage Plan, which inter-connects the City parks and open spaces with pathways, equestrian trails and bike trails. The City Council heard the report and voted in favor.
1/15 - WC Senior Center Handicap Parking Expansion
Director McNeill stated that on January 15, 2008 the City Council would hear an item that has been recommended by seniors and the Senior Citizens Commission to increase the number of handicap stalls at the West Covina Senior Center by five (5). Staff researched the issue and found that there was truly a need for more handicap parking stalls. With City Council approval, staff will move forward with the expansion project.
2. Upcoming Events
1/21 — Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration
Manager Smilowitz stated that this year the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration will be held at the Lakes Entertainment Center instead of the Civic Center. It will be at the same time from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The set-up will be the same as the Summer Concerts with entertainment and vendors’ booths.
Manager Smilowitz stated that the YMCA ACES program is up and running involving seven (7) sites and 550 children. The YMCA/ACES programs are academic and fitness-based. Manager Smilowitz and Supervisor Cresap met with the ACES representative to see how the City of West Covina could best partner with them. ACES will be able to help with the Galster Park Nature Center, and they will also be looking for some instructors, which Supervisor Cresap could provide.
B. OLD BUSINESS 2. Volunteer of the Year Nomination: Update
Director McNeill stated that there have been no nomination applications received for the Volunteer of the Year for either the Community Services Award or the Recreation Services Award, and the Commission would have to extend the deadline or submit names for commission consideration. The Commission offered the following names for consideration and motions were made:
Ashley Carrico
Betty Ferguson
Michelle Souza
Aurora Valles
Commissioner Armbrust made a recommendation to nominate Michelle Souza for the Recreation Services Award.
MOTION
Motion by Armbrust, and seconded by Vargas to nominate Michelle Souza for the Recreation Services Award. Motion carried 9-0. Puchalski was not present.
Commissioner Valles made a recommendation to nominate Aurora Valles for the Community Services Award.
MOTION
Motion by Vargas, and seconded by Armbrust to nominate Aurora Valles for the Community Services Award. Motion carried 9-0. Puchalski was not present.
X. AD HOC REPORTS
A. CDBG
Management Analyst II McDonald requested that the Commission consider approval of the CDBG Ad-Hoc Committee’s recommendations for the FY 2008-2009 CDBG Action Plan as detailed in Attachment #1, and make a recommendation to City Council. McDonald stated that the recommendations made would be included in a Public Hearing that would take place on February 5th, 2008.
MOTION
Motion by Armbrust, and seconded by Blackburn to accept the recommendations of the CDBG Ad-Hoc Committee for the FY 2008-2009 Action Plan. Motion carried 9-0. Puchalski was not present.
B. CIP
Manager Morgan stated that there would be a site tour on February 9th for Community Services Commission Ad Hoc Committee members, where they will be reviewing the proposed CIP projects. The Ad Hoc Committee will present project ratings to the full Commission for approval, and then recommend approval in the Capital Improvement Program Budget.
D. SPECIAL EVENTS
Manager Smilowitz stated that the Share Fair Concert would be in the City of Diamond Bar this year at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 17.
XI. COMMISSIONER REPORTS/COMMENTS
Several Commissioners spoke of the great job that staff achieved at the Tree Lighting Ceremony and wished everyone a Happy New Year.
Commissioner Carrico spoke of the great color-harmony with this year’s West Covina Rose Float Parade entry.
XII. ITEMS TO BE AGENDIZED
A. Status of the Design and Construction of the Lower Plateau at Shadow Oak Park
Director McNeill stated that the Expansion Phase I Construction for the lower plateau at Shadow Oak Park would begin later this month.
B. Volunteer Participation at "2008 The Women’s Conference"
Director McNeill stated that the information for volunteer participation of the "2008 Women’s Conference" will be publicized later in the summer months, and staff will inform the Commission as soon as it is made known.
XIII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION
Motion by Armbrust and seconded by Valles to adjourn the meeting at 7:25 p.m. Motion carried 9-0. Puchalski was not present.
.
The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.
in the MRC Room 314 at City Hall.