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PKC - Minutes 3-6-18 MINUTES OF THE ROSEMEAD PARKS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MARCH 6, 2018 The regular joint meeting of the Rosemead Parks Commission was called to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Rosemead City Council Chamber located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Commissioner Tocki INVOCATION was led by Commissioner Ly ROLL CALL: Commissioners Lin, Ly, Ruvalcaba, and Tocki ABSENT: Chair Chavira 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE—None 2. CONSENT CALENDAR—None 3. MATTERS FROM STAFF A. Community Garden Director of Community Development Ben Kim presented a concept of creating temporary community gardens on vacant privately owned lots. Vacant lots are an eyesore to the community and Mayor Pro Tem Ly requested that staff study options for putting such idle lots for recreational uses that would benefit the community. The presentation discussed: • Research of similar community garden was done around surrounding cities and site visits were conducted of community gardens in Alhambra and South Pasadena. • A potential community garden in Rosemead is located on Glendon Way next to the existing Hartford Hotel property. • Property owner is willing to lease or rent the vacant lot at a nominal rate for a short period of time. • Slides presented on South Pasadena Community Garden: Commissioner Ly asked about the difference between non-profit organizations and others. Parks and Recreation Director Jason Charon replied that Alhambra Community Garden is being ran by their Parks and Recreation Department, while in South Pasadena is operated by a non-profit organization. Director Chacon stated there are two different types of community gardens: 1) Run by city staff, like Alhambra which could be a strain on city resources, 2) Operated by volunteers like South Pasadena where there is minimal city involvement as operated by a volunteer organization. Commissioner Ruvalcaba stated that it's a great opportunity for club members and associations, like the Kiwanis and PTA. Commissioner Ly asked if the city operated the community garden what would be the potential costs? If volunteer operated the community garden, would the non-profit set the user fee or the city? Director Chacon stated the city council would have a say on the fee,but it's not the goal to generate revenue from the community garden. City would still have a staff assist in running the property. Commissioner Tocki asked how long and the cost of the leased to the city? Director Kim stated that city would utilize the private property as a community garden until the property is developed. Each lease would be different per negotiation with each owner but all leases would be short term, month to month. Owners would provide at least a 30-day notice to convey property back. The proposed term with Hartford Hotel is $1 for the term of the lease and they agreeable in working with the city. Vic Chair Lin asked if there arc other properties in the horizon for relocation if the said Glendon Way property has to be vacated. Director Kim stated that city staff has completed a vacant lot survey throughout the city and is focusing on vacant properties along major commercial corridor for other opportunity sites. Commissioner Ly asked how soon can this garden be up and running and estimated timing for the garden opening and the development of the property. Follow up, will the city be looking into having restrooms based on the surveys? Director Kim stated that no restroom is anticipated due to that these are private properties and would need to be returned to owners in original condition. Goal is to minimize visual blight and expend minimal costs for such item as installing irrigation,rough grading, and planter type which still needs to be discussed. Regarding timing, each property's development schedule is different. For this property, the owner indicated a year out but a hotel development requires planning entitlement and building plancheck review which takes time and the city would be made aware in advance of when the property would need to be returned. Director Chacon stated the city's ability to develop the garden quickly with staff s experience in community garden at other cities and the advantage that this property is owned by the adjacent Hartford Hotel owner. Vice Chair Lin asked if the city be providing fencing, gating, and signage. Director Chacon stated more than likely yes. Expenses would be rough grading, irrigation, fencing, and signage. Commissioner Tocki asked if the city had an estimate for those items. Director Chacon stated the city has no rough budget yet and waiting on commissioners for feedback. Vice Chain Lin asked based on the aerial shot that there is a large tree, would the city have to remove it? Director Kim stated the goal is to keep it with minimal disturbance. Commissioner Ly stated that the city consider the non-profit model. Would the city form a partnership if a short term lease is executed? Commissioner Tocki stated it is a great idea but is concerned about the time frame. If the term is short, people may not care. Commissioner Ruvalcaba stated that non-profit organizations enjoy other short term projects. The point is to spread the work around to clubs and non-profit organizations. Director Chacon stated one way to work with a short lease agreement is work on plot agreement timeframe from I-2 years to 3-months. Commissioner Ruvalcaba stated the benefit for a longer lease term period but but this is a positive effort to make accomplishment. Commissioner Ly asked there are any restrictions what people can or cannot grow? Director Chacon stated no trees, shade, or grow things to sell or large quantities for commercial use. Commissioner Ly asked if the city can provide tools or shed as an incentive. Possibly partner up with Home Depot or local businesses. Open the garden to residents first then non-residents. Vic Chair Lin states that he agrees with Commissioner Ly. Gain more interest with local restaurants and get Chamber of Commerce to assist in getting businesses involved. Would like to have a 2-year minimum term with Hartford Hotel. Commissioner Ly stated city should look into other sites ready to move prior to the lease expiring. Vice Chain Lin stated that the commissioners feel hesitant in making a motion. Director Chacon stated no motion needs to take place. The Directors Kim and Chacon would take the feedback received to the council agenda including staff suggestions. Commissioner Ruvalcaba asked to be told when the items are in the council meeting to be informed including the rest of the commissioners. 4. MATTERS FROM COMMISSION A. Bitley Elementary School Joint Usage Commissioner Toki asked that the city look into Bitely School for a joint usage agreement on the large east side of the grass area. Director Chacon stated that discussions can be done with the Garvey School District with questions to run a similar agreement as Duff School, Temple Intermediate, and Sanchez . The main cost would be the security for the school, i.e. perimeter of the school buildings, condition of the playground and the city to maintain. Other areas to look at are the blacktop. Commissioner Ruvalcaba asked about the gates being fenced away from the school building so that the playgrounds are accessible to the kids. Director Chacon stated during school times the inner gates would be open to the school while the outer perimeter gates locked for the public. Afterschool,the inner gates locked while the perimeter gates open to allow the public to the field and playground not the school buildings. Commissioner Toki stated he was asking about the east field being fenced not the inner school so that kids play on an open field. Who would be responsible of the trash. Commissioner Ruvalcaba asked that Sanchez School/Temple Intermediate is divided by a fence to prevent usage on Jess Gonzales Sports Complex which would be similar at Bitely School. Director Chacon stated that it can be done that way. Response to Commissioner Toki, the city staff would be responsible of cleaning the trash every night when closing the gates. Commissioner Ly asked Commissioner Toki if any amenities be added to the open space. Commissioner Toki stated yes or no but would be nice to have. Open space is highly desirable. Commissioner Ly asked about securing the site with join usage and would be nice to have amenities. Asked to see on the map the large open space east of Bitely which is Garvey Intermediate. Commissioner Ruvalcaba asked the concern of parking around the school. Commissioner Toki stated that the streets around Bitely is very open. Commissioner Ly stated he is not concern unless a big amenity was added that attracted many people. Director Chacon stated that tons of amenities is not recommended to attract outsiders but for local community to enjoy. Vice Chair Lin asked who is responsible for irrigation and lawn space. Director Chacon stated that the school district but discussions can be made to share the responsibility such as Jess Gonzales Sports Complex. Reimbursement can be done. Commissioner Ly asked that city staff check into Garvey School District on the most and least that it will do to work together. Director Chacon stated that no decision needs to be made but is being asked to work with school district. Commissioner Ly asked then the city would engage to the school district first then discuss amenities after. Director Chacon stated who would be involved in the discussions,the school district, superintendent, assistant superintendent, director of facilities, city public works and parks and recreation. During the meeting questions can be asked as to what can be done. Commissioner Toki asked if this has even been brought up. Director Chacon stated not for this site but has been worked on with Duff School. Commissioner Ly asked is it worth exploring Garvey Intermediate as well. Director Chacon stated that it can be asked when in discussion but there are no playgrounds at Garvey Intermediate can be a better option. Commissioner Ruvalcaba stated that Garvey Intermediate is mainly used for running and sports. Commissioner Ly stated Bitely looks a lot better than Garvey Intermediate. Director Chacon stated that he will research the item. 5. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:58 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting is set for Tuesday, April 3, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. Parks Commission Secretary APPROVED: Chen Lin, Vice-Chair