BC - Item 2A - Minutes of January 9, 2019MINUTES OF THE
BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 9, 2019
The regular meeting of the Rosemead Beautification Commission was called to order by Chair
Brian Lewin at 7:02 p.m., in the Rosemead City Council Chamber located at 8838 East Valley
Boulevard, Rosemead, California.
PRESENT: Commissioners Duran, C. Liu, L. Liu; Vice -Chair Oceguera; and Chair Lewin
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: City Clerk Hernandez and Deputy City Clerk/Staff Liaison Natalie Haworth
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Commissioner C. Liu
INVOCATION was led by Vice -Chair Oceguera
1. PUBLIC COMMENT
There being no comments, Chair Lewin opened and closed the Public Comment period.
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
ACTION: Moved by Vice -Chair Oceguera and seconded by Commissioner Larry Liu to
approve Consent Calendar Item A as amended. Motion was carried out by the following
vote AYES: Duran, Lewin, C. Liu, L. Liu, Oceguera ABSENT: None
A. Beautification Commission Meeting Minutes
Recommendation: That the Beautification Commission approve the minutes of
November 14, 2018 Regular Meeting and December 19, 2018 Special Meeting.
3. MATTERS FROM STAFF
A. Overview of Beautification Commission Calendar
Recommendation: That the Beautification Commission review and provide
feedback.
City Clerk Hernandez presented two sample calendars for the Commission to select
from. The first was a one-page snapshot schedule planner of 2019 Commission
events; the second was an updated version of Chair Lewin's previous Committee
master calendar that includes City and Commission events and is color coordinated.
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The Commission reviewed and discussed the sample calendars.
Chair Lewin opined keeping tabs on the school year calendar is beneficial in trying
to secure volunteers for events.
Vice -Chair Oceguera concurred, noting it was difficult securing volunteers from
high school for last year's Civic Pride as it occurred around the same time as Prom.
City Clerk Hernandez stated it could be as simple as calling the School District to
obtain important school dates of relevance.
By consensus the Commission requested staff to finalize the master calendar for
the Commission to utilize.
4. MATTERS FROM COMMISSION
A. Review of the 6t' Annual Holiday Decoration Awards
Recommendation: That the Beautification Commission discuss and provide
feedback.
The Beautification Commission discussed the outcome of the 6 t Annual Holiday
Decoration Awards.
By consensus, the Commission agreed the event was well organized; recommended
securing a larger room in the Community Center for the Awards Ceremony;
requested staff ensure that Mr. Spadaro is invited to the Awards Ceremony since
the Grand Prize is named in memory of his wife; proposed Commissioners rotate
the areas assigned based off of the Area Watch map utilized to locate potential
nominees; suggested adding an option on the application to share their address so
that the community can also participate by touring the nominees' homes.
City Clerk Hernandez stated she would have to inquire about releasing residents'
addresses regarding privacy purposes.
The Commission determined for the purpose of tonight's meeting, it was best to
only recap this year and address changes to policy and practice as it gets closer to
planning for the 2019 Holiday Decoration Awards.
B. Civic Pride Day 2019
Recommendation: That the Beautification Commission provide direction to staff
on proposed projects.
City Clerk Hernandez stated there is a Turf Reduction Drought Resistant Landscape
Replacement project at Garvey Park by the Splash Zone area, which consists of
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Regular Meeting
Minutes of Ianuary 9, 2019
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landscaping, planting and irrigation; noted this could also be made an educational
event as Public Works staff will be there to assist; provided an overview of Arbor
Day; indicated Public Works Superintendent John Scott can present further details
at the February Commission meeting.
The Commission suggested the following ideas for a community "clean-up"
service: holding quarterly basis events on a Saturday each month to complete
various projects; "plogging" which is a combination of jogging or walking while
picking up litter in the area; and supplying a receptacle with trash bags at the Park
like there are for dog waste bags, so residents can pick up trash at their convenience.
C. Little Free Libraries Project
Recommendation: That the Beautification Commission will discuss the Little Free
Libraries Project.
City Clerk Hernandez provided a brief overview of the potential of Little Free
Libraries Project, which fosters neighborhood book exchanges and deepening
community connectedness.
The Commission suggested the following options in regard to securing the box for
the Libraries Project: involving students, possibly asking the carpentry class at
Rosemead High School to build the box; searching at the upcoming Annual
Community Yard Sale for unique box like structures that can be donated to this
project; Commissioner Can Liu building it as he works in construction.
Commissioner Duran suggested if the Commission does build the box on their own,
to make it a blank canvas so a member(s) of the community can decorate it.
Commissioner Larry Liu suggested surveying the community for their input on the
location(s) of the Little Free Libraries.
Chair Lewin noted a resident already has a Little Free Library on their property.
City Clerk Hernandez stated that she contacted resident who holds two annual book
sales and is willing to donate old and new books to the project.
By consensus, the Commission acknowledged they would be open to partnering
with a nonprofit such as the Kiwanis Club.
D. Discussion of the Utility Box Art Project
Recommendation: That the Beautification Commission discuss and provide
direction.
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City Clerk Hernandez noted the City owns about 43 traffic signal controller
cabinets located near each intersection; indicated the Public Works Department
urged the Commission to stay away from the utility company boxes (Southern
California Edison, AT&T, Charter Communications, etc.).
Commissioner Larry Liu inquired if there is an option to have the designs on the
utility boxes changed seasonally, particularly around the holidays.
City Clerk Hernandez indicated staff would have to research to determine if
temporary designs would be an option.
The Commission proposed the following ideas: 1) Having a student art contest
amongst the local schools to amplify creativity of youth; 2) Providing an
opportunity to local artists to submit their design to showcase the local talent; 3)
Having a hybrid of the two aforementioned ideas by designating some boxes for
the art contest of local schools and other boxes for local artists.
Chair Lewin inquired about anti -graffiti coating for the utility boxes.
City Clerk Hernandez noted we will connect with appropriate staff to collect further
information, and bring this item back to a future Commission meeting.
5. ADJOURNMENT
Chair Lewin adjourned the regular meeting at 8:01 p.m. The next regular meeting will be
held on February 13, 2019, at 7:00 p.m., in the Rosemead City Council Chamber.
Natalie Haworth, Deputy City Clerk
APPROVED:
Brian Lewin, Chair
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Regular Meeting
Minutes of Ianuary 9, 2019
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