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PKC - Minutes - 04-02-19 MINUTES OF THE ROSEMEAD PARKS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING APRIL 2, 2019 The regular meeting of the Rosemead Parks Commission was called to order by Chair Tocki at 7:02 p.m. in the Rosemead City Council Chamber located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. PRESENT: Chair Tocki, Vice-Chair Ruvalcaba, Commissioners Lin and Morten ABSENT: Commissioner Ly PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Vice-Chair Ruvalcaba INVOCATION was led by Commissioner Morten 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE -None 2. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of minutes—September 4,2018, October 2,2018 and March 5,2019 Chair Tocki motioned the approval of the meeting notes at 7:04 p.m. ACTION: Moved by Commissioner Morten and seconded by Commissioner Lin to approve the Parks Commission Minutes of September 4,2018, October 2,2018 and March 5, 2019: Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Lin, Morten, Ruvalcaba and Tocki 3. MATTERS FROM STAFF A. Dog Park Update Recreation Supervisor Tam Chu provided an update on the dog park project. At the direction of city council and the strategic plan for 2016-2018, the staff was asked to evaluate the development of a dog park. The staff identified a portion on the westside of Garvey Park as the project location and submitted a grant application to the California State Parks Department. City staff attended a mandatory workshop on January 11,2019 held in Fullerton. During the workshop, staff was given additional information along with the opportunity to ask questions with the Office of Grants and Local Services. Due to the government shutdown in early January,the process was delayed.As of March 14th,city staff will be working closely with the Office of grants and Local Services to submit the final steps to the National Parks Service for their approval. 4 Staff recommendation would be to continue receiving updates from city staff. Chair Tocki inquired whether everyone applying was invited to participate in the final steps or if this was the process towards an award. Recreation Supervisor Chu mentioned all applicants were asked for the additional information, which was submitted, to move along with the process. Commissioner Lin asked whether there was a tentative date of when the grants would be awarded. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking responded with a no and hopes that as the grant process moves forward,then a date will be provided. There is no definite that the project will be funded. Commissioner Morten asked what the grant covered. Recreation Supervisor Chu mentioned that 50 percent would be covered by the grant and the city would be responsible for a portion of the project. Chair Tocki asked if the portion the city would provide would be in cash or in another cost share. Recreation Supervisor Chu stated he did not have that information but could review the grant and provide an update. B. Park Space Update Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking mentioned he was providing the commission with an update on the potential Edison projects as requested in the previous meeting. In early February, staff met with a new representative from Edison to go over the applications. With the change in staffing with Edison as well as the city, things have been delayed. The city is continuing with the applications, which have been submitted and are being reviewed by Edison. The city is waiting to see if the applications will be accepted in the next couple of months. The parcels that are being looked at are located on Marshall and Walnut Grove, one on the northeast corner as well as one on the southwest corner. The second temporary community garden will be going to council in May and will go to them for final approval. Once approved, the staff will begin the design and will draw out a plan, which will be completed in the next fiscal year. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking mentioned he was unsuccessful with obtaining information regarding the potential joint agreement with Garvey School District regarding Bitely Elementary. Unfortunately, the files from the previous interim director could not be found and the level of communication that had been established is unknow. A report will be provided in the future for the joint agreement request. Chair Tocki offered to provide the information he has on the joint agreement usage as well as a diagram from a previous meeting. C. Monthly Parks & Recreation Department Review Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking provided an update on programs, services and special events. The Farmer's Market opened on April 1st and will run every Monday evening in the City Hall Plaza until September 9th. The market will be evaluated this season and staff will work with the market manager to identify new possible locations for next season. Unfortunately, due to the timing of having someone new come in,the location of the market could not be moved. The market manager puts in a lot work to prep and select the market nights.The attendance was small to start, but people were buying produce and it has a potential to grow. Commissioner Morten asked if more fruits and vegetables would be available. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking stated there are more produce vendors. The market manager will be bringing 3 more farmers next week and adding more the weeks after that. The market manager will be bringing more food and rotating food vendors. Commissioner Morten mentioned it has been disappointing as the market has grown smaller and smaller over the years with not enough produce being offered. This year marks the 60th anniversary of Rosemead. The City was incorporated on August 4, 1959 and a party will be planned to celebrate. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking announced council was presented with a concept and ideas for the event which were approved. The celebration will take place on August 24, 2019 on Valley Boulevard between Ivar and Muscatel. The event will consist of carnival games, rides, food, entertainment, a car show, sidewalk art contest and a ceremony featuring a time capsule to be opened on the 100th birthday. Staff will be highlighting the 60th Anniversary at the normal annual events with boards displaying the history as well as a special logo which is almost completed. Saturday, April 20th is the Easter Eggstavaganza which will take place at Garvey Park.The hunts for all age categories will begin ant 10:00 am.Areas will be marked off for each age category and thereafter, youth can participate in games and activities after the hunt. The event will end at 1:00 pm. Vice-Chair Ruvalcaba asked whether the Rosemead Anniversary would feature musical entertainment. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking mentioned there would be live bands throughout the duration of the event while also incorporating community groups. There will be performances from youth programs or dance groups. Vice-Chair Ruvalcaba asked if high school bands would be considered. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking replied with a yes. Especially with it being during the beginning of school, which could highlight the partnerships with the schools. Vice-Chair Ruvalcaba mentioned she would be informing one of the high school bands to save the date. Commissioner Morten asked for the timeframe of the event. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking stated that a time has not been set, but a possible time could be 12:00 to 9:00 pm. The timeframe will depend on what will be happening during the event to determine how late or how early it will begin. Vice-Chair Ruvalcaba asked if there were any games or booths she can help with for the Eggstravaganza. Recreation Supervisor Chu replied that there is always a need for volunteers. Volunteers will be needed for the egg hunts, games and arts and crafts area. 4. MATTERS FROM COMMISSION A. Commission Comments Commissioner Morten mentioned that the community garden needs an update. She went to garden and another gardener threw out the trash as it has not been picked up since January. The people from the garden should not have to take the trash home. There is also an open area towards the back of the garden with large weeds, which is not good for the plots. A few gardeners were watering other plots that looked dry even though it is against the rules. Commissioner Morten stated there needs to be a revision to the rules as gardeners need to water there plots more than three times per week. Since there are many new gardeners, it was suggested to send out emails to the gardeners with recommendations on planting especially with seeds. Vice-Chair Ruvalcaba inquired about the garden hours and when the summer hours would begin. Recreation Supervisor Chu mentioned the garden is open until sundown. The hours were extended and posted. Chair Tocki recalled that the previous director talked about having an educational component to gardening. Commissioner Morten recommended reaching out to master gardeners within the San Gabriel Valley to come out and provide the educational component. The classes would draw more attention to the garden especially in thinking of the second garden to come. Commissioner Lin mentioned that one of the residents that has a plot is a master gardener. It was suggested to reach out to current gardeners for resources. 5. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m. The next Parks Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. JennifevPineda, dministrative Specialist APPROVED: Martha Ruvalcaba, Vice-Chair