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PKC - Item 2A - Minutes of October 1, 2019 MINUTES OF THE ROSEMEAD PARKS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 1, 2019 The regular meeting of the Rosemead Parks Commission was called to order by Chair Morten at 7:02 p.m. in the Rosemead City Council Chamber located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. PRESENT: Chair Morten, Vice-Chair Lin, Commissioners Nguyen, Ruvalcaba and Tocki ABSENT: None PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was led by Commissioner Tocki INVOCATION was led by Commissioner Ruvalcaba 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE - None 2. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of minutes September 3, 2019 Chair Morten motioned the approval of the meeting notes at 7:07 p.m. ACTION: Moved by Commissioner Ruvalcaba and seconded by Commissioner Tocki to approve the September 3, 2019 minutes: Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Lin, Morten, Nguyen, Ruvalcaba, Tocki 3. MATTERS FROM STAFF A. Proposition 68 Design Update Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking mentioned the Prop 68 was submitted on August 5 and with an expected answer in early 2020. The design presented on July 23 for the Joint Special Meeting, posed possible concerns with lack of parking and wall and gate area. The gate area was eliminated based on resident. This change opened the parking lot by pushing back the native garden area and making space for the restrooms which accommodated more parking spaces. There is only one entry way and an island which gives enough space to circle around. This was the best alternative based on the expressed concerns; however, it is a conceptual plan and it has not been officially approved by Edison. Once Edison revises the plan there may be changes, and if the grant is approved, will be submitted to the state for their approval. Vice-Chair Lin expressed that Shuey Elementary, located across the street from the park, can get congested during drop off and pick up times. He suggested the City and school work together to develop a drop off/group crossing program to ensure children get to school safely. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking mentioned he is optimistic about securing the grant given that it is brand new park space, which places the park in a higher category than most. Commissioner Nguyen asked if there was one entry only. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking stated that there was only one entry to the parking lot; however, there is another entry located on Mission and Walnut Grove for pedestrians. B. Garvey Park Restroom Renovation Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking shared that Council awarded the contract on the September 24 meeting. The contract is approximately $422,000 for a $600,000 budget. It appears it will be going through soon. There are no updates on construction and is pending information from Public Works, but the item will be listed on the monthly update for the next month. The restrooms for Rosemead Park remain in the CIP which means they are currently unfunded. There may be the potential to budget for the next grant cycle or look into possible grants. Currently, there is no funding to rehab those restrooms. Vice-Chair Lin inquired what a CIP entailed. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking stated it was a Capital Improvement Project, or larger scale projects listed at $30,000 or more. Projects qualifying would be rehab to facilities, air conditioning units at the Garvey Center which will be over $150,000, $200,000 are allocated to the youth center at Garvey Park for restructuring and rehabilitation. Commissioner Nguyen asked if there was an estimated cost for improving the restrooms in Rosemead Park. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking mentioned he does not know what the figures are but could be close to the ones for Garvey Park. Commissioner Ruvalcaba asked whether alternatives for the restrooms would be provided during the renovations. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking replied that alternatives would be provided at the youth center, by the gymnasium or snack bar area. Commissioner Tocki asked whether the plan was to level and rebuild or a retrofit the current equipment in the restroom. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking responded that some of the walls may remain and will not be 100 percent demolished. The office will turn into office area and utility room. Commissioner Tocki inquired regarding the plan for maintenance. He mentioned there are people that hang out overnight and if there is a plan to secure the space to ensure it is not destroyed in the future. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking mentioned the restrooms are locked every night by Park staff. During the day they are left open but there is a plan for more monitoring focused on the restroom. There are certain things that cannot be controlled but the City plans to secure the investment as best as possible. C. Play Share Automated Equipment Update Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking shared that he reached out to the gentleman that presented in the previous meeting several times; however, he has not returned his call. Additional information was gathered through the website and it appears the system could work. There is a safety concern with providing public access to an item that is locked because even if someone has paid the $2.00 to download the app and play with the equipment, there is the question of what will be returned at the end of the day. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking mentioned he does not feel comfortable in placing these systems in our parks. Based on the cost of the systems it could be something that can be looked at, but with some of the issues that are currently happening at the parks at this time, it is not something that can be pursued. Chair Morten added that she inquired regarding a business plan, from the presenter, and he did not. She questioned the concept given that no plan was available with additional information and was not comfortable with the idea. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking mentioned it looks like a good system and the YouTube video showcases the system at Rosemead Park. The filming was done at then park as well as another park in the City of Alhambra. The person appears to be local and is trying to make something of the system, but currently is not something that will be pursued. Vice-Chair Ruvalcaba mentioned it should at least be given a thought so that it does not feel as though people come to present and their ideas are not being listened to. She mentioned the importance of listening and providing respect for the ideas and considering it in the future. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking mentioned that it may be something to look to in the future when it is developed. He recalled being approached by a USC engineering student for feedback on a wireless bluetooth sound system knowing about his experience in recreation. After the purchase, he would check in for feedback on newly developed items as his business expanded. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking mentioned that although the Play Share idea is a little rough at the moment, hopefully it is something that can be turned into something successful and beneficial to the community. D. Monthly Parks & Recreation Department Review Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking shared that a new program has been introduced. The Adult Basketball League is starting in January and is the first time it will be held in Rosemead. It will be led by Recreation Supervisor Tam Chu. The Youth Volleyball League has already started and is going well. Aquatics ended the summer program with a great number of swimmers. The fall swim lessons will be starting on the upcoming weekend. The Fall Brochure was delivered to homes with the registration beginning on September 16. The Garvey Community Center has been busy with senior programs and lunch and joining excursions. They are getting th ready for Halloween with a Monsters Inc. themed Spooktacular on October 24, which they are excited about. There have also been small upgrades to the center like replacing the cushions, televisions and getting the facility up and well maintained on a regular basis. At the Rosemead Community Center, Senator Rubio hosted a Citizenship Workshop on September 14 and serviced over 100 participants and was a great event. The 9/11 Memorial Ceremony was a fantastic event and staff did a great job especially Recreation Coordinator, Bernadette Galindo whom led the event. The Annual Moon Festival had a great of attendance and food. Next Saturday, October 12, will feature the Fall Fiesta/Día de Los Muertos event at Rosemead Park from 4:00-9:00 p.m. There will be crafts, games such as laser tag & carnival games, a movie, entertainment, rock climbing and food. The Annual Trunk or Treat and Haunted House is coming up at the end of the month with staff gearing up for the th event. The 10 Annual Fitness Day and Health Fair which will be coming up on November 17 will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and will be open to the public. A new Public Works department head has been hired and Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking will be working with him on the design of the Second Temporary Community Garden. The opening is tentative for early 2020. Chair Morten asked regarding the location. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking announced it would be located on Del Mar just North of Emerson, around the corner by Garvey Park. It will be three plots which is double the size of the current garden. Chair Morten inquired about the current garden, she observed that there were plots that were cleared. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking mentioned it is going well with four vacant plots, which will hopefully fill up soon. Chair Morten mentioned she hears positive things from the garden. There are several people that say wonderful things even though they are not familiar with growing anything. 4. MATTERS FROM COMMISSION A. Commission Comments Commissioner Ruvalcaba asked if the Brochure could include the dates covered for the issue, for example September to December. Also, she is glad to see that Rosemead is blooming with the events and programs. Commissioner Ruvalcaba expressed her gratitude to Ms. Jennifer for her helping with small items in the garden. 5. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m. The next Parks Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. __________________________________ Jennifer Pineda, Administrative Specialist APPROVED: _________________________ Beverly Morten, Chair