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PKC - Item 2A - Minutes of January 7, 2020 MINUTES OF THE ROSEMEAD PARKS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 7, 2020 The regular meeting of the Rosemead Parks Commission was called to order by Chair Morten at 7:00 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 – November 5, 2019 Chair Morten motioned the approval of the meeting notes at 7:03 p.m. ACTION: Moved by Commissioner Ruvalcaba and seconded by Commissioner Lin to approve the November 5, 2019 minutes: Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Lin, Morten, Nguyen, Ruvalcaba, Tocki 3. MATTERS FROM STAFF A. Update to Memorial Bench and Tree Program Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking reminded the commissioners about the Memorial Bench and Tree Program which was brought to the commission in June 2019. The program is meant to recognize loved ones, long-time residents or businesses with a dedication of a bench or tree within a list of selected locations. There were requests received from residents to include gardens in the policy. The administrative policy has been updated with the inclusion of the garden. With the support and approval of the commission, the item will then be taken to City Council to add the garden. There was a stipulation included which states that the garden must be an existing garden in the designated locations and cannot be placed in the temporary community gardens. The dedication would need to be located in the parks or civic center. Chair Morten mentioned it was a good idea since the more the city is beautified, the less urban blight is seen. Vice-Chair Lin asked how the boundaries of the gardens would be defined. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking mentioned that each garden is in a designated area and the boundaries are defined by enclosure around it. It will be something natural surrounded by grass, bush, sidewalk or concrete. It will be designated as a garden area with flowers growing with the area. Vice-Chair Lin asked if the families dedicating a garden would have an opportunity to select what they plant. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking replied that it would include existing flowers provided by the City and they would not have the option to select or plant. Commissioner Tocki inquired whether there is an existing list where people can see what garden spaces are available. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking mentioned that the policy and application include a list of parks; however, there is no existing list of garden areas. If there is interest in a park, then they can contact the department and given additional information on areas that are viable garden spaces. Commissioner Ruvalcaba asked about the duration of the dedication, whether it was annual or on-going. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking that the dedication is for endless years. The policy states that the agreement with the City is for ten years. If the plaque is damaged then it will be replaced at the City’s expense; thereafter, the family would need to replace the plaque. Chair Morten asked if the family would have a list of acceptable plants for the garden. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking stated that the families would not have a choice as the area would be an existing garden. Commissioner Ruvalcaba asked whether the program would only be open to Rosemead residents. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking stated that the policy is written to include anyone that has been a long-time resident, volunteer or has provided some type of service to the City of Rosemead. Commissioner Ruvalcaba inquired what would be considered a long-time resident or volunteer. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking mentioned that it was up to the commission to decide. The policy does not include a minimum or maximum of years of service. The commission will have to determine if the nominee is deserving of the program. For the first year of the program, the commission will provide the first approval and recommend the nominee to City Council which will then provide the second approval. After the first year and with the program being fully implemented, the Parks Commission will provide approval. Commissioner Nguyen asked if the packet contained a sample or actual application. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking stated that the application was for the first nominee and is the next item for discussion. ACTION: Moved by Chair Morten and seconded by Commissioner Nguyen to approve the revised policy for the Memorial Bench, Tree Policy and Garden Program. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Lin, Morten, Nguyen, Ruvalcaba, Tocki B. Memorial Bench and Tree Nomination Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking announced that there is an application for the Memorial Bench, Tree and Garden Program. Normally the process would not include updating a policy and then immediately approve an item directly related to the policy; however, due to time restraints with the family the program is being pushed forward. City Council will approve the policy next week during the Council Meeting and if approved by the Commission, will receive the recommendation for the nomination during the second Council Meeting for their approval. On November 21, 2019, the department received an application by Perry Poon for his mother, Fenny Poon, dedicating the six rose garden locations around the clock located by City Hall Plaza. Fenny was a long time resident and spent over 20 years inn the City of Rosemead while also working for the Garvey School District. Her job brought her into the lives of many people at Willard Elementary School. She interacted with parents and students on a day-to-day basis. She also took a huge volunteer role as a scout leader and became Troop Chairman where she furthered her passion in working with the youth in our society. Penny’s role required her to oversee four scout groups, all while ensuring a high-quality program was provide to the youth and ensuring the leaders leading the youth were properly trained. In addition to her work with scouts, she also assisted with yearly city-related events such as the Easter Egg Hunts, Thanksgiving lunches, Breakfast with Santa, and Rosemead’s 50th Anniversary event. Her role in the school district and in the City was pivotal to the success in Rosemead and her family wishes to honor her with the selected garden areas. With the Commission’s approval, there would be six garden areas and one plaque designated in the Civic Plaza area. A family member is in attendance this evening in support of the dedication. She is a long-time volunteer and runs the scouts and would love to honor her sister. Chair Morten mentioned that Fenny seems like a wonderful person that Rosemead needs very much. Commissioner Tocki asked if the City would be selecting where the plaque would be located or whether the family would have the choice of doing so. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking replied that the City would select the location. For the specific nomination, the plaque would be located in the Civic Plaza by the clock in the middle west portion. Chair Morten asked whether the Commission has seen the plaque. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking announced that the plaque has not been designed yet and will not be until final approval. There will be a couple different options for the donor to select. Commissioner Tocki inquired whether in the future the applications would go through the Commission first. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking stated it would go through the Commission for approval first for the first year. The program was put in place in April; however, this was the first applicant. Unless Council decides they would like a year from the first applicant, then the Commission will be the first to review and make recommendations to Council. City Council will then look at the recommendations and have the option to approve. After the year is over, then it will only go to the Commission for final approval. The application reviewed today will go to City Council on January 28th. ACTION: Moved by Commissioner Ruvalcaba and seconded by Commissioner Tocki to approve the nomination of Fenny Poon for the Memorial Bench, Tree and Garden Program. Motion carried by the following vote: AYES: Lin, Morten, Nguyen, Ruvalcaba, Tocki C. Monthly Parks & Recreation Department Review Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking announced that the basketball program is thriving with 16 teams with about 150 kids. The adult basketball league, which is a new program, has 4 teams. The youth volley ball league and other youth programs are doing well and are running successfully. The children in Playschool were visited by a special guest before the holidays. Both the Rosemead and Garvey Playschool were visited by Santa and took pictures as well as received candy canes and had a great time. The pools are operating and busy. The Rosemead Rapids which had 133 swimmers in October, 132 in November and 125 in December, continue to have outstanding numbers especially given that they practice at an outside pool. The centers have been busy and hosting several events in the past months. One of the centers hosted Judy Chu and her turkey giveaway before the holidays. The seniors have been going on trips and having a great time. The Rosemead Community Center hosted the Los Angeles County for a few days for as they demonstrated their new voting system. The voting system has gone electronic. The Annual Tree Lighting and Dinner with Santa event had a bit of rain which pushed the program at a faster pace. The tree was lit and the event was successful. The Sweethearts Jamboree will be held on Saturday, February 8 at the Rosemead Community Center, with tickets already on sale. The Community Yard Sale will be held on March 7 with a planned rain date for March 14. There are many people coming in and purchasing a spot. 4. MATTERS FROM COMMISSION A. Commission Comments Commissioner Nguyen thanked Director Boecking for his prompt response to his request regarding the broken pipe at Rosemead Park. There are lampposts in Rosemead Park that are not operational and Commissioner Nguyen suggested that they are numbered to make reporting easier. There was also a concern with the striping in the parking lot on Encinita which requires maintenance as the lines are not visible. He commended the Department of Public Works which clean up the skate park; however, two days later it was graffitied. It was recommended that a solution is found to make these areas more protected, whether it includes more patrol or public safety. Commissioner Nguyen also inquired about the walking path payment and whether there is a timeline as to when that would be replaced. Director of Park and Recreation Boecking responded that the project is going to move forward; nonetheless; since the project is managed through public works, he does not have a definite timeframe. There was an RFP put out for the project and Director Boecking will provide additional information at a later time. Commissioner Ruvalcaba was pleased to hear that the Yard Sale would have a second date in case of rain. She mentioned many other people will be happy about the rainout date as well since it usually rains. Commissioner Ruvalcaba thanked Director Boecking for including the dates on the brochure cover which makes it easier to determine timeframe for activities at a glance. Also, she inquired about updates on the new proposed community garden. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking mentioned the garden has been sprayed to eliminate everything that is currently there. The timeframe was for late January or early February but with the amount of rain, the timeline will need to be pushed back. There is no tentative date, but updates will be received soon. Commissioner Ruvalcaba stated that there are empty plots in the current garden and asked for announcements to be sent out on the empty plots. Director of Parks and Recreation Boecking mentioned that the vacant plots were announced on social media, but the department will look into different marketing avenues. As soon as the new garden is open, there will be a big push to fill the new garden location. 5. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m. The next Parks Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. __________________________________ Jennifer Pineda, Administrative Specialist APPROVED: _________________________ Chen Lin, Vice Chair