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PC - Minutes - 06-04-2024MINUTES OF THE ROSEMEAD PARKS COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JUNE 4, 2024 The regular meeting of the Rosemead Parks Commission was called to order by Chair Chavez at 7:01 p.m. in the Rosemead City Council Chamber located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. PRESENT: Commissioners Chavez, Mendez, Dang, Hernandez and Luau ABSENT: None PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Commissioner Hernandez INVOCATION was led by Vice -Chair Mendez 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE 2. CONSENT CALENDAR A. Approval of Minutes Chair Chavez motioned the approval of the meeting notes at 7:11 p.m. ACTION: Moved by Vice -Chair Mendez and seconded by Commissioner Luau to approve correct to April 2, 2024, minutes and the approval of the May 7, 2024: Motion carried by the following vote: A YES: Chavez, Dang, Hernandez, Mendez, and Luau; ABSENT: None 3. MATTERS FROM STAFF A. Park Amenities Report Director Boecking updates the Park Commission with a Park Amenities Report and PowerPoint presentation. Director Boecking lists repairs to be done at Rosemead Park. The first is the basketball court resurfacing, which is currently completed. Other items, such as adding shading structures to the Rosemead Park basketball courts and replacing sand with artificial surfaces in the Rosemead Park playgrounds, are considered capital improvement projects that require funding and would potentially take a longer time to implement. Still, these items will remain on the list of improvements from the Parks Commission to ensure they are completed despite a longer anticipated implementation timeline in the future. Add benches along the walking trails will be looked into for completion. Leveling of the baseball fields will occur in June, and the fields and outfield will be leveled smoothly for play. Additional pickleball fields are also another longer anticipated project that will be looked into in the future. Direct Boecking covers amenities for Garvey Park. Adding designated walking trails around Garvey Park is also categorized as another larger project that will need to be completed later in the future. Installing water bottle refill stations and bicycle parking are tangible goals to have installed at Garvey Park. Electric car charging stations are a foreseeable project, and Director Boecking mentioned that staff is looking into grant opportunities to assist with the cost. Director Boecking is looking into how the gym can extend its hours. Regarding the amenities at Zapopan Park, Director Boecking explains that permission from Edison is required to add any additional amenities as the City does lease the property from Edison. The walking trail has been repaired at Zapopan Park, and most of the repairs should be completed by this month. The department is looking into implementing dog waste bag dispensers and a new volleyball net at Zapopan Park. At Jay Imperial Park, the trail repairs have begun and will hopefully be completed soon. The department is looking into installing a bike rack. Sally Tanner Park, adding fresh paint, a new bench, a dog waste holder, a canopy in the playground, and recycling cans are also amenities that are more challenging and will need to be completed at a future date. The department is still looking into implementing these amenities at Sally Tanner Park. At Klingerman Park, dog waste holders is a task that can be completed more easily, but a new net for the playground is a bit more challenging, staff will look into how a net can be added at Klingerman Park. As items are being completed, Director Boecking will continue to update the Park Commission and help the commissioners bring new ideas forward. Vice -Chair Mendez asked how much the resurfacing of the basketball fields and leveling of baseball fields cost, and Director Boecking responded that the basketball resurfacing project cost over $30,000 and the baseball leveling costs about $20,000 to $22,000. Vice -Chair Mendez also asked how funds are allocated for projects; Director Boecking explained that funds are budgeted explicitly for certain projects. For example, the resurfacing project was budgeted last year as well for the leveling of the baseball fields. B. Summer Events Update Director Boecking gives an update on the upcoming summer events. The annual 4th of July Celebration will occur on Thursday, July 4th. The parade begins at 10:00 am along Valley Blvd., and the carnival and fireworks show will take place at Rosemead Park. Friday, July 12, starts the Summer Concerts in the Park Series. One of the big headliners will be the Taylor Swift tribute concert. Parks Make Life Better Month will be celebrated on Friday, July 26, with Concerts in the Park. Parks and Recreation will be hosting games, entertainment, and activities, commemorating parks and being outdoors. Movies in the Park will be held on two nights: Thursday, July 18, with the movie Elemental, and Thursday, August 8, showing Kung Fu Panda 4. Art in the Park is a new program that Parks and Recreation is introducing, allowing family and friends to come outside to celebrate the parks, arts and crafts, and culture at Garvey Park and Rosemead Park. The Dive -In Movie "Christmas in July" will be at the Rosemead Aquatic Center on Thursday, July 25. The movie will be The Grinch, and there will be games and activities. Shark Week will occur on Thursday, August 1 st, and staff will show the movie Finding Dory. There will be games, activities, and snacks to celebrate Shark Week. The National Night Out event will be hosted with Concerts in the Park on Friday, August 9. National Night Out is a collaborative event 0 between Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Public Safety, and the LA County Sheriffs Department. Entertainment, back -to -school resources with a backpack giveaway, and other information resources will be available. Kids Night Out is a new program at Splash Zone on Friday, August 9. Kids Night Out is an event just for kids, where parents can leave their children in the care of the Parks and Recreation staff to have a fun night of activities and swimming. The Family Excursions will be at Angeles Stadium this summer, where they will take on the Oakland A's on Sunday, July 28. Chair Chavez inquired if more spots would be available for summer basketball. Director Boecking explained that spots were still available, and more sports were open as staff secured extra gym space. Vice -Chair Mendez asked if residents could pay for events in person. Director Boecking responded that pre -registration is encouraged, especially for pool events, where capacity is limited due to safety concerns, but residents can register for events the day of. Commission Luau asked if instructors would be provided for the Art in the Park program. Director Boecking explained that instructors and guidance will always be provided as the art activity becomes more complex. Each week, there will be a new theme. Commission Luau asked how the instructors were procured for the Art in the Park program; Director Boecking explained that it is mostly by word of mouth and connections. Director Boecking asked if Commission Luau or the other commission members have an instructor to recommend; their referrals are encouraged and appreciated. C. Month Parks & Recreation Department Review Director Boecking updates the Parks Commission regarding the Parks and Recreation Department events. The aquatics program celebrated Water Safety Month by hosting an event at the farmer's market. The goal was to make residents aware of water safety measures. Facility rentals are increasing, especially at the Aquatic Center, as schools rent the facility for end -of -year parties. Private and partially private rentals are available at the Aquatic Center and Splash Zone. Director Boecking explains that anyone interested in renting can contact the Aquatic Division to inquire about the renting procedure and facility availability. Chair Chavez asked about the cost of renting. Director Boecking responded that he did not know the exact amount, but the information is available by calling the Aquatic Division. Recreational swimming will begin Saturday, June 10; Splash Zone hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The Aquatic Center will be open Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm., and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Swim hours have been extended, and the staff is excited to offer more hours for residents. Hybrid pickleball courts have been added since the previous meeting. The company that does the court line painting was able to come out, and the pickleball community is pleased with the accommodation. The basketball resurfacing is completed and just settling; the department hopes to reopen the courts very soon. Salute to Seniors took place Thursday, May 23, and honored our Older American, who unfortunately was out of town for the event. Still, the seniors did celebrate them and the Older American Month with food and dancing. Summer Youth Basketball experiences a high number of people interested in participating. Registration for basketball was filled out during record time. There are other youth sports/programs, such as pickleball. The adult Basketball Program will start on June 30. Staff want to start a pickleball flex league and incorporate that this summer. Summer Camp begins June 10, and that is also another popular summer program that fills up quickly during open registration. The Summer Lunch Program starts June 10 and will be available at Garvey Park Gym and Rosemead Park from Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Summer Drop-in Recreation also begins June 10. Participants can come in to play games, engage in arts and crafts, and interact with other participants. On Saturday, May 18, the Parks and Recreation Department hosted the first youth cultural event, which was put on in collaboration with the Youth Advisory Committee. There was excellent attendance and entertainment, and the staff is excited to host this event next year. Movies in the Park and Art in the Park are coming in the later summer months. The department is still accepting applications for the Youth Employment Program as there are a few vacancies. Information regarding the Youth Employment Program can be found in the brochure and online. The Parks and Recreation Department is establishing a Volunteer Program that allows youth to assist the department throughout the year. Following up from the previous meeting regarding Park Rangers being able to cite owners that allow their dogs to be off -leash, Direct Boecking reports that the Park Rangers can cite, but they need first to witness themselves that the dog is off - leash to move forward with the citation. The Anti -Hate Poetry Contest winners were recognized at the last council meeting, and their poems are displayed in the city hall lobby. The Farmer's Market the previous day was very well attended. The flower arrangement class was recognized at an exhibit. The class participants always create beautiful arrangements, and the department is happy they were recognized. Commission Luau asked about the age range for the Volunteen Program. Director Boecking will follow up with the age range for Commissioner Luau. 0 Commission Luau asked for clarification regarding the unleashed dog rule and whether it also applies to the dog park. Director Boecking explained that dog parks allow dogs to be unleashed, but dogs must be leashed at other parks. Vice -Chair Mendez inquired about the Youth Employment Program and whether the three vacancies could be increased to ten. Director Boecking responded that since the monies for this program are grant -funded by Community Development Block Gant by the federal government, those funds can be divided into other programs. With the funds being limited, only five vacancies are budgeted. Vice - Chair Mendez also inquired how those interested in the position can apply. Direct Boecking explained that the information is advertised in the brochure and online and that there are specific requirements, such as parents' income. Chair Chavez asked if the program is open to individuals in other cities, and Director Boecking responded that the program is only for Rosemead residents. Commission Dang commented on the unleashed dog rule and whether that also applies to dogs being trained in the park. If they are well trained, they still need to be leashed. Director Boecking answered that while the dogs are well-trained, they must still be leashed per the rules. Chair Chavez mentioned the biking event conversation that took place at the last committee meeting and if there were any updates, Director Boecking explained that there were none. 4. MATTERS FROM COMMISSION A. Commissioner Comments Vice -Chair Mendez asked about the resurfacing of the basketball courts and wondered if new hoops would be added. Director Boecking explained that only new nets would be added. Commissioner Luau commented regarding the online sign-up procedure for the summer swim lesson. Commissioner Luau explained that some residents experienced issues with online registration and had to rush down to the aquatic center to sign up in person. Director Boecking explained that staff are aware of problems, such as residents who forgot their passwords and need to reset their accounts. Director Boecking explained that to assist in mitigating some of the online issues, staff encouraged patrons to test their accounts before online registration to ensure they were functional. Commission Luau recommended that incorporating a video in addition to the infographics posted online regarding summer swim lessons will be beneficial in assisting with the online registration process. Director Boecking agreed that creating a video or reel is a good idea. Commission Luau also added that residents who missed signing up for the 5K race will be sure to sign up once the Parks and Recreation Department announces another race. Director Boecking was excited to hear this, and that the department is looking into announcing another 5K after the summer season in August and that staff is looking into collaborating with different cities and advertising together so that the next 5K does not have to be canceled. Commissioner Hernandez mentioned that San Gabriel hosts a Turkey Trot. Vice -Chair Mendez commented that she was looking forward to the 5K. Vice -Chair Mendez explained that they attended a three-day event in the City of Monrovia. They incorporated a farmer's market and had a block party, which not only residents of Monrovia attended but also outside residents. Director Boecking responded that Vice -Chair Mendez is speaking about the City of Monrovia's Monrovia Days Event. Director Boecking explained that it is a great event. Still, unfortunately, it is not something that can be accomplished this year or next, as budgeting has already been completed. Still, it is an event that could potentially be considered later in the future. Commission Hernandez brought forth a topic from a previous meeting regarding the biking event that the City of San Gabriel hosted. Commissioner Hernandez explained that the company that assisted with the event is Active SGV, which she works for. Commissioner Hernandez presented some insight into the event, explaining that Active SGV will manage the grant process for street events and oversee the promotional advertising of the event. Commission Hernandez explained that she spoke with the Mayor of Monterey Park and suggested a partnership with the City of Rosemead would allow the bike route to move through Garvey Ave. and end at the Whittier Narrows. Commissioner Hernandez further explained that the bike event will be fun for Rosemead, Monterey Park, and South El Monte residents. Vice -Chair Hernandez commented that she attended the bike event and that it was a fantastic event. She thinks the City of Rosemead would benefit from hosting a bike event. Commissioner Hernandez also included that Active SGV has an electric bike program that assists those who struggle with pedaling movement; the electric bikes assist those with physical impairments to be included in the biking events. Commissioner Hernandez believes it would be a great partnership with the City of Rosemead to have electric bikes for rent. 5. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:57 p.m. The next Parks Commission meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. neva Ramirez, Commission Secretary APPROVED: Q,_2�_Tagcc Charlie havez, Chair