Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/07/2010IRWINDALE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBER 5050 N. IRWINDALE AVENUE IRWINDALE, CALIFORNIA 91706 APRIL 7, 2010 WEDNESDAY 6:00 P.M. The Irwindale PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION met in regular session at the above time and place. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Veronica S. Barbosa-Lara, Carol B. Hernandez; Vice Chair Paula Fraijo; Chair Dan Diaz Absent: Commissioner Belen Zepeda Also present: Camille Diaz, Assistant City Manager; Mario Camacho,, Police Lieutenant; Mike Rados, Public Works Manager; Dan Grijalva, Recreation Manager; and Armando Hegdahl, Records Technician SPONTANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS CARMEN ROMAN Carmen Roman suggested that night swimming be reinstituted; that the location of the family movie night be moved to the softball field; and that fundraisers be held to assist in reinstituting the basketball program. THERESA CHICO Theresa Chico complimented staff on the success of the recent Easter Egg Hunt event and concurred with the statements made by Carmen Roman. She stressed the importance of youth sports and suggested holding fundraisers to support recreational programs. In response to a question by Theresa Chico, Recreation Manager Grijalva advised that soccer is not allowed in the parks. VICE CHAIR FRAIJO Vice Chair Fraijo indicated that those who observe people playing soccer on the field should notify the Recreation Department. CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION A motion was made by Vice Chair Fraijo, seconded by Commissioner Hernandez, to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion was unanimously approved, Commissioner Zepeda absent. ITEM NO. 1A MINUTES MINUTES The following minutes were approved as amended: 1) Regular meeting held March 3, 2010. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 7, 2010 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 2 RECREATION MANAGER UPDATE RECREATION Recreation Manager Grijalva presented the following update: MANAGER GRIJALVA 1) Fourteen attended the trip to San Juan Capistrano, and 13 attended the trip to Citywalk. 2) About 250-300 people attended the Easter program that was recently held. He thanked Commissioner Barbosa and Chair Diaz for their volunteer efforts, as well as Rosie Guerrero for her arts & crafts. 3) Twenty-five attended the trip to the movies. 4) A teen trip to Magic Mountain was held today. 5) Thirty children have signed up for the trip to Disneyland. 6) A new program called "Creative Artists' has begun, where children between the ages of 6 and 12 participate. There is a $20 fee to participate, and children must bring their own sketch pads and pencils. 7) The Recreation Department's Earth Day event will be held on April 17. Flyers announcing this event are available at the gym and reminders were sent to residents via the monthly calendar. VICE CHAIR FRAIJO Vice Chair Fraijo expressed her opinion that there may be less participation in events since flyers announcing each specific event are not being sent to residents, as has been done in the past. RECREATION Recreation Manager Grijalva added that there may also be less MANAGER GRIJALVA participation, at least for the Earth Day event, since it competes with other similar events on the same day throughout the valley. Additionally, the Irwindale Chamber of Commerce promotes other events, besides those from the City. Recreation Manager Grijalva also reported that a trip to a Dodger/Giants game will be held on April 17th. VICE CHAIR FRAIJO In response to a question by Vice Chair Fraijo, Recreation Manager Grijalva indicated that the rules are posted inside the skate park. Public Works Manager Rados added that the rules clearly state that soccer is not allowed within the City parks. NEW BUSINESS ITEM NO. 3A LITTLE PARK (ALICE RODRIGUEZ CIRCLE) — verbal update LITTLE PARK (ALICE RODRIGUEZ CIRCLE) —verbal update PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 7, 2010 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 3 CARMEN ROMAN Carmen Roman indicated that she attended the workshop held recently in the community, where problems were identified and addressed. She spoke of the high turnout for the event and thanked staff for scheduling the meeting. LIEUTENANT CAMACHO Lieutenant Camacho discussed the results of the community meeting held on March 21St and hosted by Police Corporal Purbaugh. He spoke of the problems being experienced at the Little Park and their possible solutions: Graffiti — the graffiti at the park has been minor and does not appear to be caused by tagging crews or gangs. Staff from the Public Works Yard has removed most graffiti. Parents living near the Little Park are encouraged to be more involved in monitoring the park. Litter — trash receptacles are available at the park. Staff from the Public Works Yard routinely disposes of litter. Rock throwing — Corporal Purbaugh reminded residents to monitor the park for individuals who throw rocks. They are encouraged to call the Police Department to report inappropriate activities. Street lights — Corporal Purbaugh has called Southern California Edison to replace a burned out light bulb at a nearby street light. Locking gates — The gates can now be locked. Broken sprinklers — broken sprinklers have been repaired by staff from the Public Works Yard. Speeding cars — Staff is checking into a solution, such as the possible placement of temporary speed bumps. Dismantling yard — Code Enforcement has advised the dismantling yard of the need to stack crushed cars below the top of the fence. The business has rectified the problem. Location checks — location checks have been increased and all parks are being secured at about 10:00 p.m. every night. They are closed every night by the Police Department and opened every morning by the Public Works Yard. One resident has volunteered to open and lock the park daily. Lieutenant Camacho thanked Corporal Purbaugh for his efforts in resolving these problems. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 7, 2010 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 4 MANUEL ZEPEDA Manuel Zepeda requested that staff check into graffiti being caused at the Little Park. COMMISSIONER Commissioner Barbosa requested from the officers that are assigned BARBOSA to the various sectors throughout the City that they continue providing the same level of attention to all sectors and to inform the Commission regarding any problems. She also requested that Manuel Zepeda's concern be relayed to Corporal Purbaugh. LIEUTENANT CAMACHO Lieutenant Camacho advised that, although officers are highly visible and secure the parks every night, community assistance continues to be an essential element. VICE CHAIR FRAIJO Vice Chair Fraijo reminded all of the graffiti reward program CHAIR DIAZ Chair Diaz thanked the Police Department for its efforts. COMMISSIONER ITEMS VICE CHAIR FRAIJO In response to a question by Vice Chair Fraijo, Lieutenant Camacho advised that the Police Department used to have a budget in the past to fund summer park patrols. However, there are no additional funds for it to continue. Officers remain, however, highly visible at the parks. Vice Chair Fraijo requested officers' presence at night swimming events, should the program be re -activated. CHAIR DIAZ Responding to a question by Chair Diaz, Recreation Manager Grijalva advised that the Music in the Park concert series will run for seven weeks this year. COMMISSIONER Commissioner Hernandez thanked those in attendance for voicing HERNANDEZ their opinions and added that the Commission also desires to re- institute night swimming. VICE CHAIR FRAIJO In response to a question by Vice Chair Fraijo, Assistant City Manager Diaz advised that City departments are currently submitting their preliminary budgets and will meet with the City Manager next week. However, staff anticipates very few changes compared to last year's budget. Vice Chair Fraijo indicated that the Commission fights to keep its recreation programs intact; however, much is dependent on the budget. She recommended that fundraisers be held to help fund night swimming, which can possibly be held on Tuesday and Thursday nights, rather than being cut off altogether. She added her belief that the costs for City ID cards, Recreation ID cards, and PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 7, 2010 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 5 programs fees are too high for some families to afford. She suggested that staff be creative and identify different ways for the City to keep its recreational programs active. COMMISSIONER Commissioner Barbosa reported that a group of individuals BARBOSA 'monopolize" the kiosk area in the park every Saturday. Additionally, they appear to be distributing and selling items, have been rude to her, and are using the electrical outlets. She stated that the group should be obligated to obtain an application for the use of the facility. She also suggested that applications for the use of the various sections of the park be forwarded to the Police Department. RECREATION Recreation Manager Grijalva advised that applications are provided MANAGER GRIJALVA to the Police Department. PUBLIC WORKS Public Works Manager Rados added that the area is available for MANAGER RADOS use by anybody from the public. COMMISSIONER Commissioner Barbosa commented on the City's ordinance BARBOSA regarding the amplification of music. She also asked if the City has a policy regarding whether non-profit organizations are the only organizations that can sell items at the park. She added that members of the group have been illegally parking in handicapped parking spots. CARMEN ROMAN Carmen Roman suggested that locking covers be installed at electrical outlets to prevent unauthorized use. Recreation Manager Grijalva indicated that staff would check into that. COMMISSIONER In response to a request by Commissioner Barbosa, Recreation BARBOSA Manager Grijalva advised that staff can accommodate the request by Carmen Roman regarding the family movie night. Commissioner Barbosa stated that the consensus of the community is to hold a 4th of July Fireworks show, to which Recreation Manager Grijalva advised that the City has not received any funding for such a show. Commissioner Barbosa suggested that the information be provided to the non-profit organizations that will participate in the 4th of July activities to inform them that they may not receive many visitors this year due to the possible lack of a fireworks show. ASSISTANT CITY Assistant City Manager Diaz advised that items of concern to the MANAGER DIAZ commission would need to be agendized in order for them to be discussed at the Commission meetings. V PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES APRIL 7, 2010 REGULAR MEETING PAGE 6 VICE CHAIR FRAIJO Vice Chair Fraijo requested that the night swimming and recreational program budget matters be agendized for discussion. COMMISSIONER Commissioner Barbosa requested that the subject of the utilization of BARBOSA City funds for the 4th of July Fireworks Show be agendized for discussion. ASSISTANT CITY Assistant City Manager Diaz reminded the Commission that the City MANAGER DIAZ Council would ultimately make the final decision regarding budget matters. CHAIR DIAZ Chair Diaz reminded the audience that improper activities at City facilities should be reported to the Police Department. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 6:47 p.m. Armando Hegdahl, Records Technician Approved as presented at the meeting held May 5, 2010