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HomeMy WebLinkAbout010925IRWINDALE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 5050 N. IRWINDALE AVENUE IRWINDALE, CALIFORNIA 91706 JANUARY 9, 2025 THURSDAY 6:00 P.M. The Irwindale PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION met in special session at the above time and place. ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners Michelle Duran, Justin Kelly, Carmen Roman, Nathan Romero; Chair Paula Fraijo Also present: Elizabeth Rodriguez, Public Services Director; Priscilla Zepeda; Recreation Manager; Pedro Rodriguez, Public Works Services Supervisor; Daniel Grijalva, Aquatics Supervisor; and Armando Hegdahl, Management Analyst REORGANIZATION OF THE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MANAGEMENT Management Analyst Hegdahl presented the staff report and ANALYST HEGDAHL opened the floor to nominations for the position of Chair. COMMSSIONER Commissioner Duran nominated Commissioner Fraijo. DURAN ROLL CALL There being no further nominations, Analyst Hegdahl closed the floor to nominations and, on a call for the vote, Commissioner Fraijo was unanimously appointed to the position of Chair. CHAIR FRAIJO Chair Fraijo then opened the floor to nominations for the position of Vice Chair. Chair Fraijo nominated Commissioner Roman. ROLL CALL There being no further nominations, Chair Fraijo closed the floor to nominations and, on a call for the vote, Commissioner Roman was unanimously appointed to the position of Vice Chair. AB 2449 DISCLOSURES None, CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION A motion was made by Chair Fraijo, seconded by Commissioner Kelly, to approve the Consent Calendar. The motion was unanimously approved. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 9, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING PAGE 2 ITEM NO, 7A MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD DECEMBER 4, 2024 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD The minutes of the meeting held December 4, 2024, were approved DECEMBER 4, 2024 as presented. END OF CONSENT CALENDAR SPONTANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS DENA ZEPEDA Dena Zepeda congratulated Commissioner Romero on his appointment to the Commission and Chair Fraijo and Vice Chair Roman on their appointments during the reorganization. She also thanked and commended Public Services staff for their hard work in cleaning the streets during the recent windstorms. NEW BUSINESS ITEM NO. 9A IRWINDALE AQUATICS CENTER'S SWIMMING POOL IRWINDALE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT —VERBAL PRESENTATION AQUATICS CENTER'S SWIMMING POOL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT SUPERVISOR GRIJALVA Supervisor Grijalva made a PowerPoint presentation, which detailed the scope of work, demolition efforts, preparation work, and the timeline for completion of the project. COMMISSIONER Commissioner Romero asked about the project design and ROMERO aesthetics, which Supervisor Grijalva elaborated upon. Commissioner Romero also asked whether the deck flooring would include an anti -slip texture, to which Supervisor Grijalva advised that the concrete would include a light broom finish to provide some traction. COMMISSIONER Commissioner Kelly asked about the placement of the pool drainage, KELLY to which Supervisor Grijalva indicated that the new gutter system would be situated on top. SUPERVISOR Supervisor Rodriguez provided additional details on the pool RODRIGUEZ drainage system. CHAIR FRAIJO Responding to a question by Chair Fraijo, Director Rodriguez indicated that basic plans for the project could be presented to the Commission at the next meeting for its reference. Director Rodriguez also spoke on the need for the project to pass stringent code PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING JANUARY 9, 2025 PAGE 3 requirements, including inspections from the Health Department and ADA standards. ITEM NO, 9B MUSIC IN THE PARK 2025 MUSIC IN THE PARK 2025 MANAGER ZEPEDA Manager Zepeda presented the staff report. DISCUSSION HELD Discussion was held relating to the quality and availability of the bands outlined in the staff report. COMMISSION BAND The Commission reached consensus to rate the listed bands as SELECTION follows: 1) Dreamboats 2) Fortunate Sons 3) Boys of Summer 4) Hollywood Stones 5) Pop Vision DIRECTOR RODRIGUEZ Director Rodriguez suggested that the Commissioners look up the proposed bands to see how well they perform. In the meantime, staff will attempt to book the requested bands. RECREATION MANAGER UPDATE RECREATION Recreation Manager Zepeda provided the following update: MANAGER ZEPEDA 1) The Teeny Tots held their Toy Drive and were fortunate to donate between 150 and 200 toys to Children's Hospital in Los Angeles. She thanked all those that donated as well as the Public Works Association which donated $340 toward the purchase of the toys. 2) The Christmas Spectacular and Mayors Tree Lighting Ceremony took place on December 6. She thanked all donors and volunteers, particularly residents Raul Hernandez and Christopher Diaz and businesses such as PetSmart and Royal Coaches, the Irwindale Police and Public Works Departments for their assistance in ensuring a successful event and spoke on the addition of a Sensory Santa, which was enjoyed by many. 3) The RockAbilities Jolly Jam was held on December 11. She thanked resident Pat Gonzales and staff from United Rock for volunteering and noted that Ludo the Bear, a beautiful therapy dog, attended the event with her handler, Elizabeth Obando. 4) Cookies and Milk with Santa was held on December 19 and featured the Franklyn Haynes Marionette Show. United Rock PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 9, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING PAGE 4 donated over 45 toys for registered children and will also donate toys to the Teeny Tots program participants. 5) The Irwindale Cheer participants placed 1sr in their division at its first competition of the season and won the Best Sportsmanship Award. 6) Funding for Teen Room items has been secured through the American Rescue Plan Act, and staff purchased a television, game console, video games, furniture, and two new game tables for the room. 7) Upcoming trips and activities: A) Locks of Love — February 1-28 B) Irwindale Cheer Competition — February 1 C) RockAbilities Friendship Dance — February 5 D) Family Valentine's Dance — February 7 E) Dan Diaz Rec Center CLOSED — February 17 F) Family Trip to Madame Tussaud's in Hollywood — Feb. 22, G) Irwindale Cheer Competition — February 23 8) The Dan Diaz Recreation Center basketball court and cardio room will be closed through January 11 for the gym floor resurfacing project. 9) She welcomed Commissioner Romero to the Commission and thanked former Vice Chair Belen Zepeda for her decades of service. VICE CHAIR ROMAN Vice Chair Roman asked about available storage space, to which Director Rodriguez indicated that space has been made for storage at an offsite city facility. Staff has begun moving materials to the new location and hopes to complete the move by the end of the month. COMMISSIONER Commissioner Romero asked how many competitions the Cheer ROMERO Team attends yearly to which Manager Zepeda replied that they attend about 4 or 5 per year. COMMISSIONER Responding to a concern from Commissioner Kelly regarding the KELLY earliest time that individuals could begin forming a line to obtain event tickets, Manager Zepeda stated that staff could post a notice with additional information. Commissioner Kelly also suggested that priority for attendance at repeat trips be given to those that were not able to attend the first trip, to which Director Rodriguez noted that any change to the field trip policy would require Council approval. CHAIR FRAIJO Chair Fraijo spoke on the wonderful Christmas Spectacular event and suggested expanding it in future years, potentially by adding things such as a petting zoo, to which Manager Zepeda advised that staff attempts to add new items each year, budget permitting. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 9, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING PAGE 5 LINDA MAREZ Linda Marez expressed her deep appreciation for the sensory area during the event and recognized Inclusion Specialist Luana Acuna's hard work in organizing it. She also stated that those that are interested in obtaining tickets to trips would do whatever is necessary to secure them. DENA ZEPEDA Dena Zepeda concurred with Commissioner Kelly's suggestion to give priority for attendance at repeat trips to individuals that were not able to attend the first trip. She also spoke very highly of the RockAbilities program and Inclusion Specialist Acuna's hard work. AQUATICS SUPERVISOR UPDATE AQUATICS Aquatics Supervisor Grijalva provided the following update: SUPERVISOR GRIJALVA 1) He congratulated Chair Fraijo, Vice Chair Roman, and Commissioner Romero on their appointments. 2) The Aquatics Center is currently under construction. 3) Staff is finalizing the schedules for spring and summer 2025. COMMISSIONER Commissioner Kelly asked whether digital payments would be KELLY accepted at the Aquatics Center next season, to which Director Rodriguez stated that they would probably not be accepted. She added that credit card payments might be accepted but noted that these typically require additional fees. CHAIR FRAIJO Responding to a question by Chair Fraijo regarding the hiring of lifeguards, Supervisor Grijalva stated that lifeguards have been identified for the spring season and will work with Human Resources to hire lifeguards for the summer season. He added that staff has begun recruitment at Mt. Sac and with the Northview Swim Team and noted that the City may also appoint a Senior Lifeguard. PUBLIC WORKS SUPERVISOR UPDATE PUBLIC WORKS Public Works Supervisor Rodriguez presented the following update: SUPERVISOR 1) He congratulated Chair Fraijo and Vice Chair Roman on their appointments and welcomed Commissioner Romero, 2) The two trellises at Little Park have been completed. 3) Staff has taken over all maintenance for Irwindale Park and will work on catching up on seeding and weed abatement. Additionally, "no dogs allowed" signs have been installed at the horseshoe pit. 4) Staff is scheduled to meet with a representative from Hunter to set up irrigation controllers on the web. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 9, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING PAGE 6 5) Staff has also installed LED lighting at the Learning Center. 6) Staff has begun working on the Teen Room mural and will provide updates to the Commission at future meetings. 7) Staff also worked hard to clean up the streets due to the damage caused by the resent windstorms. VICE CHAIR ROMAN Vice Chair Roman asked whether the commissioners could assist in painting the Teen Room mural and asked about reports of criminal activities at the tennis courts and whether the screen fencing at the tennis courts could be removed to which Supervisor Rodriguez advised that individuals displaying odd behavior within the parks are reported to the Police. Staff has also found repeated instances of graffiti, which is also reported to the Police, who then review the video surveillance, in an effort to catch the culprit. CHAIR FRAIJO Chair Fraijo suggested posting videos and/or images of vandals on the City's Instagram page with the hope of getting help from the public in identifying the individuals, to which Director Rodriguez stated that she would follow up on the request with staff from the Police Department. DIRECTOR RODRIGUEZ Director Rodriguez also noted that unhoused individuals tend to avoid the tennis courts and usually lock themselves in the restrooms. COMMISSIONER Commissioner Romero commended staff for their hard work during ROMERO the recent windstorms as well as for their hard work in constructing the pergolas at the park and suggested including more shading at the playground area. CHAIR FRAIJO Responding to a question by Chair Fraijo, Supervisor Rodriguez advised that only a handful of staff have access to the online irrigation control. Chair Fraijo also asked about training on the use of the irrigation controller, to which Supervisor Rodriguez advised that a qualified trainer would train staff on how to utilize it. PUBLIC SERVICES DIRECTOR UPDATE DIRECTOR RODRIGUEZ Director Rodriguez presented the following update: 1) She congratulated Chair Fraijo, Vice Chair Roman, and Commissioner Romero on their appointments. 2) At last night's Council meeting, Linda Marez and Iris Rodriguez were sworn in as new Senior Citizen Commissioners, and Dena Zepeda was appointed to the Irwindale Community Foundation. 3) The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Library is scheduled to take place on January 25. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 9, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING PAGE 7 4) Public Works staff was dispatched to the field due to the severe windstorm and worked diligently to ensure the safety of the community. 5) She invited all to the ribbon cutting and street dedication ceremony for Sgt. Al Ponchi Cruz Circle, scheduled for February 1. VICE CHAIR ROMAN Vice Chair Roman stated that she would like to address parts of a policy regarding participant behavior while on city field trips, to which Director Rodriguez encouraged all to report improper behavior to staff immediately. COMMISSIONER Responding to a question by Commissioner Romero, Director ROMERO Rodriguez advised that the City Manager is working on allocating funding for improvements to the locker room area in the FY 25/26 budget. CHAIR FRAIJO Chair Fraijo encouraged residents to report incidences of crime or improper behavior. She also asked that the City continue making efforts to inform the residents about the City's emergency preparedness plans, to which Director Rodriguez advised that the City will hold an Emergency Preparedness Fair on March 8. She added that the City also has an Emergency Operations Plan, and a Continuity Plan that executive staff have prepared to respond to emergencies. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND FUTURE DISCUSSION REQUESTS VICE CHAIR ROMAN Vice Chair Roman thanked Pat Gonzales for her service on the Senior Commission and congratulated Linda Marez for her appointment to the same commission. She also thanked Belen Zepeda for her decades of service on the Parks & Recreation Commission, congratulated Dena Zepeda on her appointment to the Irwindale Community Foundation and welcomed Commissioner Romero, COMMISSIONER Commissioner Romero thanked everyone for the opportunity to serve ROMERO and stated that he looks forward to sharing his concerns and ideas and working with the community. COMMISSIONER Commissioner Kelly echoed the comments from Vice Chair Roman, KELLY COMMISSIONER Commissioner Duran welcomed Commissioner Romero and DURAN suggested looking into attendance levels for the Cheer Team. PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION MINUTES JANUARY 9, 2025 SPECIAL MEETING PAGE 8 CHAIR FRAIJO Chair Fraijo welcomed Commissioner Romero, congratulated Linda Marez on her appointment to the Senior Commission, thanked Belen Zepeda for her decades of service, and asked God to watch over the community, first responders, and City staff. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to conduct, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Armando Hegdahl, CIVIC Management Analyst Approved as presented at the meeting held February 5, 2025.