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02-03-2009 - Summary of Actions - Community Services Commission - Minutes of Regular Meeting of 09/09/08City of West Covina Memorandum I. II. AGENDA ITEM NO. D-2a DATE: February 3, 2009 . SUMMARY OF ACTIONS COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF September 9, 2008 CALL TO ORDER Chair Armbrust called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE / MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER Chair Armbrust led the Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of silent prayer. III. ROLL CALL: IV. V. Commissioners Present: Armbrust, Blackburn, Carrico, Esparza, Kennedy, Torres Commissioners Absent: Estrada, McIntosh, Valles Staff Present: McNeill, Smilowitz, Reynosa, Yuasa, Salinas and Shore CORRESPONDENCE AND ORAL COMMUNNUNICATIONS ROLL CALL: Director McNeill informed the Commission that Commissioner Betty Valles had a serious injury and that she has been in the hospital for over a week. Director McNeill suggested that flowers be sent to her with regards for a speedy recovery on behalf of the Community Services Commission. MOTION: Motion by Carrico, seconded by Esparza to send Commissioner Valles flowers. Motion carried by vote of 6-0. Estrada, McIntosh and Valles were absent. Director, of Operations Bill Schweinfurth of Friendly Village Mobile Home Park in West Covina stated that the Mobile Home Ordinance has had no negative effect on his renters. Richard Gallegos, Vice President of Operations for Jackson Square Properties, owners and operators of Mountainview Estates, a mobile home park in West Covina stated that they have done everything possible to be responsible owners. He stated that when his company took over the park about six or seven years ago, there was a question regarding rent control. Over the next few years they were told on numerous occasions from the City and Fair Housing that the. City of West Covina did not have a rent control ordinance. Finally, with the help of the City Attorney, they were told there is a law on the books regarding rent control. Mr. Gallegos and his company want to communicate to the Commission and Director McNeill on how much they appreciate how forthcoming and willing the City has been during this process. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL A. Approval of the Minutes of the Joint Community Services Commission and Planning Commission Meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 was held over to the October 14, 2008 meeting due to a lack of quorum. B. Approval of the Minutes of the Community Services Meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2008 was held over to the October 14, 2008 meeting due to a lack of quorum VI. PRESENTATIONS A. Department Wide Summer Program Presentation Director McNeill requested that this Item be moved to the next regularly scheduled meeting in October. Community Services Commis Minutes of September 9, 200W VII. ADMINISTRATION B. OLD BUSINESS 1. Eagle Scout Book Drive at the Senior Center Manager Smilowitz reported that as of today's date, 14 boxes of books citywide had been donated for the Children's Hospital of Orange County. 2. Results of the Community Services Fundraising Drive Director McNeill reviewed the donations that were made from various sponsors for a total of $7,550. She explained how the monies would be used, and stated that the sponsors will be recognized at the next City Council meeting. 3. Mobile Home Space Rents: Draft Ordinance Commissioner Esparza recused herself at 6:57 p.m since she is a tenant at the Mountainview Mobile Home Estates. Director McNeill recapped backup information on the Mobile Home Space Rent Ordinance. A lengthy discussion transpired in which staff and Attorney Richard Lam answered questions. The Commission considered appointing an Ad -Hoc Committee for further review. Commissioner Carrico questioned whether the Commission had the authority to make decisions or listen to complaints. Attorney Lam stated he would look into the legality of the Commission being able to take independent action as opposed to recommendations to City Council. Due to a lack of quorum, this Item will be carried forward to the next regularly scheduled meeting in October. Commissioner Esparza rejoined the meeting at 7:50 p.m. X. AD HOC REPORTS B. SPECIAL EVENTS - Veterans' Day Event Update Manager Smilowitz updated the Commission on the results from the Special Events meeting for the upcoming Veterans' Day ceremony on Tuesday, November 11, 2008. XI. COMMISSIONER REPORTS/COMMENTS A. Individual Reports/Comments on Activities Several Commissioners stated how pleased they were with the City's summer programs, and praised Coordinator Yuasa and Manager Smilowitz for the wonderful job that was done to bring the concerts together. Commissioner Carrico announced that he is one of 24 lawyers, out of over 200,000 lawyers in the State of California, to be appointed to the Standing Committee on the Administration of Justice. He also stated he was concerned that the City was losing restaurants, especially at the Lakes. Director McNeill said that she would look into the restaurant issue with the Community Development Commission. XI. ITEMS TO BE AGENDIZED A. Status of restaurants in West Covina — Carrico XII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Motion by Kennedy, and seconded by Carrico to adjourn the meeting at 8:04 p.m. Motion carried by a vote of 6-0. Estrada, McIntosh and Valles were absent. 2 • City of West Covina Memorandum AGENDA ITEM NO. D-2a DATE: February 3, 2009 SUMMARY OF ACTIONS COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF December 9, 2008 I. CALL TO ORDER Chair Armbrust called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE / MOMENT OF SILENT PRAYER Chair Armbrust led the Pledge of Allegiance, and requested a moment of silent prayer. III. ROLL CALL Commissioners Present: Armbrust, Blackburn, Booth (6:50 p.m.), Carrico, Estrada, Kennedy, McIntosh (6:35 p.m.), Torres, and Valles Commissioners Absent: Esparza Staff Present: McNeill, Morgan, Smilowitz, Yuasa, and Shore IV. CORRESPONDENCE AND ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Human Resources Commissioner Fred Sykes spoke regarding the City Council's decision to cut back meetings for three of the City's Commissions, and stated he would like to see the Community Services Commission maintain monthly meetings. Commissioner Sykes also petitioned the Commission to increase subscriptions to the SGV Tribune and also to promote their business by placing ads and logging onto their website. Finally, he stated that he was in favor of the Apple 1 to 1 Learning Program. V. MINUTES FOR APPROVAL A. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Community Services Commission Meeting on Tuesday, October 14, 2008. MOTION: Motion by Blackburn, and seconded by Kennedy to approve the Minutes of the Regular Community Services Commission Meeting on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 with the correction in voting from 8-0 to 6-0-2, with McIntosh and Valles abstaining. Motion carried by a vote of 8-0. Esparza and Booth were not present. B. Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Community Services Commission Meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2008, which had been previously motioned with lack of quorum. (Eligible to vote: Armbrust, Blackburn, Carrico, Esparza, Kennedy, Torres) Approval of the Minutes of the Regular Community Services Commission Meeting on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 was held over to the January 13, 2009 meeting due to lack of quorum. Esparza was not present. VI. PRESENTATIONS A. Apple 1 to 1 Learning Program— Oswalt Academy Principal Astrid Ramirez Principal Ramirez gave a synopsis of the Apple 1 to 1 Program through a PowerPoint presentation. This program operates at Oswalt Academy and supplies each child in the classroom a personal laptop computer to use in school and at home with an option to buy the laptop if they desire. B. Department -Wide Summer Program Presentation Manager Morgan presented a PowerPoint presentation emphasizing the importance of creating community through people, places and partnerships. The presentation showed some tangible experiences that the residents enjoy through the Community Services Department. Community Services Commis n Minutes of December 9, 2000 VII. ADMINISTRATION A. NEW BUSINESS 1. City Council Staff Reports Director McNeill gave details of the City Council Reports that were presented at the previous meeting. 2. Upcoming Events Manager Morgan gave details of the upcoming Holiday Toy Drive & Celebration. 3. Shadow Oak Stairwell Project Manager Morgan gave an update of the Project stating the older stairwell has been removed and until the new concrete stairwell can be constructed, access to the upper level is available via an alternate route that extends behind the facility. Manager Morgan answered various questions regarding the project. B. OLD BUSINESS 1. Discussion regarding the Ad Hoc Committee for the Mobile Home Space Rents Ordinance Director McNeill stated that at the previous commission meeting it was determined that an Ad -Hoc Committee would be formed. Unfortunately staff was not aware that a committee involving citizens required City Council action, and therefore staff was unable to establish the committee. The residents' concern was that the ordinance language be adjusted in order to ensure that it was enforceable; hence if the owner were to raise their rents outside of the approved scale, the residents could rely on the City to assist them in enforcing the ordinance. If the ordinance remains unchanged, the owners are satisfied with merely implementing the regulations already imposed. After consulting with the City Attorney, staff has concluded that an Administrative Policy can be adopted which further clarifies the City's response to a resident's complaint about mobile home rent control. The Administrative Policy will not give new levels of enforcement, it will merely create language that identifies how the City is to respond 'in order to better and more effectively support the resident in a claim of a prohibited rent increase. The City Attorney is currently drafting that policy and the goal is to have City Manager approval and maintain the existing ordinance with further clarification. MOTION: Motion by McIntosh, and seconded by Carrico to adjust the language in the Ordinance only as it relates to the governing body moving from the Community Services Commission to the Planning Commission. Motion carried by a vote of 7-2. Estrada & Kennedy opposed. Esparza was not present. 2. Discussion of Recognition Certificate for the Apple 1 to l Learning Program for Oswalt Academy Director McNeill stated that Commissioner Estrada recommends that the Commission and City Council recognize Oswalt Academy for the implementation of the Apple 1 to 1 Learning Program. MOTION: Motion by Estrada, and seconded by Kennedy to recommend to the City Council to recognize the outstanding achievement of Oswalt Academy of the Rowland Unified School District for implementation of the Apple 1 to 1 Learning Program. Motion carried by a vote of 8-1. Valles opposed. Esparza was not present. 2 • Community Services Co ion Minutes of December 9, VIII. COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION A. NEW BUSINESS Nothing to Report. B. OLD BUSINESS Nothing to Report. IX. RECREATION SERVICES DIVISION A. NEW BUSINESS Nothing to Report. B. OLD BUSINESS Nothing to Report. X. AD HOC REPORTS A. CDBG (Armbrust, Blackburn, Carrico, Esparza, McIntosh) Nothing to Report. B. CIP (Armbrust, Carrico, Estrada, Kennedy) Manager Morgan spoke of the upcoming schedule for project requests submitted by school districts and the Sports Council youth organizations. C. Sports Council (Estrada, Kennedy) Nothing to Report. D. Special Events Nothing to Report. XI. COMMISSIONER REPORTS/COMMENTS A. Individual Reports/Comments on Activities The Commissioners wished a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to staff. Managers Morgan and Smilowitz and Supervisor Yuasa were thanked for their hard work on presentations and City events. Commissioner Booth stated that he attended the last Sports Council meeting and is looking forward to the next meeting. Commissioner Carrico stated that he. heard someone is interested in putting radio towers on the eastside of Grand that could impact the skyline trails. He asked staff if they had heard anything. Commissioner Sykes added he had read that. the City wrote a letter to the county stating that they were opposed to the towers. Commissioner Estrada asked if it's true that the Commission meetings will be changed to every other month. Director McNeill stated that a staff report came from the City Manager's office asking for City Council's support to adjust the Ordinance to go to every other month. The purpose behind that is an effort to save staff time. Director McNeill gave examples of the time it takes to prepare for Commission meetings, and gave her opinion on the staff s feeling on this idea. Commissioner Estrada stated that he enjoyed coming every month, but after hearing Director McNeill's points, he understands why it would be implemented. Commissioner McIntosh also spoke in favor of the Commission going to every other month. Director McNeill thanked her staff for all their hard work throughout the year. She is pleased with the staffs customer service practices, and how they handled all situations with grace. Director McNeill went into more detail on the different programs and events that the Community Services Department accomplished throughout the year. XII. ITEMS TO BE AGENDIZED XIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION Motion by McIntosh, and seconded by Esparza to adjourn the meeting at 8:02 p.m. Motion carried by a vote of 9-0. Esparza was not present.