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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-05-22 Board Meeting Agenda - CMSCCOLUMBIA MEMORIAL SPACE SCIENCE LEARNING CENTER (CMSSLC) FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS AGENDA SPECIAL MEETING MAY 22, 2024 6:00 p.m. FINANCIAL PARTNERS CREDIT UNION 7800 Imperial Hwy. Downey, CA 90242 CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL III. PUBLIC COMMENTS (AGENDA ITEMS ONLY) This portion provides an opportunity for the public to address the Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center Foundation Board of Directors on items listed on the agenda. Please limit your comments to no more than five (5) minutes. Pursuant to the Brown Act, no discussion or action, other than a brief response, referral to City staff or schedule for a subsequent agenda, shall be taken by the Board of Directors on any issue brought forth under this section. IV. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REPORT a. Update on Activities of the Columbia Memorial Space Center b. Update on Future Projects including Facility Expansion c. Update on State Science Fair V. BOARD BUSINESS a. Present and Discuss Expansion Project and Options for Support VII. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS VI. ADJOURNMENT Supporting documents if any are available at: www.downeyca.org; or the Downey City Clerk's Office,11111 Brookshire Ave, Downey, CA 90241 Monday thru Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), if special assistance is needed to participate in this meeting, complete the City's Title II ADA Reasonable Accommodation Form located on the City's website and at City Hall - City Clerk's Department,11111 Brookshire Avenue, Monday — Friday, 7:30 a.m. — 5:30 p.m., and submit to the City Clerk's Department or contact (562) 904-7280 or TTY 7-1-1, 24 business hours prior to the City meeting. The City of Downey prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in any of its program and services. For questions, concerns, complaints, or for additional information regarding the ADA, contact the City's ADA/Section 504 Coordinator at ADACoordinator a@downeyca.org: Phone: (562) 299-6619; or TTY at 7-1-1. In compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, the City of Downey prohibits discrimination of any person in any of its program and services. If written language translation of City agendas or minutes, or for oral language interpretation at a City meeting is needed, contact the City Clerk's Office at (562) 904-7280, or (562) 299-6619, 24 business hours prior to the meeting. En cumplimiento con el Titulo A de la Ley de Derechos Civiles, la Ciudad de Downey prohibe la discriminacion de cualquier persona en todos sus programas y servicios. En caso de necesitar una traduccion escrita de las ordenes del dia o las actas de las reuniones de la ciudad, o para solicitar un interprete oral para una reunion de la ciudad, comuniquese a la oficina de la Secretaria de la ciudad al (562) 904-7280, o al (562) 299-6619, en el horario de atencion commercial, 24 horas antes de la reunion. I, Sarah Medina, Center Supervisor, City of Downey, do hereby certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing notice was posted pursuant to Government Code Section 54950 Et. Seq., at the following locations: Downey City Hall, Downey City Library, and Barbara J. Riley Senior Center. Dated this 21 to of May, 2024 Sarah Medina, Center Supervisor SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES FRIDAY, MAY UnifiedDowney i ri Conference 11627 Brookshire Avenue, Downey, CA 90241 COMMITTEE Claudia M. Frometa, Mayor Nancy Swenson, School Board Member Hector Sosa, Councilmember Linda Saldana, School Board Member Roger Bradley, City Manager Dr. John A. Garcia, Jr., Ph.D., Superintendent Vaniah De Rojas, Interim Asst. City Mgr. Dwayne Cooper, Lieutenant Downey PD WELCOME/ INTRODUCTIONS Dr. Garcia welcomed everyone at 2:00 p.m. and asked everyone to introduce themselves. IL PUBLIC COMMENTS (AGENDA AND NON -AGENDA ITEMS) None. I11. APPROVE MINUTES: SPECIAL MEETING OF MARCH 30, 2022 A motion was made by Downey Unified Board Member Nancy Swenson, seconded by City of Downey Mayor Claudia Frometa with Councilmember Hector Sosa abstaining to approve minutes with a correction to the committee members present adding Dwayne Cooper, Lieutenant of Downey Police Department. IV. DISCUSS THE INCUBATOR PROJECT Downey Unified Superintendent, Dr. Garcia, mentions that the beginning of this project is hinging on the City taking possession of the property. An agreement has been made between the City and School District to commit $5,000 each for architectural renderings which is in process. This process is not quick moving unless we need to accelerate for a specific reason, but it is something that continue being discussed steadily moving forward. City Manager, Roger Bradley, shared that there is not a huge update at this point and they are still working on the acquisition together. The City has been working with the property owner to introduce the idea of having an educational use within this facility since they were not aware of that at the beginning. The City is also doing its due diligence to ensure the costs of the implications of the rehab of this site are understood. Further sharing that they are getting close to some good progress on it but don't have much more to report at this point, and should have more answers soon. Dr. Garcia asked Mr. Bradley if there is a projected timeline sharing that he understands that it's a complex kind of deal with the developer but would like to know when we will have some type of timeline. Mr. Bradley said that the City should have a more concrete scope and timeline in about a month or a month and a half. Mayor Claudia Frometa stated that the Council has been really supportive of this project and knows it's taken a long time to get to, but now with Mr. Bradley on board, things are moving in that direction. The City would like to have a more concrete timeline before the end of the summer. Dr. Garcia asked Mr. Bradley to keep him posted and then, in turn, he would keep the Downey Unified Board posted as well. This way both parties will keep in touch and see how progress is going so we won't have to wait for another meeting to get updates. V. DISCUSS SAFETY ISSUES/THEFTS ON SCHOOL PARKING LOTS o DROP OFF/PICK UP OF STUDENTS o STREET VENDORS Downey Unified Board member, Nancy Swenson, commented on the traffic during drop-off and pick-up at the school sites and how some parents just park in the middle of the street with their hazards on and have children cross in the middle of the street. She is asking if maybe there could be a little more police presence at the school sites during these times since parents/drivers seem to be more cautious when there is a police presence. City of Downey Councilmember, Hector Sosa, shared that the City had a meeting recently with the Downey Police Department specifically for the pickup and drop off at Stauffer Middle School and Old River Elementary since there is a lot of traffic at both of those sites. Having a police presence does keep drivers honest, he shared. Downey Police Lieutenant Cooper stated that the motor officers are assigned to school sites and are aware to drive by as much as they can. Lieutenant Cooper also said that DPD also tries to send patrol cars but, with the traffic at the sites, it is harder for a patrol car to get around. He mentioned that DPD tries to do its best and that if there are any areas of concern to contact DPD. Superintendent, Dr. Garcia asked Lieutenant Cooper if both parties could look into some of the hot spots which seem to be the sites that are in more of a residential area where the streets are narrower, and traffic seems to be worse. Downey Unified Board member Saldana shared how wonderful the crossing guards are and wonders if the Police Department ever asks them for their input on the traffic, especially after school. Mrs. Saldana mentions specifically the congestion at the corner of Suva and Tweedy with the vendors on the corner especially when there is more than one vendor. Sharing that students usually have to step off the sidewalk and into the street to get around them, which is pretty scary with all the traffic. Lieutenant Cooper stated that the vendors should be 500 feet away from schools. He will be sending an officer to that area to make sure the vendors are not blocking the walkway for students and families. o EFFORTS TO COMBAT FENTANYL USE AND ACCIDENTAL ODs Superintendent, Dr. Garcia stated that Downey Unified's Dr. Robert Jagielski has done a lot of work on this topic, particularly with our high schools speaking to them at whole school assemblies. Downey Unified was the first district to buy Narcan for all sites with multiple kits at the middle and high schools and had all administrators trained last summer. Dr. Garcia went on to say that from a historical perspective, this is all pandemic -related. Further stating that he shares with people that drugs are a community problem, they are a social problem they are not just a school problem. The District has worked on student communication and is hopeful that messaging is getting through. The District hadn't seen kids in almost two years and was not able to monitor 22,000 students every single day and see if something was off. The District has definitely not eradicated it but is making headway. The District will continue to have Narcan at all sites and make sure that staff at all levels (not just high school), are trained and knows how to use it. Mayor Claudia Frometa asked how the City can partner with the district on this. Sharing that this is such a herculean task with 22,000 students, parents and families. She suggested maybe a joint educational campaign like a town hall before students come back. Dr. Garcia suggested combining efforts at his Coffee with the Superintendent where they could possibly do a joint presentation as to how the District is working with the City and DPD regarding school safety all the way around. If decided the District would advertise the topic and how all parties work together to collaborate on school safety. Dr. Garcia commented on how important it is for our District to continue to get out information to our students about "See Something/Say Something" and the We Tip Line where individuals are able to report any type of situation anonymously. The We Tip Line has been a very powerful tool and of great value to the District. Lieutenant Cooper shared that he believes that the messages the District has been sending out to students letting them that this drug is deadly, has scared them since DPD has not seen a lot of this drug in the schools. Board member Saldana asked what can the City do about the drug addicts and homeless, especially at the parks. Lieutenant Cooper shared that there should not be anyone at the parks after 10:00 p.m. and DPD will come out and have them move on. If community members see anyone sleeping in the park they should call DPD and they will come out. o HOW ARE WE DEPLOYING NARCAN TO OUR CITY FACILITIES Mayor Frometa shared that this has already been taken of. The council was very supportive of this and Narcan is currently at City Hall, The Space Center and the Library. The reason this topic came up was that the City wanted to be prepared and have it readily available at city facilities. Lieutenant Cooper assured Dr. Garcia that all Fire and Police have Narcan and have been trained on how to administer it. VI. DISCUSS YOUTH ON FIRE PROGRAM Mayor Frometa shared how happy she is that Councilman Hector Sosa is on board with this program and that he is as passionate about it as she is. Especially after the pandemic, the City has noticed that there are a lot more middle and high school students dealing with mental health issues. In the past, this program focused on young women, but young men can't be dismissed. The thought is to do two days, one for girls and another day for boys, and also have a few hours for parents. The City would like to do this maybe two days before the beginning of the school year. Councilmember Sosa spoke about how excited the City was with the success of the Girls on Fire program and thought that this would also be a great opportunity to show young men in our community what kind of resources are available to them to make them strong young men. This event would cover a variety of topics including some speakers who will be positive male role models and mentors for these boys. Superintendent Dr. Garcia agreed that having the programs separate is a good idea and also maybe offering an incentive for those students who participate. Ashley will be in communication with Vania as far as logistics and marketing advertising. VII. COMMITTEE MEMBERS' COMMENTS Board member Saldana commented that she enjoyed meeting with everyone. Mayor Frometa said that we are blessed and fortunate to be engaged and have friendly conversations with each other further stating that she is grateful for this partnership which makes the city that much stronger and she values the leadership of our school district. She knows that all parties want to continue to make the City a better place and it shows, so thank you. Councilmember Sosa shared that what he set out to do was to build a more strategic relationship between the two entities. Stating that we have to recognize that Downey Unified is a totally separate entity from the City and we respect that and have the utmost respect for the leadership and the school board. Echoing what was shared by Mayor Frometa, Sosa continued by saying that the city has the best interest of students and our City in mind so we just continue to work together. Board Member Swenson mentioned that she attended the first Girls on Fire but did not go to the breakout sessions so she would be interested in knowing what topics are presented in those sessions. Mayor Frometa shared that there will be a variety of speakers on a variety of topics. The city will also offer something for parents but nothing too lengthy. Board member Saldana asked if the City has heard about Dr. Bravo from Grupo Crecer who is amazing and does parenting classes for the District. Dr. Garcia said that Dr. Bravo works through the District's Innovative Ed. Department. Ashley will reach out to Patricia Sandoval to see if Dr. Bravo might be available. Councilmember Sosa mentioned that this is awesome and that he appreciates everyone coming to the table. Sharing that we all want to make a difference within our community. VIII. STAFF COMMENTS City Manager, Roger Bradley, mentioned that the Emergency due to Covid for the buses ended this last week which means that in about 30 days the fares will start up again. The fares will be the same fifty cents per ride and $15 a month. Superintendent, Dr. Garcia ended the meeting by thanking everyone for their presence. Stating that he really appreciates the relationship and it is great to sit down and talk and dream together. Asking all parties to continue to strive to make our schools the best that they can possibly be because our kids deserve the best. Mayor Frometa suggested that the group does not wait a year before the next meeting. Dr. Garcia said that historically there are two meetings a year, one in the Spring and one in the fall. A meeting We should probably be set up within the next couple of weeks for the fall meeting. Mayor Frometa also suggested that both parties should send out messaging, maybe a picture with a blurb stating that both the City and the School District are working together. IX. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 3:11 p.m. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, you should contact the Superintendent's Office at (562) 469-6511. Notification 24 hours prior to the meeting will enable the School District to make reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility to this meeting. I, Martha Machado, Assistant to the Superintendent, Downey Unified School District, do hereby certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing notice was posted pursuant to Government Code Section 54950 Et. Seq. at the following locations: Downey City Hall, Downey City Library, Barbara J. Riley Senior Center and Downey Unified School District. Dated this 27 day of May, 2023 Malta lffaclado Martha Machado, Assistant to the Superintendent Downey Unified School District