HomeMy WebLinkAboutM-RCSC-03-05-13
MINUTES OF THE
RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY
March 5, 2013
The Recreation and Community Services Commission held a Regular Meeting at 4:03 p.m. March
5, 2013, in the Council Chambers, Downey City Hall, 11111 Brookshire Avenue, Downey,
California, Alexander Lopez, Chair presiding. Vice Chair Veloff led the pledge of allegiance and
Chair Lopez gave the invocation.
Present: Alexander Lopez, Chair
James Veloff, Vice Chair
Michael Hemsath, Commissioner
Blanca Rochin, Commissioner
Also Present: Arlene Salazar, Director of Parks and Recreation
Sonya Meacham, Acting Recreation Manager
Kaili Torres, Executive Secretary
Welcome to Members and Guests:
None Present
Written Communication:
1. Approve Commission Minutes: It was moved by Commissioner Hemsath, seconded
by Vice Chair Veloff and carried 4-0, to approve the minutes of December 4, 2012 as
written.
Non-Agenda Public Comment:
Commission Business:
1. City of Downey Dial-A-Ride Driver’s Handbook receive and file – Director Arlene
Salazar informed the Board that transit, for the City of Downey falls under the Parks
and Recreation Department. She further informed them that the current handbook
was last updated in 1982 and since that time regulations have changed regarding
both the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Americans with Disabilities Act
thus requiring changes to be made to the handbook. Vice Chair Veloff asked
Director Salazar who the group “AMMA” was, as they prepared the drafted
handbook. She responded that they are a third party transit consulting firm hired to
research current transit law and operational standards using this information to
create a new transit driver’s handbook.
The City of Downey Dial-A-Ride Driver’s Handbook we so received and filed by the
Recreation Community Services Commission with acknowledgement of so by Chair
Lopez.
2. Approve or deny request to move the next Community Services Commissioner’s
meeting to Tuesday, April 9, 2013 in the Cormack Room of the Downey City Library.
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– Vice Chair Veloff noted that he would not be able to attend this meeting. All other
board members responded that they would be able to attend.
It was moved by Commissioner Hemsath, seconded by Vice Chair Veloff and
unanimously approved to change the next meeting date and location to April 9, 2013
in the Cormack Room of the Downey City Library.
Administrative Reports
1. Social Services/Theatre/Administration: Director Arlene Salazar reported that
several events and senior excursion had taken place at the Barbara J. Riley
Community and Senior Center, from December 2012 to February 2013, as outlined
in the report handout. Director Salazar also informed the Board that due to the lack
of AARP tax preparer volunteers this year BJR had limited the senior tax preparation
services to appointments only and were not accepting walk-ins. Further, that due to
this lack of volunteers the AARP has notified BJR administration that they might
cancel the tax preparation service for the coming year. Director Salazar also
reported success with ticket sales at the Downey Civic Theatre for the Peter White
and Los Lonely Boys concerts. The Theatre is currently preparing for their next show
with Dance Brazil, which will perform a shortened version for the ASPIRE students
Friday, March 8, 2013, and will be hosting its first ever “Dio De Las Muertos” event
on Sunday, November 3, 2013. Additionally, she reported that the U.S. Army was
the newest partner in the “Healthy Downey” movement and that Kaiser Permanente
recently awarded this movement with an $10,000 grant in helping to promote such
events as the up-coming Healthy Downey 5K Run/Walk being held on April 13, 2013.
Director Salazar then reported that the Parks and Recreation Community Master
Plan meetings had concluded at the end of February and that we are now awaiting a
report of findings from the Department of Urban & Regional Planning master’s
degree students at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Lastly, Director
Salazar informed the Board of the Twilight Summer Concert Series dates and groups
performing, adding that the Parks and Recreation Department would be hosting its
first ever Music and Movie event at Golden Park on Saturday, August 10, 2013.
Recreation/Aspire/Photo Contest: Acting Recreation Manager Sonya Meacham
2.
reported that the McCaughan Gymnasium hosted a Holiday Haven excursion to the
California Science Center on January 4, 2013 for 22 youth participants. The
excursion attendees were able to view the “Indiana Jones” exhibit which featured150
pieces of Egyptian artifacts. She reported that ASPIRE received grant funding, from
“Interested Legacy”, to give staff online developmental training throughout the year.
She further let the Board know that all ASPIRE students were able to go on a field
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trip to the Discovery Science Center on December 4 -7 . ASPIRE students had a
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fundraiser at Buffalo Wild Wings, on January 24 , where 15% of all proceeds went to
ASPIRE netting in $300 going to sports funding for the program. ASPIRE middle
school students also were able to go on a field trip to Knott’s Berry Farm on January
st
31 when the schools had a minimum day. Before going on this trip middle school
students were given lessons on the history and design of roller coasters learning
about speed and velocity. Further, 9 of the ASPIRE elementary schools received
Keep Downey Beautiful presentations on the importance of keeping their community
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clean. The West Middle School ASPIRE site had their 2 Annual Duct Tape Fashion
show where they used math, design, and art in making their outfits with two school
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counselor’s participating as models for the show. The Sussman Middle School
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ASPIRE site had a winter formal on February 18 that included food, music and
pictures. Only students who had a 3.0 GPA or higher were able to participate as a
reward for their academic achievement.Finally, Sonya presented the Board with
photographs that were submitted by community members for the “Parks Make Life
Better” photo contest being done for the Parks and Recreation Department. Board
members were able to view a total of 34 pictures in the categories of “Best Active
Play”, “Best Landscape/Nature”, “Best Facility”, and “Best Leisure Activity”. Board
members submitted anonymous voting forms and the results will be announced at
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the next Recreation and Community Services Commission meeting on April 9 .
Board Member Reports/Discussion
Vice Chair Veloff: Requested a status update, from Director Salazar, on the Rio Hondo Golf
Course participant numbers and revenue from the last couple of months. Director Salazar reported
that due to 16 days in December and 10 days in January the golf course had record low
attendance. However, the golf course had a Groupon promotion which brought in over $114,000
worth of business in helping to make up for this loss. In financial comparison to other state and
local golf courses the RHGC is doing very well as most other courses are having to be subsidized
by their government entity while the RHGC is not. Due to this promotion the RHGC has also seen
an increase in new and novice players especially from the South Bay area. Director Salazar went
on to let the Board know that the RHGC Policy and Procedures manual was being reviewed and a
revised copy would be presented at the next meeting for approval. Director Salazar also reported
that she and RHGC staff were working diligently in promoting the RHGC in obtaining more revenue
by doing such things as having a new POS system which tracks user sales demographics allowing
for more targeted marketing campaigns and working to have the golf course listed on sites such as
Expedia and Trip Advisor. Director Salazar also informed the Board that the Rio Hondo Golf
Course would be having an Open House on Sunday, June 9, 2013 inviting the public to visit the
golf course, tour the grounds, and partake in free appetizers at the event center. For this event the
City is hoping to make the community aware that this course is a public course open to all who
wish to use it and promote golf as a sport to new and novice players.
Chair Lopez then asked about the ongoing security issue at the RHGC concerning car theft and
vandalism. The board discussed different options for increased security in the parking lot area fo
the golf course including cutting back trees, increasing lights, putting surveillance cameras, extra
police patrol and private security personnel. The Board asked Director Salazar to look into these
options and provide an update at the next meeting.
Chair Lopez welcomed Blanca Rochin as the newest elected Commissioner of the Recreation and
Community Services Commission.
Adjournment: 4:45 p.m.
There being no further business before the Commission, Chair Lopez adjourned the meeting at
4:45 p.m. to Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 4:00 p.m.
_______________________________
Alexander Lopez, Chair
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