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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-06-21 - Agenda DocumentsMINUTES OF THE RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DOWNEY The Recreation and Community Services Commission held a Meeting at 4:04 p.m. February 2, 2021. The Recreation and Community Services Commissioners participated in the meeting Via Zoom Teleconference, Vice Chair Wood presiding. Commissioners choose to not recite the pledge of allegiance since there was no American flag present. Vice Chair Wood gave the invocation. Present: Vice Chair Wood Commissioner Cunningham Commissioner Ramierez Commissioner Ceja Absent: Also Present: Jason Chacon, Interim Director of Parks and Recreation Shantae Duren, Administrative Assistant Welcome to Members and Guests: Vice Chair Wood welcomed members and guests. 1. Interim Director Jason Chacon welcomed new Commissioners Ceja and Ramierez. The commissioners all took turns introducing and providing a brief background on themselves to the group. Mr. Chacon then provided a brief background on the Parks and Recreation Department and the different facilities and programs the Department oversees. Written Communications: 1. Approve Commission Minutes: December 1, 2020 Because of the change in committee members since the December 1, 2020 Recreation Committee meeting took place there is currently only one (1) committee member who was present at the meeting on December 1. Since this does not constitute a quorum the committee will not be able to adopt the minutes from December 1, 2020 meeting and no vote took place. Non-Agenda Public Comment: None Presentations: None Commission Business: None Director Reports/Discussion: 1. December Activity Report Interim Director Chacon delivered a summary of the December/January Recreation Commission Report. Items that Mr. Chacon reported on included: North Pole calling, the Prettiest Park challenge, staff appreciation for quarter 4, Sports league’s usage of park fields, fitness programing, ASPIRE virtual learning, senior meal pickup and delivery, the golf course, and the Theatre’s virtual programming. 2. Measure S Update Interim Director Jason Chacon advised the Commissioners that Wilderness Park is the only park remaining under construction. He advised that there are a few projects the City is finishing up with the anticipation of re-opening by the end of March, 2021. 3. Upcoming Events Director Chacon reported the following upcoming events:  Bunny Hop-Thru event  Fitness Pop-ups at the parks  February’s photo contest  Upcoming budget submittals for fiscal year 21/22 Commission Member Reports/Discussion:  Vice Chair Wood asked if Furman Park is open to which Interim Director Chacon answered, yes Furman Park is open.  Vice Chair Wood inquired to if the ducks would be returned to Wilderness Park. Mr. Chacon advised that they will be returned and that the Department will be working on community outreach to remind the public not to feed the ducks. Commissioner Cunningham stated that he is excited for the reopening of Wilderness Park and asked if there will be fish restocked to the ponds. Mr. Chacon advised that there will be fish in the ponds and that the California Department of Wildlife and Game will be managing the fish in the ponds.  Commissioner Cunningham stated that Rio San Gabriel Park is looking run-down. Mr. Chacon advised that Rio San Gabriel was not included in the Parks that received updated through the Measure S projects and that the City is looking into possible grants to help with the re-modeling of the Park. He advised that the City estimates the cost for the renovations needed will be around 7-8 million dollars. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 4:47pm _ ____________ Jeanie Wood, Vice Chair CITY OF DOWNEY RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION ADMINISTRATIVE MEMO   Date: April 6, 2021 To: Recreation and Community Services Commission From: Jason Chacon, Interim Director of Parks & Recreation Subject: Activity Report – March, 2021       RECREATION ASPIRE In February, the Unsworth ASPIRE leaders worked together to write virtual lesson plans for the students to learn art basics and how to be an artist. The students first learned about lines, dimensions, and color theory to help them understand that art is all about being creative. They then learned about famous artists such as Frida Kahlo, Keith Haring and Pablo Picasso, and how different their art was from each other. Next, they started applying art styles learned in activities like creating comics, positive and negative space, and origami. They learned that art can have different meanings depending on culture, environment, and time period. As well as anyone can be an artist, it just takes imagination and perseverance. BARBARA J. RILEY COMMUNITY & SENIOR CENTER (BJR)   Events and Activities The Barbara J. Riley Community and Senior Center started the Downey Senior Wellness Program. This program offers seniors 65+ with frozen meals to help during the COVID19 Pandemic. Seniors are able to call ahead to make reservations for meal pick up on Monday’s and Thursday’s at BJR. Meals are free of charge and residents receive 4 frozen meals at a time. If seniors are unable to leave their residence, the Parks and Recreation Department will deliver meals to their homes on Tuesday and Wednesdays. There is an average of 50 reservations made for the pickup service and 50 residents in need for home delivery. Senior Meal program is serving approximately 5000 meals a month for Senior as pick up and home delivered meals. Programming Second session of Fitness, Dance, Karate and Tumbling contract classes started on March 15th and are being held outdoors at Furman Park, Golden Park and Apollo Park. There is a maximum of 15 participants allowed in each class per Los Angeles County COVID guidelines. The City of Downey continues to provide content for the online Virtual Recreation Center for Downey Residents while following the stay at home orders. Recreation Staff has been filming on Wednesdays with staff focusing on Arts, Health & Wellness and Enrichment activities. The website is updated once a week with new programs for all ages.                       DOWNEY THEATRE The Theatre is beginning the migration to a new ticketing software, Audience View, which is a web based software allowing a lot of user flexibility and expanded reporting. Staff is working with the IT Department to configure the software and the existing box office staff is starting their training. Even though there are no events at the Theatre at this time, it is necessary for them to be trained on the new system in preparation for reopening.