[00:00:03]
THANK YOU FOR MY OH, YOU'RE WELCOME.
VERY BEAUTIFUL THURSDAY MORNING.
UM, AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK, UH, THAT WE DO A FLIGHT SLOOT, AND I'VE ASKED PATRICK, WHO HAS A NEW MASTER'S IN GERONTOLOGY TO LEAD US IN THE FLIGHT LOO.
YEAH, WE GOTTA DO, WE GOTTA DO ROLL CALL.
NO, WE DID THIS FIRST SECOND, THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA REPUBLIC, WHERE SHE STANDS.
ONE MISSION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, LIBERTY AND JUSTICE.
AND, UH, DIRECTOR SCOTT, COULD YOU, UH, DO THE ROLL CALL, PLEASE? ABSOLUTELY.
COMMISSIONER LIVINGSTON, PRESENT.
OH, HE'S, UH, GOT AN EXCUSED ABSENCE.
COMMISSIONER ALLEN ALSO HAS AN EXCUSED ABSENCE.
VICE CHAIR, AK DE SMITH HERE AND CHAIR REDFIELD HERE.
AND SO NOW, UM, DO YOU HAVE ANY PRESENTATIONS THIS MORNING, DIRECTOR? WE DO.
THIS IS OUR EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH PRESENTATION.
SO I AM GONNA, UH, HAND IT OFF TO OUR NEW CHAIR OF OUR EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION COMMITTEE, ZA, UH, WHO WILL, UH, LEAD US, UH, LEAD THIS PRESENTATION.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONERS.
UM, WE ARE PRESENTING, WE ARE DOING A SURPRISE TODAY OF OUR RECIPIENT.
UM, SO I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
SOMETIMES WE GET TO SURPRISE MONTH BEFORE, BUT, UM, THIS TIME WE'RE SURPRISING THEM HERE.
UH, AND THIS ONE IS KIND OF A, A GREAT HONOR.
'CAUSE SOMETIMES PEOPLE ARE NOMINATED BY THEIR COWORKERS, UM, OR MAYBE THEIR SUPERVISORS, BUT THIS ONE, THEY WERE NO NOMINATED BY ONE OF THEIR STAFF MEMBERS, WHICH IS ALWAYS NICE TO SEE BECAUSE WHEN A STAFF NOMINATES THEIR SUPERVISOR, IT MEANS THEY VALUE WHAT, YOU KNOW, THEY BRING TO THEM AND THE MORALE AND STUFF LIKE THAT.
SO I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT.
UM, SO I'M GONNA READ THE NOMINATION FOR YOU, UM, AND THEN I'LL ANNOUNCE WHO IT IS.
UM, THIS PERSON IS SO PATIENT, SO GOOD HEARTED SHOWS THAT THEY CARE ABOUT THEIR PATRON WORKERS.
I'M VERY KIND, THEY'RE VERY HARDWORKING, AND THEY'RE ALWAYS THERE WHEN WE NEED THEM AS STAFF MEMBERS.
UM, WALKING THROUGH OUR FACILITY, UM, THIS PERSON ACTUALLY WORKS WITH ME, AND SO I'M EXCITED.
I CALL THEM MY SENIOR WHISPERER.
TONY'S BEEN KNOWN WITH OUR DEPARTMENT FOR QUITE A LONG TIME.
HE WORKS AT OUR LONG BEACH SENIOR CENTER.
HE IS THE GENTLEMAN THAT ANYTIME OUR PATRONS HAVE NOT EVEN AN ISSUE, JUST WANT TO TALK.
HE, HE IS THERE TO LISTEN AND HE LISTENS WITH EMPATHY.
HE'LL TALK TO THEM THROUGH, YOU KNOW, FOR A LOT OF THE DAY.
HE'S ONE OF OUR FAVORITE KARAOKE ARTISTS.
WE HAVE A FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, AND IT GETS KIND OF LIGHTLY IN THERE SOMETIMES.
SO HE DOES SOME KARAOKE THEN TO KIND OF CALM THE NERVE.
UM, BUT HE'S DEFINITELY, UM, I CALL HIM MY WHISPER BECAUSE HE CAN HANDLE ANY, UM, SITUATION THAT RIDE GOOD OR BAD.
AND HE HAS JUST THAT ABILITY TO LISTEN WITH HIS HEART AND WHO HE IS.
UM, SO WITH THAT, WE JUST WANT TO HONOR YOU, TONY, AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK.
SO YOU'RE THE NOVEMBER EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH.
AND, UH, I JUST APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE.
UM, I AM A SENIOR MYSELF, GETTING CLOSE TO RETIREMENT, BUT I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO, TO WORK WITH OTHER SENIORS AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK IN THIS DEPARTMENT.
AND I, I HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR SOME TIME AND TO WORK WITH WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL FOLKS WHO, UM, HAVE JUST THIS GREAT WORK FAMILY ENVIRONMENT AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
I'VE BEEN AROUND LONG BEACH AND, UH, FOR MANY YEARS, AND IT'S JUST BEEN A, A GREAT OPPORTUNITY AND I DO ENJOY SEEING YOU AND I'M THANKFUL THAT OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS ALLOW ME TO SEND YOU
[00:05:03]
TONY, MAY I ASK, UH, WHAT, HOW DID THEY GET YOU TO COME TODAY? WELL, UM, THE SUPERVISOR FOR THIS SITE IS OFF, AND, UH, SHE HAD ASKED ME JUST TO CHECK IN ON THE MEETING TO MAKE SURE THINGS ARE GOING UP.THANK YOU, HEIDI, FOLLOWING THOSE DIRECTIONS.
WE, THIS IS, WE LIKE TO TAKE A PICTURE WITH EVERYONE, SO I DON'T NEED THAT.
YEAH, WE'RE USUALLY, WE'RE MISSING A COUPLE OF COMMISSIONERS.
YEAH, WELL THAT WAS DELIGHTFUL AND VERY SPECIAL.
SO WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO THE REGULAR AGENDA.
UH, ITEM NUMBER ONE IS A RECOMMENDATION TO RECEIVE A FILE AND UPDATE REGARDING ELEVATE 28 AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS AS IT RELATES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS RECREATION MARINE.
UH, CAN I HAVE A MOTION PLEASE? SO MOVED.
UH, AND DIRECTOR, DO WE HAVE A REPORT? WE DO.
UM, SO ONE OF OUR STANDING ITEMS ON OUR MONTHLY, UH, COMMISSION AGENDAS IS, UH, FOR THE COMMISSION TO TELL US SOME THINGS THAT THEY'D LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT.
AND ONE OF THOSE ITEMS THAT WAS BROUGHT UP LAST YEAR BY THE COMMISSION WAS TO LEARN A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE CITY'S ELEVATE 28 PLAN.
THAT IS OUR FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC, UH, STRATEGIC CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, UH, FOR THE CITY.
AND SO, UH, BACK IN SEPTEMBER, UH, THE MAINTENANCE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE PLANNING COMMITTEE RECEIVED, UH, THIS PRESENTATION, AND WE WANTED TO BRING IT TO THE FULL COMMISSION SO EVERYBODY, UH, CAN, UH, GET THAT KIND OF 30,000 FOOT LEVEL, UM, VIEW OF THE CITY'S, UH, ELEVATE 28 PLAN.
SO BEFORE, UH, I HAND IT OFF, UM, I DO WANNA SAY THIS IS NOT, UH, A PRESENTATION WHERE WE'RE GETTING INTO THE SCOPE OF WORK FOR EVERY SINGLE PROJECT.
YOU WILL SEE THAT WE HAVE DOZENS UPON, DOZENS UPON DOZENS OF PARKS AND PARKS RELATED PROJECTS IN THE PLAN.
AND SO THERE IS A LOT OF WORK, UH, BOTH BETWEEN OUR DEPARTMENT AND OUR PARTNERS IN PUBLIC WORKS, UH, WORKING ON EACH OF THOSE PROJECTS.
AND THEY'RE AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT.
UH, SOME ARE STILL AWAITING FOR MORE FUNDING, OTHERS ARE BEING SCOPED, SOME ARE IN, UH, CONSTRUCTION AS WE SPEAK.
AND SO, UM, THIS AGAIN, IS JUST TO PROVIDE KIND OF THAT HIGH LEVEL OVERVIEW OF THE PLAN.
AND SO, UH, WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE, UH, ONE OF OUR PARTNERS FROM PUBLIC WORKS, ANNA DINDA, UH, SHE'S THE CAPITAL PROJECTS OFFICER FOR PUBLIC WORKS.
AND SHE IS HERE, UH, TO PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE ELEVATE 28 PLAN.
YOU SHOULD ALL HAVE A COPY OF THE PLAN IN FRONT OF YOU.
UH, AND THEN FOR THE AUDIENCE, WE ALSO HAVE, UH, IT PROJECTED ON THE TELEVISION.
SO, AND THANK YOU DIRECTOR SCOTT, AND GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS.
UM, LIKE THE DIRECTOR MENTIONED, MY NAME IS ANNA DENDA.
I AM THE CAPITAL BUDGET OFFICER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.
UM, SO MY DUTIES INCLUDE, UM, I OVERSEE AND DEVELOP THE CAPITALIST HUMAN PROGRAM, THE ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS.
SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND PRESENT THE ELEVATE 28, UH, INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON.
THIS FIRST SLIDE IS JUST A DOWNLOADABLE PDF THAT WE HAVE ON THE ELEVATE 28 SLIDE, AND IT SHOWS THE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES WITHIN THE, UM, ELEVATE 28 PLAN.
THE ELEVATE 28 INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN, UM, IS NEW, WELL, IT'S NOT NEW, BUT IT WAS FIRST STARTED IN FY UH, 23 TO 27 AS PART OF THE FISCAL YEAR 23 BUDGET.
[00:10:01]
EXPANDED THE INITIAL FIVE YEAR PLAN WITH ADDITIONAL FUNDING, UH, SPREAD ACROSS ADDITIONAL THREE NEW CATEGORIES, THE 28, UH, OLYMPIC LEGACY, THE COMMUNITY AND CULTURE INVESTMENTS, GOLD MEDAL, UH, PARK REFRESH PROJECTS, AND BRANDED THE PLAN AS THE ELEVATE 28 INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT PLAN.THE NEW ELEVATE 28 PLAN NOW INCLUDES OVER 180, UH, UNIQUE PROJECTS AND ENCOMPASSES THE MAJORITY OF THE CITY'S INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS FROM FY 23 TO 27.
THIS FIVE YEAR PLAN SERVES AS A STRATEGIC MULTI-YEAR PLANNING AND BUDGETING TOOL, ENABLING STAFF TO ALLOCATE FUNDING FOR SIGNATURE AND PRIORITY PROJECTS OVER AN EXTENDED TIMEFRAME, RATHER THAN RELYING ON ISOLATED YEAR TO YEAR, UH, CAP CYCLES.
AS PART OF THE FY 26 BUDGET THAT WAS JUST ADOPTED OCTOBER.
IN OCTOBER 1ST, THE CITY OF COUNCIL INCREASED THE FY 23 TO 25 SWIM, UH, INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN.
UH, AND IT NOW TOTALS $1 BILLION WITH A B OF PLANNED INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT.
THE ELEVATE 28 PLAN INCLUDES OVER 180 PROJECTS, UM, IN THE RIGHT WAY, UH, IN ADDITION TO VARIOUS RIGHT OF WAY IMPROVEMENTS.
SO THE EIGHT FUNDING CATEGORIES ARE THE 28 OLYMPIC LEGACY CULTURAL, UH, COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS, THE GOLD MEDAL PARK REFRESH PROJECTS, MOBILITY AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS, PARK IMPROVEMENTS, FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS RIGHT AWAY, AND OTHER, UH, WATER QUALITY AND CLIMATE ACTION ADOPTION PLANS, AND THE CRITICAL, UH, FACILITIES AND GRANT MATCH RESERVES THAT WE HAVE.
THESE, THESE NEXT FEW SLIDES ARE JUST, UH, THE PROJECTS THAT ARE LISTED IN EACH OF THE CATEGORIES WITHIN THE PLAN.
AS YOU CAN SEE, THEY'RE BROKEN DOWN BY THEIR, UM, THE CATEGORY.
AND EVERY PROJECT IS LISTED UNDER THERE IN THE, UM, THIS MAP HERE SHOWS ALL THE PLANNED AND COMPLETED STREETS WITHIN THE INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN.
THE GREEN ARE THE ONES THAT ARE, HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.
THE RED ARE STILL THE PLANNED STREETS THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY STILL WORKING ON.
AND AS YOU CAN SEE, MOST OF OUR, UH, MAP IS IN GREEN.
NOW, HERE IS THE LIST OF THE PARK IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE WITHIN IN THE PLAN, ALL THE PROJECTS.
UH, WE'RE ON SLIDE NINE RIGHT NOW.
SO THESE ARE JUST THE, I'M NOT GONNA GO OVER EVERY SINGLE PROJECT, BUT THESE ARE ALL LISTED IN THERE.
WE HAVE THE ELEVATE 28 WEBSITE, WHICH IS LV ELEVATE 20 EIGHT.COM.
IT'S A NEW WEBSITE THAT WAS, UH, PRODUCED BY THE CITY, AND IT COMMUNICATES TO THE PUBLIC AND SERVES AS A HUB FOR PROJECT INFORMATION.
THE WEBSITE INCLUDES UNIQUE PROJECT INFORMATION PAGES THAT PROVIDE PROJECT DETAILS SUCH AS SCOPE, BUDGET, LOCATION, CONSTRUCTION, START AND COMPLETION DATES, THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING CURRENTLY SECURED, AND THE PHASE OF THE PROJECT.
THE WEBSITE ALSO ALLOWS USERS TO SEARCH FOR, UH, PROJECTS BY COUNCIL, DISTRICTS BY CATEGORY, AND BY MAPS.
THE INFORMATION IS REGULARLY UPDATED AND IS DISPLAYED THROUGH THE POWER BI TABLE, WHICH ALLOWS THE PUBLIC TO EASILY SORT AND FILTER THE, UH, INFORMATION.
WHEN YOU OPEN UP THE WEBSITE, THIS IS THE PAGE THAT YOU'LL LAND ON.
ONE OF THE WAYS TO SEARCH FOR PROJECTS IS BY THE TABS ON THE TOP.
YOU CAN ALSO SEARCH BY PROJECT NAME.
IF YOU HAVE THE PROJECT NAME, YOU CAN SEARCH BY PROJECT NAME, OR YOU CAN CLICK, UH, YOU CAN SEARCH BY ZIP CODE.
SO IF YOU ENTER A ZIP CODE, AND WE'LL BRING UP ALL THE PROJECTS WITHIN THAT ZIP CODE OR THAT AREA.
HERE'S AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE PROJECTS, UH, THE PROJECT PAGES.
IT JUST LISTS THE PROJECT NAME, THE COUNCIL DISTRICT, THE ADDRESS.
IT LISTS HOW THE PROJECT IS CURRENTLY FUNDED, THE STATUS OF THE PROJECT, AND IT HAS ESTIMATED DATES TOO.
THIS IS THE POWER BI TABLE, WHICH ALLOWS, UH, UH, RESIDENTS AND OTHERS TO SORT AND SEE MORE INFORMATION ON EACH PROJECT.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECTS THAT PUBLIC WORKS HAS DONE IN THE LAST, WITHIN THE LAST YEAR.
THIS IS THE, UM, EL DORADO PARK PAVING, WAYFINDING AND PARKING IMPROVEMENTS.
UM, THIS BASED, UH, WAS CONSTRUCTED CONSTRUCTION WAS COMPLETED IN SPRING OF 2025.
WERE LOTS AND ROWS IN PHASE ONE AND PHASE TWO AREAS LOCATED IN THE EL DORADO EAST REGIONAL PARK CONSTRUCTION WAS SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED IN EARLY OCTOBER FOR PHASE THREE, THE WEST, UH, BALLFIELD PARKING LOT.
FUTURE, UH, WORK INCLUDES PHASE FOUR, AND THIS PROJECT WAS, UH, A $10 MILLION PROJECT THAT WAS GRANT FUNDED.
[00:15:01]
SOME MORE BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES.THE DAVENPORT, UH, PARK PHASE TWO EXPANSION IS ALSO ONE OF THE PROJECTS THAT WAS, UH, RECENTLY COMPLETED.
UH, IT EXPANDED THE EXISTING 5.5 ACRE PARK INTO 11.5 ACRE PARK.
THE PROJECT FEATURED, UH, THE EXPANDED NEW, UM, PARK INCLUDED A SPORTS FIELD, A FITNESS STATION, OUTDOOR SEATING AREAS, WALKING TRAIL, AND ADDITIONAL PARKING.
THIS WAS, UH, A 10 AND A HALF MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT, AND IT WAS FUNDED WITH MEASURE A PARK IMPACT FEES AND GRANTS.
HERE'S SOME BEFORE AND, UH, SOME PICTURES AFTER CONSTRUCTION.
AND THIS PARK, THIS PARK WAS LOCATED IN NORTH LONG BEACH.
WE ALSO, UH, COMPLETED THE JOE, UH, ROGERS BUILD IMPROVEMENTS.
UM, THE, THE REPAIRS INCLUDED, UM, EXISTING RESTROOMS AND PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS, THE RENOVATIONS, UM, INCLUDING NEW PARTITIONS, UH, EPOXY FLOORING, DOORS, SKYLIGHTS, PLUMBING FIXTURES.
WE GOT NEW WATER FOUNTAIN FOUNDATION, UM, HYDRATION STATIONS, AND ALSO PARKING LOTS TO ENSURE CODE COMPLIANCE, STRIPING AND PATH OF AD TRAVEL FOR ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACES.
THIS PROJECT WAS ABOUT $700,000 AND IT WAS, UH, FUNDED WITH MEASURE A, THE BIXBY BAN SHELL AND PARK IMPROVEMENT.
UM, AND THIS, UH, SUPPORT TWO CARE TO THE EXISTING S SHELL AND SURROUNDING PARK AREA.
UH, THE PROJECT FEATURED A NEW BANDSHELL STAGE IMPROVES, UH, PAVING AND A DA COMPLIANT RESTROOMS. UH, TWO A DA COMPLIANT PICNIC TABLES, PAVING IMPROVEMENTS TO ADDRESS SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITY IN FRONT OF THE BANDSHELL HYDRATION STATIONS, SECURITY CAMERAS, AND ENHANCED LIGHTING.
THIS PROJECT WAS ALMOST $2 MILLION AND IT WAS FUNDED WITH GRANT FUNDING AND MERE, YOU CAN SEE THEM BEFORE AND AFTER HERE SO MUCH.
NEXT UP WE HAVE THE EL DORADO SPORTS BUILD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
UM, THIS PART, A PROJECT IS PART OF A LARGER INITIATIVE TO UPGRADE AND
THIS PROJECT CONSISTED OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE YOUTH SOFTBALL AND BASEBALL FIELD AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS THAT WERE CONDUCTED IN TWO PHASES.
PHASE TWO OF THE PROJECT FOCUSED ON ENHANCED ACCESSIBILITY, HYDRATION, AND FACILITY REFRESHMENTS.
THIS WAS A $3.2 MILLION PROJECT, AND IT WAS FUNDED WITH GRANT FUNDING AS WELL AS A MEASURE A.
NEXT WE HAVE THE GREEN BELT HEIGHTS WALKING, UH, PATH.
UH, THE, THIS PROJECT FEATURES A RENOVATED DECOMPOSED GRANITE WALKING PATH SURFACE, UM, WITH NEW CURVES TO STABILIZE THE PATHWAY AND A NEW BALLARD AT THE NORTH ENTRANCE.
THESE UPGRADES IS REESTABLISHED A PATH A DA COMPLIANCE AND FACILITATE A SAFER AND ENJOYABLE WALKING EXPERIENCE.
THIS WAS FUNDED WITH MEASURE A, IT WAS A $200,000 PROJECT.
THEN WE HAVE, UM, THE MACARTHUR PARK REHAB.
THIS WAS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS THAT THE MAJOR THAT THE MAYOR HIGHLIGHTED IN HIS STATED CITY, UH, ON TUESDAY.
THIS PROJECT, UM, I'M SORRY, I'M LOOKING, LOOKING FOR MY NOTES HERE.
THIS IS A $10.4 MILLION PROJECT.
UM, THIS BROUGHT MAJOR RENOVATIONS TO THE SPORTS COURTS, THE GREEN SPACE, THE PICNIC AREAS, AND THE PLAYGROUNDS TO CREATE A PLACE OF INSPIRATION, GATHERING AND PLAY FOR THE CAMBODIA TOWN NEIGHBORHOOD AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES.
AND HERE IS SOME PICTURES OF THE GARDEN PARK.
NEXT UP WE HAVE THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR POOL.
UM, THIS PROJECT WAS PHASE TWO AND ADDRESSED PD FOR SAFETY ACCESSIBILITY IN MODERN INFRASTRUCTURE.
THIS WAS A $1.7 MILLION PROJECT, AND IT WAS FUNDED WITH MEASURE.
A NEXT STEP, WE HAVE, UH, THE RAMONA PARK SIGNATURE PLAYGROUND, WHICH WAS RECENTLY COMPLETED, AND IT PROVIDED TWO NEW AGE APPROPRIATE PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT, SITE FURNISHINGS, MISTERS, AND AN INVITING ENVIRONMENT FOR THE COMMUNITY.
THIS WAS A $2.6 MILLION PROJECT, AND IT WAS FUNDED WITH A MEASURE A SOME CDDG FUNDING AND SOME GRANT FUNDING.
THERE'S THE RAMONA PARK CENTER PLAYGROUND PICTURES WITH THE
NOW WE HAVE THE SILVERADO PARK SIGNATURE PLAYGROUND.
UM, THIS ONE WAS ALSO RECENTLY COMPLETED, I THINK IT WAS SEPTEMBER, THAT THEY HAD THE CEREMONY FOR THIS ONE.
[00:20:01]
AND, UM, THIS WAS A $2.4 MILLION PROJECT AS WELL.THIS WAS MEASURE A FUNDED AND GRANT FUNDED, UM, AND THE NEW PLAYGROUND FEATURES AND NEW INCLUSIVE PLAY EQUIPMENT AND SITE FURNISHINGS DESIGNED WITH ACCESSIBLE PATHWAYS AND A EIGHT COMPLIANT AMENITIES.
AND HERE'S SOME PICTURES OF THE SILVERADO NEW SIGNATURE FOR YOUR HONOR.
THAT IS, THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION FOR THE ELEVATE 28 INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN.
UM, FY 27 IS THE LAST YEAR OF THE PLAN.
WE JUST STARTED MEETINGS WITH THE CITY MANAGERS TEAM TO START PLANNING THE NEXT FIVE YEAR INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN.
WELL, SO COMMISSIONERS, IF I COULD JUST SAY A FEW THINGS.
UM, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A LOT OF WORK GOING ON, AND IF YOU LOOK AT A COUPLE OF THE CATEGORIES THAT ANNA MENTIONED, UM, THE OLYMPIC LEGACY CATEGORY, THE PARKS OLYMPIC CATEGORY, THE PARK IMPROVEMENT CATEGORIES, AND EVEN THE COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL INVESTMENT CATEGORIES.
WE HAVE PARK PROJECTS ACROSS ALL OF THOSE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES.
UM, AND SO WHEN I SAID WE HAVE DOZENS AND DOZENS AND DOZENS OF PROJECTS, UM, THAT IS, THAT IS NO JOKE.
AND, UH, A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS IN PUBLIC WORKS, UM, WHO REALLY DELIVER THESE PROJECTS ON BEHALF OF THE CITY.
AND, UH, REALLY FORTUNATE, UH, ANNA DID A GREAT JOB OF COVERING SOME OF THE MORE RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECTS, UH, THAT WE ARE VERY PROUD OF.
BUT YOU'LL SEE ACROSS ALL OF THESE LISTS, WHEN, WHEN YOU HAVE SOME TIME, PLEASE TAKE A LOOK TO SEE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF PROJECTS THAT WE'RE DOING.
WE'RE NOT JUST DOING PLAYGROUND PROJECTS, BUT CERTAINLY THOSE ARE THOSE, THERE ARE A LOT OF THOSE IN THE PLAN, BUT WE'RE DOING WALKING TRAILS.
WE'RE DOING IMPROVEMENTS TO SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY CENTERS AND OTHER AMENITIES LIKE POOLS.
UM, WE HAVE SOME, UH, INVESTMENTS ALONG OUR WATERWAYS, UH, THAT ARE REALLY, UH, IMPORTANT FOR, UH, THE UPCOMING OLYMPICS.
AND SO THERE ARE A TON OF DIFFERENT PROJECTS.
UM, WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE, PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THESE AND, AND SEE WHAT'S IN THERE.
BUT WE'RE VERY, VERY PROUD OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DELIVER TO DATE.
UM, YOU KNOW, NOT JUST THE PLAYGROUNDS, UH, THAT WERE MENTIONED, BUT PICKLEBALL, COURTS AND COMMUNITY CENTER IMPROVEMENTS.
AND OF COURSE, MACARTHUR PARK COMPLETELY, UH, REFRESHED, UH, PARK ENVIRONMENT AND SO PROUD TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THAT TO THE COMMUNITY.
SO, UM, THIS WAS JUST INTENDED TO KIND OF PROVIDE THAT HIGH LEVEL, UH, OVERVIEW.
UH, WE ARE EXCITED, WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
THE MAYOR, UH, AT TUESDAY, STATE OF THE CITY KIND OF ANNOUNCED AN EXTENSION, UH, OF THE, UH, OF THE PLAN.
UM, I THINK HE EVEN HAD A NAME FOR IT, BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS.
UH, I THINK IT WAS GOING TO 32.
UH, DO YOU REMEMBER THE NAME? IT ALMOST LIKE SOMETHING 32.
UM, SO, UH, AS ANNA MENTIONED, THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE IS, IS WORKING WITH PUBLIC WORKS AND ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS ON THAT.
BUT AGAIN, WE'RE, WE'RE REALLY EXCITED, UH, FOR THIS PLAN.
PLEASE, IF YOU HAVE A FEW MINUTES, TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND SEE JUST ALL OF THE INVESTMENT THAT'S GOING INTO OUR PARKS.
I CAN SAY, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN GENERATIONS WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO INVEST THIS AMOUNT OF, UM, MONEY INTO OUR, UH, CITY ASSETS.
UM, BE THAT STREETS SIDEWALKS, BUT MORE SPECIFICALLY TO US, OUR PARKS.
UH, WE HAVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO REINVEST IN SOME OF THE, THE CAPITAL NEEDS THAT OUR DEPARTMENT HAS, LIKE WE'VE HAD RIGHT NOW.
AND THAT'S THANKS TO THE VOTERS OF LONG BEACH FOR MEASURE A, UH, WE HAVE A COUNTY MEASURE A THAT PROVIDES PARK FUNDING AS WELL, PARK IMPACT FEES, AND ALL KINDS OF OTHER GRANTS THAT OUR GRANT TEAM AND OUR DEPARTMENT GOES AFTER, PUBLIC WORKS AS A TEAM.
UM, SO WE WORK COLLABORATIVELY TO GET A LOT OF THESE PROJECTS, UH, TO THE FINISH LINE.
SO THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE TO, TO PROVIDE A QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE ELEVATE 28 PROGRAM.
AND IT'S A WONDERFUL PRESENTATION.
I LOOK FORWARD TO LOOKING AT THE WEBSITE.
UH, WE WILL NOW TAKE QUESTIONS FROM THE, UH, PUBLIC COMMENTS.
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? YES, KAREN, I JUST WANNA, CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND THE CITY AND PUBLIC WORKS FOR THE FABULOUS JOB THAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING.
AND STEVE, I KNOW A LOT OF THIS IS BECAUSE YOU'RE SO CAREFUL WITH THE DOLLAR AND YOU FIGURED HOW, HOW THESE STRETCH THOSE DOLLARS SO FAR.
SO I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW HAPPY I WAS WHEN I CAME HERE THIS MORNING AND SAW THAT THE PARKING LOT HAD FINALLY BEEN PAVED.
I WANTED TO PAY FOR LIKE, THE LAST 18 YEARS.
SO CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYBODY.
AND IT WAS AN EXCELLENT PRESENTATION.
I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.
32, I HAVE A REQUEST IF WE CAN HAVE ROCKING PASS IN
[00:25:01]
EL TORONTO FOR THE SENIORS THAT PUSH THEIR WHEELCHAIRS TO GO TO THE MUNICIPAL FAN CONCERTS.THAT'S MY LAST WISH BEFORE I DIE.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? THANK YOU.
ANY COMMENTS, QUESTIONS? JUST A COUPLE.
UM, ONE THING THAT I THINK GETS OVERLOOKED, AND I NOTICED IT WHEN I WORKED HERE, IS PLANNING THE PLANNING THAT GOES INTO, YOU LOOK AT THESE PARKS, YOU LOOK AT THE THEMES, YOU LOOK AT THE COMMUNITY INPUT TO TRY TO ACCOMMODATE AS MANY THINGS IN A PARK AS POSSIBLE.
IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOLD MEDAL AND PARK GEN PARK IMPROVEMENTS? THERE'S TWO CATEGORIES AND IT'S GREAT.
I, IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE TWO? I, I COULD, YOU KNOW, I'LL BE HONEST, I LUMP 'EM ALL TOGETHER.
I DON'T KNOW IF ANNA WANTS TO ADD COMMENT ON THAT.
A PARK PROJECT IS A PARK PROJECT TO ME, AND I CAN'T WAIT TO GET A PARK PROJECT.
121 MILLION REGARDLESS OF WHAT CATEGORY IT'S IN.
I THINK THESE ARE JUST PROJECTS THAT WERE ADDED, ADDED IN.
THE SECOND ONE WAS, YEAH, THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.
UH, AND THEN THE ONLY OTHER THING IS INVESTMENT IS PHENOMENAL, BUT ARE WE GETTING THE BUDGET TO CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN THE STUFF THAT WE'VE INVESTED IN? SO, YOU KNOW, THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE.
AND OVER THE YEARS, UH, SPECIFICALLY MOST RECENTLY, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO, UH, ACCOMMODATE SOME OF THOSE OPERATING AND AND MAINTENANCE, UM, NEEDS.
UM, FORTUNATELY ALSO AS WE SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON OLD STUFF, REPAIRING OLD PLAYGROUNDS, AND WE'RE ABLE THEN TO KIND OF USE THAT NOW THAT WE HAVE NEWER THINGS IN OTHER AREAS.
SO IT'S KIND OF JUST MOVING SOME OF THE EXISTING RESOURCES AROUND.
UM, I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT HOW THE DIFFERENT PROJECTS ARE CHOSEN AND SORT OF FOLLOWS FROM THE PLANNING DISCUSSION.
DO YOU KNOW HOW, YOU KNOW, WHY THIS PARK AND NOT THAT, OR WHATEVER? I THINK IT'S A COMBINATION.
LIKE RIGHT NOW WE'RE STARTING TO MEET WITH THE CITY MANAGERS AND ALL THE DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE CITY TO START STRATEGIZING ON WHAT, UM, WHAT, UH, PROJECTS ARE CHOSEN.
SO SOME OF THE PROJECTS IN THIS PLAN WERE JUST FUNDED FOR DESIGN.
SO THOSE PROJECTS WERE, EXCUSE ME, BE PRIORITY TO BE FUNDED FOR CONSTRUCTION FUNDING IN THE NEXT PLAN.
SO THOSE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS THAT WE LOOK AT WHEN WE'RE STARTING TO PLAN FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.
AND IT IS A SQUEAKY WHEEL HELPFUL IN MAKING THOSE DECISIONS.
SO, UH, CHAIR I, I WILL ADDRESS THAT.
UM, YES, I MEAN, WE LISTEN, YOU KNOW, WE LISTEN WHEN WE'RE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, WE LISTEN.
WHEN WE'RE IN MEETINGS LIKE THIS, WE WANT TO HEAR WHAT, UH, THE COMMUNITY SEES.
I APPRECIATE KAREN, UH, MENTIONING THE, THE WALKING PATHS.
SO AS WE HAVE MORE OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONVERSATION, WE, YOU KNOW, I CAN TAKE THAT BACK AS WE START TO FORMULATE SOME OF OUR PLANS AND, YOU KNOW, WHERE ARE SOME OF OUR NEEDS? WE ALSO HEAR FROM THE COUNCIL OFFICES WHO ARE REPRESENTATIVES OF, OF, YOU KNOW, THEIR NINE DISTRICTS.
UM, BUT WE ALSO USE A FACILITIES CONDITION, UH, ASSESSMENT.
AND THEY'LL GO OUT AND THEY'LL TAKE A LOOK AT A FACILITY LIKE THIS.
THEY'LL CHECK, YOU KNOW, THE, THE BONES OF THE STRUCTURE AND SEE IF THERE ARE NEEDED, UH, UPDATES THERE.
SO THERE'S A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT WAYS THAT INFORMATION KIND OF HELPS FORMULATE, UH, A FUTURE PLAN.
I DO WANNA ADD THAT WE ALSO LEVERAGE MEASURING MONEY FOR A GRANT.
SO IF PARKS GETS A BIG GRANT FOR A SPECIFIC PROJECT AND THEY'RE MISSING AND THEY'RE JUST WAITING FOR THAT COMPONENT TO COMPLETE THE FUNDING, THEN THAT THOSE PROJECTS WILL BE A PRIORITY.
'CAUSE THE CITY DOESN'T WANNA LOSE FUNDING THE GRANT FUNDING.
SO THERE'S A LOT OF MULTIPLE FACTORS THAT GO INTO SELECTING PROJECTS.
UM, THAT'S ALL WE HAVE ON THIS ITEM.
AND, UH, LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING BACK SOME OF THE OTHER ITEMS THAT, UH, THE COMMISSION HAS ASKED FOR.
WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR, UH, UH, BY COMMISSIONER SHANE JONES.
SORRY, UH, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ORTI SMITH.
ALRIGHT, WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER TWO, A RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE THE MINUTES FOR THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20TH.
UH, DO I HAVE A MOTION? SO MOVED.
UM, AND, UH, IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? COMMENTS? OKAY.
[00:30:01]
UH, UH, SUBMITTED BY COMMISSIONER LIVINGSTON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER TY SMITH.NOW, ITEM NUMBER THREE, RECOMMENDATION TO DISCUSS FEE WAIVER REQUESTS RECEIVED BETWEEN DECEMBER 11TH, 2025 AND JANUARY 8TH, 2026.
UH, DIRECTOR, DO I HAVE A REPORT? YES, YOU DO.
UH, I'M GONNA BE HANDING IT OFF TO, UH, KAITLYN CRUZ, WHO IS OUR RECREATION SUPERINTENDENT.
UM, I'M GONNA USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO, REAL QUICK, JUST TO GIVE KIND OF AN, AN UPDATE OF, UH, WE'RE USED, YOU KNOW, AFTER MANY, MANY YEARS OF HAVING GLADYS IN THAT CHAIR.
UM, WE ARE, UH, NOW GONNA BE HAVING SOME OF OUR RECREATION SUPERINTENDENTS WHILE WE DO A RECRUITMENT TO REPLACE, UH, THE VACANT BUREAU MANAGER POSITION.
A NUMBER OF OUR, UH, RECREATION SUPERINTENDENTS ARE GONNA BE STEPPING IN AND, AND DOING SOME OF THOSE, UH, RESPONSIBILITIES THAT, UH, GLADYS, UH, HELPED, UH, PROVIDE FOR THE DEPARTMENT.
AND SO WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE A VERY, VERY STRONG SUPERINTENDENT TEAM, UH, IN OUR COMMUNITY RECREATION SERVICES BUREAU.
AND, UH, IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, KAITLYN CRUZ WILL BE, UH, HANDLING SOME OF OUR RESERVATION AND REGISTRATION ACTIVITIES.
AND, UH, THEREFORE SHE'LL BE HANDLING THE FEE WAIVERS TODAY.
UH, THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED EIGHT FEE WAIVER REQUEST.
OUR FIRST ONE IS WITH THE YMCA OF GREATER LONG BEACH LOS ALTOS.
UH, THIS IS, UH, TO UTILIZE WHALEY PARK OPEN SPACE.
UH, IT'S FURTHER BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE, YOUTH SPORTS AND SUMMER DAY CAMP, UM, BETWEEN THE DATES OF JULY 1ST, 2026 AND JUNE 30TH, 2027.
UH, THIS IS FOR THEIR YOUTH PROGRAM.
THEY, UM, ARE EXPECTING ABOUT 150 CAPA IN ATTENDANCE AND, UH, FEES WAIVED WILL BE 78,606 IN RENTAL AND PERMIT USE FEES.
UH, WE HAVE NO, UH, THERE'S NO EDE GATE REVENUE ON THIS.
UH, OUR ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS COURAGE TO CHANGE.
THIS IS, UH, WITH THE LONG BEACH SENIOR CENTER, ROOM 2 0 2 IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM.
UH, THIS IS FOR THEIR GROUP MEETINGS BEING HELD FROM JULY 6TH, 2026, UH, THROUGH JUNE 28TH, 2027.
UH, THIS IS, UH, FEES ARE 4,171 IN RENTAL AND PERMIT FEES, UH, FOR THEIR GROUP MEETINGS.
THERE'S NO ED GATE REVENUE AND THEY'RE EXPECTING 10 IN ATTENDANCE.
WE HAVE THE SOUTH COAST ORCHID SOCIETY.
UH, THIS IS BEING HELD FROM JULY 27TH, 2026 THROUGH JUNE 28TH, 2027, UTILIZING WHALEY PARK SOCIAL HALL FOR THEIR SOCIETY MEETINGS.
UM, THESE ARE MONTHLY MEETINGS, UH, FEES WAIVED BETWEEN 2050 $7 RENTAL AND PERMIT FEES.
UH, THERE IS A, UM, STAFF FEE OF $2,432, UH, NO EDE GATE REVENUE, AND THEY'RE EXPECTING ABOUT 30 IN ATTENDANCE.
THE KAMAI PARENTS ASSOCIATION IS HAVING THEIR ANNUAL MOTHER AND DAUGHTER CONFERENCE ON FEBRUARY 21ST, 2026 AT THE MCBRIDE PARK SOCIAL HALL.
THIS IS A COMMUNITY EVENT OF FEES.
WAIVED REQUESTED ARE $414 AND RENT ON PERMIT FEES OF FEES, UH, PER STAFF WILL BE $1,008.
THIS INCLUDE STAFF AND MAINTENANCE FEES AS WELL AS THE SECURITY DEPOSIT.
EXPECTED ATTENDANCE IS 125 AND THEY HAVE NO EDE GATE REVENUE.
UH, BLUFF PARK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
UH, THE, THEY'RE, UM, WANTING TO HAVE EVENTS ON SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2026.
JANUARY 27TH, 2027, MARCH 24TH, 2027, JUNE 23RD, 2027.
THIS IS FOR THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
COMMUNITY MEETINGS AT SAFETY PARK.
LOCAL HALL, UH, FEES WOULD BE $997 IN RENTAL FUND PERMIT FEES AND STAFF FEES WOULD BE $384.
UH, NO EE GATE REVENUE, AND THEY'RE EXPECTING 70 IN ATTENDANCE.
THEN WE HAVE THE FADI FOUNDATION.
UH, THEIR EVENT WOULD RUN FROM MARCH, 2026 THROUGH AUGUST 26TH, 2026 FOR THEIR BIKE RACES UTILIZING EL DORADO PARK AREA THREE EXCLUSIVE USE.
UM, FEES WAIVED WOULD BE 43,163 AND RENTAL PERMIT AND EXCLUSIVE USE FEES.
UM, BUT STAFF FEES WOULD BE $2,816.
THERE WOULD BE AN EDE GATE REVENUE, AND THEY'RE EXPECTING 110 IN ATTENDANCE.
UH, BAHATI HAS A NEW EVENT THAT THEY'RE ADDING THIS YEAR TO BE HELD ON MAY 31ST, 2026.
IT'S TO HOLD THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS AT EL DORADO PARK, AREA THREE EXCLUSIVE USE FOR THEIR BIKE RACES.
RENTAL FEES WOULD BE $5,236, AND THIS WOULD BE IN THE PERMIT FEES, THE EXCLUSIVE USE
[00:35:01]
AND A RACE FEE.UH, REVENUE, UM, OR PER STAFF FEES WOULD BE $594 FOR THE SECURITY DEPOSIT AND STAFF FEES.
UM, EDE WOULD RECEIVE GATE REVENUE AS WELL.
AND THEY'RE EXPECTING 700 IN ATTENDANCE.
UH, AND THEN, UM, THIS IS A NEW EVENT.
UH, THEY WERE CHOSEN TO, UM, HAVE THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS, SO AT EL DORADO.
SO THIS IS A BIG, UH, IT'S A NEW, UM, THING FOR THEM.
SO IT'S ENDS IN HONOR AS WELL.
AND THEN LOS ALAMITOS HEIGHTS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.
THIS IS A NEW EVENT, UH, THAT'S BEING HELD ON FEBRUARY 11TH, 2026.
IT'S THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION.
UH, COMMUNITY MEETINGS HELD AT RECREATION PARK, SOCIAL HALL.
RENTAL FEES WOULD BE $255 AND RENTAL AND PERMIT FEES.
AND THEN SECURITY DEPOSIT STAFF AND MAINTENANCE FEES WOULD BE $816, NO EDE GATE REVENUE, AND THEY'RE EXPECTING 40 IN ATTENDANCE.
A TOTAL FEES WAIVED AT THIS TIME WOULD BE $134,899.
AND THEN AT THIS POINT, UM, FOR FY 26, WE'VE WAIVED $2,731.
THANK YOU, SUPERINTENDENT CRUZ.
UH, BEFORE WE GET ANY QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION FROM THE COMMISSION MEMBERS, WE OFFER A CHANCE FOR ANY PEOPLE REPRESENTING THESE GROUPS OR, UH, OR WITH COMMENTS ON ANY GROUP TO TALK ABOUT THEIR EVENT AND HOW A FEE WAIVER WOULD HELP THEM.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO GIVE US YOUR NAME.
IF YOU'RE GOING TO SPEAK, WE'LL GO IN THE ORDER.
THEY ARE PRESENTED TO US IN THE AGENDA.
SO, DO WE HAVE ANYONE REPRESENTING THE YMCA OF GREATER LONG BEACH? YES.
UH, JESSE NIK, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LOS ALTOS FAMILY, YMCA.
UH, JUST WANTED TO, UH, SAY THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING, UH, THIS, THE WAIVER AGAIN, WE'VE, WE'VE COME THE LAST FEW YEARS, UM, AND IT'S BEEN VERY APPRECIATIVE AS A NON-PROFIT, UH, HERE IN LONG BEACH AND BEEN CERTAINLY COMMUNING FOR OVER 60 YEARS, UH, DOWN THE ROAD.
ONE OF OUR, UH, FOREMOST AND MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF OUR MISSION IS YOUTH DEVELOPMENT.
AND THIS OBVIOUSLY ALLOWS US, UH, TO HELP SUPPORT THOSE KIDS AND THE FAMILIES IN LONG BEACH.
UH, FOR THIS, UH, PROGRAM IN THE LAST YEAR, WE, UH, GAVE OUT OVER $200,000 IN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO AT THE Y IS WE DON'T TURN ANYBODY AWAY DUE TO THE INABILITY TO PAY FOR ANY OF THESE CAMPS, UH, THE YOUTH SPORTS OR THE YOUTH PROGRAMS BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL THAT WE HAVE.
AND WE LOVE TO UTILIZE THAT WHALEY PARK SPACE TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN HAVE SOME OUTDOOR TIME.
I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS CONSIDERING IT.
UM, ONE OF MY FAVORITE QUOTES IS, OR LITTLE STATEMENTS, IS WHAT IF THERE WAS A PILL THAT COULD HELP PEOPLE MOVE, THINK, AND SLEEP BETTER? AND THAT REDUCED ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND 13 TYPES OF CANCER WITH THE SIDE EFFECTS BEING YOU'RE GONNA MAKE MORE FRIENDS AND POTENTIALLY MORE MONEY.
WOULD YOU TAKE THAT PILL?
AND THAT'S WHAT WE TRY TO DO EACH AND EVERY DAY TO MAKE SURE WE CAN SUPPORT THAT.
SO THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING IT.
DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS, JESSE? OKAY.
UH, NEXT, IS THERE ANYONE HERE FROM THE, UH, AA COURAGE TO CHANGE? OKAY.
HOW ABOUT FROM THE SOUTH COAST OR SOCIETY? YES.
I HAVE TO SLOWLY JUST HAD A KNEE REPLACEMENT, SO I CAN'T MOVE REAL QUICK.
I'M PRESIDENT OF SOUTH COAST, AND I HAVE ELAINE MURPHY WITH ME, WHO'S OUR TREASURER.
AND, UH, WE'VE BEEN GRANTED THIS, UH, WAIVER FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS.
UH, WE'VE BEEN HERE IN LONG BEACH.
UH, WE CELEBRATED OUR 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF HAVING, UH, MEETINGS AS ONE OF THE OLDEST, UH, ORCHID SOCIETIES.
OBVIOUSLY, WE ARE ON LEAN TIMES, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE OF COVID, WE LOST A LOT OF MEMBERS, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE, UH, WE WERE NOT ALLOWED TO MEET HERE IN LONG BEACH FOR TWO YEARS.
AND SO WE APPRECIATE THE WAIVER AND, BUT, AND THE WAY OUR, UH, WE HAVE MONTHLY MEETINGS AND THEY'RE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A MEMBER TO COME.
AND BASICALLY IT'S A THREE HOUR MEETING FROM SIX 30 TO NINE 30, THE FOURTH MONDAY, USUALLY OF EVERY MONTH, UNLESS THERE'S A CONFLICT WITH THE CITY.
AND WE HAVE, WE, UH, PAY FOR SPEAKERS, ORCHID SPEAKERS TO COME IN.
SO IF ANYBODY WANTS TO STOP IN AND LEARN ABOUT THEIR ORCHIDS, WE HAVE PLENTY OF PEOPLE THAT WILL HELP YOU.
AND, YOU KNOW, ORCHIDS ARE ACTUALLY EASIER TO GROW THAN MOST PLANTS.
SO IF ANYBODY HAS AN INTEREST AND, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN CERTAINLY COME DOWN TO OUR MEETINGS.
AND SO THAT'S, THAT'S ALL I REALLY HAVE TO SAY, AND WE APPRECIATE THAT IN THE PAST WE'VE GRANTED OUR WAIVERS.
UH, ANY, UH, ANYONE HERE FROM THE MY PARENTS ASSOCIATION?
[00:40:01]
UH, YES.MY NAME'S MARK HOBSON WITH, UH, MY PARENTS ASSOCIATION.
AND I'D JUST LIKE TO LET YOU KNOW, WE'RE A SMALL NONPROFIT, AND SO THE WAIVERS ALWAYS HELP US, YOU KNOW, TO DO OUR JOB.
YOU KNOW, WE DEPEND ON DONATIONS AND, YOU KNOW, WE'VE HELPED US FOR SO MANY YEARS AND WE JUST VERY APPRECIATE IT.
AND I HANDED OUT, UH, FLYERS AND SEE WHAT WE DO PROGRAM.
UH, IS THERE ANYBODY HERE FROM GLOVER PARK? NO.
HI, HOW ARE YOU? UH, MY NAME IS RASHAN BAHATI, FOUNDER, PRESIDENT OF THE BAHATI FOUNDATION.
UH, BEEN AROUND NOW FOR 16 YEARS.
UH, WE'VE BEEN RUNNING THE EL DORADO PARK SERIES NOW FOR EIGHT YEARS, BUT IT'S BEEN AROUND FOR 47 YEARS.
UM, SO THE BIG ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM IS THIS NEW EVENT THAT WE WANT TO PUT ON AT THE END OF MAY.
UM, MY PARTNER OD IS ALSO A CYCLIST.
I COME FROM PROFESSIONAL BIKE RACING.
UM, AND THEN HAVING AN HONOR TO HOST THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IS A PRETTY BIG DEAL.
AND THE REASON WE PUT A BID IN TO OUR NATIONAL, OR TO OUR GOVERNING BODY IS BECAUSE OF THE OLYMPICS, RIGHT? THEY'RE COMING HERE.
EVERYONE'S EXCITED ABOUT THE OLYMPICS AND OLYMPIC GAMES.
LONG BEACH IS DEFINITELY THE EPICENTER OF A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON OLYMPIC WISE.
UM, AND SO WHAT BETTER WAY TO HONOR AND GET EVERYONE JAZZED UP ABOUT THE OLYMPICS IS TO HOST A MASSIVE EVENT.
UM, AND SO WHEN YOU TALKED ABOUT, I THINK YOU SAID, UM, 150, THAT'S DURING OUR TUESDAY NIGHT, UH, EVENTS THAT WE WOULD, WOULD RUN FROM MARCH TO AUGUST.
UH, BUT THE MAIN EVENT, WE COULD POTENTIALLY SEE SEVEN TO 800 PARTICIPANTS.
AND THEY'RE ALL GONNA BE FIGHTING FOR, UH, A TITLE, WHICH IS TO BECOME THE STATE CHAMPION, UH, IN THEIR PERSPECTIVE, UH, AGE CATEGORY.
WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE THAT IN, IN THE PAST, YOU GUYS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN SO GRACIOUS IN HELPING US AND ELEVATE 28, THE ROADS WHERE WE RACE NOW.
I MEAN, I WAS GONNA ASK IF YOU LIKE THOSE A LITTLE BETTER.
UH, IT MADE THE RACES A LOT MORE SAFE, UH, FASTER.
WE WERE AVERAGE 28 WITH THE NEW PAYMENT.
WE'RE AVERAGING OUT ABOUT 30 MILES AN HOUR.
SO, GOD, IT'S, IT'S A BIG DEAL.
AND WE, AND WE ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT.
SO, UH, YEAH, FOR, UM, WE JUST HOPE THAT YOU GUYS RUN US, UH, THE GRACE, UH, FOR FEE WAIVERS BECAUSE IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO RUN A BIKE RACE.
WE DO IT FOR THE, FOR THE LOVE.
IT IS, IT IS NOT A POOR PROFIT.
UH, WE'RE NOT WALKING AWAY WITH CASH IN OUR POCKETS.
UH, WE DO IT BECAUSE WE WANT TO GIVE BACK TO THE SPORT.
AND AS PART OF OUR GIVE BACK, NOT ONLY IN RACING, UH, THE FOUNDATION ACTUALLY WORKS A LOT IN LONG BEACH.
UM, WE HAVE A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH JEFFERSON LEADERSHIP ACADEMY.
WHERE MY BIKE SPONSORED JOHN BICYCLES, ACTUALLY, WE DONATED 25 BIKES TO THEIR SCHOOL, AND THEY GET TO UTILIZE THESE BIKES EVERY SINGLE DAY ON CAMPUS AS PART OF THEIR PE.
UM, SO WE HAVE MECHANICS THAT GO THERE ONCE A WEEK AND ALSO COACHES, AND THEN I GO AND DO SOME INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKING AND TRY TO FIND THE NEXT BIKE RACER, IF YOU WILL.
UM, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT'S ALL ABOUT MOTION.
HOW, HOW LONG WILL THAT BE ON THAT SUNDAY? I MEAN, DOES IT START AT NINE AND GO TO ONE? OR IS IT TRIALS AND THEN, SO WE WERE GONNA RUN, IT IS EIGHT TO FIVE.
IT, THE RACING IS EIGHT TO FOUR, AND THEN THE PAPERWORK SHOW THAT WE NEEDED A, A LOAD IN HOUR.
AND IS IT LIKE TRIALS OR IS IT EVERYBODY'S OUT THERE, OR DO YOU, DID YOU, SO YOU RUN LIKE EIGHT DIFFERENT SETS AND THEN IT'S A EXACTLY.
WHOEVER HAS THE BEST TIME OUT OF ALL EIGHT.
THINK OF, UH, THINK OF MARATHON, RIGHT? OKAY.
AND WE'LL DO MULTIPLE CATEGORIES LIKE THAT.
I, I ASKED STEVE, IT'S NOT ON MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, SO I'M FINE WITH IT.
UM, AND LAST, IS THERE ANYONE HERE FROM ALAMITOS HEIGHTS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION? NOPE.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE, UH, COMMISSIONERS? UH, I JUST WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE, UM, A FEW THINGS HERE.
UM, THANK YOU FOR SERVING OUR YOUTH, UM, ORCHID SOCIETY.
WE'RE SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE YOU.
UM, WHO MY PARENT ASSOCIATION, PLEASE GIVE CHAN MY BEST FROM ISSA.
YOU KNOW, I'M, IT'S SO WONDERFUL TO HAVE HER AND ALL THE AMAZING WORK THAT CHAN HAS DONE.
[00:45:01]
GRATEFUL FOR THAT.UM, BAHARI JUST WONDERFUL TO HAVE YOU ALL HERE.
AND THANK YOU FOR HONORING LONG BEACH WITH YOUR PRESENCE AND, UM, EVERYBODY JUST AMAZING.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS? I WOULD ECHO WHAT COMMISSIONER TY SMITH JUST SAID.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT YOU COME AND JOIN US AND EXPLAIN WHO YOU ARE.
PUTTING A FACE TO THE PROJECT MAKES SUCH A DIFFERENCE.
SO, AND I WOULD ASK THAT YOU SAY HELLO TO SOPHIA FOR, UH, WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE, UH, MAYOR'S, UH, UH, STATE OF THE CITY TWO NIGHTS AGO.
UM, AND THEN WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE FROM COMMISSIONER HIGA, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER, SHOWN.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? CALL FOR THE VOTE.
AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO ALL OF THE ACTIVITIES THAT YOU ARE PRODUCING IN THE COMING MONTHS AND YEARS.
AND, UH, WE DO SAY THAT IT'S NOT NECESSARY FOR YOU TO STAY.
WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU STAY, BUT IF YOU NEED TO LEAVE, IT'S, IT'S OKAY.
WE HAVE GO ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR, RECOMMENDATION TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF PARKS RECREATION MARINE, OR HIS OR HER MANAGEMENT DESIGNEE TO EXECUTE THE PERSONAL SERVICES AND INSTRUCTION AGREEMENTS AND AMEND ATTACHMENT A OF THE AGREEMENTS AS NEEDED.
UM, MAY I HAVE A MOTION? SO MOVED.
UM, DIRECTOR, DO WE HAVE A REPORT? WE DO.
SO THIS IS ANOTHER ITEM COMING FROM OUR COMMUNITY RECREATION SERVICES, UH, BUREAU AND, UH, RECREATION SUPERINTENDENT, JOY WARREN WILL BE PROVIDED.
SO, AS YOU KNOW, OUR DEPARTMENT PARTNERS WITH CONTRACT INSTRUCTORS TO PROVIDE OVER 2000 FEE-BASED CLASSES TO THE PUBLIC EACH YEAR.
THESE CLASSES ARE INTENDED TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO ALL AGES.
CLASS INSTRUCTORS ARE SELECTED AS A RESULT OF AN APPLICATION PROCESS BASED ON QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCED COMMUNITY NEEDS, AND DEPARTMENTAL REQUIREMENTS WITHOUT SOLICITATION OF QUOTES OR ADVERTISING BIDS.
THIS MORNING, WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE A NEW PARTNER AND THAT THAT IS CAL HEIGHTS MUSIC.
UM, THEY'RE LOCATED AT 1240 EAST WARDLOW ROAD, AND THEY'RE SET TO PROVIDE US A VARIETY OF MUSICAL INSTRUCTION.
SO HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
WE ALSO HAVE COMMUNITY SERVICES SUPERVISOR.
I THINK YOU KNOW DAVE CRUZ, WHO IS IN CHARGE OF OUR CONTRACT CLASS PROGRAM TO TALK A LITTLE BIT.
SHOULD YOU, SO AFTER, SO THIS IS THEIR BUILDING.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS? I, I JUST LOVE THAT WE HAVE MUSIC THAT WE HAVE.
IS THIS OUR ONLY MUSIC PROGRAM, OR DO WE HAVE OTHER MUSIC PROGRAMS? TONY SAYING TONY.
WE HAVE A VARIETY OF PIECES OF PROGRAMING AS FAR AS THE, THE NUMBER OF CLASSES GABE WOULD BE HAPPY TO PROVIDE.
THAT'S FOR YOUTH ALL THE WAY UP TO OUR FIELD.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? NO.
WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR, UH, BY COMMISSIONER LIVINGSTON, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ORR SMITH.
ALL IN FAVOR OF ACCEPTING THE, UH, UH, AUTHORIZATION FOR THE MUSIC PROGRAM.
UH, WE NOW GO ON TO ITEM NUMBER FIVE, WHICH IS
WE CREATE COMMUNITY AND THE DIRECTOR'S HIGHLIGHTS FOR JANUARY OF 2026.
UM, SO YES, UH, YOU SHOULD HAVE TWO ITEMS, UH, IN YOUR, UH, PACKET.
UH, ONE IS THE, WE CREATE COMMUNITY, OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER, UH, TO THE COMMUNITY THAT TALKS A BIT ABOUT SOME OF THE GREAT THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN THE DEPARTMENT.
UH, THIS ISSUE IS REALLY, UH, A LOOK BACK, UH, NOT ONLY AT, UH, SOME OF THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR THE YEAR, BUT ALSO SOME OF THE GREAT EVENTS, UH, THAT WE HELD, UH, DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON IN OUR DEPARTMENTS.
AND I'M NOT GONNA GO THROUGH THIS, UM, PAGE BY PAGE, BUT I DO WANNA POINT OUT A NUMBER OF THESE HOLIDAY EVENTS.
UM, PARTNERSHIPS ARE SO IMPORTANT TO OUR CLIENTS, AND A NUMBER OF THESE EVENTS IN OUR PARKS WERE NOT JUST PUT ON BY US, THEY WERE PUT ON WITH SOME OF OUR PARTNERS, UH, IN THE, IN THE CITY.
UH, WE HAD A WINTER FEST AT LINCOLN PARK WHERE WE PARTNERED
[00:50:01]
WITH THE LIBRARY AT BJK MAIN LIBRARY, WORKED WITH THE OFFICE OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABILITY ON ONE OF OUR EVENTS, UH, AT SILVERADO.UM, AND SO ALL GREAT EVENTS, THINGS WE'VE BEEN DOING FOR YEARS, BUT I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE PARTNERSHIPS.
UH, THAT IS GOING TO BE A REAL BIG THEME FOR OUR DEPARTMENT AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
UH, NOT ONLY THOSE EXTERNAL PARTNERSHIPS THAT WHERE WE, UM, YOU KNOW, WORK WITH SOME OF OUR PARTNERS THAT SOMETIMES COME FOR FEE WAIVERS OR OTHER, UH, PROGRAM AND SERVICE OFFERINGS, BUT ALSO OUR INTERNAL PARTNERS.
AND, UM, WE'RE REALLY PROUD TO BE ABLE TO, TO WORK WITH THESE OTHER, UH, DEPARTMENTS.
UM, THEN FOR MY HIGHLIGHTS, A NUMBER OF MY HIGHLIGHTS KIND OF OVERLAP WITH WHAT'S IN THE, WE CREATE COMMUNITY.
I WANNA START WITH A FEW THINGS THAT ACTUALLY AREN'T IN THE DOCUMENT ITSELF.
SO, UM, EARLIER IN, IN THE, UH, MEETING WE TALKED ABOUT, THE QUESTION WAS, HOW CAN WE PROVIDE INPUT INTO PROJECTS? OR HOW DO WE DETERMINE WHICH PROJECTS MOVE FORWARD? WELL, UM, AS I MENTIONED, YOU KNOW, WE LISTEN, WE LISTEN IN MEETINGS LIKE THIS, AND WE LISTEN DURING, LIKE, FORMAL COMMUNITY BUDGET MEETINGS.
UM, AND THE CITY WILL BE OFFERING SIX, UH, BUDGET MEETINGS, UH, THIS WINTER, LATE JULY, UH, JULY, LATE JANUARY, GOING INTO EARLY FEBRUARY.
I'M NOT SURE IF WE SENT THOSE OUT.
WE CAN SEND THOSE DATES OUT IF WE HAVEN'T.
IT'S AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE.
BUT WE WILL, UH, BE HOSTING, UH, AS A CITY SIX COMMUNITY BUDGET MEETINGS WHERE WE WILL GET INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY, NOT ONLY ON PROJECT IDEAS, BUT DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONAL, UH, DESIRES AND NEEDS, UM, THAT, UH, THEY SEE FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR THEIR COMMUNITY.
UH, WE ALSO MENTIONED THE MAYOR, STATE OF THE CITY FROM THIS, UH, PAST TUESDAY NIGHT.
AND A LOT OF GREAT INFORMATION, UH, IN THAT, UH, MEETING.
UM, MY FAVORITE PART, OF COURSE, AS A, AS A PARKS PERSON WAS THE, UH, VIDEO OF THE IN FUN STRUCTURE, UH, WHERE, UH, HE HAD A NUMBER OF, UH, LOCAL YOUTH GO OUT.
SOME OF OUR NEW PARK, UH, AMENITIES, OUR PLAYGROUNDS, MACARTHUR PARK, AND I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT THEY PASSED INSPECTION BY THE LOCAL YOUTH.
BUT A NUMBER OF OTHER, UH, REALLY BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS, UM, UH, IN THAT MESSAGE, UM, ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT HE DID MENTION IS THIS COMING TUESDAY NIGHT IS GOING TO BE A VOTE AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR THE BELMONT POOL.
AND SO, UM, I KNOW AS A, AS A TIDE LENS PROJECT, THIS COMMISSION, UM, HASN'T REALLY, UH, BEEN ALL THAT, UH, INVOLVED WITH THAT PROJECT, BUT THAT IS GOING TO BE A VERY BIG PROJECT FOR OUR LONG BEACH COMMUNITY.
UM, WORK VERY HARD, NOT ONLY ON THE DESIGN AND KIND OF RIGHT SIZING THE DESIGN, UM, WITH RESPECT TO THE AVAILABLE RESOURCES, BUT ALSO WORKING VERY HARD.
AND THAT'S, UH, OUR COMMUNITY RECREATION TEAM ON ENSURING ACCESS TO THE POOL.
THIS IS GOING TO BE A CITYWIDE ASSET, NOT AN ASSET OF THE COMMUNITY AROUND, UH, THE POOL ALONG THE COASTLINE.
THIS IS INTENDED TO BE A CITYWIDE ASSET.
AND SO WE'VE WORKED HARD, UH, ON A NUMBER OF, UM, PLANS TO, UH, GET PEOPLE FROM ALL PARTS OF THE CITY TO, UH, THE BELLMONT POOL ONCE IT'S OPEN.
UM, AND THEN, UH, ERIC, UH, AND HIS TEAM, AND HE'LL PROBABLY MENTION IT, SO I'M STEALING HIS THUNDER A BIT, BUT, UH, THIS COMING WEEKEND IS THE MLK PARADE AND CELEBRATION, UH, IN CENTRAL LONG BEACH AND IN AT MLK PARK.
UM, SO, UH, ERIC AND HIS TEAM HAVE BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB, UH, GETTING, UH, THAT LOCATION, UH, READY FOR THIS BIG EVENT.
UM, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, WE, OR MAYBE IT WAS JUST LAST MONTH, REALLY UNFORTUNATE SITUATION AT MLK PARK WHERE, UH, A NUMBER OF THE PLAQUES WERE STOLEN OFF OF THE STATUE, THE NLK STATUE.
AND, UM, WE'RE SEEING THAT CITYWIDE, UH, WITH OUR PLAQUES BEING STOLEN BECAUSE THEY HAVE SOME VALUABLE, UH, METALS IN THEM RODS.
UM, AND SO PEOPLE ARE, ARE STEALING THOSE FOR FINANCIAL REASONS.
AND SO ERIC AND HIS TEAM HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB EXPLORING DIFFERENT OPTIONS.
SO WE DON'T HAVE TO REPEAT THIS CYCLE MOVING FORWARD, YOU KNOW, PARTICULARLY WITH THE MLK STATUTE.
UM, YOU KNOW, JUST TOO IMPORTANT HISTORICALLY, CULTURALLY, TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT HEARTBREAK EVERY SO OFTEN TO SEE, UM, THAT VANDALISM AND THAT FACT.
AND SO, ERIC'S TEAM HAS IDENTIFIED A, UH, KIND OF A NEW MODEL THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT.
UM, WE'RE GONNA SEE HOW THIS GOES.
UH, 3D PRINTED, UH, PLAQUES, UM, USING BASICALLY JUST A, A PLASTIC, UH, FILAMENT.
[00:55:01]
ONE BACK JUST TO KIND OF SEE HOW IT LOOKS.AND IN MY UNTRAINED EYE, YOU CAN'T TELL THE DIFFERENCE.
UM, THE ONLY CONCERN WE HAVE THERE THEN IS IF IT LOOKS TOO GOOD, SOMEBODY MIGHT TAKE IT THINKING IT'S VALUABLE.
UH, SO WE'RE STILL KIND OF WORKING ON WHAT DO WE DO, UH, JUST TO LET THE POTENTIAL, UH, UH, THIEF KNOW THIEF THAT THIS IS NOT, YOU ARE NOT GONNA GET ANY VALUE HERE, WORLD PROBLEM.
BUT, UM, BUT ANYWAY, UH, YOU KNOW, WE, WE'VE SEEN THIS ISSUE ACROSS THE CITY, NOT ONLY, UH, AT THAT LOCATION, BUT IN OUR MEMORIAL BENCHES, UM, THROUGHOUT THE CITY, THE PLAQUES OF OUR MEMORIAL BENCHES.
WE HAVE DEDICATION PLAQUES IN SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY CENTERS AND OTHER AMENITIES IN THE PARKS.
AND SO WE'RE HOPING THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE A SMART, UH, WAY TO MOVE FORWARD SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO CONTINUE TO REPLACE THESE, UH, PLAQUES, UM, AT A MUCH HIGHER COST AND MORE FREQUENTLY BECAUSE OF THE THEFT.
UM, AND THEN JUST ONE MORE ITEM.
I WANT TO KEEP THE, UH, COMMISSION, UH, ABREAST OF, UH, THAT IS SOME OF OUR STAFFING UPDATES.
AND SO, AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TWO OF OUR LEADERSHIP, UH, POSITIONS VACANT.
THESE ARE TWO BUREAU MANAGERS.
WE HAVE OUR RECREATION SERVICES, UH, BUREAU MANAGER AND OUR BUSINESS OPERATIONS BUREAU MANAGER.
AND WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF, UH, RECRUITING AND FILLING, UH, THOSE TWO POSITIONS.
THE RECREATION POSITION, UH, THAT HAS ALREADY CLOSED.
AND SO WE'RE LOOKING TO HAVE INTERVIEWS, UH, VERY SOON, PROBABLY LATER THIS MONTH OR MAYBE PROBABLY EARLY, UH, IN FEBRUARY.
AND THEN THE BUSINESS OPERATIONS BUREAU MANAGER POSITION ACTUALLY CLOSES A LITTLE BIT LATER THIS MONTH, UH, AT THE END OF JANUARY.
SO THAT ONE WILL BE, UM, PROBABLY A MONTH OR SO AFTER THE COMMUNITY RECREATION.
UM, A NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS HERE, YOU KNOW, FEEL FREE TO READ THESE AT YOUR LEISURE.
I'M NOT GONNA GO OVER ALL OF THEM, I THINK I'VE SAID ENOUGH.
BUT, UM, UH, HOPEFULLY WE PROVIDED YOU SOME GOOD READING MATERIALS BETWEEN THE HIGHLIGHTS AND WE CREATE COMMUNITY AND OF COURSE THE ELEVATE 28, UH, PLAN, IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A CLOSER ONE.
AND THAT CONCLUDES, UH, MY REPORT.
UH, WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE.
OH, UH, IS THERE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE DIRECTOR FROM THE COMMISSIONERS? OKAY.
UH, WE HAVE A MOTION ON FLOOR BY COMMISSIONER HIAS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER SHOWN ANY, UH, ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.
AND, UH, NOW WE GO TO ITEM NUMBER SIX, WHICH IS A RECOMMENDATION TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE PARKS OF RECREATION COMMISSION MEETINGS.
MAY I HAVE A MOTION? SO MOVED.
UM, DO WE HAVE, UH, A REPORT COMMENCE? WELL, THIS IS REALLY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMISSION MEMBERS TO, UM, IDENTIFY ANYTHING THAT THEY'D LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT.
WE STILL HAVE A LIST OF PROJECTS THAT WE NEED TO BRING BACK TO THE COMMISSION.
UM, WE BROUGHT A FEW BACK, UH, ONE, AT LEAST ONE WITH, UH, ANOTHER FOLLOW UP THAT WAS OUR, UM, HERBICIDE, UM, ITEM.
SO WE'LL BE COMING BACK TO THE COMMISSION ON THAT, UH, ONCE WE'VE IDENTIFIED SOME PILOT, UH, OPTIONS.
UM, BUT TODAY'S PRESENTATION, ELEVATE 28 WAS ONE, UH, DRAKE CHAVEZ, UH, PRESENTATION, UH, WAS ANOTHER THAT WILL BE COMING TO THE COMMISSION, UH, PARK EQUITY, UM, HOPEFULLY LATER THIS QUARTER, MAYBE SLIPPING INTO EARLY, UH, NEXT QUARTER Q2 OF, OF CALENDAR YEAR 26.
UH, AND THEN WE HAVE, UH, A COUPLE OF OTHERS, ONE BEING, UM, UH, INFORMATION ON WATER CONSERVATION EFFORTS.
A LOT OF GREAT NEWS TO TALK ABOUT THERE.
UM, AND, UM, WORKING WITH OUR, UM, CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE AND COMING AND PRESENTING ON, UM, ACCESSIBILITY, UM, ITEMS, UH, WITH RESPECT TO OUR PARKS, OUR PARK AMENITIES.
AND SO WE'RE STILL WORKING ON ALL OF THOSE.
THAT, THAT IS A HEAVY WORKLOAD ON TOP OF OUR ALREADY, UH, YOU KNOW, FULL PLATES WITH DAY-TO-DAY, UM, OPERATIONS.
UM, BUT AGAIN, THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR, YOU KNOW, IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT IS REALLY, UH, OF HIGH INTEREST TO YOU, UM, WE'D LIKE TO HEAR IT.
UM, BUT NO, WE ARE, WE ARE STILL WORKING ON A NUMBER OF THE EXISTING PROJECTS OR, YES.
SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WANTED TO SHARE WITH THE REST OF THE COMMISSION, UM, THAT WE TALKED ABOUT IN THE GOVERNANCE COMMISSION, IN THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE, AND I'M, UM, ACTUALLY SORRY THAT OUR OTHER TWO COMMISSIONERS ARE NOT HERE.
UM, WAS THAT A WAY TO PRIORITIZE? BECAUSE WE HAVE GIVEN STAFF A LOT OF WORK.
AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT IN TERMS
[01:00:01]
OF PRIORITIZING THIS WORK, BECAUSE THEY'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO, BECAUSE BELIEVE IT OR NOT, 'CAUSE I CAN HEAR GLADYS IN MY HEAD, SUMMER IS ALREADY HERE.AND SO YES, IT'S JANUARY, BUT SUMMER IS HERE.
SO STAFF IS PLANNING FOR SUMMER.
WELL, UH, REMEMBER I USED TO WORK FOR THE CITY A LONG TIME AGO.
SHE TRAINED ME THEN, UM, IS REALLY LOOKING AT THE PRM STRATEGIC PLAN AND WHAT DOES IT SAY IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN? WHAT DOES IT SAY IN THE CITY'S 2030 VISION? AND PERHAPS USING THAT AS A ROADMAP AND HOW WE PRIORITIZE THINGS.
UM, I MEAN, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, AS A CITY, AS A COMMUNITY, WE HAD INPUT INTO THAT STRATEGIC PLAN.
WE HAD INPUT INTO THAT CITY, INTO THE CITY VISION.
AND THAT BOTH OF THOSE PLANS, I KNOW FOR A FACT ARE ROOTED IN EQUITY.
AND SO, FROM MY POINT OF VIEW, AND I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR EVERYBODY ELSE'S INPUT, THAT MAY BE A GREAT WAY TO, TO PRIORITIZE IN HOW WE'RE DOING THIS PARTICULAR AGENDA ITEM.
SO I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FEEDBACK FROM EVERYBODY ELSE.
SO ARE YOU SAYING WE NEED TO REVISIT THE PLAN OR JUST TO, TO GET A RECAP OF IT AND MAKE SURE THAT WHAT WE ASK IS IN LINE WITH THAT? WELL, JUST LIKE HOW WE'RE LIKE PRIORITIZING WHAT WE'RE ASKING THEM TO BRING BACK, BECAUSE WE'RE ASKING THEM TO DO A LOT OF THINGS.
AND IF I COULD CHIME IN THERE, I REALLY APPRECIATE THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE, UM, WITH THAT SUGGESTION.
AND, UM, THANK YOU, UH, YOU KNOW, THINKING ALONG THE LINES OF, OF WORKLOAD ON STAFF, AND I THINK THAT'S A GREAT, UM, A GREAT RECOMMENDATION BY THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE.
AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE COULD ACTUALLY COME BACK TO YOU AND SAY, YOU KNOW, UTILIZING OUR, UH, STRATEGIC PLAN PARKS, MAKE LONG BEACH, UM, AND THIS, UH, STRATEGIC VISION, WE COULD COME BACK WITH A FRAMEWORK ON KIND OF HOW THINGS WOULD FIT AND HOW THEY WOULD BE PRIORITIZED UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF THOSE TWO, UH, VERY IMPORTANT COMMUNITY LED PLANS.
AND MAY I ONLY ADD THAT WE DID HAVE A PRESENTATION ON THE STRATEGIC PLAN WHEN IT FIRST CAME OUT, BUT THAT WAS A LONG TIME AGO.
WE HAVE A LOT OF NEW PEOPLE, SO THIS IS VERY TIMELY.
UM, I ACTUALLY WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THE WORKLOAD LAST NIGHT I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO, UM, HAVE THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, UM, MAKE A PRESENTATION ABOUT THE LA OLYMPICS, WHERE WE'RE AT, WHERE WE'RE GOING.
AND OF COURSE, THERE'S A HUGE IMPACT ON OUR PARKS.
UH, IT'S A WONDERFUL PRESENTATION PRESENTED BY, UM, UH, THE STAFF, SEAN DEVEREUX, AND HE'S GOT A NICE SLIDE THING, ET CETERA.
IS THERE A POSSIBILITY THAT WE COULD ASK HIM TO COME AND DO THAT? SO WE CERTAINLY CAN.
WE HAD A PRESENTATION ON THE OLYMPICS, AND I THINK, UNFORTUNATELY COMMISSIONER, YOU WERE NOT AT THAT MEETING.
YOU WERE AT THAT JUST A COUPLE OF, UM, MONTHS AGO.
IT WAS RIGHT BEFORE ACTUALLY SEAN STARTED WITH THE CITY.
UH, WHAT WE DID THOUGH, COMMIT TO AT THAT TIME IS COMING BACK TO THE COMMISSION.
UM, ONCE, YOU KNOW, WE HAD A LITTLE BIT MORE UNDER OUR BELT WITH RESPECT TO THE PLANNING.
UM, AND THEN OF COURSE WE WOULD, UH, COME BACK TO COMMISSION WITH ANOTHER UPDATE ON WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY, UH, PROVIDED TO THE COMMISSION.
SO THAT IS DEFINITELY, UM, A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.
UH, BUT THAT PRESENTATION CAME PROBABLY SOMETIME IN THE FALL OF 20 NOVEMBER, WHICH IS THE MEETING I MISSED.
OCTOBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER WAS THE, YEAH,
UM, ANYTHING ELSE? ANY OTHER, OKAY.
UH, THERE'S A MOTION ON THE FLOOR FROM COMMISSIONER A SMITH, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER LIVINGSTON.
UH, WE NOW HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PUBLIC, UH, TO ADDRESS THE PARKS OF RECREATION COMMISSION ON NON AGENDA ITEMS. EACH SPEAKER IS LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES, UH, TO MAKE THEIR COMMENTS UNLESS EXTENDED BY THE CHAIR.
AND REMEMBER THAT THE COMMISSION IS NOT, UH, PERMITTED TO RESPOND TO THOSE COMMENTS.
UM, UH, FIRST OF ALL, I WANNA THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK THIS PAST YEAR.
I REALLY FEEL LIKE WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS AND IMPROVING OUR PARKS, AND IT'S TAKING EVERYBODY'S EFFORT TO GET THERE.
UM, FOR THE GRAY PANTHERS, WE ARE MOST PROUD OF THE FACT THAT WE GOT RID OF THE DRUG DEALERS IN FRONT OF THE SENIOR CENTER, THANKS TO ERIC AND HIS CREW, FOR THE MOST PART, THEY WORKED REALLY HARD TO GET RID OF THE PLANTER WHERE THEY WERE HANGING OUT.
THEY BLOCKED OFFICE, THE FENCE GOING UP, AND, AND IT, IT DROVE THEM
[01:05:01]
AWAY, THEM AND WORKING WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.SO WE ARE REALLY HAPPY THE DRUG DEALERS APPEAR TO BE GONE, AND THE POLICE ARE KEEPING ON MONITORING THAT.
WE WERE ABLE TO GIVE 250 GIFT CARDS, UM, TO THE SENIORS FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
WE GAVE THEM OUT AT THE SENIOR CENTER AND DIRECTOR SCOTT JOINED US AT THE VERY END, AND THE SENIORS WERE VERY HAPPY, AND WE GAVE THEM OUT AT MCBRIDE ALSO.
SO, AND WE GOT OUR CONTRACT BACK FOR OUR SPACE AT THE SENIOR CENTER FOR, SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO A VERY PRODUCTIVE YEAR.
AND YESTERDAY, UM, WE ARE, THE GRAY PANTHERS ARE GOING TO JOIN WITH THE OLDER ADULTS COMMISSION.
WE'RE GOING TO ASK FOR LINE ITEM BUDGET FOR OLDER ADULT PROGRAMS. SO WE CAN SEE ACTUALLY HOW MUCH MONEY IS BEING SPENT ON SENIORS.
THERE ARE FOUNDATIONS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING US IMPROVE THE SENIOR PROGRAMS, AND WE JUST GOT A COUPLE OF SMALL GRANTS IN DECEMBER AS A START.
I HAVE OTHERS THAT WANNA GIVE US MORE MONEY AND SOME BIG FOUNDATIONS, SO WE WANNA HELP IMPROVE THE PROGRAMMING AT THE SENIOR CENTER THIS YEAR.
SO WE SPENT OVER $5,000 ON GIFT CARDS, AND WE STILL HAVE HALF THE GRANT LEFT, SO WE'LL DO IT AGAIN IN THE SPRING.
ANY OTHER? YES, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME.
MY NAME IS MINO, AND I'M A FIRST DISTRICT RESIDENT.
UM, GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS.
UM, AT THE LAST MEETING I WAS HERE ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR A PILOT PROJECT FOCUSED ON HEALTHY NON-TOXIC PARKS.
I'VE BEEN ENCOURAGED BY THE PROGRESS THAT'S BEEN MADE SO FAR, AND I APPRECIATE YOUR WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER WITH THE COMMUNITY TO CREATE SPACES THAT TRULY SUPPORT HEALTH AND WELLBEING.
I'M HERE TO ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT AGAIN AT THIS TIME FOR AN ORGANIZATION THAT REFLECTS THOSE SAME VALUES.
SOWING SEED OF CHANGE, A NON-PROFIT COMMUNITY FARM IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, CONNECTED TO THE DRAKE CHAVEZ EXPANSION.
SEWING SEATS OF CHANGE SERVES YOUNG ADULTS WITH DIFFERENT ABILITIES.
YOUNG PEOPLE WHO OFTEN STRUGGLE TO FIND PLACES WHERE THEY FEEL INCLUDED IN PEOPLE AT THIS FARM.
THEY'RE TRUSTED WITH REAL RESPONSIBILITY.
THEY LEARN JOB SKILLS, BUILD CONFIDENCE, WORK WITH THEIR HANDS, AND EXPERIENCE THE DIGNITY OF CONTRIBUTING MEANINGFULLY TO THEIR COMMUNITY.
FOR THIS, FOR, FOR MANY, THIS FARM IS ONE OF A FEW PLACES WHERE THEY TRULY BELONG.
THAT IS WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT THIS EXPANSION, SUPPORT AND ELEVATE PROGRAMS THAT ALREADY EXIST RATHER THAN EXCLUDE THEM.
ONE MAJOR ISSUE IS THE CONFUSION BETWEEN COMMUNITY GARDEN AND COMMUNITY FARM.
SOWING SEEDS OF CHANGE IS NOT INDIVIDUAL GARDEN PLOTS.
IT IS A WORKING FARM WITH EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
YET THE CURRENT SURVEY DOES NOT INCLUDE COMMUNITY FARM AS AN OPTION.
WHEN SOMETHING ISN'T NAMED, IT ISN'T COUNTED, AND THAT CREATES A REAL RISK OF EXCLUSION.
I'M ALSO CONCERNED THAT THE COMMUNITY FEEDBACK SUPPORTING THE FARM'S INCLUSION IS NOT BEING REFLECTED IN CURRENT PRESENTATIONS OR COMMUNICATIONS.
NEIGHBORS SPOKE CLEARLY AND THAT INPUT DESERVES TO BE VISIBLE AND HONORED.
FINALLY, SEWING SEATS OF CHANGE AGREED TO OPERATE ON A VACANT LOT, UH, BECAUSE THE CITY PROMISED THEM SPACE IN THIS EXPANSION, THEY INVESTED YEARS OF LABOR FUNDING AND TRUST INTO THAT COMMITMENT MOVING FORWARD WITHOUT THEM RISK LOSING A VITAL COMMUNITY ASSET AND DAMAGING TRUST WITH PARTNERS DOING ESSENTIAL WORK.
THIS FARM NURTURES YOUNG ADULTS, GROWS FOOD, TEACHES STEWARDSHIP AND STRENGTHENS CONNECTIONS.
I BELIEVE THE EXPANSION PROJECT SHOULD MODEL INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY CENTERED PLANNING.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK THE PARKS AND REC COMMISSION TO SUPPORT SEWING SEEK OF CHANGE, ADVOCATE FOR THEIR INCLUSION IN THE DRAKE CHAVEZ EXPANSION, AND HELP ENSURE THE CITY HONORS ITS COMMITMENTS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR YOUR CARE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC? I, I NEED TO MENTION THAT WE DID RECEIVE A LETTER, UH, FROM, UH, AN INDIVIDUAL, UH, THAT HAS BEEN PUT INTO THE RECORD.
DO I HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT WHO IT WAS FROM? NO.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR REPORTS AND FOR ATTENDING THE MEETING TODAY.
UM, IT'S NOW TIME FOR ANNOUNCEMENTS.
UH, UH, I WILL BEGIN WITH STAFF AND THEN END WITH THE DIRECTOR.
SO I'LL BEGIN WITH, UH, CAITLIN?
[01:10:01]
YES.UH, SO, UM, ON BEHALF OF CRS, WE ARE ALREADY IN FULL SWING PLANNING FOR THE SUMMER
UM, I BELIEVE JOY ACTUALLY HAS HER FIRST DAY CAMP MEETING TODAY TO, TO KICK OFF, UM, UH, OUR SUMMER PLANNING.
UM, WE'RE ALREADY LOOKING AT WHAT WE'RE DOING FOR OUR, OUR SUMMER FUN PROGRAMS, OUR TEEN PROGRAMS, AND JUST, UM, YOU KNOW, ALREADY IN THAT FULL PLANNING.
UM, AQUATICS IS ALSO IN FULL SWING.
UM, WE'VE, UM, OUR COMMUNITY POOLS TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF A, A MAINTENANCE BREAK DURING THE DECEMBER MONTH, BUT THEY WERE IN FULL SWING BRINGING BACK SWIM LESSONS STARTING, UH, JANUARY 1ST.
UH, SO, UH, WE HAVE FULL ATTENDANCE THERE, WHICH IS GREAT.
UM, AND THAT IT JUST INCREASES AS WE GET CLOSER TO THE SUMMER AS WELL.
UH, WE'RE ALSO FOR AQUATICS, WE'RE ALSO PLANNING OUR SECOND WATER SAFETY DAY, UH, THAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE MONTH OF MAY.
SO THAT'S, UM, AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR COMMUNITY JUST TO LEARN HOW TO BE SAFE AND AROUND THE WATER.
THEY ALSO LEARN ABOUT THE SWIM LESSONS THAT WE PROVIDE, OUR POOLS, UH, THE ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS SUCH AS OUR JUNIOR LIFEGUARD PROGRAM.
AND WE ALSO HAVE A, UM, COMMUNITY SWIM TEAM THAT OUR STAFF ALSO RUN.
SO JUST ENCOURAGING, UH, WATER SAFETY.
UM, BUT I WILL LEAVE SOME FOR JOY TO ALSO SPEAK ON.
UM, THERE IS, WE WERE ALREADY PLANNING FOR SUMMER, THE CITY'S ALSO PLANNING FOR FFY 27 BEYOND THE SUMMER.
SO, UM, THERE ARE SIX MEETINGS COMING OR COMMUNITY BUDGET MEETINGS IF YOU HADN'T HEARD, STARTING, UM, NEXT THURSDAY, JANUARY 22.
SO HERE'S INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET, UH, ABOUT THE TIMES AND LOCATIONS.
WE CAN GO AHEAD AND FORWARD YOU THE FLYER TOO FOR THE BUDGET MEETING MEETING.
THANK YOU FOR THE DATES AND LOCATIONS.
AND JOY, UM, TO CONFIRM, WE ARE DEFINITELY PLANNING THIS SUMMER
I DO WANNA MENTION SOMETHING THAT IS ACTUALLY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OUR STAFF.
SO THE MARTIN LUTHER KING PARADE IS COMING UP.
ONE OF THE GRAND MARSHALS IS ACTUALLY ONE OF OUR LONG TIME RECREATION LEADERS OUT OF KING PARK.
BRUCE BROWN, WHO I GRADUATED WITH, BY THE WAY, FROM POLY.
SO, SO EXCITED THAT HE IS, UH, REPRESENTING ALL THE WORK THAT HE, HE'S DONE IN THAT COMMUNITY, UM, AND WITH US IN THE DEPARTMENT.
SO, UM, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THE PROGRAMS, BUT EXCITED TO PRESENT IN, IN THE UPCOMING MONTHS ABOUT THE STUFF THAT WE DO.
ALL RIGHT, WELL, GOOD MORNING.
AND I GUESS KEEPING ON THAT MLK KIND OF TRAIN THAT WE'RE ON RIGHT NOW, UM, I KNOW STEVE ALREADY MENTIONED THE MLK PARADE THAT'S COMING UP AND THE FABULOUS, UM, UPGRADES THAT OUR MAINTENANCE TEAM HAS DONE, BUT ALSO OUR NEWLY FORMED FRIENDS OF MLK PARK.
THEY PUT IN FOR A PROJECT FOR LEADERSHIP LONG BEACH.
SO ON MONDAY ON THE LEADERSHIP LONG BEACH DAY SERVICE, UM, THAT WILL BE A SITE FOR A COMMUNITY CLEANUP AT THE PEACE GARDEN.
UM, I KNOW RESERVATIONS ARE OPEN AND I MET, UH, HAD A CALL WITH LEADERSHIP LONG BEACH THIS WEEK, UM, YESTERDAY ACTUALLY.
AND THEY LET ME KNOW THAT THERE'S 20 FOLKS ALREADY SIGNED UP TO VOLUNTEER THERE, SO THAT SHOULD BE A GREAT DAY, UM, OUT THERE HELPING TO ALSO JUST DO SOME MORE BEAUTIFICATION OVER AT MK PARK AND THE PEACE GARDEN THERE.
AND THEN WE'RE EXCITED TO WELCOME.
NEXT WEEK WE'LL BE WELCOMING TO PUBLIC SERVICE FELLOWS, UM, WHO WILL BE WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERSHIP TEAM ON HELPING US DO SOME PROJECTS, SO YOU MAY SEE THEM IN A FUTURE MEETING.
UH, UH, THEY TOUCHED ON MLK PARK AS FAR AS WHAT WE'RE DOING, BUT JUST TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE DETAIL, RETRIP IN THE PARKING LOT, UH, PAINTING ALL THE BENCHES THROUGHOUT THE PARK, UH, PAINTING THE CURB, BEING REPLACED IN SIGNAGE, UH, TRIMMING SOME TREES, UM, THAT'S JUST TO MAKE IT LOOK NICE AND PRESENTABLE.
UM, AND THEN ALSO AT KISH PARK UP NORTH, SAME THING.
UH, PAINTING THE EXTERIOR OF THAT FACILITY, LIKE REALLY GAVE IT JUST A REALLY NICE FACE LIFT CAME OUT REALLY, REALLY NICE.
AND THEN, UM, I JUST WANT TO KIND OF TOUCH ON ROUTINE MAINTENANCE FOR THE FACILITY SECTION, REPLACE THE SIGNAGE, UH, PRESSURE WASHING FACILITIES, AND THEN FOR OUR GROUNDS TEAM, UM, THUS FAR THIS YEAR, UM, 140 IN CABIN CLEANUPS, WHICH HAS A TOTAL OF 116 TONS OF DEBRIS.
UM, AND THEN WE TRIMED 465 TREES THUS FAR.
AND I'M REALLY PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT DURING THE STORMS, UM, WE, WE LOST NO TREES.
SO THAT'S A KUDOS TO THE TEAM WITH THE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
AND THEN COMBINED FOR OUR BUREAU, WE HAVE, UM, ROUGHLY, UH, 1800 WORK ORDERS COMPLETED FOR THIS FIRST QUARTER, UM, WHICH REALLY SPEAKS TO THE VOLUME OF WORK THAT OUR TEAM IS DOING.
UH, JUST REALLY WANT TO SHOUT OUT TO THE TEAM THAT, UH, BEING COMMITTED AND STARTING TO HAVE A VISION FORWARD, LOOKING FORWARD THINKING THEY'RE GETTING OUT FRONT AND, AND TAKING CARE OF THINGS.
SO WAS REALLY HAPPY AND PLEASED WHAT WE'RE DOING AND WHERE WE'RE GOING.
SO THIS IS MY FIRST YEAR BACK WITH THIS
[01:15:01]
TEAM, AND IT'S REALLY GOING WELL.SO THOSE ARE THINGS AT THIS TIME.
NO, I WOULD JUST ADD TO WHAT ERIC WAS SAYING.
HIS TEAM IS DOING A FANTASTIC JOB, NOT ONLY WITH, YOU KNOW, THE HANDLING THE DAY-TO-DAY NEEDS OF A PARK SYSTEM, YOU KNOW, ACROSS CLOSE TO 160 PARKS, 3,200 ACRES.
UH, THEY DO A LOT OF WORK, BUT THEN TO BE ABLE TO BALANCE THAT AND PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL TLC, UH, IN SOME OF OUR PARKS, UH, WHERE NEEDED, UM, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, UH, PARTICULARLY FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT USES THOSE PARKS.
SO WORKUP AT COOLIDGE PARK IS FANTASTIC, UH, A REAL REFRESH, UH, TO THAT PARK.
UM, SO KUDOS TO ERIC AND HIS TEAM, UH, ON THAT.
AND, UH, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING MORE TO ADD.
JUST, UH, HAPPY NEW YEAR AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO A GREAT 2026.
UM, SO FIRST OF ALL, UH, THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS TO DIRECTOR SCOTT.
UM, VERY GLAD TO HAVE YOU OFFICIALLY HERE.
UM, I FEEL A LITTLE BIT, UH, I DON'T KNOW, LIKE NAIVE OR SOMETHING, ANYTIME WE GET ANY BUDGET REPORTS, BECAUSE ALL THE NUMBERS ARE SO BIG AND I FEEL VERY SILLY ABOUT THAT.
BUT, YOU KNOW, IN, IN MY OWN HOUSEHOLD BUDGET WHERE I'M LOOKING, I'M LIKE, OH, IT'S REALLY $5.
THEN WE TALKING ABOUT MILLIONS AND
UM, BUT I AM JUST, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THE INVESTMENT THAT, UM, THE CITY AND THE TAXPAYERS HAVE, HAVE, UH, PUT INTO THE PARKS.
I'VE, I'VE BEEN SENDING EMAILS.
I HAVE A STUDENT WHO'S IN CRISIS RIGHT NOW, AND, UM, WHEN WE WERE TALKING, HE WAS TALKING TO A STUDENT YESTERDAY, HE'S GOING THROUGH A DEPRESSIVE EPISODE, AND, UM, WE WERE BRAINSTORMING WHAT CAN HE DO IN THE SHORT TERM WHILE HE IS WORKING ON GETTING BETTER? AND HE TALKED ABOUT GOING ON WALKS ON THE BEACH, AND JUST ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT, THAT ARE SO IMPORTANT, NOT JUST TO US ON THE MILLIONS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF LEVEL, BUT ALSO TO INDIVIDUAL KIDS, UM, COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE GOING THROUGH THINGS, UM, AND JUST THE BENEFIT THAT PARKS AND RECREATION AND MARINE DO, UH, DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
UM, SO JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT AND THANK YOU.
AND, UM, AND ALSO JUST I KNOW THAT I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS FEELING CURRENTLY, UH, HEARTBROKEN ABOUT, UM, SOME OF THE NEWS THAT'S, THAT WE'RE SEEING ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHERE IN CITIES THAT ARE VERY SIMILAR TO LONG BEACH, UM, WHO ALSO HAVE POPULATIONS THAT ARE VERY DIVERSE WITH COMMUNITIES THAT, UM, THAT ARE SERVING, UH, YOU KNOW, IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES, UH, DIVERSE COMMUNITIES FROM ALL OVER THE PLACE, AND JUST THE TERROR AND THE FEAR THAT IS GOING ON IN, IN THOSE CITIES.
SO, UM, AS I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT, UH, FOR THE RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO OUR COMMUNITY, I'M ALSO THINKING ABOUT, UM, OUR NEIGHBORS IN LONG BEACH AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO ARE DEALING WITH, WITH A LOT.
SO JUST THINKING ABOUT THAT, UM, YEAH, I KIND OF ON THE SAME MESSAGE OF, OF FEELING GRATEFUL.
UM, I ACTUALLY WANTED TO SAY ANOTHER THANK YOU TO MAINTENANCE, UM, OVER THE HOLIDAY BREAK.
I AM FROM A VERY SMALL TOWN AND WE HAD A, I WENT TO GO VISIT FAMILY AND THERE WAS A LOT OF STORM DAMAGE.
AND SO THEN TO RETURN TO LONG BEACH AFTER A LOT OF STORMS AND SEEING LESS DAMAGE AND KNOWING THAT THAT'S IMPACTFUL BECAUSE OF MAINTENANCE TEAMS AND ALL THE PREVENTATIVE WORK AND THE POST WORK.
UM, JUST A SPECIAL THANK YOU THAT, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T, WE'RE SECURING OUR HOUSEHOLDS.
WE'RE NOT REALLY REAL THINKING KIND OF OUTSIDE THAT AND KNOWING THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE THINKING OF THAT.
UH, I HOPE EVERYBODY GOT A GREAT START TO THEIR NEW YEAR.
UM, IT WAS A LITTLE ROCKY, UM, WITH THE TRANSITION TO THIS NEW YEAR, GIVEN ALL THAT IS SO, IT IS NICE, IT IS REALLY GRATEFUL TO HAVE A CITY THAT FUNCTIONS WELL IN TERMS OF OUR GOVERNMENT AND THAT WE ARE A STRONG COMMUNITY AND WE SEE THAT EVERY DAY THROUGH CITY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE GOOD EMPLOYEES, WHO REALLY DEEPLY CARE ABOUT THE WORK THAT THEY DO.
AND YOU EXPRESS THAT, YOU'VE EXPRESSED THAT AND WE'RE ALL EXPRESSING THAT.
AND SO I JUST WANNA ACKNOWLEDGE EVERYBODY FOR BEING WHO THEY ARE.
IT MATTERS AND FOR RESIDENTS WHO SHOW UP, WHO CARE DEEPLY ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY, AND THAT'S HOW WE MAKE THIS WORLD BETTER.
I, I'M NOT GONNA CRY, BUT I CAN'T REALLY SAY IT ANY BETTER THAN THEY DID.
UH, STEVE WAS MY BOSS, SO CONGRATULATIONS.
I THINK YOU'LL DO A GREAT JOB.
I THINK THAT'S GOOD FOR THE CITY.
AND, UH, JUST ECHO THE OTHER COMMENTS.
AND I HAVE A COUPLE OF COMMENTS.
FIRST OF ALL, I ECHO THE CONGRATULATIONS TO DIRECTOR SCOTT.
I'M THRILLED FOR THAT APPOINTMENT.
AND WE ARE, I ALWAYS BELIEVE THAT PROMOTING FROM WITHIN IS THE BEST WAY TO PROVE THAT WE'VE HIRED RIGHT, TRAINED RIGHT AND ARE MOVING FORWARD.
AND AGAIN, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER ATI SMITH, THOSE BEAUTIFUL COMMENTS.
UM, I ARRIVED HOME FROM MY CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY TO HAVE A VERY SQUISHED AND DEAD AND VERY SMELLY
[01:20:01]
SKUNK IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE.AND I WAS GONNA SAY, DO YOU KNOW WHO I, AND THEN I DIDN'T.
I JUST SAID, WE HAVE A DEAD SKUNK.
RIGHT AWAY THEY CAME AND SCOOPED IT UP AND OH, I SMELL.
SO I JUST WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT DESPITE EVERYTHING ELSE, EVERYTHING WORKS.
UM, AND UH, WE HAVE A NEW BASEBALL TEAM IN, UH, LONG BEACH.
UH, AND IT'S EITHER CALLED THE, UH, LONG BEACH COAST OR THE LONG BEACH REGULATORS.
AND ON THE CAP IT HAS BOTH NAMES, BUT IT'S A MINOR LEAGUE TEAM, AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT BLAIR FIELD.
ANYWAY, UM, OKAY, THAT'S ALMOST DONE HERE.
UM, UH, IT IS TIME TO SIGN UP FOR YOUR OLYMPICS TICKETS.
I DID THE PROCESS LAST NIGHT, AND THERE'S A DRAWING ON APRIL 2ND I THINK, SO THAT IF YOU SIGN UP NOW, UM, UH, THEY WILL HAVE A DRAWING AND YOU HAVE ACCESS TO GETTING $28 TICKETS, UP TO 12 TICKETS.
UM, AND, AND LAST, THIS, UM, PARTNERSHIP THING, I THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, NOT THE MOST, A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR CITY, AND ESPECIALLY WITH OUR PARKS, THAT, UH, TOGETHER WE WORK STRONGER AND, UH, ONE GROUP IS GREAT, TWO IS BETTER, AND THE MORE PARTNERSHIPS WE HAVE, UM, THE BETTER WE AND STRONGER WE WILL BE.
SO I WANNA THANK EVERYBODY FOR THAT, AND THAT IS A WONDERFUL THEME FOR THIS COMING YEAR.
THAT BEING SAID, WE WILL CLOSE THE MEETING.