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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - City Council - Meeting Date: 3/2/2011 Meeting Minutes CITY OF GLENDALE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMISSION ON NEIGHBORHOODS Glendale City Hall — Room B-3 Wednesday, March 2, 2011 6:00pm MEMBERS PRESENT: Sharon Sprague, Chair Vickie Loya, Vice Chair Judy Atkins Sharon Brown Matthew Versluis Bill Jocewicz Barbara Cole Rebecca Ontiveros MEMBERS ABSENT: Jo Ann Caufield Frank Hinds STAFF PRESENT: Erik Strunk, Community Partnerships Director Josie Romero, Neighborhood Partnership Administrator Patrick Krause, Neighborhood Services Coordinator Cathy Gorham, Deputy City Manager Joyce Clark, City of Glendale Councilmember I. Call to Order Chair Sprague called the meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. II. Roll Call Chair Sprague conducted roll call and noted that Commissioners Hinds and Caufield were absent. Chair Sprague welcomed new Commissioner Ontiveros. III. Approval of Minutes — February 2, 2011 Commissioner Loya motioned to approve the February 2, 2011 meeting minutes as written. Commissioner Atkins made the second. The motion passed 8 - 0. IV. Business from the Floor None. V. Special Recognition of the Recent "Rebuilding Together" Event Ms. Romero stated that over the past five years, the Neighborhood Partnership Office has partnered with Rebuilding Together on the Rock-n-Roll Paint-a-Thon held every October. Rebuilding Together supplies the paint and other materials used to provide free rehabilitation and critical repairs to the homes of low-income persons. In October 2010, three homes in East Catlin Court were painted. Ms. Romero presented the plaque received from Rebuilding Together in recognition and appreciation of the partnership with the City of Glendale, the Neighborhood Partnership Office and the Commission on Neighborhoods. Mr. Strunk and Ms. Romero thanked the Commission for their participation in the Rock-n-Roll Paint-a-Thons. Citizens Advisory Commission on Neighborhoods Meeting - Minutes March 2, 2011 Page 2 of 7 VI. Neighborhood Profile: LaFontana Heights Neighborhood Ms. Romero introduced Ms. Marianne Kempton, a neighborhood leader for the LaFontana Heights Neighborhood. Ms. Romero gave a presentation on the neighborhood, which included the following information: • Neighborhood Facts o 144 total households o The neighborhood boundary is from Missouri to Oregon avenues, and from 73rd to 75th avenues o Organized in June 2009 • Projects to Date o Community Connection event o Landscaping installed on 75th Avenue from Oregon to Denton o Funds from a Neighborhood Partnership Grant were used to purchase rock for the landscaping project o Rebuilding Together provided free paint so the residents could paint the subdivision wall along the project area • Other Activities o Ms. Kempton was a "Spark"Award nominee • Future Projects o Develop "Perfect Neighborhood Plan" o Streetscape o Blight Elimination o Code Compliance Ms. Kempton explained that she got involved in the neighborhood grant program because she saw that other neighborhoods were being improved through the use of the Neighborhood Partnership grant funds. Ms. Kempton then contacted the Neighborhood Partnership Office, registered the neighborhood and began the process of neighborhood improvement. Ms. Kempton stated that Mr. Sam McAllen, Code Compliance, deemed the neighborhood a "focus area" due to the amount of blight. Ms. Kempton added that Councilmember Clark wrote a letter which was sent to every resident in the neighborhood requesting that all residents band together to improve the neighborhood. Ms. Kempton stated that the grant project of adding the granite was a very good project, although it had to be adjusted from the original concept due to a recent lawsuit regarding the use of public funds on private property. Ms. Kempton explained that the paint for the subdivision wall was instead donated by Rebuilding Together and a few residents turned out to paint the wall. Ms. Kempton was pleased with the project results and also noted that some of the blight in the neighborhood has been remedied. Ms. Kempton expressed that there are still many challenges in the area, especially lingering blight, trash and litter. Ms. Kempton made the following suggestions: • More signage or better enforcement of litter laws • Stricter city code regarding eyesores left on properties such as dilapidated basketball nets and Christmas lights left hanging throughout the year Citizens Advisory Commission on Neighborhoods Meeting - Minutes March 2, 2011 Page 3 of 7 • Involvement of the neighborhood school and school children regarding clean up of litter • Involvement of the neighborhood school to reach out, through the children, to spread the importance of neighborhood issues to the parents Ms. Kempton added that resident apathy is an ongoing issue and it is hard to get people to become involved in neighborhood issues. Ms. Kempton has been working very hard to connect and inspire people, but has received little response lately due to little interest or the work schedules of the residents. Ms. Kempton and her husband pick up trash in the neighborhood and try to do what they can to abate the problem. Ms. Kempton was saddened by the loss of the grant program which provided some very necessary funding to complete the granite project. Chair Sprague thanked Ms. Kempton for her efforts on the grant project and for her continuous efforts in neighborhood improvement. Chair Sprague sympathized with the difficulty of gathering and motivating residents. Chair Sprague stated that the Neighborhood Partnership Office and the Commission have been working on alternative methods for neighborhood improvement due to the loss of the grant program. Chair Sprague mentioned that Adopt-A-Neighborhood program and also suggested that the Boy Scouts and the Girls Scouts may be interested in performing a service project in LaFontana Heights. Chair Sprague agreed that a partnership with the neighborhood school would be very beneficial. Ms. Romero commented that the school principal allowed the neighborhood to use a room at the school for a neighborhood meeting and Ms. Romero will contact the school to see if this is possible again. Commissioner Cole suggested that the local high school be contacted as well for student and parental involvement. Chair Sprague suggested an ice cream social or a potluck to motivate the residents to come out to the neighborhood meeting. A celebration of the anniversary of the project could be used as a theme and the discussion of the litter issue could be held as well. Chair Sprague noted that the residents need to be motivated to resolve a glaring need in the community and maybe the litter issue is a start. Chair Sprague asked if there was a Neighborhood Block Watch. Ms. Kempton replied in the negative. Chair Sprague suggested setting up a Block Watch, which would band some residents together and also establish a relationship with the police department. Ms. Romero will work with Ms. Kempton and the CAT Department to set up a Block Watch in the Neighborhood. Chair Sprague thanked Ms. Kempton for her efforts in the neighborhood and for her dedication to neighborhood improvement. VII. Discussion on the Role and Mission of the Commission Mr. Strunk introduced Councilmember Joyce Clark, Chair of the Government Services Committee. Ms. Strunk explained that the Government Services Committee oversees the welfare, role and recruitment of the various Boards and Commissions in the City of Glendale. Mr. Strunk stated that Councilmembers Lieberman and Martinez are the Citizens Advisory Commission on Neighborhoods Meeting - Minutes March 2, 2011 Page 4 of 7 other two members of the Government Services Committee, who were unable to attend this evening's meeting. Councilmember Clark gave a background of how she got involved in neighborhood improvement. Councilmember Clark was first elected to City Council in 1992 as a representative of the Yucca District. Over the span of 39 years in her home, Councilmember Clark felt that the neighborhood was being neglected and took other Councilmembers on a tour of her neighborhood and others in decline. Shortly thereafter, the Neighborhood Partnership Office and the Citizens Advisory Commission on Neighborhoods were established. Councilmember Clark stated that rehabilitating a neighborhood is done one house at a time, noting that when one family fixes up their home, other families are inspired to do so as well. Councilmember Clark commented that she was dismayed by some of the grant funds that were used for projects such as entryway monuments and felt that the grant funds should have more of an impact on individual homes. Councilmember Clark was aware of the stipulation that public funds could not be granted for use on private property, but noted that in the Visual Improvement Program (VIP), matching funds are given to local businesses, i.e. private property, for improved signage and such. Councilmember Clark realized that residents may now be disappointed that there are no neighborhood grants funds available due to budget cuts. Councilmember Clark was excited, however, because the Commission now has the opportunity and time to determine the new role and mission of the Commission. Councilmember Clark stated that there are various programs in place for low-income neighborhoods to receive assistance; however, there is a "notch" group of neighborhoods that is in decline, just need a little bit of help to get back on track but do not qualify for federal assistance. Councilmember Clarke challenged the Commission to determine ways of helping the "notch" group through the use: • Block Watches • Identification, development and involvement of neighborhood leaders • Involvement of Councilmembers • Grants and/or in-kind donations from local businesses, such as Lowe's and Home Depot or local landscaping companies Councilmember Clark relayed a question from Councilmember Martinez regarding what value the Commission felt the Small Grants program provided to the neighborhoods. Commissioner Loya felt that the Small Grants program was the catalyst for future projects in a neighborhood. Commissioner Loya suggested that residents contact a district manager of a business for a grant or in-kind donation. Councilmember Clarke suggested that an "honor roll" of business that support or donate to a neighborhood could be developed. Commissioner Cole stated that the $500 from a Community Connection grant pays for food and other items to get people gathered together to discuss the neighborhood Citizens Advisory Commission on Neighborhoods Meeting - Minutes March 2, 2011 Page 5 of 7 issues. Commissioner Cole commented that sometimes, food is the only way to get people to attend a meeting. Councilmember Clark noted that a raffle prize, donated by a local business, might be a way to get residents to attend a meeting. Commissioner Jocewicz felt that even $500 might be too much for the small grants and maybe a smaller amount of funds would be enough to provide food for the meeting. Commissioner Jocewicz added that sometimes a fire department representative will come to the meeting with a fire truck for the children which is also a motivator for residents to attend the meeting. Commissioner Atkins commented that the Small Grants was a least a way to get the residents to meet each other and make connections. Commissioner Ontiveros suggested reaching out to the Glendale Chamber of Commerce for in-kind donations. Councilmember Clark agreed. Commissioner Cole suggested more partnerships with other City Departments in order to improve neighborhoods. Councilmember Clark stated that Councilmember Martinez would like to find funding for the Small Grants Program and appreciated the feedback on the benefits of the program. Councilmember Clark also suggested another idea of having a trash dumpster rented or donated to a neighborhood for a day so that the residents could throw away large trash items causing blight into the dumpster. This could inspire a major neighborhood clean up as well. Commissioner Versluis wondered if the company Waste Management would be willing to donate a dumpster for a day. Councilmember Clark thanked the Commissioners for their time, participation and dedication to neighborhood improvement in the City. Councilmember Clark stressed that the Commission is very much appreciated and looked forward to the development of its new role and mission as well as the development of new methods for neighborhood improvement. VIII. Commission on Neighborhoods FY 2010-2011 Work Plan Update, Mr. Krause distributed the FY 2010-2011 Work Plan to the Commissioners, which included the following Action Items: • It agreed to promote programs and services to Glendale residents. o Work with the Community Services Group (Library, Parks and Recreation, Code Compliance and Community Partnerships) to further coordinate and deliver services to neighborhoods in Glendale and to encourage their participation. o Provide information to residents via neighborhood meetings and activities and city events. o Market and encourage residents' participation in Glendale University and other community/civic education classes as necessary. o Provide information on programs and services to commercial and non-profit business and faith-based organization and encourage their involvement in the Glendale community. Citizens Advisory Commission on Neighborhoods Meeting - Minutes March 2, 2011 Page 6 of 7 • It agreed to follow up with and track the progress of current neighborhood efforts and, as applicable, apply these efforts in other neighborhoods by providing mentoring to potential neighborhood leaders. o Participate in GAIN Night festivities o Participate in the Adopt-A-Neighborhood program o Coordinate the Annual Holiday Appreciation Event and assist with the Leadership Forum Chair Sprague stated that after the discussion with Councilmember Clark, the Commissioners may want to review and make changes to the Work Plan. Mr. Krause commented that the Work Plan is be a fluid document which can be adjusted as the needs of the neighborhood change and as the Commissioners and staff determine other ways of outreach to residents. IX. Staff Updates and Commission Items of Interest Mr. Krause provided an update on the following: Community Volunteer Program - • During February, more than 700 volunteers completed 3.400 volunteer hours. • The 6th annual Serve Day event was held on Saturday, February 26. Volunteers from The Vineyard Church, Community Church of Joy, Faith Bible Church and First Southern Baptist Church worked on seven different projects. Projects included painting houses, painting house numbers on curbs, trash clean-up, citrus gleaning and projects at the Foothills Library. • Mr. Krause shared a story of residents who provided lunch for the volunteers in appreciation of the work being done in the neighborhood. Community Education - • The Glendale University (GU) Graduate Class "Tour of Oasis Water Treatment Plant" was held on February 24, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Seven attendees registered to take the class. • A GU Graduate Class on Homeland Security is scheduled for March 30 and 31. • Ms. Romero will be taking over the responsibility of the Glendale University classes for the Spring 2011 session, beginning this upcoming Monday. Glendale Public Housing Capital Improvements - Mr. Krause has been working on certain projects with the Housing Division, in which there are 155 units in three complexes. Mr. Krause suggested that a mobile Commission meeting be held in one of the complexes so the Commission can view a complex and how it fits into the surrounding neighborhood. Ms. Romero gave an update of the upcoming Glendale University Classes, which included the following: • Monday March 7: Meet Your Elected Officials • Monday, March 14: Managing a Public Organization • Monday, March 21: Internal Business Services • Monday, March 28: City Court Ms. Romero stated that there are 34 people registered for the Glendale University classes and Commissioner Cole and Chair Sprague are included in those registered. Citizens Advisory Commission on Neighborhoods Meeting - Minutes March 2, 2011 Page 7 of 7 Mr. Strunk announced the following upcoming events: • On March 16, at 6:00 p.m., NPO Staff has been invited by Councilmember Alvarez to present information on neighborhood services and programs to residents at an Ocotillo District Neighborhood Presentation. • On Saturday, March 26, the annual Cesar Chavez Day of Service volunteer project will take place. Details will be presented soon. • The "My Community" booklet was displayed, which provides information on the services, classes and offerings of various groups in the Community Services Department, such as the Library, Parks and Recreation and Code Compliance. The Commissioners all agreed that the meeting was informative and enjoyed Councilmember Clark's suggestions and the information that was shared. Commissioner Ontiveros was excited to be on the Commission and looked forward to the outreach to the neighborhoods. X. Adjournment Commissioner Atkins motioned to adjourn the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Commissioner Loya made the second. The motion passed 8 - 0. Respectfully Submitted, DeMLA ZE C{ n )i¢hcr � Denise Kazmierc Recording Secre a ''