2022 09 12 CSC MinutesCONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO.
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
MINUTES
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Community Services Commission (Commission) was
called to order by Chair Biondi at 4:02 p.m.
PRESENT: Chair Biondi, Commissioner Blakeley, Commissioner Gordon,
Commissioner La Greca, Commissioner Shelton
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Community Resources Manager Calderon and Community
Services Commission Secretary Calderon
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Commissioner La Greca led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA - None
ANNOUNCEMENTS, PRESENTATIONS, AND WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
- None
CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA - Confirmed
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. APPROVE JUNE 13, 2022 MEETING MINUTES
Commissioner Shelton asked staff to revise the June 13, 2022, minutes, to
reflect that she abstained from the first vote only on Business Session Item
No. 1 regarding the Commission's recommendations to Council on the Pillars
of the Community recipients; the submitted minutes state that the motion
passed unanimously, which is incorrect.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners La
Greca/Blakeley to approve the June 13, 2022 minutes, as amended, as noted
above. Motion passed unanimously.
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BUSINESS SESSION
1. APPOINT MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICES
COMMISSION TO SERVE AS CHAIRPERSON AND VICE -
CHAIRPERSON FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022/23
The Commission waived presentation of the staff report, which is on file in the
Community Resources Department.
Staff noted that there is no limit to the number of times members of the
Commission may serve as Chair or Vice -Chair.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Blakeley/Gordon to have Chair Biondi continue her appointment and serve as
Chair for fiscal year 2022/23. Motion passed unanimously.
MOTION - A motion was made by Commissioners Biondi/Gordon to have Vice -
Chair Blakeley continue her appointment and serve as Vice -Chair for fiscal
year 2022/23. Motion passed unanimously.
2. RECOMMEND ACCEPTANCE OF ART DONATION
Community Resources Secretary Calderon presented the staff report, which
is on file in the Community Resources Department.
The Commission discussed incentives for art donations; the artist Jack Zejac's
desire to have his art piece featured in a public place within the community;
possible locations in La Quinta to display the art piece, the need to put a
platform in place before the piece can be displayed, and associated costs with
building the platform and available funding sources.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Blakeley/La
Greca to recommend Council acceptance of an art donation consisting of a
bronze sculpture by Jack Zajac to be included in the City's Art in Public Places
collection. Motion passed unanimously.
3. RECOMMEND ART PIECE CONCEPTS TO COMMEMORATE THE
CITY'S 40TH ANNIVERSARY
Community Services Secretary Calderon presented the staff report, which is
on file in the Community Resources Department.
The Commission discussed the high -quality of all proposals received and their
individual preferences of the proposals in ranking order; expressed general
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consensus that the proposal by Artists Jason and Nicole McQuaid featuring 40
cactus spikes, in honor of the City's 40t" anniversary, stood out amongst the
rest of the proposals; and noted that if McQuaids' piece is selected, the plaque
should include language that explains the significance of the 40 spikes.
MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners
Blakeley/Gordon to recommend to the City Council consideration of art pieces
to commemorate the City's 40t" anniversary in the following order:
1) First choice - proposal submitted by Artists Jason and Nicole McQuaid,
2) Second choice - proposal submitted by Artist Aileen Frick, and
3) Third choice - proposal submitted by Artist Erin Hanson.
Motion passed unanimously.
STUDY SESSION
1. COMMISSION ATTENDANCE AT CITY EVENTS AND PROGRAMS,
AND EVENT LINEUP FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022/23
Community Services Manager Calderon presented the staff report, which is on
file in the Community Resources Department.
The Commission discussed their availability to attend the events presented by
staff, which included the Civic Center Art Purchase Committees during the
March and November La Quinta Art Celebrations, Tree Lighting Ceremony,
Easter Egg Hunt, and City Picnic.
The Commission reached a consensus for the Commissioners listed below to
represent the Commission as follows:
• Civic Center Art Purchase Committee - La Quinta Art Celebration
(November 2022) - Commissioners Gordon and Shelton
• Civic Center Art Purchase Committee - La Quinta Art Celebration (March
2023) - Commissioners La Greca and Chair Biondi
• City Picnic - All Commissioners
• Tree Lighting Ceremony - All Commissioners
• Easter Egg Hunt - Pending Commissioner Availability
2. DISCUSS PILLARS OF THE COMMUNITY AND DISTINGUISHED
ARTISTS AND ATHLETES PROGRAMS' REVISIONS
Community Services Secretary Calderon presented the staff report, which is
on file in the Community Resources Department; the Subcommittee,
comprised of Chair Biondi and Commissioner Gordon, as consented by the
Commission at the June 13, 2022, quarterly meeting, provided an overview
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of the subcommittee's findings and recommendations, which were included in
the staff report.
The Commission discussed the Subcommittee's recommendations, in
particular to discontinue the existing Distinguished Artists/Athletes awards,
however, artists and athletes can be nominated as recipients for the new
award categories being recommended; separate the Pillars of the Community
Award, which is administered by the City, from the Senior Inspiration Award
(SIA), which is administered by Riverside County, and no longer have the SIA
recipient automatically become a Pillars of the Community recipient; create a
new Junior Inspiration Award, as suggested by Council at their June 1, 2022,
regular meeting, and create a new Community Services Award; possible
confusion between the Senior and Junior Inspiration Awards, the motivation
is to provide an opportunity and create a pipeline for younger people to be
recognized for their contributions to the community; the proposed revisions
to the award programs are intended to broaden the pool of eligible recipients,
and in particular the Community Services Award gives the City the ability to
recognize a diverse group of individuals for their community contributions
without being subjected to age -restrictive accomplishments; creating a pool
of people in the community - teachers, local business owners, etc. who can
be the Commission's partners in executing and delivering on these awards;
consider revising the qualification criteria to not require that a nominated
recipient is a La Quinta resident if he/she/they have contributed to the La
Quinta community, their efforts should be recognized, regardless of residence;
evolution of qualifying criteria for the SIA over the years in order to allow a
larger pool of people to be eligible for nominations; requesting that a member
of the City Council be appointed to join the Commission's Subcommittee to
help provide guidance and direction; and consider renaming the "Junior"
Inspiration Award to "Youth" Inspiration Award.
The Commission reached a consensus and directed staff to take the
Subcommittee's recommendation for Council consideration and request that a
member of the Council be appointed to join the Commission's Subcommittee.
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
Staff provided verbal updates on the following items:
I. COMMISSIONER TOURS UPDATE
The Commissioners' tours scheduled for September 2022, have been
postponed until December 2022. The tours will be led by City staff and
showcase City facilities, parks, and amenities.
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2. EVENTS UPDATES
Staff reviewed the following upcoming City events:
• October 15, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. - Concerts in the Park featuring The
Beatunes, a Beatles tribute band
• October 22, 2022 at 11 a.m. - X-Park Grand Opening
• November 11, 2022 at 9 a.m. - Veterans Recognition Ceremony
• November 12, 2022 at 9 a.m. - El Gato Classic at the X-Park
• November 19, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. - Concerts in the Park featuring Fake
Matthews Band
• December 2, 2022 at 6 p.m. - Tree Lighting Ceremony
3. RENOVATION OF LA QUINTA PARK SPLASH PAD
Public Works recently published a Request for Proposals for renovating the
splash pad at La Quinta Park. The proposals will be reviewed by staff and the
best contenders will be brought to the Commission for consideration during a
special meeting, expected to be held in September 2022.
COMMISSIONER'S ITEMS
Chair Biondi inquired about the updated Art in Public Places, Bike Trails, and
Hiking Trails pocket maps. The maps were distributed to the Commission and
are also available on the City website.
Vice -Chair Blakeley inquired about staffing levels within the Community
Resources Department. Staff explained that while the Community Resources
Director position is currently vacant, all other positions are filled and staff
continue to move forward with projects as planned.
Chair Biondi reminded the Commissioners about the Fritz Burns Park
enhancements survey that is currently available on the City website. The
survey seeks to gather input regarding amenities and enhancements the
community would like to see at Fritz Burns Park.
Commissioner Shelton commented on the changes that have been made to
the City website. Staff explained that the website was updated to make it
easier to navigate, however staff is open to feedback from the Commission on
ways to make the website more user friendly.
Commissioners La Greca and Gordon commented on the lack of bike racks at
City parks and facilities. A consensus was made to discuss expanding the bike
rack locations during a future Commission meeting. Staff will connect with the
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Economic Development Department to discuss incentives for local businesses
and property owners to install bike racks.
Commissioner La Greca inquired about a possible art donation from artist
Janice Osborne. Staff will reach out to the artist to get more information and
may bring the art donation to the Commission for consideration during a future
Commission meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by
Commissioners Gordon/Blakeley to adjourn the meeting at 5:07 p.m. Motion
passes unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MICHAEL CALDERON,
Community Services Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
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