2022 03 14 CSC MinutesCONSENT CALENDAR ITEM NO.
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
MINUTES
MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2022
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Community Services Commission (Commission) was
called to order by Chairperson Biondi at 4:02 p.m.
This meeting provided teleconferencing accessibility pursuant to Executive
Orders N-60-20 and N-08-21 executed by the Governor of California, and
subsequently Assembly Bill 361 (AB 361, 2021), enacted in response to the
state of emergency relating to novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
and enabling teleconferencing accommodations by suspending or waiving
specified provisions in the Ralph M. Brown Act (Government Code § 54950 et
seq.) .
PRESENT: Commissioners Blakeley, Gordon, La Greca, Shelton, and Chair
Biondi
ABSENT: None
STAFF PRESENT: Community Resources Director Escobedo, Community
Resources Manager Calderon, Administrative Technician Chaudhry,
Management Assistant Camarena, 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 DECEMBER 13, 2021 MEETING MINUTES
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MOTION - A motion was made and seconded by Commissioners Blakeley/La
Greca to approve the Consent Calendar as recommended. Motion passed
unanimously.
BUSINESS SESSION
1. RECOMMEND DESIGN FOR THE GOLD STAR FAMILY MONUMENTS
Commission Secretary Calderon presented the staff report, which is on file in
the Community Resources Office.
The Commission reached a consensus and directed staff to bring forward three
design options for Council consideration and noted its preference by ranking
them as follows:
1) First Choice - Concept No. 2 by Artist Cassandra Burgess; pending
modifications to incorporate inclusive family figures such as mother,
father, and children;
2) Second Choice - Concept No. 3 by Artist CJ Rench as presented; and
3) Third Choice -only one concept by Artist Aragorn, as presented.
STUDY SESSION - None
DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS
Staff provided verbal updates on the following items:
1. FRITZ BURNS PARK ENHANCEMENTS RFP UPDATE
An RFP for the redesign of Fritz Burns Park was published on the City website.
Two firms submitted proposals and will be evaluated by the Selection
Committee. The project is expected to begin by April 2022.
2. CULTURAL CAMPUS UPDATE
A firm was selected by the Council to provide preliminary concepts for the
development of the La Quinta Cultural Campus. Council will review and assess
the preliminary designs before executing an agreement for master planning.
3. X-PARK SOFT AND GRAND OPENING UPDATE
The soft opening of the X-Park is scheduled for March 23. The grand opening
is tentatively scheduled for late April.
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4. NOVEMBER LQAC ART PURCHASE UPDATE
The two commissioned art pieces that were purchased during the November
La Quinta Art Celebration were displayed for the Commission; both art pieces
will be featured at the X-Park.
COMMISSIONER'S ITEMS
Commissioner Gordon commented on the Community Workshop held on
March 12, 2022. Community members who attended the workshop identified
focus areas they would like the City to prioritize including the expansion of
shade structures and water features at La Quinta parks.
Commissioner La Greca requested adding the acquisition of two additional wire
sculptures by artist Michael Gard to the priorities list to compliment the wire
sculptures that are currently displayed in the Wellness Center.
There was a consensus from the Commission to obtain the list of priorities
collected during the workshop to further discuss the areas that fall under the
Commission's purview.
Chair Biondi discussed the structure of the Pillars of the Community Awards
and suggested modifications to the nomination process including the affiliation
with the Senior Inspiration Award. Chair Biondi commented that the City has
not received a nomination for the Distinguished Artists and Athletes Award for
several years suggesting that the lack of interest in the award is an indication
that it has lost its significance to the community. Chair Biondi recommended
revisions to the process to restore the award's significance.
Commissioner Blakely expressed her concerns about the Commissioners being
tasked with nominating a Pillars of the Community recipient to City Council,
as she views this process as a conflict of interest. Chair Biondi clarified that
she has been searching for candidates for the Pillars of the Community and
Distinguished Artists & Athletes Awards and encouraging others to nominate
these individuals, but she herself is not nominating candidates. Staff will
provide the Commissioners with the information on how to nominate
candidates for the awards so they can distribute the information amongst their
friends, social groups, and the organizations to which they belong.
Staff will coordinate a special Commission meeting in April to discuss specific
revisions to the Pillars of the Community and Distinguished Artists and
Athletes nomination processes for recommendation to the City Council.
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ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded by
Commissioners Gordon/Blakeley to adjourn the meeting at 4:50 p.m. Motion
passed unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
MICHAEL CALDERON,
Community Services Commission Secretary
City of La Quinta, California
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