AGENDA ITEM
TO:
HONORABLE CHAIR
AND MEMBERS OF THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
FROM:
YVETTE E. AGUILAR
PARKS, RECREATION AND LIBRARY SERVICES DIRECTOR
SUBJECT:
title
DIRECTOR’S REPORT - UPDATES ON CITY COUNCIL ACTIONS, PARK PROJECTS, AND PROGRAMS
summary
Summary:
The Director’s Report provides an overview and various updates on activity and actions related to the Parks, Recreation and Library Services Department and provides the Parks and Recreation Commission with information about City Council direction; project status on park projects; and/or other programs and services.
Strategic Plan Goal(s):
Goal No. 4 Maintain and improve the City’s physical infrastructure, water system, and recreational spaces.
Goal No. 5 Strengthen internal communication, recruitment, retention, systems, and processes to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of City services.
recommendation
Recommendation:
Receive and file report.
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Updates and Analysis:
CITY COUNCIL
At the August 27, 2024 City Council Meeting:
• New Public Works staff were introduced including: Anthony Del Real - Maintenance Worker; Arley Estrella - Water Maintenance Worker I; Angelo Lopez - Maintenance Worker; Jaimie Mendoza - Maintenance Worker; and Evandemitri “Demitri” Piinuu - Water Maintenance Worker I.
• City Council adopted the Civic Center Master Plan.
• City Council adopted a resolution to accept grant funds from Greenlatinos Urban & Community Forestry Program for the street tree planting federal project; and to amend the adopted budget and authorize a budget appropriation for Fiscal Year 2024-25 for street tree planting in the amount of $1,000,000.
• City Council authorized staff to open a recruitment to fill an unscheduled vacancy on the Planning Commission to serve the remainder of the vacant term through May 31, 2025.
• City Council approved the continuance of the proclamation of the existence of a local emergency response to February 2024 winter storm and reaffirming emergency conditions requiring emergency action to complete emergency repairs at Panorama Promenade and Molino Avenue and 20th Street.
CENTENNIAL PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
The City of Signal Hill continues to celebrate 100 years of incorporation in 2024. In January 2022, City Council appointed the Centennial Celebration Committee, comprised of two council members, and one representative from the Planning and Parks and Recreation Commissions. The committee has been meeting since early 2023 to plan, organize, and map out the festivities throughout the year.
The city’s website has also been updated and populated with information related to the centennial. There’s a landing page that is dedicated promoting the centennial year, and more information is updated on a regular basis. Additional events, programs, and activities will be included on the website as details are finalized throughout the year.
Signal Hill Passport
Be a part of the City’s history and learn about the rich offerings of our past. Visit one of the centennial activities or events and get your passport stamped with Signal Hill’s commemorative stamp. Fill in your passport book and redeem your prizes at the Signal Hill Public Library by December 18, 2024.
Tree Sponsorship Program
The City of Signal Hill is home to a beautiful park system with exquisite views. Part of that landscape includes trees that adorn our recreation and open spaces, trails, sidewalks, and medians.
Our Tree Sponsorship Program allows park supporters to have a tree planted in honor of a loved one. To sponsor a tree simply complete the application online and provide your preferred area for your sponsored tree to be planted.
The city will make every effort to place a tree in the requested zone. However, if staff are unable to accommodate specific zone request, contact will be made with the applicant to find an alternative zone.
Sponsorship donations are final and non-refundable. All sponsorship donations should be made payable to the City of Signal Hill, 2175 Cherry Avenue, Signal Hill CA 90755 with a note “Tree Sponsorship” in the memo line.
Time Capsule - Share Your Story
The City of Signal Hill is celebrating 100 years of incorporation in 2024 and you are an important part of the City’s history. Share your story and tell us why Signal Hill is important to you, your favorite memory about the City, or an important occasion that took place in the City. Be a part of the City’s continued history as we capture your story and save it to install in the City’s new time capsule at the end of the 2024 year. Please note, your name may be published, but your contact will only be used by City personnel to get in touch with you regarding your submittal if needed. Contact the Parks, Recreation and Library Services Department if you have any questions at 562-989-7330 or email us at 100years@cityofsignalhill.org <mailto:100years@cityofsignalhill.org> for more information.
Celebrating Centenarians
In honor of the City’s milestone year, we want to recognize centenarians in our community! If you, or someone you know, is 100 years old or will turn 100 this year, let us know! We’ll share their name, date of birth, and recognize them at a future City Council meeting.
Please complete the information online to be a part of the celebration. Note, information will be shared via public information channels such as the website, social media, and in a public meeting.
City Hall Open House
On February 27, we hosted the first Open House at the City Hall building and City Council Chambers. A total of 25 patrons attended the Open House and took a tour of the building. The afternoon included a Model T, displays of past City Council and City Hall building pictures, as well as light refreshments. The participants of the Afterschool Recreation Club (ARC) joined in the festivities to learn about the Model T car and the departments that are based at City Hall.
Youth Art & Community Photo Contest
As a part of the City’s Centennial Celebration, more than 60 photos were submitted for the Community Photo Contest and three art pieces were submitted for the Youth Art Contest.
The Community Photo Contest invited individuals to enter digital images with a theme “Signal Hill Captured.” The Youth Art Contest theme was “A Moment In The Community”. Photos and art pieces were displayed at the Centennial Celebration Event on Saturday, April 27. The Community Photo Contest winners and Youth Art Contestants were presented with certificates at the May Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting.
Mayor’s Tree Planting Event
On Saturday, May 20, the Mayor and the Sustainable City Committee hosted a tree planting event at Reservoir Park. More than 40 members of the community attended and helped to plant a total of 14 trees around the Park area.
Centennial Celebration Event
In Saturday, April 27, the City hosted a day filled with various events and activities to commemorate the City’s official Centennial anniversary.
The morning started off with the Signal Hill Color Fun Run and Walk, which had nearly 250 participants, followed by a pancake breakfast, which was enjoyed by nearly 500 guests.
In the afternoon, the City held the official Opening Ceremony to start off the City’s event, where 150 people were in attendance. The Opening Ceremony program included all members of the current City Council, Supervisor Janice Hahn, City Manager Carlo Tomaino, Dave Slater from Signal Hill Petroleum, and several guests including Signal Hill resident Ian Hand, artists Amy Glinska and Brianna Liddi, and Chaplain Wesley Sullivan. The United States Marine Corps 3rd Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company presented the flags.
The City’s existing time capsule was revealed and an exhibit with all items contained within the capsule were displayed for public viewing inside the City Council Chambers for the afternoon.
The event which featured live bands, music, games, food, and crafts began immediately following the Opening Ceremony, until the evening, when the evening concluded with a customized drone show that captivated the 2,500 person audience at the park and throughout the City.
SH Police Department Open House
On May 4, we hosted the second Open House at the Signal Hill Police Department. A total of 150 patrons attended the Open House and took a tour of the station, with tours led by SHPD staff. The morning included meet and greets with the SHPD Command Team, a visit through the lobby, Emergency Operations Center (EOC), jail, dispatch, administrative offices, the opportunity to explore the interior of multiple police vehicles, and concluded with a BBQ on site.
Jessie Nelson Gravesite Visit
On May 15, the Signal Hill Historical Society hosted a visit to Jessie Nelson’s gravesite. The City provided bus transportation for 35 attendees. The group visited the gravesite, and were presented with a Signal Hill Historical Society presentation to honor the City’s first mayor. After the gravesite visit, the group visited the Hilbert Museum and enjoyed lunch at Orange Circle for the remainder of the afternoon.
Public Works Open House & Touch-A-Truck Event
On June 26, we hosted the Public Works Open House & Touch-A-Truck event at the Public Works Yard. More than 100 patrons attended the Open House and had a chance to check out the Public Works and safety vehicles firsthand including a Los Angeles County Fire Department ladder truck; a Signal Hill Petroleum Crane; an EDCO refuse truck; Public Works trucks and tractors; a historical Model T truck and fire engine; and enjoy light refreshments. The participants of the Signal Hill Park Day Camp joined in the festivities.
Summer Concerts
A total of six concerts were held for the Summer 2024 concert series. Each week, a different band from each decade played, starting from the 1960s to the 2010s. The Summer Concert attendees filled the park to enjoy an outdoor family-friendly evening of live music. The Signal Hill Community Foundation recognized the concert sponsors on stage before the July 10 Concert, and again a the City Council meeting of August 27, 2024. This year’s sponsors were: Signal Hill Petroleum, Crimson Pipeline, Supervisor Janice Hahn, Port of Long Beach, EDCO, Signal Hill Historical Society and 2H Construction.
PARK PROJECTS
Hillbrook Park Improvement Project
The City underwent extensive outreach for the Hillbrook park improvement project for the redesign of the park space. Construction has begun and is projected to be completed by Winter 2025. The project can be followed on the City’s website at <https://www.cityofsignalhill.org/692/Hillbrook-Park-Improvement-Project>.
Civic Center Master Plan
City Council entered into an agreement with John Kaliski Architects, Incorporated (JKA), to develop, design, and recommend potential implementation alternatives for future enhancements of the Civic Center campus.
The consultant gathered community input through several engagement opportunities including in-person feedback at special events, multiple online surveys, workshops, and general at City Council, Commission, and Committee meetings.
The final master plan was approved and adopted by City Council at the August 27, 2024 meeting.
Please visit the website at <https://www.cityofsignalhill.org/717/Civic-Center-Master-Plan> to learn more and keep updated on the status of the Plan.
RECREATION DIVISION
COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION
LIBRARY SERVICES DIVISION
PARKS, RECREATION, AND LIBRARY SERVICES DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Approved:
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Yvette E. Aguilar