City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
Meeting Date: _10/05/10__ Item Number: _A-3__
PRCS COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM: Report from the Commission Representatives
on their Presentation to the City Council of the Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Commission’s Ideas on the Development of Additional Community
Gardens within Culver City.
Contact Person/Dept.: Pam Robinson,
Acting PRCS Director
Phone Number: (310) 253-6655
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: (Email) Meetings and Agendas – Parks, Recreation and Community
Services Commission (09/30/10); (Email) Parks, Recreation & Community Service
Department Updates (09/30/10); (Email) Senior Citizens (09/30/10); (Email)
Sustainability and Environmental Issues (09/30/10); (Email) Ms. Dollard (09/30/10).
Department Approval: Pam Robinson
(09/29/10) (by P. Mooney)
City Attorney Approval: N/A
Chief Financial Officer Approval: N/A
City Manager Approval: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS)
Commission hear a report from the Commission representatives on their
presentation to the City Council of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Commission’s ideas on the development of additional community gardens within
Culver City and take action as deemed appropriate.
BACKGROUND:
At the June 1, 2010 Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission
meeting, the Commission crafted a statement on the importance of developing
additional community gardens within Culver City to be delivered in memo format,
through the Interim City Manager, to the City Council. Over the course of the
following two weeks, the memo was drafted by staff and reviewed and approved by
then PRCS Commission Chair Daily Redholtz. The memo, dated June 14, 2010,
was provided to the members of the City Council in early July, when it was included
in the packet for the July 12, 2010 Council meeting.
At the July 12, 2010 City Council meeting, Council member Cooper requested and
received consensus to have a member of the PRCS Commission come before the
City Council to present the Commission’s ideas on the development of additional
community gardens within Culver City.
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
In response this direction from Council, at the August 3, 2010 PRCS Commission
meeting, the Commission unanimously designated Chair Rick Hudson and
Commissioner Laura Stuart as representatives to present the Commission’s ideas
on the development of additional community gardens within Culver City.
DISCUSSION:
At the September 27, 2010 City Council meeting, Chair Rick Hudson and
Commissioner Laura Stuart presented the Commission’s ideas on the development
of additional community gardens within Culver City to the City Council. After public
comment from several supporters of the concept and discussion by City Council,
there was unanimous support from the City Council for the Commission to work with
interested community members in looking further into the matter of developing
additional Community gardens within Culver City.
Although many creative ideas regarding the development of community gardens
were presented by Commission representatives, public speakers and City Council
members, no specific direction was given to the Commission by the City Council as
to the next steps in the process. With this in mind, after hearing a report from the
representatives regarding their presentation at the September 27, 2010 City Council
meeting, the Commission may wish to discuss and possibly take action regarding
plans for developing this concept.
Since it seems that one major focus of this effort will be a dialogue between the
Commission, the public and the City, staff recommends that the Commission
consider either forming an Ad Hoc Subcommittee to spearhead the issue or
designate that it be sent to one of the standing Subcommittees. A list of the current
PRCS Subcommittees and their members is provided for reference as Attachment
C, if needed. Staff also recommends that the Commission discuss, consider and
possibly take action regarding any other ideas in accordance with the wishes of the
City Council, as deemed appropriate.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the discussion of this Agenda Item.
ATTACHMENTS:
A. Excerpt of the Approved Meeting Minutes Relating to Agenda Item A-1 of the
June 1, 2010 Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission Meeting:
Consideration of Issuing a Statement to the City Council Regarding Developing
Additional Community Gardens within Culver City. City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
B. Excerpt of the Approved Meeting Minutes Relating to Agenda Item A-4 of the
August 3, 2010 Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission
Meeting: Designation of PRCS Commission Representative(s) to Present the
Commission’s Ideas on the Development of Additional Community Gardens
within Culver City at an Upcoming City Council Meeting.
C. List of Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission Responsibilities
for Fiscal Year 2010-11.
MOTIONS:
That the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission:
1. Hear a report from the Commission representatives on their presentation to the
City Council of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission’s
ideas on the development of additional community gardens within Culver City;
and,
2. Take action as deemed appropriate.
MEETING DATE: October 5, 2010
AGENDA ITEM: Report from the Commission Representatives on their
Presentation to the City Council of the Parks, Recreation
and Community Services Commission’s Ideas on the
Development of Additional Community Gardens within
Culver City.
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
A. Excerpt of the Approved Meeting Minutes Relating to Agenda
Item A-1 of the June 1, 2010 Parks, Recreation and
Community Services Commission Meeting: Consideration of
Issuing a Statement to the City Council Regarding
Developing Additional Community Gardens within Culver
City.
1 - 2
B. Excerpt of the Approved Meeting Minutes Relating to Agenda
Item A-4 of the August 3, 2010 Parks, Recreation and
Community Services Commission Meeting: Designation of
PRCS Commission Representative(s) to Present the
Commission’s Ideas on the Development of Additional
Community Gardens within Culver City at an Upcoming City
Council Meeting.
3
C. List of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Commission Responsibilities for Fiscal Year 2010-11.
4
Page 1 of 2
EXCERPT OF THE APPROVED MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS, RECREATION June 1, 2010
AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION 7:00 P.M.
CITY OF CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA
Call to Order & Roll Call
The meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission was called to
order at 7:02 P.M.
Present: Chair Vicki Daly Redholtz
Vice Chair Rick Hudson
Commissioner Mary Ann Greene
Commissioner Laura Stuart
Excused: Commissioner Marianne Kim
****************************************************EXCERPT BEGINS****************************************************
Item A-1
Consideration of Issuing a Statement to the City Council Regarding Developing
Additional Community Gardens within Culver City
Pam Robinson, Acting Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, provided a
summary of the material of record.
Chair Daly Redholtz invited public comment.
The following members of the audience addressed the Commission:
Meghan Sahli-Wells, Downtown Neighborhood Association, suggested locating a community
garden on City Hall property and proposed forming mutually beneficial partnerships with
restaurants.
Bernadette Dollard expressed support for expanding community gardens in the City.
Elizabeth Flottman expressed support for expanding community gardens in the City as a way
to bring people together and educate children about the environment, nature and where food
comes from.
Sandra Lozano expressed support for community gardens.
Ken Browning provided background on himself, suggested locating community gardens in
empty lots, discussed benefits of community gardens in cities, and asserted that community
gardens can be a nexus for urban learning.
ATTACHMENT A
1
Eugene Paulish, Administrative Secretary, read written comments from:
Lisa English
Wena Dows
Responding to Chair Daly Redholtz, Pam Robinson, Acting Director of Parks, Recreation and
Community Services, clarified that any community garden use of vacant properties would be
temporary until the property was developed.
Commissioner Greene read an email in support of community gardens that questioned why
park space was not being considered and asking about needs in the community.
Pam Robinson, Acting Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, reported a
shortage of park space for community use and she discussed additional staff time required to
administer community gardens.
Discussion between staff and the Commission included: the Quimby Act; use of school land;
properties along Ballona Creek; Land for the Public Trust; eligibility qualifications; empty
Caltrans properties; vacant lots in the City and partnerships with private owners; buy-in from
community members to cover maintenance and reduce impact to staff; the Culver City Great
Parks organization; donations of supplies from Home Depot; clarification regarding who
controls the area by Bill Botts Field; the AQMD grant; joint gardening efforts with schools;
Community Development Block Grants; encouragement to the community to find the space
and funding for the gardens; and wording suggestions for the recommendation.
MOVED BY COMMISSIONER STUART, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR HUDSON, AND
UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED (ABSENT COMMISSIONER KIM) THAT THE PARKS,
RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION: ISSUE A STATEMENT TO
THE CITY COUNCIL, THROUGH THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, EMPHASIZING THE
NEED FOR DEVELOPING ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY GARDENS WITHIN CULVER CITY.
****************************************************EXCERPT ENDS****************************************************
2EXCERPT OF THE APPROVED MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS, RECREATION August 3, 2010
AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION 7:00 P.M.
CITY OF CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA
Call to Order & Roll Call
The meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission was called to
order at 7:02 P.M.
Present: Chair Rick Hudson; Vice Chair Marianne Kim, Commissioner Vicki Daly Redholtz;
Commissioner Laura Stuart; Commissioner Mary Ann Greene
****************************************************EXCERPT BEGINS****************************************************
Item A-4
Designation of PRCS Commission Representative(s) to Present the Commission’s
Ideas on the Development of Additional Community Gardens within Culver City at an
Upcoming City Council Meeting
Pam Robinson, Acting Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, provided a
summary of the material of record.
Commissioner Stuart requested that, as originator of the item, she be designated to address
the City Council.
Discussion between staff and the Commission included: clarification that the issue discussed
would be expansion of the system rather than changes to it; discussing procedures rather
than specifics; communicating as a body to the Council; concern that the Commission has
not discussed the issue in detail yet; adequate staff representation; honoring the Council
request; designating an ongoing representative; and the Parks Tour.
Vice Chair Kim received clarification that although she was absent for the Commission
meeting when the item was discussed she could vote on the motion to designate a
representative.
MOVED BY VICE CHAIR KIM, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER DALY REDHOLTZ, AND
UNANIMOUSLY CARRIED THAT THE PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY
SERVICES COMMISSION: DESIGNATE CHAIR HUDSON AND COMMISSIONER STUART
OF THE PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION TO
PRESENT THE COMMISSION’S IDEAS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADDITIONAL
COMMUNITY GARDENS WITHIN CULVER CITY AT AN UPCOMING CITY COUNCIL
MEETING.
Additional discussion between staff and the Commission included next steps in the process.
****************************************************EXCERPT ENDS****************************************************
ATTACHMENT B
3
PARKS, RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION
RESPONSIBILITIES
2010-2011
ASSOCIATIONS
California Association of Parks & Recreation
Commissioners & Board Members (CAPRCBM)
Marianne Kim (Delegate)
Laura Stuart (Alternate)
La Ballona Creek Renaissance
Laura Stuart (Delegate)
open (Alternate)
Senior Citizens’ Association Board of Directors
Mary Ann Greene (Delegate)
open (Alternate)
CITY COMMITTEES
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Mary Ann Greene (Delegate)
Laura Stuart (Alternate)
Disability Advisory Committee
Rick Hudson (Delegate)
Laura Stuart (Alternate)
COMMISSION ADVISORY SUBCOMMITTEES
Council/Commission
Vicki Daly Redholtz
Rick Hudson
Human Relations
Vicki Daly Redholtz
Mary Ann Greene
Youth Outreach
Rick Hudson
Laura Stuart
Financial Resource Development
Vicki Daly Redholtz
Laura Stuart
Parks & Recreation Comprehensive Plan
Mary Ann Greene
Marianne Kim
Recreational Activities and Special Projects
Rick Hudson
Marianne Kim
Updated: 09/2010
ATTACHMENT C|1013|