title
In-Depth Discussion and Planning of Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Commission Community Conversations - Topic #7, with the Working Title, “Race, Religion, and Culture: Living in Harmony within our Community."
body
Contact Person/Dept: Daniel Hernandez, PRCS Director
Phone Number: 310-253-6655
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (Email) Meetings and Agendas - Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission (07/01/16); (Email) Parks, Recreation & Community Service Department Updates (07/01/16)
Department Approval: Daniel Hernandez, PRCS Director (06/29/16)
____________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Commission hold an in-depth discussion of, and make plans for, Community Conversations - Topic #7 (CC #7), with the working title, “Race, Religion, and Culture: Living in Harmony within our Community."
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Community Conversations
In 2011, the PRCS Commission began hosting “Community Conversations” which are presentations on topics of major relevance to the community that often include a panel discussion. Being fully cognizant of ongoing budgetary constraints, the Commission designed the Community Conversations series as one that has minimal fiscal impact on the City. In general, the procedure for hosting the presentations has been as follows:
• Presentations are held at regular PRCS Commission meetings. Special meetings are not called solely for the purpose of hosting presentations; however, regular meeting dates may be adjusted to accommodate presentations if the Commission so desires.
• Commissioners identify, contact and make arrangements with the presenter.
• Commissioners create a flyer for the presentation and email it to PRCS Department staff.
• PRCS staff uses the flyer in two to three email blasts to publicize the presentation.
• PRCS staff makes copies of the flyer and posts it at various Culver City parks and facilities.
• The Senior and Social Services Manager routes the flyers to other Human Services providers.
These presentations have generated much community interest and have been very successful. The Commission’s Community Conversations that have been held previously include:
February 1, 2011 “Words Matter I” (Bullying)
June 7, 2011 “Elder Abuse - How it Affects You, Your Family & Your Neighbors”
May 1, 2012 “Healthy Living in Tough Times: Identifying and Coping with Stress from Financial Hardship”
April 2, 2013 “Food vs. Mind and Body”
November 19, 2013 “Words Matter II’ (Bullying)
September 1, 2015 “Character and Community Building in Youth Athletics”
The Community Conversations Ad Hoc Subcommittee
As an “ad hoc” subcommittee, the Community Conversations Ad Hoc Subcommittee serves only a limited or single purpose, it is not perpetual and it is dissolved when its specific task is completed. On July 7, 2015, the PRCS Commission created the Community Conversations - Topic #7 Ad Hoc Subcommittee. Issues surrounding Community Gardens were discussed as potential topics, but no final determination was made regarding the topic of CC #7. Commissioner Kelly Kent Marin and Commissioner Laura Stuart were appointed to the Ad Hoc Subcommittee at that time.
In November 2015, PRCS Commissioner Kelly Kent Marin resigned from the PRCS Commission in order to take a seat on the Culver City Unified School District Board of Education., leaving a vacancy on the CC #7 Ad Hoc Subcommittee. At the May 3, 2016 meeting, the Commission approved “Race, Religion, and Culture: Living in Harmony within our Community" as the working title, and appointed Commissioners Garland and Rickards as the members of the CC #7 Ad Hoc Subcommittee. This Agenda Item has been prepared to give Commission Members the opportunity to hold an in-depth discussion of, and make plans for, Community Conversations - Topic #7.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the discussion of this Agenda Item.
RECOMMENDED MOTION
That the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission:
Hold an in-depth discussion of, and make plans for, Community Conversations - Topic #7 (CC #7), with the working title, “Race, Religion, and Culture: Living in Harmony within our Community."