1 00:00:00,590 --> 00:00:21,970 Good evening, commissioners. My name is Daisy Aldama. I will be assisting in today's meeting. Today, I welcome you to the September 16, 20, 26 meeting of the Community Services Commission. It is now 6 o' 6 p.m. And the meeting is now in session. The next, the next section on the agenda is roll call, please. 2 00:00:24,100 --> 00:00:27,340 Chair Aldama, present. Vice Chair Depe. 3 00:00:27,340 --> 00:00:27,420 Okay. 4 00:00:29,660 --> 00:00:31,400 Senate Commissioner for Duce. 5 00:00:32,000 --> 00:00:32,320 President. 6 00:00:33,040 --> 00:00:33,960 Commissioner Suniga. 7 00:00:34,280 --> 00:00:34,500 President. 8 00:00:35,060 --> 00:00:36,320 Commissioner Gorminal. 9 00:00:43,040 --> 00:00:44,940 At this time, I ask someone from the Commissioner 10 00:00:44,940 --> 00:00:47,020 or staff to lead us in the pledge of allegiance. 11 00:00:51,760 --> 00:00:52,780 Everyone please stand. 12 00:00:53,820 --> 00:00:54,020 And 13 00:00:56,490 --> 00:00:57,070 over your heart. 14 00:00:58,530 --> 00:01:02,750 I pledge allegiance to the blood of the United States of America. 15 00:01:03,490 --> 00:01:05,570 And to the Republic for which it stands, 16 00:01:19,080 --> 00:01:22,380 The next section on the agenda is communications from the public. 17 00:01:22,780 --> 00:01:27,440 This is a time for members of the public to address the commission on matters that are listed 18 00:01:27,440 --> 00:01:32,400 on the agenda and non agenda items that are under the subject manager's diction of 19 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:33,760 the Community Services Commission. 20 00:01:34,480 --> 00:01:37,140 Each speaker is limited to three minutes. 21 00:01:38,120 --> 00:01:42,220 Ms. Commission Secretary, are there any communications from the public? 22 00:01:43,520 --> 00:01:44,500 No comments. 23 00:01:48,560 --> 00:01:53,660 Since there are no comments, we are moving forward to the next item on the agenda, which is 24 00:01:55,120 --> 00:02:00,340 the Community Services Department employee of the month by interim community services deputy 25 00:02:00,340 --> 00:02:01,620 director Alvin Tamala. 26 00:02:11,590 --> 00:02:17,190 Hello commissioners, honorable chair, and anybody that's viewing online with us tonight. 27 00:02:17,190 --> 00:02:22,570 right. I do want to make this presentation for our employee at the month for the month 28 00:02:22,570 --> 00:02:27,850 of August. Normally this is an award that we don't normally present at commission meetings, 29 00:02:28,070 --> 00:02:33,490 but we are looking to go into a different direction and to really place a lot of emphasis 30 00:02:33,490 --> 00:02:39,430 and appreciation for our staff here in the department. So we do have a very special person with 31 00:02:39,430 --> 00:02:44,110 us here today, but before I formally introduce her to come up, I would like to say a couple 32 00:02:44,110 --> 00:02:49,790 words about her. So this individual was actually onboarded with a community services department 33 00:02:49,790 --> 00:02:56,110 back in March of this year. And ever since she was onboarded, her feet hit the floor and 34 00:02:56,110 --> 00:03:02,490 she went right away to sprinting. I know one of the things that I wanted to have her initiate 35 00:03:02,490 --> 00:03:07,050 when she got here was an expansion of classes. And I am going to be talking about that a little 36 00:03:07,050 --> 00:03:12,330 bit more in my presentation right after this. But she started doing our senior size program. 37 00:03:12,330 --> 00:03:18,030 It was once a week, it was actually out here, and we also held a couple of classes out there in the patio. 38 00:03:18,510 --> 00:03:25,430 It started off as a really small class. It was 10 people, our 55-in-up population, and then 39 00:03:26,310 --> 00:03:33,210 miraculously throughout the weeks, we started getting more and more and more, and it got to the point where we maxed out 40 00:03:33,210 --> 00:03:35,350 of our class capacity at 30. 41 00:03:35,910 --> 00:03:39,170 So this was already just a month of her being within the department. 42 00:03:39,170 --> 00:03:48,070 So we did make a decision to expand the demand and the actual classes that Connie was offering on a more consistent basis. 43 00:03:48,330 --> 00:03:53,790 So we made a decision as a department to reallocate her class over to Veterans Memorial Park. 44 00:03:54,270 --> 00:04:05,310 And now as of this date, we are so happy to report that we're doing classes five days out of the week, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. 45 00:04:05,310 --> 00:04:12,230 And we've also expanded programs to not just have them service 55 and over, but also 46 00:04:12,230 --> 00:04:19,290 our adults now too, you know, with adults in the community, Gina and I both see it as 47 00:04:19,290 --> 00:04:21,570 a underserved population, right? 48 00:04:21,710 --> 00:04:24,750 We service our kids and then we service our 55 and over. 49 00:04:25,310 --> 00:04:31,090 And in between that, there's a population that doesn't get as much love, right? 50 00:04:31,090 --> 00:04:34,870 And also for me, I fall within that population as well. 51 00:04:35,790 --> 00:04:39,070 So with that, we are doing our senior size classes. 52 00:04:39,370 --> 00:04:42,350 We are doing Tai Chi for the first time here in the city. 53 00:04:42,770 --> 00:04:44,470 And we also have adult fitness classes 54 00:04:44,470 --> 00:04:47,570 in which Connie is going through resistance type of training 55 00:04:47,570 --> 00:04:48,510 with them as well. 56 00:04:49,250 --> 00:04:52,950 And then lastly, she is one of the other staff 57 00:04:52,950 --> 00:04:56,390 that's responsible for our Adaptive Recreation Club, 58 00:04:56,690 --> 00:04:59,470 which is a new program that we initiated this summer. 59 00:04:59,470 --> 00:05:11,090 So, it's to service those that are developmentally delayed or families that have individuals that are experiencing, you know, mental delays and things like that as well. 60 00:05:11,590 --> 00:05:15,810 It has been something that I have been wanting to incorporate in the department for a long time now. 61 00:05:16,210 --> 00:05:23,930 But with Connie's help and in addition, one of our other staff that we just onboarded Miss Crystal Rowfluck, we are now able to do that. 62 00:05:23,930 --> 00:05:47,430 So we just had our third meeting yesterday, actually at Venerance Park, and then we are also happy to announce that we're actively doing our Adaptive Recreation Club every single Wednesday around 530-630, so actually right after this, Ms. Connie is going to go back to Venerance Memorial Park to finish off that class. 63 00:05:47,430 --> 00:05:58,210 So, with that in mind, I would like to bring up her recreation leader one, Miss Connie Perez, to accept her employee of the month award for the month of August. 64 00:06:01,840 --> 00:06:04,600 I'll actually have her say a couple words along with Gina as well. 65 00:06:08,100 --> 00:06:10,700 Good evening, Chair Aldama and commissioners. 66 00:06:11,460 --> 00:06:14,020 I just want to say a few things about Miss Connie. 67 00:06:14,220 --> 00:06:22,540 When I first met Connie, she made me show her my Zoom moves, which let me tell you, I had none. 68 00:06:22,540 --> 00:06:27,140 But her passion for Zumba health and fitness was so contagious that she actually made me want to try. 69 00:06:27,380 --> 00:06:31,480 So there was learning a few moves, and it was right here at the Bell Community Center. 70 00:06:32,140 --> 00:06:37,700 We were so excited to bring Connie on board and give her bell seniors more opportunities to stay active. 71 00:06:37,860 --> 00:06:40,740 We advertised her class it almost immediately, there was a waiting list. 72 00:06:41,260 --> 00:06:47,640 Today Connie teaches nine classes including adult fitness for adults with special needs, Tai Chi Zumba. 73 00:06:47,860 --> 00:06:51,520 She serves more than 100 participants and continues to bring us great ideas. 74 00:06:51,520 --> 00:06:53,660 What makes Connie special is her heart. 75 00:06:53,840 --> 00:06:54,980 She puts into her work. 76 00:06:55,160 --> 00:06:57,300 She loves the community and judging by the turnout, 77 00:06:57,760 --> 00:06:59,020 the community loves her back. 78 00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:01,020 Connie, you are awesome. 79 00:07:01,940 --> 00:07:04,180 We are so grateful to have you part of our team. 80 00:07:04,400 --> 00:07:07,800 It is a pleasure to recognize you as a community services employee of the month. 81 00:07:09,380 --> 00:07:10,200 Please come on up. 82 00:07:19,850 --> 00:07:20,570 Thank you, everyone. 83 00:07:20,890 --> 00:07:21,850 I didn't expect this. 84 00:07:22,270 --> 00:07:25,310 I, yes, I have my job and I've worked with the community. 85 00:07:25,750 --> 00:07:28,310 I've been doing this ever since I was little. 86 00:07:28,310 --> 00:07:31,490 It's been one amazing journey after another. 87 00:07:31,950 --> 00:07:37,050 I went out and found this because of the support that I have with this amazing team. 88 00:07:38,250 --> 00:07:45,690 And I want to cry and nothing like this has ever happened to me, and I'm sorry, I'm 89 00:07:45,690 --> 00:07:49,230 not like, I love my classes, I love working with the seniors. 90 00:07:50,010 --> 00:07:55,490 I'm here to motivate more people to stay healthy, that's my method, that's my goal. 91 00:07:55,490 --> 00:08:03,410 And moving forward with this program, and I know yesterday we had our 15th and I'm 92 00:08:03,410 --> 00:08:09,750 finally to report. I had over 33 students yesterday that was packed. Everybody had a 93 00:08:09,750 --> 00:08:16,450 good time. They were having wonderful. And today also as well we have 21 students for 94 00:08:16,450 --> 00:08:22,370 the sumo doll, and for the Tai Chi we have 27. And this, one of the first month, and I know 95 00:08:22,370 --> 00:08:28,530 that we're not going to be growing this program. And hopefully, you know, everyone is welcome 96 00:08:28,530 --> 00:08:32,510 to come and check me out. And I hope to see you guys in one of my super classes. 97 00:09:04,370 --> 00:09:04,810 Ladies 98 00:09:51,300 --> 00:09:55,180 and gentlemen, Connie is actually going to go back to veterans right now to finish off 99 00:09:55,180 --> 00:09:57,560 the rest of her adaptive recreation class. 100 00:09:57,560 --> 00:09:59,540 So thank you again, Ms. Connie. 101 00:10:00,200 --> 00:10:03,120 We wish you nothing to have you in our department. 102 00:10:03,260 --> 00:10:03,780 So thank you. 103 00:10:07,350 --> 00:10:08,210 Thank you, Connie. 104 00:10:10,650 --> 00:10:11,190 No, it's okay. 105 00:10:11,430 --> 00:10:11,810 Thank you. 106 00:10:22,350 --> 00:10:26,690 Congratulations again to Connie for the employee of the month. 107 00:10:27,250 --> 00:10:31,570 The next item on the agenda is the Community Services Update by Interim Community Services 108 00:10:31,570 --> 00:10:33,430 Deputy Director, Alan Tumala. 109 00:10:39,390 --> 00:10:40,790 Terrible chair and commissioners. 110 00:10:40,790 --> 00:10:42,630 Once again, my name is Alvin Tumala. 111 00:10:42,630 --> 00:10:49,770 Interim Deputy Director of the Community Services Department and today I will be giving a overview of 112 00:10:49,770 --> 00:10:56,610 said community services department. As I mentioned in our employee of the month, you know, 113 00:10:56,750 --> 00:11:03,710 recognition for Connie, you know, Gina and I are essentially putting a jetpack on this department 114 00:11:03,710 --> 00:11:09,350 and coming up with innovative ideas and proceedings of our community members and to improve the quality 115 00:11:09,350 --> 00:11:11,150 of life for all of our Bell residents. 116 00:11:11,910 --> 00:11:14,310 So as I go through our presentation, 117 00:11:14,670 --> 00:11:16,770 I'll be keeping that message at the forefront. 118 00:11:17,110 --> 00:11:19,010 And as Ms. Presentation was also presented 119 00:11:19,010 --> 00:11:22,150 at one of the previous council meetings 120 00:11:22,150 --> 00:11:25,110 by our interim director, Ms. Gina Skiwar. 121 00:11:25,330 --> 00:11:29,570 So with our first slide here, Bell is in the game. 122 00:11:30,210 --> 00:11:32,470 So over the past year, we've been focused 123 00:11:32,470 --> 00:11:35,070 on creating more opportunities for our residents 124 00:11:35,070 --> 00:11:37,650 to participate, connect, and experience 125 00:11:37,650 --> 00:11:39,250 in something new right here in Bell. 126 00:11:40,110 --> 00:11:41,790 And as you'll see here in this presentation, 127 00:11:42,030 --> 00:11:43,710 Bell is definitely in the game. 128 00:11:44,310 --> 00:11:47,010 So with that being said, we're already building 129 00:11:47,010 --> 00:11:49,550 quite a bit of momentum here in the city. 130 00:11:49,750 --> 00:11:52,230 So I'll go ahead and change the slide here. 131 00:11:52,750 --> 00:11:54,910 Mr. Michael, okay, there we go. 132 00:11:55,590 --> 00:11:57,950 So as I mentioned with momentum, 133 00:11:57,950 --> 00:12:01,890 we're talking a lot more than just sports, right? 134 00:12:02,510 --> 00:12:05,050 You know, sports, they occur all throughout the year, 135 00:12:05,050 --> 00:12:08,850 but we want to really expand and diversify our programming. 136 00:12:09,430 --> 00:12:12,250 So, we've expanded programming across generations. 137 00:12:12,890 --> 00:12:15,510 For the first time, we've actually offered a youth softball, 138 00:12:15,670 --> 00:12:20,870 something that we were actually really trying hard to bring last year 139 00:12:20,870 --> 00:12:22,790 and we ended up falling short on that. 140 00:12:22,950 --> 00:12:27,790 So, I'm really happy to see that we were able to bring in youth softball 141 00:12:27,790 --> 00:12:28,650 for the first time. 142 00:12:29,210 --> 00:12:33,110 We brought in SIP and Paint with one of our community partners 143 00:12:33,110 --> 00:12:39,070 in order to bring adult programming, and of course, with that SIFT those are for non-ocaholic 144 00:12:39,070 --> 00:12:45,270 beverages. We do have adaptive programs in this area of supervision, and also shout out to 145 00:12:45,270 --> 00:12:52,150 Commissioner Ferdous for the Student Civic Academy. We've given out more than 200 free laptops as 146 00:12:52,150 --> 00:12:58,250 well. We've had Earth Day in conjunction with Republic Services, who was our waste management 147 00:12:58,250 --> 00:13:04,770 and vendor, our senior prom, and I am happy to announce with our senior promders typically 148 00:13:04,770 --> 00:13:08,970 a committee that's comprised of 13 Southeast Los Angeles cities. 149 00:13:09,750 --> 00:13:14,550 Our recreation supervisor who's actually not here today, she's actually sitting as the 150 00:13:14,550 --> 00:13:16,230 vice chair of that committee. 151 00:13:16,510 --> 00:13:22,610 So we are having a good amount of our staff fall into leadership positions that extend out 152 00:13:22,610 --> 00:13:24,150 farther than just the city of Bell. 153 00:13:25,110 --> 00:13:35,090 We do have our senior and Tai Chi programs, as I mentioned before, so our focus has really been on expanding access and giving residents more reasons to participate. 154 00:13:35,890 --> 00:13:40,070 But programs themselves only tell one portion of the story. 155 00:13:40,290 --> 00:13:43,550 So Michael, please, if you can please advance the slide. 156 00:13:46,230 --> 00:13:47,730 So Bell in action. 157 00:13:48,430 --> 00:13:51,810 So we talk about connection, participation, and belonging. 158 00:13:52,490 --> 00:13:56,650 one of the things that we really want to drive home is having our programs be 159 00:13:56,650 --> 00:14:01,270 inclusive, right? It's not just adults, it's not just kids, it's not just our 160 00:14:01,270 --> 00:14:06,390 older senior population, but it's everybody encompassing the same community. So 161 00:14:06,390 --> 00:14:11,530 this is what community services really is all about. As I said, it's connection, 162 00:14:12,130 --> 00:14:15,470 participation and belong. When you come to one of our events or a 163 00:14:15,470 --> 00:14:20,370 picture, one of our programs, you see all of us together. It's our staff, it's our 164 00:14:20,370 --> 00:14:25,370 our dignitaries, its families all coming together, neighbors meaning one another and residents 165 00:14:25,370 --> 00:14:26,510 getting involved too. 166 00:14:27,270 --> 00:14:29,550 And that's the impact that we want to create moving forward. 167 00:14:30,210 --> 00:14:34,950 So we want to make people feel like there's a place for them in Bell and to feel the impact 168 00:14:34,950 --> 00:14:37,050 of those actions that they're doing every day. 169 00:14:38,050 --> 00:14:43,310 And we're also taking that very same approach and expanding our recreational opportunities 170 00:14:43,310 --> 00:14:43,870 as well. 171 00:14:44,050 --> 00:14:46,350 So go ahead and move to the next slide please. 172 00:14:47,770 --> 00:14:53,550 As I mentioned, we are a very sports oriented city, but I do want to 173 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:29,340 Let's cover that portion as well. Hold on here. If you could go back, one slide, Michael. So one area that you're going to see significant growth in is sports, right? We've already initiated our partnership with CalSALF for the first time. Vasa City staff letting go of our youth sports program that we've had for many years was a very hard decision to do, but we did have to make that move in an interest of fiscal responsibility. We're also bringing flag football. 174 00:15:29,340 --> 00:15:36,060 volleyball, with our organization called Best Sports, and I am excited to announce 175 00:15:36,060 --> 00:15:41,440 that tumbling and palm dancing are coming back to the City of Bell. Starting on 176 00:15:41,440 --> 00:15:46,740 Monday and Tuesday of next week, we do have a partnership with CNG studios that 177 00:15:46,740 --> 00:15:51,240 are going to be providing intro to tumbling and palm dancing. It's pretty much like 178 00:15:51,240 --> 00:15:57,240 an intro to cheer class that we're offering to ages 6 through 12. We also have 179 00:15:57,240 --> 00:16:04,440 a basketball that's coming to the city, track and field, and pretty much the idea is very simple. 180 00:16:04,900 --> 00:16:08,880 Giving our kids more choices and letting them discover what they enjoy. 181 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:15,360 Previously, it's been basketball, it's been baseball, it's been T-ball, and it's been soccer. 182 00:16:15,900 --> 00:16:20,060 Although those sports have provided a lot of success here in the community, 183 00:16:20,480 --> 00:16:26,140 we're understanding kids want more choices now, they just don't want to fall into any one sport. 184 00:16:26,140 --> 00:16:29,780 and even potentially, even bringing in more niche classes as well. 185 00:16:30,140 --> 00:16:32,940 So we're talking about Gijitsu, we're talking about boxing, 186 00:16:33,500 --> 00:16:37,080 classes like that that we plan to bring to Bel in the near future. 187 00:16:38,540 --> 00:16:44,220 And with this, there's a very important reason behind the expansion that I keep talking about here. 188 00:16:44,860 --> 00:16:47,400 So Michael, go ahead and move up. 189 00:16:48,820 --> 00:16:51,680 So this is more than just sports. 190 00:16:51,680 --> 00:16:55,580 For us, sports is much more than just winning a game. 191 00:16:56,120 --> 00:16:59,200 It's about building confidence, teamwork, friendships, 192 00:16:59,820 --> 00:17:03,220 healthy habits, and belonging and inclusion, as I mentioned before. 193 00:17:03,880 --> 00:17:06,700 We also want these opportunities to remain accessible and 194 00:17:06,700 --> 00:17:08,500 affordable for bell families. 195 00:17:09,020 --> 00:17:12,700 As we continue to go into uncertain times, 196 00:17:13,200 --> 00:17:16,400 we want one thing to remain consistent and constant. 197 00:17:16,980 --> 00:17:20,260 Is whenever you come to any one of our city of bell facilities, 198 00:17:20,260 --> 00:17:25,440 or programs or meet any one of our staff, it's going to be a positive experience and a 199 00:17:25,440 --> 00:17:27,900 form of escape for our members of the community. 200 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:34,100 Ultimately, sports give our young people another positive place to connect with their community 201 00:17:34,100 --> 00:17:34,520 as well. 202 00:17:35,460 --> 00:17:41,100 And with that, that philosophy extends well beyond just our youth participants. 203 00:17:46,070 --> 00:17:47,970 So we want to provide something for everybody. 204 00:17:48,610 --> 00:17:53,130 Our goal is exactly what this slide says, something for everyone. 205 00:17:53,130 --> 00:17:58,290 Whether you're a child trying a sport for the first time, a teenager you're preparing 206 00:17:58,290 --> 00:18:04,050 for college or wanting volunteer opportunities or an adult looking for wellness opportunities, 207 00:18:04,610 --> 00:18:10,050 or a senior wanting to stay active or a family wanting to make memories together. 208 00:18:10,590 --> 00:18:14,970 We want community services to have something for you and for all of us. 209 00:18:15,570 --> 00:18:21,150 An inclusion remains a priority so that residents of all abilities have continued opportunities 210 00:18:21,150 --> 00:18:27,090 to participate. And when we look at the numbers, you can really see how far that reach has grown. 211 00:18:29,590 --> 00:18:35,070 So the numbers, I know there's a lot of numbers that are presented to you in this slide here, 212 00:18:35,210 --> 00:18:42,430 but I will attempt to make them make sense, but it is definitely a significant growth within the 213 00:18:42,430 --> 00:18:49,190 department. So these numbers really put the work into perspective. We've had more than 8,600 214 00:18:49,190 --> 00:18:56,950 registrations and participants have reached approximately more than 16,100 residents and community members. 215 00:18:57,690 --> 00:19:03,470 More than 1200 youth participated in sports, so that includes our soccer and our baseball program. 216 00:19:04,110 --> 00:19:10,910 And we've distributed more than 275 laptops, launched 15 new programs and initiatives, 217 00:19:11,350 --> 00:19:18,430 and delivered about more than 40 community events, and work with over 16 community partners. 218 00:19:18,430 --> 00:19:25,370 What this tells us is residents are really responding to and showing up to the things that we're offering. 219 00:19:26,650 --> 00:19:29,170 And we are not slowing down at all. 220 00:19:33,100 --> 00:19:40,600 So as I mentioned before, us as a department, us as a city with our rise campaign, the momentum continues. 221 00:19:41,760 --> 00:19:43,160 So this is where we're heading next. 222 00:19:43,880 --> 00:19:51,040 Beginning this fall, residents will start seeing even more programming from inclusive exercise, senior walking club, 223 00:19:51,040 --> 00:19:58,700 and Girls Club to flag football, volleyball, tumbling, and also our multi-sports program. 224 00:19:59,360 --> 00:20:06,680 And in addition, we are launching our Girl Scouts program here in the city of Bell at Camp Little Bear, very appropriately named. 225 00:20:07,620 --> 00:20:13,460 Winter will potentially bring Jiu-Jitsu and additional recreation and enrichment opportunities. 226 00:20:13,460 --> 00:20:20,780 and we'll continue building into spring and summer with wellness, family programming, sports, and community events. 227 00:20:21,580 --> 00:20:23,840 So this isn't a one-season expansion. 228 00:20:24,580 --> 00:20:27,400 We're building a year-round community services program. 229 00:20:33,210 --> 00:20:36,210 And there's even more reasons to love living here in Bell. 230 00:20:37,190 --> 00:20:39,750 At the end of the day, this is what we're trying to accomplish. 231 00:20:40,570 --> 00:20:44,790 We're not just creating programs or just putting events all in on a calendar. 232 00:20:44,790 --> 00:20:48,170 where we're moving with intention and removing with momentum. 233 00:20:48,810 --> 00:20:54,830 We're creating experiences, relationships and memories, and ultimately more reasons 234 00:20:54,830 --> 00:20:57,130 for our residents to love living in Bell. 235 00:20:57,890 --> 00:21:03,290 And that, to me, and to the rest of the department, this is what Bell on the rise looks like. 236 00:21:07,480 --> 00:21:11,120 So when we say Bell is in the game, we truly mean it. 237 00:21:11,720 --> 00:21:15,560 More sports, more opportunities, and more ways to participate. 238 00:21:15,560 --> 00:21:21,300 and something for every generation we built nothing but momentum and we're 239 00:21:21,300 --> 00:21:25,600 really just getting started. One of the things that I'm really excited to 240 00:21:25,600 --> 00:21:31,720 bring to the city is on Friday October 16th here in this very room we will be 241 00:21:31,720 --> 00:21:37,740 launching a murder mystery dinner and in conjunction with that as well to remove 242 00:21:37,740 --> 00:21:42,320 more barriers for our community we're going to be offering a childcare option as 243 00:21:42,320 --> 00:21:48,300 Well, so it'll allow an adult or a couple with kids or even just a member of the community. 244 00:21:48,440 --> 00:21:50,040 They don't even need to have kids. 245 00:21:50,500 --> 00:21:54,040 We're giving them a space to experience something for the first time here in Southeast 246 00:21:54,040 --> 00:21:57,320 Los Angeles and I'm nothing but excited to offer that to the community. 247 00:21:58,840 --> 00:22:04,200 So with that being said, we're excited about where community services is going and 248 00:22:04,200 --> 00:22:07,120 even more excited about what it means for the bell community. 249 00:22:07,460 --> 00:22:08,040 Thank you so much. 250 00:22:10,540 --> 00:22:15,840 So ladies and gentlemen, with that presentation concluding, I'll open it up for any questions 251 00:22:15,840 --> 00:22:17,920 for myself or even for Ms. Gina here. 252 00:22:21,250 --> 00:22:21,990 Any questions? 253 00:22:22,330 --> 00:22:22,430 Comments? 254 00:22:23,150 --> 00:22:23,230 Yes. 255 00:22:25,010 --> 00:22:25,630 No questions? 256 00:22:26,070 --> 00:22:27,290 Or more of a comment? 257 00:22:27,610 --> 00:22:28,230 No, I'm really excited. 258 00:22:28,570 --> 00:22:32,550 And I really appreciate all the hard work that you've all been doing so far. 259 00:22:32,850 --> 00:22:38,090 And I'm really excited to have, you know, a timeline, too, that, you know, we'll be able 260 00:22:38,090 --> 00:22:40,550 to see what's coming in the next year. 261 00:22:40,550 --> 00:22:49,370 here. As for the, what was it? For the kids to try different sports at one time, I 262 00:22:49,370 --> 00:22:58,410 thought it was called, it was called the, I'm sorry, trying to find it again for the sports 263 00:22:58,410 --> 00:23:05,350 sampler. Is that like a one day thing, or is that like a weekly thing where yeah, we're 264 00:23:05,350 --> 00:23:09,770 actually developing that right now as I mentioned with best sports. So we're going to be having 265 00:23:09,770 --> 00:23:13,910 a multitude of classes but they'll be taking care of that multi-sport kind of 266 00:23:13,910 --> 00:23:18,010 sampler. We're still kind of workshopping the name right now but we're gonna be 267 00:23:18,010 --> 00:23:21,950 calling it just for the time being just a multi-sport sampler. But in 268 00:23:21,950 --> 00:23:25,710 addition they'll be taking care of our volleyball program and then also our 269 00:23:25,710 --> 00:23:30,190 basketball and flag football as well. So one of the things that we plan on bringing 270 00:23:30,190 --> 00:23:33,930 with this contractor is expanded programming just so we can start taking the 271 00:23:33,930 --> 00:23:39,390 load off of our staff that historically were used to doing programs in house. 272 00:23:39,390 --> 00:23:46,070 Yeah, great. And then our warmer question concerning it has been any updates about the potential 273 00:23:46,070 --> 00:23:50,190 youth center on gauge having you. Yeah, I'm going to pass it off to our director Ms. 274 00:23:50,290 --> 00:23:57,330 Gina. Okay, so we're in the process of doing the design. So nothing has been so we're in the 275 00:23:57,330 --> 00:24:03,390 process of actually getting a contractor to you know start designing the whole center. So it's 276 00:24:03,390 --> 00:24:09,470 going to be a while, the design may be six months, and then maybe see some progress and 277 00:24:09,470 --> 00:24:11,770 maybe want to log probably two to three years. 278 00:24:12,330 --> 00:24:12,430 Okay. 279 00:24:12,930 --> 00:24:13,050 Yeah. 280 00:24:13,150 --> 00:24:18,990 So in terms of the timeline given, any of these, we shouldn't expect it to be in the youth 281 00:24:18,990 --> 00:24:19,670 center yet, right? 282 00:24:19,830 --> 00:24:23,730 This is all planned out for not including the youth center. 283 00:24:24,550 --> 00:24:24,750 Correct. 284 00:24:25,050 --> 00:24:25,190 Yeah. 285 00:24:25,430 --> 00:24:29,790 So what we're going to try to do is just, you know, for the team center, just because we 286 00:24:29,790 --> 00:24:30,610 We have a senior center, right? 287 00:24:31,010 --> 00:24:33,030 But to incorporate more teen programs, 288 00:24:33,250 --> 00:24:34,930 and we'll just have them here or wherever we can, 289 00:24:35,010 --> 00:24:36,210 either camp little bear or bets 290 00:24:36,210 --> 00:24:38,510 to try to get stuff for our teens as well. 291 00:24:38,610 --> 00:24:39,370 I know that camp little bear, 292 00:24:39,510 --> 00:24:42,830 we're currently working on a school program, 293 00:24:43,090 --> 00:24:44,210 like after school program, 294 00:24:44,330 --> 00:24:47,350 so people can come and kids can come and use the computer, 295 00:24:47,690 --> 00:24:48,830 or if they need help with their homework, 296 00:24:49,090 --> 00:24:50,730 there's gonna be someone there to assist them. 297 00:24:51,230 --> 00:24:53,710 Yes, yeah, thank you guys so much for your technology, 298 00:24:53,850 --> 00:24:55,330 like how important third spaces are. 299 00:24:56,930 --> 00:24:58,590 And yeah, great work, thank you. 300 00:24:58,590 --> 00:25:06,190 But just to go back on the sports that you've asked, oh, and then PEWI soccer, the signups are starting September 23rd, I believe. 301 00:25:07,270 --> 00:25:10,930 So that's going to start, we're going to start advertising that. 302 00:25:11,530 --> 00:25:15,570 But to go back to this best program, it's a skill sampler is what it is. 303 00:25:16,870 --> 00:25:26,710 So actually soccer for the sampler program, it goes from 18 months to 4 years old, and then from PEWI soccer goes 5 years old to, I believe it's, do you know the age 5 to 8? 304 00:25:26,710 --> 00:25:28,690 That's about five to eight, that's right, yeah. 305 00:25:29,050 --> 00:25:32,150 And then our flag football is six years old to 12 years old. 306 00:25:32,250 --> 00:25:34,870 Again, it's a skill training. 307 00:25:35,270 --> 00:25:39,590 And then from there, okay, then I got basketball, that's going to be at Vets Park. 308 00:25:39,810 --> 00:25:42,690 And then we have the four sample for two years old to five years old. 309 00:25:42,750 --> 00:25:46,330 So that sample's track and field, soccer, basketball. 310 00:25:48,110 --> 00:25:53,250 And there's one other track and field soccer basketball, I believe, maybe volleyball for that. 311 00:25:54,490 --> 00:26:00,690 So it's basically will gauge where the participation and see if we can actually like for Flag Pope 312 00:26:00,690 --> 00:26:05,530 all we'd like to start a league. The issue is we're trying to get an organization to start 313 00:26:05,530 --> 00:26:10,770 that league but also to see how the community responds to it. So we'll keep and these are six 314 00:26:10,770 --> 00:26:20,230 weeks long. It starts October 31 and goes to December 12. So we'll see what we can do. But there 315 00:26:20,230 --> 00:26:26,010 will be a sampler like demo day, sometimes next week as well, but we'll have that advertised. 316 00:26:27,790 --> 00:26:28,430 Sounds good. 317 00:26:28,770 --> 00:26:34,610 But stuff for, I mean, we keep, then there's going to be story time at Camp Little Bear as well. 318 00:26:34,850 --> 00:26:37,270 So we're starting that too. So there's a lot of things going on. 319 00:26:37,410 --> 00:26:42,270 I mean, it's pretty exciting from, you know, we're just busy now. 320 00:26:42,830 --> 00:26:43,410 I think this is great. 321 00:26:44,830 --> 00:26:50,030 And did you mention something about, was it for the soccer, for the youngest age group? 322 00:26:50,030 --> 00:26:54,330 which was it again? Eighteen months. Eighteen months ago. Is that like Japanese? I think it was 323 00:26:54,330 --> 00:26:59,490 okay. But that's even because Japanese was two years old. So this is going even younger to 18 324 00:26:59,490 --> 00:27:06,410 months. That's great. Yeah. That's great. So you said starting next week. That'll... That's like a 325 00:27:06,410 --> 00:27:12,850 demo class but the actual program starts October 31st. Okay. And it goes for six weeks and then we're 326 00:27:12,850 --> 00:27:17,870 just trying to see like you know the what kind of participation we have or what the community responds to. 327 00:27:17,870 --> 00:27:18,830 How 328 00:27:22,990 --> 00:27:26,970 interesting. I miss when meeting and then all these good things come to 329 00:27:26,970 --> 00:27:34,550 great. It's been a while yeah. Well I'm excited for all these new programs 330 00:27:34,550 --> 00:27:40,530 coming to the city of Bell. I want to think the staff are putting all this 331 00:27:40,530 --> 00:27:47,090 together. I think the community comes closer and you know we have more we see 332 00:27:47,090 --> 00:27:51,770 more people united in you know different cultures and different sports and you 333 00:27:51,770 --> 00:27:55,650 know we get to know our neighbors, people we don't even know that live there and this 334 00:27:55,650 --> 00:27:57,430 is a good way of bringing everyone together. 335 00:27:59,310 --> 00:28:05,970 As far as flag football, is that going to be, or any sport, are we going to be using 336 00:28:06,670 --> 00:28:10,330 bell high school as a field or? 337 00:28:10,430 --> 00:28:16,130 No, I know that bell high schools, actually, we think we're currently giving, they're using 338 00:28:16,130 --> 00:28:19,290 our fields because they know they're going under construction, they're doing their field. 339 00:28:19,290 --> 00:28:23,110 So, no, so camp little bear we're using and that's park. 340 00:28:23,710 --> 00:28:25,270 Okay, yeah, it's not that high school. 341 00:28:25,850 --> 00:28:28,450 Okay, okay, that would be good. 342 00:28:30,370 --> 00:28:32,470 Yeah, well, there's all exciting. 343 00:28:32,770 --> 00:28:35,270 It's all new and exciting and I'm pretty sure there's 344 00:28:35,610 --> 00:28:38,750 a lot of people excited to see this. 345 00:28:40,010 --> 00:28:41,030 No, thank you. 346 00:28:41,830 --> 00:28:42,250 Thank you. 347 00:28:45,460 --> 00:28:46,020 Any, 348 00:28:51,480 --> 00:28:51,820 okay. 349 00:28:52,100 --> 00:28:53,920 Moving on to business session. 350 00:28:55,080 --> 00:28:58,180 Seeing there are no items we can move forward to the next section. 351 00:28:59,300 --> 00:29:02,560 The next item, the agenda, is the consent calendar. 352 00:29:03,540 --> 00:29:08,220 Approval of Community Services Department update for June, July and August, 2026. 353 00:29:09,200 --> 00:29:17,840 Approval of Commission meeting minutes for June, July and August, 2026, what any commissioner like to remove any items before there is a motion. 354 00:29:22,130 --> 00:29:26,830 It is recommended that the Community Services Commission approve items AMV of the consent calendar. 355 00:29:26,830 --> 00:29:27,670 Chair, do I hear a motion? 356 00:29:30,420 --> 00:29:30,740 Motion. 357 00:29:32,740 --> 00:29:33,860 Is there a second? 358 00:29:39,980 --> 00:29:40,560 Second. 359 00:29:40,900 --> 00:29:41,360 Aye motion. 360 00:29:45,060 --> 00:29:46,840 Commissioned Secretary, roll call please. 361 00:29:50,540 --> 00:29:51,100 Chair Aldama? 362 00:29:52,120 --> 00:29:52,340 Yes. 363 00:29:53,260 --> 00:29:54,120 Vice Chair Lepe? 364 00:29:55,800 --> 00:29:57,900 I've sent a commissioner for Duce. 365 00:29:58,260 --> 00:29:58,440 Yes. 366 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:29,400 Commissioner Suniga? Yes. Commissioner Gorminal? Absent. Item passes. Thank you. The next section on the agenda is the Community Services Commissioner announcements, requests for future agenda items, conference meeting reports during this time. Can any commissioners speak on any events that they have participated in or any request for the future that they would like to see be discussed? Commissioners? Yes. 367 00:30:29,400 --> 00:30:46,700 Yes, just we can have an update on the pressure field, the construction, I know it's in progress, and what's the timeline looking like, is it, are they within, you know, the project scope, or are there any possible delays, any updates on that? 368 00:30:47,220 --> 00:30:51,980 I know there was a few delays, but I believe it's supposed to just be open in December. 369 00:30:52,520 --> 00:30:53,380 December. Okay. 370 00:30:58,660 --> 00:31:02,860 Any other announcements or any items that you'd like to be 371 00:31:02,860 --> 00:31:07,740 discussed? I'm sorry, one more thing. And the Halleuchel Park, any updates on 372 00:31:08,180 --> 00:31:09,080 that one so far? 373 00:31:11,100 --> 00:31:15,340 They would discuss the designs. They had three designs. It was 374 00:31:15,340 --> 00:31:18,980 presented a council, but you want I can leave this slide of the designs that they 375 00:31:18,980 --> 00:31:23,550 were discussing that they wanted to do. But I can I can send you guys the email of 376 00:31:23,550 --> 00:31:24,750 of the slide. 377 00:31:25,210 --> 00:31:25,850 Yeah, sounds good. 378 00:31:26,390 --> 00:31:26,730 Yes. 379 00:31:27,250 --> 00:31:28,810 And then has there been any discussion? 380 00:31:29,050 --> 00:31:31,830 I remember the last meeting we had to talk about 381 00:31:31,830 --> 00:31:34,370 possible career, was it in career fair, 382 00:31:34,810 --> 00:31:40,170 or a possible having to get an e-waste trash can available 383 00:31:40,910 --> 00:31:43,030 as it been any moving on that one so far? 384 00:31:45,890 --> 00:31:49,850 There's no movement on, I know we had a college fair 385 00:31:49,850 --> 00:31:52,950 back in two months ago with the Dodger Foundation, 386 00:31:52,950 --> 00:31:57,530 But we're trying to get that same, those same people to come out and do it again. 387 00:31:58,730 --> 00:32:00,150 So hopefully we can bring them out. 388 00:32:00,630 --> 00:32:04,830 It would be good probably around, would you say when they start up paying for colleges? 389 00:32:05,170 --> 00:32:06,470 Well, sooner the better, right? 390 00:32:08,570 --> 00:32:09,970 But we'll get back to on that. 391 00:32:14,440 --> 00:32:14,860 That was it, right? 392 00:32:15,560 --> 00:32:15,920 Okay. 393 00:32:18,180 --> 00:32:19,340 Was it E-waste? 394 00:32:19,640 --> 00:32:20,300 Oh, the E-waste. 395 00:32:20,520 --> 00:32:21,120 Like batteries, people. 396 00:32:21,240 --> 00:32:21,580 You know what? 397 00:32:21,760 --> 00:32:23,900 I'll get you a status update on that too. 398 00:32:24,420 --> 00:32:24,660 Thank you. 399 00:32:24,660 --> 00:32:26,980 Thank you. 400 00:32:31,850 --> 00:32:36,850 We are moving to the next item, if there's no more announcements or requests. 401 00:32:37,450 --> 00:32:40,930 The next section on the agenda is community services director comments. 402 00:32:41,250 --> 00:32:43,510 Ms. Skibar, you have the floor now. 403 00:32:44,970 --> 00:32:45,750 Thank you, Chair O'Zama. 404 00:32:46,870 --> 00:32:51,730 Alvin, I believe we have some special items or something we would like to discuss. 405 00:32:52,210 --> 00:32:54,910 If you can assist with that, please. 406 00:32:54,910 --> 00:33:04,170 So commissioners you're probably asking why does Alvin have three bouquets of flowers behind him. 407 00:33:04,910 --> 00:33:10,270 So we have been on kind of a hiatus with our commission, right? 408 00:33:10,390 --> 00:33:12,250 We haven't met for about three months. 409 00:33:12,830 --> 00:33:19,150 So actually for all three of you, all of your terms, I don't know if you guys had reapplied 410 00:33:19,460 --> 00:33:20,230 for the position. 411 00:33:20,230 --> 00:33:28,830 I'm not too aware as to application status is, but City Council will be working on five 412 00:33:28,830 --> 00:33:33,170 new appointments and hopefully one of your applications or all three of your applications 413 00:33:33,170 --> 00:33:37,810 are in that applicant pool. 414 00:33:38,210 --> 00:33:44,650 But we do kind of have an outgoing kind of ceremony for all three of you, so I've actually worked 415 00:33:44,650 --> 00:33:51,150 with one of our local florists, her name is Leticia, and she had created three very special 416 00:33:51,150 --> 00:33:56,730 arrangements for all three of you, Haralo. I hope you like receiving flowers. I myself love 417 00:33:56,730 --> 00:34:03,290 receiving flowers. So we do have three special arrangements for you. So I'll have Gina go 418 00:34:03,290 --> 00:34:08,990 ahead and present all of those to you, and we'll get actually do a brief photo. I do apologize 419 00:34:08,990 --> 00:34:15,690 about kind of the out of left field, this kind of, this is kind of coming from. Normally our 420 00:34:15,690 --> 00:34:22,990 commissioners do have a set term limit, but we've had a good amount of turnover for many of our 421 00:34:22,990 --> 00:34:30,530 commissioners. So for Heraldor and Zainab, you were actually finishing those individuals term limits. 422 00:34:30,830 --> 00:34:35,590 So with that in mind, I'll go ahead and have Gina present those flowers to you. 423 00:34:46,720 --> 00:34:47,660 Thank you. 424 00:34:47,740 --> 00:34:48,260 Thank you. 425 00:34:48,560 --> 00:34:48,680 Thank you. 426 00:34:48,720 --> 00:34:52,960 Thank you very much. 427 00:34:53,700 --> 00:34:56,020 And maybe we can get a photo after the event. 428 00:34:56,380 --> 00:34:57,460 Yeah, we'll get a photo. 429 00:34:57,820 --> 00:35:00,860 So, Rado Daisy is a knob. 430 00:35:01,160 --> 00:35:04,740 Thank you so much for participating in our community services commission. 431 00:35:05,640 --> 00:35:11,000 With all three of you serving within this commission, you guys serve as a mouthpiece for the community. 432 00:35:11,000 --> 00:35:27,580 and it's a very valuable insight for us as recreation professionals to have that voice of the community for those voices that aren't able to come to these meetings, that aren't able to come to these council meetings, and to provide insight on how we want to move forward as a department. 433 00:35:27,580 --> 00:35:32,880 As I keep mentioning, we are going to be moving forward with nothing but momentum. 434 00:35:33,640 --> 00:35:38,740 And you guys have been instrumental in that, because they know I'm doing our civic engagement 435 00:35:38,740 --> 00:35:39,220 event. 436 00:35:39,780 --> 00:35:45,040 You know, that event still has so much meaning and so many memories for me. 437 00:35:45,600 --> 00:35:50,600 I saw your students at our summer concerts and we were just hanging out with the mayor, 438 00:35:50,720 --> 00:35:55,580 like Mayor Bottice Ice Cream, and that's the result of our programs, right? 439 00:35:55,580 --> 00:36:13,420 But although, you know, we still have a lot that we need to do, you know, with you increasing your civic engagement, showing up at the council meetings, it serves as an example for our young leaders and how should, how they should be interacting with local government, and then Daisy, you've been with me since day one. 440 00:36:13,420 --> 00:36:33,400 I remember it was my second week as a temporary recreation coordinator and you as a commission tasked me in doing a 20-minute report on the Southeast Los Angeles Vaccination Center and you guys assigned it to me and inside I was panicking. 441 00:36:33,400 --> 00:36:40,900 You know, fast forward to now, five years later, I now stand here in front of all of you as the Interim Deputy Director. 442 00:36:41,560 --> 00:36:46,320 You know, for me, standing in this position, I hope it inspires everybody in the community, 443 00:36:46,320 --> 00:36:50,880 especially in my department, to see our young recreation leaders, such as Vincent here. 444 00:36:52,000 --> 00:36:58,600 You know, giving them that perspective that you could be here, you could sit in this chair, you have a seat at the table, 445 00:36:58,600 --> 00:37:05,480 And knowing your impact within the community spans a lot more than your four hour shift that you have at your facility. 446 00:37:05,740 --> 00:37:11,180 So thank you so much again for all of your hard work and all the communications that we've had. 447 00:37:11,360 --> 00:37:16,340 I appreciate it and I'll go ahead and pass it off to Miss Gina for any last remarks. 448 00:37:27,600 --> 00:37:31,280 Gerald, Donna, commissioners, I just want to thank you guys also for all your support. 449 00:37:31,700 --> 00:37:36,060 Coming from HR to community services is night and day. 450 00:37:36,600 --> 00:37:42,600 I've enjoyed the opportunity to serve as interim director and I appreciate your 451 00:37:42,600 --> 00:37:46,820 guys' support. Walking into this, I didn't know what I was walking into, but 452 00:37:46,820 --> 00:37:52,920 actually, I'm enjoying it. I'm loving what we're doing for the community, so I 453 00:37:52,920 --> 00:37:59,620 just wanted to thank each of them for accepting me and allowing me to do the work 454 00:37:59,620 --> 00:38:01,960 that we're doing. Thank you. 455 00:38:06,660 --> 00:38:12,360 Thank you. This is so unexpected. But, Alvin, thank you for your words. 456 00:38:12,600 --> 00:38:19,240 I know you're a person that transmits so much positivity to the community, to everybody, I think, 457 00:38:19,380 --> 00:38:24,660 with just seeing you, you're you're you're bright up the room, you know, you're always positive, you're 458 00:38:24,660 --> 00:38:32,660 always with the smile Ms. Skibar I thank you as well for taking the row you know 459 00:38:32,660 --> 00:38:38,340 and how familiar and how you know you answer every question we have and you know 460 00:38:38,340 --> 00:38:41,940 thank you so much for everything so thank you guys and thank you for the 461 00:38:41,940 --> 00:38:42,900 flowers they're beautiful. 462 00:38:45,840 --> 00:38:50,560 Thank you so much for always you guys put in you know 463 00:38:50,560 --> 00:38:56,320 like it's this job it's from what I see you guys are always here you know 464 00:38:56,320 --> 00:39:00,400 working hard and always at the events and you know we really appreciate you 465 00:39:00,400 --> 00:39:03,720 guys putting in the time to show up for the community you know you guys 466 00:39:03,720 --> 00:39:08,860 you're here a lot out of the week right well a lot of the days out of the week 467 00:39:08,860 --> 00:39:13,880 even if you know some people don't live here you're here all the time you're 468 00:39:13,880 --> 00:39:17,740 going home you go to sleep and then you come back to belly you know you are at 469 00:39:21,700 --> 00:39:26,560 I appreciate it a lot, I appreciate it with you guys, the kind words and your guys' work, thank you so much. 470 00:39:26,820 --> 00:39:27,160 So 471 00:39:30,680 --> 00:39:35,400 much for everything, my voice is gone, but I appreciate your hard work and commitment, I appreciate everything. 472 00:39:35,860 --> 00:39:36,280 Thank you. 473 00:39:36,280 --> 00:39:37,380 Seeing 474 00:39:41,060 --> 00:39:48,780 no further items, the regular meeting is adjourned at 6.46 p.m., the next regular community 475 00:39:48,780 --> 00:39:54,940 services commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 6 p.m. 476 00:39:55,740 --> 00:39:56,200 Thank you.