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All council members were present for the Tuesday, July 5 City Council meeting. Open session started at 5:00 p.m. and ended at 8:53 p.m. Here's what you missed:
Over 950 pounds of illegal fireworks confiscated during Independence Day weekend. Captain Damon Jones of the Carson Sheriff station thanked all the deputies who worked effortlessly for keeping the streets clean of illegal fireworks. Deputies responded to over 123 calls of service related to illegal fireworks, confiscated over 950 pounds of illegal fireworks, and handed nearly 70 citations reported Jones. “I would like to thank all the men and women and sworn and professional staff here at Carson Station who worked over this past weekend,” said Jones, “Their efforts went well in ensuring that we had no firework related injuries or damage occurring inside our entire area.” The council requested that information be brought back at a future council meeting regarding the exact count of citations issued and at what monetary amounts under the recently passed ordinance.
Crystal Williams named City’s newest HR Director. The council introduced the City’s newest major hire, Crystal Williams as Human Resources Director. Williams is well versed in the human resources department with over 20 years of experience implementing and impacting various human resources functions in the private and public sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Texas Woman’s University and a Juris Doctorate degree from Western State University College of Law. Williams will be taking over the position previously held by Faye Mosely who was fired on Dec. 9.
Adoption of 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan and allocation of CDBG Grant Funds. Every year since the passage of the federal Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, the City has received Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) funds to fund a variety of programs and projects called the Annual Action Plan (AAP) which mainly benefit the City's low, and moderate income population. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced $716,352 of CBDG funding will be allocated for the City of Carson which is 9.75% less then last year. According to the presentation by Community Development Director Saied Naaseh, 20% of the grant will be allocated to pay administration expenses ($143,272), 15% will be allocated for public services ($86,747), and the rest will go to Capital Improvement projects ($486,343). The allocation breakdown for public services and Capital Improvement is listed below:
Public Services:
Fair Housing (Housing Rights Center): $34,977 (Requested $40,000).
Boys and Girls Club of Carson: $20,709 (Requested $100,00).
Harbor Area Gang Alternative Program (GAP): $10,354 (Requested $20,000).
Office of Samoan Affairs: $10,354 (Requested $24,000).
Venice Family Clinic: $10,354 (Requested $20,000).
Capital Improvements:
Anderson Park ADA Improvements: $220,000 (to help supplement $1.27 million grant).
Neighborhood Pride Program (NPP): $233,183 (estimated cost to rehabilitate 12 to 21 homes according to the staff report).
Council approve Community Services Scholarship to broaden access to Youth Programs. Carson parents earning low-to-moderate income can apply for a community services scholarship to pay for a portion of the registration fee of Community Services’ Youth Sports, Enrichment, Kids Club, Day Camp, and Early Childhood Education programs. Assistant City Manager, Robert Lennox, and Community Services Director, Michael Whittiker, explained that the main reason for establishing the program is to help families who cannot afford to register multiple children, pointing out that 5% - 10% of program participants are seeking additional financial help. After the council passed the program unanimously, Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes agreed with City staff’s sentiment, “I am totally against a mother with three kids having to decide which child is going to participate in a program." According to the Annual Action Plan presentation from an earlier agenda item, the $100,000 in proposed funding for the program could potentially assist 2,774 residents.
Councilmember Cedric Hicks requested staff to bring back an item for the council to consider reducing youth sports fees by 40%, with Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes amending the request to completely waive registration fees for all park programs. However, Mayor Davis-Holmes, Mayor Pro Tem. Hilton, and Councilmembers Hicks and Dear all mentioned that the elimination of the UUT sunset clause, which will be on the ballot this November, is vital for these cost reductions.
Resolution prohibiting unlawful possession of Catalytic Converters passes introduction. The council unanimously passed the introduction of a new resolution which aims to reduce the City’s catalytic converter theft problem. The new law would prohibit the possession of detached catalytic converters without valid proof or consent from the owner. The city has had a dilemma with catalytic converter thefts for years, and despite the sheriff station’s attempts to get exhaust emission control device registered, the problem continues to persist. “The citizens of Carson experienced 643 catalytic converter thefts from automobiles during the period of January 1, 2019 to May 31, 2022.” according to the staff report, “Due to lack of statutes/ordinances addressing this issue, 95% of the many catalytic converter theft cases in the City have gone unsolved.” The proposed ordinance should give the City and other authorities clear legal control to confiscate suspected stolen catalytic converters before they are recycled for valuable materials. Violations of the new ordinance may be charged with a misdemeanor.
The council made the following Proclamations:
Recognizing July 4th as American Independence Day.
Recognizing the month of July as Parks and Recreation Month.
Events:
Dump Day: Saturday, July 9th, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m., @ Carson City Hall Parking Lot
Heroes' Day: Saturday, July 23rd, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., @ Carson Event Center
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