Housing Program Coordinator Barbara Banks gave a presentation on Home Improvement Loan Programs that the City of West Covina Community Development Commission offers to residents, which is funded with a Federal Grant. She stated that the City has been helping residents with this program since 1975. This program is funded with the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) monies from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Its aim is to help rehabilitate and maintain the owner-occupied housing stock within the City by making available no-interest deferred payment loans to low income homeowners.

Commissioner Brown asked Coordinator Banks if she would return to do this again by informing seniors just before their lunch one day. Coordinator Banks graciously accepted the offer.

A. UPGRADES TO THE SENIOR CENTER

Manager Smilowitz spoke of the upgrades to the Senior Center stating that the north wing billiards room had renovations done.

A. Plaque Rocks at the Senior Center

Manager Smilowitz stated that he researched the pricing for the plaque monument rocks and found the cost was prohibitive, ranging from $1,000 to $2,000. That would include the rock, the plaque, bronze engraving, and then installation. Another method the Senior Center has to honor someone is through the Memorial Tree, which costs $100 per leaf.

Director McNeill stated that she brought up the items of room capacity and additional monies to the City Manager’s attention, and although it was well received, he was concerned with starting a precedent since the City has no history of hosting an employee’s retirement party in the past. The City Manager agreed to take the matter up with the City Council through the Weekly Report that staff sends to City Council and await their decision. To date, we have not heard back from all the City Council members, but McNeill stated, we should hear shortly and report back with a review at the March Commission meeting.

Manager Smilowitz stated that a tree was removed during the process of adding handicapped parking spaces at the Senior Center, and that tree was replanted along Cortez Street. Smilowitz informed the Commission that although the City has a policy that when one tree is removed, three trees should be planted, this rule does not pertain to parks, and the Senior Center is an extension of Cortez Park.

Commissioner Brown questioned when the desk wells that the computers sit on would be filled. Manager Smilowitz stated that Supervisor Iseri was working with Mt. SAC representatives who have already come down to measure the area to create a template to fill in the wells, and at this time we have not heard when this would be completed.

Manager Smilowitz made reference to the Memorial Tree Application form, which was attached to the Commission Packet. Chair Glenn stated that since the Form speaks only about loved ones that passed on, he requested staff to research the Minutes of approximately two years ago to check if the Memorial Tree was originally meant for honoring living loved ones also. Especially since the person who set up the initial donation did it for a fundraiser. Smilowitz stated that staff would research the Minutes.

Commissioner Hughes stated that the International House of Pancakes in Covina is donating almost all of the food for the Pancake Breakfast at the Spring Egg Hunt again this year.

Commissioner Brown requested staff to look into the physical conditioning classes at the Senior Center since there were no classes the day he checked into it. Staff agreed to research why there was not a class instructor.

Commissioner Hughes attended and enjoyed the West Covina Beautiful 85^th Birthday Celebration on February 21^st, and the Commission’s Senior Services Volunteer of the Year recipient, Gene Huber, gave a very nice speech.

Commissioner Taylor also attended the West Covina Beautiful 85^th Birthday Celebration on February 21^st, and she spoke to the Commission’s Volunteer of the Year Gene Huber. In the future she would like to have the Commission meet the winner of the Volunteer Award before the party. Taylor invited Mr. Huber to come to a Commission meeting and briefly speak. She asked staff to formally invite him. Taylor also spoke of a few of the many organizations in which she volunteers, the Historical Society and the Covina Center for the Performing Arts. She handed out brochures and spoke of upcoming plays. Taylor stated that tickets would be half price 15 minutes before the show for senior and students. She also mentioned that the owner is a gourmet chef, and once a month for $25 the owner serves a 5-course gourmet meal prior to the play. This would be in addition to the purchase price. She encouraged everyone to support the new theater.

Chair Glenn attended the West Covina Beautiful 85^th Birthday Celebration on February 21^st. He found Mr. Huber very informative and entertaining. Glenn also stated that he spoke to Mr. Mike Miller of the Lions Club to encourage him to have his organization send in a nominee for Volunteer of the Year for 2008, and ended with asking Commissioner Hughes to do the same with his membership at the Elks. Commissioner Taylor spoke up and said she would try for a nominee from the Woman’s Club.

Director McNeill stated that staff was ready to send out the applications for Volunteer of the Year now, however, since the deadline is October 31, it may be too soon. Discussion was held and it was agreed to send the letter out in June with a follow up letter around Labor Day.