The Huntington Park Health and Education Commission approved a tentative calendar of community events and noted a $5,300 commission budget at a meeting that began at 6:04 p.m. and adjourned at 6:41 p.m.

Commissioners approved the calendar by roll-call vote after a motion to move forward with the listed tentative dates; Chair Baltazar, Vice Chair Fabian and Commissioner Delgado voted yes, and Commissioner Rivas voted yes on the calendar vote. Earlier in the meeting Commissioner Rivas abstained from approval of minutes for May 12 because she had not attended that prior meeting.

The calendar the commission discussed includes a January pedestrian and cyclist safety night, an LGBTQ+ fair in February, a March pair of events (a 5K run and a Little Library read-aloud / book giveaway), autism-awareness activity in April, a spay-and-neuter event in May, mental-health programming in September and an Alzheimer’s-focused event in November. Commissioners discussed keeping mental-health programming distinct from Alzheimer’s events and combining book-giveaway activity with Little Library read-alouds when possible.

Commission staff reported the commission’s annual budget “has reset on July 1” and that the commission currently has $5,300 available because no expenses have been recorded for the new fiscal year. "The budget has reset on July 1. Okay. So right now, you're at 5,300 because no expenses have been made," a staff member told commissioners.

The commission received an update on the Graciel Ortiz Little Library Program: five library boxes are installed across the city, book donations have largely stocked them and the purchase of four additional units is pending because they are out of stock from the vendor. Staff said the communications department distributed a flyer via the city weekly bulletin board and will post a social-media notice when additional book supplies are needed.

Commissioners raised program-level implementation questions and asked staff for follow-up details before firming dates and budgets. On the spay-and-neuter program, commissioners discussed adding a catch-and-release component to serve unowned stray cats and asked staff to check prior expenditures; staff indicated they will report how much was expended at the last event and whether commission funds remain to support a catch-and-release effort. Commissioners discussed holding the catch-and-release work semiannually; staff will confirm budget availability.

A pedestrian-and-cyclist safety night was proposed by a commissioner who cited LA County’s Vision Zero initiative and local collision trends. The proposer described the event as a night-time, visibility-focused community event intended to promote safe streets and reduce preventable fatalities. Commissioners and staff agreed the commission would not seek street closures or routine police road closures; staff were asked to estimate hours, location scope (blocks) and likely staff/operational costs so a clear budget request can be presented at the next meeting.

Commissioners also asked staff to explore modest branded identification — polo shirts bearing the city logo and the label “Health and Education Commission” — so commissioners are identifiable at booths and events. Staff said they will seek finance approval for the design and specifications and present options before purchase.

The commission voted to proceed with the set of tentative events and dates and directed staff to return with cost estimates, final proposed dates and any coordination requirements (parks, city departments, and the city health fair) at a future meeting.