Baldwin Park commissioners welcome new community services supervisor, set holiday events and food-distribution plans

Baldwin Park City commissioners on Monday welcomed a new community services supervisor, approved routine minutes and heard staff updates on a slate of upcoming community events and a year-end food distribution drive.

Maria Davalos introduced Alberto Rhea as the city’s new community services supervisor, saying he has “more than 12 years of experience in public service” and has managed sports, events, capital projects and grants in other cities. Alberto Rhea told commissioners he was “extremely excited to join the team.”

The meeting’s agenda focused on event logistics and resident services. Wendy Hernandez, community services supervisor, outlined the city’s 34th annual Veterans Day ceremony, scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. at Morgan Park’s César Chávez Amphitheater. “We have our 34th annual Veterans Day ceremony scheduled,” Hernandez said, and staff have posted a nomination form and flyer on the city website and social media.

Program supervisor Armando Nava briefed commissioners on the city’s holiday food-basket program, set for Saturday, Dec. 13. “Every year we have a successful event. Again, this year, we’re gonna be targeting our goal of distributing 400 food baskets,” Nava said. He reported 140 applicants have already submitted qualifying paperwork. Nava described a drive-through distribution system with multiple stations and said staff plan to preregister recipients so distribution can begin at 9 a.m. The team expects to stage several hundred boxes and to call people on a waiting list if extra boxes remain after initial pickup.

Nava added that most donated and purchased items come through partner vendors and the city’s school food drives; he said the boxes weigh about 75–80 pounds and include canned goods, tortillas, cheese, chicken and produce. He said the city needs volunteers for sorting and distribution that week and during the Dec. 13 drive-through.

Other event items discussed included a holiday parade on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 9:45 a.m.; staff said Theresa will coordinate commissioner participation and circulate details, including whether event shirts will be distributed to volunteers or whether commissioners will use a volunteer ticket system for entry. Staff also announced a Santa volunteer check-in on Tuesday, Dec. 2 (6:30–6:45 p.m., at Walmart) and encouraged commissioners and residents to volunteer.

Commissioners raised operational concerns for recurring youth walking field trips and marketplace events, asking staff to consider portable canopies and folding chairs where shade is limited. A request was made for earlier circulation of the November–December event calendar so commissioners can reserve dates. Staff also confirmed that event parking signage and use of the parking structure will be posted for Thursday’s Día de los Muertos celebration.

Procedural actions at the meeting were brief: commissioners approved the minutes for the Aug. 6 meeting by voice vote and later moved to adjourn; the meeting was called to a close at 5:33 p.m.

Staff said they will follow up with commissioners via email on parade logistics, volunteer sign-ups and the food-basket volunteer schedule. Armando Nava provided an office contact and email for volunteer coordination at the meeting.