[music] [music] [music] [music] [music] >> Hello there and welcome in to Access City Council. Each week we check in with a member of our Las Vegas City Council to see what's happening in their part of town. I'm Krystal Alan, a producer and host for the City of Las Vegas. As always, we appreciate you for spending some time with us. On this week's show, we're checking in with Councilwoman Kiera Kelly, who of course represents Ward 2. Glad to have you back, Councilwoman. Yeah, it's our first time doing the show together. So, I'm excited for this. You have a jam-packed show. We have some great guests. Yes, we do. Exciting updates, and we're taking a field trip. >> We are. So, we're going to take them along with us, huh? I know. I love that. Okay, so let's give people a taste of what's coming up. Up first, if you're looking to make your voice heard or learn more about a public park, or recreation center, or even some of our public trails, >> [music] >> you're in luck. We'll introduce you to the chair of a special commission who wants to hear from you. Plus, speaking of rec centers, a special guest [music] fills us in on everything you need to know about a very popular one in Ward 2. And we all love to do a little exploring, right? [music] But we're going to take you on a field trip, as I mentioned, to the farmers market. The Councilwoman introduces us to some [music] vendors serving up some homegrown goodies. We can't wait for that. All right, and we're pleased to introduce the [music] chair of a special commission who wants to hear from you when it comes to our parks, trails, and recreation centers. Richard Becker is the chair of the City of Las Vegas Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, and he is here. He also represents Ward 2 on the commission. Thanks, Krystal. Thanks for having me today. We're just thrilled to have you. So, thanks for taking the time. You're a very busy man, as we were Councilwoman and I were talking about. >> [laughter] >> I like to do a lot of things in the community, you know, and of course you have your own jobs and all that other stuff. Absolutely. Well, Councilwoman, I want to ask you because we were just talking before the camera started what rolling. You were talking about just how grateful you are to have Richard be a part of of this commission and the and the great work he's doing. What a fine leader do we have, not only representing Ward 2, but he, as as you had said, he's the chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission, which I think is the most valuable thing that we can provide our citizens next to public safety. So, Richard, and under his leadership, the commission really pay attention to making sure that we are providing the finest parks and recreation amenities that there are. I mean, if you think about it, it touches all segments of the community, all demographics, so it has a very broad reach. You know what I mean you think about it. So, Richard, for those who might not know exactly what a commissioner does, can you kind of explain a little bit about your role and then, you know, how that ultimately how you ultimately help us, the public, with regard to what you do? >> So, what I always like to remind people is that this is a volunteer position. So, you know, so we are appointed by the City Council, but we are volunteers. We're generally asked to serve for 3-year terms, and then some of us stay on are reappointed several times. So, that's kind of like the makeup of of what we do. We offer advice to the Parks and Recreation Department when we have our monthly meetings. So, all the different people, you know, represent different wards, and we have three of them that are assigned to work with the mayor. So, that's one of the things we do. We also visit the park. Sometimes we visit the parks with council members, and then we go through all the parks and we make like little punch lists along with that, and I'll tell you later on about some of the other exciting things we're going to do to kind of spruce that up. And we we make sure that a lot of times, just to make sure that the public's heard. And I always Like I was told initially when I was brought on, that was the most important thing, is not to worry so much about the what the council wants, but really be the voice of the public and do that. And different council members have different feelings about that, and I know this this Councilwoman actually does she she that's what she wants, and that's one of the things that I love. She's been very passionate about that. That's why she's out there in the community so much, and we appreciate that. Now, you're a little modest when you said, "Oh, I've been appointed a few times." You've been serving since 2012, right? So, you've been on for a very long time. So, safe to say you know what you're doing. Yeah, somehow along the way I became one of the senior members. Originally, I didn't know [laughter] what was going on, and now suddenly I am one of the people who've been there the the longest, and I've been chair for the last 3 years, which is a decision that the council members make every year. I'd like to see it mix it up a little bit, but I'm happy to serve for the time being, just to make sure everybody has an opportunity to lead parks, you know. People have to be willing to do that. You have to run the meetings, and then sometimes it gets a little dicey around those like park namings. That's another thing that we do. Oh, yes, people are passionate. We'll say passionate. You know, Councilwoman, can you kind of speak to, I know during the cuz you've been on the job now for 6 months, can you believe it? Wow. Can you talk about some of the things that, you know, you would like to see in terms of what the commission can be doing for some of the parks and and recreation centers in Ward 2? Well, I think the first thing they need to be doing is what they're already doing, which is listening to the public. It's interesting because for me, what we do at the city and how we've been doing it with Parks and Recreation, many of our things, has been so terrific that I I wasn't looking at stirring anything up. It's to make sure it's more about how can I support our terrific chairman and what he wants to do, and is there more that we can be doing? How can we put more public art out in the community? And in fact, I want to mention that our new public arts commissioner, Craig Balatti, Craig brings terrific experience as an architect and as an artist himself, and as a resident. At the same time, Richard brings the same thing as a resident, as a as a wonderful advocate for our parks. And what can we do with public art? And where where are the opportunities that Richard sees? And you know, what was really exciting about that is this has sort of become like a best practice for the city once we once we had this come together, and we went to breakfast and we talked about it, and we talked about how we could align some of the art projects that might come into parks when we find funding, how we could align that with the specific park. So, for instance, Bruce Trent Park has a farmers market, so naturally we'd probably want to incorporate something with the farmers market. Some of it's very common sense. Or to go a little bit deeper into that, if we talk about like Veterans Memorial, because of the makeup of the the park, there's the the building the center, and then there's like a playground in the back, and then there's two adult softball fields up top. And because of the makeup, there's not really a good place for public art, so one of the things that Craig suggested is maybe that's the place that we could have a public gallery where people can come and visit art every day. I love that. You know, and I love And the fact that you're taking into consideration the character of the park. You know, so it really speaks to that park and what people experience when they go there. I think that's really important that that's, you know, aligned, and you were speaking to how, you know, qualified that Richard is in this role, and you are uniquely qualified because, you know, you you were a former strategic consultant for the City of Henderson when they act for their parks and recs. You had that experience, but then also you really you and your family are really entrenched in the parks and rec >> [laughter] >> community, right? >> We've all we all have had a lot of experience with it. So, yeah, so I was a strategic consultant with the City of Henderson Parks and Rec for about 16 years. I worked on their accreditation, and also their gold gold they they received a gold medal award, which is a national award for parks, and that's where I kind of I grew up with parks serving in that role. So, I work on strategic communication as part of my daily job. And then she ended up working for Parks and Recreation, because she worked for me, and then my my wife worked for me, and then she applied for a position there, and she became for a good 10 years in charge of parks communication there. And of course, I wasn't the consultant at that time. Right, right, right. No conflict of interests there, right? But my son went on to become a youth coordinator at the City of Henderson Parks, so he would go they'd go to work in the summer, and and they'd both do their respective jobs, and then my daughter is a every almost every day. You couldn't have picked a better person for this. >> the story of so many families. Even, and I don't mean necessarily their involvement in parks, but, you know, you grow up in parks, you play in parks, you have family celebrations in parks, and so parks are part of the real essence of a community. I love that. Well, we have about I can't believe our time is almost up. You have about a minute left. They'll give me a couple 30 extra seconds. I want you to talk about an event that's coming up this summer that you wanted to mention. >> Yeah, the one I wanted to mention is Vegas for Athletes is coming up, and that's the one that the Parks and Recreation Department is really excited about. It says on the website 14, but there's actually 15 sports where youth can come out and compete, usually from the age of like 12U to 17U. So, it's a big, you know, and they're going to compete against their own age group. But one of the special special things about this, or the extra dynamic, is that they're going to do health screenings and heart screenings for the athletes ahead of the competitions, so that they can get that done. And that's really important here in Las Vegas, cuz as that heat goes up, you know, you know, for people who are going to be doing, let's say, they're boxing and taekwondo, all sorts of stuff. Inside, that's one thing, but then you have these other people that do softball or baseball, or soccer, and and they have to really be concerned about the heat, and that puts additional strain on your heart. So, to give these screenings is just a miraculous thing. I love that. Really trying to take the the health of our young athletes very seriously as well, but and have a little fun in the process, which is always a great thing. And just mention very quickly as you wrap here, Richard, that if people see something, maybe an issue that needs to be addressed in our parks, they can go to download an app, see it, click it. See click it fix it. It's It's so easy it's hard. >> right? Exactly. Or they can go to lasvegasnevada.gov. Um also uh {slash} report if they can't download that app. >> take a picture and then you report the problem. You You write down what you see and it It could be other things other than parks. Uh sometimes people do graffiti or traffic violations, but everything that can go there and then they'll route it to the right people. Excellent. Well, Councilwoman, we're off to a great start. >> We are Well, in the midst of greatness. >> I love it. Richard, you being a part of that. We appreciate you so much. Appreciate all you do and we're looking forward to some great things from you as you head the committee. All right, everybody, we have a lot more coming up. We're going to continue the conversation on recreation centers. We're taking you inside a very busy one in Ward 2. Stay with us. Welcome back. Glad you stayed with us. Hey, if you haven't had a chance to check out one of our city's recreation centers, it is time. And we're excited to take you inside a very busy one in Ward 2 courtesy of our next guest. She is the coordinator for Veterans Memorial Community Center, Nicole Kerwitz. Nicole, thank you for being here. We appreciate and of course Council McKelly still with us for this exciting conversation and you really made a special point to bring Nicole on because you say this is a community center that Ward 2 residents really need to know about. >> Absolutely. In fact, we get so much uh so many comments about I didn't even know it was here. Right. And if you've driven between Charleston and Far Hills, uh you've driven by the community center. And it it doesn't have a big bright mural next to it. It doesn't have a big sign. And in fact, at one point uh it was called uh the Veterans Memorial Leisure Center, which doesn't evoke much activity. And there's still an old uh sign there, but it doesn't matter if you you've got a child who's 18 months, 8 years old, or you're 80 yourself, there is something for you at the community center. And Ward 2 residents really need to know that. >> Absolutely. I mean, it'd be a shame not to take advantage of it. It's right in your backyard. And to speak to that, we were talking about the high demand for summer camp. You got to share with us a story. I thought this really spoke to how busy you guys are. So, we are taking 325 kids this year and starting at about 6:00 a.m., we had parents starting to line up. I uh Councilwoman came out and got to witness it and we had about two to 300 people waiting in line and we actually are overfull for summer camp already. Let me tell you one thing though. Please. >> My staff and I said hello and introduced ourselves to every parent in line. And I must have had a dozen or more people tell me that the reason they come to this community center and some of them were coming outside the ward or outside the city is because of Nicole. That they feel so safe Wow. with their children there. That they know their children are safe and cared for. They're just not thrown into a gym with with some toys. Um Nicole brings a level of sophistication uh to the the offering. She tries to be very, very relevant and reflects what the community wants and what she knows. There's things for teens. There There's so much to do that even the teens in the neighborhood after school will come and flock and kind of hang out and and she's not out there yelling get off my patio. Sometimes. >> [laughter] >> But they do They do. For the most part, she's like, "Come on in." I love that. Do something [laughter] productive. I'm sorry, something productive. And you've been there for 15 years, so that's why I feel like the community knows and trusts you and really feels like they can connect with you to provide um you know, anyone in their family of any age, you know, a really meaningful recreational experience. And of course, we have the pavilion pool Yes. >> there obviously, which gets a lot of use. And then we also have the new pool that's coming online, right? Almost Sam Boyd Stadium. Yes, absolutely. So, you know, there's so much going on there. I mean, cuz we've had the Olympic athletes that have come out of that training center, right? So, you know, Nicole, we have about, you know, 3 more minutes left. If you could just talk about, you know, some of those offerings that you do offer there. >> All right. So, we offer everything literally for 18 months up to 80. We have fitness classes. We have about 25 fitness classes a week that we offer. We have early education programs. We have tot sports. We even have tot Spanish classes. Oh, goodness. Yeah. And then we offer a variety of robotics programming. Um that is 4 days a week, which is really taken off, as well as 3D printing. Uh and then we do our special events. We have our Power Wheels uh that's coming up. So, that's for our little 3 to 7-year-olds. They get to race around in their Power Wheels and um that's a huge successful event that we do. We offer all kinds of no school fun days, summer camp, spring break camp. Today we have spring break camp. So, yep, speaking of. So, we do that and we just We literally We have cooking classes. >> I mean We >> do. We have We try to do anything that works for anybody and any need. Um and if someone's interested in something, I absolutely encourage them to please share it with us cuz then we turn around and offer it and it goes. So, um we're always trying to change things up as well as keeping things consistent. >> because you're there to serve the community. >> Absolutely. >> Right? So, you want to meet them where they are. And that's really important. And the Councilwoman, she, you know, and and on other Access City Council shows she's been on, she always raves about your community center. So, she's not just saying it because you're here. That's true. Well, and we've you know, I've been able to go out a few times and do mobile office hours in the community center because we're there to meet uh our community. We, you know, my office believes that you have to go where they are and not expect them to drive to downtown and find a place to park and come up the elevator and do all that. So, uh it's such a great opportunity to highlight what Nicole and her team. And let me tell you, she's got a great team working for her. Uh I spoke I had a chance to celebrate an award at Palo Verde and I had someone come up to me with great pride that she was one of uh your former summer workers and uh it's just really terrific. That's great. So, kudos to your great team. And then also those who have come through that you've been able to mentor and guide and now they're serving in the community in some capacity, right? Which just speaks to your impact and um the impact that community center is having on so many. So, for those who might not know because the Councilwoman mentioned that, you know, sometimes you can maybe drive right by it and not realize that it's there. Let's talk about where it is so people know and your hours of operation, all that good stuff. So, we are located at 101 North Pavilion Center Drive. We share the parking lot with Palo Verde High School. That's the easiest way to find us. Um we are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturdays, we are open from 8:00 to 5:30. Um and we run leagues, so there's a lot of league play going on on Saturday, so our gym is always normally packed. Yeah, very good. Well, I mean, for good reason with everything you have going on. Well, Nicole, thank you so much. We appreciate you for stopping by, all the hard work that you've poured into that community center and the impact that you're making cuz it's being felt, right, Councilwoman? >> Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. And we just if if anything, she would like more space and there just isn't more space to have it. She does so much with what what's there and it's really uh terrific. I I It's so great to see that all sorts of folks from the community using it. Of all ages, all backgrounds, all coming together. That's how it's supposed to be. Well, Nicole, thank you. >> Thank you. You got to stop by and see us again or else we'll stop by and see you. How about that? And Councilwoman certainly will. All right, we have to take a quick break, but coming up, we are leaving the studio for a little field trip. Who doesn't like taking a little field trip? The Councilwoman is taking us to Farmers Market. We'll be right back in a few. >> [music] >> All right, everybody, we are back with Councilwoman Kerra Kelly. Of course, she represents Ward 2. And one thing I love about you is you don't mind getting out into the community. No, I really do enjoy it. In fact, that's where the people are. So, it's really important to uh be accessible and not expect anybody to come down to City Hall if they want to meet with you or talk with you. So, we try to do that frequently. I love that. And speaking of which, you made a little visit to Bruce Trent Park for their very popular Farmers Market. You want to take everybody there? Yeah, it'd be great. We had a wonderful time. Love it. Let's take a look. >> [music] >> I'm thrilled to be here today with Adam Thomas. Adam is oh gosh, the guru behind, the manager, the man who makes it all work for our Wednesday Farmers Market here in Ward 2 at Bruce Trent. Tell us how you do it, Adam. Yeah, so we started about uh we started doing farmers markets about 7 years ago. Um we started off in over in Henderson and then we just kind of gradually expanded as things opened up for us and we've been doing the Bruce Trent Farmers Market here in Summerlin for about 3 years. And And it's been around for longer than that, but tell me how it's grown with your leadership. Yeah, so one of the things we like to do is we're very supportive of small businesses. We have some of the No, it's not some. We are the lowest rent for any market in Vegas. Like a lot of the other markets charge anywhere from 80 to 100 plus uh per vendor. We keep that row low. Our price price is around $35 to $40 up for a space uh because we appreciate the hard work that it comes to make homemade, handcrafted, or homegrown uh produce. And we just want to be supportive and and just have let everyone come out here and It's like a small family. Even though there's about There's like 55, 60 vendors here today. Everyone knows everyone. We're We're just a small family. We all look out for each other. We help help one another set up, take down, you know, whatever I can do. Yeah. Well, I love that. And what And I really do appreciate you keeping the entry price low. I know that um my you know, I've got a couple I have a couple of our district daughters and one who was living in Seattle was making jewelry and for her, she was always looking for a place where she could go show her wares, but wasn't too expensive because then it didn't make sense for her because what she was doing was hand done but small. Yeah. Yeah, people think people want to compare things like Walmart or some of the you know, some of like uh Target or some of those stores. When you make everything from hand from scratch, the the cost of materials, your time and and then to come to the market, there's just really not a lot of profit in it. So, we we try and try and take that in consideration and and definitely help people out. Well, that's terrific, Adam. And it's such a pretty park. I mean, we've got wonderful shade. Uh I know we're sort of in the the late afternoon here, so we're getting hit by our beautiful desert sun. Um but most people have a tent. What And you're here from 2:00 to 8:00? >> 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. every Wednesday, all year round. Sometimes occasionally when it gets above 115 in the summer heat, we'll take a week or two off just to give everyone a break cuz it it gets kind of brutal and um not as many customers come out, so it's it's just a a win-win for the customers. You know, they're they're not coming out and the vendors they can take some time off out of the heat, but outside of that we're here year round. That's That's just wonderful. And we're having a short spring, so but those 115-degree days are I think far far far in the future. Yes. If you um haven't been here before, what are the key things you want to know? Do they need all cash? And should or do some take credit cards? Got to bring bags, you know, that kind of thing. Yeah, everything. So, um no, there's most vendors will take uh any of the cash apps like the the popular ones like PayPal, Venmo, credit Most of them take credit cards. Not all. There's some that just do cash. Um but for the most part it's you know, it's no different from buying anywhere else. And some of the people we've been talking to today, uh both the attendees and and the vendors we have We were talking to Mother Wolf 702 with fresh homemade sourdough bread. Oh yes. Oh my god, I know. I'm ready to to take it home and create a meal. And we were talking to Soul Explosion that has over 20-something different types of spices, seasonings. Yes. Um and we have vendors for pets. Uh Lots of fun things for dogs and cats. What are some of the other vendors you want to tell us about? >> it really it's a a mix and just to elaborate on those. So, one thing that's different about these vendors is they don't have all the preservatives and stuff that you get in the grocery store. Like that's Like a lot of people don't know that our our grocery stores have just become so toxic. You really have to search hard and we screen all of our vendors. We look at their ingredients, what they put in them, make sure to make sure it's a healthy product. Like just like the seasoning, there's no MSG in it. Very low salt. Um the sourdough is all organic and they they have a a four-day fermentation process, so it really breaks it down. It's really good for your microbiome and your gut health and stuff like that. These things you don't find in the grocery store. Obviously, there's lots of produce. We have a a new farm came out from Santa Paula, California uh that's brings organic strawberries. Just there's like three tenths of uh produce. And you were telling me about the strawberry festival. When's that going to happen? >> Yeah, so we haven't finalized the date. We We got to work with the the city to get actually close off some of the streets cuz this is it's usually a big event when we do that. So, we're looking like towards the third week of April. Oh, terrific. Well, we'll make sure that we have it in the Ward 2 information. And how can people find out about that? Is there a website or a Website, Insta You Nowadays, most people I mean, on their website fresh52.com, you know, it has the market schedule and the vendor application. If you want to become a vendor, you click on vendor, become a vendor. Uh and it explains that process. Um but more commonly nowadays, everyone uses Instagram or Facebook and we're out there. We're at fresh fresh52.com spelled out. And that's the best way to get see see what's going on with our calendar and all of our events. Well, thank you, Adam. We appreciate everything that you do uh and you know, for the community, there's no there's no cost to be here. Uh there's ample parking. Um There's so many different types It's It's It's pet-friendly. It's child-friendly. So, we encourage you to come out and come to Ward 2 and enjoy this fabulous farmers market every Wednesday from 2:00 to 8:00. Councilwoman, we have to do a few more of those out and abouts with the That's fun. It's a lot of fun. A lot of fun. And I love how eager people are to interact with you, to tell you their story or uh how long they've lived in the ward or that they're from a you know, from a different place, but why they love that farmers market. We've been doing it for a while and Bruce Trent and uh the organizer and all the people who participate are just great. >> I love that. And being that you're a native, you know, Las Vegas, it's you know, you can really connect with the folks there that have roots. >> Right. I always love to when I find out if they're from here or I've lived here 20 or 30 years. Let's see, 30. No, even longer than that. I like to ask where they went to high school because there were only about seven high schools when I was going to high school. Go Vikings. That is so nice that you gave a shout-out there. >> Shout-out to Vikings, but uh it really helps place sort of where they are and and uh helps start a conversation about Yeah, I I In fact, I was doing one of those uh painting things for a fundraiser for a friend and the woman sitting next to me was a Valley grad about eight years before me, but she was the oldest of eight kids. >> Wow. And so, we were trying to figure out you know, who who I knew that knew that was she was related to. >> my gosh. And that's the benefit of having a councilwoman who is rooted in this community, has been here a long time. So, we love that. Well, quickly, we're going to show a few pictures of you reading at Nevada Reading Week at Piggott Academy, but that was a lot of fun with the kiddos. >> gosh. I loved it and I've been able to do Reading Week on and off for the last 25 years. I can't think of anything more thrilling. Well, I shouldn't say that cuz now people are going to make fun of me, but There There I get a great deal of joy, satisfaction uh and there's so much fun reading to children. Especially this year was third graders and they're so curious and they want to talk about So, we were reading Where Where the Wild Things Are. And boy, That's a good one. >> That was a lot to get into. >> I'm sure. And then they always ask some very interesting questions, >> Yes. >> don't they? >> They do. I They do. And I loved I asked who was from Nevada, who was born in Nevada. And then I asked who who wasn't. And we had people We had children from all different parts of the United States and and and and different parts of uh the world and it was really really special. I love that. Well, you know, I bet the kids really enjoyed it, too, to have a councilwoman come to their classroom. They won't forget that, too. You don't forget those moments. So, Councilwoman, our time is up. Yeah, that went fast, didn't it? But it was a good time. It was so wonderful to be here with you today. Thank you. >> We'll do it again in six weeks and I'll be right back with you. Okay. All right, sounds like a plan. Well, we always want to hear from you. If you want to share something with us or Councilwoman Michele Fiore Kelly, you can do so by calling her at 702-229-2420. You can also send her an email at ward2@lasvegasnevada.gov. You can also visit the Ward 2 website or subscribe to the Councilwoman's newsletter. They always love to hear from you. Hey, don't miss our next show beginning March 30th with Councilwoman Shondra Summers-Armstrong. City of Las Vegas TV is streaming. You can catch all of our shows on YouTube at City of Las Vegas TV. You can also watch online at lasvegasnevada.gov/connect. And one more thing, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter by scanning that QR code in the credit in the credits, that is, at the end of the show. Thank you so much for watching. We'll see you again next time. Take care. >> [music] [music] [music] [music] [music]