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06-06-1960 - Regular Meeting - MinuteskINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA June 6, 1960 ;eting was called to order by Mayor Heath at 8:00 P."M. in the ;ovina City Hall. Councilman Barnes led the Pledge of Allegiance. ALL Present: Mayor Heath, Councilmen Brown, Towner Barnes, Snyder ers Present: Mr. George Aiassa, City Manager Mr. Robert Flotten, City Clerk Mr. Thomas Dosh, Public Service Director Mr. Harold Joseph, Planning Coordinator °S REPORTS OVINA EASTERLY Council consideration of additional protests. TILON DISTRICT NO.165 The City Clerk stated that the protest hearing was held on May 23, 1960, as led under Council Resolution No. 1811 adopted on April 18, 1960, ly advertised. rotests were of insufficient amount to terminate the proceedings pponents to the annexation were allowed ten days from May 23, 1960, ich to submit additional protests in writing as allowed in the nment Code. The ten day period elapsed June 2, 1960. Heath: The ten days allowed by the Council, according to the Government Code, on May 23rd for the opponents to file further written protests, has expired. ity Clerk, do you have a final report on the value of the land n the proposed annexation and the total amount of protest? Have been any new protests filed within the allotted 10 days? Clerk Flotten: There have been no new protests filed by owners within the area of the proposed annexation, within the ten days allowed. total valuation of the land within the proposed annexation is 230.00 and the total value of protests remains the same as previously 13,850.00. The amount of protests required to terminate the pro- Zgs at this point must exceed 50% of the $95,230.00 total valuation 615'. 00. at\ The law requires us to recognize only written protests. However, we will permit 1` a brief opportunity to any person who r lives within the proposed annexation, to address the Does anyone wish to be heard? e, Attorney I am representing Mr. Atherton and would :merel Drive like to make some remarks with respect to these proceedings. ADJ. Co C. 6-6-60 ANNEXATION 165 - continued Mr, A. Jaffee - continued: Page Two There is a certain cost to the taxpayer and to the -City of West Covina • to proceed with the annexation. Also, there is a question of the priority of this district and there will -be litigation as to whether or not the City of West Covina or the request of the City of --Covina Highlands will have this priority, To proceed with the annexation, you will be in litigation with the County of Los Angeles and the pro- ponents of the incorporation movement, with those proposing the annexa- tion. If you wish you can bide your time sufficiently to determine if the proposed Covina Highlands incorporation will qualify to go forward as a City, and if it does not qualify, it will stop any legal objections to your proceeding in this matter of annexation. Even if the Covina Highlands should qualify, they may not necessarily proceed to become a city because the people in the area may not see fit to vote for it as a city and in this, also, the way would be cleared without objections, or argument, for proceeding in the matter before you. It might be democratic to wait for persons first in line in relation to this location. On behalf of Mr. Atherton I would like to state that if the annexation procedure is carried through you will be spending more money of the City of West Covina than if you .let us have sufficient time for the Covina Highlands to determine if it will become a city. Under those circumstances it is suggested your waiting until such time as that matter is disposed of, and it will clarify the situation on the behalf of all persons and would withdraw legal objection as to your rights in this matter. Mrs.L. McKenzie: I own property within the area and I would point out it will be only fair and practical a thing to go into to see if the Covina Highlands will become a city. If they do not make it..this time, after twice before, it is not likely they would try again.` - Mrs. Hammer: I believe the committee for incorporation .has had ample opportunity in the past. They have been turned down four times and every time those voting, voted in opposition to incorporation, Mrs. M. McGinty: I am within the annexation area and here is an occasion of a minority taking away privileges of the majority in the area in question. They wiped away the rights and privileges of the majority last time which showed 50% that wanted incorporation but the supervisors didn't consider this, only that the boundaries would be illegal. To sacrifice the majority for the minority, I do not think is fair, Mrs. Hillford: I am an owner of property in the area. The statement that the majority of the people in the annexation are.didn°t want annexation isn't a facto Those asking for annexation are in the majority. What the young lady is talking about is some people wanting to incorporate and who have tried to do so several times, and it has fallen through several times. This annexation petition was filed before the present request for in- corporation and we take priority in the annexation and I do not think we should have to wait for the results of the incorporation, • ADJ. C. C. 6-6-60 ANNEXATION 165 - continued Mrs. McGinty. The City Clerk persons living annexation. Page Three The petition of annexation wasn't -'filed with the County before the petition -'- for incorporation, and this is the basis for the law suit. presented and read communications from the following in the City of West Covina,registerng protests in this Wo Da O'Donnell Mrs, Dan O'Donnell Sid Bidnick Ross -o LaFood Antonio Porelli Barbara Seymour Nina Porelli Clyde Ewing 1904 W Palm Drive 1904 W. Palm Drive 1225 Evanwood Street 1217 Evanwood Street 1162 W. Pine Street No address 1162 W. Pine Street 1139 E. Garvey Avenue There being no further testimony present, the hearing was declared closed., Mayor Heath. I would like to clarify a point or two on my own, and I am not stating this to drag this meeting out nor to stimulate any arguments. But there are a few facts which I believe are true and I would like to state them at this time. I have been on the West Covina City Council just over two years. I know that one of the first things I heard when I came onto the Council was that there were people to the east who were desirous of joining the City. In looking further into this matter I was led to believe that -,some people to the east of the City had been desirous of joining the City for some 4 or 5 years. In the letters that were read by the City Clerk it was intimated that we possibly were trying to pull a "shenanigan" here, but this is the furthest from our thoughts. It is true that we went through a lot of various operations and paper work in one evening, but not to pull a "shenanigan" but to try to be fair to those people interested in the annexation to the City. The people interested in coming into the City have been turned down, disregarded or in some way this matter has never been brought to a head. It was finally decided these people should be given a fair chance to voice their opinion and let the majority rule. The only way these people could have a chance to voice their opinion was to get to a certain step in the annexation proceedings which would put us in a position where an incorporation could not stop it and then we were going strictly by a democratic way of decision - to let the people vote and to let the majority rule. We are doing nothing but allowing the extreme democratic rule and that is where we are now. We feel, in the past, that the City has deliberately stepped aside, as I have been led to believe, four times, for the Covina Highlands to incorporates The City stood aside, kept hands off, stood at a distance so as not to interfere. However, as soon as we decided to let these people vote in a democratic way, there was then another move to incorp- orate the Covina Highlands. We won't go into discussions as to whether the incorporation is first or the annexation is first, as that could.take many evenings. But we are at a point now, Councilmen, that we should decide where to goo The hearing is closed but before there is any action taken, if there is any discussion among Council it should be heard now. Councilman Towner. What is the action pending tonight? • ADJ. C o C o 6-6-60 Page Four ANNEXATION.165 - continued Mayor Heath- To close the hearing and to ask for a motion which indicates that there has not been a majority protest as defined under Section 35121 of the Government Code; that we introduce an ordinance at this time setting a date of a public election within this area. Councilman Brown: What area district would this come into in the City? Mr, Joseph: By ordinance all annexed areas could Oome in under Area District III then the City can rezone it under any other district they may see fit. Councilman Brown: Unless otherwise specified? Mr, Joseph: . Yes. Mayor Heath: Area District III, for the benefit of the audience, means a certain size lot about 14,400 square feet per lot - a little less than a half acm.. Councilman Brown: Ifthis is annexed it shouldn't come in under any lower district requirements than Area IV. Mayor Heath: Area IV, for the benefit of the audience, is a half acre per lot. What was the basis for stipulating Area III by ordinance?' Councilman Towner: I think at the time the ordinance was changed we did not have District IV, - District III was the highest restriction at that time and when property was brought in it was placed at the highest restriction until decision could be made, if necessary, what else to do with its I would certainly go along with Councilman Brown that this be brought in at our highest restriction in the City, which is now Area IV. Councilman Barnes: I think that Councilman Brown's sugges- tion is a very good one. However, if there are parcels of land owned by some of these people who have agricultural or R-A, I would see nothing wrong with leaving it as R-A, if they would prefer, for the present but there could be nothing smaller than Area IV as to the Districts Relative to the tax purposes, many people may want to come in R-A. Councilman Brown - City Manager Aiassa: so it would be known just what Nothing makes it mandatory and they would still have that privilege, but Area IV would not allow 3 lots to the acre, but two. Perhaps this could be referred to the Planning Commission for an ano.lysis of the entire..area dnd a report to Council is there and what could be recommended. Councilman Towner: So far as the merits of this annexation are concerned, I would say, so far as this limited area involving the annexa- tion is concerned, that Mayor Heath has explained it quite appropriately. The people living there should be ab&e to say whether they want to be in - the City, or somewhere else, and the best way is to bring it to a vote. ADJ. Co Co 6-6-60 ANNEXATION 165 - continued Councilman Towner - continued: Page Five So far as the review of this matter by City staff, Council and others of the City, indications would be that if it is decided they,come with us, it would be beneficial to the City. Councilman Snyder: There are a lot of homes here that -have horses. Can they keep them in Area IV? Councilman Brown: Correct. A non -conforming use, as it comes in, stays that way until such 2'time as they might make a change on their pro- perty physically. However, if everything would meet with the ordinance requirements it is automatically all right. Mr. Aiassa: We can provide you with the information relative to the existing County zoning at your next meeting. There are those pro- perties near the Freeway which may have some restriction, Motion by Councilman Brown, seconded by Councilman Barnes, that there has not been a majority protest of West Covina Easterly Annexation District No. 165 as defined by Section 35121 of the Government Code. Motion passed on roll call as follows. Ayes: Councilmen Brown, Towner, Barnes, Snyder, Mayor Heath Noes: None Absent: None Motion by Councilman Barnes, seconded by Councilman Snyder and carried, that the title of the ordinance be read. INTRODUCTION The City Clerk presented: Ordinance of annexation "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE NINTH DAY OF AUGUST, 1960, PERTAINING TO WEST COVINA EASTERLY ANNEXATION DISTRICT NO, 165 TO THE CITY OF WEST COVINA" Motion by Councilman Brown, seconded by Councilman Barnes and carried, that further reading of the body of the ordinance be waived. Motion by Councilman Brown, seconded by Councilman Towner and carried, that the:1brdinan'd&.be: introduced and'.given,'its.first reading. Mayor Heath- The approval of this proposed annexation is now subject to the result of an elec- tion at which only those registered voters residing within the boundaries of the proposed annexation are allowed to vote. This election cannot be held sooner than 54 days nor later •than 75 days from this date of June 6, 1960. July 30th is the 54th day and August 20th is the 75th day. Tuesday, August 9th, is the day splected for the election, if Council approves. This date is midway in the period allowed for the election. Mr. City Clerk, will you introduce the ordinance setting the date of election and naming the election board. 0 ADJ. Co C. 6-6-00 Page Six INTRODUCTION The City Clerk presented and read: Ordinance setting "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE date of election CITY OF WEST COVINA CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE NINTH DAY OF AUGUST, 1960, PERTAINING TO THE ANNEXATION OF 'WEST COVINA EASTERLY ANNEXATION DIS- TRICT NO. 1651 TO THE CITY OF WEST COVINA" Motion by Councilman Brown, seconded by Councilman Barnes and carried, that the ordinance be introduced and given its first reading. The stipulation of the Area District under which the area annexed will come into the City will be determined when the annexation is completed. From the audience: I noticed that in the designation of the various persons to the election board there is only one person serving in such a capacity who is in opposition, and although this person is protesting this now, at a prior time they favored annexation, so in my mind it is dubious as to how honest their feelings would be in this matter now. City Clerk Flotten: The City Attorney has advised that so long as there is one person serving that is in opposition it is in order. Councilman Brown: However, there can be opponents present watching all the time the ballots are being counted. "DAIRY MONTH" PROCLAIMED LETTER OF RESIGNATION FROM WAYNE C, BATES Mayor Heath proclaimed the month of June, 1960, as "'Dairy Month", Withdrawal as a member of the Recreation and Parks Commission with request to be- come effective on July 1, 1960. A motion by Councilman Brown to hold this for further study failed for ladk....b.f_A second. Councilman Towner: I do not know why we should study it, Councilman Brown: I am wondering if he is'actually resigning for the reasons indicated or if it is due to the hassle over the school boards. Evidence would indicate he hasn't missed any meetings. Councilman Barnes: it is my understanding that he is quite busy with business commitments,.." Motion by Councilman Barnes, seconded by Councilman Snyder and carried, that the resignation of Mr. Wayne Co Bates from theRecreation and Parks Commission to be effective July 1, 1960, be accepted, and a resolution drawn up thanking him for his services rendered to the City. COMMUNICATION FROM Communication from Chairman of Recreation CLYDE W. BUSCHING and Parks Commission thanking the City staff and Council for their support and cooperation relative to the revision of the budget regarding negotiations with the school district. ADJ. Co C. 6-6-60 Page Seven RECREATION & PARKS COMMISSION COMMUNICATION - continued Mayor Heath,: Does Council -feel it might like to meet with the Recreation and Parks Commission regarding their budget, prior to general . budget discussion? Councilman Brown: I would see no reason they couldn't be present at the time of budget discussions. Councilman Towner: I would like to have a discussion with them relative to the matter of their opinions regarding new land or equipping of parks, or both, Mayor Heath: If it is agreeable to the Council can I set up a elate with them to sit down and discuss their activities in general, along with their'budget? Councilman Brown: If you can do it right away and let us know plenty of time in advance when this will take place. It was consensus this be done, as per the suggestion of Mayor Heath, APPOINTMENT OF COUNCIL Councilmen Snyder and Towner. COMMITTEE TO MEET WITH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Re: Discussion of Chamber of Commerce budget with report to be presented to the Council by the Council committee. FIREWORKS DISPLAY BANNER MT. SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE this event to be held at Mt. across a public thoroughfare approval. Mr. La Belle: I am on the fireworks committee of the Chamber of Commerce and would like to submit an application for permission to erect a banner advertising San Antonio. This banner would be erected in the "Center" and thus would need your Mr. Berg will tell you of the design and method of its installation. We would like to display this as soon as possible. Mr. Berg: It is the only major display we will have for the whole thing. This banner is roughly 20 feet long and the anticipated location is in the West Covina Center. We will use one of the sockets used for the Christmas Tree poles each year and it should be strong enough to carry this banner. We would also like permission for a 'one day shot" - July 4th only - to place a 41 x8° directional sign directing traffic down Citrus and Bar- ranca to Cameron Avenue to facilitate traffic to the College. This is the same location where the sign was placed for the relays. Motion by Councilman Brown, seconded by Councilman Snyder and carried, that the Chamber of Commerce be permitted to place the proposed fire- works display banner in the West Covina Center at the location indicated. City. Manager Aiassa: Who is going to check this relative to proper installation and who is going to be responsible in case this banner should tear loose and do damage to cars or persons? Since this is on public property I would suggest that we should have some temporary liability ADJ. Co C', 6-6-60 FIREWORKS DISPLAY .BANNER ® continued City Manager Aiassa continued: Page Eight insurance coverage to give protection for the time it is displaced -- • and also have the Fire Department review the installation.— I have had some very adverse experiences in the past where similar signs have torn loose and done considerable damage,:particularly to cars. Councilman Brown: Maybe the Chamber could stand the insurances Mr, La Belle: We have liability insurance but I do not know if it would cover this particular matter. Mr. Berg: Possibly we could get a rider at a small cost. Councilman Barnes: Do you want this banner up before the 13th? Mr, La Belle: By the first of next week, if possible. Mayor Heath: We have a meeting next Monday, the 13th, and perhaps we can have information before us then regarding insurance and pass on this matter at that time. Motion by Councilman Barnes, seconded by Councilman Brown and carried, that the City Manager investigate the matter of proper and adequate insurance and overseeing of the proper installation of the sign to be presented at the meeting of the 13th, DIRECTIONAL SIGN Direction to San Antonio .'College for MT, SAN ANTONIO COLLEGE fireworks display for the day of July 4, 1960, only. Motion by Councilman Brown, seconded by Councilman Snyder and carried, that the temporary placement of a directional sign for the time and place indicated be approved. CANADIAN LEGION LOCATION: 215 S. Citrus Street, next to FIREWORKS SALE STAND Akron store. Mr, Peters: I am a member of the Canadian Legion, You have previously given us permission to. have a similar stand on San Bernardino Road. However, Baldwin Park has permitted quite a few in the adjacent area,, also, and we would like to have another one at the Citrus Street location, This is not a change of one location to another but an added location. Councilman Brown: If this were a change it might be all right, but I do not think it is in order at this time to ask for another location. Councilman Barnes: I do not think we could do it now. Mayor Heath: I believe -the ordinance said 30 days before. Councilman Brown: Has this been cleared with the Fire Marshall? Mr. Peters: Yes, at the same time as the other location, Councilman Snyder: The ordinance indicates 15 days. ADJ. C; C. 6-6-60 CANADIAN LEGION FIREWORKS STAND - continued Page Nine City Manager Aiassa: Council has set a policy on these matters. Councilman Brown: It is a policy, regardless of ordinance, • because clearance is needed from the State Fire Marshall 30 days prior and we set it up here so they could have our approval prior to making their request of the Fire.Marshall, .Mayor Heath: He has the Fire Marshall's approval and n the ordinance says 15 days, although policy indicates the first meeting in May. Councilman Brown: It was in the newspapers that May would be the hearings on these matters and we should stick by it. Counculman Barnes: I think we should, too. We have made one statement and I do not see how we can change at this point, Councilman Brown:, This would only be the opening of a door for other such requests, City Manager Aiassa: That is the reason the Council adopted this type of policy. Councilman Towner: Under the law we could grant this, but it is to the benefit of all those concerned that we consider all these things at one time and we should set an over-all limit of haw many you have in the City. We don't want the City covered with fireworks stands. However., there is some possibility we should review the whole thing and deter- mine whether to allow any fireworks at all considering the dangers involved. Councilman Barnes: We set a certain date for all applica- tions to be in for the City. Are(_we going to change that now? Mayor Heath: That is the policy but we do have an ordinance which would permit it and which I believe is the last say; that' -is.,- ­to go by the ordinance. Councilman Towner: I think .the City is sufficiently covered with fireworks stands at the present time; Councilman Snyder: Perhaps if it was a changing of location, rather than an'added location, Council might look favorably upon it but not to have both locations. Could you do this? Mr, Peters: It might be difficult, but I would appre- ciate a little more time to investigate the possibility. Councilman Brown: The area is pretty well saturated with such use where this one is wanted. There are two in the area and one at the south frontage road. Mayor Heath: Hold this over and present it at the meet- ing of the 13tho ADJ. C. C. 6-6-60 Page Ten PRECISE PLAN NO. 17 City Manager Aiassa: Relative -to the LANDSCAPING approval of Amended Precise Plan"No,-17,' the Planning Commission- did so subject- to the condition of a maximum setback of 20 feet with adequate landscaping • of buildings to south and southwest and to all other conditions. I would recommend this go back to the Commission and clarify what is "adequate" landscaping, Motion by Councilman Brown, seconded by Councilman Barnes and carried, that this matter be referred to the Planning Commission as per the recommendation of the City Manager. AREA T.Dtt Mr. Cowen-. Mrs. Boschoff and I attended -- the Area "D" meetings and as per instruc- tions we stated that the City did not want to pay the back fee of $1,200.00 for 1959-60'. They came up with a compromise that we would be allowed to participate in 1960-61 if we paid 25% of the back fee, They haven't, as yet, selected a coordinator and they still do not appear to be on their feet. Mayor Heath: I understood the City Attorney to indi- cate we could not give partial payment. Councilman Brown-, We could pay since we withdrew after it started. Councilman Towner: Not unless we had signed a contract and we didn't do that so therefore we weren't in during this time and did not participate and thus it would be a gift of public funds to give part payment of that time, Mayor Heath-, Area I'D" is bringing in eight candidates for the director's position for personal interview. In looking at this Area t'D", I wondered why we needed a director at all. Why can't we operate similar to others around here which would let the City act as director for three months then change to another City as director for three months, letting them all participate as directors and eliminate the posi- tion of director completely? The point being this, that if we should have a flood in our area we know what we would do with it, and how to take'eare of it. I would question whether we would let a director of civil defense come in and start ordering our services around as to what to do and how. The City would be doing their own disaster correction. If we had the cities working as a group permitting each one as a direc- tor for a period of three months, it would stimulate cooperation and have everyone participating more evenly and it might be the salvation of Area I'D This plan has been discussed by Area ID" -in a limited way and I think it could be a good solution to our problems. Councilman Snyder: That may be all right so far as a local disaster, but in the case of a national disaster, a military disaster, it couldn't possibly operate on such a democratic principle, and if you look back at the Minutes of the civil defense you see nothing but bickering and jealousy. There is need for an over-all director. Mayor Heath: Don't you think the more a group partiOi- pates the more cooperation they will give? If there is a war the Army will take over completely and I doubt if they would listen to a director in Area "D"o ADJ. Co Ca 6-6-60 Page Eleven AREA I'D"--. continued Councilman Snyder. That is not necessarily so. Councilman Brown: However, the director in Area I'D" has no authority, all he might do is recommend. Area I'D" isn't set up to give authority. City.Manager Aiassa, It is a fictitious thing. The cities de- cided to get together but there is still a lot of internal bickering. There are so many other things of more importance regarding local problems in civil defense and we should take care of those rather than Area I'D" which hasn't got off the ground. I felt they might start to reorganize but evidently they are right back where they started. The entire last year period was a total loss,, Mayor Heath: I have been interested in Area I'D" from my first years on Council and in living that close to it, it is my analysis that the troubles in Area 111)" can be traced back, in every case, to the director. Councilman Snyder: I would say just the opposite. I would say the trouble can be traced back to the local directors who were unwilling to give up their powers. Councilman Brown: This m�ey be true, but Area I'D" was dis- organized, as such. At one time the director wouldn't come to the City to visit our director in app-oximately two years. Councilman Barnes: I was talking to various people at the Sanitation Board meeting and various City representatives wanted to know why they wouldn't get back pay and I stated that we couldn't pay it under legal interpretation. I.further stated that I felt that if by-laws, rules and regulations governing the Area I'D" were made, if there were real interest by everybody and there was the selection of a good director, it would be a very good thing, However, I think if there was a disas- ter such as war, Area "DII would go right out the window and civil defense would act as a clean-up group, but the Army would take over at such a time and run a disaster program in the area. Civil defense might help out but not operate as civil defense. City Manager Aiassa: There is one thing to remember, the fire and police are not under Area I'D" but get direct orders from Sacramento, so you are talking about a minor administration group of people holding posi- tions on a voluntary basis. Area I'D" only exists in this area of the County and the State legislators-wiard1planning to cut the budget amounts last year and the entire organization has been shook all the way down the line. We need protection in case of attack, yes, but in the City we have 166 employees that are our Minute Men and Women and in the long run it will wind up in our laps to make decisions. I do not want anyone telling us to do something by someone who doesn't know more thal).-, I do. Mayor Heath-, I still think the elimination of a direc- tor, completely, and have these units working together, would stimulate more interest. ADJ. Co Co6-6-60 Page Twelve AREA I'D" continued City Manager Aiassa: We have suggested it And it was voted down, very hard, by'the other -cities. The only thing we'are talking about here is a superficial organization set up for public relations but -turned operational instead of advisory and it got into Purchasing capital equipment, etc., and there was a great deal of opposition to spending money for capital outlay. Councilman Snyder: I do not see how, in an area such as this, one City can hope to go it alone as a City. City boundaries will disappear under a major disaster and civil defense is an area problem and the City should give up some of their power to central organizations. Councilman Brown: Under Area I'D", to follow to some extent what you are discussing, they couldn't evacuate people because they couldn't go through any unincorporated area which made it impossible for people to evacuate at one time. Councilman Snyder: You keep saying "they", yet you refuse to join. City Manager Aiassa: We made, at one time, a specific request for area wide air-raid siren recommendation and it was stated that it was strictly a local problem. This was a way Area I'D" should function and not let each City handle this as their own particular problem as there would be no standard form of equipment or adequate assurance for coverage. Mayor Heath: At a meeting where a plan was presented by Scream Master, West Covina was listed for $20,000.00 for air-raid sirens which was more than anyone else because most of the sirens landed within our City, and I stated the City was not about to spend money like that for sirens and I think that is what started that. City Manager Aiassa: I checked it further and there was no uniformity of equipmqnt.nor coverage we could accept. Councilman Towner,. What is the City of West Covina going to do in eivil defense? Mr. Cowen: We have been contacting a regional group as part of the State for a year now. So far as civil defense, we have one of the best, if not the best,.local civil defense units in the State. It is most complete and Area I'D" has been riding our coat-tails for two years -or more following use I think they will be hurt if we drop out of it. Councilman Towner- Evidently we have a good local civil defense and are referring to some State group, What we are faced with in this situation is our relationship to Area,"DII. Evidently it isn't work- able, although they are looking for a coordinator of civil defense. We want to provide adequate civil defense, and we seem to have a good local organization and are getting some leadership through a regional group. I would say that sounds like a good arrangemept,''considering the fact that our relationship with Area I'D" isn't useful, whether from personalities or other reasons, and there is less done if we do not have adequate leadership, so if there can be considered other alter- natives, we should look into that. • ADJ. C. Ca 6-6-60 AREA I'D" - continued Councilman Snyder: Page Thirteen Your indications would be not to go into Area "D"? Councilman Towner: Yes, and work on the local and regional basis that is set up. Mayor Heath: Do we want to consider, that if Area "D" is under good leadership we would be - interested in going back in or continue directly with the regional office and have no part of Area " D•*? Do we -- want to sit on the directorship selection and if we do not, then criti- cize them for the way they operate? Councilman Brown: Why should we criticize them if we are not in on it?' City Manager Aiassa: Mr. Cowen and Mrs. Boschoff attended this meeting and have been raked over the coals and I feel that if my staff is to be exposed to this type of treatment I do not feel they should attend any future meetings of Area "D"o Councilman Brown: If it is felt we should be represented then it should be by the Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem;' Mayor Heath: I would attend the meeting but if so, on what grounds would I be doing so? Would it be a matter of "if you get a satisfac- tory leader we will consider going back in 1960-61" or "wait longer to see who the leader is going to bet'? Mr, Cowen: Indications were if we did not pay we wouldn't be invited. AND MACIED, Motion by Councilman Brown, seconded by Councilman.Snyder,,rthat we stay out of Area "D"`until such time as it proves itself operationally sound. It was the consensus that a letter be draftedc:by the City Manager, to be signed by the Mayor, explaining our:_,inability to pay the 25% suggested as back fee on the advice of legal counsel. It was the consensus that no representation be sent to Area 'tDtt. REPRESENTATIVE TO Councilman Snyder appointed for a period CIVIL DEFENSE of six months starting in April, 1960. OLD POLICE PROPERTY Mayor Heath: We sold the old Police building.and made the statement, which is on the.record, that we would be willing to burn the building down at the request of the new owner.. I think�.:we should reconsider this because of the fact that the building is directly adjacent to the Freeway, and if we start this burning you will have traffic backed up bumper to bumper for miles on the Freeway. I am afraid it is going to cause accidents and maybe kill..somebody, If Council feels they want to go ahead with this, upon such a request, I feel some precaution should be taken to protect against traffic tie-up or possible accident by contacting the Highway Patrol at the time it will be done so as to try to control traffic in the area. ADJ. Co C. 6-6-60 OLD POLICE -PROPERTY - continued Councilman Barnes: City Manager Ai,assa Page Fourteen Has there been any indications he will make such a request? I have had none, Mayor Heath: Yes, he is going to request it. Councilman Brown: There has been"similar destruction of buildings adjacent to to the Freeway with no detrimental results. City Manager Aiassa: This is controlled burning, not having a lot of flame or smoke as there otherwise would be. Councilman Towner It might be at least worthwhile to have the staff contact the California Highway Patrol in Baldwin Park prior to the burn- ing and so notify them it is going on. Mayor. Heath: I think this should be done. There being no further business, motion by Councilman Barnes, seconded by Councilman Snyder and carried, that the meeting be adjourned at 9:45 Po Mo ATTEST: 0 City C er APPROVED Mayor