09-14-1964 - Regular Meeting - MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA
September 14, 1964
• The regular meeting of the City Council was called to -order by Mayor-'
Snyder at 7:30 P.M, in the West; Covina City Hall Councilman'Jett'led"
the Pledge of Allegiance. 'The invocation was given by the Rev. Richard
P. Thickins of the West Covina Church of Christ.
Present: Mayor Snyder, Councilmen Jett,'Krieger, Nichols, Heath
Others.Present: Mr. George Aiassa, City Manager
Mr. Robert Flotten, City Clerk & Administrative Assistant
Mr=Dwight Newell; Acting City Attorney -
Mr:
John Q. Adame; Public Services`Director
Mr. Harold Joseph, Planning Director
Absent: Mr. Harry C. Williams, City Attorney
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
August 10, 1964 - Approved as submitted as follows:
Motion by Councilman Krieger, seconded.by Councilman Nichols, and
carried, that the Minutes of August 10, 1964, be approved as submitted.
(Councilman Heath abstained.)
August 24, 1964 - Approved as corrected as follows:
Councilman Jett: I refer you to Page 33, the
second paragraph, Councilman
Jett speaking. It should be, "You talked State, State, State,"
not "I talked State, State, State .
Motion by Councilman Krieger', seconded by Councilman Heath, and
carried, that the Minutes of August 24, 1964, be approved as
corrected. (Mayor Snyder abstained.)
CITY CLERK'S REPORTS
PRECISE PLAN NO. 413 LOCATION: 1809.Danes Drive, east
Accept sidewalk and-Driveway`Improvement of Azusa Avenue.
Edward La Berge, Jr
APPROVED Accept sidewalk and driveway''
improvements. Authorize release
of $140.00. Inspector's report.filed., Staff recommends acceptance
And release of deposit,
Motion by Councilman Heath, seconded by:Councilman Krieger, and
carried, to accept the sidewalk and driveway improvement in Precise
Plan of Design No. 413 and authorize release of cash deposit in the
amount of $140.00.
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C. C. 9/14/64 Page Two
RESOLUTION NO. 3000 The City Clerk presented:
ADOPTED "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Precise Plan No. 426 OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA
APPROVING THE BOND TO GUARANTEE
THE COST OF CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
AND THE TIME OF COMPLETION IN
PRECISE PLAN NO. 426 IN SAID
CITY"
Mayor Snyder: Hearing no objections, we will
waive further reading of the
body of the resolution.
Motion by Councilman Krieger, seconded by Councilman Heath, that
said resolution be adopted, Motion.pa,ssed on roll.call as follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Jett,.Krieger, Nichols, Heath, Mayor Snyder
Noes: None
Absent: None
Mr. Flotten: If the Council pleases, we have
one item.in connection with this
particular Precise Plan.
Mr, Marron had in mind to appeal
the decision of -the Planning Commission in this particular instance
and he did file -an -appeal. However, he withdrew the appeal the next
day and I.ask the Council for permission to return his deposit.
So moved.
Said resolution was given No. 3000,
RESOLUTION NO. 3001.
ADOPTED
Hircon Builders, I Inc.
The City Clerk presented:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA
ACCEPTINGA CERTAIN WRITTEN
INSTRUMENT AND DIRECTING THE
RECORDATION THEREOF" (Hircon
Builders, Inc.)
Mayor Snyder: Hearing no objections, we will
waive further reading of the
body of the resolution.
Motion.by Councilman Heath, seconded by Councilman Krieger,.that
said resolution be adopted. Motion passed on roll call as follows.:
Ayes: Councilmen Jett, Krieger, Nichols, Heath, Mayor Snyder
Noes: None
Absent: None
Said resolution was given. No. 3001.
C, C'a 9/14/64 Page Three
'CITY'CLERK'S REPORTS - Continued
RESOLUTION NO, 3002 The • City-Clerkpresented:
"A. RESOLUTION LUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Valencia HaiahL,c Water Co. OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA
ACCEPTING A CERTAIN WRITTEN
INSTRUMENT AND DIRECTING THE
RECORDATION THEREOF"
(Valencia Heights Water Co.)
Mayor Snyi er: Hearing no objections, we will
waive further reading of the body
of the resolution,
Motion by Councilman Krieger, seconded by Councilman Heathq that said
resolution be adopted, Motion passed on roll call as follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Jett, Kreiger, Nichols, Heath, Mayor Snyder
Noes: None
Absent: None
Said resolution was given ATo,, 3002,
TRACT NO, 29930 LOCATION: Norte side of Cameron
TENTATIVE MAP between Barranca and
WCHoL, Corporation Gravid.in Proposed
APPROVED Annexation No. 187.
Held aver from, meeting of August 24, 1964, for report, Review Engineer's
report approve tentative map, Staff recommends approval.
Motion by Councilman Heath h seconded.by Counci '.I ma., Krieger s and
carried, . to icce.nt the Fngineer'' ; report and approve the tentative
map of Tract No, 29930 subject to the Planning Commission recommenda-
tions with the addl.t:ional four conditions noted in the memo of
September, 10, 1964.
PROPOSED LEASE OF CITY OWNED
PROPERTY TO STORM DRAIN CONTRACTORS
APPROVED
Request for lease of portion of
Corporation Yard as staging area
for construction project
_,taff recommends approval.
Motion by Councilman Heaths seconded by Councilman Krieger,, and carried,
to accept the staff recommer.�-',ati on and lease:, the City owned property
to .Artukovich �..Drporation at the rate of $700.00 a month as cuLl fined
in the lettdt r,3f Septembel, 13., 1964.
HHFA CONTRACT FOR ADVANCE ' ' rm nt Staff -:, ,
�-L T',.�A?�•` -�• •G recommends (?.) can.ce?.l.ation
FUNDS FOR LARK E ,LEN AVENLIEE of contract, and (2.) pa'q .
STORM DRAIN engikleering fees out of City
CITY PROJE_C " ,SD�, 320 funds poese,nt:ly budgeted for
APPROVED such purpcjse.
Motion by Councilman Krieg er, uc;r<,r"ied by CLsunc:i-l-rani K.ichols,, and
carried, that the ag reeme:7t advance planning .funds
for the South Lark Ellen
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CQ C, 9/14/64
HHFA CONTRACT - Continued
Page Four
Motion by Councilman Krieger, seconded by Councilman Nichols, that
payment in the amount of $69244,89 be made to the consulting
engineers for funds currently budgeted for such purpose. Motion
passed on roll call as follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Jett, Krieger, Nichols, Heath, Mayor Snyder
Noes: None
Absent: None
PROJECT SP-6444
REPORT ON PILOT PROGRAM ON
UNCURBED AND UNGUTTERED AREAS
HELD OVER
Report on meeting with property
owners, Staff recommends modi-
fication of City policy on owner
participation in cost of such
improvements,
City Clerk, Mr, Flotten: The Council has received copies
of a ,report from Mr. Adams
regarding this matter,
Councilman Heath: This is a change of policy. I
believe that the staff report
has merit. I think there are hidden facets to this that should be
discussed in a general meeting. I don't think this is the time and
place to hold that meeting, I think changing a policy as drastically
as this there should be further discussion among the members of the
Council,
Mayor Snyder: I would like more time to
think about this.
Motion by Councilman Krieger, seconded by Councilman death, and
carried, that this matter be held over to the adjourned meeting
of Monday, September 21, 1964.
PLANNING COMMISSION
REVIEW.PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION
OF SEPTEMBER 20 1964 So indicated by Mr. Flotten,
The following item was called up..by Councilman Krieger
Precise Plan of Design No. 1069 Revision"1 - Elks Lodge - Approved
by Planning Commission,
Councilman Krieger: I sat in on the . hearing of the Planning Commission on
September 2, 1964 and there was discussion at that timeas to whether
one of the conditions on the precise plan ought to bea wall on the
north side:.of this property. There was testimony t& the effect that
the property immediately to the north of this, which is a high density
dwelling, was at a higher level and that there was no interference
that would be created by headlights. I inspected that"property and I
find that not to be the condition. I would like to call up Precise
Plan of Design No. 1069 Revision 1.
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C, Cs 9/14/64
RECREATION AND PARKS
None
GENERAL MATTERS
ORAL''COMMUNICATIONS
WILLOW LANE DRAINAGE
Page Five
Mr, H, He Haproff I would like to see the Engineer-
2314 Willow Lane ing Department and Inspecting
West Covina Department of this City overhauled
and maybe about 80% of them
fired, We have had a'lot of trouble getting that street pavedg curbed.
guttered$ and dedicated,. We finally got it done. The work they did
was bad, Every time some above the street from me washes.the car,
I have water standing in my gutter, It.is supposed to drain. I have
complained to the Engineering Department about five times. They were
notified that water was not draining before they paid off the con-
tractor. The gas company has put a hole in front of my house and put
a patch on it that is not good.
Mayor Snyder: Give us a written list of these
complaints and we will ask for
a report from the staff, Would you meet with Mr. Adams and Mr. Aiassa
for an appointment and try to iron it out?
Mr, H, He Haproff:
Yes,
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa: We will.get together with you
and review your problem.
We will have a report for the Council on..the 28th.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
'CI`TY ATTORNEY
RESOLUTION
HELD OVER
Councilman Nichols:
Would this be possible or would
the City Council?.
The Acting City Attorney presented:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA
GRANTING UNCLASSIFIED USE
PERMIT NO. 83" (Bauchanan
and Martin)
I would like to request that
we delay this resolution.
it prejudice the former action of
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C, C. 9/14/64 Page Six
RESOLUTION (BAUCHANAN 6 MARTIN) - Continued
Acting City Attorney, Mr, Newell: I am not familiar with the
subject matter, I know .
there.is an ordinance also to be introduced on the same subject,
Mayor Snyder: There would be no rush on the
resolution since the ordinance
will take longer.
Councilman Heath: The resolution does not become
effective until the ordinance
has had its second reading and run 30 days,
Councilman Krieger: What is the purpose of this
request?
Councilman Nichols: In reviewing carefully the
testimony that was given before
this Council in connection with the application for the change of zone
and the unclassified use permit and`in comparing this review with
certain information that has come to my attention in 'the period since
then there seems to be the possibility of some discrepency•between the -
testimony regarding the property and the facts and I am not prepared
at this point to discuss r.
the matte.in greater detail except to -express
to the Council my own strong feeling that this matter should not be
consumated by this body until the questions that will be raised a
little later on have been resolved..
Councilman Heath: These applicants no doubt are
working against a time
schedule. Before the.resolut on can.become effective they would have
to have two readings of the ordinance and 30 days until it is final.
I understand the stand Mr. Nichols is taking and he no doubt is
justified in the request. However, would -you object to adopting the
resolution which is dependent upon the.ordinance and permit the
ordinance to be introduced tonight so the applicant could save time?.
-If you find facts where you.would not want to pass on this ordinance,
it can be denied on.the second reading and it would not become
effective,
Acting City Attorney, Mr. Newell: In this.resolution it is
conditioned upon the Planning
Commission conditions, whatever they may be.
Councilman Krieger: Condition No. 1 was that the
property be properly zoned.
Councilman Nichols: If I can be assured that the
passage" of the" resolution would
not interfere or jeopardize a further -review of this matter, I would
not object to that,
Councilman Krieger When would the -date of the'
adoption of the ordinance :be?
What would be the meeting date?
City Manager, Mrs Aiassa: The second meeting this
month, which would be the 28th.
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C, C, 9/14/64
'RESOLUTION (BAUCHANAN & M.ARTIN) -- Continued
Page Seven
Mayor Snyder If there are no objections, t,1e
will waive further reading oil
the body of the resolution,
Motion by Councilman Krieger, seconded by Councilman Nichols, and
carried, that this matter be tabled to the meeting of September 28, 1964.
ORDINANCE INTRODUCTION
Bauchanan & Martin
The: A-ting City Attcrney presented:
'"AN_ 6RDI'NANC~i' 07 T1iZ CII'`_t' COUNCIL
Of THE CITY OF' WEST COVINA
�111JNICIPAI, COS)-17" SO AS TO }REZONE
C:E xAIN PREMISES" -`ZC 316.1
and
Motion by Councilman Heath, seconded by Councilman Kr.erer, and
carried, to waive further reading of he boc y of the o-i,dinaIice.
Motion by Councilman Heath, seconded by Councilman Kriegetr, and
carriedi that said ordinance be introduced. (Councilman Nichols
voted "No",) (Mayor Snyder abstained,)
CITY MANAGER'S LETTER TO PIERRE SALINGER
Councilman Heath: I have- received nur-.erou:s
requests from constituents
that this Council tonight place on the agenda for tonight an item
concerning a letter written by our City Manager and these citizens
would request an explanation. Would you set a point on the agenda
for this discussion, Mr. Mayor? There are quite'a number of people
in the audience interested in this matter,
Mayor Snyder: If the rest of the Council has
no objections, we wall take it
up under the City Manager's agenda as the last item
Councilman Krieger. When this item does appear on
the. agenda 1 am going to move
that it be held in a personnel }fearing and be treated as a personnel
matter of the Council;
Councilman Heath; This cannot be held in a
personnel session. It would
be a direct violation of the Brown Act because any action taken by this
Council must be made public,
Mayor Snyder.-. These matters can be argued
at the time this matter i-s
brought up,;. It -.is my prerogative to set the tima for this and I set
this as the last item on the City Manager's. agenda'
Councilman.,Tett: I think Councilman Heath is
mistaken in the prerogative
of.the.Mayor* to set or change an item on the agenda.. I'believe
this can be done by the majority of the Council. -Is this right?
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C, Cs 9/14/64 Page Eight
'CI'TY MANAGER'S LETTER TO PIERRE SALINGER Continued
• Acting City Attorney, Mr, Newell Your Mayor is. the presiding
officer and does regulate:
the Council meeting, This is anew item:placed.bef. e him and it is
his prerogative to place the item where he chooses,
Councilman Krieger: L was ehecking.the code on this
particular item, In suspending
regular order of business., that is by the majority of the Counci"
Councilman Heath: Is'there any way_the Council can
put this, gn.earlier?
Mayor Snyder: This has nothing t6 do`with the
merits of'this.thing but it
seems to me that since April we have been getting some work done .in
these meetings, If we are going.to diverge from that and take up'''
picayunish things again instead of,getting down to our regular
Council business, we can do that if the majority.wi'sheso We have
many .important things to get done;tonght, We will consider this
tonight in the order of its importance as I see it now. At the
moment I think we have more important things to do,
Acting..City, Attorney' Mr,. Newell: The majority of. .the Council.can
suspend the regular order. of
business and take this up at a different time. My suggestion is that
it be held at the end of the City Manager's agenda,
Councilman Jett: I feel this is of sufficient
interest to a vast majority
of the people of the City of West Covina and,I feel they are entitled
to hear this discussion and have the opportunity to hear it .at a,
reasonable hour.
Motion by Councilman.Jett, seconded by Cpuncilman Heath, that this
matter be placed on the agenda as the first item after the recess;
Councilman Nichols:..I would tend to agree with
Councilman Jett and :Councilman
Heath in their position;.however, I believe'unless'overriding
circumstances are present that..I should and will defer to the
leadership and chairinans:hip:of this body. of the Mayor;
Action on Councilman Jett's motion: Mota n failed,
Jett, Heath; Noes: Councilmen Kriegr e4iols(Ayes: Councilmen
Absent None,) Nch,"Mayor, Snyder;
Mayor Snyder: The matter will be taken up at
the end of Mr. Aiassa''s agenda.
Cd Cd 9/14/64
• 'SCHEDULED MATTERS
BIDS
PURCHASE OF FIRE HOSE
F�
Page Nine
Bids opened in the office of the City Clerk on September 10, 1964, at
10a00 A.M. Review bids - Fire Department report - award contract.
The bids received are as follows:
HALPRIN SUPPLY CO. $29106.00 - incl. sales tax $81.00
Alternate bid
1,07 per ft. for 2 1/2"
.71 per.ft. for 1 1/2"
WARDLAW FIRE EQUIPMENT 29069.610 - incl. sales tax $79.60
AMERICAN LA FRANCS 2,052.50 plus sales tax
FYR-FYTER COMPANY 2,230.80 - incl. .sales tax $85.80
METROPOLITAN INDUSTRIAL No bid
Motion by Councilman Krieger, seconded by Councilman Heath, that the
Director of Finance be authorized to issue a purchase order in the
amount of $29063,88 to Halprin Supply Company for purchase of fire -
hose on the basis of their low b-id. Motion passed on roll call as
follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Jett # Krieger, Nichols, Heath$ Mayor Snyder
Noes: None
Absent. None.
HEARINGS
VARIANCE NO. 504 LOCATION: 211-219 South Vincent
Ray Kilz between Center and
DISMISSED Walnut,Creek.Parkway.
Request for non -conforming sign use in Zone C-2 denied by`Planning
Commission on May_20, 1964._ Appealed by applicant on June 10, 1964,
and set for hearing this date at applicant's request; Applicant
requests dismissal of appeal.
Motion by Councilman Krieger, seconded by Councilman Heath, and
carried, that the appeal on Variance No. 504 be dismissed at the
request.of the applicant.
ZONE CHANGE N0, 318 LOCATION; 19151 6 19237.East
Lillian Barnaby 6 Ethel Greenwood Valley between Nogales
APPROVED and Sentous.
Request to reclassify from (County) Zone A-1 7500 to (City) Zone C-3..
Approved by Planning Commission Resolution No. 1666.
City.Clerk, Mr. Flotten:
(Read Planning Commission
Resolution No. 166` , )
M
LJ
Mayor Snyder: This is the. time and place for
.the public bearing.
There,being no public testimony, the hearing was closed,
Motion by Councilman Heaths seconded by Councilman Krieger$ and
carried$ that Zone Change No, 318 be approved,
ZONE CHANGE NO, 314 LOCATION. Southeast corner pf
T, T, Cunningham 8 R,H, Diedrich Cameron and Pacific
APPROVED Avenues between '?
and Cameron and Pacifiq
PRECISE PLAN'N0, 416 Avenues,
T,T, Cunningham 6_R,H, Diedrich
APPROVED Request to reclassify from
and Zone R-P to Zone'C-1 and request
UNCLASSIFIED USE PERMIT NO, 90 for service station use in Zone
T,T, Cunningham & R.H. Diedrich. C-1 denied by Planning
APPROVED Commission Resolutions
No, 1641 and No, 16429
respectively:; appealed by applicant on July 2, 1964, and set for hearing
this date, Request for approval of precise plan for,service station
approved by Planning Commission Resolution No, 1656; appealed by
Council on August 10, 1964s and set for hearing this date'
City Clerk, Mr, Flottens (Read Planning Commission
Resolutions Nos, 1641, 1642
and 1656,)
.Mayor Snyder: This is the time and place for
the .public hearing,
IN FAVOR
Mr, Francis J, Garvey I represent the applicants,
281 East Workman Avenue. I would like.to withdraw the
Covina name of T, T, Cunningham inasmuo�
as he passed away during the
past two weeks, Mr, Diedrich is carrying on with the application,
I would like to submit as.a
part of the record a list of 30 names of, persons resident �h the
area who have indicated.by their signatures that they either approve
or have no objection to,the proposed use ,`,Althoush there are three
applications before you basically what we are considering is an
application for service station use under the various ordinances
applicable for the approval of the precise plan for that service
station,
Cameron Avenue at that point
proceeds to dip under the freeway.and much of the property shown
in yellow is considerably above grade as is nearly all of the property
shown in brown. Cameron is 80 feet wide, There are two homes facing
on Cameron and would be the only ones effected. The precise plan
meets the minimum criteria which are set up. It probably does better
because it meets everything asked by the Engineering Department and
otherwise, All of the other properties which touch Cameron Avenue
opposite the property front on Sunkist and rear on Cameron. They .
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C, C, 9/14/64 Page Eleven
'TONNECHANGE NO, 314,2ET AL. - Continued
•
are of such depth so as not to be adversely effected by the improvement
of this property as a gas statione There is an existing service
station immediately south of the Mauna Loa Apartments. This site is
relatively comparable to the proposed site, There are approximately 51
gas stations in all in West Covina,Most are located in commercial
areas, There are examples of stations abutting or across from multiple
family or single family, 12 1/2% of.all of the stations in the. City
limits are reasonably approximate to residential areas. We feel this
property would be discriminated against if it were.denied solely on
the grounds of its proximity to the adjoining multiple or the R-1
located some distance across the street and protected as we show,
On the basis of traffic count comparison the subject site compares
favorably with all sites in the City of West Covina, The precise
plan has been approved by the Planning Commission, The signs are
conforming signs that are proposed. The required dedication to straighten
out the corner of Pacific Avenue and Cameron Avenue will be dedicated by
the.owners and the applicant. I will be happy to answer any questions
you may have,
IN 'OPPO'SITION
Mr, Harold Hoppal I am in a northeasterly direction
2113 Pacific Avenue from this corner. I feel we
West Covina have too many gas stations in
the City now, There are ouite
a few of them going broke. This will constitute more noise and traffic
on the street, At our property we have no gutters and curbs,
REBUTTAL
Mr, Francis J, Garvey; With respect to more noise,
I don't know if he has presented
any evidence to that effect,_ I have already given you the figures on
the traffic there. As far as his curbs and gutters, go, that is a
City problem,
There being no further public testimony, the hearing was closed,
Councilman Heath; Does this mean there will be
additional land dedicated and
the curb taken out? Isn't that all curbed now?
Public Services Director, Mr. Adams: There is a 25-foot parkway
from the present property line
and the curb, As a condition of the precise plan this parkway was
cut to 8 feet giving another li feet of pavement in here providing for
a right -turn movement.,,
Councilman Heath- This is added expense and I
question whether it will
facilitate traffic flow any better than it does now. Widening of
that street could cause more of a hazard than leaving it the way it
is, I believe there are two lanes of traffic and a might -turn lane
there now,. To put an additional l7 feet we might be creating
something at an unwanted and unnecessary expense,
Public Services Director, Mre Adams-. This channelization in there now
will be modified, The center
lane would swing over and channelization would be revised to give more,
room on the other side of the street,
C, C, 9/14/64
Page
Twelve
"ZONE CHANGE NO, 3149ET ALa -
Continued
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Councilman Krieger:
g
As Pacific Avenue comes from
the south, you. indicated it is
70 feet wide and as you go north
you
indicated it -as 80 feet
wide. I
went out to that site and it
narrows
down, not widens,
Public Services. Director, Mr.
Adams:
That is from property
line to
property line. There
is a
restricted roadway on the northeast
side of Pacific Avenue,,
Councilman Krieger:
What is the dimension
now?
Public Services Director, Mr,
Adams:
You have 27 feet of pavement and
12 feet on the north.
It
would eventually be developed
to a 60-foot
street but at the
present
time it is 39 feet,
Councilman Krieger: Mr, Garvey, can you point to a
comparable spot in our -City that
has the physical charcter and appearance of this particular corner
where there is presently a gas station?
Mr, Francis J, Garvey: You may be asking me to point
to a comer able place in
the City whether or not it has a gas station, You have a similarity
at Vincent and Glendora aouth of the Walnut Creek and there are gas
stations there, Off -hand, I don't know of any other triangular
intersection that would meet the criteria you are talking about,
Councilman Heath: At Glendora Avenue and the
frontage road,
Councilman Krieger: I am.talking about.the con-
figuration of four streets
c oming into an.intersection not at right angles,
Mra Francis J, Garvey: I don't know,
Councilman Krieger: At that intersection, you have
four stops: Pacific Lane
stop; Pacific Avenue stop going north; Pacific Avenue stop going
south; and Cameron Avenue stop going north,
Mr, Francis J, Garvey: .That's correct but you'still
.have the pattern of a right
angle turn which is conventional with one diagonal street across,
Councilman Krieger: Was it your opinion that
this is basically a "T"
intersection?.
Mr, Francis J, Garvey: You have a crossing of Pacific
into Cameron which operates
approximately at right angles and you have the diagonal crossing,
Mayor Snyder: Mr, Garvey, to obtain an
unclassified use permit for
a filling station, you have to grant C zoning first. This leaves
the property open for other C development, Do you have any
suggestions to guarantee that a service station is going to be built
there and not to be used for other commercial development?
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ZONE CHANGE NO, 314, ET AL. Continued
arlylr/1rrrr®pair
Page Thirteen
Mra Francis J. Garvey: A service station is a heavier
use and actually required in C�3
only, If you have a commercial use instead of a filling station use
you, would get.a lighter use than you bargained for in granting.the
unclassified use permit, The Signal Oil 'Company has a tentative lease
subject to this approval to place a filling statirn on this property,
Mayor Snyder: Is this particular uncurbed area
on the priority list for curbs
and gutters?
Public Services Director, Mr. Adams: It will be the first pilot.
It would be one of the areas.we
would follow on into.
Councilman Nichols: In deliberating and considering
a -usage in the.City, it is my,,,.
understanding that the current land use in the area,.the nature of
the property$ the street pattern and many other factors are taken
.into consideration. The question before us in reality.is does this
.particular traffic pattern that is -indicated, would it constitute
a hazard if this type of development was allowed,and it is my under
standing according to the report read earlier that.the design features
here that have come through our City seem to meet those minimum
requirements for traffic flow and good planning, The other thing we
have to consider is an appropriate used an appropriate..place to put'
a service station. It has just been a couple of weeks ago that I
voted "No" on a service station development in an area which was far.'
more into a residential area than this sitei at the corner of
Badillo and Sunset. At that time the Council heard testimony that
Badillo was going to be a busy street when, in effect. Badillo has
not been put through yet. and yet that testimony was weighed. Here
we have a busy street. We have a corner that I don't know what else
one might develop there. It is surrounded by property I.
substantially
of which has approved this development. I see no reason why this
request should not be granted here tonight,
Mayor Snyder: Ane.service stations best put
in areas of congestion?
Councilman Nichols: No. I don't,maintain service
stations are best put anywher.p
I don't,think anything is best put anywhere insofar as a man wants
to develop his property and the development of that property does.not
work a deteriorating -hardship on surrounding propertie''or create push
conditions as to prejudice the health and safety conditions of the
City.
Councilman Krieger: I thought it was, more obviouq
from.the map as weld as the
questioning that the four stops don't make.. 900 intersection,
This is not a 900 intersection, My questioning of the',pplicant
had to.go.to the type of intersection it is:.and whether.or not we haves
anything analgous in this City to the configuration of this
particular.intersection where we have a gas station on'one of the
corners, I sat out there and watched the traffic flow, although I
don't pretend to be an expert, but I think it is incumbent to make'
a physical inspection of,.the property we are being asked to vote on;
If we don't physically inspect the property, let's at .east look at
the map and the diagram of the intersection we are talking about.'
..13-
C, C, 9/14/64 Page Fourteen
'ZONE CHANGE N0, 3149ET AL, - Continued
This is not a 900 intersection, I am more concerned with two elements
here, whether or not we have a need for it and whether or not it benefits
the City of West Covina. From the testimony of the applicant the only
one who has a need, if anyone, is the City of Baldwin Park and if this
is their need let them put a gas station in, I understand they have
four gas stations a half -mile down,. The only criticism of those four
stations is they are not the same brand as this. I don't think this,
is a valid argument,
Councilman Heath: I believe it would be difficult
to find identical corners
anywhere in the City except a right-angle corner, The fact is
whether.or not it is needed and whether or not it is a good plan, This
is directly across from commercial and would fit into a pattern where
you would have commercial facing commercial. I don't know what else
you would do with this area, 'I personally feel that this is a good
use for the property. It is the most efficient use of the property,
It is across from commercial and I think will make a good development
together with the fact that you have a petition here signed by 30
people in the area saying they have no objection to it,
Mayor Snyder: I think you have to consider
the alternative here and the
alternative suggested is R-P. My concern for R-P for this corner
is that although it does not generate as much traffic into the
center, it would generate a great deal of traffic that would be
parking there, It seems to me that the service station would leave
the visibility at this corner much better open than a,professional
center, As far as the four intersections, Pacific Lane is a
relatively minor one. It is little use. I do have some concern that
if we were to grant commercial here and a service station .wasn't built
and another shopping center would have the same parking problem that
a professional center would have,
Councilman Nichols: I would concur with your
thinking,. I would also like
to mention once again that the Planning Commission in considering
this matter split on a three -to -two vote and most of it were
objections raised to features that have -been since modified through
the recommendations of our own Planning Department,
Mayor Snyder: I have noticed that where
service stations are 'on
corners that they do tend to.cause a traffic problem if their drive-
ways are too close to the corner and if this is 'approved we could put
the driveways as far back from the corner as possible on each side,
I think that would help,
Planning Directory Mr, Joseph: Resolution No. 1484 contains
conditions which would control
the location of the driveways and move them away from the corners.
That is part of the series of conditions for this.
Motion by Councilman Nichols, seconded by Councilman Heath, and
carried., that Zone Change No, 314 be approved. (Councilman Krieger
voted "No"',)
-14-
C, Ce 9/14/64 Page Fifteen
'ZONE CHANGE NO, 114s ET AL, Continued
Motion by Councilman Nichols, seconded by Councilman Heath, and
carriedl that Unclassified Use Permit No, 90 be approved subject
to the same conditions imposed on Precise Plan of Design No. 416,
(Councilman Krieger voted "No".)
Motion by Councilman Nichols, seconded by Councilman Heath, and
carried, that Precise Plan of Design No. 416 be approved subject
to all conditions of the Planning Commis -sign, (Councilman Krieger
voted "No".)
VARIANCE NO, 518. LOCATION: 1330 West Vine between
Merrill S,, Prows, M.D. South Sunset.and
.DENIED Shadydale,,
Request for non -conforming use, parking and sign in Zone R-1 denied
by Planning Commission Resolution No,, 1657. Appealed by applicant on
August 7, 1964, and set for hearing this date at applicant's request.
City Clerk, Mr, Flotten: (Read Planning Commission
Resolution No. 1657.)
Mayor Snyder.- This is the time and place for
the public hearing.
IN FAVOR
Mr,, Francis J, Garvey
281 East Workman Avenue
Covina
copy of letter from the Director of
submitted, letter from Bel Air Realty
with signatures of neighbors not in
(Submitted photographs for
consideration by the Council,,)
You have a copy of a letter from
Mr. and Mrs. Wyman, (Submitted
the Queen of the Valley Hospital;
Company; submitted a notice
opposition.)
I represent the applicant in
this case who is a physician practicing in the City of West Covina
and a resident thereof since 1956,,, He is a gentleman who prefers.
to practice by himself''and is filing ing for an application for a
variance to permit him to use this single family residence forhis
office, This is located in a tract where,there' are already existing
by variance a commercial -professional building containing eight suites.
He wants permiss-* - on to use this building for his own use and non-
conforming parking and his sign approval.
The building in question is
located at 1330 Vine Street. It was built as a research.home, It
.was the first building built in this general area,, Subsequent homes
were built and now occupy the large bulk of the area easterly of
Sunset and in this general area, This house originally cost about
$509000 and since that time there has . been approximately $10,000
spent on landscaping and the development of a pool., Other homes in
the area are not in the same price bracket and class and this faces
a hardship.in.terms of rental or sale, The 1.740 square feet in this
structure is of.a size sufficient to justify professional offices,,
In comparison to the surrounding homes, it is unsalable and unrentable
i
as residentialits high cost and its location
property because of
directly on Sunset across from the Queen of the Valley Hospital,
It . is discriminated against by the granting in this same tract of
_15-
Co CB 9/14/64
'VARIANCE NO, 518 - Continued
Page Sixteen
•
• a commercial -professional use. Across the street is the Maxson Medical
Building and will contain 20 offices. The Queen of the Valley Hospital
exists by a variance from a R-A zone and not by a hospital zone and
that is an intense medical use and will grow heavier as time goes on.
. The granting_ of this variance
will not be detrimental to the welfare of property in the vicinity.
The property is on Sunset, which is a 100-foot street and on Vine
which deadends at this point. Across the street on Vine is a vacant
lot owned by Suburban Water Company which will be leased, if
necessary, to provide adequate parking. This will retain the
residential character and not be converted into a different exterior
from that which it has now. The studies show that not more than
four patients' automobiles are present at any one time at the doctor's
existing office and with the two of his staff with the courtesy
privileges across the street there would not be four automobiles
present at the property at one time.
If the area is to be effected
by medical buildings, it has already been effected and the addition
of this one single family residential type office will not further
effect it. The precendent for medical in R-1 has already been
established. On October 219 1961, Zone Variance No. 103 granted
permission for the construction of a medical building with less than
the required parking at the southwest corner of Rowland and Sunset.
That was for 2600 square feet and the Council found there would be no
excess noise or incompatability with a completely residential area.
Parking on 1700 square feet
would require 12 parking spaces. You cannot get 12 parking spaces
on this property without tearing down the shrubbery and filling in the
pool and destroying approximately fifteen.to seventeen thousand dollars
worth of landscaping and pool construction. You can get four
spaces on this property which would adequate serve the patients.
We can, if necessary, present a copy of a proposed lease which has
been agreed.to with Suburban Water Systems which owns the lot
directly across the street and they will permit us to lease this
for associated parking use. We have permission from the Directress
of the Queen of the Valley Hospital to use their lot across the
street. The parking lease would be subject to the approval of the
City Attorney,
Regarding the condition of
the Planning Commission of parkway trees,, they want us to pretty
up the Suburban property with parkway trees and with a type of tree
which would utilize some of the parking against the neighbor's lot on
this side. It seems to me buffering of a wall against that would be
adequate to.keep that out. They request a six-foot concrete wall
along both the easterly and westerly property line. The easterly
line makes some sense although,I believe there is an existing fence
but the westerly line along Sunset doesn't make any and would tend
to create a policing problem.
Regarding the Engineering
Department recommendations, we are not sure exactly why sidewalks
should be constructed along Sunset and Vine but we would have no
basic objection,
-16-
C, Co 9/14/64
'VARI'ANCE NO, 518 - Continued
•
. With
can see it is a conventional small sign and
Angeles County Medical Associations ethical
a variance because it is,a residential area
area,
Page Seventeen
respect to the sign
9 you
would conform .to the Los
requirements, We need
rathsr'than a R-P or similar
I submit we have met the four,
qualifications of .the ordinance with respect to showing that similar,
property similarly located within.the same vicinity and zone has-been
given a different treatment than.residential, There'would.not be a
detrimental effect on the surrounding neighborhood because of the
residential appearance of the building which is i' existence, There
would be no noise detriment; that a: one-physician'off�ce would not
generate a volume of traffic unsuited to the entire neighborhood.,
considering that is a flow -away street and that it does not generally'
interfere with the General Plan because the same underlying zone in
the same vicinity has been retained in the General Plan notwithstanding
a similar medical office.use characteristic. I think we have justified
a variance, I would refer to Dr. Prows' own discussion appearing
in the Planning Commission Minutes of August 59 1964 end ask that the
entire discussion therein contained be,incorporated by' 'reference in'
this as part of our case,
Mr, Norman Wyman .I am directly alongside this
1326 West Vine Street property, I have lived there
West Covina ever since Clyde Faust owned
it and who didn't purchase it
from McDonald Brothers, The succeeding owners bought it for speculation
and I spoke to.each one of these people4 This property is expensive
but it is very run down. We have had floods and a lot of.other.problems
living next to vacant property, -I don't see any reason why Dr, Prows
shouldn't be given the right to use this, I think he will improve it
and I don't think he will deteriorate the neighborhood in.any way,
Mr, Joe Faws:
an arrangement as his attorney has
Prows will pave that lot.so there
and plans are made to beautify the
eight or ten vehicles allowed,
I.represent Suburban Water
Systems, Dr, Prows has made
pointed out on the lease, Dr,
will be no.dust or disturbance
lot, There will be no'more than
'IN 'OPPOSITION
Mr; Wayne Gordon, l am right next .to Suburban
1327 West Vine Water Company, I,am very
West Covina definitely opposed 'to.thiso
When we bought this property
it was as a neighborhood and not a speculative type venture,
Dr, Prows' building fronts on Vine Street which is residential. If
he does come in with a doctor's office, it is a business and will
necessitate additional parking and traffic on this,;street, My
wife has already had to use the West Covina Police Department to have:
one car cited for parking in front of;our.driveway from Dr, Prows'
business,
-17-
•
•
Ca C, 9/14/64
VARIANCE NO,.518 Continued
Mr, Arthur T, Yahiro
1331 West Mossberg
West Covina
Page Eighteen
My home is adjacent to Dr, Prows°
property, immediately behind,
I am``opposed to this variance.
The building can be torn down
and another put in its place, One variance granted may lead to another
variance, The realtor asked me if I would mind''a`variance change on'
this property since a doctor was going to buy the property for 'use as
an office, I was asked .at'that time whether I would be interested in
selling part of my back yard. I told them "No", I think we can see
the implications here, As far as the sale, or the value of the
property, I understand the home was sold for $32,000 and it is not in
the range of $50,000, They say this,is a'one-physidian office,
Tomorrow after the variance is granted, it could easily be used for
a two -physician office,
Mr, Jack Joyce I would like to protest that
1331`West Lighthall I was not given notice of this
West Covina hearing although my property
falls within the 300-foot
distance of the Prows -property,
Mayor Snyder: That does not show on the 300-
foot radius,
Mr, Jack Joyce: I appeared before this Council
at the`time the hospital asked
for a variance, At that time I was concerned with the welfare of
our neighborhood, Our concern at that time was that something of this
sort might occur4 that there:might be some intrusion to our residential
neighborhood by doctors, drug stores, florists, industries associated
with the medical profession. We were assured by the officials of
the hospital at that time that there were adequate facilities, adequate
land and property surrounding.the hospital.grounds and it would not
be necessary to disturb,our residential community. The members of
the Council at that time also voiced their assurances that this
residential neighborhood would not be,disturbed., If Dr, Prows gets
this variance it would'be possible for the pharmacist to'thi,nk
my lot, which is directly across`the'street from'the front door of
the hospital, would be a good site.for his drug 'store, 'We,are not
interested in turning our properties into.commercial uses; we are
interested in living in these homes and raising our children in
these homes,
Mr, Lloyd Cherry I am',in favor of preserving
1318 West Mossberg the residential neighborhood,
West Covina I would like you to consider
the decision of the Planning
Commission that the cause for.a variance was.not shown; that it
would be detrimental to the residential neighborhood to bring this
medical office inhere, There is a great deal of medical office
space available in the near neighborhood, We.feel this would change
the character of the neighborhood,
Mrs,'Helen Brown I am a block away, I resent.
1227. West Robindale I.
GarveyPs.inference that
West Covina the medical center on Sunset
is in our tract, It is not;
it borders on it but it is not included, Also, I would like to point
out that there is one doctor occupying that medical center at the
-18-
C, C, 9/14/64
VARIANCE NO, 518 - Continued
Page Nineteen
present times There are adequate medical facilities for doctors now
without including another one, As to the responsibilities of the neighbors
in the cost of that house, this is not.in effect.true, The house has
been bought and sold.many times,' Obviously.there are people who are
willing to buy that house at'its going rate for,residential.property,.
I think it would behoove the
City Council to give careful consideration to spot zoning in light
of the fact that this was a very serious consideration in the last
City Council election,
Councilman Nichols: If I were teetering one way or
the other$ I would vote to
rezone this because I don'tappreciate the nature of your remark
and I will say that clearly without equivocation,
Mr, John McNally I would like all those here
1321 West Vine tonight opposed to this
West Covina matter to please stand, (So
indicated,) There doesn't.
seem to have been shown cause for a variance here, I think we have
shown that there are.other medical facilities available for him,, -
We -feel that this would be a detriment to the neighborhood,
Mr, Raymond Cook The hospital across the street
1327 Lighthall has written a letter saying
West Covina they would like to have the
doctor there, I would like
to point out that the doctor is a customer of that hospital, I
don't care to have a sign going into one of the entrances of the
subdivision that I live in. This house did not sell for $50$000;
it sold for something like $33,000. From the adjoining property
owner we heard that this property was purchased in the past also
for speculation, Finally, it seems that these people aren't
necessarily interested in the beauty of the neighborhood nor were
they interested in the safety of the sidewalks.running in front
of the residence where the children. are going to use it to go to
school, I am against this variance,
REBUTTAL
Dr, Merrill S, Prows.. I can appreciate the neighbors'
feeling in this matter, For
this reason, I believe I have tried to make clear during,the Planning
Commission hearing that their fears are about 90.% unjustified, This
is a use variance, not a zone change,. Yes, there are seven offices
available in that commercial building in the same tract. That was
Lucky Baldwin's fourth subdivision. That is in the same tract and,
that precedent has been established already. I spoke to Mr, Williams,
• our City..Attorney, and he said as a result of my argument at the
hearing that all of the provisions according to the Municipal Code
to apply for a zone variance had been fulfilled.under the law,
To answer the neighbors' fears,,
I do not intend to change the character of this neighborhood, I am
asking to improve this piece of property, I know very well what
traffic hazards can do and I don't see how four cars an hour based,.
on two time -plan studies can possibly create a traffic hazard,
-19-
C, Ce 9/14/64
VARIANCE NO, 519 - Continued
n
L_J
Page Twenty
• In an identical situation on
the corner of Danes and Eckerman and Azusa, Mr, LaBerge was granted
R-P and zone variances of an identical nature .in R-1 areas, This was
in June of this year.
As far as adec!uate facilities,
to use such an argument to say there should never be'a doctor in this
neighborhood because there are other doctors' offices is the same
type of argument you would say when you should never build another
gas station because there are enough gas stations and enough cars
already, Progress dictates that there will be more and more existing
facilities,
Mr. Yohiro, who will be my
.neighbor and who I want to be my friend, is approximately 50 or 60
feet away buffered by the back part of his yard, I have to clarify
the allegation that has been made that I fraudulently got the
signatures that don't object. Mrs. Wyman and Mr. Wyman, directly
east on Lot 474 Mr, and Mrs. Aaron Singer have given me their
personal signature on this affidavit before you9 and.Mr, and Mrs.
Daniel Marcus, directly behind my property, so almost three sides of
the neighbors xi,ost effected by this property are not only .in favor
of it but they are not in opposition to it, Mr, Yohiro is the single
exception,
This is a. quiet office and I
am maintaining it myself, I have spent nearly $400 to clean out
rubbish and fire hazards around this property, About the cost of
this, it is -a matter of record if they want to,see my sales contract,
I bought this<�home for $33,000, Six months before that it was on
the market for $39000 and last fall it was on the market for
$429000 and I would suggest ycu check with Bel Air Realty if there
is any question about the cost of this home.
This home is architecturally
very different from any home in that tract and being'a futuristic
home it can be used for a doctor's `off ce or 'a (professional business
but I intend to -keep it a doctor's office. Most of the people
present tonight were not here at the first hearing. Approximately
eight were there at the Planning Commission hearing and they voiced
their disapproval at that time and I attempted to explain this
situation to theyn;
There being no further public testimony, the hearing was closed,
Mayor Snyder: Is it possible to condition
a.variance as to time?
Acting City Attorney, Mr, Mewello Yes,
Mayor Snyder: Is it possible to condition a
variance as to the person
using it? Would this variance be +ransfarable
Acting City Attorneym Mr, Newell: it is tr.ansferableq, as long as
the use and the conditions
are maintained, The variance is on the land.
-20-
C, Co 9/14/64 Page Twenty -One
'VARIANCE NO, 518 - Continued
• Councilman Krieger I sat in on the hearing before
the Planning Commission and have
had the benefit of additional evidence not so'much in favor as against,
In my mind it resolves itself into Ia question,.does this property belong
to Vine and the neighborhood or does it belong to Sunset,. In weighing
my decision on this particular matter, I have to necessarily look
to the burden and a variance clearly places the burden upon the,
applicant to,prove to the Council the four requirements for a variance,
The second requirement for a variance that bothers me is the one
having to do with the necessity of the preservation and enjoyment
of substantial property rights of other property in the same.vicinity
and zone but which is denied to the 'same property in questions
Do I look at the medical center and say he is being deprived of this
right or do I took at the R-1 property which is bordering him and
say he is not being deprived -of any right? On the balance of
things, I have to necessarily resolve this matter in saying that this
man with a R-1 zoning is not being materially deprived of any right'
which his neighbors now enjoy and on the balance of that it would hav�
to be my decision that this.house belongs to Vine Street and to the
neighborhood and not to. Sunset Avenue,
Councilman Heath: This is difficult because I'
can see many pros and cons in
the discussion, You have a piece of property that can be an eyesore
and a mess and evidently has been a mess and an eyesore for a period
of years, If this man has cleaned out $400 worth of trash, evidently
the property has not been kept up, I would think that if the people
could see this edifice maintained in good condition exactly the way
it is without cars parked in the front of it so the only difference
between it and a residence would be a sign but yet the yard was kept
up and the trash was taken out, this could be an asset to the
community, I would.not agree to park cars in the front of the
building or in the driveway or in the yard because of the fact it
denifitely would have a detrimental effect. If this man parks the
cars across the street and then maintained,the decor of this piece
of property, I think it could be an asset, On the other hand, the
people don't want it, I think this property belongs•to Sunset
because I do feel that 90% of the traffic coming into this would
come from Sunset, I think this is a'difficult piece'of property,
I would like to take a look at the property,
Councilman Jett: I went to see this piece of
property.,. I have known the
property from the day it was built, I have often wondered what would
eventually happen to this particular house,.' I. can't help concur
with what Councilman Krieger and Councilman Heath in part have said.
I hardly feel that in this particular instance that this house by
giving it a variance would actually meet the requirements for a
variance because I can't help but feel you would be giving special
privileges in this particular instance when Vine Street is
practically the only street entering here for all of these people
off of. Sunset Avenue, The house is a problem by nature of the
construction, This is not any reason for a variance because the
house was built that_way and the present proponent knew the condition
of the house when he bought it. It could be made into a lovely home,
The fact that there is a'medical building 150 feet to the north does
not erase the fact that the subject property is immediately
surrounded by residential property,
-21-
C. Co 9/14/64 Page Twenty -Two
VARIANCE NO, 518 - Continued
• Y Councilman Nichols: Man of the P rotestants in the
isaudience are my professional
clients, toot' because for the past many years I have seen this
particular piece of property there and I drive by it many times every
day and it does have some features and some ;aspects to it that make
it different than any other piece of property of a residential nature
over there, I also know that prior' developments have allowed some
medical use on that side of the street in that general area and I know
also the vacancy factors over there.. I can see that the doctor has
some basis for this matter. I think the one condition debated here
is a moot condition. If you apply it'to the immediate R-1 houses,
he doesn't, If you apply it down the street just a little ways, he
probably does, My main concern would be in establishing a precedent
or trend that would allow further development'up and down the
street whereby the next.parcel would come in and want to tear a house
down.and build something on that lot and there we would goo In my
own mind if I could determine a legal way to allow one doctor to
occupy that house as it is without any changes and stiuplated
legally~ and I don't know if this is possible' in such a way that if
there were any efforts to make any changes that this use would
automatically and immediately terminate, I could approach it in
that sort of wayo I don't have this information now and I really
wouldn't be prepared to take a firm stand on this until I had some
more information. My own feeling would be that this matter should
be continued until such time as we can get some definite opinion
on the types of uses. I am thinking in terms of legalities of
conditional use permits over a stipulated period of time and this
sort of thing as contrasted.to a variance and so forth,
Acting City Attorney, Mr, Newell: The applicant has made an
application for a variance
and Mr, Williams has discussed this so I would rather not go into
this,.
Councilman Nichols: .,I would prefer to see this
matter held over'until such
time as,the City Attorney could be present,
Mayor Snyder: As the one speaker in oppostion
stated, I do recall that the
Queen of the Valley Hospital in their application stated that the
character of this neighborhood across the street would be preserved
and the hospital would not then or in the future tend to disrupt this
residential character, I do feel that these people living in this
tract have some basis for feeling that they were unofficially
promised.that this would remain residential. The arguments were
used.at the time the Queen of the Valley Hospital was built that there
was.adequate land for development of professional buildings both on
and off the hospital property. There is, quite a bit of undeveloped
professional property surrounding the hospital that is not even
;built on yet, not counting that not occupied, As a doctor, I am
sympathetic to Dr, Prows' cause and I do think this would be a
beautiful office but sitting up here, I am not a doctor, I am a
Councilman and I don't think this is in'line with our concept for
this area as a residential neighborhood or the General Plan and Tam
afraid it would lead to further deterioration down the street as has
been mentioned, I don't feel this meets the requirements for a
variance,
-22-
0
•
Cd Cd 9/14/64
VARIANCE NO, 518 - Continued
Page Twenty -Three
Councilman Nichols: Move that Variance No, 518 be
continued until the next
Council meeting when the City Attorney can be present and give the
Council some advice relative to this matter,
Mayor Snyder: The motion dies for lack of a
second.
Motion by Councilman Krieger, seconded by Councilman Jett, and
carried: that Variance No, 518 be denied on the basis that they have
not.met the criteria necessary for a variance -and that this would
be detrimental to the neighboring uses,
VARIANCE NO. 519
Robert Ad Aus
APPROVED
Commission Resolution No, 1662,
Planning Director, Mr. Joseph:
Councilman Heath:
in the C-1 zoned Are we legal
as street improvements, sewers,
related to the use requested?
LOCATION: 3032 East Garvey,.
Request to permit dance use
in Zone C-1 approved by Planning
Appealed by Council on August 10, 1964,
(Read Planning Commission
Resolution No, 1662d)
This application is for a
variance to permit dancing
in asking for these conditions such
and other requirements which are not
Acting City Attorney, Mr, Newell: You are within your right to do
that. If the property is
going to be devoted to public use, the improvements are in connection
with the public use. You are completely in control of the situation,
If you grant the variance, you condition it as you wish,
Councilman Heath:. I think these conditions should
be -put in and I think it would
be an. asset to the area and the establishment, I`was just wondering
about the legality of requiring these conditions,
Mayor Snyder:
This is the time and place for
the public hearing,
There being no public testimony$ the hearing was closed,
Councilman Krieger: I was the Councilman who called
this up, I was particularly
concerned with three elements of it. The first had to do with this
is a recent transfer of an beer permit. There were no
objections by the Police Department to that, Secondly, I was
concerned that it was my understanding that perhaps what is con-
templated was outside rather than inside dancing in order to come up
to the.square.footage allowance for dancing purposes. Thirdly,
the attitude of the Police Department as to dancing on Ithis
particular location. I have independently checked into each of those
points with the Planning Department and with the -Police Department
-23-
•
•
Ca C, 9/14/64
VARIANCE NO, 519 - Continued
Page Twenty -Four
and I am satisifed that the condtions that have been imposed requiring
a favorable report from the Police -Department will require an inspection
by the Police Department which would satisfy the questions that I have
in mind and that without satisfaction of the Police Department they
could not go on with this use anyway,
Councilman Heath: Where is this condition shown in
writing?
.Councilman Krieger: The condition I report is
Condition No. 4 as to the Police
Department, I have no objections to making it more stringent I
wanted to be sure these requirements would, be reviewed by some City
agency,
Councilman Heath;
put in writing rather than left
We can add any more restrictions
we want and I think it should be
sort of oblique in this matter.
Mayor Snyder: I fail to see how they meet the
requirements of a variance here,
If it is not C-1 by usage than it. -should be changed. .I don't think
this is the proper way to do it. I don't feel they have met the
requirements of a variance. I would like to see the additional pro-
vision put'in that dancing be limited to inside the building,
Motion by Councilman Krieger' seconded by Councilman Heath$ and
carried$ that Variance No. 519 be approved subject to the conditions
of the Planning Commission and further that Condition No. 6 be added
which requires that any dancing be within a building. (Mayor S1i.yder
voted "No".)
ZONE CHANGE NO. 320 LOCATION: Northwest corner of
Leslie Metcalf$ M,D. Cameron and Sunset
APPROVED between Cameron and
Service;
Request to reclassify from Zone R-A to Zone R-P denied by Planning
Commission Resolution No. 1675. Appealed by applicant on August 21,
1964,
City Clerk$ Mr. Flotten:
Mayor Snyder:
'IN 'FAVOR
(Read Planning Commission
Resolution No. 16756)
This is the time.and place for
the public hearing.
Mr, George Riley: I am the doctor's architect
Everything along this side of
the street is other than non-residential in character. The present
property has been planned for future use as a fire station for the
City$.however no funds have been budgeted to purchase the property,
The Channel. divides the property pretty much. On either side of
the Channel it has been leap-froggad by City use, The doctor is
negotiating to buy the whole Deice to develop a medical building,
There being no further public testimony$ the hearing was closed,
-24-
C, C, 9/14/64 Page Twenty -Five
-ZONE CHANGE NO. 320 - Continued
•
•
Councilman Heath:
Regarding the comments made by
the Planning Commission,
one of
them is the fact that this
developed into R-P would be a detriment to
the neighborhood. I can't
follow this when you have a public use
building directly across the
street. I think the way this property
is shaped it would be ideal
for a R-P use, You couldn't put R-1
in there because.you can't
get a street in that area. I feel it is
a handicapped piece of property
and I can't follow the reasoning
on the Planning Commission
for those points. I don't see what else
it could be used for,
Mayor Snyder:
What is the size of the
applicant/ s property?
Ozella Gross:
It is 41/100ths of an acre,
The remaining portion to the
north is not a part of the
application. It is about an acre,
Councilman Heath:
'I would like to ask the Councilman
sitting .in on the Planning
Commission hearing was there
an indication that the reason this was
turned down was they didn't
.know what the rest of the property was
to be developed?
Councilman Krieger:
There was a motion by
Commissioner Travis to approve
the zone change which died
for lack of a second. There was an additional
statement saying that the area was not conducive.to this type of
zoning and to leave it R-A
and that it was not good planning to put
R-P in this particular location
The motion was made following that
statement,
Councilman Heath: The Commissioner said to leave
it R-A?
Councilman Krieger: He said it is R-A right now and
went on to state that he was
not concerned whether the City was going to acquire the property or
not but he did not think it was good planning to put R-P zoning on
this particular location_,
Councilman Heath: There has to be a use for the
property -- some use -- and I
think if we take a good look at this we will agree it should be R-P,
Mayor Snyder: I think the fact that it is
suggest public use on the
General Plan fits in with a professional use. This fits in with the
General Plan,
• Councilman Nichols: The only thought that I have
on th:s matter at the moment
would be to ask the .Councilmen who denied the last request for a
medical facility partly on the basis that there is no need, to now
justify the granting of this zoning upon the supposition that there
is now need --
Mayor Snyder: I don't think they are similar.
The other zoning was an intrusion
on a residential area,
-25-
C, C, 9/14/64
Page Twenty -Six
'ZONE CHANGE NO, 320
- Continued
•
Councilman Jett:
I felt .the other one did not meet
the requirements for a variance,
I don't think I made
any statement at .all as far..as'the need was
concerned, I think
this particular piece of property, I don't see who
it could hurt, I think
it is a piece of property -that substantially.
lies, within the Civic
Center area,.
Mr, George Riley:
Perhaps the whole piece could
be zoned; The doctor_ is
negotiating.for it,
Mayor Snyder:
It .can't be zoned under this
application,
Motion by Councilman.Heath,.seconded
by Councilman Jett, and carried,
that Zone Change No,
320 be approved. (Councilmen Krieger and Nichols
voted. "No" , )
AMENDMENT NO, 65
Request for amendment to the
City Initiated
Municipal Code relating to yard
HELD OVER
and setback.prAvisions..as they,
relate to the R-A and R-1'Zones.
approved by Planning Commission
Resolution No. 1667;
Motion by Councilman
Heath, seconded by Councilman Jett, .and carried,
that Amendment No,:,65 be held over to.the meeting of September 28.9 19640
GENERAL MATTERS
ORAL COMMUNT',GATIpNS
SI,GNAGE PROBLEM
Mr, Joe Bloom:
Thank you very,much for the.
fine.j.ob that your City
Engineer,,Mr, Adams,
did on the.placement of�the street sign. Im
happy to see'he is aware of.the crosswalk and sidewalks,' I am sure
under his management
the proper things will be placed.:n short or c sr,
This is at the intersection of Hollyoak crtn Azusa Avenue,
Councilman Heath:.
When Mr. Adams was appoint�4'.
I stated that I,thought h:`
was.a very capable person. He has proven.thiS.more then adequately,.
I think. he is.doing an exceptionally good job andI have gotten �'
this from.many other
people who have workers with him,
Mayor Snyder:
I aurae with yQu;F
-26'-
Ca C,. 9/14/64,
Page Twenty -Seven
'GENERAL MATTERS - Continued
•
•
WRI'TTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None
;CITY ATTORNEY
ORDINANCE NO, 880
The Acting City Attorney presented:
ADOPTED
"AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Southerly Annex..Dist. No. 185
OF.THE CITY OF WEST COVINA
APPROVING THE ANNEXATION TO,
INCORPORATING IN, AND MAKING 'A
PART OF _SAID CITY OF WEST COVINA
CERTAIN UNINHABITED TERRITORY
OUTSIDE SAID CITY AND CONTIGUOUS
THERETO KNOWN AS SOUTHERLY
ANNEXATION DISTRICT NO, 185"
Motion by Councilman Heath, seconded
by Councilman Krieger,:,and
carried, to waive further reading.of
the body of the ordinanoee
Motion by Councilman Heath, seconded
by Councilman Krieger, that said
ordinance be adopted, Motion passed on roll call'as follows*:,,
Ayes: Councilmen Jett, Krieger, Nichols, Heath,Mayor
Snyder
Noes.: None
Absent: None
Said ordinance was given No, 880,
ORDINANCE NO, 881
The Acting City Attorney presented:
ADOPTED
"AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
Northeasterly Annex. Dist. No. 186
OF THE CITY, OF WEST COVINA
APPROVING THE ANNEXATION'TO,.
INCORPORATING IN,.AND.MAKING A:
PART OFSAID CITY OF WEST COVINA
CERTAIN:ONINHABITED TERRITORY
OUTSIDE SAID CITY AND CONTIGUOUS.
THERETO KNOWN AS NORTHEASTERLY
ANNEXATION DISTRICT NO,: 1861f
Motion by Councilman Heath,•seconded
by•Councilman Krieger, and
carried, to waive further reading of
the body of the ordinance,
Motion by Councilman Krieger, seconded by Councilman Jett, that said
ordinance be adopted, Motion papped
on'roll-ca_jl;as follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Jett, Kr.ieger9;Nichols,
Heath,''Mayor Snyder.
Noes: None
Absent: None
Said ordinance was given No, 881,
-27_
•
•
Page Twenty -Eight
ORDINANCE INTRODUCTION
The Acting City Attorney presented:
Zone Change 315
"AN ORDINANCE OF THE
HE CITY COUNCIL
CIL
Mayer
OFITHE CTTY'OF WEST COVINA
AMENDING THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL
CODE SO AS TO REZONE CERTAIN,
PREMISES"' (Zt 3159 Mayer)
Motion by Councilman Heath,
seconded
by Councilman Jett,and carried,
to waive further reading of
the body
of the resolution,
Motion by Councilman Heath,
seconded
by Councilman Jett, and carried$
that said ordinan.qe be introduced..:
(Counc;ilman!Krie 6r voted IiN tl,,)
9 0
.ORDINANCE INTRODUCTION
The Acting City Attorney presented:
Amending Ordinance No. $79
"AN ORDINANCEOFTHE.CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA.
AMENDING ORDINANCE NO, 8791t.
Acting City Attorney, Mr. Newell.-
(Read saidordinance in full.)
Motion by Councilman Heath,
seconded
by..Councilman Krieger, and
carriedq that said ordinance
be introduced,
,CITY MANAGER REPORTS
NEPTUNE & THOMAS PRELIMINARY STUDY
City Manager, Mr, Aiassa:
this matter,, We received a splendid
would like permission to acknowledge
Senator Kuchel.
Mayor Snyder:
RESOLUTION NO,, 3003
ADOPTED
Mayor Snyder:
We have to
pass a resolution.
You have received, copies of
letter from . Sdnator Kuchel,
a letter of.appreciation 'io
.There are no objections to
you
ackno.wledgiTig,this letter,
The City Manager presented:.
RESOLUTION'OFTHE CITY COUNCIL
.OF THE.CITYQf WEST COVINA
APPROVING THE COMPLETED PLA �NNING
DOCUMENTS 091"
1 1 l . TPARED IN ADVANCE
FROM THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
..UNDER PUBLIC' LAW '56109 THE 831RD
CONGRESS Of THE UNITED STATES,
AS AMENDED"
.Hearing no objections, we will
waive further reading of'th the
body of the'resolut} on.
-28-
C. Ca 9/14/64 Page Twenty -Nine
'RESO'LUTION NO, 3003 Continued
Motion by Councilman Heaths seconded by Councilman Krieger, that said
resolution be adopted,
Councilman Jett: According to the letter we have
received, it is questionable
as to whether we are going to receive .the H,H.F.A. funds for this.
Project,*
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa:. We have validated this. The
H.H.F.A. is advancing $32,786.00
towards'.this project, This represents.a little over. 12%. Neptune and
Thoma6,has completed a little more than that the date this was filed.'
The application and.the resolution .you are adopting is for $32,786.00.
our contract was to June 4 and at that time we were to complete our
entirs report which included,the.auditorium and the cultural building.
The County deleted that section. By the hiring of the Stanford
Resear,dh Institute we were.going to have the feasibility study to.see
whether we could support an auditorium, We are going to make a
separate application for.that particular phase of it but we will not
make this application until the S,R.I, report is complete to tell us
whether it is feasible for us to support a regional auditorium as
opposed.to a civic auditorium,
Councilman Jett: Our major program is not the
auditorium;
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa: The major program is the City
Hall and the police facilities.
Councilman Jett: According to this letter.,.the
term'of our contract has.
expired and there is a possibility of our losing the H.lij.A. funds.
I'voted against this originally because I don't.think it is money
wisely`.spent, If we are going to build a City Hall and a Police
Department let's get on with it,
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa: Neptune and Thomas has done
quite a bit,
Councilman Jett: I am talking about getting the
job moving;.
Mayor Snyder: The next thing to get going
on this is to pass this
resolution.
Action on Councilman Heath's motion: Motion passed on roll call as
follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Krieger, Nichols, Heath, Mayor Snyder
• Noes: Councilman Jett
Absent: None
Said resolution was given No. 30034
-29-
1-1
C. C. 9/14/64
CITY MANAGER REPORTS - Continued:
Page Thirty.
FEES AND CHARGES STUDY
City Manger, Mr. Aiassa: This was requested by the Council.,
This work was done by our Coro man,
Hugh Davy. I would like the Council to take time to review this matter -
and put it on.the agenda for the 28th. We have charts and other data to
go with it.
Councilman Heath: Have we changed our fees recently?
Planning Director, Mr. Joseph.: The variance fee has been changed
within the last six months.
City Manager, Mr..Aiassa:
PROGRESS REPORT MEMO
Leeds, Hill & Jewett, Inc.
City Manager, Mr. Aiasra:
"To Mr. Aiassa
From Leeds, Hill & Jewett, Inc.
Dated August 27, 1964
(Passed out report by Dr..Snyder
when he attended the finance
meeting in Berkeley.)
(Read the following report re this
matter.)
This is for your information.
Pursuant to your request the enclosed schedule shows our
preliminary estimate of time required to complete the
various portions of our Feasibility Study for the City of
West Covina. You.will note that although the.contract
estimates a completion time of 9 months I have scheduled
the study for a 7 month completion date in order to allow
2 months for unforseen contingencies which almost always
seem to occur in studies of this type.
Mr. Garnier, president of Suburban Water Company,the
major water supplier to the City,.is not available at
this time and will not be back in his office until Sep-
tember 8, 1964. Thus we will not know the probable ex-
tent of co-operation from this company until that time.
We will commence contact with some of the other water
companies that serve the City and start collecting other
pertinent information in connection with the study. I
will keep you informed from time to time as to our pro-
gress,
/s/ Myron B. Holburt, Supervising Engineer"
-30-
C. C. 9/14/64
PROGRESS REPORT - Continued:
Page Thirty- A
"Estimate Work Schedule
CONTRACT ITEM Sept. Oct.
Nov;
Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar.
*General Famil- X
iarity
1> Inventory of
Assets X X
2> Water Supplies
& Water Rights X
X
3. Revenues .&
Expenses. X
X
4. Elements of
Value
X
X
5. Adequacy & Depre-
ciation of Systems
X
6. Cost of Acquisition.
of Systems
X
7, Cost of Additions
& Betterments
X
8. Annual Cost
X
9, Prelim. Financial
Analysis
X
*Preparation of Report
& Exhibits
X
*No contract item number.
CHANGE OF PAY DAYS TO 5TH AND 20TH
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa: It appears we are having a
definite problem in deter-
mining the payroll. We pay the 1st and the 15th of the month.
A lot of the departments have to extend their time or guess their
time of some of the,employees working on per diem or otherwise. They
would like to propose we change the payroll to the 5th and the 20th
and this would allow sufficient time for the Finance Department and
the various departments to complete the payroll so it is accurate and
there will be no counter adjustments. They will propose this change
over in a period of several months. The Employees' Association feels
that this is valuable and acceptable, We need an approval to insti-
tute such a program,
Councilman Heath: What do the employees think
of this?
Finance Director, Mr. Kay: The Employees' Association in a
meeting said they would go along
with it. They are not particulary enthusiastic but they apparently
understand the problem.
- 30-A -
0
e
C. C. 9/14/64 Page Thirty -One
PAY DAYS.- Continued: _ u.
Councilman Krieger: How do you avoid estimating per--.'
diem just because you move the dates?.
Finance Director, Mr. Kay: When we pull the payrolls in now we
pull in on the loth and'they are com-
pleted by the department heads to the 15th. We would then pull them in on
the 16th.
Councilman Jett: This sounds like,a reasonable change.
Is this something that should be'sub-
mitted to the Personnel Board and taken up with the employees to see what
the reaction is?
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa: We took it up with the Employees'
Association. We will do this over
a long period of time. They will.change a day each month. Nobody will
really suffer. It will take five months before this will'go into full
effect.
Councilman Heath: Mr. Martin, did you get opposition
from -the employees on this?
Mr. Dan Martin: Generally, there has been a dissension
against it.ibut a Board of Directors at
a meeting approved it. After realizing the problem I feel it is a suitable
request although the employees don't want the 5th and the 20th.
Councilman Heath: I can see that this is desirable but I
think there is a better plan of every
two weeks rather than in some cases three weekends.
Finance Director, Mr. Kay: I do believe that'I have taken
this approach that you have brought
up with Mr. Martin and this is a very good step toward this biweekly pay
and I have promised Mr. Martin I would work at it.
Councilman Heath:
Why not do it in one step instead of
two?
Mr. Kay: Because I think it is going to take a
good six or eight months of work with
the employees to do this. We will have to revise their pay plan very sub-
stantially.
Councilman Heath: I think since we have a Personnel
Board we should use them and get a
recommendation from them instead of disregarding them.
Move this be referred to the Per-
sonnel Board to work out with the City employees.
Councilman Jett: I can't help but feel that this is a
good idea. Let the Personnel Board
work on this. I will second the motion to refer it to the Personnel Board.
Action on Councilman Heath's motion: Motion carried.
RESOLUTION ON FEATHER RIVER
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa:
Read the following report regarding.
this matter:
-31-
f
I
C. C. 9/14/64
RESOLUTION ON FEATHER RIVER - Continued:
Page Thirty -Two
"One vitally important issue for Contractors at"this time is
the question of the Feather River'Railway abandonment.' The
final decision has not yet been made, but the Department Iof
'Water Resources statesthat if , y have relocated the Railway
(acostapproaching $9' OOO.00) rather than abandon it '(a
cost appraised at $115,000,) the exhorbitant charge will be
assumed by the State Water Contractors. In the case of West
Covina, for our 10,000 acre feet we would have to pay an extra
$21,000.00 with interest. The Department of Water Resources'
urges Contractors to send in a resolution on the Feather River
Railway to the Interstate Commerce Commission in Washington
supporting appointment. Such a resolution is now being pre-
pared and will be ready for the next Council meeting September 14, 1964.'
Councilman Jett: This is a cost that could materially
effect the City of West Covina. In
the event that the Interstate Commerce Commission approved the request of
the owners of this railroad:we, as a City contracting for 10,000 acre feet
of water, it could cost us around $22,000. We feel the appraised value of
the railroad is what should be the consideration for the settling of this
suit. The staff has prepared a resolution ,I would like to see approved to-
night and sent to the Interstate Commerce Commission.
RESOLUTION NO. 3004 The City Manager presented:
ADOPTED "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF WEST COVINA ON ABANDONMENT
OF THE FEATHER RIVER RAILWAY"
Mayor Snyder: Hearing no objections, we will waive
further reading of the body of the
resolution.
Motion by Councilman Heath, seconded by Councilman Jett, that said resolu-
tion be adopted. Motion passed on roll call as follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Jett, Krieger, Nichols, Heath, Mayor Snyder
Noes: None
Absent None
Said resolution was given No. 3004.
GOLD-THOMPSON FINAL PAYMENT
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa: I would suggest this matter be referred
to the Personnel Board because the Per-
sonnel Board hasn't had a chance to review this report. This matter could
be brought up on the.28th of September.
Motion by Councilman Krieger, seconded by Councilman Jett, and carried, that
the Gold -Thompson Report be transmitted to the Personnel Board for report to
the Council on September 28, 1964.
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa:
We owe Mr. Gold $1,250.00 as a partial
payment.
Motion by Councilman Heath, seconded by Councilman Jett, that authorization
be given to draw a warrant in the amount of $1,250.00 for Gold -Thompson.
Motion passed on roll.call as follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Jett, Krieger, Nichols, Heath, Mayor Snyder
Noes: None
Absent: None
-32-
C, C, 9/14/64 Page Thirty -Three
CITY MANAGER REPORTS - Continued
PROGRESS REPORT MEMO
Stanford Research Institute
City Manager, Mr, Aiassa: You have received a copy.of
this. We keep giving you these
progress reports so you will know the various levels where we are
working, As soon as the conclusion report is available the Council.
can have a meeting with the representatives of S.R.I. as to their
findings and conclusions, I would like the report to be acknowledged
as being received,
Mayor Snyder:
PETITION PROTESTING NO STOPPING SIGN
So acknowledged,
City Manager, Mr; Aiassa: You have a memo of protestants
on a particular no stopping
sign, I would like to have this referred to the Traffic Committee
for a report to the City Council,
Motion by Councilman Nichols, seconded by Councilman Heath, and
carried, to acknowledge the receipt of the aforementioned petition
and forward. it to the Traffic Committee for report to the Councilo.
ADMINISTRATIVE AIDE RECLASSIFICATION.
City Manager, Mr, Aiassa: I am stepping Mr. Windsor up sto
Administrative Analyst, Ne
has finished his position as Administrative Aide, The position of
Administrative Aide will be vacant,
Councilman Heath: Sometime in the near future I
would like to have some
information as to the efficiency of putting an.Administrative Aide
at a high rate of $75.0 a month doing the work we had a secretary
of $450 a month"doing. I am interested in knowing how the
economics work out on the replacement of this secretary with a
$750 man beside the fact we have to.bring someone else in whenever
there is some shorthand to be done, I 'think there is a lack of
efficiency somewhere in substituting a higher rate for something we
could get a lower rate fora
Mayor Snyder: He is not doing the work the
secretary was doing, Mro
Windsor is the one who makes most of these reports$ does the research
• and so on and in my work with him.as Mayor he has collected much
information for me, He doe's many things that a secretary could not do,
Councilman Heath: I would like to look into it
further,
Mayor Snyder: Could we have a report on just
what he does?
Councilman Heath: I don't think it is needed,
-33-
C. C. 9/14/64
HUNTINGTON BEACH FREEWAY REPORT
Page Thirty -Four
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa: When we have this joint meetng"we
would like to include the Huntington
Beach Freeway along with the San Bernardino,Freeway analysis.
Councilman Jett: I think this is an all-important pro-
gram to the City because this is going
to, in effect, divide the City with a freeway running north a,nd south and
one going east and west and I would certainly like to have the benefit of
all of us getting together and discussing this program. What we recommend
now will, in essence, effect the alignment of the southerly portion where
it would enter the City. I would like to see a joint meeting with the
Planning Commission, if possible.
Mayor Snyder: Perhaps the Highway Committee of'the
Chamber of Commerce should be invited
because they deferred any resolution on that.
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa:
LETTER FROM L.A. COUNTY FLOOD
CONTROL DISTRICT RE STORM DRAINS
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa:
Fine.
I would like to give the Council our
proposed schedule of these storm drains
(Read the following report re this matter.)
"To: City Manager & City Council Date: Sept. 14, 1964
From: John Q. Adams, Public Service Director
Re: Construction Schedules for 1958 Bond Issue Storm Drains
As you know, a contract has been awarded by the LACFCD to the joint
venture of N.A. Artukovich Construction, et al for construction of
the City's remaining 1958_ Bond Issue Storm Drains. Following is a
description of these drains and schedules for construction:
Vincent Ave. - San Bernardino Frwy. to START COMPLETE
Center Street 10/19/64 11/23/64
Lark Ellen Ave. - Puente Ave. to San
,Bernardino Frwy. 11/9/64 2/9/65
Merced Ave. & Vine Ave. - Orange Ave.
to Holly Place 12/21/64 5/15/65
The proposed traffic handling procedures during construction of these
drains have been reviewed and approved by our Traffic Engineering
Section. The Vincent Avenue Drain has been scheduled as the first
item of work in order to clear this area prior to the holiday season
and to.complete such work prior to commencement of the Vincent Inter-
change modification project which could conceivably commence in
January 1965.
We will keep you advised of any changes in schedules or problems that
may be encountered as work progresses. /s/ John Q. Adams"
PUBLIC NUISANCE ABATEMENT
• Sub -standard Structure
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa: This is the Ruppert building. You have
all received copies of this report. I
would like to,refer to Mr. Fowler's memo of April 26. (Read said memorandum
re this matter.) Does this meet the satisfaction of the Council?
Councilman Krieger: There was additional correspondence
received in my file in which the City
Attorney stated an opinion as to the enforceability of our finding of an
abatement where there was a sale of property. I would like to have an
opinion from the City Attorney in more detail on this particular subject
-34-
C. C. 9/14/64 Page Thirty -Five
PUBLIC NUISANCE ABATEMENT — Continued:
Councilman Krieger - Continued:
because as I understood.it he said we had'to start over again in the event
this man did not comply. This seems to be less than the salutory"solution
to these abatement situations. In this instance we may have-Iucked out.
Mayor Snyder: Is it the'staff's'opinion with the
:improvements he has made that would
satisfy your conditions?
Public Services Director, Mr. Adams: He has indicated that he will take
action that would satisfy our con-
ditions.
APPRAISAL ON PROPOSED PARK SITE
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa:
COST STUDIES FOR PROPOSED
PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa:
We will hold this to the 28th.
We can hold this to the 28th.
REGIONAL PLANNING ZONING CASE NO. 4806-(1)
Planning Director, Mr. Joseph:
This matter was first before the
County in 1959 and denied. It was a
similar application. It was before
they are making a request before
the
the Planning.Commission in 1962. -Now
County for Highway'Commercial, C-2,
and some other zones in there.
The
Planning Commission, after reviewing
the information presented to it,
decided
to reiterate its position of
opposition on this and directed
the
Planning Department to write a strong
letter of protest to the County
and
we have done this. You received copies
of that letter.
Councilman Heath:
What else can the property be used
for? I don't think it can be used
for R-1.
Councilman Krieger: I would like to stay with the letter
written to the County from the Plan-
ning Commission.
Councilman Jett: I think I would go along with the
Planning Commission.
Mayor Snyder: I would agree that this is not good
commercial. I am not convinced it is
good R-1 but it is not good commercial and I would go along with the Plan-
ning Commission.
Motion by Mayor Snyder, seconded by Councilman Jett, and carried, that the
information fromthe Planning Commission be noted as being received and be
placed on file. (Councilman Nichols voted "No".)
i Motion by Councilman Krieger, seconded.by Councilman Jett, and carried, that
the previous motion be rescinded,
Motion by Councilman Nichols, seconded by Councilman Heath, and carried,
that the City Council go on record affirmatively as supporting the action
of the Planning Commission regarding Regional Planning Zoning Case No.
4806-(1). (Councilman Heath voted "No".)
-35-
i
•
CA C. 9/14/64
CITY MANAGER REPORTS`- Continued
OPTION WATER FROM STATE
Page Thirty -Six
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa: They have provided us with an
amendment for the surplus water
we authorized, Mr, Warren also suggested that we immediately start
proceedings to validate our contract. `There is also a suggestion
of an additional resolution which Mr. Valentine said we could hold
off to the next meeting.
Motion by Councilman Jett, seconded by Councilman Krieger, and carried,
to direct the City Attorney to amend our existing contract to include
the additional 1500 acre feet as attached and further that the,City
Attorney be directed to proceed immediately to complete validation
of our State contract of water. (Councilman Heath voted "No".)
Motion by Councilman Krieger,'seconded by Councilman Jett, and carried#
that the City Attorney be directed to take immediate action to,
validate the contract between the State of California and the City
of West Covina for water, (Councilman Heath voted "No",)
SIDEWALK.DAMAGE ON SPRUCE STREET
City Manager, Mr, Aiassa:
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING LARTS
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa:
PRELIMINARY'REPORT ON PROPOSED
STREET IMPROVEMENTS
We can hold this to the next
meeting.
This also can beheld to the
next meeting.
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa: This is the report on the
Citrus Street improvements.
(Read said report.) Just accept the report, The review will be
presented at the next meeting,)
Mayor Snyder: All right.
REPORT ON SIGNING OF INTERSECTION
AND SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa: I would like to have this
report accepted and we will
proceed from there. This is Mr. Bloom's concern over lack of
sidewalks, If there are no objections, we will just accept the
report.
Mayor Snyder There are no objections,
-36-
C, C. 9/14/64
'CITY MANAGER REPORTS - Continued,
NOTICE OF HEARING BEFORE P.U,C,
Greyhound rate increase
Page Thirty -Seven
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa: There is a definite rate
increase for the P.U.C.
There will be a hearing in San Francisco on the 21st at ten o'clock
in the Commission Room, I would like to refer this to the Chamber
of Commerce Transportation Committee.
Motion by Councilman Nichols, seconded by Councilman Krieger, and
carried, that the matter of the Greyhound'rate increase be referred
to the Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee,
MEETING DATE
City Council 6 General Telephone
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa: This is between Mr. Heath and
Mr. Snyder, Mr, Bonelli says
he will be concerned and interested in this matter. You have a
meeting set up with him on the 30th of the month.
Councilman Heath:
Mayor Snyder:
HOME SAVINGS 6 LOAN HEARINGS
September 16, 1964
Should I carry on with this?
Yes. We wrote letters to all
the Assemblymen.
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa: This is set for the 16th of
September before the Planning
Commission. All who are concerned should be there.
Mayor Snyder: Maybe we had better change our
meeting with Covina Valley
Water so we can attend the Planning Commission meeting. The water
meeting isn't quite as urgent, We will change the meeting with
the water district to the evening of Wednesday, September 23, at
seven o'clock, That is a dinner meeting.
TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MINUTES
Motion by Councilman Krieger, seconded by Councilman Jett, and carried,
that the Traffic Committee Minutes of August ll, 1964'be accepted and
placed on file,,
PRECISE PLAN AND SUBDIVISION COMMITTEE
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa: We have this completed, This
is a report for you.
-37-
i
C, Cd 9/14/614
CITY MANAGER REPORTS - Continued
COUNCIL REPRESENTATIIVE FOR SELECTTO'j
COMMITTEE OF RAPID TRANSIT DISTRICT
City Manager, mr, i�ias,';a:
USE OF FIRE TRUCK FOR ROSEMEAD PARADE
Page Thirty7Eight
We have this report ready for
you
City Manager$ Mr. Aiassa- I need Leeway for them to
got
Motion by Councilman Nichols, seconded by Councilman Heathr and
carried, that the fire truck be authorized to *anticipate in the
Rosemead Parade,
LEGAL COUNSEL FOR CRIME DROTIE("T T ON
e � City Managed Mr., Aiassa,., We -light acknowlI.,d,,, a letter
0m,
r
X, - Aldge Martin.: on the
f
recent Supreme Court decision on thisState,
Mayor Snyder: 'lie has a snggesticn for a
Supreme Councilo
Motion by Courcilman seconded by Coancilman Jlctt�-and
carried, that this matter he referred to the oity Attori'i(--y to see
what kind of, a recommendation he can come u-c with,
AZUSA VALLEY WATER COMMISSI'(DN RATE INCREASE
City Manager5 Mr, Ait-.ssa: Tt16 i.�:. the C' on L
rent--n-t
for you, We di�"`l the cr,"J'zi-nal -I pv i "n o 'n Pe
W a
for 336 1000,,, cnd tliey, 32 r t) xate-
4. ' ti, is
pvesente4d I ..IrIK
Is 0 n t A z 1 j
AMENDMENT NC, 52
City Manager.,Mr. ,, Aiassa: h'as me
,,t Nc)�. 52 ,to b!Irl" Up Amc
F, f
the Planning Commission recommendatinn to act or, Amendyr..ent- 52,
Mayor Snlydero Hold it to the 28th,
Councilman Krieger: 1 would request t'liat" we do take
it up on the �'8 trb,
Mayor Snyder- Put it 7n the agenda.,
C, C, 9/14/64 Page Thirty -Nine
'CITY MANAGER REPORTS - Continued
RESOLUTION NO. 3005 The City Manager presented;
ADOPTED "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
A. D. 64-A®1 OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA
GRANTING CONSENT TO A,D, 64-A-1
IN THE CITY OF BALDWIN PARK"'
City Manager, Mr, Aiassa- (Read resolution in full.)
Public Services Director, Mr, Adams: They want to tie in a -small
area of their sewer district
into our.lines.,
Motion by Councilman Heath, seconded by Councilman Krieger, that said
resolution be adopted. Motion passed on roll call as follows:
Ayes- Councilmen Jett, Krieger, Nichols, Heath, Mayor Snyder
Noes: None
Absent- None
Said resolution was given No, 3005.
COUNTY ZONING CASE 4639-(1)
Planning Director, Mr. Joseph: This is the property on Lark
Ellen and Francisquito,
(Gave brief summary of the matter,) The Planning Commission wrote
a letter of opposition and this has been pending, The County has
denied this which conforms with the City's desires in this matter,
We don't need any action, There probably will be an appeal to the
Board of Supervisors and we rarely get notice of that and they can
act without public hearing, If we receive any information from the
County we will pass this on to the Commission and the Council.
NON -CONFORMING "A" SIGNS
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa- We have a great deal of non-
conforming sandwich boards.
These are not legal under our present ordinance. Gas stations are.
given a certain amount of leeway on that but it is very limited.
I have only one choice. According to my procedure I have to
administer it and if I have to take them to the D.A,'s Office they
will serve on them but he doesn't want to unless I have an express
directive from the Council.
Councilman Krieger; What would lead the City
Is Manager to think otherwise?
City Manager, Mr, Aiassa I would like a motion to
adhere to this ordinance on
the sandwich boards because we can give notice and get it over with,
Councilman Nichols- There is no question but that
we should adhere as long as
we have it on the books, There are barbers all over the City who
are conforming and looking upon one or two who don't conform and
therefore we are in a position where I think we are obligated to
enforce the ordinance,
C, C, 9/14/64
NON -CONFORMING "A" SIGNS - Continued
Motion by Councilman Nichols, seconded by
carried, that the City Manager be directed
concerning non -conforming ''A" signs.
WATER AMENDMENTS
Page Forty
Councilman Krieger, and
to administer the ordinance
City Manager, Mr, Aiassa; These are the water amendments
we have been talking to you
about, We would like to have you review. these.
Councilman Jett: The San Bernardino group said
in view of the fact that Kern
County and M,W.D* had resolved this problem and that the other
contractors had, in effect, went along and cooperated in every way
they possibly could they thought M,,W.D, should show their good faith
by making a statement that they would now withdraw all opposition
to the construction.of the East Branch. There was some real
manuevering that took place. That was brought up four different
times and we requested that M,W.D, give some answers. They went
into a huddle with their attorneys, Just before the close, Mro
Warne asked the group if there was anyone in M,W,D, who would care,
to answer this request, They didn't say a thing. I think this is
something we are going to have to look to in the future that we can
expect some opposition when we get going,
CITY MANAGER'S LETTER TO PIERRE SALINGER
Mayor. Snyder: If there are any written
communications I would like
them introduced first and then we will hear from the audience. I
would request that the oral presentations be limited to'two minutes
each and that they be based on facts. It is my opinion that after
this any Council discussion on this should take place in a
personnel session, It is a personnel matter and not a public matter,
Councilman Heath: I don't think we can do that
because this is a violation
of the Brown Act inasmuch as this type of discussion Mr, Williams...
has ruled must come out on the Council floor and I am not going to
be a party to a violation of the Act,.
Mayor Snyder: My`only concern is limiting
this to a discussion of
facts, I don't want this to break into a donnybrook,
Councilman Heath: I am bringing the message to
this Council from some of the
constituents where they have come to me and asked me if I would
present to this City Council a request for an explanation of .a
letter written by the City Manager to a candidate for public office,
Councilman Krieger: I would request an opinion
of our acting City Attorney
who is here tonight, Mr.. Newell, as to whether or not this subject
matter is or is not a personnel matter and therefore may it or may.it
not be treated in an executive session?
-.40-
C, C, 9/14/64 Page Forty -One
CITY MANAGER'S LETTER TO PIERRE SALfiNGER - Continued
•
Acting City Attorney, Mr, Newell: Executive session is proper
and it is acceptable in the
Brown Act, Any matter concerning a reprimand or review of an
employee's action can beheld in executive session, What this is, I'm
not quite sure, Mr, Heath indicates that there are people who want
to bring something to the Council's attention. If there is something
that the public wishes to bring to the Council's attention, they can
listen to it and the rest would be up to you whether you want an
executive session or an open session.
Councilman Krieger: Move that at the close of the
public hearing on this matter
that the Council, adjourn into an executive session and any comments
of the Council as individuals or collectively will be made in the
executive session.
Councilman Heath: You can't do that by a motion
because a Councilman is
entitled to speak on the floor on any subject he cares to speak on
and cannot be curbed by any member of the Council. I reserve the
right to speak in a public meeting.
Mayor Snyder: We have a motion on the floor.
I would like a review of the
ordinance regarding that statement. I feel that the majority of the
Council can limit the debate of other Councilmen and.I think the
ordinance specifically says so,
Councilman Heath: I am interested in knowing
what everybody is afraid of.
Mayor Snyder I am not afraid of anything.
I am concerned that this will
break down into a vendetta instead of a true expose of this. I
have had good indications that this is the purpose behind this meeting.
Councilman Heath I think you are jumping at
conclusions and I don't think
you have aright to do this. I think any Councilman has a right to
discuss on the floor anything he cares to bring up.
Mayor Snyder: I have been informed of this
as it happened while I was
gone, I -have read the papers. As far as Tam concerned, there is
being amountain made out of a molehill, If you want to waste your
time on this Council arguing silly things like this instead of getting
down to the business of the City, then you can. I am willing to
listen to the public tonight on what they have to say but this is a
proper subject for personnel session and it is not a proper subject
for public discussion by the Council. If the Council wishes by
majority to discuss it in public, twill go along with it. I would
like some ground rules laid down before this discussion is opened.
Councilman Heath:
the floor whether you have a vote.of
stop a Councilman from speaking his
statement about this ending up in a
You have no basis for thinking this
You cannot stop a Councilman
from discussing something on
the Council or not.. You cannot
piece when he is up,here. Your
donnybrook is your own imagination,
way and you cannot stop a
..41-
C, C, 9/14/64
Page Forty -Two
CITY MANAGER'S LETTER TO PIERRE'SALING,ER - Continued
in the City who have asked
Councilman from talking, There are peopley
questions and the people in this City are entitled to be answered.
They have.been committed and they are therefore entitled to an
explanation and.I think it should be given publicly,
Councilman Krieger:- There'is a motion on the floor -
which either deserves a second
or dies for lack of a second,
Mayor Snyder: .fi will second the motion.
Councilman Nichols Are you going to seek an opinion
from the City Attorney as
to the legality of the motion or are you going to assume that it is
legal?
Mayor Snyder: I don't think the motion limits
Councilmen from making comments
after they come out of the session.
Councilman Krieger: This is just a matter of
procedure.
Councilman Jett: I don't object to discussing
this in some kind of a session
but I do object very strenuously at the attempt to keep me shut up
and keep me from commenting and'this I will not go along with, I
have every right as long as I am not creating a disturbance on the
Council to speak upon the subject that is before us or that we want
to speak one
Mayor Snyder: The motion does -not limit us
from commenting after we
come out of the session,
Councilman Heath: On the basis of this I would go
along with it as long as the
people of the City are guaranteed an.explanation.
Mayor Snyder: The explanation is only as
good as the person making
the explanation so.I don't think anybody could make a guarantee like
this.
Action on Councilman Krieger's motion: Motion carried,
Mayor Snyder: I am suggesting that those
here tonight in the audience
wishing to speak on this matter begiven a certain amount of time
to speak, After that is done$ then I think we can retire to the
executive sessions If we come tQ a conclusion.we can come out.and
announce our conclusion with comments.
Councilman Jett: What about questions we would.
like to ask the City Manager?
-42-
C. C. 9/14/64
Page Forty Three
CITY MANAGER'S LETTER TO PIERRE SALINGER, - Continued:
Councilman Krieger: It was certainly the intent
of the motion, I know nothing
in it that suggests that the Ctty'Manager would not be present during
the executive session. His presence would be required during this
session. There was nothing stated in the motion that would restrict
any Councilman from making any.comment public, private, or otherwise
after the executive session. It was strictly a procedural motion so
we could follow rules of sensibility and common sense in this situa-
tion. That is the only purpose of the entire motion.
Councilman Jett: Don't you think we would be a
little bit more reserved if we
held it out here instead of
getting in the back room?
Councilman Heath: What do you want to keep away
from the people? I will go
along with the suggestion; as long as we are permitted to talk out
here afterwards.
Mayor Snyder: We will allow two minutes for
each person wishing to speak
on this subject. If there are those requiring more time, by request
they will be granted more time. I don't know quite how to start this
off,
Mr. Phil Wax: I. would prefer to hear what
Mr. .Heath has to say so we
know what the problem is. How do,we know what he is angry about?
Mayor Snyder: I have two written communications
here which I will ask the City Clerk
to read. If there are.any further communications I will ask that he
read them at this time.
Councilman Jett: I'have one.
City Clerk, Mr. Flotten; I have a letter dated September 14,
1964, directed to Mayor Snyder re-
garding this matter, (Read said letter'.as follows:)
"May I take this opportunity to express my thanks to the City 'of
West Covina for the congratulations extended to me on my appoint-
ment to the United States Senate..
I want you to know that I am deeply aware of the needs of growing
cities such as yours and of the assistance a United States Senator
can give to them.
Please extend my best.wishes to the members of your City Council
and to your City Manager, Mr. Aiassa.._
/s/ Pierre Salinger"
I have another letter dated
Seetember 4, 1964, directed to Mr, Art R. Jett, protesting the
letter sent to Senator Salinger by Mr. Aiassa, signed by D. J.
Gleason, 2039 Cortez, West Covina, (Read said letter as follows:)
-� 43 -
C. Co 9/14/64
Page Forty -Four
CITY MANAGER'S LETTER TO PIERRE SALINGER __e Continued
Mr. Flotten - Continued°
"I protest the letter to Senator Salinger by City Manager
Aiassa in which Aiassa committed the City of West Covina
to support Salinger. The first sentence of the letter,
and I quote, 'The City of West Covina would like to ex-
tend to you along with the hope that you will be success-
ful in the ensuing election.', cannot be taken any other
way,
The best that can be said for City Manager Aiassa is
that he has shown that he does not have the good judge-
ment necessary to handle his jobIf he wants to support
a candidate in his OWN NAME, after school hours - fine —
BUT, leave the City of West Covina out of it.
/s/ D. J. Gleason"
I have another letter directed
to Mayor Snyder regarding this matter, signed Dorothy Dal Cerro and
Joseph J. Dal Cerro, (Read said letter as follows,)
"Regarding City Manager's letter to Salinger-, Since we are
unable to stay at this meeting until the late hour when
this will be discussed, we wish to take this means of pro-
testing Mr. Aiassals action. We, as 15 year citizens of
West Covina, do not commend Senator Salinger and resent
Aiassa speaking 1—or use
llesl Dorothy Dal Cerro
Joseph J. Dal Cerro
Mayor Snyder, I would suggest next that this
purported letter be read.
City Manager, Mr. Aiassa: (Read letter addressed to Senator
Salinger dated August 18, 1964,
signed by George Aiassa as follows:)
"The City of West Covina would like to extend our greetings
to you along with the hope that you will be successful in
the ensuing election.
As you undoubtedly know WestCovina, with a growth of over
1250% during the last ten years, has been one of the fastest
growing cities in California. As thenewsenator of Cali-
fornia we know you will wholeheartedly endeavor to understand
and support the critical problems and urgent needs of Southern
California, such as water, highways, etc.
If we can be of any assistance to you in the ensuing
months, please do not hesitate to contact use
With ray best personal regards.
Mayor Snyder!
Sincerely, /s/ George Aiassa"
Those wishing to speak in opposi-
tion to this letter may do so.
-44-
C, C,
9/14/64
Page Forty -Five
CITY
MANAGER'S LETTER
TO PIERRE SALiNG£R - Continued
Mr, Don Gleason
You read a letter
of mine
2039
Cortez
earlier, I.don't
think this
West
Covina
is a silly little
thing; I
don't think it is
a mountain
out of a molehill, I think the first sentence of the letter certainly
indicates that partisan politics are coming int-o.'play, "The City
of West Covina would like to extend our greetings to you along with
the hope that you will be successful in the ensuing•e].ection,"
How can this be construed in any other manner than the City of West
Covina endorsing Senator Salinger is beyond me,,. , -I think the City
of West Covina deserves bipartisan fair representation and that in
this manner we were certainly not given it, Also, you gentlemen
by holding this particular issue at a late hour are tending to make
people who are trying to become good citizens not being able to do
so, Many.people here this evening got babysitters and made
arrangements to come down and voice their disapproval of this
matter and were unable to stay and had to go home. I would.hope
in the future .matters of this importance would beheld earlier in
the evening,
Mayor Snyder: If there is no one else wishing
to speak in opposition to this
letter, we,will now hear from those in support of it,
Mr, Fred Reef Gentlemen, everybody else
445 North Sunset here, how else would you.
West Covina address a letter t.o a candidate
who is not a senator? Surely
by sending him a letter you would be partisan in support of him and
we.have a man running who has been appointed the Senator from
California and how do you address a letter to him? I am sure that
other letters going out of this office and building go to other.
people who hold offices and '.I don't see what is wrong in soliciting
help from a Congressman.or a Senator whether he be Democrat or
Republican, If you seek support only from the Democrats and the
Republicans get in, what are you going to do, and it goes the other
way? When a person speaks as a person, he speaks as "we" because.
he works for the City, When you, as members of the Council, speak
I imagine you would speak as "we" and not only as "I" because you
can't work alone. You all have to work together and your silly
bickering back and forth about childish little articles that don.'t
mean a thing at all and for grown people to sit down in the audience
and listen to all of this is ridiculous. You did well, Mr, Aiassa,.
Thank you,
Mr, Leonard Gleckman: I would like to'address my
remarks to the Mayor, the City
Council, and the people in the audience, I think I am the only
person involved in this whole issue that knows the whole story and
I am a little bit upset.that the Council didn't ask me what actually
happened before they made remarks to the press who reported this
purposely erroneously.
I delivered a letter to
Senator Salinger congratulating him on his appointment to the United
States. Senate from the State -of California, The San Gabriel Valley
Tribune reported that he was commended for.his service in the Senate,
Where they got that, I have no idea, I called the -editor of this
newspaper,
-45-
C, C, 9/14/64 Page Forty -Six
CITY MANAGER'S LETTER TO PIERRE SALINGER Continued
First of all, I would like to
bring you tip to date, Mr. Bill Wingfield, who is sitting here_, from
the San Gabriel Valley Tribune called me the next day and he said,
"How did you like the article?" and I said, "It was good except you
misreported at the end" and -he said, "Well, I thought it was a good.
article, I am sending it to Senator'Salinger'and telling him I am
going to vote for him". He said9'"How"about the letter? Who signed
it?" I said that I didn't know, The letter was received'by me or
by my office when I wasn't there and I was asked if there was any
way I could get this letter to Senatorr Salinger instead of going
through five secretaries; in some way get it to him so he would
understand and know that there is a: West Covina existing in Southern
California, This is what I told Bill Wingfield, I asked him at the
time, ".Why? What is the big,thing?" and he saidq "I don't know,
.I have bosses and they have instructed me to go and dig into this
thing," I called Mro Vohzer, Editor of the San Gabriel Valley
Tribune, and asked him what it is all about, why is he making such
a big thing about it. I said, "I think you are just after George
Aiassa" and at first he denied it and then I said, "Tell me the
truth", He said, "Look. What do you expect? You and George have
been very critical of our newspaper" and I said, "Fine, I'm glad
you told me that, I'll tell that to the Sentinnel and let them
print it," He said, "You'd better not. This is personal and
private between you and I," I said, "Mr. Volzer; if you don't
retract your statement in your newspaper that Senator Salinger was
commended for his service in the Senate, which is untrue, that I will
have to come after you with legal attorney," He said to me, "Don't
worry about it. Your name won't appear in the articles anymore,,"
As far as I am concerned, this
is misreporting on the part of Mr, Bill Wingfield, misreporting on
the part of the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, I personally think
that a mountain out of a molehill has been made. I can appreciate
how someone with Republican partisan,:I can understand how you would
take offense in the way the newspaper reported it and the way they
would like to have it be meant but I know Mr, Aiassa and I know
this: I know why the letter was sent. The intent was only for the
best interests of the City of West Covina, He had nothing personal
to gain, The only people that could.gan would be,
all of us here in
West Covina, whether we be Democrat or'Republican and I can tell you
this: I do think we are wasting the time of the City Council and
from now on) please know the source, The source you.are taking this
story from is unreliable in this particular instance and I would like
to have them defend themselves to this City Council that they
didn't misreport that
Mr, Bill Wingfield: You're as big aliar as Aiassa
is and I'll say it right in
public,
iMr, Chuck Dowding As all of you know we have a
1605 South Belmont City Manager -type of municipal
West Covina government in West. Covina,
The office must be very
important because the man gets approximately $19,500.00 a year, Any
Councilman that would discredit for any motivation whatsoever an
individual holding that office is discrediting the:office,. It is.a
very serious thing. I sincerely question the judgement and the
motivation of any Councilman that would do this,
IM,
Co.C, 9/14/64 Page Forty -Seven
'CI'TY MANAGER'S LETTER TO PIERRE, SALINGER - Continued
• Mr, Phil Wax In my experience with the
1035 Hillborn Tribune, I have constantly
West Covina found them to be a biased paper
that does not report the.news
properly; that has no interest at.the local level to help the citizens
and the people, I have gone to that paper hour after hour and argued
with their representatives and their best people, including Mr,
Wingfield, who has said he doesn't agree with their policies'in quite
a bit of instances, They only look for the things that they can get
even with somebody they don't like; they do not report the truth in
its fullness; they have constantly had their reporter go home at
eight, nine, ten at night when ther..e has been important things that.
have been held later, things that were important to all the people
in West Covina, and two, three, one.of us would be sitting here
waiting for these decisions and things that our past Council has made.
I have gone to the Editor and inquired why -the reporter has not sat
and told the.truth.
I am trying to say if this story
was true, if it was something that would have had any bearing that
would hurt this community and this City in any way, certainly other
newspapers would have picked it up by now, I have not, seen it in the
Times; I have not seen it in.the Sentinnel,. This has come up three,
four times, and it has always been with the slander and the bunch
of lies and things. I am sure that the intent of the letter is the
issue and I am sure that the intent Mr, Aiassa made, againt there are
many important things for:the future of this City that does require
Federal aid and State aid and County aid and you cannot pick a:
partisan level to negotiate with these people because Mr, Jett took
credit for getting us a larger post office that was supposed to be
out here through a Democratic Congressman when the thing was almost .
gone from West Covina, You can't tell.me that you have to limit
yoursleves to commending a man for holding an office,
Mrt Alvin Cooper: This has to do with the integrity
of newspapers that have been
slandered by everyone in this room that I highly resent,
Mayor Snyder. The newspapers.will have the
opportunity tomorrow to answer,
Mr, Alvin Cooper. I am not referring to any
.particular newspaper; I am
referring to newspapers in general. Every man in this room was
elected or defeated with the help, either pro or con, of the
newspapers,
Mayor Snyder. I am sure you have a point
but it is not on the subject,
I shouldn't have allowed it to get'into the discussion, These
people have.a right to their opinion,
If there is no further public
testimony, we close the hearing and retire to the executive session,
(Short recess,)
•
C; Ca 9/14/64
CITY MANAGER'S LETTER TO. PIERRE SALINGER - Continued
Page.Forty-Eight
Mayor Snyder: The:City Council has met in an
executive session and we have
drafted this statement which isi in effect, a consensus of opinion:
(1) That this was an
inappropriately drafted setter not approved by the City Council,
(2) That the City of West
Covina does not endorse candidates for partisan office.
(3) That the City of West
Covina extends best wishes to all candidates for the United States
Senate from the State of California for a forthright campaign.
(4) That the City of West
Covina always maintains cordial relations with all elective officials
no matter what party.
I think the intent of this
letter was good; it was just the language used that was probably not
the best, I don't think any of the Councilmen had any doubt as to
the intent of Mra Aiassa in writing this letter; it was only in his
choice of language in the first sentenced
Councilman Heath: I feel.that the newspaper was
on trial here tonight and in
my opinion unjustly so. Thenewspapers print a..photostatic.copy of
a letter and I don't see.how you can say they were lying,, As far
as some other groups getting this story is concerned, I would have
to report that I represented the City at the.League of California
Cities of Los Angeles County a week or.so ago and it was the general
informal topic of every representative from the 74 cities of the County
concerning this letter. I feel that the newspaper has done a good
job of reporting and they were criticized tonight for something that
was reported and printed in fact.
Mayor Snyder: I again think that maybe
emotions got carried away
tonight and I should have stopped the discussion when it got away
from the letter,, However, you don't always -know where to stop.a
person and sometimes they get more said than they intended to.
However, I would like to say this: Not until I got in public life
and was involved in some stories did I realize how inaccurate sometimes
the newspapers could be and if they are this bad at the local level
how bad must they be at the National. level? It is true in this
country we have freedom of the press but with this goes a
responsibility and some of the -newspapers in this country, as far
as I'm concerned, are -not living up to that responsibility. I agree
with the intent of those statements made about the papers tonight, I
think they were too harsh,,
Councilman Jett: I want to state here and now
that I did not go along,
completely with this statement because -I felt that Mr, Aiassa owed,
the people of West Covina an apology for this mistake and he refused
to make ita If he would do this, I would.go along with this statement
so this was not an unanimous statement. However, with what is
contained there, I will endorse that but it didn't go far enough,,
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C, CB 9/14/64 Page Forty -Nine
CITY MANAGERS LETTER TO PIERRE SALINGER - Continued
Mayor Snyder:
CITY CLERK
CONSTITUTION WEEK
City Clerk, Mr, Flotten:
Mayor Snyder:
MEETING OF SAN GABRIEL VALLEY MUNICIPAL
WATER DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT
EATON'S SANTA ANITA RESTAURANT ON
SEPTEMBER 16, 1964
City Clerk, Mr. Flotten:
LETTER FROM WEST COVINA
SISTER CITY FOUNDATION
City Clerk, Mr. Flotten:
Unless there is.any further
comment,'we will consider.the
matter closed.
We have a request to declare
the week of September 13 as
Constitution Week.
If there are no objections, I
will so proclaim.
(There were none.)
So proclaimed.
This has been continued to
September 23rd.
(Read letter re this matter.)
Councilman Krieger: It was my understanding that
this appropriation was
actually $300. Wasn't $500 the request and $300 the authorization?
Councilman Jett: They asked for $700 and we
gave them $500.
City Manager, Mr, Aiassa: We will have to check the budget
and we will give you a
confirmation.
Councilman Krieger:
I think there should be some
clarification with them if
that figure is in error.
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C. Cm 9/14/64 Page Fifty
'LETTER FROM WEST COVINA SISTER CITY FOUNDATION - Continued
Motion by Councilman Krieger, seconded by Councilman Heath, to
authorize $100.00 for the Sister City Foundation. Motion passed on
roll call as follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Jett, Krieger, Nichols, Heath, Mayor.Snyder
Noes: None
Absent: None
LETTER FROM MRS. DAVID T, GREEN
REGARDING INSTALLATION OF
SWIMMING POOLS IN HIGH SCHOOLS
City Clerk, Mr, Flotten:
You have copies of this letter,
This is from Mrs, David Green,
Councilman Krieger: Have copies of this letter
been provided to -the West Covina
Unified'School District -who owns these facilities?
City Clerk, Mr, -Flotten: Not to my knowledge.
Motion by Councilman Krieger, seconded by Councilman Jett,. and
carried, that the letter from Mrs. David T.,Green regarding
installation of swimming pools in high schools be forwarded to the
West Covina Unified School District inasmuch as the facilities Mrs.
Green is talking about in this letter are under their control.
Mayor Snyder:
City Clerk, Mr. Flotten:
WOMEN VOTERS WEEK
Acknowledge her in some way.
All right.
City Clerk, Mr. Flotten: We have a request to proclaim
the week of September 13 to
September 19, 1964 as Women Voters Week. The president of the local
league is here.
Mayor Snyder:
RUMMAGE SALE REQUEST
If:there are no objections, I
Will so proclaim,
(There were none,)
So proclaimed.
City Clerk, Mr. Flotten: We have a letter directed to
the City Council requesting
a permit to have a rummage sale on Saturday, September 26 at 529
Vine Street.
Councilman Jett: I don't think.we could approve
this in a residential area,
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•
C, Cd 9/14/64
RUMMAGE SALE REQUEST Continued
�dB
Councilman Krieger:
City Clerk, Mr, Flotten:.
Planning Director, Mr, Joseph:
Page Fifty -One
Is there any precedent for
these rummage sales in private
areas?
Not of this type, no,
It may be a C-1 zone,
Motion by Councilman Krieger, seconded by Councilman Jett, and
carried, that permission be granted to the applicant, Xi Epsilon
Gamma Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi International Sorority to conduct
the requested rummage sale on September 26, 1964 upon condition
that it is in the commercial zone,
MARY VAN DAME DAY
Councilman Heath: We are put here on earth for
a very short tire and while
we are here we enjoy friends and what we can do for friends and we
get along in life past a certain number of years we have gone along
this path toward an end where we are never coming back, We have
someone with us who is in this coming month reaching her 80th
birthday, who has been to the Council meetings and the Planning
Commission meetings with the loyalty more than some of our
Councilmen, She has a heart of gold; she has tried to be helpful;
sheis a very interesting person if you know her and I would like
to suggest, Mr. Mayor, that you proclaim October 9th as Mary Van
-Dame Day in the City of West Covina,
Mayor Snyder:
CITY TREASURER
None
MAYOR'S REPORTS
ALTERNATE TO THE CALIFORNIA
RAPID TRANSIT DISTRICT
If there are no objections, I
will so proclaim,
(There were none,)
So proclaimed,
Mayor Snyder: We need a resolution appointing
an alternate to the California
Rapid Transit District, It is important we be able to attend these
meetings, Mr. Nichols is our regular appointee and if he is unable
to attend we should have an alternate and it requires a resolution.
I would like to appoint Mr. Heath the alternate if there are no
objections, Can we draft a r.esolution.tonight?
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C, C, 9/14/64 Page Fifty- Two
' CALIFORNIA RAPID TRANSIT.DISTRICT ALTERNATE - Continued
City Clerk, Mr, Flotten:
RESOLUTION N0, 3006
ADOPTED
Mayor Snyder:
Yes.
The City Clerk presented:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF WEST.COVINA
APPOINTING ROBERT N. HEATH AS
ALTERNATE TO THE SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA RAPID TRANSIT
COMMITTEE"
Hearing no objections, we will
waive further reading of the
body of the resolution,
Motion by Councilman Jett, seconded by Councilman Krieger, that said
resolution be adopted. Motion passed on roll call as follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Jett, Krieger, Nichols,.Heath, Mayor Snyder
Noes: None
Absent: None
Said resolution was given No, 3006.
'COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
AZUSA RIGHT-OF-WAY
Councilman,Heath: I have been directed by the
City Council to talk to
both Mr. Oschins concerning the dedication for the right of.way for
Azusa Avenue, They have indicated they will do this; however, their
third partner is out of town and will be in tomorrow and they will
get this letter drafted,
Mayor Snyder:
Good,
PROPOSED RESOLUTION REGARDING COUNTY TAX
Councilman Heath: It --has been the request of
Mr, Bonelli's office that
we hold this off until after his meeting `with us on the 30th,
Mayor Snyder:
COUNCIL CONSIDERATION OF CITY MANAGER'S
SALARY -.Held from July 2.7, 1964.
There are no objections so
it will be done,
Mayor Snyder: Technically, this should be
another personnel item, I
think we have adequate information on it, Mr. Aiassa has not
received a salary increase for two years. The department heads
received a merit increase; the City employees received an increase,
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C, C, 9/14/64 Page Fifty -Three
CITY MANAGER'S SALARY -'Continued
In some respects Mr. Aiassa received a vote of confidence in the last
election -- that is an opinion -- and I would recommend $100,.00 a
month increase starting the first of September, and would entertain a
motion to that.effect or does that require Ia resolution?
Acting City Attorney, Mr, Newell; It requires a resolution,
Councilman Heath; I am'very very much opposed to
an increase for the City
Manager because I don't think he is doing an efficient job. I think
some of his actions are entirely questionable and not conducive to.
good government and two years ago the raise was..5% with the statement
made by the Mayor at that time that unless.there.was an improvement
there wouldn't be any the following 'year and there was not<any given.
the beginning of the present year. I am definitely opposed to a raise
for the City Manager,
Councilman Krieger: In commenting on the proposed
resolution, I was about to -
suggest to the Council that in consideration of the circumstances
this evening that it might be more appropriate to continue tli's
matter until the next regular Council meeting when perhaps some of
the venom and sarcasm.would be out of everyone's system, We can't
say that we are not going to engage in a donnybrook and then
proceed to do so,
I take exception, to the
characterization,of the job of the City Manager as suggested by
Councilman Heath and I am heartedly in.favor. of this resolution and
I will vote.so as an expression of my confidence in the City Manager
and in the job he has'at all times done for the City and I trust he
will.do in the future,
Councilman Jett; I think that there are two
new members on the City
Council and you have not had too much experience in working with
Mr, Aiassa as yet and I think you are entitled to know the reasons
why I in the past have-not gone along with an increase in his
salary, why I could not and would not'at this time go along with
an increase in.the City Manager's salary.'
Our flood control project..
which was a part of the 1959 bond issue, $2250000,000 bond issue,
here it is six years later and we are just getting around to getting
some of those projects underway. The realignment of Merced Avenue
has been approved for at least six years and we are still stumbling
around trying to get this resolved, The.Valinda Avenue Extension
Study and recommendation was made before I came to the Council and.
we are just.finalizing this program, The Vincent Avenue Interchange
is something you'are all familiar with and it has been bouncing,
around for along long time, so long I don't.remember how long it
has been here, I do remember just a short time ago all five you when
Mr, Aiassa made the remark that the plans for the interchange had,
been laying on his desk for six months,..For how much longer, I don't
know, Center Street is a street that I'am sure could have been
resolved three or four years ago, At that time'it -could have
been resolved with a minimum cost to the City of West Covina, At
that time there was talk of putting Center Street through by the
owners of that property. I know because I talked. about putting a
service station on one of the corners when they were interested in
doing this and at that time Center Street could have been gotten with
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C. C. 9/14/64
'CITY MANAGER'S SALARY- Continued
Page Fifty -Four.
a minimum cost to the City. Another incident that I have wondered
about many times, every Thursday Mr. Aiassa goes to Los Angeles and.
we are told by his secretary that is his politicking day. I under-'
stand from Mr.'Aiassa that this is when he goes'and talks to the
County, the State Highway Department and various departments -about'
projects for the City. If this is truei I think that this Council
is entitled to a report of what happened, what is going on, what we
can expect. I.have never yet received or seen a report on these
programs. I would like to point out the sidewalk program on Vincent
north of the freeway. This is a program that you hear a lot about
sidewalks today but when that program first was presented to us by.
a group of ladies who were interested in the P.T.A. and interested
in their children on the north side of the freeway we fought and
there were three members of this Council who fought for that sidewalk
and _fought hard. Mr. Aiassa was instructed to bring us in a report,
bring us in a report and an estimate of what.it would cost for this
program. We had been given a figure of approximately $7,000. We
wanted to put these sidewalks in there, Workman Avenue to Puente
Avenue. When Mr. Aiassa finally gotaround to bringing in his report,
which was not at the next.meeting but two or three meetings later,
he brought in a report that encompassed the area between Vincent
and Irwindale, Workman and Puente at a cost of $42,000.00. I am
convinced this was done for only one reason, to confuse the issue
of sidewalks on Vincent Avenue because these women had been informed,
I have a letter from these ladies if you are interested in reading
it, it is a matter of record here in the Cit,r, of the problem
that they had and their efforts to try to get cooperation from the
City Manager. These things were pointed out in a meeting at the time
we only gave Mr. Ai<assa a 5 o increase in saiary. The following
year he didn't receive any and.I .f.elt he wasn't entitled and the fact
that it was not brought. out that it. was accepted as a unanimous
report that he did not.get.an increase in salary. I could continue
on here and point these things out to you, my reasons why I do not
feel Mr. Aiassa is entitled to this raise. These are my reasons
why I do not feel he is entitled to an increase. I thought you
gentlemen were entitled to know that.
Mayor Snyder:
and we are not going to get
items,, :I have no doubt this
mind I am sure he is right.
and ,I don't think the facts
.Aiassa has had to go through
a raise twice the amount we
RESOLUTION NO. 3007
ADOPTED
Mayor Snyder:
I find it -fruitless to answer
all these things tonight
into a debate on each one of these
is the way Mr. Jett sees it and in his
However, this is not the wtav T see it
agree with this. T feel that what Mr,
in some respects in this town deserves
are offering.
The Citv Clerk �r.esented-
"A RESOLTJTTON OF THE CITY
COU.NCTL OF THE CITY OF WEST
COVINA RELA..TTNO TO THE
COMPENSATION OF CTTY
MANACER.'S SALARY"
Hearing no
will waive
of the body
objections, we
further reading
of the resolution'.
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C, C. 9/14/64 Page Fifty -Five
CITY MANAGER'S SALARY (RESOLUTION NO. 3007) - Continued
Councilman,Krieger: Move the adoption,
Councilman Nichols: In seconding this motion I
would like it understood that
it is based upon my concept of the City Manager's work since the 21st
of April when I first became associated on this City Council,. It is
based upon his service.up to that time and the record of his service
as I see it prior to that time', 'This action tonight.as far..as I
am concerned is not in any sense related to any specific.recent
incidents that seem to have plagued the night air in West Covina
on this date, I am, pleased to second the motion.
Action on Councilman Krieger's motion: MO-tion-passed on roll call
as follows:
Ayes: Councilmen -Krieger, Nichols, Mayor Snyder
Noes: Councilmen Jett, Heath
Absent: None
Said resolution was given No, 3007
2
DEMANDS
Motion by Councilman Krieger, seconded by Councilman Nichols, to
approve demands totalling $290,'640.05 as listed op demand sheets.
C405 through C409. This total includes fund transfers of. $8995-17,109
also time deposits of $509000,00. Motion passed pn roll call as.
follows:
Ayes: Councilmen Jett, Krieger, Nichols_, Heath, Mayor Snyder
Noes: None
Absent: None
There being no further business, Motion by Councilman Nichols,
seconded by Councilman Heath, and carried, that this meeting be
adjourned to September 21, 1964 at 7:30 P.M.
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
MAYOR
I