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04-19-1966 - Regular Meeting - MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA APRIL 19, 1966 The regular adjourned meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Nichols at 7:50 P.M. in the West Covina City Hall, Councilman Jett led the Pledge of Allegiance, The invocation was given by Rev, Edgar A. Doering of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Nichols, Councilmen Jett, Snyder, Krieger, Heath Others Present: Mr. Herman R. Fast, Public Service Director Mr, Robert Flotten, City Clerk 6 Admin, Assistant Mr, Harry C, Williams, City Attorney Mrs, Mabel Hoffman, Citv Treasurer Absent: Mr. George Aiassa, City Manager Mr, Harold Joseph, Planning Director Mayor Nichols: It is a courtesy of the chair to allow outgoing Councilmen to make a statement if they wish to, Any man who serves an extended period of time on the City Council literally has given a part of his life and energy to public service and certainly they should be rightfully recognized in that course, One of our Councilmen tonight has served eight years on the City Council, The other one, a full four- year term, The chair wishes to extend the courtesy to Councilman Heath if he so desires to make any statement and then if Councilman Jett desires, that he may make a statement also, Councilman Heath: Thank you, Mayor. I think this is a night of joy, However, I think there are one or two things I would like to say and I'd like to leave with a happy heart and a clean feeling, One of the things I would like to do is express my gratitude to my family for the understanding that they have had to have and give to me to spend as much time as I have on the Council. I sincerely appreciate them waiving some of their valuable time to permit me to serve, The other thine I have in mind is something I feel I should do, Somewhere alone the line I have had a misunderstanding with an individual in this City and I don't know exactly what the meaning of it was or what happened to it but I think at this time that I, if it was my fault, I should apologize and I am willing to do so to Mr, Phil Wax for whatever I did, I have to respect that man because he is doing a tremendous job for the City, He is doing a tremendous job for Little League Baseball, for the Lions, for the Plaza and the merchants, for the City, et cetera, If there was a misunderstanding here that was my fault, my sincere apologies, -1- Ca C, 4/19/66 Page Two Tonight, Mr, Mayor, I finish eight years and it has been a happy time, I am very appreciative to Mr. Williams for a real education that he has given me during these eight years, I would say during these eight years that one of the objectives I have always tried and that is to let people know exactly where I stand and I believe I have done that, I am progressive minded, I feel that a City. must progress, If a city doesn't progress, it becomes stagnant and if it becomes stagnant, it dies, There cannot be a change in the City or there cannot be any kind of a change whatsoever -- zoning or a change of a street or any kind of a change without someone being harmed and every zoning case is no exception, When I weigh the thoughts of whether this zone change merits the change or not, I have always had in my mind who is better helped by this change and voted in that manner, I would like to impress as the last thing before I leave upon these new Council members the following, although I think they well know what I am about to say, The position of Councilman is -a very, very important duty. You control the destiny of a good many people in the fact that you control the destiny of their property and in many cases you don't even have to give justification of your thinking, That property is the people's biggest investment and in many cases where they have put their entire life's savings and every dime they have and what you do with that property will either make those people or break them; either build their life's savings or destroy it, So, you have a tremendous responsibility and I feel that the responsibility that the Councilman has is the greatest repsonsibility of any elected official in the State, bar none, Mr, Mayor, I appreciate the time you have given me, I want to express my appreciation to all of my friends; in fact, to everybody for permitting, me to serve for eight years and spending a very enjoyable eight years in City government, Thank you, (Applause) Councilman Jett: I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who helped me during my campaign, I am sorry that we lost but somebody has to lose and somebody has to win, I appreciate tremendously the help given to me by the many constituents and I especially want to thank my wife and daughter for their understanding for these past four years. I want to thank the members of. the Council who have worked with me, It has been a rewarding experience; it has been educational. I have appreciated your help, your discussion of issues, and your understanding, I have enjoyed every bit of it, I want to congratulate the new members of the Council and I wish you all the best luck in the world in the next four years, I think I would be remiss if I did not thank the employees for all the help they have given me, for the many times that I have needed information and they have taken the time to dig it out for me, I am glad the people of West Covina allowed me to serve them over the past four years, I again wish this Council the best of luck and I hope you have harmony, I know you are going to do a good job, Thank you, (Applause,) Eva i Co Ca 4/19/66 Page Three CANVASS OF BALLOTS (The City Council canvassed the ballots of the last election,,) Mayor Nichols: Councilmen Jett and Snyder, do you find the tallies confirmed relative to the totals? Councilman Snyder: We do,, Councilman Jett: We do, Mayor Nichols: Councilmen Heath and Krieger, do ,you find the tallies confirmed relative to the totals? Councilman Krieger: We do,, Councilman Heath: We do, RESIGNATION FROM PLANNING COMMISSION Leonard S, Gleckman Mayor Nichols: We have a letter from Leonard S, Gleckman resigning as a Commissioner from the West Covina Planning Commission, (Read said letter,) Motion by Councilman Krieger, seconded by Councilman Jett, and carried, that Leonard S,, Gleckman's resignation letter dated April 18, 1966 from the West Covina Planning Commission be received and approved and be accepted with regret. RESOLUTION N0, 3350 The City Attorney presented: ADOPTED "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA RECITING THE FACT OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD IN SAID CITY OF WEST COVINA ON THE 12th DAY OF APRIL, 19661, AND DECLARING THE RESULT THEREOF AND SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS ARE PROVIDED BY LAW" Mayor Nichols: Hearing no objecttons, we will waive .further reading of the body of the resolution, Motion by -Councilman Jett, seconded by Councilman Heath, that said resolution be adopted, Motion passed on roll call as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Jett, Snyder, Krieger, Heath, Mayor Nichols Noes: None Absent: None Said resolution was given No. 3350. See attached Exhibit A reflecting the whole number of votes cast in the city; the names of the persons voted for; for what office each person was voted for; the number of votes given at each precinct to each person; and the number of votes given in the city to each person. -3- C. C. 4/19/66 Page Four ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE Mayor Nichols: The two gentlemen named as the Councilmen elect, Leonard S. Gleckman and Thomas A. Gillum, Jr,, will they at this time step to the front of the room? (Mr. Gleckman and Mr. Gillum came forward.) We are honored to have with us this evening Judge William M. Martin of the Citrus Municipal Court who will administer the oath of office to the incoming Councilmen. Councilman Heath: Mayor Nichols: I believe at this time that with your permission, I will step down and vacate this seat. Certainly. Councilman. Jett: Mr. Mayor, I will also vacate my seat at this time. . Mayor Nichols: Fine. (Judge Martin administered the oath of office to Mr. Gleckman and Mr. Gillum,) Judge Martin: It is my privilege, representing the city, to be able .to hand to each of you a certificate of your recent sucessful election., and I have been asked if I might add anything to the inspiration and pride that must be in the hearts of each of you. I can only think of remarks appropriate in this way, that I am addressing you and the three Councilmen behind you properly as the government of Hest Covina. If we were talking to an officer in the Federal or State field, we could not refer to the President of the United States or the Governor of the State of California as the government, nor could we even refer to the Legislature of our State or nation as the government, or the judiciary. But you pecul- iarly combine in.one, or in five, I should say, the traditional otherwise tri-partite type division of government. You are in one, at least, the full executive and the full legislative body and government of your city, and in large part, as exemplified in zoning and other matters, you are the judiciary. So you are a government in a complete sense of the word. -4- C. C. 4/19/66 Page Five ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE (Continued): Judge Martin (Continued:) When I heard one of your retiring Councilmen a minute ago speak of the strength and responsibility that you have, he was right on key, because this is three in one, not representative of the State level and not representative of the Federal level. You have a powerful position; you are actually on an average, at least in this part of our world, only one man in twenty thousand reaches your position of the tri-partite respon- sibility. On the other hand, just as Caesar told his slave to depreciate him as he rode in triumph into Rome, so you will remember the voice of men and their short life. I might remind you of this realism that on average, perhaps one out of 20 actually appears because they cannot or they will not vote; one of twenty that you represent; and also, it is a sad fact that in perhaps five years after your term expires there isn't one out of 50 that will even remember you. That is the other side of the coin. So there is no popularity contest. The only chance for the glory that you have is in your own accomplishment during this term of office and the memories and the pride you will have when you leave it. Not one out of a thousand of us who are citizens of West Covina have the time to think about our government; we leave that to you. Not one out of a thousand of us have time to study our.local government; we leave that to you. Not one out of a thousand of us have the time to think about our pocket book or our property, as we mentioned earlier tonight; we have entrusted that to you. So far as our protection and police services, our greatest internal enemy, crime, I don't think one out of a thousand of us have the time to study or think about it; we also entrust that to you. You have been elected by the majority of your fellows as most qualified to lead, so we ask you to step forth without modesty, but with humbleness and force, and lead us through the length of your term. My congratulations to you. .(Applause) -5- C, Co 4/19/66 Page Six COUNCIL ELECTIONS Mayor Nichols; We now come to the point where the Council will re -organize itself and will select its officers for the coming year,, The chair would like to state only that the past year has been very rewarding indeed,, It has been an honor and opportunity for me to preside over this Council,, We have a new Council and all of these men are men of integrity and I will look forward to working with them in harmony and cooperation so our community may continue to go forward,, I am going to vacate the Mayor's chair now and turn the gavel over to the City Clerk who will conduct the election for the Mayor of the City of West Covina,, City Clerk, Mr,, flotten; Nominations are now open for the position of Mavor of the City of West Covina, The nominations need no second, Councilman Nichols; I would like to move for the nomination as Mayor of the City of West Covina a gentleman who has served faithfully for two gears and in my Judgment has served with absolute infallible integrity -= Councilman Harvev S. Krieger,, Motion by Councilman Snyder, seconded by Councilman ',leckman, andcarried, to make tha nomination of Harvey S. Krieger for Mayor • unanimous, (Councilman Krieger abstained,) Mayor Krieger: The chair wi..1.1 reco6nize that the r>o si..tion of Mavor Pro Tea has been vacated avid Call in order nominations for t he posit-io'n of Ma�?or Pro Ter, , Councilman Gleckman: I caotzld like to at this time glace in no;nination the name of Dr, Korman r , Snyder as mayor -,,-')ro Tem, having served. thlis City as our past dayor and. doing an excellent �ob� � �cei_ DI''_ Snyder ,Ls well. acoua nt d i^fltit our U.nCh'ions and Well C).uc i.1. f eC1 c1.id C, :s'el'v v�' the jC7!7 , Motion by Councilman •`"..chols, seconded by Counc=Llrran +'i� ll zi;�, and carried, that nominations be closed and vote unanimously for Dr, 14orman C,, Snyder for the r,;osition of Mavor Pro Tem. (Councilman Snyder abstained,,) Mayor Yi Y I 5.aould like to extend the opportunity at t his time to our i.ncominp Counci..1. members to .':'!a ke anR? state rrtent a.s their first o l icia.l du't-k,, as Counc:.i_lf? en for, -t•h— (".i ; i r.T;- f far• t Covina, a C.01.t:'ic C.3r) ? r�.T 1Ar�YiT7iJ ! b .ere •} ^� e T , 1'i n n;- . A rt ate,; cihr� Y, . , c ; �:: i. a r''l t r..,. that t I want to rei)resent the City of v1est.: Covina,, l want to represent everyone in the City, I .feel with these rsentlemen that I a.m f oinp' to serve with 'Here that \'.'e aare f oinr: to continue with the T'rograrilS started b,,; the vast Counc-.il. __ 6 Co Co 4/19/66 Page Seven I want at this time to take the opportunity to thank all the people who helped me in my campaign; my children, my wife, my committee, and everyone,, It was quite enjoyable and I want to thank all of you who voted for me,, I am going to do the best job T am capable of doing Thank you,, (Applause) Councilman Gleckman: 19 too, would like to thank all the people of the City of West Covina, specifically my wife and my children and all the people that helped in my campaign,, Once before at the start of this campaign, they asked me to get up in front -of my friends and not make a speech and I didn't have the slightest idea what to say and I feel myself somewhat in that same position right now. I want to thank all of you for your support. I want you to know that as Tom stated, we both ran on the basis of a positive program for this dynamic City,, We hope we can get all the cooperation from all the citizens of our community to help us do all the things we promised,, It can only be done with your help. Thank you very much,, (Applause) Mayor Krieger: Inasmuch as this is an organizational meeting, as well as an adjourned regular meeting of the Council, it would be in order for the chair to entertain a motion to direct the City Clerk to prepare an appropriate resolution of recognition and appreciation for our two outstanding and outgoing Councilmen, Councilmen Heath and Jett,, Councilman Snyder: So moved,, Councilman Nichols: Second the motion,, Action on the motion: Motion passed on roll call as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Gillum, Snyder, Nichols, Gleckman, Mayor Krieger Noes: None Absent: None Mayor Krieger: most solemn meeting we hold transition of government in country,, Very seldom do we a change of government as w I have a few comments this evening,, I have always considered this as the as Councilmen. This is an orderly the highest and best traditions of our as citizens participate as closely to do in the municipal area,, While looking to the future, it is always fitting that we first pay attention and recognition to the past,, In this I particularly call attention to the men who have served this community in this very body,, I call attention tonight in this context to Councilman Heath and Councilman Jett,, The life and times of a Councilman is in true measure a mere image of the community it governs,, IWAI Ca C, 4/19/66 Page Eight There have been times in the past when we could look to this community with great pride, and there have been times when we looked at this communitv with sad discomfort, But if we gauge history by the distance between where we started and where we are and by the direction between what we had and what we have, then the judgment of this selective endeavor must be that we have come far; that we have not come as far as we might; nor that we have not come as fast as we could does not mean anv less to the credit of those who have labored in the journey. The induction of our two new Councilmen this evening marks a significant milestone in the history of this community, For the first time the City of West Covina is older than the average age of its elective representatives, The challenge and opportunity for distance and direction and speed hove now passed to this new and younger Council, It is my hope that as each of us completes his own service that he can look back with pride and achievement to his own tenure of office. It is also important .for us to remember that these are not offices of ownership but merely offices of tenancy, The endowments of this office require our inviolable trust, our solemn duty, and our sacred honor, Within the last two years Councilman Snyder and Councilman Nichols have each served ably and well as Mayor of this community, Each has held the office with dignity and integrity in Dublic and Drivate, Their service has done immense credit -to the City of West Covina as well as to themselves, Despite :intense demands on their time and their patience, they have served with dedication and devotion the best interests of this community and all of its citizens, I have worked proudly with them as a Councilman and as Mayor Pro Tem and have learned greatly from each of them. This office has renewed dignity and honor because they occupied it, The code states that the Mayor shall serve in such capacity only at the pleasure of the Council, I look forward to serve not at the pleasure but with your pleasure, It is my stated duties to preserve order and decorum in this body and as official head for the City in all ceremonial functions. But, more than this, I hope with you and with the fine and very able staff to act as catalyst to a rebirth of initiative and cohesion and involve- ment and participation in the life of the community by the community at large. In the important respects, the last Councilmanic campaign was not devisive but was constructive and it was affirmative, The electorate by its vote endorsed a positive and dynamic form of leadership, Councilman Gleckman and Councilman Gillum are a product of the public's confidence and their faith in the future. I believe that this confidence and this faith have been well placed. But leadership in a vacuum, no matter how well intended or well motivated, is still a head without a body, Therefore, I propose and will present to the Council at an early date a recommendation for the creation of a citizens' task force in each of our areas of immediate and vital concern in this community including, but not limited to, the civic center, the updating and broadening of the General Plan, swimming pools, a City charter, traffic flow and control, commercial revitalization, water services, park improvements and recreational facilities, cultural needs, annexations, the Huntington Beach Freeway, and lone range capital improvements, C. C, 4/19/66 page Nine I pledge to you a co ncarted and a concentrated talent hunt to tap the one unmatched resource within our community, the one commodity that cannot be duplicated9 the human resource, There are now within our City men and women of immense but unused ability, judgment, taste and talent who for one reason or another have never been enlisted in or recruited by the cause of local government., This resource pool is our single greatest asset to plan and to build and to create a better community in which to develop and prosper and to grow, I have the utmost confidence in the ability and integrity and the judgment of this Council to move forward with the tasks at hand and in response to the challenges to come secure in the knowledge that this is a community which deserves and will receive our very best, (Applause) Mayor Krieger: Councilman Cleckman, will you attend the Planning Commission meeting tomorrow night as the Council representative? Councilman Gleckman: Yes, Mayor Krieger: Councilman Gillum, I would ask that you represent the Council at the Human - Relations meeting "Thursday night, April 28,1966. Councilman Gillum: Fine, Mayor Krieger: The permanent Council appointments will be made at the meeting of April 25th, There being no further business, motion by Councilman Snyder, seconded by Councilman leckman, and carried, that this meeting adjourn at 8:35 P.M. Monday, April 25, 1966 at 7:30 P,M,is the next regular meeting of the City Council. ATTEST: CITY CLERK APPROVED MAYOR -9-