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05-16-1966 - Regular Meeting - Minutes.0 MINUTES -OF THE REGULAR. ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA MAY 16, 1966 The adjourned regular meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Krieger at 8:00 P.M, in the West Covina City Hall. Councilman Gillum led the Pledge of Allegiance. POT.T. OAT.T. Present: Mayor Krieger, Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Snyder, Gleckman Others Present: Mr. George Aiassa, City Manager Mr. Robert Flotten, City Clerk & Administrative Assistant Mr. Herman R. Fast, Public Services Director Mr. Harold Joseph, Planning Director (to 9:00 P.M.) Mr. William Fowler, Building & Safety Director Mr. Gerald Weeks, Administrative Assistant Mr. Wallace Austin, Planning Associate Mr. James Kay, Jr., Finance Director Absent: Mr. Harry C. Williams, City Attorney • RESOLUTION NO. 3366 ADOPTED Mayor Krieger: The City Clerk presented: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY' COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA EXPRESSING ITS APPRECIATION FOR THE SERVICES OF NEWTON H. TEMPLIN AND EXPRESSING SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY ON HIS UNTIMELY PASSING" Hearing no objections, we will waive further reading of the ab«d.Y:-: Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, that said resolution be adopted. Motion passed on roll call as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Snyder, Gleckman, Mayor Krieger Noes: None Absent: None Said resolution was given No. 3366. SLIGHT MODIFICATION NO. 43 Jay Construction Company Mayor Krieger: This was in the Review Board .Minutes of April 28, 1966. Has there been the required publication and mailing as required by law: City Clerk, Mr. Flotten: All those who are involved in this item have written us letters to the effect that they have waived all requirements for the ten-day notice. -1- A C, Co 5/16/66 SLIGHT MODIFICATION NO, - .4.3. m Continued Page Two (Maps were presented and Mr. Joseph gave a brief summary of this mattero) Mayor Krieger-, IN FAVOR Mr, Jack Feifer 511 Glen Allen West Covina We are following first 25 houses impossible for u This is the time and place for the public hearing, I am with Jay Construction; one of the owners, The 25 that are already built are duplicated by the 25 that we want to build, the same standards and specifications we had on our and the loans have been already recorded, It is s to go back to the loan company to make modifications. There being no .further public testimony, the public portion of the hearing was closed, Councilman Nichols-. I received a communication this afternoon, I would like to repeat the gist of it and give the opportunity to staff to comment on ita According to the story that I have received, this subdivision is being developed in increments and there has been a previous increment of 25 houses constructed.and the present 25 would be the subject of concern here, The first 25 houses were constructed and the setbacks on the first 25 houses are precisely identical with the setbacks as proposed here which would include the basic variance plus the minor variance handled by the Review Board and that in some fashion this occurred in the first tract technically in an illegal sense and that because of an oversight, inspectors from the City did not catch or bring this matter to the attention of the Review Board for a slight variance. The builder, having had ipso facto for the first increment and having constructed it, naturally assumed that the second 25 houses being identical in terms of setbacks would meet all requirements and that subsequent to the trenching and plumbing on this second tract that the matter of the two feet approximate deficiency in setback was picked up and it was at that point and only then that the builder was aware he was not in conformance with the setback requirements and did come before the Review Board, If this is the case, I will ask the staff to respond, I feel there was an honest error made here somewhere along the line and one I would not choose to criticize but if that is the case certainly I feel the Council should follow through and at least allow this current increment which is underway to proceed comparative with the first increment, Public Services Director, Mr, Fast-, Your information that you have is basically correct with one •exception, It is my understanding that the current application has not started construction; is that correct? Mr. -Fowler, Bldg.R Safety -Director: At the time that the plans were filed for the second. .increment the contractors were notified that the error showed on the plans, Since,that the contractor has had forms already set in the field and a certain amount of their plumbing work in, There haven't been any inspections as such but some work has been accomplished prior to the approval of the second set of plans which have not been approved yet, C,, Co 5/16/66 Page Three 'gLI`G'HT MODIFICATION .NO.,, -43 Continued • Councilman Nichols° The contractor was notified of this problem relative to the setback before forms were set and plumbing was set in? Mr.. Fowler, Bldg-, & Safety Director: That I couldn't truthfully say,, It has been common practice in the construction industry to submit plans and at the same time in the field commence preliminary work,, Councilman Nichols: It is possible, then, that the. contractor was in fact proceeding with a program identical to the first program and had not to that point been notified that he was not in conformance? Mr.,Fowle:r, Bldg. & Safety Director: Yes,, (Presented photographs and explained same,,) Mayor Krieger: There is no question about the at the"highest point of the elevation? fact that they do exceed 18 feet ,Mr;. Fowler, Bldg. & Safety Director: They do exceed 18 feet I would say,, • Mayor Krieger: The procedure that we are following and hearing this application is as a variance procedure,, I am going to pick up where the Review Board left off and that is I can see where the items 3 and 4 are satisfied as far as the showings for a variance is concerned,, Is there anybody, staff or applicant, who can justify the item ,:A, which is exceptional or extraordinary circumstances not applicable generally to the other property or class of use in the same vicinity or zone. This is what we are being asked to decide,, Councilman Snyder: The fact that they had been allowed to build previously without being stopped; secondly, that they had their forms in seems to me extraordinary circumstances. We may at this time have a Council who wishes to interpret the conditions of'a variance strictly, but in the past the variances have been rather broadly interpreted,, That is no excuse for a sudden change, but it seems to me this is the extraordinary circumstance,, Councilman Nichols: The builder has in every sense attempted to conform to the requirements of the City and that a situation developed that can develop inadvertently without unnecessary blame attaching itself to anyone, that now enforced would work an undue hardship on the builder and I think this is an unus4al circumstance and I would certainly •feel that he has met the requirements for a variance even if in fact the City itself has helped to create his own justification,, Mayor Krieger: My comment on that point would be this: I am not desirous of going back over the first increment,, That has to stand or fall as it presently exists and I don°t think it is within our power of thl�s Council if it wanted to do anything about that situation,, But, we do have it within our power and within our responsibility to decide the specific matter on our agenda tonight on the showings and requirements and the justification for a variance. Three members of -3- C, C, 5/16/66 Page.F°our SLIGHT MODIFICATION NO 4*3 Continued • this present Council sat on this particular matter when it came up on the reduced lot size and that was to 6,000 feet because of the types of property that was in that area,, I can only speak for myself in voting upon the reduced lot size and I believe I was in favor of the variance, By no means was that to denote or infer therefrom that it was a granting of any variance in the construction of buildings on those sites, We have before us the precise question as to whether or not we are going to grant variances in front, side, and rear yard' setbacks for buildings on that site, The Minutes of the Review` Board was replete with inferences and implications as to what the Council intended to do when they adopted this action in allowing a smaller sized lot, As far as the showing for,a variance is concerned, the.sresponsibility is primarily that of the applicant, but certainly from the record or from our experience or from our general knowledge as to what is going on we can in our own mind find whatever we want under each of these four grounds as being facts in support of or not in support of the showing, The comments of two of the Councilmen suggest a heavy emphasis on that first increment, I am wondering if this is anything else not necessarily indicating that in of itself may not be enough, but is there anything else in this application other than the first increment? Councilman Snyder,, Maybe if we take a look at the intent and purpose of -the • area district part of our ordinance in determining lot size, the intent is to determine density and it seems to me in reviewing these lot sizes, in reducing these lot sizes by allowing a larger house than would normally fit on this size of lot, we are not lowering any standards; we are raising standards, We are not increasing the density by allowing a larger house, We are allowing a better quality house and, quite frankly, what harm are we doing in allowing this better quality house even though in the past we have maybe by mistake,allowed too small a lot? Councilman Nichols, I agree with what you.have stated and what Mayor Krieger stated, However, I would go back and concur with one statement, My own personal reaction is that probably the Review -.Board has exceeded the intent of the Council in granting the 6,000 square foot allowance and when in fact the Review Board states they did not feel it was a new variance at all but an extension of a variance granted by the Council., I believe that they are making an assumption that is not based on fact and nothing in the Minutes at any time indicated that the reduction from 79500 feet to 6,000 feet implied the CounciV s intent to grant further reductions in the requirements for setbacks, Because an error has been made, it would work an undue hardship on the builder at this time to impose the full requirements on setbacks through no responsibility,of its own and through an unfortunate error and I believe that error should be accepted as the City°s responsibility and not as an additional condition that should impose greater burdens on the builder, Mayor Krieger, Do we have within the City, any experience now in the 69000 foot lot Size in new construction analogous at all to the application before us tonight? Planning Director, Mr, Joseph, No, we do not, -4- C,, C,, 5/16/66 'SLIGHT MODIF°ICATI`ON NO-,- 4-3 m Continued • Councilman Snyder; Page Five I don't think by granting this we are carte blanche saying .we are going to do so in the future,, Mayor Krieger,, This lot size itself provides certain exceptional and extraordinary circumstances which are not to be read into and inferred by any other applicant in support of his argument except as he may analogize it -to a 6,000 foot lot and without it being construed in any manner as precedent except to the applicant before us,, With respect to Item No,, 2, the necessity for the preservation and enjoy- ment of a substantial property right possessed by other property in the same vicinity and zone, I suppose!in my own consideration I would have necessarily to look to Rml 6,000 and not R-1 725001, Councilman Gillum; I believe there is additional happens if this matter comes up again? land to be developed,, What Councilman Nichols; I would say that should this be granted the Council imposes no precedent and no basis for any further request because of the uniqueness of the circumstances,, • Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, that Slight Modification No,, 43 be approved subject to the conditions of .the Review Board,, Motion passed on roll call as follows,, Ayes; Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Snyder, Gleckman, Mayor Krieger Noes; None Absent; None AMENDMENT NO,, 75 Mayor Krieger; Item 1 is a phase out of non- conforming signs,, May I ask why the word "latter" was used instead of "earlier?`? Planning Director, Mr,, Joseph; The intent was to keep the signs up as long as they can so they wanted to keep the latter date on the ordinance,, This is to amortize the signs as long as possible,, The --three-year program was chosen as just a reasonable period of time,, There may be changes in the ordinance that occur between now and April 219 1968,, The wording is specific that signs that are not conforming under this chapter as of that date shall be removed Councilman Snyder; Mayor Krieger; I think January, 1968 should be better than April 21st,, Item signs Department Code on sign construction covers No,, 49 outside stairways,, 3 is the maintenance of and the Building that so we can skip that,, -5- C, C, 5/16/66 AMENDMENT NO, 75 Continued • Planning Director, Mr, Joseph-, Mayor Krieger-, Page Six This is a carry-over of -Ordinance No, 325, It was requested by the Building Department, The next item is off-street parking for conference and meeting rooms,, Councilman Snyder-, To require any establishment to have parking to meet their maximum capacity, for instance, something like this which may only meet once a day or once a week, puts an undue burden on them, If they are the sort of establishment that meets intermittently then if they do have this kind of turnout then it really doesn't harm the -City to park down the street, Mayor Kriegers This wasn't set by the maximum, ..I was curious why you used the restaurant analogy In arriving at this, Do you assume that people in a meeting room sit as far apart as people in a restaurant? Planning Director, Mr, Joseph-, I think so, Councilman Nichols-, It has been my experience in. . West Covina in the last few years that we actually have�a shortage of parking at everyone of these .Locations where gatherings occur, I think there always will be this problem, I think this is a reasonable answer to it, Mayor Krieger: The next one is.walls and building lines on reverse corner lots, This exception is more of a matter of permission than it is a matter of exclusion; is that true? Planning Director, Mr, Joseph-, Yes, Councilman Nichols-, From thestandpoint of good planning, why may I not come to the front.of my property and build a six-foot wall? Planning Director, Mr, Joseph: This goes back to the basic foundation of zoning which justified under the law in terms of the public peace, health, safety andgeneral welfare, If you have a uniform -setback from the street and permit light and air, the public peace, health, safety and -. general welfare will be protected thereby. This is just history, One of the concepts we have been thinking about for a couple of years was relax.at:ron of certain of the old-time required setbacks in terms of planned residential developments, • Mayor Krieger-, The last item is pertaining to the Review Board to permit the Review Board to send -precise fans directly to the Planning Commission when they feel the Commission should more properly determine the matter, percentage up to 20o modification on the matters heard before the Review Board and, in effect, it constitutes a deviation of slight modification, Councilman Snyder° Who makes the determination that this is a Review Board matter or a Planning Commission matter? -6- Co Co 5/16/66 AMENDMENT NO', '75. 'Continued Page Seven Planning Director, Mr, Joseph-, Staff at the counter, Councilman Snyder-, If the Review Board determines that the staff made a mistake, they can refer the matter to the Planning Commission? Planning Director, Mr, Joseph-, Yes, but primarily it is con® strueted with a matter such as the Jay Construction problem, the matter that came up tonight. This was a precedent setting matter but legally it was to come before the Review Board, We don'"t want to have these matters that by law have to go to the Review Board, Councilman Snyder-, Move with respect to the date for phasing out of signs under Section 9221-8 be changed from April 219 1968 to the date of the second regular Council meeting in January of 1968, Mayor Krieger-, With the idea in mind that the date would be fixed in the ordinance rather than a reference to the second meeting? Councilman Snyder, Yes, . Action on Councilman Snyder°s motion, Motion seconded by Councilman Gleckman, and carried, RETIREMENT STUDY Mayor Krieger-, There has been an additional report submitted dated May 12th discussing costs, Councilman Krieger-, Mr, Aiassa, didn't we receive repeatedly a figure that was somewhere in the range of 110 to 120 thousand dollars? (Mr. Joseph left the chambers at 9-,00 P,M,� Mr:'o.:�.We.eks', Admiriketrat"ive`:Asst, We originally had a figure of $129,000, We actually had two complete separate evaluations on this, The first one was about 12.9 and we reduced it down, Each of these evaluations have been based on the salary at the time the evaluation was made, Councilman Snyder; Perhaps -this cost also includes • receiving disability benefits are the fact that six employees now being considered now, Councilman Gleckman-, Have we worked up any figures had we. -stayed with Occidental whether we are going higher or lower or even, just for the sake of knowledge? Mr,- Weeks',,- Admiri_ strat ve'. Asst:. The last figures I saw was $1109000 and we have not received the most recent bill from Occidental, m7® Co Co 5/16/66 Page Eight RETIREMENT STUDY ® Continued. Finance Director, Mr. Kay: That would include the six disability cases but they were billing us for is disability on the basis of four cases at which they were charging us $30 per employee per year and they had projected this as $95 per employee per year for the fcur cases and we now have six cases. This $110,000 would have been somewhere between 110 to 145 depending on when their actuaries completed their calculations. Mayor Krieger: I was interested in the fractional percentage reduction after the phased contributions by Occidental. Is there a dollar equivalent other than as incorporated within this report? Mr. Weeks, Admin. Assistan,,11-. The .2867o of payroll which is re- duced by percentage point of each $100,000 transfer, comes down to $5,895 per year in the dollar amount of the reduced annual premium, Mayor Krieger - Mr. Weeks, Admin, Assistant: Mayor Krieger: Mr, Weeks, Admin. Assistant: Mayor Krieger - Mr. Weeks, Admin. Assistant: That is only in the first year, isn't it? Doesn't it increase the second year? It actually decreases the second year. Isn't the annual, cost to the City initially computed by multiplying the 70618% against the payroll of the City? I Yes o It is still a reduced percentage applicable as against the total payroll? That's correct. Mayor Krieger- These figures are being projected upon an assumption that the payroll remains as it presently is, $2,100,000. 1 don't assume that at all. With respect to prior service, I assume that this will remain a con- stant, or am I incorrect in that regard? Mr. Weeks, Admin, Assistant: Mayor Krieger,. That is correct. Prior service will continue to be 2.3% of pay- roll for 30 years, But this percentage multiple will still increase for prior service as our, payroll increases? is Mr. Weeks, Admin. Assistant: ThaVs correct. Mayor Krieger - Mr. Weeks, Admin, Assistant: So the annual cost you have projected in these figures is only going to hold true so long as we retain an annual payroll of $2,100,000? That's correct. Co Co 5f16/66 Page Nine "RETIREMENT STUDY e Continued • Mayor Krieger: And the maximum amount of percentage fractional reduction that we can anticipate will be two and a half times ,,2860, is that correct? Mr. Weeks,. Admin. A§s stanto Mayor Krieger-. COMMISSION SALARIES Councilman Snyder-. That's right,, The ordinance has been introduced so we don't have to take any action on this tonight,, The salaries in regard to each commission, are they paid whether there is attendance or not? Finance Director, Mr,, Kayo I don't know specifically,, Councilman Gleckman-. The Planning Commission is paid on attendance,, • Councilman Snyder: If a regular meeting was missed and there so happened to be a regular adjourned meeting of that commission and the person involved attended that particular adjourned meeting, I think he should get paid,, It would have to be an adjourned meeting connected with that particular commission,, Mayor Krieger-. I think your point is taken care of under the resolutions of the Parks and Recreation Commission, Personnel Board, Planning Commission, and Human Relations Commission,, Councilman Snyder: I personally think that a $20m payment is not worth cutting the check for,, I think these people should have a raise,, Those getting $20 should be raised to $30 and $60 for the Planning Commission,, Councilman Nichols: How long have these figures been in effect? Mayor Krieger: The Recreation and Parks was June, 19649 the Planning Commission was June, 1964; the Personnel Board was June, 1964; I think we just established the Human Relations compensation about..a year ago,, Councilman Snyder: The Council up until -June of 1964 got $50 a month,, I think after the Council got a raise in that election that year we raised the commissions,, Councilman Nichols: I believe that we can never really compensate capable and able citizens of our community for their services and the time they spend,, I would concur that particularly in the light of the wide - ME Co C,, 5/16/66 -COMMISSION SAL-ARIES Continued Page Ten • spread readjustment of Councilmanic salaries in California, including this City, that there should be at least a. modest revision to indicate our feeling on this matter relative to the other commissions,, I think the figures set by Councilman Snyder are reasonable ones,, They certainly are in line relative to the Planning Commission and with the better paying cities as shown on the survey that we have here,, Councilman Snyder.- I think in regard to the Planning Commission the $50 is $25 for-. each meeting, and it should be amended to read $30 for eactr meeting,, Councilman Gleckman.- I don't think the raise from $50 to $60 is going to make much difference; or a raise from $20 to $30,, When we talk about the Council getting more money, it was a State Law and it wasn't an act by the City Council or the people directly,, I am going to try to figure the justification for the raise and it's always nice to raise salaries,, I just don't understand this in this instance,, Mayor Krieger.- I would go along with what Councilman Gleckman has said here,, It seems to me that the idea was a token compensation at best,, If we are trying to maintain some type of a ratio as a suggested .increase certainly doesn't go along with any ratio theory and I can't see the significance of a nominal increase and I can't see the necessity of any increase. We are never going to reach a point on the Council or on the Commissions or Boards actually where you are going to get compensated for the time spent if you do your job right,, Councilman Snyder.- This is'not a big point with me,, I merely brought it up for review because I think we should review it occasionally,, I wouldn't want to do this, personally, without full accord of the Council,, Move that amendments to the three ordinances and one resolution be drafted granting $30,,00 per meeting for a total of $60-,,.00 for Planning Commission; $30,,00 per meeting for a total of $3040 per -month for the Recreation and Parks Commission, Personnel Board, and Human Relations Commission,, Mayor Krieger° The motion dies for lack of a second,, Councilman Nichols.- I would have been happy to second that motion but it apparently was not a feeling of unanimity, I would agree with Councilman Snyder that the Council should be firm in its feelings before we move into this sort of thing,, REVOCATION AND SUSPENSION OF LICEN-SES Councilman Snyder.- I brought this up because as we become a headquarter city it is possible that we might get businessmen of national distribution as well as local businesmen who perhaps might be operating on a shady business or on the fringe of a shady business and at the present m10® Co C. 5/16/66 Page Eleven REVOCATION AND SUSPENSION 'OF 'LICENSES Continued time should this happen we have no method of revocation or suspension of a business license and no method of even refusing a business license. You would be amazed how many people think the City has that right. It seems to me that a copy of the ordinance from the City of Azusa supplies such an ordinance or such a method without endangering the right of'free enterprise- The person has the right of public hearing and the City Council has the right �o refuse to issue or revoke a business license for somebody who may be damaging the image of our -- City- I would like to see such an ordinance along these lines adoptedo Mayor Krieger; I agree with what Councilman Snyder says, In fact, the language I believe is good even in the Section 6148 as far as revocation. As far as the concept -.is concerned, I think it is also desirous of our consideration. Councilman Gillum- I notice this says "business in an immoral or disorderly manner". Would this cover such things as these topless entertainment places? Would that fall under such an area? Mayor. Krieger- I think only the City Attorney would probably be able to answer.that specific question although I do know that other municipalities • seem to be particularly unsuccessful even though they have these types of ordinances in banning that type of activity under this pre-emption. Councilman Gleckman- May I suggest that we give this copy to the City Attorney and to the staff to come back with a recommendation with the idea, in mind that the Council is interested in such an ordinance if it be:recomm mended in the proper language as to what we desire? Councilman Nichols- I don't object to further exploration as indicated by Councilman Gleckman. Do you have any knowledge, Mr. Mayors as to whether this.law or any similar law has been challenged as to its constitutionality? Mayor Krieger- I do know that the courts have passed upon the rights of the governmental body after a hearing conducted under the -requirements of due process to suspend --and revoke licenses and yes, it --has been.acted upon favorably. I have the impression that Mr. Williams being the City. -Attorney of Azusa had something to do with the preparation of this particular ordinance. Councilman Nichols- If a business is in your community and that business has some condition that developed around it oo for example, alleged disorderly conduct m® normally the community's recourse or the individual's recourse is to bring an action under the vio- lation of some other law that involves disorderly conduct and there is a legal proceeding and the person may demand a jury trial and he is either guilty or not guilty of that and subject to any punitive actions that the law might hold. Here a City official may make a preliminary determination that some person is in fact violating a law and you have created under this a procedure for by-passing a normal judicial procedure and bringing it before the Council and saying this person is disorderly or they are doing something else; therefore, -11® C, C, 5/16/66 Rage Twelve 'REVOCATION AND SUSPENSION OF -LICENSES Continued we are going to hold a hearing and the Council sets itself up as a judicial body, makes a finding and revokes a license based upon a finding that this disorderly condition did exist, You are really, in effect, setting up in a different way to try what is alleged to be probably a violation of any one of a number of things, Mayor Kriegera I don't think the courts have ever said that governmental agencies can preclude the recourse to the courts. A determination of this type or any other quasi judicial or administrative agency would always be appealable to the courts on the basic questions as to whether or not the respondent is afforded due process of law by the hearing body and'whether or not there was substantial evidence to support the record and the actions of the hearing body, Councilman Snyder: My intent is again since we are becoming a larger City and may have large firms located here for instance, the so-called house siding firms who advertise over the radio and draw up fake contracts m® one located in West Covina, I think if they were cited by the FHA or somebody for numerous and gross infractions of the FHA rules and convicted, which at the present don't have any way to revoke their licenses m® I personally think it should involve a conviction •but again I think this can be stated in broad terms and we have to trust the judgment of the Council, Motion by -Councilman Snyder, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and carried,.that the staff and the City Attorney be instructed to draft an ordinance regarding revocation and suspension of business licenses similar to the Azusa Ordinance; that the City Attorney and staff take full recognition of the comments made by the Council this evening, CITIZENS' BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE Mayor Kriegere You have the draft of a proposed letter to be sent throughout the City of West Covina in accordance with my recommendation to the Council of last week, You also have a list of the priorities for the Citizens' Blue Ribbon Committee, I asked the City Manager to provide the City with cost figures if you wish to go ahead with the direct mailing, City Manager, Mr, Aiassao The cost for --addressing and labels is $6,50 per thousand with a total figure of approximately $768,75 and probably with another $75 or $80 we can include the postcard -because we are only going to pay what is returned. This is for 159000 letters, Councilman Snyder; I think this is a good letter, I think the first job would be to finish our interviews and then set up an ad hoc or initial blue ribbon committee to select the larger committees out of our responses, I don't think the Council will have the time to do it by ourselves and I don't think the staff should do it, _12- C, Cc 5/16/66 Page Thirteen CITIZENS' BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE Continued Councilman Gleckman- I think the letter is well written and well prepared, I don°t care if we do get a large response, This to me is not only a way in which we can get the citizens in our community interested but also informed and it is a twofold plan as far as I°m concerned, I think this is something we have needed for a long time, Councilman Nichols- I think we should give some consideration -.as to whether we want to move out initially in all fourteen areas. The letter is excellent, I believe it should go out, The only question is that at the conclusion of the letter itself you indicate that you are inviting each and every person who receives this to respond by utilizing a postcard indicating a first, second, and third -committee appointment. You do not say that they will or will not be invited to participate. It is conceivable that only a relatively few peoplemight respond and that virtually all who do respond would be used, But, it is also conceivable that the response may be beyond that which you could possibly utilize and you may lose in the public realations sense by not being able to utilize the full volume of' people who might respond, My thinking in that sense would be that peihaps it would be -better to invite their response to the Mayor by letter or response if' they would be interested or of any thoughts on this subject and then your survey shows this response and you can move from there, Mayor Krieger- I would hope we get an avalanche, Frankly, I don't think that will be the problem, If you accept the 14 committees and we were to constitute these committees by appointment of 20 each, we can use 300 people, I would be very gratified if we have that kind of response, If we have a greater response than that, then as far as I°m concerned it puts a greater burden but a pleasant one upon us and probably more particularly me to make sure that there are no hurt feelings or ill will generated by this, I think the initial overture can only create good will and we are really talking about our follow-up so we don't lose the good will that we create, Councilman Nichols- I don't think we have the facilities to start 14 different committees and keep them going, I think when a committee is created there has to be a continuing on, a liaison with the City staff and elected Councilmen in order that these people will become informed and learn and move to an answer. My only concern is that we move. - off too broadly initially and get a setback that would be harmful, Councilman Snyder- I would agree, Councilman Nichols- If we could take five or six -and if this letter could be modified to •the extent that not all committees may be started immediately but those who responds their names would be kept ready and..avaiiable and move out in five or six and see how we can follow them, how the thing begins initially, the mechanics of it, and then --as soon as we see we can move ahead into additional committee areas, all well and good, Mayor Krieger- If that is the consensus of the majority of the Council, I suggest in the third paragraph of the letter rather than use the words "are now being created" and then gauge your creation by the extent of your response, -113- Co Co 6/1.6/66 'CITIZENS' BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE m Continued Councilman Gleckmana Page Fourteen I agree with that,, Councilman Gillum: Most of these are in areas where they would have to work with staff people, We have asked the staff to work on the up -dating of the General Plan and things of this typed I am wondering if we get into too many of these are we going to put another burden on these people obtaining information for these blue ribbon committees? Mayor Krieger.- This is an experiment in local government and I would tend to think we are going to gauge our speed and our direction by what we experience, It is extremely difficult when you are experimenting to know each step that you are going to experience --although you might hypothesize as to what developments might occur, Councilman Nichols° If we find we need people to add to our staff for this - research work, perhaps we can consider that when the time comes, Motion by Councilman Snyder, seconded by Councilman Gillum, that $19000.00 from Unappropriated Reserve be appropriated for the sending of letters as indicated from the draft of May 16, 1966 inviting ISparticipation of citizens in blue ribbon committees, Motion passed on roll call as follows. - Ayes: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Snyder, Gleckman, Mayor Krieger Noes: None Absent: None LIST OF MAJOR ITEMS REQUIRING COUNCIL STUDY MEETING Mayor Krieger: The Council agreed informally that one of the matters of utmost importance would be a series of study meetings on items of concern, We have a tentative list dated May 9th of major items needing possible study sessions, Councilman Nichols: I object to bringing --the water study back this soon, Mayor Krieger: The reason this was put up close to the top was because of the report itself as to how --far in'the future the validity of that report might be projected, Councilman Nichols: That is a valid point, Councilman Snyder: I would like to see two --items added to the study list, The first one is there has been an unwritten policy but never stated policy on better control or chanelling of public information. -and public relations and I think we need a study session on this, --In other words, is the Mayor to be the public relations spokesman, the City Manager, how this is to be handled. In that line, I think we have to have a study session regarding a City tabloid or brochure or ml4® C. C. 5/16/66 Page Fifteen LIST OF.MAJOR_ITEMS REQUIRING COUNCIL STUDY MEETING.- continued: some sort of a City newspaper or newsletter that could possibly be instituted and the best way of doing this. I would like to see these • two things put on study session. I have known for a long time and it has been pointed out by several people we have interviewed, that our policemen in some respects are our public relations arm. They are the only officials of the city many people meet and are sort of like officers and soldiers overseas; they are our diplomatic arm. This should be a personnel session; I would like to have a study session on the effectiveness of our Police: De- partment as a public relations agency. This involves many areas, It in- volves the enforcement of the laws, and perhaps maybe they are too diligent sometimes in the enforcement of the laws. I am not saying this is true, I am saying it is possibly true. I feel very strongly about this. We should have a study session; you can list it as police public relations, Mayor Krieger: Are there any objections to adding that? Councilman Nichols: No, because he has stipulated that there is no issue or current problem, Councilman Snyder: I am not saying that; I may have some problem that I don't want to bring up at a public meeting. Mr. Aiassa: Can I ask one question? As a priority item, do you want to devote an entire session to the police relations? Councilman Snyder: No. Mr. Aiassa: Can we include that with the public relations newspaper and make that one study session? Councilman Snyder: Yes, Mayor Krieger: No, we want to determine first of all whether or not this tentative list does not contain items that you would like to see on the list; and then secondly, we have extracted from this list certain items that have been calendered during June, and if you want to vary that. Councilman Snyder: I think we should have a joint meeting with the involved members of the Cham- ber regarding the base study to make sure this is taking the directions and scope that we intended from our viewpoint. Councilman Gleckman: I agree, That is the way the contract reads. Mayor Krieger: On the scheduling of this session, do you have any suggestions, revisions, comments to make? Councilman Gleckman: Traffic relief on Center Street or on • the Vincent Avenue Interchange, if that problem doesn't show up on a priority list, I would like to see it there. Mayor Krieger: There was a meeting with the Plaza property owners last Wednesday and there is to be a follow-up meeting, an activation of that committee formed Wednesday morning at 9:15 and Councilman Gillum is to be the Council, representative, _15- Co ;Co 5/16/66 Page Sixteen LFAPUE COMMUNICAT.C+iN`RE:.:;`, FED3RAL HIGHWAY FUNDS Mayor Krieger: This is for your information only. • r R SOLUTION NO, 3367 The City Clerk presented: AnnE;xation 200 "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF ADOPTED THE CITY OF WEST COVINA CONSENTING TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS FOR THE ANNEXATION OF CERTAIN INHABITED TERRITORY DESIGNATED AS 'SOUTHERLY ANNEXATION DISTRICT NO. 2001" Motion by Councilman Snyder, seconded by Councilman Gillum and carried, that this matter be added to the agenda, Mayor Krieger: Hearing no objections, we will waive further reading of the body of the resolution. Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, that said resolution be adopted. Motion passes on roll call as follows: Ayes: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Snyder, Gleckman, Mayor Krieger Noes: None Absent: None Said resolution was given No. 3367. COUNCILMANIC REPORTS JUNIOR CHAMBER REPORT Councilman Nichols: Mr. Aiassa, are you getting any re sponse in your efforts to get the in- formation on the Junior Chamber survey that occurred some time ago? City Manager, Mr, Aiassa: You received a copy of.my letter to the Chairman of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and we have been assured they will have a report for use . Councilman Nichols: If it is not forthcoming by Friday, would you inquire of them again so you can tell us what is happening as of our next meeting? City Manager, Mr, Aiassa: Okay, VALINDA MEETING Councilman Nichols: I have been made aware through an article in the San Gabriel Valley Daily Tribune that a committee of citizens from the Valinda area num- bering some 20 according to the reports, are conducting a meeting and I believe this meeting is scheduled for this coming Wednesday evening in the Valinda area and it is a protest meeting as the story reported • against efforts on the part of other citizens in that area to annex to the City of West Covina. I would be interested to have a report returned to the Council on the nature of that meeting if no other Councilman has an objection. I think it would be of interest if someone from our staff could be present at the meeting and indicate the nature of the public feelings as expressed. Also, for the record, it has been reported to me that a number of people who are attempting to create opposition to the interest in annexation as expressed by a number of the citizens in the in the Valinda area, that a number of people are directly connected with the County of Los Angeles in their employment and I would be very inter- ested in finding as a Councilman if this City knows of any calculated effort on the part of County employees in connection with their employ- -16- Co C 5/16/66 Page Seventeen VALINDA MEETING m Continued: Councilman Nichols Continued: • ment to agitate in the Valinda area and attempt to prevent the citizens from that area in expressing their own feelings relative to annexation. If this is true, I think the Board of Supervisors should be notified; a complaint should be filed regarding the conduct of such County em--' ployeeso MAYOR'S REPRESENTATION OF THE CITY Councilman Gleckman: I would like to compliment the Mayor for his excellent representation of_ the City. I, as one Councilman, thank you. INTERVIEWS Mayor Krieger: We do have an interview session Friday night starting at 7:30. • There being no further business, motion by Councilman Gillum, seconded by Councilman Snyder, and carried, that this meeting be adjourned at 10:15 P.M. ATTEST: UJ —TTTY--CrE—RK APPROVED 12 19 v -17-