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05-01-1967 - Regular Meeting - MinutesMINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA MAY 1, 1967. The adjourned regular meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Krieger at 7:30 o'clock P.M., in the West Covina City Hall. Councilman Nichols led the Pledge of Allegiance. ' • ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Krieger, Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Snyder (Arrived at 7:40 P.M.) Councilman Gleckman (Arrived at 7:35 P.M.) Also Present: George Aiassa, City Manager Lela Preston, Deputy City Clerk George Zimmerman, Assistant City Engineer Owen Menard, Planning Director Harry Peacock, Administrative Aide SIDEWALK PROGRAM Councilman Gillum: I noticed originally at the beginning of the 5 year plan, we were talking about one million dollars - if my arithmetic is correct we have exceeded that already. In other words the one million dollars was the combined participation of the subdividers and the City? (Answer: Right) Then we have exceeded. Mr. Aiassa, City Manager: Some of the sidewalks were put into commercial areas, but • are used by pedestrians. I would like to make a point which the staff did not make. The Council should give some serious consideration, even though the sidewalk program has been very successful, after looking at the 5 year street deficiency prograrp, to reducing the amount spent on sidewalks. The money saved could then be used in the street deficiency program. Another alternative would be to put in the same amount of sidewalk over a longer period of time and utilize the surplus monies from the sidewalk program for some of our very bad streets. Mayor Krieger: I think there are two basic questions here; one is the concept itself and the second, is the priority: Your comment as to allocation would only be attractive to me if there was a street requirement that had higher priority, in my mind at least, than the sidewalk priority. But this originally came back before the Council in terms of the report having to do with the concept. rather than allocation. Councilman Gillum: Unfortunately, we have set a precedent by the past City. Council of putting in sidewalks, which I think is a very good idea for school children. But am not sure if I were on the Council at that time - I don't think I could have supported this type of operation. I am sure we could use $40,000 right now in many other areas. It is unfortunate this was started and I. am sure we will have to continue it, as we would have a difficult time changing it. Councilman Nichols: Well my attitude is diametrically the opposite of Councilman Gillum's. I don't think it is unfortunate that we started it. think it is extremely fortunate we did. I think the need was urgent and relative to the major highways and the secondary highways. I would hope in full willingness, that the Council would continue, certainly at least at the present level to continue the program. I think that'all people who have.gained the benefit of the sidewalks, school children and adults, ADJ. C. C. 5/1/67 Page Two • • tIDEWALK PROGRAM - Continued have expressed a great deal of pleasure that our major streets have sidewalks. The only other thing.I would mention is that I have the same feeling about sidewalks on a secondary highway as I do about the 1911 Act on secondary highways. I think where you have,a sidewalk going down a street that its. primarily-calculated�to-aerve far greater numbers of people than normally could be expected to use a residential street. I:t is ,a feeder sidewalk for literally hundreds and hundreds of people, I think the community at large has a responsibility rather than the assessment against the indivi- dual property owners, rather than opposed to a strictly residential street whereI would not then feel that the public should bear that expense. We have no way of knowing whether we saved lives with our sidewalk program, but we have certainly made a better and safer city and I would certainly hope that we could continue it. Councilman Gillum: Well Councilman Nichols, .I did not want to leave you with the impression I was opposed to the sidewalk program. I have doubts in my mind as to the way of its financing. With 5 children I appreciate the sidewalks greatly. I have doubts in my mind about the way it was started - using money out of the general fund. .As I said if I were here when the program was started I would have tried to find some different way of financing. Councilman Gleckman: I agree with the staff report. I think this City happens to be very fortunate in having foresight An the past to embark on such a program. I know how tough the budget has been and how much tougher it will probably be in the future, but I think the City as a whole has benefited from this program and since this is the only way to fund this type of program because of past procedure, .I also feel we should continue as long as we can, as we have in the past. Not sidewalks for the whole city but near schools, secondary and primary streets. Motion by Councilman Nichols, seconded by Councilman. Gillum, that the staff recommendation be accepted to wit: the council direct staff to continue the imple- mentation of the city sidewalk priority program limited to major and secondary highways and streets leading to or in the immediate vicinity of schools. Motion carried on roll call vote as follows - AYE S -. Councilmen Gillum, NOES: None ABSENT: Councilman .Snyder Nichols, Gleckman, Mayor Krieger Mr. Aiassa: Mr. Mayor, may I ask just one clarification of policy. City Manager I presume the council's thinking is for the staff to make a similar recommendation during the budgetary time for $40, 000 as we have done in the past. Mayor Krieger: I assumed that was the only reason it was on our agenda, Mr. Aiassa., and,,.:; the only recommendation to be asked to be concurred in was the one we concurred in. PRIORITY SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION EXTENSION OF TIME Motion by Councilman Nichols, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and carried, that Robert William Graves, City Contractor, for the priority sidewalk construction be granted an extension of six working days from the previously revised date of completion of Project SP-67001 or until May 8, 1967. - 2 - ADJ. Ca Co 5/l/67 Page Three TRAFFIC SIGNALS AT SUNSET AVENUE/SUNSET PLACE Councilman Gleckman: I see the recommendation and it probably is the best we can come up with at this time. I am only conscious that the widening of the freeway and any other action that might be •taken in the near future, that we have been discussing ® maybe will give us a better solution than just this. This seems like a temporary solution Mr. Aiassa: This is what we are concerned about Mr. Gleckman. If we City Manager do anything now with regard to widening, we would have to relocate all the traffic standards and also by the time the freeway gets underway for widening the Civic Center plan will be in, and that is the main entrance for the Civic Center. Councilman Gleckman: I have one other. question. When we talk about widening the underpass is it possible with the State°s cooperation to lower the grade of the underpass so that the sight will be better? Mayor Krieger: You are talking about the hump? We have been. discussing this, because it does constitute a sight obstruction. .I think that would have more significance than the widening of the underpa s s Councilman Gleckman: I If this is the best we can do, I would go along with it. Mr. Ai.assa: There is one more item the staff is investigating. .As you • City Manager know, there is the northwest guadrant - it does not have a street. light. We are trying to get street lights in there which is a routine safety aspect and I think that would help. Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded .by Councilman Gillum, and carried, that council, accept the staff recommendation for the existing signs and signals at Sunset Avenue and Sunset Place. DATA BANK Mayor Krieger: We have the staff report of April 28, 1967, together with the proposed time and materials agreement. Was this agreement reviewed and approved by the City Attorney? (Answer: Yes) Councilman. Gleckman: I have no objection with the report and the recommendation as far as the $ 65 00 - I would go along with that. The only thing is I have some questions regarding the ability to use what we are getting. In other words, who is in the particular twilight, zone watching all this. Jim Kay? Mr. Afassa. Mr. Menard will be handling all the data bank. material that City Manager goes in for the General Plan.and the land use, eventually it • will probably be coordinated through two people. Councilman Gleckman: That is what I want to know. Mr. Menard is the one handling the data bank .liaison for processing at the present. time. Councilman .Snyder: I have had a similar question ever since the initial report came in on the data bank, that is the cost of the material we are putting in - how often are we going to ask. for it out? I think it would be wise if' the staff would demonstrate to the council over the ensuing years how often you do get the stuff out, - 3 - .ADJ. C. C. 5/1 /07 Page Four • n LJ DATA BANK - Continued Mr. Aiassa- We will keep a log. We are going to do some City Manager preliminary call outs to see how accurate the data is that went in - it will be a check-out, to see if the facts are in right. Councilman Snyder- The impression given here - say 5 years from now if we want a General Plan and the data bank is up to date you just call in and it comes out like that,. I don't think it is going to work quite that way and it is a misconception if you think it will. Mr. Aiassa- I don't think anybody gave that concept but it will be a City Manager lot shorter than sending someone out door to door, as we have to do now. Mayor Krieger- I don't think the data bank is ever going to establish policy, it is just going to give the information on which to base �- policy. Councilman Snyder: Mr. Aiassa: City Manager about $29.00. Am I right, Mr This is a lot of money and you.w•onder if it is.,going• to,give you that much information. When we had the study on Glendora Avenue , for example - instead of having a couple of staff people go out, this information would have been pulled from the data bank for Menard? Mc. Menard- This is correct, plus as a storage bank it is going to Planning Director have the facility of giving us a great deal more than just land use, square footage of buildings , etc. , if kept up to date and for this amount of money it certainly should be kept up to date. We will be able to tell in any part of town the vacancy factor on land, vacancy factor on buildings, or new construction, etc. , it is a living tool. Mayor Krieger- A question Mr. Menard. In conjunction with your General Plan up dating_,referred to later in the agenda, you said in your report of April 27 "the creation of the data bank is necessary to maintain the (s:chedule" of th`e General' Plan. The way this is geated now',)�the information that is being put in to this data bank is an essential requirement of the next phase of the General Plan study, the retrieval of this information? Mr. Menard: This is correct. The first function of the data bank is Planning Director going to actually provide us with the data sheets on - every parcel of land of everyone of the 47 districts established in West Covina. This material will then go up to the consultant: who will use it in his research of the creation of the sketch plan. Mayor Krieger: The next question which will take us back to the report having to do with the data bank. Under Information, • Retrieval and Recording, you have certain computer operations, now are these computer operations the operations that you are alluding tc in your subsequent report having to do with the General Plan information? Mr. Menard- This is correct. The first information Retrieval and Planning Director Recording will undoubtedly have errors in it, The information we have received from Informatics is that they are going to have to assist us along these lines and at $ 22.00 per hour for 10 'tours, but at the completion of their assistance we will have correct data sheets to send up to the Planning .consultant. - 4 - AD�o C. C. 5/1 /67 Page Five 0 11 DATA BANK m Continued Mayor Krieger-, So the $6500. is not merely again an expenditure that goes into the creation but now we are talking about some portion of at least $1000 . of it being allocated to actual use of this information. Mr. Menard-, Planning Director That is absolutely correct. Mayor Krieger-, We talked about money, money setting up this system, and money, money feeding in the information and now at least we are finally talking about money that gives us a report. Councilman Gillum: Mr. Aiassa, I have a question. In the future - say in the Home Savings & Loan property to the south when it is developed is there some procedure that will start that when this is going through the stage of development all of this information will be fed into and will be current for that development, or any one of that type? Mr. Aiassa-, What that -will do is deplete the vacant land report City Manager and increase the other report. It will be a running inventory. Mayor Krieger: How close are our figures here to your projections of a couple of months ago? Mr. Menard: Under the current figures, as to what was allocated at Planning Director that time, it looks like we will save about$2600. One of the main reasons is the students we hired from Cal Poly, we anticipated about $4000. and we got by cheaper- $3018. Plus the fact that in discussing with Informatics we were able to come down a few dollars, thus saving some money there. Mayor Krieger-, You mean the $9182. figure in the report as originally you projected is the phase we are now di�dixssifrg with a cost of $6500.? Mr. Menard: This was evidently the figure that had taken place prior Planning Director to my becoming familiar with it. I remember the first Council meeting I attended, there was talk of about $12,500, so it looks like we will come out about $2600. ahead for this fiscal year. Councilman Gleckman: The only other comment I have .m I think the $ 300. that we .sent'. to the - San Gabriel Valley City Managers on E . D.P. - for the bad publicity we received in the newspapers that we should get our money back. Mr. Aiassa; You mean about us just participating? I think that was City Manager good, it shows we are on our toes financially. Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, that council recommend the City Manager to be authorized to spend not more than $6500. in the remainder of the fiscal year to cover the cost for c ,creating the Electronic Data Bank, and be authorized to sign contracts with Informatics, Inc. , and create a key punching service. Motion carried on roll.call vote as follows: AYES: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols,: Snyder, Gleckman, .Mayor Krieger NOES: None ABSENT: None W5- ADJa . Ca C. 5/1 /67 Page Six BUSINESS LICENSE TAX PROGRAM Mayor Krieger. We have a staff report with many attachments, is there anything the staff wants to add? • Mr. Aiassa. No, we gave the council as many alternatives as possible, City Man ager plus . a model ordinance Councilman Gleckman. After reading the report I am convinced that the most : ; sensible way to do this would be to maintain the present method of business license taxation but increase the amount paid for these licenses. I don't see any other way that we could go ahead on any other basis without actually sitting down with the Chamber of Commerce and quite a few merchants and have a knock down: drag out brawl, The end result I cannot guarantee one way or the other. I think the staff has done an excellent job of research and I think you were involved at one time Mr. Mayor with meeting with the Chamber of Commerce on this particular subject. Mayor Krieger. Dr. Snyder and I served as a subcommittee for the Council .in meeting with the Chamber representatives. I believe Mr .Byron Clayton; chaired the Chamber. sub- committee. It got side tracked only because of certain questions asked for fbllo:w-up information and never got back to the subject matter. The first response that we received from the Chamber representatives when we broached the subject seemed to be negative. I am not sure how much of it was initially resistance and how much just opposition to the concept of the gross receipts tax, • Councilman Snyder. In my opinion the gross receipts tax,: having studied taxation under, the Revenue Taxation. Committee for a number of years, is the best method. But we really don't have a report here for instance on a retail establishment paying so 'much tax now and what the gross receipts tax might raise his tax - three or four. hundred percent, and different types of retails have different net profits. This is the big problem in the gross receipts tax the different types of businesses, and until we have a study show- ing what this difference of net profit is, I think it would be unfair to tax somebody who has a very high gross but a low net profit, more than it would be to tax somebody that has a low gross and a high net prof it o This is not the whole reason for the tax, but we still do not make any allowance for this in the report. Councilman Gillum. This is one area d didn't even consider Dr. Snyder, but you have a point there. My main concern is after going over this I keep getting the feeling in a sense we are penalizing someone that is able to operate their business and increase it. .I read , earlier this evening _the' Ordinance on' B usin egs`Lice n-s,es.,_.a<n& it'=says rr.ther..e:,':;for. c levying a tax or regulating" so it fsi in ou'r-powdr ;to put;something like _this in effect, but I think Dr. Snyder brought out a very good point. When I read Retail Grocers operate on a very small margin of profit and our company,. as an example, has a very large margin of profit, so I think it would be unwise to tie it on that type of a receipt, as I am sure it would put more of a burden on some parts of our commercial area than it . would on others. I think it is a fine report but I would not want to make a decision this evening, because there are a lot of new questions in my mind on it. I agree with Councilman Gleckman, if we are going to raise it, raise it all, but I think if we get into this it will be worse than the "trees . " Councilman Snyder: I never got the idea when we first started this, that we did .it to increase revenues. I thought our ideas on a gross receipts tax was to make it more equitable and include people like the Telephone:Company that is not taxed at all. If the Chamber 6 ADf. C� C. 5/1 /67 Page Seven BUSINESS LICENSE 'TAX PROGRAM Continued got the idea that we did it to increase revenue, at least that was not my idea, it was an attempt to find a more equitable tax. I still think this could be the most equitable tax if you can relate the gross receipts tax to the normal net profit of that type of business. . Councilman Gillum- When was this Business License tax set - the one we have existing now? Mr. Ai.assa. City Manager In 1961 the basic fee was established and a few minor changes were made in 1964, Actually the merchants themselves admit --there ,is an inequity in the present set up. Councilman Nichols - It seems to me we have to follow through on the thesis Dr. Snyder posed, that is are we looking at it from the standpoint of a device for increasing revenue or a method for achieving more equitable distribution of an existing form of revenue. Although the Business License also has, as we all recognized the legitimate method of control of businesses, it also does produce revenue. , I think we have to decide that and know what we are doing. I assume it is to provide a more equitable system. We certainly do not have the evidence here at this time that would demonstrate that. It seems to me it would have to be looked at in more detail and discussed before we could decide. Mayor Krieger. I agree. I think though this council .through the mechanics of its council procedure should put this matter to rest once and for all, one way or the other, rather than leave it hanging in limbo indefi;n. ite.ly , as to whether we are or are not. I think it would be desirable to appoint a committee of two councilmen to review this matter totally with the staff and prellminar.ly: ,, with the designated representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and then report back to this council their own opinion based on this investigation as to what the council might possibly do in this area, and whether it deserves further consideration, or whether or not we'ought -to put'an end to it and 'look at it if we look at it at all, simply as a revenue producing matter. Councilman Snyder. I agree with you and I would like to serve on that Committee, if I can. Secondly, I think we should decide the policy tonight, whether it is revenue produc- ing or to be a more equitable tax, not necessarily to increase revenue from a business tax. Mayor Krieger- The only trouble with your statement is there is an assumption -.in it that our present system is not equitable, and we don't have that evidence to arrive at that conclusion. Councilman Snyder: I can give you some evidence - - the phone company • does not pay a business license tax and they also do not pay a franchise Mayor Krieger- I think the council would have to have more information before being able to vote . Councilman Nichols. I think as a matter of policy it is a poor procedure to go into any study of two comparative systems of revenue with the attitude that you are going to select the one that will produce the most revenue because I think, o except in those- instances "where a device- is strictly- for the;preduction of revenue, - 7 - ADJ. C. C. 5/1 /6;7 Page Eight BUSINESS LIC NSE TAX PROGRAM - Continued Motion by Councilman Nichols, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and carried, that the council authorize the Mayor to appoint a committee of two councilmen to proceed into an investigation of this area, with the accepted philosophy that further, investigation of the gross receipts vehicle for Business Licensing be not approached from the standpoint of • the revenue aspect .whatsoever, but from the standpoint of the equity aspect in levying these charges in the City. t Councilman Snyder: Legally you have to approach it from the revenue stand- point, I am told - if you approach it from the service standpoint then you have to enumerate ...... Councilman Nichols: I understand your point, but the intent of my motion - not approach from the revenue standpoint - - I mean in terms of the purpose of these charges being levied at all. The historic basis for business licenses, I believe, `was for the financing to provide revenues for the policing and control of those activities in the community. (MAYOR KRIEGER appointed Councilmen Snyder and Gillum to serve on this Committee.) FIRE STATION NO. 6 ACQUISITION Mr. Aiassa: I would like to advise the council we have an offer City Manager from ?c; Home Savings & Loan for a site of 150' by • 200', contains about 30, 000 square feet and we can have this property for approximately $19, 800 - $20, 000 roughly. $. 666 a square foot. Councilman Snyder: They won't give it to us ? Mr. Aiassa: They can't , really. This is very fair. We evaluated City Manager with other sales in the area, and for the current price this is very fair. Councilman Nichols: Is this within the boundary area of the proposed station? Mr. Aiassa: Yes, exactly where we want it. There is a possibility, City Manager and Mr. Geller has not been able to forward information, where the Library might want to be located with us. If they do we would prodbably like to increase this by 14, 000 square feet, but they will be willing to pay for the additional footage': It would be like the arrangement at Yaleton and Puente, but there we bought the facility and leased it back to the County. Councilman Nichols: This would be a cash sale? Mr. Aiassa: Not necessarily. They just made the proposal to me and City Manager I have to accept it or make an equitable program to them. We would like to propose to set this on a possible two . year program. We do have now $6000. in our budget to start the first payment. We could probably start on July 1, 1967 and rebudget next year for another portion and the following year for the total balance. Motion by Councilman Nichols, seconded by Councilman Gillum,, that the council accept the offer of Home Savings & Loan for the sale of a parcel as described by the City Manager, approximately 150' b;y 200' in the amount of $20, 000 and that the City Manager be authorized to continue negotiations for the consumation of that, purbhase on .those terms. ADJo C. C. 5/1/67 Page Nine - FIRE STATION NO. 6 - Continued Motion carried on roll call vote as follows: AYES: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Snyder, Gleckman, Mayor Krieger NOES: None • ABSENT: None Motion by Councilman Nichols, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and carried, that the council has no objection to the City Manager negotiating with the County concerning the possible.adjunct of a library::to the fire facility presently contemplated for construction and that the City Manager proceed with such negotiations and report back to the City Council. DEL NORTE PARK ADDITION -LAND ACQUISITION Mr. Aiassa: I have been in contact with Mr. Gonne.. and also the City Manager City Attorney and I would like to accept his offer for his parcel, which amounts to approximately $38, 500. There are some assessment,. improvements against the property on which we would probably share on a 50-50 basis amounting to about $1600. I would like to have the council authorize me to negotiate a formal arrangement with Mr. Gonne . whereby we can tie this property up for one fiscal year '67-'68. I will encumber a reserve balance that we have in a fund that was to be used for the Police Relay Station which amounts to about $16,00(0. We will make this payment due and payable approximately the first of August, 1967, and the second payment which will be budgeted in 67-68 • _ will be made sometime in January. Councilman Gillum: Mr. Aiassa, what happens to the Relay Station now? Mr. Aiassa: We put in a substitute which provided the assistance City Manager we needed for the Police Station, it wasn't necessary for the elaborate one we started out with. What we are installing is adequate, the other was not needed. The money was to revert back to the General Fund this year. Incidentally, there was an official appraisal made on this in 1964. Mr. Gonne, is allowing us to have the 1964 appraisal cost. It is a parcel 45, 244 square feet - 0: 86 acres and out of this we will take a street width of 5296' so the gross area is 50, 540 square feet for $38,.500. I think it is a pretty fair offer. Motion by:Coungilma.ntiSnyder- s.econded:by Cqunc lma-n Gil l.um.,,_Aha:t_ithe council7. authorize the City. Manager_'nd the City Attorney to negotiate with the owner of the property, Mr. Gonne:,, for the acquisition of his property at the purchase price of $38, 500. payable in two increments during the fiscal year 1967-'68. Motion carried on roll call vote as follows: AYES: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Snyder, Gleckman, Mayor Krieger NOES: None . ABSENT: None SCREENING OF CITY YARD Councilman Gleckman: I am very much satisfied with the report and I would say the sooner the better. Councilman Snyder: I have one question. How come they never think of hedges as screening, especially since this is temporary? -9- ADJ. Co Ca 5%l/67 Page Ten 0 • • SCREENING OF CITY YARD - Continued Mr. Aiassa. I was going to make this one comment - I asked the City Manager Planning Department to review this since the Planning Department is taking care of all the landscap- ing for the Precise Plan. Mr. Menard. I would recommend greenery. Planning Director Councilman Snyder. Can we hold the report up for a recommendation from the Planning Department for greenery? Such a LL recommendation should include how long it takes to grow. Motion by Councilman Snyder, seconded by Councilman Gleckman, and carried, that this report be held until council can receive a staff report from the Planning Director on the efficacy and cost of a hedge screening by the meeting of May 8th ANNEXATION BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE REPORT Mr. Chris Justi„ Co -Chairman 3133 Sunset Hill Drive West Covina (Mr. Justi, presented to the council the Annexation Blue Ribbon Committee report.) We would like very much to thank Councilman Gleckman for the advice and suggestions given;' arid: also Plifl`Gateh of the city staff who did an outstanding job on this project. We have given to the' council, the Annexation Study Book, 208 pages, reviewing a total potential area contiguous to West Covina; January 27, 1967, reevaluation of the Annexation Program memorandum; the March 3, 19 67 , memorandum from Annexation Sub -Committees to the Blue Ribbon Committee and this evenings report. I would like at this time to mention the other members of the Annexation Committee-, Hal Mar1ron, Co- chairman; Gaddi.s Maddox; Donald Frankel; Calvin Wetherbee; Roland Bickford; Charles Gordon; Donald Myers; Laura Brady. I would say we had independent thinking here from the 9 members of the Committee and I believe we came up with a solid recommendation after a total review of the program. (Mr. Justi then gave a brief verbal summary of the Annexation Committee, its findings., and recommendations.) Councilman Snyder. May I ask a question? The statement regarding one area "was economically unfeasible due to the projected police and municipal services needed". Was this projection on police cost based on fact or just as the appearance of the community as it looked to you? Mr. Justin No';. it was studied in some detail, particularly the police reports in that area ., the location of our Police Center area and the calls they would have to make. It was studied in some detail., it came under quite extensive discussion and review. Councilman Snyder. Was there an increase on police calls in that area? Mr. Justi: We thought in comparison to the average calls within the City at the present time - yes. 10 - ADJ . C. C. 5/1 /67 Page Eleven NNEXATION BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE REPORT - Continued Mayor Krieger: Thank you Mr. Justi. And on behalf of the Council , accept our thanks" for the extensive time and effort required on the part of the Committee. This report represents the fourth Citizens Committee report since the committees came into existence. We were looking forward with great anticipation to this Committee's work and effort and we will ask that you and your co-chairman and members of the Committee return at a _ da.te, that will be given to you , expressly for the purpose of allowing the council to express in greater detail and we hope before a larger audience, our appreciation for your efforts. Mr. Justi: Thank you. Councilman Gleckman: The only real comment I have to make regarding the report is that unlike the other citizens committees we have had where they have had a specific project to study and make a recommendation to this council, this committee in fact, acted in a com- ,plete:ly different capacity, because they were actively engaged in reviewing reports, areas, field trips, etc. , while annexation was taking place, and at different intervals made recommendations which this City Council saw fit to partake of, so therefore, the Blue Ribbon Committee's final report, as such, would not be as extensive as some of the other reports we received, because quite cj._ bit bf,'knowledge has been received by this council - we have a thick book of annexation which our staff compiled and which primarily supplements this report. • EMPLOYEE REACTION TO CONSULTANT ORIENTATION Councilman Gleckman: I asked, Mr. Mayor, I believe for this report and it might have been asked also by the rest of the council, but I was primarily concerned with the actual good- ness that might come out of this report, not the negative reaction. Primarily the only comment I would have after reading this report and consulting with Mr. Russell and some of the other employees, that maybe it is a little difficult for the professional man to come forward and speak at a level in which he could be better understood Eby,.: our city employees, and I think that is one of the basic things that we would have to pass on to any future orientation done by anybody. And I am not in anyway assuming that our employees are not competent to comprehend but there are certain facets that Dr. Misner expected them to comprehend,,hs. terminology and his language and evidently they didn't and this would be the one area I would have to criticize. Councilman Gillum: According to this report 50% favorable, 30% unfavor- able and 20% mixed, and then I read the department head comments and the comment by Mr. Gold - the reaction seemed to be much heavier on the plus side than on the minus side - - and I am sorry gentlemen but I am not sold on this type of program. In fact, I sat in the back end of the room one morning when I was here and I think we are opening a door for something that is going to be asked for every year. There is one comment in here pertaining to the staff and the city hall could accomplish the same goal; in . fact I believe the staff should communicate more of this type of information to the city employees. And this is what I have said from the beginning, that I think it is the responsibility of the supervisors and the responsibility of employees if they don't understand their job to go to the supervisor and if he can't answer them then go higher but I disagree with this session in here of trying to explain something --- I have to be honest with you and say that I got a little bit different reaction than stated here. I took the time to ask some of the employees and some of the comments stated here I received also. I would have to see more evidence of this thing doing some good before I could ever support it in the future. Councilman Snyder: I think this report is a little premature. Really the ADJ. 5/1/67 Page Twelve EMPLOYEE REACTION TO CONSULTANT ORIENTATION - Continued time for it is after the Salary Survey is finished. Councilman Nichols: I recall I was among the three votes that supported the implementation of this program. At the time it was not a staggering sum of money that the City Manager asked for on an experimental basis. I am sure he has weighed the evaluations and the responses eqw, ally and I think any further comments or discussion should -.await the City Manager's recommendations as far as I am concerned. Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Snyder, and carried, that the report be received and filed. CURRENT LEGISLATION AB363 COMPULSORY ARBITRATION OPTIONAL FIREFIGHTERS AB127 HIRING STANDARDS - FIREFIGHTERS AB776 LABOR REPRESENTATION AB880 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING - PUBLIC EMPLOYEES AB943 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING - PUBLIC EMPLOYEES 0 AB945 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING - PUBLIC EMPLOYEES Mr. Aiassa: Mr. Mayor, I would like to comment I was in contact City Manager with one of the League representatives in Sacramento this afternoon and on Thursday most of the above bills may be on the floor and their recommendation is that the Mayor or city manager phone our representative and specifically state in very short terms why the city is opposing these bills. I think basically our main reason is because of our Home Rule policy, that it is solely the authority of the City Council. Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and carried, that the council accept the staff recommendation on AB363, AB127, AB776, AB880,aAB9-,0,and AB945, and go on record as opposing each of these and this information to be implement- ed by telegram to our representative. SB413 PARKING AND BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREAS SB1034 PARKING AND BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREAS Motion by Councilman Snyder, seconded by Councilman Gleckman, Ahat_thel.. council oppose SB 413 and SB1034, and this be"co.mmunica.ted by telegram or letter to the • appropriate committee and our representatives. AYES: Councilmen Gillum, Snyder, Gleckman, Mayor Krieger NOES: Councilman Nichols ABSENT: None Mayor Krieger: Motion carries, 4 in favor, one objection. SB 723 APPOINTIVE CITY TREASURER Mr. Aiassa: The only reason, I think, that this is put in - as you City Manager know it is now optional with the Clerk's position, and - 12 - ADJ. Co C. 5/1/67 Page Thirteen CURRENT LEGISLATION - Continued I believe the Treasurer's position has never been made optional whether they can make it appointive or not. In other words it just makes it permissable in General Law cities. Motion by Councilman Snyder, seconded by Councilman Nichols, and carried, that the council take no action. SB30 PLANNING COMMISSIONERS RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS Mr. Aiassa: According to the bill it says "resident requirement" City Manager and the League believes it should be a prerogative within the legislative agency of the community and not the State's determination. Councilman Snyder: I am surprised that cities don't have a residency requirement for the Planning Commissioners - we do here. Personally I think it should be left up to the City whether they want their Planning Commissioners from the City or not. If the State imposes this ruling then we will have to do it their way. Motion by Councilman Snyder, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and carried, that the council oppose SB30 :and so communicate by letter or telegram to the proper committee and representatives. SB615 CATV PU:C REGULATION • AB 1310 CATV PUC REGULATION Motion by Councilman Gillum, seconded by Councilman Gleckman, and carried, that the council oppose SB615 and AB1310, and so communicate by letter or telegram to the proper committees and representatives. SB876 PARK DEDICATION IN SUBDIVISIONS Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and carried, ghat the council oppose SB876 and so communicate by letter or telegram to the proper committee and representatives. SB824 LAFC- District Members Added Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and carried, that the council oppose SB824, and so communicate by letter or telegram to the proper committee and representatives. TOPLESS Councilman Gillum: My comment would be that I think it is a decision for each city to make, it is again "Home Rule''. • Motion by Councilman Snyder, seconded by Councilman Gillum, that the council take no action on this. AYES: Councilmen Gillum, Gleckman, Snyder, Mayor Krieger NOES; Councilman Nichols ABSENT: None Mayor Krieger: Motion carries, four in favor of "no action" and one objection. - 13 - 'ADJ. C. C. 5/l/67 Page Fourteen CURRENT LEGISLATION -CONTINUED Mr. Aiassa: I have one additional comment, there is a lot of City Manager communication now going to these various legislators and that is why they are suggesting a phone call. I think we should use a phone call on the urgent ones and telegrams • on the others. Mayor Krieger: Alright, Mr. Aiassa, use your own judgment on that. Councilman Gillum: Mr. Mayor , I just want to mention that the newspapers could do a great service to the citizens in the Valley if they would mention in their paper that Western Union has a special rate for wiring the representatives.. I have never seen it mentioned and probably a great many people do not know of this service. (MAYOR KRIEGER CALLED A 10 MINUTE RECESS TO 9 P.M. COUNCIL AGAIN CALLED IN SESSION) Mayor Krieger: Mr. Aiassa you said you had one additional item under legislation? Mr. Aiassa: Yes, we have SB 70 and it is on the reorganization of Municipal Courts. There is no information out on it from the League. The Council in the past has gone on record. _for reducing 21 municipal courts to 9, it was a consolidation program. There is a new bill now being introduced - AB2506 and that is to permit the 21 municipalities or whatever district they used to be to retain as 21 rather than the 9. There is quite an extensive file on this, the council has officially gone on record. The League of California Cities per se has not taken a stand, but the Southern Division has. Mayor Krieger: They would have 9 major districts or. 9 judicial districts in the County of Los Angeles, which would provide greater interchangeability of judges and workloads between districts. The comment being that certain districts are overworked and other districts underworked. But this is an extremely complicated subject matter, I can't conceive how this council, unless they want to spend a good amount of time on this, is really going to get into it and understand this question. Mr. Aiassa: The only reason - when I received the call and was City Manager in conversation with the League, this bill is up for Review with the committee and that is the only reason I am bringing it up tonight, it is not on --our regular routine flag sheet. Councilman Snyder: We don't stand to lose our Court Building by this bill or to gain anything. Mr. Aiassa: One of the key things for consolidation was in the City Manager smaller districts there might be too much work for one judge. judge but not enough for two, and you don't split a Mayor Krieger. But the courts have been working this thing out historically for years now, they exchange judges with Pomona, E1 Monte - all the time, and things seemed to work out very nicely....... . Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and carried, that the council take no action on SB 70. - 14 ADJ. CC. 5/l/67 Page Fifteen PENDING ITEMS FOR COUNCIL ACTION: ) (�'FNFRAT, PTAT\T UPDATING Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and carried, that the General Plan updating report be received and filed. 1 •R49180F.A110 _ Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and carried, that the information on the Sign Ordinance be received and filed. Motion by Councilman Gillum, seconded by Councilman Gleckman, and carried, that the information on Planned Unit Development be received and filed. HILLSIDE DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and carried, that the information on the Hillside Development Ordinance be received and filed. e) COVENANT FOR GOLF COURSE HOME SAVINGS & LOAN Mr. Aiassa: City Manager This is an element that the City Attorney is working on. It has been pending for sometime. Mayor Krieger: The only trouble is if you are going to tie that golf course into the completion of those "land fill opera- tions" you will be at least 10 years off. They were going to donate, as I remember, 20 acres for a City Park and that isn't going to be enough for a golf course, and 'their topographical out here showed a golf course in between those two sites, utilizing a little bit of each. Councilman Gillum: As I remember, the areas they were showing, there was some question as to whether it would be a full size golf. course. Is this correct? Mayor Krieger: Sort of a "mini" golf course. Mr. Aiassa: All we are doing gentlemen is bringing you up to City Manager date that Unclassified Use Permit 71 had this requirement in it and we are trying to get this requirement complied with so we have all the requirements of the agreement. Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and carried, that this item be received and filed. CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PUBLICITY Mayor Krieger: This was put on the agenda by the council by a majority vote. Councilman Snyder: I personally would prefer to discuss this personally with the Mayor rather than in an open session. Councilman Gleckman: I understand your feeling, but I have no objection to discuss it at the council level for the newspapers to hear, because I think that is where we are - 15 - ADJe 'C. -C. 5/1/67 Page Sixteen CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSION ON PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PUBLICITY - Continued most likely lacking in public relations. I think this City Council could go out and hire the top level man in the country and that still would not do anything for us for our public relations with the newspaper. And now that's my opinion. I think - let's lay it at the doorstep where it lies, because it is like us trying to do something in the city and the landowner that owns the land says "no", and 'it's the same thing here with our public relations. Any place we are hurting it is with our newspaper relationship and as many discussions and as many conversations as this council in the past, city manager, etc. , has had with the newspaper -`it just seems that they are in the business to sell newspapers - period, at whose ever expense and we happen to be the prime object of activity, shall I say m and we are going to have to suffer the brunt until the newspaper takes upon itself a different policy attitude. Councilman Snyder: The reason I brought this up is I have been concerned number ®ne: - that: we only get publicity when there is something going wrong or when some councilman makes a dissenting opinion and that we get very little publicity, or it seems on our positive programs. The. biggest example of this is the Blue Ribbon Committees, which we started before Covina did, and I-the-rs was started by their Chamber of Commerce and they seem to get publicity on it all the time, while we didn't get any. Now, this doesn't really matter, but there must be something wrong that this should happen and if we are really going to adopt the policy of Headquarters City and if we are really going to keep growing and get the idea of our General Plan across to the people of. the City, then we are going to have to have a more cooperative attitude from the newspapers. Now how you get this, I don't know, but I do feel that we need somebody on staff to prepare news releases, which the councilmen and the Mayor really don't have time to do, that can be passed on to the newspapers , even news • releases pointing out the important actions taken by the council as we see them. .Even though they don't accept them or print them at least the monkey cannot be put on our back anymore that they didn't get the information, because they will be getting it through this system. I have no objection to the present system of them calling the Mayor next day for news releases and information and I thinkeven using somebody on staff the report should be approved by the Mayor or somebody he designates on the council, but I think it will be more efficient if we do designate somebody on staff to do this. Councilman Gleckman: I just want to add that my comments were in regards to the City of West Covina and not as individual councilmen or as a council per .se. Councilman Snyder: Well my comments are too, I merely am talking of council because what We do here affects the City. Councilman Gillum: I wanted to ask Dr. Snyder, a question - I don't mean to put you on a spot, but I have heard comments pertaining to editorials or letter's to the editors and some of them have taken some real healthy swings at us and unfortunately these letters to the editor - we know they are untrue - a misstatement of facts - and I am • wondering if this is one of the areas that has caused some illfeeling between this body and the newspapers. I do agree with you in the fact that Covina and the surrounding areas are getting much more play out of things that we have started, but I am wondering if the editorial section of the paper and the letters to the editor have given you a feeling hostile toward the paper? Councilman Sn yder: No, certainly not the letters to the editor, I get a kick out of those. All I am saying and you missed the boat if you thought I was talking about publicity for the council itself, I was talking about publicity for the City - publicity for the -16 - ADJ. Z. C. 5/1/67 Page Seventeen PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PUBLICITY - Continued favorable positive programs . For example, the Headquarters City concept - we just can't work unless we have the cooperation of the newspaper. It has to be continually sold to them through a public relations approach, because we can never achieve it • really without their cooperation. Councilman Gillum. Well I don't know where the contact was made - - - with the Mayor's office for the release that was made that appeared in the Sunday papers of L.A. Times, San Gabriel Valley section, but I think it covered quite well the feeling of the community; it made a point that the Mayor was reelected for a second term; and the goals and ambitions of the city. I don't to the best of my knowledge remember seeing anything of that type .... Councilman Snyder. Well I wouldn't criticize that .. . Councilman Gillum: No, I am not criticizing - I am saying this was a good article ... and something I have not seen in the local papers. And this is what you are speaking of . Councilman Snyder: What I am speaking of is getting their cooperation on our positive programs. Our General Plan, the Headquarters City concept, some of the Blue Ribbon Committee recommendations - that really don't mean a thing because the people have not read about them in the newspapers. • Councilman Gillum: Do you have a positive suggestion in that direction? Councilman Snyder: My suggestion is and I don't know whether it is the right suggestion that through the City Managers office somebody be designated to write such reports, news releases, etc. , at the approval of the Mayor. Councilman Gillum: Well this is fine Dr. Snyder with this council here, but what I am concerned about is individuals, in the future, using this as a method of expressing their own suggestions or in support of certain things ..... Councilman Snyder: I don't see how individuals could use it because future councils could adopt their own policy. Certainly anythng that went out would have to be factual and be read by the Mayor first. Councilman Nichols: I think governments in general whether they be administrations of state agencies, or school systems, or city councils, are whipping boys and I think they always will be but only in the sense that what they do is news. The same is true in the private sector - Mr. & Mrs. Jones had a fight and get arrested for it and it . gets in the newspaper, you don't see a newspaper article saying that Mrs. Jones didn't have a fight. The nature of the things that are controversial are the things that make news I really think we have gotten a lot of good news coverage for our City in the press. Last week we had a very large article on one of our Blue Ribbon Committee reports, but I do feel that the inherent nature of the animal is such that we will never get the extent of coverage that we would like to have for our City, nor will we get too often the type of coverage that we would like to have, because newspapers are looking for a different type of news item: to publicize, which is the nature of their business. - 17 - ADJ'. C. C, 5/1,/67 Page Eighteen PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PUBLICITY - Continued I feel that we have been too prone to sit back and wring our, hands when unfavorable publicity items, or items that we feel are unfavor- able are presented to the public through the media of the press and probably have. done too little in a couple of areas on our own, One I, would be the area that Dr. Snyder mentioned. I think certainly something could and should be done this way. If we don't send the material, to the press we certainly can`t complain that it isn't in the press. Number Two, I think we should think more carefully before making decisions and announcing items that leave our city government open to very valid and general criticism. Number Three, I think there are other devices for relating to the public and to the citizens that we should constantly strive to use whenever possible. One of the recent good examples of that was the City's Annual Report, which I personally felt was an especially fine piece of communication to the citizens of our community. Perhaps a quarterly bulletin of some kind, that we have talked about on a few occasions before, might be another approach. I think it is a multi -facet problem and to a modest. extent I think we can improve our press coverage but we can never improve it to the extent we would like it I think we have to turn to these other channels. Councilman Snyder. Right now we are starting what is probably a two year revision of. the General Plan. This is important really to everyone in the City, and I bet if you went throughout the City not more than 10% of the people would have any idea that we were in the process of revising the General Plan and that there would be hearings where they could speak up on their feelings regarding it. I don't know where I got the figure 10%, but I would be willing to bet that. This is what I am talking • about - this is the kind of information that needs to be gotten across to the people. Probably even if a 100% knew about it, 75% could care less, but at least 25% would know about it and might care. This is the kind of thing we don't get across to the public and the only way you can get it across is by a news item - presenting it in a story that they will use. We can't even get a good General Plan without the cooperation of the newspaper, this is where a newspaper has a responsibility, not only to make money and report on fights but they have a responsibility to help develop a community and.if the newspapers don't accept this positive information then they are not living up to their responsibility as a member of the community to help develop it. But you can't expect them to come down and dig it out that is why I think we need a department in the Ci ty Manager's office that will give it to them. Mayor Krieger: Let me comment on this in a number of respects , some of which maybe surprising to you. Before I was elected to the City Council, I subscribed to the only daily published locally in this area. and I read only the `sports, pages" and I dare say if I were not actively engaged in city government and sometimes looking for a laugh I would continue only to read the 'sports pages . This is not supposed to be a reflection on anything except, the fact that all I have time to do is read the sports -pages, ''I tend to think the vast majority of people in this community, if they subscribe to a paper at all , do not read the same portions of the paper that we do. I tend to think the letters to the editor are read by two people - the person that writes the letter and the person that thinks he may be the subject of the person who wrote the letter., and I think it tends to perpetuate itself. And that is about as widespread I tend to think the letters to the editor column ,is used and received by the public. 1: think the Editorial section Vacillates from one extreme to the other, without any consistency and policy. I think it may be internal, which is the problem of the newspaper® It is not our problem. We have all kinds of problems to deal with in our occupations , and -in our � avocations here at the City Hall. I think the man who writes for the Tribune and is assigned to cover West; Covina does the best job of any man that I have seen since I have been reading the ADJ. C.. Co 5/l/67 Page Nineteen PUBLIC RELATIONS'AND PUBLICITY - Continued stories on•West Covina as far as writing_ stories about West Covina, but there are a lot of cooks that have to do with the pot in terms of the stories that come out. Iam not interested in motivations and .I am not interested in persecution complexes o .As far as this City is concerned we will let the record stand.as it is on.what we have accomplished and what we are trying to accomplish. Whether or not we get front page stories every day about our positive attributes or, our negative attributes the average John Doe •isn°t going to know and would care less about it. . What he is interested in is the type of community he lives in, his own personal experiences with the community and that's our reponsibility; the job we do is communication. , Day in and day out we are communicating. with a lot of people that has nothing to do with the news media I had occasion, just by coincidence, to speak to a representative of the Los Angeles Times this last week about this silbject: matter. A man much more knowledgeable, by profession I have a certain.aloofness from the news media because of certain professional considerations, - I asked this man basically what is it that we are trying to accomplish in this City and how do we communicate, or is it our, responsibility as such to assume the burden for it, His response to me was, the responsibility of City Government, at least in his mind,. is to accomplish things and to make information available if information is sought, not to close the door on the news media, not to pursue the news media, but not to close -the door but make information available when they desire it, and when the story has some validity to it. This Council established the policy, ,just a little less than a year ago,, where the Mayor would act as a spokesman for the -Council on established council -policy and would make himself available to the news media for stories on established council policy, and the staff through the City Manager, on. any matters of •technical data here in,the City, and this information would be made available to the news media - the Sentinel and the Tribune„ I told both reporters that I would make a specific afternoon available to them. at a specific hour if they were interested in coming .to my office and I would sit down and discuss with them the events -and what is going on .in this community. Both reporters, not one, but both indicated to me that this was not necessary and we would not pursue it in that manner. .I said it is always available to you., .i don't want to hear from either of you at anytime in the future that the information 'has not been given to you when you requested it, because you now know the method of getting the information, if by -any chance you -are not getting the information that you need. And.I said the invitation is open at anytime you want to use it. I had no idea at that moment, or at any moment, that the Los Angeles Timeswas interested .in the same type of invitation. But I was told that the City of West: Covina ranks in top priority as far as the Los Angeles Times was concerned as far as the San Gabriel Valley section.is concerned. Therefore, consistent with the Counci.l's policy,.I have established a meeting. every Tuesday afternoon_at 40 30 with the man, that is responsible for covering this City for the Los Angeles Times. The article you saw in the Times on. Sunday was a result of one of those-,cbnferences that took place last week. I. feel it is our responsibility to do our jobs ,fi.rst of all; secondly, to make sure that the information that is necessary for these men to do their jobs is available to them. _ As far as every other aspect of the paper is concerned - letters to the editor, editorial, etc„ this is internal management as far as the paper is concerned. If the paper wants to print letters to the editor - unsigned, please withhold name - if they want to accept that responsibility thenAt is theirs and.I want no part of it and they are welcome to do it. - 19 - ADJa C. C. 5/1,/67 Page Twenty PUBLIC RELATIONS AND PUBLICITY - Continued Councilman. Snyder: The reason I brought this up - I didn't know you were making this time available. This is really beyond the call of duty but I am glad you established contact with the Times. I never got the feeling in the past that the • Times knew West Covina existed and I am glad we finally made this contact. I agree with you as to our responsibility but again I think that as far as your time goes it would be better if a staff man were to prepare these items . However, if you are willing to do it, I am willing to go along with that approach, but normally in an unpaid job - as this is, you wouldn't expect the Mayor to give that much time each week. Mayor Krieger: As far as the technical aspects go - this is news to Mr. Aiassa - I haven't had time to discuss it with him, but I intend to call the staff into these meetings for the background information and technical questions. I would like to develop this one step further and that is the newspaper business is a competitive business too. In terms of dissemination of information and news. We are not going to, as far as speaking as one councilman goes, we are not going to play favoritism with any newspaper, but if newspapers are aggresive about wanting this information and they get it and print it, then I don't think the other newspapers have any complaints against us for responding to those requests for information. I have indicated to the Los Angeles Times that they will have full access to the information of this community and I have every reason to believe they will print it. Councilman Snyder: That is very good news. • Councilman Gleckman: You are speaking about positive identification, etc. , and I wholeheartedly agree and I would in no way, ever ask the newspapers to paint the rosy picture of West Covina only-, for our sake, but going back to Councilman Nichols remarks, I agree Mrs. Jones has a fight, etc. etc. , and it gets in the newspapers - that's swell. My objection is when we don't have a fight and the newspaper says we do have a fight, that we have no recourse to find out why they have printed such a story that was unfactual and a figment of their imagination. And this is the bad press I speak of, not letters to the editor, not asking them to build us up as a Cheat Society but why they persist in taking a story and twisting it to make us look bad and I can give them instance after instance after instance. And as I say - until their policy changes this will never change no matter how positive we get. Councilman Snyder. I would like to say that the reporter we have now is the best one we have had from the Tribune since I have been on the council, with the further comment that it is easy for a newspaper to write a story about a fight or a murder, but it takes a real job of journalism to make a story out of a Boy Scout meeting. Again, I think. the newspaper is a part of the community and they should help to cooperate in its growth and progress. FREEWAY AGREEMENT (Informational) • Mr. Aiassa: This is only for the council's information - a resume City Manager of the past. We did not intend to put anything in here except some of the items that the council has followed through on, step by step. Mayor Krieger: The matter of the Barranca north interchange - I think we are really talking about the Barranca northeast q(u:adrant - Where we stand unless the council establishes some other policy with regard to our negotiations with the State, is that - 20 - ADJ. C. C. 5/l/67 Page Twenty-one FREEWAY AGREEMENT (Informational) - Continued the State's proposal of July 21, 1966, having to do with that northeast quadrant=is acceptable. If I misread you, or misunderstood you, correct me? ... It is up to the council to discuss if we want to make any changes in our position on this rra tter. The first meeting I had in private discussions with the State this quad�antwas not a subject of my discussion and I have no policy statement with reference to it. Councilman Gleckman: I brought this up - - after reviewing the staff report, I noticed that the positive action in order for us to go along with the State's recommendation was prior to my election to this City Council and that is why I did not have this information that the Council had gone on record to accept the State's proposal. Since that time I have had an opportunity to take a look at this section, also sit in discussion with the City Manager, the Public Service Director and George Zimmerman, Ass't. City Engineer, and discuss this particular area at length. It seems that the developer and the party that owns this particular property came to the City and received a permit to go ahead with build- ing on this property. After looking at the plan that was proposed by the State and after considering the development that is proposed and presently seeks to be built there, and after looking at what we will have when they are through, taking into consideration the present overload of traffic on North Barranca right now, which is our major prot(lem right now in that part of the City and not the Service Roads, taking into consideration the expansion of Montgomery Ward, and this report did not refer to this except with the idea of Workman Avenue being widened to so give us the indication that the City of Covina did this to relieve the traffic congestion there, and after discussing this, with Mayor Yaeger and Councilman Lunetto, I find this was not the reason for it and that • this particular road that the State Division of Highways is talking about putting in would be approximately 30' from the entrance to Montgomery Ward's Service Center. Left hand turn traffic, 4 - 5 signals, figuring Virginia, South Frontage Road, North Frontage Road, the new proposed road and Workman, and the additional curb, gutters at Montgomery Ward and with the amount of money the State, and I would like to go on record as quoting them, "one million dollars" spending in this particular area. We, the City of West Covina, will have nothing to gain, in my opinion, other than to increase the traffic congestion on -North Barranca, nothing but a traffic problem with Covina, ruins a proposed ten million dollar commercial development of which this City would gain the benefits of and if this road goes in, we would probably get nothing, at least at the present time. The million dollars the State is intending to spend in this particular area, with the tight money situation that the State claims - they always need money and the government is talking of where they can save money, and this City is always looking for additional revenue - I can't in my own mind, justify an expendi- ture or an approval of this type when we have a similar solution to this problem and let them give us the million dollars - to the City of West Covina, to put in the right of ways to other areas of this City where they claim they do not have the money to put these needed improvements in. That is my position for requesting that this be brought up before this council and that this council look into this matter 'furthers arid`:S.f they feel as I do of rescinding the idea of our approval to the State to go ahead with condemnation proceedings on this property, for the simple reason I don't see of what benefit but I do see of what harm, it can be to this City. • Councilman Snyder: This plan was submitted as a result of the study by Victor Gruen . If you are going to go ahead with what you suggest then you are going to have to suggest an alternate. Councilman Gleckman: I have already suggested an alternate and I am giving it to our staff to suggest to the State. Councilman Snyder: Well before I vote on your alternative I would like to know what it is . - 21 - ADJ o C. C. 5/l/67 Page Twenty-two FREEWAY AGREEMENT (Informational) - Continued Councilman Gleckman: I agree with you, but. I didn't get any reaction from the State, nor did the staff come back and tell me what the State's reaction was, so until I did find out that the staff did get a reaction and it did come back to me, I couldn't bring it before this Council. Mayor Krieger: I am a little bit lost on the communications here. All our communications with the State have been with council authority. What type of communication was made to the State? Councilman Gleckman: This suggestion of an alternate and how they would feel about it, in other words in this report, if you will notice, you only have the positive action that was sent to this council and not the negative action taken by this council that was taken to the State. In order for you to get, in my estimation, a true picture we should also have in this chronological appearance, the different things that this council discussed on the Freeway and what our reaction was to that '•of the``StatQ, which you don't have. Mayor Krieger: Our first communication officially on this matter to the State was on February 14, 1966, having to do with the Plan #728; which we sent along to the State and their official response is in Exhibit B, and they in the northeast quadrant have exactly the same design feature that we had when we sent it to them. Now, I . don't remember any specific action where the council took any official action contrary to our Plan #728. Councilman Gleckman: Very simple, Mr. Mayor. I think if you will search the records you will find along the same lines we are discussing this that means that we have accepted this, in your terminology, and we have not given the State any other answers on the other interchanges, on which I am sure we have had many discussions on at this council level regarding all the interchanges. In fact, and correct me if I am wrong, I have sat in this council where you have explicitly asked me to comment on what I would like to see as far as this freeway was concerned. And at that time, if you will search the minutes out, you will find that northeast Barranca was discussed. Later on we came back and said to you, talk to the State and leave out Barranca. But in no way does that mean we accept what we have given you. Mayor Krieger: Yes, but I am talking about the records also. The record shows that the only time the council has taken any action by majority vote, unanimous vote, or any kind of a vote, it was on the northeast quadrantof Barranca as it appears on Plan #728 and their Exhibit B - that the State responded. Councilman Gleckman: I agree. All I am saying - - if we have not taken • any action in the past and the State claims they have acted on our approval of. this, I can't under- stand why the State hasn't acted on the rest of the Freeway Agreement - on our approval? Mayor Krieger: The State makes certain presumptions in their responses as to the finality of an agreement which has never been final, but on the other hand I am concerned specifically with what this council does because it is a full time job for us to determine what we are going to do. - 22 - ADJ. C. C. 5/l/67 Page Twenty-three FREEWAY AGREEMENT (Infor.maticnal) - Continued Councilman Gleckman: I agree, that is why I am. bringing it up .... Councilman Snyder: Didn't the State really in their letter of December 6 since we didn't answer in the negative, assume approval? Councilman Nichols: I have several thoughts on this. In the first place Councilman Gleckman, you talk about the expenditure of a million dollars and putting it someplace else, but I am sure that one million dollars is not all for that one little Service Road . .. . Councilman Gleckman: Look at the letter of November 23, 1966, and quoting "the fact that the State is willing to spend an additional one million dollars to modify the interchange would seem to be very strong evidence that we feel the only proper solution to the problem is to separate the ramp traffic from the Frontage Road. " Councilman Nichols. I will still reiterate that I doubt very much if any one million dollars is involved on Frontage Road up there unless the land acquisition; costs are far more costly than anticipated. The only other concern I :have.; :and': J would like youto elaborate on` it,.. ,'.-�it:..s-eems: to�me:.that_.from:�a:.po)ldcyi: standpoint, that one of our councilmen, namely you, would be dickering with staff and getting them to communicate with State on a matter of this interchange, getting reaction back and forth, one way or • the other, without this discussion right now preceding that communication. Councilman Gleckman: Well, first of all the staff suggested to me that if I had any other idea I should present it to them and that. I did. Councilman Nichols: Then they did some sounding out? Councilman Gleckman: Right Councilman Snyder: That would have to come back before the council before anything was done about it. Councilman Gleckman: No doubt about it. That is the reason I am bringing it up now. The State turns around and says to us "we haven't heard otherwise from you, so therefore we are going to go ahead". So evidently they are asking for some type of reaction from us, or maybe this council feels that what the State proposed is proper. Councilman Nichols: I certainly think there is some merit involved in your comments relative to the various signalizations, etc. , yet they are the supposed experts on this type of thing. I am sure the reason they went into condemnation immediately is to prevent • the construction in the area they assume that in one ' fashions or another there will be freeway development. Until the matter is resolved, whether or not this should or should not be the precise alignment of the Service Road, until that matter is resolved I would have to go along with the method of halting such construction by the use of condemnation proceedings, but I should think we should get a final decision at a very early date so the proceeding could be consumated or stopped Councilman Snyder: I think before we can make a decision the staff would have to show us some alternatives to prevent this condemnation. I think that is what we 23 - ADJ. 5/1/67 Page Twen ty-Four FREEWAY AGREEMENT (Informational) - Continued have to see now before we can, say to the State stop this. Councilman Gillum: It gets down to this point with me, as far as I am concerned, we have been talking to the State and trying to get down to an agreement - I accept this part of the freeway as part of the total freeway and I object strongly to the State coming in and assuming that without the agreement signed they can pick out parts and pieces assuming we are going to sign a contract. I don't agree with this method of operation. If my memory serves me correctly there was a bill introduced in Sacramento to prohibit such hypes of moves, and it is possible the State is trying to get these condemnation proceedings through before the bill passes the Assembly because the bill states that land cannot be condemned in a City or County without the approval of the governing body of that area. It concerns me greatly that they will walk in and start these proceedings. We have said nothing in our correspondence that we object to this area but I still feel it is part of the total package and they should wait and find out what the total agreement is before they step in. Councilman Gleckman: Let me take it one step further and let's forget about the northeast quadrant. I would like to know where the State in one other case with the San Bernardino Freeway within the City limits.' of the City of West Covina with the proposed plan, that they have gone out and started condemnation in order to put in the particular plan that they themselves are seeking for the. City of West Covina. In other words they have singled out this particular project. I have sat on the Planning Commission of this City where apartment houses have come in for a permit to build • and at that time we had the same studies and the same thing and at that time the City Attorney said to us you cannot stop the man, you have to give him a permit, even though this is the design he -has every right in the world because what happens if the State changes its mind, etc. , and these places have been built and at no time did the State come along and start condemnation proceedings on anybody else's property in this whole area. So all I am saying is - why now? Councilman Gillum: Councilman Gleckman you talked with the council in Covina on this - the extension of widening on Workman - did they indicate who picked up the largest percentage of the cost? Councilman Gleckman: No, I didn't get into that. Councilman Gillum: Well. I think it has a relation to it. Mayor Krieger: I am concerned about the same thing Dr. Snyder is. What do we have to pick and choose? What are the design alternatives we have for that property? Councilman Gleckman: First of all., as I stated before, I believe the basic • traffic problem we have is on North Barranca and not on the Frontage Road. In discussing this 1 suggested we permit -no- lefthand,turn.. o . (Discussion and Mr.- Zimmerman then explained from the map the present route and the State suggested route, and Councilman Gleckman explained with the use of the map the route he was suggesting) Councilman Gleckman: The number one problem we have - if we have the problem that the State says we have that is worth a million dollars - and I have to keep repeating that because if they were saying that - 24 - ADJ. C. C. 5/l/67 Page Twenty-five FREEWAY AGREEMENT (Informational) - Continued they. Were.,.giving it to us cheap I would say fine, except that we still have the traffic problem here. Right now if we would signalize a light here - just one signal with no lefthand turn onto the Freeway, (Mr. Gleckman used the map to explain - discussion followed) Councilman Gleckman: The alternate is putting in a stop light and no lefthand turn. Mayor Krieger: Your northbound traffic that wants to go west on the freeway, are they still going to have that loop? Councilman Gleckman: Yes, they still have the loop, that doesn't affect going straight across or interfere with it. Mayor Krieger: If I remember correctly, right now there is no loop there. Just a question of making a righthand turn onto the access. Mr. Zimmerman: That is correct Mr. Mayor, Mayor Krieger: Now what are you talking about in terms of eliminating that loop? Councilman Gleckman: No, leave it just the way it is. Councilman Snyder: May I suggest one other alternate, how about instead of going catty -corner across the unused piece of property, how about turning directly north to the west end of the • Carousel parking lot to Montgomery Ward and then turning west - is there anything to prevent that? Mr. Zimmerman: I believe it would do two things,, over the proposed alignment of the State. It. would leave the bulk of the property in one lot, however it would make two sharp righthand turns. Councilman Gleckman: What I am basically looking at - let's say we go along with what the State is proposing, what would we gain? And if we don't go along with what the State is proposing what would we gain? And which way would the City come out the best? I hate to say this but it is true, in the past the State has shown us tremendous methods for moving traffic for the State and the City is left with the problems. Councilman--. Snyder: Another alternative - instead of making a square turn into that road that goes catty -corner, circle it out as convexi as possible and leave as much property as possible. Mayor Krieger: Let's turn the inquiry around. Why possibly - if the State could save a million dollars when they could do it with a $7000. traffic light, why would they want to spend a million dollars Councilman Gleckman: Thanks Mr. Krieger. I have been asking that question myself .... I don't have the slightest idea, other than they probably made a commitment and received the funds from the Federal Government and they have the money in the bag and they don't dare go back ism it for fear they may lose the money, and you can put that in the record. Councilman Snyder: On the other hand they should be commended for not letting someone put up a building and then have to tear it down. - 25 - 'ADJ. C. C. 5/1/67 Page Twenty -Six FREEWAY AGREEMENT (Informational) - Continued Mayor Krieger: I can't believe that the State has reached a point with the Federal Government when they haven't even reached a point with the City of West Covina, where they are not . only able to design these things but earmarked a million dollars for an interchange. Councilman Gleckman: I don't know but it says so in the letter by Mr. Schaeffer. Mayor Krieger: He uses a figure and you are talking about where the money is coming from. Councilman Gleckman: Right. Well I believe , and correct me if I am wrong and' for this I have to go to staff - if the State were to put in' the particular road they are talking about do they have any Federal participation on that road? Mr. Aiassa: About 98% will probably be Federal funds. City Manager Mayor Krieger: But that is all the way down the freeway. I am asking you why - - they are only to get so much money from the Federal Government, why possibly spend a million bucks at that one intersection when they are always begging for money along these freeways? Councilman Gleckman: I sure would like to know the answer myself Mr. Mayor. Why don't we ask the State? I think it would be a good . idea. Councilman Gillum: I am just wondering - it shows the :existing..an and off ramps on the southside and the blue lines are for the new? Mr. Zimmerman: The blue lines are the ramps. Councilman Gillum: According to this drawing they will remove all of these on and off ramps and move the Frontage Road... . (Mr. Zimmerman explained - using the map.) Councilman Gillum: I am just wondering if this milliorn.dollars refers to the total thing. Mayor Krieger: Is your diagram absolutely correct? On this one I see, from the State - there seems to be another off ramp for eastbound traffic? Mr. Zimmerman: I believe this one is correct Mr. Mayor. Councilman Gleckman: I don't want to fight this council, I just want to prove my is point. Councilman Snyder: I believe if you read the letter again, the million dollars refers to the entire interchange. Councilman Gleckman: The letter starts out saying "this is in reference to the north- east, „quadrant: interchange" - now where does it say the south? Councilman Snyder: It says to modify the interchange and doesn't specify. - 26 - ADS --. C. C. 5/l/67 Page Twenty-seven FREEWAY AGREEMENT (Informational) - Continued. Councilman Gleckman: I don't want to interpret their. letter ....... I am see'kinq'.the answer to the question the Mayor brought up. • Mayor Krieger: I think the answer .is very consistent with what the State says they are trying to do and that is they are trying to feed the off and on ramps from major arterials going at right intersections to the freeway. And their design right here is to do just that at Barranca . Councilman Gleckman: Is that the reason on the south end - they bring it in to the Service Road? Mayor, Krieger: Well all we have to do is go back to. our own program for the south Service Road. We proposed exactly the same thing on the south Service Road which was to change into Barranca which was consistent with our policy as the Gruen people proposed to us. Councilman Gleckman: I hate to disagree with you Mr. Mayor, but if you will look at the interchanges as the State proposes and at Mr. Gruen's proposal you will find that on the southside on Citrus Avenue they do not feed into z major but feed into a Service Road. Mayor Krieger: Mr, Gleckman, I am looking at the plan we sent to the State - #728. We feed into major Service Road at Citrus and feed into the major Service Road at Barranca. Now if 40 you are going to the State's program at Citrus they have an eastbound off ramp that feeds into southbound Citrus Avenue traffic directly. Councilman Snyder: Gruen only advised feeding into the Service Road when it could not be avoided. Councilman Gleckman: I don't want to fight with the council but I don't want a statement in the record that is not true. Let's take Citrus Avenue where we would feed into the 'main stream going north and let's take the State's proposal and see where they want to go, - on the southside going north - where are they going? Mayor Krieger: If you want to ask the State where they are going then you have to be prepared to accept their traffic studies as to where the traffic is going? And!the reason they put that emphasis on the northside is because according to their traffic study the most heavy traffic was the northbound traffic and not the southbound, so they put their emphasis and their more y -�wh.ere their statistics were and that was on the north. Councilman Gleckman: Are you justifying the State's action or are we discussing what is best for the City of West Covina? • Mayor Krieger: When I go on the Stage's payroll I will start discussing what is best for the State, but while I am drawing even the small amount of money I am I will decide on what is best for the City of. West Covina. I am not enthusiastic about the northeast quadrant on the State's proposal but I am equally unhappy with what we have now and I don't think a traffic si:g.nal on the interchange is going to solve that problem. Councilman Snyder: I would agree with that statement. However, there may be some alternatives we haven't thought of. Maybe we should give the staff a week to come up with some, if they can. - 27- ADJ. Co C. 5/l/67 Page Twenty -Eight FREEWAY AGREEMENT (Informational) - Continued "Mayor Krieger: Nobody is objecting to alternatives but as I have said consistently, when we get right down to it we are going to have to make a choice as to what is available to us . Councilman Snyder I would move that the staff be. prepared to give us all the alternates, whether they think they are good or bad, for the northeast quadraA, by Monday evening May 22nd. Councilman Gleckman: And maybe by that time we will have an answer also as to why the State wants to spend that money to do that. Motion seconded by Councilman Gillum. Councilman Gillum. Do you suppose, Mr. Aiassa, to clear the record you could get this one million dollars verified as to whether it is to complete the interchange on the northside or what, so we know exactly where the one million dollars proposed is to be spent? Councilman Gleckman: Again, for the record, I am not seeking out an argument with the State but again I would say to this council as I would say to the State, when you get through how will this affect the City of West Covina, and with what could be put in this particular area with maybe some alternative, what effect will it have with the City of West Covina, and that is where our responsibility lies, as far as I am concerned. Mayor Krieger: We have a motion and it has been seconded. All in • favor please so indicate? Motion carried, all were in favor. MAYOR'S AGENDA Mayor Krieger: I will make the following Committee appointments for the next four months: Planning Commission - Councilman Nichols, alternate: Councilman Snyder; Recreation & Parks Commission - Councilman Snyder, alternate; Councilman Nichols; Personnel Board - Conncilman Gleckman, alternate: Councilman Gillum; Human Relations Commission - Councilman Gill::um,:.alter-nateo':C:ouncilman Gleckman; Chamber of Commerce - Mayor Krieger, alternate. Councilman Snyder; West Covina School Board - Councilman Gillum, alternate. Councilman Snyder; East San Gabriel Valley Planning Committee...- - will remain the same;. SKAG-TASC - Councilman Gleckman, alternate: Councilman Gillum; League of California Cities - will remain the same; Rapid Transit - Councilman Nichols, alternate: Councilman Snyder; Civil Defense Planning Board - Mr. Aiassa; Sanitation District Board - Mayor Krieger, alternate. Councilman Gleckman; Regional Library Council - Councilman Gillum, alternate. Councilman Gleckman; Independent Cities - Councilman Nichols, alternate: Councilman Snyder; USGVMWD - Councilman Gillum, alternate. Councilman Gleckman. RESOLUTION NO. 3561 The Deputy City Clerk presented. • "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE ADOPTED CITY OF WEST COVINA COMMENDING ERNIE STEELE FOR HIS SERVICES TO THE CITY OF WEST COVINA . Mayor Krieger. Hearing no objection, waive further reading of the body of the resolution. Motion by Councilman Gillum, seconded by Councilman Gleckman, : that the: resolution commending Ernie Steele. be adopted by the council. ADJ. C. C. 5/l/67 Page Twenty- nine! RESOLUTION NO. 3561 - Continued Motion carried on roll call vote as follows: AYES: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Gleckman, Snyder, Mayor Krieger NOES: None • ABSENT: None RESOLUTION NO. 3562 The Deputy City Clerk presented: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE ADOPTED CITY OF WEST COVINA COMMENDING C. R. McKennett_: FOR HIS SERVICES TO THE CITY OF WEST COVINA. " Mayor Krieger: There being no objections reading. -of the body.of the resolution is waived. Motion by Councilman Gillum, seconded by Councilman Gleckman, that the resolution commending C. R. McKennett be adopted by the council. Motion carried on roll call vote as follows: AYES: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Gleckman, Snyder, Mayor Krieger NOES: None ABSENT: None PROCLAMATIONS HIRE A VETERAN WEEK 5/7 to 5/13/67 Mayor Krieger: CORRECT POSTURE WEEK 5/1 to 5/7/67 Mayor Krieger: is proclaiming support of it. Hearing no objections, I will so proclaim. (No objections voiced.) So proclaimed. Unless the council desires it, I will not. -proclaim Correct Posture week., This is consistent with my attitude that this a matter of private enterprise, and I don't believe in (No objections voiced. Correct Posture Week not pro- claimed.) Mayor Krieger: One other matter given to me tonight and I think it might be of interest because we had quite a bit of • discussion on it. I wrote ;Supervisor Bonelii about the Vine Creek draining asking him if he could suggest to the Flood Control people when they go through that area that they try to be as considerate of the large trees in that area as possible, and he wrote this letter to Mr. Wood, Chief Engineer of the Flood Control District. (Letter read by the Mayor.) Councilman Nichols: I would hope that the press might pick that up. There is a great deal of interest on that matter. Here is an indica- tion of the City's sincere interest to try and save the trees . - 29 - ADJ. C. C. 5/l/67 Page Thirty_- -. RESOLUTION NO. 3561 The City Manager presented: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE ADOPTED CITY OF WEST COVINA COMMENDING FRANK V. MEEHAN FOR HIS SERVICES TO THE CITY OF WEST COVINA. " Mayor Krieger: Hearing no objections, waive further reading of the body of the resolution. Motion by Councilman Gillum, seconded'by Councilman Gleckman, that the council adopt the resolution commending Frank V. Meehan. 14otion carried on roll call vote as follows: AYES: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Gleckman, Snyder, Mayor Krieger NOES: None :ABSENT: None COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS Councilman Nichols: A question to the City Manager. May I inquire as to what the agenda for next Monday night's meeting is shaping up, as to volume? Mr. Aia s sa : It looks pretty light. Councilman Nichols: Thank you. I have a feeling that there will be a rather large public interest in next Monday night's meeting. I • wonder if anyone has given a thought to hiring a hall? Mayor Krieger.: I am very much attuned to our present council chambers and normally we play to a comparatively empty house and perhaps if people want to get a look at our City Hall this is a perfect opportunity to do so. Councilman Nichols. Well then it might be well to arrange for a better speak- ing system outside. (Discussion. Mr. Aiassa said he would have the staff look into it.) Mayor Krieger: You might be interested in a quick report on the meeting I attended last Thursday night in Covina. The City Council and the Planning Commission met in a joint session to receive the preliminary report of DMJM - which was directed to the Huntington Beach Freeway. The impact of the report seemed to be to the effect that the Huntington Beach Freeway from their studies is an inevitability. This seemed to draw the major portion of discussion and the cross questioning. The final report is supposed to be on July 1st, This'i-s. one of the citizens committees we want to activate right after the budget sessions. • Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and carried, that the Meeting be adjourned. .Adjournment -at 10: 25 p..m. r APPROVED �o MAYOR ATTEST: Deputy City Clerk - 30 -