05-08-1967 - Regular Meeting - MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA
May 8,.1967,
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of West Covina
was called to order by Mayor Krieger at 7:35 o'clock P.M., in the West
Covina City Hall. Councilman Gillum led the Pledge of Allegiance. The
invocation was given by the Reverend W. H. Tensmeyer of the Immanuel
First Lutheran Church.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Krieger, Councilmen Gillum, Nichols,
Gleckman, Snyder.
Others Present:_ George Aiassa, City Manager
H. R. Fast, Public Service Director
Richard Terzian, Assistant City Attorney
Owen Menard, Planning Director
George Zimmerman, Ass't. City Engineer
Robert Gingrich, Recrdation and Park Director
Lela Preston, Deputy City Clerk
Donald Russell, Administrative Assistant
Al Maggiore, Park & Tree Foreman
Larry McClay, Park Supervisor
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
April 17, 1967 m Approved as submitted as follows:
Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Nichols, and
carried that the minutes of April 17, 1967, be approved as submitted.
April 24, 1967 - Approved as corrected as follows:
Councilman Nichols: On Page 9, the large paragraph in the center
of the page, 6 lines from the bottom of the
paragraph it says "someone fronts on a street
that is a major highway that street is there more so for access to his
home, or less so than it is a route of travel for many people". I don't
understand that and I don't think I said it. I would appreciate if the
council would indulge me in my request that it read "when someone
fronts on a street that is a major highway that street is there more as
a route for travel for. many people, than as access to his home." That
was the intent of my wording.
Page 11, bottom of the page, second line from
the bottom reads. "and yet the _problem that Councilman Gleckman so
questionally and properly brings up". I don't recall the exact wording
but it certainly wasn't "question ally" so I would ask the councilmen to
have it read "Councilman Gleckman properly brings up."
Page 27, a simple misspelling of the word
"none" after Councilman Nichols speaking, in the middle of the page.
Councilman Gleckman: Page 34, the bottom line of the first paragraph
the middle of the page reads "into Montgomery
Ward" should be "up to Montgomery Ward".
Mayor Krieger: Page 17, under the roll call vote, there was a
roll call vote on the matter of Mr. Nbrton'.
letter to the City, Council. I believe, and I "
may need the'counc l's confirmation ion this
the council vote was 3 in the affirmative and 2 opposed. It is my
Co C. 5/ 8/67
Page Two
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APPROVAL OF MINUTES m Continued
recollection that the negative votes were Councilman Nichols and
Councilman Gillum, The affirmative votes were Councilmen Snyder,
Gleckman and myself. Let the minutes reflect the roll call vote
3 affirmative, 2 negative,
Page 27, this having to do with the
reference to application of Tony's Place,for a on sale beer permit.
The action of the council on these matters is not to approve but
to. _det-ermine whether or not to protest. The r_ec-.ommendation to the
council was "-no protest" on both of these items. The action of the
council on Tonyls Place was "no protest" and the council action on
Crispin's-Hut "no protest",
Page 35,youu may have -to check the to e
on this ® the time this council adjourned. I don't see it indicated
in the. minutes.
Motion by Councilman Nichols, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and
carried, that the minutes of April 24, 1967, be approved as
corrected.
SHARE A SONG DAY ® Proclamation - So approved as May 18, 1967.
Mayor Krieger: We have as a surprise for this evening,
a chapter of.Sweet Adeline, Inc,, an
international women's organization,
interested in preserving barbershop harmony and conveying the spirit
of friendliness and harmony in song. We have, as one,of the later
items on our agenda, a proclamation having to do with "Share a Song
Day which is May 18, 1967. Unless there is an objection by a
majority of the council the mayor intends to proclaim May 18 marking
the 20th anniversary of this group, as '''share a Song Day." Does the
council have any objection to this proclamation? There being no
objection the proclamation will be so made, and the chair will
recognize Mrs, Elaine Mansell and the members of her group, (A song
was sung by the Sweet Adelinesgroup,)
Mayor Krieger:
CITY CLERK'S REPORTS
PROJECT NOS, TS-67004
TS-67005
ACCEPT TRAFFIC SIGNAL
INSTALLATIONS
STEINY AND MITCHEL
On behalf of the council, I extend our
appreciation and thanks.for the song
presentation,
LOCATION: California Avenue at Cameron
Avenue, and California Avenue
at Center Street,
Accept traffic signal installa-
tions. Authorize the release
of General Insurance Company of
America faithful performance bond No. 582332 in the amount of $24,161.
Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and
carried, that the council accept traffic signal installations and
authorize the release of General Insurance Company of America faithful
performance bond No. 582332 in the amount of 424,161.
PROJECT SP-6632 PHASE II LOCATION: Lark Ellen -Avenue, Vine Avenue
RIGHT-OF-WAY DEDICATION to Walnut -Creek Wash,
Accept grant.of easement for
street and highway purposes to
be known as Lark Ellen Avenue,
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C.C. 5/8/67
Page Three
CITY CLERKS REPORTS _ Continued
Mayor Krieger: We have the -staff report of May'4, 1967,
We will go t-o the reading of the heading
of the Resolution,
RESOLUTION NO. 3564 The Deputy Cit-y-Clerk presented:
GRANT OF EASEMENT "A RESOLUTION OF`THE CITY COUNCIL'OF THE CITY
ROBERT &.SYLVIA YOUNG OF WEST COVINA ACCEPTING A CERTAIN -WRITTEN`
INSTRUMENT AND DIRECTING THE RECORDATION
ADOPTED THEREOF."
Mayor Krieger: Hearing no objections, waive further read-
ing of the body of the resolution.
Motion by Councilman Gillum, seconded by Councilman"Gleckman, that the
council adopt said resolution. Motion carried on roll call vote as
follows:
AYES: Councilmen Gillum, Gleckman, Snyder, Mayor Krieger
NOES: Councilman Nichols
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION Noo 3565 The Deputy City Clerk presented:
GRANT OF EASEMENT: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
JESSE & ANNA'`HALL OF WEST COVINA ACCEPTING A CERTAIN WRITTEN
ADOPTED INSTRUMENT AND DIRECTING THE RECORDATION
THEREOF,
Mayor Krieger: Hearing no objections, waive further°,read-
• ing of the body of the resolution.
Motion by Counc,ilman''Gillum; seconded by Councilman Gleckman, that the
council adopt said resolution. Motion.carried on roll call vote as
follows:
AYES: Councilmen Gillum, Gleckman, Snyder, Mayor Krieger
_ NOES: Councilman Nichols
ABSENT: None
TRACT 23082 & SP-67012 LOCATION: Westerly side of Evanwood
RIGHT-OF®WAY DEDICATION Avenue, 380.feet northerly of
& OPENING OF -'ONE -FOOT LOT Merced Avenue.
RESOLUT_.ION NO'o 3566
GRANT OF -EASEMENT
DANIEL &.CARYL DAVIES
ADOPTED
The Deputy City -Clerk presented:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA ACCEPTING"A CERTAIN
WRITTEN INSTRUMENT AND DIRECTING THE
-RECORDATION THEREOF,"
Mayor Krieger: Hearing no objections; waive further, read-
ing of the body of the resolution,
Motion -by Councilman Gillum seconded by Councilman Gleckman, that,.t)4e
council adopt said resolution. Motion carried on roll call vote as
ifollows::
AYES.: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Gleckman, Snyder, Mayor Krieger
,NOES: None
ABSENT: None --
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Page Four
CITY CLERK'S REPORTS - Continued
f
RESOLUTION NO, 3567
GRANT OF EASEMENT
RAY & CLARA HAMBLETON
F-3016I 20� M
Mayor Krieger:
The Deputy -City Clerk presented:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL "OF
THE CITY OF WEST COVINA ACCEPTING A
CERTAIN WRITTEN INSTRUMENT' -AND
DIRECTING THE RECORDATION THEREOF.0
Hearing no objection, waive further
reading of the body of the resolution.
Motion by -Councilman Gillum, seconded by Councilman„Gleckman, that -the
council adopt said resolution, Motion carried on roll call vote as
follows:
AYES: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Gleckman, Snyder, Mayor Krieger
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION' NO. 3568
TRACT 23082 The Deputy City -Clerk presented:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF WEST
ADOPTED COVINA DEDICATING CERTAIN CITY -
OWNED PROPERTY TO PUBLIC! STREET
PURPOSES AND ACCEPTING SAME AS A
PUBLIC STREET."
Mayor Krieger: Hearing no objection, waive further
reading of the body of the resolution.
•Motion by Councilman Gleckman,
council adopt said resolution.
follows:
AYES: Councilmen Gillum,
NOES:. None
ABSENT: None
PARCEL MAP No. 4
LEWIS W. STARBLE
seconded by Councilman Snyder, that ,tl;e
Motion carried on roll call vote as
Nichols, Gleckman, Snyder, Mayor Krieger
LOCATION: Meeker Avenue, north side
of Walnut Creek Wash,
Review Engineer's report, Extend time
to file final map.
Motion by Councilman Nichols, seconded by Councilman Gillum, that the
council extend the tentative approval of Parcel Map No. 4 for one 3t-erar,
to wit: May 22, 1968.
Mayor Krieger:
Subject to the same conditions of
approval?
Councilman Nichols: Mr. Mayor, on that - the reason I was
hesitating somewhat, I recall sometime
ago we had a discussion about th°e
extension of Parcel Maps and it was my understanding at that time that
any new requirements that were imposed by the City would apply to..
that Parcel Map, so it would not involve being subject to the conditions
originally imposed. (Mr. Aiassa advised that was correct.)
Mayor Krieger:. Mr, Ter-zian may.wish to inject.himself
into this.. Asto prospective conditions
I understood Mr... Williams to indicate the
same thing, What I am concerned about is the original conditions -that we
iposed upon the approval. I thought they should be a part of this motion,
aswell, so there is no question about the carry-over.
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C. C. 5/8/67
Page Five
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CITY CLERK'S REPORTS - Continued
Mr. Terzian, Ass't. City Attorney
You are correct Mr. Nichols,
but I think the Mayor's idea
that we should make it absolutely
clear that prior conditions would apply, it should be made a part of the
motion.
Councilman Nichols amended the motion to read "subject to all conditions
of -the original tentative approval." Amended motion seconded by
Councilman Gillum, and carried. All in favor.
.RESOLUTION NO. 3569
AGREEMENT` NO'. 42
PROJECT S-SU-860 (2)
The Deputy City Clerk presented:
"A RESOLUTION'OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF WEST COVINA APPROVING
COUNTY-CITY®STATE AMENDMENT' TO;
AGREEMENT NO. 42 FOR: THE PROPOSED_
CO,NSTRU£TION.ON GRAND AVENUE BETWEEN'
NEAR HOLT AVENUE AND 0.9 MILE'NORTH OF
TEMPLE AVENUE, IN AND NEAR THE CITIES
OF- WALNUT' AND WEST COVINA, -NET LENGTH
1.-82 MILES (FEDERAL -AID SECONDARY'
PROJECT S-SU-860 (2)."
Mayor Krieger: Hearing no objection, waive -further
readin4;of the body of the resolution.-
Motion by Councilman Gillum; seconded by Councilman Gleckman, that.the
council adopt said resolution. Motion carried on roll call vote as
follows:
AYES:, Councilmen Gillum,
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
SCHEDULED MATTERS
BIDS
PROJECT SP-6407-1
AZUSA AVENUE
CONSTRUCTION
Nichols, Gleckman, Snyder, Mayor Krieger
LOCATION: Azusa Avenue from Garvey
Avenue southerly to 125-feet
north of Walnut Creek Parkway.
Review Engineer's report. Award contract
and authorize the Mayor and,City.Clerk to
execute contract agreement.
Eight bids were received in the office of the City Clerk at 10:00 A.M.
on�'Wednesday, May 3, 1967. The bids received are as follows:
J. RULLO ENTERPRISES
10%
Bid
Bond
$66,221.54
AMAN BROS. INC.
10%
Bid
Bond
69,095.96
SULLY -MILLER
10%
Bid
Bond
69,251.-64
W. R. WILKINSON CO.
10°o
Bid
Bond
70,302.39
STRECKER CONSTRUCTION CO.
10%
Bid
Bond
71,521.50
FRED WEISZ & ASSOC. INC.
10%
Bid
Bond
72,641.73
CROWELL & LARSON
10%
Bid
Bond
76-,835.17
D & G CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION
10% Bid Bond
79,801.51
Recommendation that the bid of J. Rullo Enterprises of Paramount for
Project SP-6407-1 be accepted and that the Mayor and City Clerk be
authorized to execute the contract for this low unit price bid.
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C. C. 5/8/67
Page S ix
BIDS Continued
Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, that�the
low unit price bid of J. Rullo Enterprises of Paramount for Project-
SP-6407-1 be accepted, and the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to
execute an agreement with J. Rullo Enterprises for the work.
Motion carried on roll call vote as -follows:
AYES: Councilmen Gillum,
NOES* None;
ABSENT: None
Ii9ARTNGS
Nichols, Gleckman, Snyder, Mayor Krieger
1967 WEED AND RUBBISH ABATEMENT PROGRAM Hearings of protests or
PROTEST HEARING objections set for May 8,
1967 by Resolution of
APPROVED Intention No. 3560, adopted
April 24, 1967.
Mayor Krieger: Madam City Clerk, do you have the
affidavit of publication and the notice
of hearing?
Madam Deputy City Clerk: I have.
Motion by CouncilmGan Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and
carried, that the affidavit be received and filed.
Mayor Krieger: Madam City Clerk, have you received any
• written protests to this program?
Madam Deputy City Clerk:
Mayor Krieger:
I have not.
This is the time and place for the
public hearing.
There being -.no public, testimony in protest, the public portion of �he
hearing was closed., upon motion made -by Councilman Gleckman, seconded
by Councilman Snyder,.and carried.
Mayor Krieger:
Is there a discussion on the report?
Councilman Gleckman: Mr. Aiassa, didn't we discuss some
situations that had to do with the weed
abatement program, as far as the.
negotiations''with regard to price - has that been straightened out?
Mr. Aiassa,?City Manager: In our last report we outlined the
procedure we are going to follow.
Motion by Counc lrtan_.Gleckman, ee.ceuded_ .b-y ,Councilman. G,iJJ M,_ that; the
Weed and Rubbish.Abatement Program -on those properties.in Exhibit A
attached to the .report of the staff dated May 4, 1967" be authorized
and the City Engineer be authorized to --add these properties 'to the
present Weed and Rubbish Abatement Program. Motion carried on roll call
vote as follows:
•
AYES: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Gleckman, Snider, Mayor Krieger.
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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Co C. 5/8/67 Page Seven
HEARINGS ® Continued
PROJECT SP-67018 LOCATION: Workman Avenue between
PROTEST HEARING ON PROPOSED WORK Azusa and Phillips Avenues.
1911 ACT (SHORT FORM)
Hearing of protests and objections to
• street improvements at 1838 and 1842
Workman Avenue. Held over from April
24, 1967, with hearing held open.
Mayor Krieger: The staff has submitted a report to the
Council, which is a follow-up with
reference to a question raised by Mr.
Moody at our hearing of the 24th. Their report is dated May 4, 1967,
Is Mr. Moody present this evening?
(Advised Mr. Moody out of town but his son was present. Mayor Krieger
asked if he had received a copy of this report and he replied 'snot to
his knowledgeo" further stating that he had a prepared statement to
present to the Council. )
Mayor Krieger: For the benefit of Mr. Moody and anyone
else appearing this evening on this
report read, particular matter, we will have the staff
(Mr. Fast, Public Service Director, read the staff report of May.,4, 1967.)
Mayor Krieger: Is that the staff report, Mre .Fast?
Mr. Fast
• Public Service Director Yes, Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Krieger: Consistent with the action of the council
of April 24, 1967, the hearing is still
open. This is the time'and place for the
public hearing.
Douglas -Moody I would like to request five minutes,
17759 E, Broadford Street (Oouno l had na obJ_ection..) In -regards
Covina to the_ report, which..was .r.e.ad...a few
minutes .ago , -I was :pre sent .-at the meetings
of my,father with Mr. Winters on every occasion that Mr. Winters was at
our property. About the second paragraph down m the staff informed Mr.
Moody that the city had the right of way if he did not install these
street improvements at his expense - at this time he had said that he
did not disagree, he said he wished to consult his attorney on the
title, going by what the City had said. He consulted Mr, Francis
Garvey and he did say that the City had the right of way by the
Phillips Tract Land Grartat this time, and the next thing we heard was
the posting of the property. I have a statement here prepared by my
father Donald Moody, 1842 E. Workman Avenue, West Covina, before leaving
for San Francisco on business, (Read statement,) I might add on my
own, with regards to the parking mentioned in his statement, the entire
dirt strip which is subject to this discussion in front. -of .the property
is used exclusively for parking by the apartment dwellers across-the!�
street from this.property. We have more than adequate parking spaces
•for off the street parking for our property, and we don't feel it would
be any gain on our part, as far as parking.
Vern Rollins I am here in accord with Mr. Moody. I
3234 Fircroft Ave. have been working with the Moody°s and
Covina the American International Red Cross in
Sales Representative establishing this property as their
Colby Real Estate permanent place after leaving the Covina
area. Mr. Moody has not brought this
point before the Council, but it is his
intention to .give to the Red Cross 5400 sq.'ft. of property beyond this
for parking when their facility straightens ° up.
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C. C. 5/8/67 Page Eight
HEARINGS - Continued
Mayor Krieger: Are you protesting the proposed street
improvements?
Vern Rollins Not the improvement itself just the
allocation with regard to it. I Just
wanted to say that the Red Cross will
tape up 130' of this 330' being discussed.
There being no further public testimony, the public portion of the
hearing was closed, on motion made by Councilman Gleckman4 seconded
by Councilman Snyder, and carried.
Councilman Gillum: Something -concerns me o Mr._ Moody, you
stated in the past you received an
estimate of $300. on the Weed Abatement
and then received on your tax bill a charge of.,$1000. Did your father
or'the attorneys investigate this?
Mr. Moody, Yes, Mr. Garvey, my father's local
attorney investigated and found that the
oral agreement was not binding and found
that there was some old materials at the rear of the property that had
been removed and this charge put on the tax bill in the sum of $1100.
and no adjustment was made; Also the lighting bill at 1842 E. Workman -
was doubled and there was no change made at 18 8 E. Work -man:.
Councilman Gillum: Did your father and the attorney also
• investigate this?
Mi. Moody. Yes. Contacted the City and also
mentioned it to Mr. Winter when he
was present and he said these things
happen_sometimes-.and they don't know why. We also coiA acted the City
in the past and no one seemed to know why. Whether he got an adjustment
on this, I am not sure o I don't know. I don't believe he got an
adjustment on the lighting either.
Mr. Aiassa:
City Manager
Mr. Mayor
Mayor Krieger: Mr. Aiassa, I am sure the council
anticipated the fact that the staff -is
concerned about the presumption that
the City has done something incorrectly, the procedures are well spelled
out by law even if a city staff -or council was disposed to do anything
otherwise, and I am quite sure Mr.-Moody's counsel is well familiar with
the law being the city attorney for the City of Covina, as to the
procedures of lighting districts which are public hearings just as this
is9 or weed abatement and rubbish removal programs which are public
hearings, just as this is. And, ample opportunity is presented to
anybody to appear before this body and protest these matters if they
felt they have been dealt with unfairly. We are discussing a matter of
street improvement and street improvement alone.
• Councilman Gleckman: I think Mr. Past or Mr. Zimmerman would
be able to answer this question. Did
the policy, in what we actually required,
change since the Japanese property o o what caused the additional
requirement on this particular property at a later date?
Mr. Fast: The property at Sunset Avenue and Walnut
Public Service Director Creek Parkway was the first major 1911
Act street improvement that the city
embarked upon. So from the standpoint of policy we had no policy prior
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C. CD 5/8/67
]Page Nine
HEARINGS o Continued
to that date,
Councilman Gleckmano From what I understand, the estimate
that was given originally was given
February 17, 1967? (Answers Correct)
I don't understand from February 17, 19679
whether our policy changed from that time to the time -the -property was
posted in March?
Mr, Fast- I'don°t recall the date of the Japanese
_Public Service Director American posting,
Councilman Gleckmano The only thing I want to be sure of is
that this particular property owner is
not being treated unfairly. After
looking at the estimate I think Mr. Moody, as well as this council, is
aware that these are just estimates but if we changed policy as to
what we required I would like to knot if it happened after February 17,
1967, or if who ever gave the estimate was not aware of the requirement.
Mr, Past, I don't have the date the policy. was
Public Service Director established on the Japanese-imetican
it is in my file,
Councilman Snyder-, It should be pointed out that you said
this policy was established in relation-
ship to the 1911 Act but it has been a
policy in relationship to the Precise Plan before that -time-, requiring
street improvements,
Councilman Gleckmano Let me go one step further, Mr. Fast, do
you feel that had Mr. Moody agreed at the
time . on the 41404, m at that time had it
been presented to the staff to be presented
to the council, do you feel that the figure we have here would be the
figure presented to the council for the work?
Mr. Fast- No, not under the 1911 Act „
Public Service Director
Councilman Gleckmano In what way would that be different?
Mr, Fast- When an applicant or a citizen presents a
Public Service,Director proposal to the city in writing we bring
it forward to the city council and ask
whether they would like to go along with the proposal and there is
usually a staff recommendation along with it. And not knowing what Mr.
Moody would have done, if he had actually in fact presented a proposal,
I can't answer the question,
Councilman Gleckmano
The,inequity to my.knowledge is not from
the standpoint of the sidewalk, becauoe
it was included in the bid, but I am
concerned with the additional
requirements and of course the contingencies
are not in here, so what we are actually discussing would be part of the
excavation?
Mr, Fast-
There is $253 involved in additional
Public Service Director
paving from 61 to 9°, plus the sidewalks,
the contingencies, of course, are to cover
those costs normally incurred
through the 1911 Act,
Councilman Gleckma.n-
On all future 1911 Acts when Mr. Winters
goes out or who ever goes out to give
estimates, they will and are instructed
to figure this particular basis for the actual cost?
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C.C. 5/8/67
Page Ten
BEARINGS e Continued
Mr. Fast s
Rublic Service Director
Councilman Gleckman:
•
do this on his own?
On the basis of total m decidedly so.
One other comment. I gather, Mr. Moody,
that your father has not done any
investigating as to what it will cost to
Mr. Moody: Yes, we have and it -is -roughly
approximately the city price including
the 9' of paving. Our objection at the
last meeting was on the gP of paving being a secandary -highway.
Councilman Gleckmans Thank you. We have required the 9°
of paving on the Japanese -American and
the other property on Lark Ellen?
Mr. Past: Yes, on the Japanese -American. No on the
Public Service Director Lark Ellen the City required the curb,
gutter and sidewalks only, plus the
right of way as part of the district. The right of way was already
dedicated.
Mayor Krieger: The decision in that matter, as I
remember, it was to allocate the
portion to be borne by the property
owners to the acquisition of right of way, rather than to street paving.
•Mr. Fast: That was apparently the policy of the
Public Service Director City Council.
Mayor Krieger: I.would like a clarification on the
Point Mr. Moody raised which was of some
concern to the council last time., that is
the -time. in which the property owner is to be given to construct the
improvements or otherwise the city will undertake these improvements.
Can you tell us the date?
Mr. Fast: The code says he must start within.6.0 days
Public Service Director from posting and that was March 28th,
so that would be approximately May 28th,
and then it states further "pursue it diligently to completion". The
time limit is not when he completes but when he commences the work.
Mayor Krieger.: The May 28th date may or may not be
.correct, but it is within a few days, as
the property was posted March 28th?
Mr. Fasts That is correct.
,Public Service Director
Mayor Krieger: The second point I want to make is more
informational than comment-ary, that is
the Council extended the courtesy, as I
remember, to Mr. Moody to hold this hearing open until this evening to
determine a matter that the Council did not have tp determine and that
was what would be theproposedallocation at the time that the
improvements were completed if the improvements were undertaken by the
City of West Covina. There is no legal o-bldgation upon this community
or any other community to make such a determination before making a
determination to proceed with tie street improvement. Am I correct Mr.
Past?
Mr. Fast: Correct.
Public Service Director
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C. C. 5/8/67
Page Eleven
HEARINGS o Continued
Mayor Krieger-, The discussion as to the figures-,
is really not a discussion for the
benefit of the City of Vest Covina, a
discussion as to the figures is for the benefit of the protestant,
•Mr. Moody, so that as we talk about these figures of allocation between
the City and Mr. Moody, apparently the only difference that the
protestant raises is not to the improvement, it is to the proposed
allocation to the cost once the improvement is completed. That is
more definitively the cost of the allocation to the street improvement
portion. I understood Mr. Moody's father last week to indicate and I
believe Mr. Moody has restated the position, that they are not talking
about the sidewalk, curbs and driveway, In approaching this matter,
as long as we are respectively talking about more than improvements
I think it is incumbent upon the council to apply standards of fairness
and equity throughout the community in these matters and not make
subjective determinations as to one property and the next one comes in
and says "I wasn't dealt fairly because you dealt differently with so
and so". I. think it is a legitimate basis of complaint if we do that.
This is the very subject matter that I think in any community,
including our community, e are subject to a legitimate complaint if
they apply a double standard or triple standard to -various types of
properties.
i
Councilman Snyder-, What is the next action?
Mayor Krieger-, The council would have to take action
on the matter of the protest received
on the 24th and tR s evening and -then
proceed depending upon the action taken with regard to the first action.
Motion by Councilman Snyder and seconded by Mayor Krieger, that the
council accept the.staff report and the protest be overruled.
Councilman Nichols: I won't belabor the point this evening,
I believe council is aware of my
position on this matter, which would
parallel the position I took on the Dark Ellen property that when a
secondary highway is involved that improvements to that highway will
banefit.the entire community and the entire community should participate
in the cost of those improvements and I don't believe that is accomplish -
ea in this staff report, so I would oppose accepting the staff report.
Motion failed on roll call vote as followss
AYES-, Councilmn Snyder,
NOES-, Councilmen hie-holb,
ABSENT: None
Councilman Gleckman:
Mr. Fast-,
Public Service Director
Councilman Gleckman:
Mr. Fast-,
Public Service Director
Mayor-. Krieger. -
Gillum, Gleckman
I have another question ® Mr. Fast, -
wherein would this situation be differ-
ent than what we are doing on Lark
Ellen?
In my opinion to the extent of the
participation by all of the people in
the district in the purchasing of right
of way with no paving ® that is the
difference.
In other -words we didn't require paving?
That is correct.
C. C. 5/8/67
Page Twelve
HEARINGS - Continued
Mr, Aiassa-, Mr, Gleckman, there is another item
City Manager t-oo, on portions of the west section of
Dark Ellen there are physical improvements
which they am going to rip out to establish a new grade
and this has nothing but bare lands
• Councilman Gleckman-,. In th
e staff report you referred to
Hafner-Chrysler-Plymouth-, Only
Corporationg and Charles Zug
does this mean what we are requesting of this particular applicant we
have requested and received of these three parties?
Mrs Past-, That is corrects in total through the
Public Service Director Precise Plano
Councilman Snyder-, It is customary through the Precise
Plan m we have been talking about the
required m 90 of paving-, 1911 Act but on the Precise Plan it is
Councilman Gleckman-, Has the property mentioned here made
any application for the Red Cross as
to the paving m Mrs Menard? I think
this came before the Planning Commissions
Mr, Menard-, There was an interpretation before the
Planning Director Planning Commission as to whether the
Red Cross could be handled on the
property as an Unclassified Use Permit or whet -her or not a zone change
•through professional zoning would be required. It was the determina®
tion of theCommissionthat professional zoning be required. I under-
stand there is a further request coming from the Red Cross before the
Planning Commission on this,
Councilman Gleckman: Mrs. Rollins, I hope you don't ._mind
Is this part of the property of which
we are discussing tonight?
Vern Rollins: 1838 m the total property, and 25' of
1842.
Councilman Gleckman: Mr, Menard m if the Red Cross would come
In here wouldn't there be a Precise Plan
requirement in order to use this for
parking at these particular addresses and at that time wouldn't we
require the improvements we are talking about right here?
Mrs Menard: Under the Unclassified Use Permita
Planning Director plot plan normally called a Precise Plan
but not having the same significance
would be submitted and improvements would be required on the plot plan.
Under a zone change a normal Precise Plan would be required and
improvements also,
Mayor Krieger-, Gentlemen, to recap we have a motion to
• overrule the protest which was defeated.
The next question before the council is
whether or not the council wishes to allow the protest.
Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Snyder, that based
on the additional information received that the protest be overruled and
the proposed improvements be authorized and that the resolution
Instructing the street superintendent to proceed be adopted. Motion
carried on roll call vote as follows:
AXES: Councilmen Gleckman, Snyder, Mayor Krieger
NOES: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols
ABSENT: None
I
® 12
C.,0o 5/8/67
Page Thirteen
•
•
HEARINGS ® Continued
RESOLUTION NO. 3570
APPROVED
Mayor Krieger:
The Deputy City Clerk presented:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF WEST COVINA INSTRUCTING
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STREETS OF SAID
CITY TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTION WITH
RESPECT TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF CURB,
GUTTER, DRIVEWAY APPROACHES, SIDEWALK,
AND A NINE®FOOT WIDTH OF STREET
PAVEMENT ON WORKMAN AVENUE PURSUANT TO
SECTIONS 5870 ET SEQ OF THE STREETS
AND HIGHWAYS CODE OF THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA AT 1838 and 1842 WORKMAN
AVENUE."
Hearing no objection, waive further
reading of the body of the resolution.
Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Snyder, that
said resolution be adopted. Motion carried on roll call vote as
follows:
AYES: Councilmen Gleckman, Snyder, Mayor Krieger
NOES: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols
ABSENT: None
(MAYOR KRIEGER DECLARED A 10 MINUTE RECESS.)
ZONE CHANGE NO. 377 LOCATION: 1803, 1809, 1802 and 1808
TODD KECK Pioneer Drive, between
Azusa Avenue and Phillips
DENIED Avenue.
Mayor Krieger:
Lela Preston:
Deputy City Clerk
Request to reclassify from Zone.Rml to
Zone R-P approved by Planning Commission
Resolution No, 1949.
Madam City Clerk do you have the
affidavits as to publication and
mailing?
Yes.
Motion by Couneilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and carried
t#lat the affidavits- �: ,ee-eived and filed,
(Mr. Menard, Planning Director ® then read the entire Resolution No,
' 1949. )
Mayor Krieger: T4is is the time and place for the
public hearing.
IN FAVOR
Walter Ross I am here in behalf of Mr, Todd Keck
1809 Pioneer Drive who is not here this evening and who
West Covina is a neighbor. I would like you to
know that we concur wholeheartedly
with the Planning Commission in.that those four lots as shown on the
charts on the board, stand out as an island of residential homes
surrounded entirely on the north and south and across the street on
Azusa Avenue by areas designated for business. I have lived there for
7 years and during this .period of time the increased use of traffic on
Azusa Avenue ® it has become apparent that this land is not being used
to its best use, and -now -that Azusa Avenue has been opened down to Amar
13
0. 0. 5/8/67 Page Fourteen
HEARINGS - Continued
in LaPuente and I understand will be opened farther down to the Pomona
Freeway, it is very probable that a great deal more traffic will be
coming up and through these various ways. It is our contention that this
property is not as desirable at this time for residential and -:Is not
being used to its best use and it is sincerely hoped that the council
will go along -with the Planning Commission, to change it to R-P zone.
• IN OPPOSITION
Dean Pic°1 I am an attorney, appearing on behalf
140 W. College of the 59 signatories to the petition
Covina and would request 10 minutes, (Granted)
It is my intention to present the
objectives of the signatories to the petition heretofore submitted, a
copy of which I would like to present to the council at this time
because of some additional notations.
I will divide the objections into three
general categories. In presentation of the first of those categories
I have two small photographs -which I think will be sufficient to indicate
the point I wish to make. Our photographs are taken from Azusa Avenue
toward the east down the street in question m Pioneer. The initial
objection concerns the effect which the rezoning will have upon Pioneer
itself. This chart which I have before me is essentially the same as _
that on the bulletin board. The four parcels marked in red are those in
question. The photographs which I have submitted are taken from this
point down Pioneer. As can be observed from -the photographs there are
no sidewalks on this street. In the homes on this street alone there
are 25 minor school age children. It is understandable that any change
in thezoning of -these four parcels which would increase their use as a
professional use is going to increase the traffic on this street and in
• the absence of sidewalks is going to create a hazard to the children who
are obligated to walk in the street, to attend the school which is
located at the end of that one.block ® Phillips. The petition that has
been submitted has been signed not only.by those on Pioneer and the
particular lots indicated but rather by persons on Pioneer and adjacent
streets *h6se children will also be affected by any increase in traffic
on Pioneer. The specific numbers which appear -on the petition
correspond with the numbers on this chart.
The second objection is one that is
perhaps in the nature of a moral contract argument. I am sure all of
you are familiar with the restrictions placed on each of those parcels
at the time they were declared and dedicated for R-1 property for the
establishment of residential units. A large number of people have
purchased homes in that area in anticipation of the continuation of
those restrictions in the establishment of a residential area. Any
change in the first two parcels on each side of the,street is going to
create for the next two homes the exact same sort of problem,_ if it
does exist that Mr. Ross says exists for the first four parcels, and
then the next problem you will have are the people in these particular
homes will complain of a reduction in the enjoyment of their property
and that they are not being used to their highest possible use because
of the existence of the professional units in the -se -four areas; The
street in question is a well kept, nicely maintained residential area
and any change on those four parcels is going to seriously jeopardize
the investment by the owners of those other units.
0 Certainly we all appreciate the fact
you have the right if you see fit to change the zoning and alteration of
and complexion of that entire community. It is my suggestion in this
second objection to the rezoning that you have almost a quasimcontractur®
al obligation to the parties who reside in those other parcels and who
purchased in this area, established and lived in their homes in
anticipation they were going to be.living in a residential zone.
14
C. C. 5/8/67
Page Fifteen
HEARINGS - Continued
The third objection, is directly
connected with the observation of Mr. Ross that Mr. Keck could not.be
here and he -was appearing on his behalf. As may be evident from the
application that Mr. Keck resided, past tense, in the particular lot
•marked as 18, he is the applicant in this matter and has apparently
obtained the permission of the 3 other landowners involved to file the
application for rezoning. Why isn't Mr. Keck here?- I have in my
possession a letter posted from Paso Robles, California, dated May 3,
19679 addressed to Mr. & Mrs. Paul Haines, who resided in the property
immediately next door to the Keck parcel 19, and I would like to read
this letter because I think it vividly clarifies the third objection of
the property owners I represent. The letter is' written by Mrs. Todd
Keck, the applicant in this matter.
PODear Mr. & Mrs. .Haines o I know you both must be concerned as to who
your neighbors 'are going to be. We have sold our home to a very nice
couple, the man is a school teacher and they have a teenage daughter
who will be attending Covina High. They plan to use the house ,�only
for a home, not as a professional building. Mr. Brown who owns��e
corner cannoT use his as professional alone so I just wanted you to
know that you will have very nice neighbors. We started the rezoning
on the advice of two realtors who informed us that we would not have a
chance to sell as strictly residential so close to Azusa Avenue. We
feel we were very lucky to find someone that didn't mind the noise of
Azusa Avenue and wanted it as a home. We could have sold it many times
but everyone objected to the busy highway. I thought this might give
you peace of mind. We were not trying to make a "buck" but only to
sell so that I could be with my husband. We have -a 90.day escrow so
I will still be around. Sincerely, Mrs. Todd Keck."
• The third objection of the adjacent
landowners is that there is not any crying need in that immediate
locale for any additional professional zoning. The second chart which
I have demonstrates the property that is�either vacant or presently
zoned for professional.- If that is the type of unit which anyone
wishes to build there is area there to d6 it.
It is, I think, abundantly clear that
someone who had wished that area as a residential unit was desirous of
maximizing his profit and so applied to this council for rezoning -in the
hopes that he could increase his profit to the distinct jeopardy of
every other homeowner to the east of that locale and was successful in
persuading three other property owners to place their names in the
application in, the anticipation for future profit to themselves. .
I am certainly the last person in the world to criticize profit but I
suggest in looking at this application that you must recognize, which is
very clear, namely that you are being asked to do something for the
benefit of one person who started the rezoning and perhaps with some
benefit to the other three involved, but to the distinct and clear cut
detriment of the other property owners who reside on that streets I
think what this application does is request this council to give
approval to a special interest. I know you cannot stand still in the
face -of progress and say this has been my family home for 100 years and
I don't care if there is an airport on one side and a manufacturing
plant on the other, you can't rezone me. But this is different. Here
is an entire residential strip that is going to be slowly eaten away
each time one.person adjacent to the higher use can come in and request
rezoning to permit him to sell his property and maximize his own
personal profit. Therefore, on the basis of the three objections which
I presented on the behalf of the 59 persons who have signed the petition,
namely the jeopardy that�the additional use of Pioneer will create'
for minor children who reside on that street-becaui3e of the quasi
contractural obligation that the city council has to the community and
the residents that have established their homes there- and because of
the fact this is for the purpose of benefiting one man who now has sold
15
C. Co_ 5/8/67
Page Sixteen
�r.
HEARINGS - Continued
his home to someone that wants it
community, I respectfully submit
denied and the present R-1 zoning
as a residence and has left the
that the proposed rezoning should be
maintained. Thank you.
*Mayor Krieger.- Is there anyone else present who
desires to speak in opposition to the
proposed zone change?- There apparently
not being, the proponents will have the opportunity,at_this time for
the rebuttal. The proponents -also have the right at this time to
inspect any material submitted to the council this evening by the
opponent, which will include the photographs, petition and letter.
IN REBUTTAL
Mr. We Rosso (Declined examining material.) I would
like it known that Mr. Keck did actually
start this business of changing this
zone for the very -purpose that he had intended and that his intent was
changed due to his business interests elsewhere and as a result he
sold it at a residential price in order to take care of other interests.
Now I would also like to rebut the fact that they maintained and I
can understand this, I can understand the effect of the children on the
street, but I would also like to make mention that there is still no
sidewalks on either Daines or Eckerman and this is now RmP and there
are several small buildings on Eckerman where there is considerable
amount of traffic. I would also like to make mention of the fact that
at one time this was a very tight residential area when I purchased 7
years ago, however the property immediately north of me and behind
1803-1809 was changed by the City Council a couple or 3 years ago for
• the purpose of RmP and that means that the area on Azusa Avenue for
two lots deep are not desirous as residential property. I would like
to make this known because it is more difficult to live there.
The property Mr. Keck sold is still in
escrow and no home is sold until -it comes out of escrow. At the present
time I know Mrs. Keck still resides there. Also like to mention that
the letter put in evidence was in answer to a letter sent to her that
wasn't very kind . I submit this evidence because she was attempting
to get along with the neighbors and because she thinks a great deal of
them and I- can understand this° I submit this in,honesty and sincerity.
Mayor Krieger. -
(DISCUSSION BY COUNCIL)
Councilman Gillum:
purchased this property is the
Mr. Ross:
0 Councilman Gillum:
Mr. Ross:
Thank you, Mr. Rosso Anyone else wish to
speak in rebuttal? There being no further
public testimony, the public hearin& is
closed.
Mr. Ross, I understood you to say Mr.
Keck°s property is in escrow. Do you
have any knowledge that the.party.that
same as mentioned in this letter?
he later felt that his interests
that he should move there,
I would take for granted that it is, but
I have no knowledge that it is. I -would
assume it is the same person,
Mr. Keck sold the property and you assume
to the best of your knowledge he sold to
a young couple. Do you know whether he
started the zoning change before or after?_
Quite awhile before. The intent had been
to remain there until the zoning had been
changed and develop the property, but
elsewhere were to such an extreme point
16
Co C, 5/8/67
Page Seventeen
HEARINGS - Continued
Councilman Gillum:
Mr, Ross:
Councilman Gillum:
Do you have any knowledge if these
people in escrow - if they are aware
of this?
I understand they are fully aware,of it,
Mr. Menard, on this map zoned R-1 and
R-P would you indicate which parcels
are still vacant and undeveloped?
(Mr, Menard, Planning Director, pointed out the property on the map.)
Mayor Krieger: Madam, do you have any information as
to the owner of this property? If you
ph,one ?
do will you please step to the micro -
Mrs. Hartley The part y's name is Mr, Yancya He is a
1819 E Pioneer teacher in Hudson School-.D-1strict, The
West Covina lady who sold the house, Mrs, Mates
from Boles Realty, I asked her if she
had advised him of the hearing and the proposed property zone change.
She told me that she was not about to notify the party about anything,
Coi,incilman Nichols:
I am not overly impressed with the
concern that has been expressed by the
gentleman here representing the feelings
of the objectors to this zoning matter and it is not because I do not
have a concern for children who must walk on the streets of this City.
The very people that are opposing this matter now matly months ago
opposed the heavy use on Azusa Avenue across the street from this
street and I think they received a sympathetic hearing by this council
because of the traffic hazard. The reason I am not particularly con-
cerned is that the children will come out of these homes and go easterly
to the school and will not pass the driveways, also I am not
particularly concerned because there is no evidence whatsoever in this
City where any properties that have been zoned R-P as a transitional
zone has subsequently seen adjacent properties rezoned also.. In fact
it is my understanding that R-P zoning provides buffering and support
to residential area. Certainly if I resided in that area I would be
much more concerned about a 3 or 4 story apartment building or an
automobile agency, and just as sure as we are all alive, no one, in
my judgment, but no one that is sitting here can say that 5 or 10
years from now that any property adjacent to Azusa Avenue is not going
to have some other use than single family residence And to try and
prevent every kind of use other than R-1 is shortsighted in the long
range in the terms of trying to protect some kind of identityfor those
people who have residential property immediately adjacent to Azusa
Avenue, which in my judgment is going to be the single busiest street
in the entire East San Gabriel Valley.
However, there are other criteria that
must be followed in. attempting to judge
whether certain types of zones should occur. I think the primary
judgement that I am considering is where is the need for this at this
time? We cannot zone discriminately or indiscriminately because we
think. ultimately the use must be some place.
I can say in all honesty, if there were
a demonstrated need for it I would vote for it, because I believe that
ultimately every footage on Azusa Avenue must have relief from R-1 zone,
I think any person with a reasonable mind would agree with that, but
the.need is not there today,. There are vacant lands all around this
property that have R-P zoning or 0-1 and until those lands are developed
- 17 -
C, Co 5/8/67 Page Eighteen
HEARINGS ® Continued
I do not want to vote zoning for speculation purposes. So I am opposed
to this zone change at this time.
Motion by Councilman Nichols, seconded by Councilman Gillum, that
Zone Change Application No. 377 be denied on the basis of the lack of
showing a need. Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Gleckman,- Snyder, Mayor Krieger
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ZONE'.CHANGE.NOo 376 LOCATION: East of Indian Summer Avenue
CITY INITIATED' north of -Amax Road, west of
(ANNEXAT.ION.. N.O_, 195) Pass and Covina Road, south
APPROVED of Maple Grove Street,,
Request to pre -zone all land in
Annexation No, 195 and a continguous
parcel to the most comparable zone that is now existing or pending in
Los Angeles County, approved by Planning Commission Resolution -No. 1947.
Mayor Krieger: Mrs; Preston are the -affidavits and
applications of mailing on file?
Mrs.- Lela Preston: Yes they are Mr. Mayor.
Deputy City Clerk
Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Snyder, and.
carried, that the affidavits and applications of mailing .be received
and filed'
(Mr, Menard., Planning Director, read the Planning -Commission Resolution
No. 1947.)
Mayor Krieger: This Is the time and place for the
public hearing,
IN FAVOR
None
IN OPPOSITION
None
There being no,one present desiring to speak In Favor of or In Opposi-
tion to the proposed zone change, the public hearing is closed,
Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum -,.that
Zone Change No 376, City initiated be approved as submitted.
Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Gleckman, Snyder, Mayor Krieger
NOES: None
ABSENT None
18
9
C, Ca 5/8/67
HEARINGS m Continued
ZONE CHANGE NO. 379
CITY INITIATED
APPROVED
Page Nineteen
LOCATION: Site 1e Galster Wilderness
Park located east of Azusa
Avenue and south of Kings
Crest Drive,
Site 2, Portion of Palm View Park
located at the southwest corner of
Puente and Lark Ellen Avenues;
Site 3. Future location of Fire Station
No, 2 located on the west side of Azusa
Avenue immediately south of Garvey Avenue,
T. Request to zone all land to a public
purpose, Zone P-B, approved by Planning Commission Resolution Noo:19500
Mayor Krieger: Mrs, Preston do you have.the affidavits
and application of publication?
Mrs, Lela; Preston:
Deputy City Clerk
Yes, Mr, Mayor.
Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and carried,
that the affidavit and application of publication be received and filed,
(Mr. Menard, Planning Director, read the Planning Commission Resolution
No. 1950.)
Mayor Krieger: This is the time and place for the
public hearing
INS
None
IN OPPOSITION
None
There being no.one present desiring to speak In Favor or In Opposition,
the public hearing is .closed.
Motion by Councilman Snyder, seconded by Councilman Gleckman, that .Zone
Change No. 379;, City initiated, be approved as submitted. Motion carried
on roll call vote as -follows:
AYES: Councilmen Gillum,
NOES:' None
ABSENT:.. Noise
AMENDMENT' N'O , : 79
CITY INITIATED
NEW ZONING MAP
• Mayor Krieger:
Mrs. Lela Preston:
Deputy City Clerk
Nichols, Gleckman, Snyder, Mayor.Krieger
Request for amendment to the Municipal
Code concerning the adoption of a new
zoning. map approved by Planning Com-
mission Resolution No. 1951.
Mrs, Preston, do you have the affidavit
and publication of .mailing on file?
Yes,Mr, Mayor,
Motion by Councilman Gillum, seconded by Councilman Gleckman, and carried,
that the affidavit and publication of mailing be received and filed.
(Mr. Menard, Planning Director, read the Planning Commission Resolution
No. 1951.)
® 19
Co C, 5/8/67
Page Twenty
HEARINGS ® Continued
Mayor Krieger-,
IN FAVOR
_None
IN OPPOSITION
None
This is the time and place for the public
hearing.
There being no one present desiring to speak In Favor or In Opposition,
the public- hearing is closed
Motion by Councilman-Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum•, that
Amendment No. 79, be approved as submitted. Motion carried on roll call
vote as follows-,
AYES-, Councilmen Gillum, 41chols, Gleckman, Snyder, Mayor Krieger
NOES° None
.ABSENT-, None
SOUTHERLY ANNEXATION DISTRICT No. 195
PROTEST HEARING (Held over from January 23,
HOLD HEARING OPEN 1967)
Mayor Krieger-, Mrs, Preston will you give the council a
report,
Mrs, Lela Preston.*On May 3 I received 4dditional protests
Deputy City Clerk which are within the area. They have
not been checked against the map.
The amount is 416,420.
Mayor Krieger, 016,420 which has not been verified
against the assessment rolls?
Mrs. Lela Preston-, No they have not. The total assessed
Deputy City Clerk valuation was 0468 548. and the necessary
protests total $234,270. As of the
last meeting -in January 23 there -was
$179,240 protests, so this $16,420 could be added to the $179,240
once it is verified and would make a total of 4195,660.
Mayor Krieger, This is the time and place for the
c®ntinued public hearing on proposed
Annexation District 195.
IN FAVOR
None
IN OPPOSITION
None
There being no one present desiring to speak In Favor or In Opposition,
the public heariaG is closed,
Motion.by`Councilman Gleckman9 seconded by Councilman Snyder, that the
protest hearing on Annexation 195 be continued to the City Council
meeting of July 24,- 1967, with the Hearing held open,
®20-
Ca C. 5/8/67
Page 'Twenty -One
HEARINGS m Continued
Councilman Nichols: I would like to know what procedure
would be necessary at this "po.int for- the
council to terminate this annexation at
this time, rather than continue to hold this hearing open. It is
rather obvious to me that we have amounts of protests representing
almost 4200,000 close onto 50%. It seems to me we are reaching the
point where we should follow through on our professed position that
substantial majority interest be shown in the -annexation in these areas
or that they not be continued and it seems to me that finally where
about 2/5ths of the total land assessments are already on record
protesting that it would behoove the council to terminate these proced-
ures, May I inquire what would be the procedure for -such a termination,
Mr. Terzian-, The Council by vote can terminate them
Ass'to City Attorney right now.
Mayor Krieger-, Is there further discussion.on -the
motion to hold over? I would like to
make one comment in response to the
statement that Councilman.Nichols has made. It is the stated policy of
the council that we desire to have a positive indication within the area
of the people that they are desirous of annexing to West Covina„ Such a
showing was made initially in the circulation of a petition before the
council authorized this matter to proceed even beyond the step of the
initial hearing -and we then got into the protest period of it. The
protest.part of it, unlike the popular vote part of it, must be 414de
by the legal owner of the property who need not be a resident of the
property for the -purpose of the protest hearing. The council must, as a
matter of law, if we receive protests of,.over 50% of the assessed
valuation of the property, ®®m terminate the proceedings. It doesn't
mean that if we receive less than a 50%-vote that we must of necessity
continue with the annexation proceedings, which I believe was the thrust
of your comment, But what does concern me, particularly in this annexa-
tion, that we have just been receiving up to this point the protests of
the assessed valuation whether the people live on the property or don't
live on the property and the only determination this.council is -going
to ultimately make is whether or not the people that actually live on
this property are going to get a chance to vote on this question of
annexation. And this is what concerns me,
Councilman Gleckman-, I would like to take it a step further.
Being the liaison to the Annexation
Committee and having discussed with the.
proponents in 195, they feel -.that at this particular time is the basis
strictly for protests and that at the time this comes up on the 24th in
regards to what Councilman Nichols has suggested, that the policy set by
the.Annexation Committee and recommended to this Council and adopted
was regarding the 50% signatures in favor of that annexation. And I
feel we are obligated to give the proponents in this area that
opportunity to present those signatures to this body at the proper, time
which would be July 24, 1967, or at that time terminate the annexation
proceedings.
Councilman Nichols-, I believe that is a reasonable requests
I think probably my concern is as much
with a few loud mouth individuals who
�0don't even live in that annexation area and writing letters to the
Tribune, calling us a bunch of thieves and robbers, because we have
accepted petitions from people in that area and I just want to state
again my feelings that if the people in that area do not indicate a
desire to join this O ity that is their privilege and that this council
has not gone on record, is..not going on record, and will not go on record
as seeking any area for annexation to this City if the people in that
area do not indicate a desire to do so, __ I am getting awful tired of
these smear letters in the paper by county fire employees and others
who will stand to have their jobs transferred away from them because
21
rr
C. Co 5/8/67 Page Twenty-two
HEARINGS ® Continued
an area might II g join the City of West Covina, I will defer to yo1Zr
point Mr. Mayor and that of_ Mr, Gleckman and wait until the 24th of July.
Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:
• AYES: Councilmen Gillum, ^Nichols, Gleckman, Snyder,Mayor Krieger
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
STREET TREE REPLLCEMl0, ENT PROGRAM
He r rem pril d ove19
Mayor Krieger-, This hearing item was held over by the
action of the council and placed on the
hearing agenda of the council for this
evening and treated by the council as a hearing item, _There is
obviously no affidavit of publication_.and mailing. pertaining to this_.
matter, .1nasmuch as this is strictly within the .City as to the
recommendations of the staff of the Recreation & Park vepartment, The
matter came to the City Council from the Recreation & Park Department
as a,n..a,ganda item the same as it appears on the agenda tonight -under
Item D on Page 6. The Council will entertain under an agenda items,
public comments out of order under oral communications so that people
who desire to speak to this matter will have the opportunity at the
time the council was discussing a. non-public hearing agenda item.
There were a number of people who indicated their interest in this
matter and the council then by.action of the council placed it as a
hearing item before this council,_so that anybody or everybody who
desires to address themselves to this particular matter may have the
opportunity to do -so. The only request I make on behalf of the City
Council is if it has been said already, please do not say it again.
If it has been said by somebody before you and you are here to say the
same thing, it is only going to consume additional time. The council
is well aware of the feelings within various areas of the community as
expressed to us -personally, by communications, by letters, by letters
and articles in the newspapers and various types of other forms of
communication directed to our attention so that I would ask only that
you be considerate of the council in terms of any remarks you have to
make on this subject matter, so that at that point the public hearing
is going to be closed, we the council are going to be asked to vote on
it and having spent a full day at our professions and occupations and
now coming down here, that we will have at 10 ast enough presence of mind
and sensibility on the subject matter to be able to pay full attention
to it and give it the attention it deserves. We will first receive
the staff report on the matter of the Street Tree Removal Program.
Mr, Aiassa.
Mr. Aiassa°o
. City Manager
Mayor Krieger:
City Manager advised me
on the table here this
full report read?
Councilman Nichols:
Councilman Gillum:
Mr. Gingrich is here - I assume it is
the intention of the council to have the
entire report read?
Gentlemen, we do have before us a seven
page report from the Park & Recreation,.
Department to the City Manager. The
that there are 200 copies of the report placed
evening. Does the council desire to have the
material be made available so
have all the facts supplied to
to have the report read.
I, personally, see no reason to
consume the time since these copies. have
been made: It was my request that the
that when they left tonight they would
them, so I see no need to take the time
22
C. C. 5/8/67 Page Twenty -Three
STREET TREE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM Continued
Councilman Gleckmano I have n esire to h` it read, at
least no� or my bene.
Councilman Snyder. I have no desire to have it read.
Councilman Gleckmano I hope by this Mr. Mayor that the
people in the audience are not under the
impression that we are withholding
anything .-from them.
Mayor Rriegers I indicated to the City Manager that my
personal preference was to have the
whole report read. I assume from the
action of the council the report will not be read. I also invite anyone
present this evening who has not availad themselves of the opportunity
to receive and read the report that they do so. Come- far -hard at this
time and pick up a copy, there will be plenty of time to peruse
it. (The reports were passed out.) Does the staff have anything to
add to this report, Mr. Aiassa3
Mr. Aiassaa
City Manager
No, we have not. But the staff will be
ready to answer any questions the
Council may have.
Don Veronda The data presented in the report issued
1537 E. Eckerman Avenue to you tonight contains essentially the
West Covina same data as presented to the Commission
Chairman - Recreation & Park and in view of that report, m however it
Commission was updated to the present time ® in
view of the continuing additional cost
in terms of manpower and equipment necessary to process these undesir-
able trees at the expense of not ppending the correct time with the
desirable trees, the Commission felt that it could not ignore this
problem but had -to come forth and take some action and as a result of
this in October, 1965, the policy was established and the following
recommendations were forwarded to the City Councils
1. As the desirable trees were available these were to be used to
replace the undesirable trees.
2. The Recreation & Park DeViartment was to remove these undesirable
trees as rapidly as possible based on budgetary and manpower
availability.
3. That the priority for tnese trees be so designated to those
property owners who wanted the trees removed $%,Ad were willing to
share in the expense.
This policy was I reaffirmed in March,
1967, when we had two additional members on the Commission, and in
addition was endorsed by the Citizens Committee on City Beautification.
I believe that anyone familiar with this type of tree must admit it is
a situation where they have t-o be removed at sometime or later. The
big problem facing this group is when to do it to save expense, be -cause
they must be removed at sometime.
Mrs. Betty Plesko.,
1407 So. St. Malo
, West Covina
Commissioner - Recreation &
Park Commission
as planned would be the most
First of all may I say that when we were
considering the tree replacement program
that both economy and aesthet ob were
considered. u As far as
economics was concerned, I believe the
facts speak for themselves. The facts
as presented by the staff and the program
economic route to follow.
Never have we stated that there are
5000 diseased trees in West Covina. The -diseased trees die and are
removed anyway. The problem lies with the very much alive ones which
- 23 -
C. Co 5/8/67 Page Twenty-four
STREET TREE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM - Continued
will continue to cause problems until they are replaced. For the
council°s information, Mr. Mayor, I recently surveyed an area of 123
residences by foot to gather first hand information. This is what I
found.
60 Silver Maples removed or replaced; there are 74 remaining
Silver Maples, 74 areas of raised sidewalk, cracked curbs and
gutters- 145 squatres of replaced sidewalk and in many instances
there is still_ a Silver Maple -existing -.-where the sidewalk has
been replaced which means this repair job is temporary.
As far as aesthetics are concerned I feel our City will be far more
beautiful when these undesirable trees are replaced with
healthy lower maintenance trees for both City and homeowner with
non -damaging type trees such as. we have on our approved street tree
list.
Mayor Krieger.- Thank you. Mr. Clardy of the Citizens
Committee on the Cities'Beautification
program is present this evening. Did
you desire to speak on the matter
William Clardy Mr. Mayor, councilmen, I was and still
917 W. Lucille Avenue am the Chairman of the Citizens Blue
West Covina Ribbon Committee for the Beautification
of our City. Our committee was formed
in September, 1966o We had several meetings, completed our work and
presented our report to Council, along with recommendations, on January
23rd, 1967. In our recommendations, one.of them was that the existing
5 year plan for the replacement of undesirable trees in the City should
be replaced with desirable trees as soon as possible. Some of our
reasaning that went into this recommendation was as follows-,
Due to cracking of sidewalks and safety hazards to children on, the side-
walks, uprooting of curbs, lawns, sticky sap drippings and dropping of
leaves, we thought these undesirable trees should be removed. In
addition, because of the cost of maintaining these undesirable trees,
which in the report received tonight, is estimated to be $100,000, it
was felt that these trees should be replaced by desirable trees.
. I believe that possibly some of the
opponents to this proposal may be of the opinion that the City intends
to remove 5000 trees tomorrow or possibly within one year, The Recreation
&Parks program actually is a phasing program of 1000 trees per year over
a five year period. Since approximately 435 trees on a projection basis
will be removed this year by voluntary request, I don't believe that the
1000 trees on the phasing out program is too severe. We must recognize
that we do have a problem. As a Beautification Committee we do like
trees, we would like to see as many trees as possible, but we would like
to see desirable trees. Therefore, we are in accord with the Recreation
& Park program, We feel it is well thought out, a good and reasonable
solution to this problem. As a correlating recommendation in our report,
we recommended that -initial planting of larger trees should be
encouraged when the undesirable trees are replaced. When a parkway tree
is to be replaced the property owner should be advised that a larger
tree may be planted if he pays the additional cost. The cost
differential between a 5 gallon and a 15 gallon tree is approximately
�`• $15. 00.
Chris Justi
3133 Sunset Hill Drive I am President of West Covina Beautiful
West Covina and a Director of that. Investigation
was made by Directors Arnott and Johnson..
Summary findings concurred to by Director
Wax. These classified trees are tall growing m 401 or more possibly,
and most are deciduous , quick growing, a good shade tree, eventual
deep root and maintenance problems. In my opinion trees should
have bees planted 9° back of curb and not 61. Non -deciduous tree
24
C, C, 5/8/67 Twenty -Five
STREET TREE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM o Continued
selection, medium to low maintenance, less extensive root problem
and having potential height so as not to conflict with overhead lines
should have been selected. We found some evidence in certain areas of
diseased trees, we found some cracking curbs and gutters. No immediate
root problem to main center street sewer lines at this time. Unless
root problem controlled problems to owners sewer lines, street curbs,
• gutters, for the older trees of those with visible root problems now.
Rest of trees will have these conditions existing in 2 to 7 years
depending on the individual tree. Constant pruning and cleaning up
maintenance required now, trees provide aesthetic beauty to home-
owners, provide shade and add dimension -to the property and affect the
concept of property value if both trees in front are removed at same
time. Area known and identified by its trees.
Identify those trees
on thdividual basis
years progress. Do
unless severe damage
direct communication
Mayor Kriegero
Place tree removal on priority levels.
that need replacement within the next year. Cycle
those additional trees required for removal as
not remove both trees from front lot of owner
or maintenance problems exist and establish
with the homeowners. These are our findings.
of the City of West Covina, so
is the time and place to do soo
Thank you. We are -not approaching
this matter in a proponent and opponent
manner, we are g1l here for ;the benefit
if you desire to speak on this matter now
John Lao Walker
327 N. Yaleton I have been selected to speak for 285
West Covina specific residents north of the freeway.
I would like 10 minutes. (Granted)
• 1 am representing actually most of the residents north of the freeway
and we are here to express our opinion in this civic matter so you
will know how we feel, and please consider that their voices are
condensed into my voice. I am well aware that we are apprised of our
rights and privileges to make our statements known even if we have not
actually served on the Blue Ribbon Committee involved in this particu-
lar situation. Many of us, since our time is t Q)compelling, we cannot
mix in civic issues as we would like. The issue then that we are
talking about is the removal of these trees, generally concerning
5000 Ash, Silver Maple and other shade trees from our property. And
the questions as to why this is being proposed have beery discussed at
some length but let me make one or two minor comments.
It cannot be really because the
majority of these trees are It
- no one has proven that the
majority are diseased. I think 5000 high, full leafed, growing trees
cannot be classified as diseased when examined.. Well, could it be
moot damage to the sewer? We would lake to point out to the council
that of course the sewer repair to the homeowner is his own
particular cost and is not a cost to the city or its problem. The
only cost to the city would be the repair to sewer lines that run
down the middle of the street and are 20 to 251 away from these trees
at the moment. Could the reason be possibly interference with the
power lines? We say no, we have information from Mr. Fine of the
Southern California Edison Planning office which states that number
one - his company maintains the right of way paths for the power lines
and the street lights and -will prune the limbs as needed to keep these
Vines clear at no cost to the city. Well could it be the problem
of cracking sidewalks and curbs, as brought up? We think not.
I have pictures here that I would liketo pass to the City Clerk to
be passed to the council, if`permitted, showing full areas, full blocks,
lined by some of these 601 trees which show absolutely no cracking at
the curbs at all. In addition I have pictures here showing curb
cracks where, there are no trees at all. I, of course, would,
definitely like to point out that if any individual tree is damaging
a curb or the sidewalk and may_I add that the cracking of the sidewalk
Is not a problem in our area because we do not have sidewalks_, but if
®25®
C. C. 5/8/67 Page Twenty -Six
STREET TREE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM - Continued
any tree is causing damage and the damage can be pinpointed to a specific
tree, then we of course are completely in favor of removing that tree
However, I think that in any of the curb cracking pictures we see you
will notice there is very little curb cracking and none in our
particular area which lessens the chance that the trees are to be
blamed. Well could the reason then be falling leaves, or splitting
limbs or dropping of insects. Well yes this may be a reason. So
let us look at this carefully. As can be seen by thisparticular°
picture these trees have not been topped-, at least not to my knowledge
since I have been there, and the trees have been pruned one time since.
I have lived there. I feel it would be m error for the city to make
a mass removal of these trees just because they have not been topped or
pruned properly because of the beautiful shade they give and we do not
want to forget the effort the residents themselves put into the trees
the trimming that some of them did themselves, the covering of the roots
which protruded above the lawns and other things to try and make these
trees stable and beautiful. In fact one resident writes me o Mr, & Mrs,
Slater - P9We have waited 12 years for our trees to produce shade so
we could enjoy them. To have them removed, or replaced by small
ornamental trees is neither fair nor equitable.BD
We will agree there are fallen leaves
and limbs, but is this then -the only reason that these trees are to be
removed? Is the problem the money to take care'of the situation?
Let's look at another monetary problem. The monetary aspect of removal
would hit us property owners, the beauty that would be lost and cause
dropping of property values for us on our homes, and we would also have
to stand much of the cost of the removal and the replacement of the
trees. Let's reason together on a more positive note. We, who have
these trees are willing to stand a maintenance assessment for the
upkeep of these trees. We feel this cost is preferable to a mass
removal cost and helps us keep the beauty of these trees until such time
as each tree is judged to be worthy of removal through damage or disease.
I really must say that a strictly dollars and cents outlook on this is
a rather narrow and undignified approach to take to a problem of this
sweeping magnitude, because there is mor-e to life than money. I feel.
that the beauties of nature were given to us by a wise heavenly father
to add -depth and richness to our lives and may I quote part of another
letter - " You despair at the proposal to out down the beautiful trees
in your community. It is certainly understandable and it is my hope
that communities will weigh most carefully projects that might destroy
trees and evaluate the gains and losses before final decisions are made.
All across the nation citizens and civic leaders are beginning to realizd
that attractive surroundings can be a recipe for better business and a
more attractive way of life. Your constructive interest in your
community is most ,welcome. With best wishes. Sincerely, Mrs,. Lyndon B.
Johnson.°.
Gentlemen, I grew up in the country and
Ireallly know what children mean when they come to our house and exclaim
over the beauty of our trees. We had horses on our ranch, ducks, rabbits,
.chickens and lots and lots of trees. I remember those trees well, They
Made a great impression on meo They kept me quite close to the beauty
and strength of nature. They Dept me close to the sense and purpose of
the natural world. A place of retreat from the hustle of the so-called
civilization and I used to lie under them and just stare up -at the
branches and admire them for what they were. I would like to have these
feelings for my children and these feelings cannot be compared to money.
Compare the shade to this picture taken a few yearns ago in our
particular area when they were very small trees and provided no shade
and no particular emphasis- to the area. I will pass this on to you but
would like to have it back, it is irreplaceable.
I have the names here of 250 specific
residents who. agree with my particular point -of view. These names appear
on a, petition which reads - "To Mayor Krieger and our City Councilmen.,
We the homeowners of West Covina, California, with due concern for the
", 106 of oTrr nropertir i d rr�A.e in our city submit this petition request-
- 26 -
C. C® 5/8/67 Page Twenty -Seven.
STREET TREE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM - Continued
ing that the trees in our city not be removed. We feel that our whole
community will suffer if the present plan of the Parks Department is
carried out,as recommended. If and when it becomes necessary to
replace a tree we request that the replacement be a tree and not an
ornamental shrub. May I submit these to the councilmen? They are
generally in the area north of the freeway and west of Sunset o Hollow,
`Ialeton, Poxdale, the Workman area, Nora and some from Idahome and
various other streets in that particular area. So I am speaking mainly
for north of the freeway.
We have just one more quote we would
liks to make? This in a letter from Daniel A. Martin, Jr., Assistant
Director of Recreation, National Beauty of the U.S. Department of the
Interior. 04Secretary Udall has asked that we respond to your letter of
April 5, in which you expressed the acute concern about the cutting of
5000 trees in,your community by local government. We share your distress
that 15 year old trees should fall in the name of governmental economy.
We were surprised to learn thst the city government would take such
action as most cities conscientiously budget for the care and maintenance
of trees on city property and treat the cost of weed abatement and
rubbish disposal as a normal operating expense displaced through the
local tax system."
Gentlemen, as far as we are concerned
these trees are like children. They may have their runny noses and
bumps and scratches and of course they take a lot of care to maintain
but we, the -local residents in this specific area, we like our children
and love our trees and feel they are well worth the effort. Gentlemen,
we ask you and the council to consider our positive,proposal in this
particular matter and ask that we may keep these symbols of beauty that
• make our City so desirable. Thank you.
Harold King I a;n residing in the Orangewood Tract
1520 Glenmere and to mj jcnowledge in that entire section
West Covina there iV',,,* ly one tree, that I know of,
that has caused any damage whatsoever.
This tree -is diaganol from my house across the street, and -this property
owner forced fed it with sulphite of ammonia - the tree is much larger
than other trees in the area and did cause some sidewalk damage. The
City has replaced about 6' of sidewalk by cutting the roots from this
one tree and repaved, other than that I know of no trees in that area
that caused any curb cracking or sidewalk damage. The leaf dropping is
something we have to put up with. It is not particularly desirable but
for myself I pick up the leaves and the city takes care of them on
Monday when they come through. The sap dropping is no problem if they
don't park their cars in the street and if they do a hose washes it
off with no trouble. I have three Silver Maples and these trees are
about 40' tall. They are very healthy, very beautiful and speaking for
myself and my family, I would hate to see any blanket policy of tree
removal. We are very fond of our trees and we think the trees on that
street add to the overall beauty that would be detracted by the removal
of one here and there, piecemeal over a period of years. If you do it
over a period of years you are going to have small trees scattered with
big trees and before too long they will all be rather small trees. So
'peaking for myself and my family and some of my neighbors that share
my views, we would like to see the trees in our area remain. They are
• causing no damage. They are healthy and beautiful,
Mrs. Roberta Ericksen Rather than say anything, I have a
1242 E. Idahome question. Back there I notice the map
West Covina and the legend and I don't know what it
means. I thought if someone could explain
it. (Mayor advised that during the council discussion the map would be
explained.)
27
C. C. 5/8/67 Page Twenty! -Eight
STREET TREE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM m Continued
Mr. W. H. Dunning I am representing Meeker and Sunkist.
1246 So. Meeker Here is a list of 135 names and
West Covina, California pictures .of the area. This is south
and some are north. Generally speaking
I think we would be willing to assume
the responsibility of those trees ourselves too and concur with the
ones that went ahead of me here and leave the trees alone. If it gets
to'be too much maintenance, I think we can take care of them,
Mr. Pete Valhose Gentlemen, `I thank you for -the
1019 Spruce Street privilege.of speaking. I would like to
West Covina make a comment. I was present a month
ago at the council meeting and it was
stated to us that we should hwve participated in Mr. Clardy's Blue
Ribbon Committee and why did we not? I don't know why all of us
citizens did not participate and I don't want to go into that, but I
think we do have the right to come here this evening and petition and
request our city council to hear us whether or not we served on the
Blue Ribbon Committee. I have raised a question at that meeting as
to the cost of the removal of these 5000 trees o we raised this
question - many of the property owners at the Park & Recreation
Commission meeting earlier and again we rai-sed it a month ago. I
have not seen a cost to remove the trees and plant new trees'. Maybe
there is a cost?
Another point, if we remove these trees
by the admission of the Park & Recreation Department there are no,best
trees for a parkway, they all have problems. There is no ideal, perfect
best tree for a parkway. Are we trading the Silver Maples,, the Ash
and the Elm o which are a problem tree for another tree or group of trees
which are also problems and in another 12 or 15 years from now we go
through our City and remove these trees and you will see all our faces
again or our children? We at the earlier meeting presented signatures
of 164 residents. This group of signatures were from a very small
area south of the freeway.
We realize that eventually these trees
will have to be replaced because they will become either diseased or
wind damagedand will eventually have to be replaced, but we want to
keep our large shade trees now and if the time comes that they are
doing damage to the curbs or sidewalks or -we realize that the city
has to remove the trees and replace with a smaller one that we will
have to accept that. Thank you.
Keith L. Anderson Mr. Mayor, I would respectively like to
1245 So. Sunkist correct the record on the background
West Covina that the Park & Recreation Commission
has submitted to us. Being a resident
of West Covina since 1950 I remember that -the city grew these trees
in the back of City Hall here and the trees were given to the
subdividers to plant for growth and beautification and it was thought
at that time that these were the proper trees and I believe they grew
wild in back of City Hall until 1960 when they were removed. The
residents in our area feel very strongly against having our trees taken
out. We feel like the people on the north side of the freeway feel.
They are like our children m have grown and developed in their way
by the growth of these trees and the warmth and friendliness of our
particular area has magnified by this. We have many people visiting
our area from many communities and sayi-ng that it is one of the most
beautiful areas in Southern California. We believe it would be a very
serious detriment to the city and to the property owners to take our
trees out.
Richard Rogdensack Mr. Mayor._ I have lived at my present
1525 So. Sunkist location just about the same time as
West Covina we finished building Willowood School,
I am no tree specialist but they put
up some new trees not too long ago and they look just like Silver Maples,,
and I think it should be checked into. We are talking about cutting
® 28
0. 0. 5/8/67 Page Twenty -Nine
n
U
STREET TREE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM ® Continued
these down at the same time we a-ight be planting the same thing,
Councilman Snyder:
Is that in the Parkway?
Clara Kogan I have a sister that lives in Lakewood
1518 Hollyoak Drive and when they first moved there they
West Covina had a flowerling plum planted in front
of their house. The tree never got
more than 7' tall. The City got discouraged and took them all out and
charged them and they put in another tree which is.a holly tree and
they still have a 7' tall tree. They still live there and whenever any
one comes over from that neighborhood to our neighborhood they say
8°I wish we had real trees like this."
Mrs. Martin Kellsy I want to say that all of the pictures
312 No. Foxdale we made and the letters we have received,
West Covina and the walking we have done and the
calling and everything is from people
that are sincere. The people that really are West Covina. You
complain that there are not people present at council meetings, well
we are here tonight. We are living here and we are educating our
children here.
-These people that the letters we have
written can't interfere with local government but they express
better than we can, because our vocabulary is limited. If you take
our trees you are taking part of our homes. You don't live in our
• neighborhoods o none of you do so you can't feel like we doe Maybe
we are just names on a piece of paper but drive through our streets and
imagine where we live and what it will look like without trees. All
you have to do is look out across the freeway and you will see a barren
land, because that is where we live_, I just think you should put
yourselves in our place, we don't have fabulous homes and our trees add
to our homes. These letters can't interfere with local government and
I saw quite a few smiles as people looked at them, but I- can't type.
Each of you know that my writing is pretty bad, but someone high up
took the time to notice and I hope that someone here will. Thank you,
Mrs. Elaine Johnson Before coming to live in WestCovina, I
307 No. Morris Ave. lived all my life in Chicago.. The home
West Covina we left in Chicago we lived in 9 years.
In front of our home and all along
South Park Avenue in Chicago were huE.e Chinese. Elm trees, the most
beautiful trees you ever wanted to see. They were at least 25 years
old, when I left Chicago and from the letters I receive from
neighbors in Chicago they are still standing. Those trees bear snow
every winter and they are a fabulous sight when covered with snow. This
is weight - heavy weight and I never knew of a limb to fall in frost of
my house. I have a Maple tree in front of my home in California but in
Chicago in the back yard there was also a beautiful maple tree and
when I went back a few years later that tree was still very beautiful.
One of the things that we were attracted to when we moved on Morris
Avenue was the shade lined street, it was like the home we had left in
Chicago.
This to many people is home. Without
our trees our homes would be barren. I notice in the report here that
5 out of 8 cities you mentioned considered the people as taxpayers and
individuals and human beings and that the only time the tree was removed
was when it was a hazard. Our trees in front of our home and across the
street and all around I have never seen a curb that has been cracked
from them. As far as a slight dripping we park our cars in front of our
m29m
C. C. 5/8/67 Page Thirty
STREET TREE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM Continued
home and my husband has never complained, since we have lived there and
that has been 10 years now. I cannot see any reason why there should
be an additional cost to the taxpayers to have a tree removed or
replaced unless it is definitely necessary. There is not one person here
who would remove one part of their body in any form unless it was
• necessary and I feel the -very same about trees. To myself and my family
the tree is a human thing because it was created by our Creator and I
cannot see any reason to take them out and replace something else that
might create as much or more damage and might not look as beautiful and
certainly Morris Avenue would lose a great deal of beauty. Thank you.
Frank Murillo Everybody is pointing out the beauty of
140 No. Lime Avenue the trees and everything, but it seems
West'Covina like the council is concerned with the
cost of maintaining the trees. In
going over this report, Exhibit A m labor required to maintain a tree
3 men m 2-1/2 hours per tree. I have what I guess you call one of
these drippy droopy elms and so does my neighbor. They had an
independent crew come in one Saturday and I watched him, one man did
both of their trees in 1-1/2 hours. And I was wondering why it takes
our city crew longer to do this. I think if we are to ®king for cost
savings and things like this we ought to look for efficiency in
government. And that is all I have to say.
Ellen Thon I Just want to ask a question. What
315 No. Foxdale and in whose opinion is a tree
West Covina undesirable? My trees are very desirable
to me and all the things that the_city
claims are wrong with them are not apparent in front of my house. There
are no cracked curbs, I enjoy the shade and they are most desirable _and I
• would b-e most ,unhappy if anything happened to the trees. In fact the
only time I was ever unhappy with the trees was when I came home from
work one night and found that the city had pruned them almost -half way
up the tree and this was a very great disappointment to me and the
only time I was unhappy with the tree. Undesirable is a pretty strong
word and I would like to know what is considered undesirable in a tree.
Mine are very desirable. Thank you,
Ed Port I think it is very seldom you get so
151 No. Lang many people to agree on one thing_at
West Covina one time especially this late at night.
I think it is quite evident that we are
very serious about our trees otherwise we would not take this time and
energy. This gentleman made quite a report on it and put a lot of time
on it. I think you gentlemen should take this into consideration and
realize that we do love our trees .and perhaps approach this subject with
a different look at it, letting us in on it and, perhaps we could help
you out with it.
Mr. W. H. Dunning: These trees that we have are 20 years
old, I assume they have reached full
growth and we have no damage to curbs
or anything else. I think it has been
said here several times ® we didn't appreciate the way the city
came in and trimmed the trees either. We never asked for it but we
got it. We took care of our trees and all of a sudden they took over
' and they were going to take care of them and boy they did.
There being no further citizens desiring
to speak, the public portion of the hearing was closed. Discussion by
the councilmen.
Councilman Gillum: As you are all aware I was. out of town
the evening this came up,to be very
honest with you I have been quite
surprised and in some cases shocked.. I listened to the tape from the
m30-
5/8/67 Page Thirty -One
STREET TREE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM o Continued
hearing the day I returned and made a trip through the City in the
designated areas indicated that have trees that have problems; I
have seen, myself, some trees that could create a problem and some
within these many areas that are creating problems. But I'think the
unfortunate thing was, when this was started it was a singere desire
•to help the City with the problem, but then we started getting things
like this through the mail, letters to the editor and letters from
people getting downright nasty about it. The City, is not about to
dome on your property and take your treesq I can assure you of that.
What I would like to remind you also is that these trees are on city
property and are a city responsibility. I am sure if someone was
driving through the City, down your street and.the.tree should happen
to fall they would not sue you but the City.
I can understand and appreciate your
feelings. I came out here from Sot.h Pasadena in 1955 and bought a
tract h®use. It is off of Orange Grove and I dug and scrapped and
watered like the rest of ou and finally got the trees to grow. When
I bought my house it was il-3,500 so I don't think there is much
difference in our homes in price. I do think we have a responsibility
to all the citizens when it comes down to an area that is going to cost
the City. My wife has asked me, the newspapers have asked me, and the
people at my church are. asking me - what are you going to do about the
trees? I haven't told a soul because I realize it is a very emotional
problem�.but I can say this to you and I believe this sincerely,, when
you have a barrel of apples and you have one or two bad ones you don't
destroy the barrel. And, this is my feeling and I think that there is
a way the City can be protected from a law suit 74td damage._ To give
you an exampled the tree I planted is breaking my sidewalk so I am sure
the city is going to come along and remove my treeo.It is a very large
shade tree but I am sure the city is going to come along and take it out.
So I realize what you are faced with. I do admit some of these trees are
very beautiful. Driving up here today and the other day in the warm
sunshine and going over the route that I had decided to take and looking
over the things I saw, and thinking what I believe should be done, I
_.think this gentleman mentioned that you would like to work something
out so that we would all be satisfied and I.am sure it can. But
honestly I want to say these things get to the point where it gets
out of hand. Some of the letters �Ye ?received and some of the letters
to the editor I am sure you wouldn°t believe. We are trying to do
the best for the City. We are five fellows up here and we are trying
to make a decision,, We are going to make some wrong ones but we hope
we make the right ones most of the time.
I have given it some thought and I
think there is someway that if a person has a tree that could cause
problems that some k1-hd of a performance bond could be put up that
would guarantee the City that if and when the tree reached that point
that it should be removed that it could be and not at the expense of all
the taxpayers. But to be honest with you and I am sure it was not
meant to go through here with an axe and cut out 5000 trees in one year.
Believe me we couldn't afford to do it if we wanted to. I believe it
was caused by a lot of misunderstanding. I was told by some people
that they understood the city was going to take out the tree and charge
$150. and then going to put in sidewalks and charge them $150. more.
So there would be $300 on their tax bill. This is not trues
I am very happy to see all of you out tonight. The onl�r _way we can hear frm
people and this is the--uriiortunate part of government, is when something
happens. We do appreciate your comments, letters and feelings. Don't
ever get the opinion that we are not concerned about it. To be honest
and blunt about it we are re-elected every four years ® I think some-
body mentioned it in the paper to remind the voters in this City.
We are not going to do something that would cost the balance of the
60,000 plus people in this City some additional funds. We have
an obligationto all the people in the City and I think you would agree
with use
®31�.
Co Co 5/8/67 Page Thirty-two
STREET'TREE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM ® Continued
I do think maybe something could be worked out along the nature of a
performance bond where the property owner would want to share in the
cost of maintaining these trees and when they reached the point where
they were doing damage or could not be maintained or taken care of,
then the property owner ® and I think you will agree with me then
• in certain areas they should be taken out when they reach that point.
I want to thank all of you for coming
out and staying this late hour. 1 am sorry we don't have something
else to serve you besides the drink machine out there, Again let me
say, I don't believe that when you have a barrel of apples and a few
rotten ones appear you don't throw the whole barrel ou-u, and that is
what I base my whole philosphy on in this street tree removal matter.
Mayor Krieger.- Perhaps, if the council has no objection,
we could have Mr. Gingrich explain the
map that is on the board.
No object -ion, Mr. Gingrich explained the map,)
Councilman Nichols.- Mr. Mayor, because it is so very easy
to digress from the salient points I
have made an effort to prepare my conclusions in writing and I would
therefore beg the indulgence of the chair and promise you I will be
much more brief by reading rather than speaking.
I have read and studied the staff report
and all pertinent material relative to the present issue concerning the
trees. I have reached several major conclusions. First of all, it is
apparent that whether or not 5000 undesirable trees are removed tree
•maintenance costs are bound to rise significantly, Even though page 1
of Exhibit A,that is in our hands, shows that a.maintenance force of
6 men would be able to handle the full city colAplement of 20,000
desirable trees, other cities comparisons make this an uncertain
possibility to say the least. For instance of the 8 other cities.surm
veyed, all mrre mature communities than our own, only one of them has
fewer trees assigned to each maintenance man ® Arcadia has men
sufficient so that one man can handle 3750 trees whereas the -current
disbursement for West Covina would be.on a basis of 3300 trees per
employee. On the other -hand all the other reporting cities show a lower
ratio ranging from 3000 trees per tree maintenance man in Pomona and
Monterey Park to a low of 1900 trees per tree maintenance man in
Fullerton. So it is obvious that as our trees begin to mature all over
the city, not only these that are supposedly undesirable but all types
of trees that our costs in terms of needs for manpower are going to
increase.
Listed on page 2 of the staff report
are listed the undesirable qualities of the undesirable trees, yet it
seems to me that except for one or two aspects - drippage for one
matter, root growing�on ground surfaces for another, most of the problems
listed there as being pertinent to these undesirable trees will pretty
well apply -to any tree that reaches the state .of maturity, with regard
to the neea nor topping., pruning, traffic clearance, etc. So again it
seems to me that it is obvious that our costs are going to be increased
as we go into the future. I think when the staff projected future costs,
perhaps they did not have the background of experience with some of the
other types of trees that have not been in the community as long_ as our
unde-s-ira;ble- tr-ees, and when they projected an almost stable futur-e cost
or handling these other types of trees, this seems.a little bit difficult
o accept.
I honestly believe that the report from
the staff in all probability gnd-certainly without intent, has tended to
minimize the future somewhat on known costs for the so-called good trees
and has, because of the greater recent experience, maximized the cost for
the bad trees.
®320
C. C.. 5/8/67 Page Thirty -Three
STREET TREE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM ® Continued
The final point I would like to offer
to you fellow councilmen, is that among the 8 cities surveyed only 1
Lakewood o indicated it on a program of tree removal without
citizen involvement. In every other city without exception the city
removed trees under basically two conditions, either by request of the
property owner or where damages or dangers were factors that were
present. Even in those cases in most of the cities trees were left
In -place where property owners were willing to assume a legal
responsibility for financial reimbursement bf the costs. In my
judgment, we in West Covina should follow the course set by the
majority of the cities that have had experience in these matters
If the tree is truly dangerous or is causing damage of sidewalks,
etc., I would agree the tree must come out unless the property owners
wish to reimburse the city for the additional cost of repairing the
damagesa Otherwise I think we would be in rather an unjustifiable
position to make an advance commitment here and now for the
enmasse removal of 25% of our city°s trees over a 5',year period.
Finally, if no other point would carry sufficient weight, I wotil+,
like to conclude my remarks by stating that at the Recreation & Park
Commission meeting some weeks ago the representative of the Recreation
& Park Department commented to the Recreation & Park Commissioners that
in fact the city°s tree program at the present time was going full
steam responding to requests for tree service and that without
significant additional personnel there could not be any significant
action in the removal of trees in a program of this type. They stated
to us they are removing trees by request at the rate of 435 and if that
rate continued and were projected over a 10 year program that would
virtually take care of all the undesirable trees so that in 10 years
it might be accomplished with the cooperation and insistence of the
community rather than the antagonismcf the community over the removal
• of trees on a five year program.
In conclusion, and to show you how
sometimes we can find ourselves tangled up, I took some data from•the
report and I would like the staff later on at their convenience to
respond to this. We are told that 6 men can service 20,000 trees in
West Covina if they are all of the desirable types, that is all kinds
of trees except the three listed as undesirable. This figures out per
man year of 3 033 trees, At this rate 15,000 good trees then could be
serviced by 4.5 man years, yet we are told we will need to increase ohr
work force from 6 to 16 men in order to handle 15,000 good trees and
5000 undesirables. This means then we would use 4.5 man years for
15,000 and 11.5 man years for 5000 trees. It is obvious that the
bail tree that is giving trouble is more costly but I am wondering if
it is really based on actual valid experience of other cities and is
7-1/2 times more demanding. Pomona with a total of 30,000 trees and
only 1500 fewer undesirable trees tbg n West Covina has only 10 crewmen
and does not anticipate hiring any others. I think we should look
long and carefully before we commit ourselves to a mess removal
program. We should get to it and do the job that needs to be done but
do it prudently.
Councilman Snyder, This meeting here tonight demonstrates
one thing, that you can present all the
facts you want on a proposition like
this but you are not going to convince anybody because this is an
• emotional issue and nobody is going to listen to fact. The two previous
speakers have mentioned a method of removing these trees not enmasse :but
prudently but they don't propose any workable program for doing this
ptudantly, it is obvious because of the emotional impact of this and I
didn't hear any speaker out here tonight disapprove one statement of
this report, but because of the emotional impact of this the city is
gDing to have to compromise and find a way, perhaps on a longer period of
time, of removing these trees selectively. Somebody spoke about our
removing a part of the body because they might be like a tree, and this
again is an emotional appeal, but as a doctor I know this is sometimes
n4cessary. If we have to recommend this we recommend it because we know
it is for the good of the whole person.
0 33 0
Page Thirty-four
STREET TREE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM o Continued
I believe the staff report is factual
is true and that what is proposed here is necessary, however, I think
what I would like to see the staff do now is come up with some method
of selectively removing these trees and where the desire is that the
tree not be removed by the householder that we institute some method
•of instituting a bond. I don't think just signing a statement would be
sufficiently legal. If that cannot be done then I would be for adopting
the staff recommendations as stated.
Mr. Walker in his speech said he had a
positive proposal but I failed to hear what it was, so I would like to
ask him at this time what his positive proposal is.
Mr. stalkers Sorry if I didn't make that absolutely
clear. The proposal had been that the
homeowner who is directly benefited by
having the trees be permitted to involve -them-selves in a cost assess-
ment program where they can pay some of the cost in addition to what the
city refers to as a normal maintenance cost for taking care of these
trees, rather than our being required to pay a removal and replacement
cost. I think we would much prefer to pay a particular amount of money
to maintain the full grown trees we have now in their beauty rather than
a full, amount for replacing with a small tree. Am I clear on this now?_
Councilman Snyders You are clear on ii, but... well the issue
has been all muddled up here. No one
denies that these trees are - beautiful,
no one states that all thes-a trees are diseased and again it is my job in
city government to work for everybody. Again no speaker here tonight
has disapproved any statement in this staff report and on the basis of
this and in good conscience I can do nothing but support the staff
•report except if somebody can show me a compromise. I don't really see
a compromise in the offing.
Councilman Gleckmans Mr. Mayor, my position on this matter
has not changed but it behooves me . to
make a few remarks to this captive
audience. When I read the letters that came from the Interior and from
Mrs. Johnson and she not being familiar with our unique problem and
what it is and refer to Covina as being the bad -ones, well I had to
laugh, but getting back to the situation, as I previously stated I
disagree with some of Doctor Snyder°s remarks. I think in city
government if we just made doll,arwise and efficiency decisions
why the same thing is going to happen to the trees that has happened to
the hillsides and right now we are all fighting for where can we come
up with a hillside ordinance to protect those beautiful hills, meanwhile
they are all gone because we became dollarwise.
As far as he tree program is concerned
our only alternative is to pick out other methods for what eventually
may have to be started as mentioned in the report, I complimented the
staff and the Commission because I felt they were both doing their job
as we as a council tXpE-,r_T of them and their recommendation to this
council, was in no way, as far as I am concerned, in the wrong from
their position without looking at it in the emotional standpoint or
aesthetic viewpoint. But I think we are charged with an additional
responsibility being the city council in this city, and that is to seek
out what the citizens want and whether we can afford to pay for it.
Now in our budget, which we get each year and Mr. Aiassa and the
council and the staff know that this is the number one go=
around, that the staff and city council have every year that they don't
see eye to eye continuously and that is because money is limited, that
this particular program plays a big part in and the mark &Recreation
Commission as well as the staff m that is their Job to fix .it into the
budget. On the other hand I don't feel we have to spend anymore money
than we have spent in the past on a five year program stretching it to
a ten or fifteen year program on the basis of which if they are diseased
and causing a problem, take them out.
- 34 -
C. C. 5/8/67 Page Thirty-five
STREET TREE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM - Continued
If the people in a particular district
hy it e a few of these trees and Quite a few are on the borderline
ungdiseased or on theborderlinee if causing -a problem suQ.Li ad uurb
and gutter, I think at that time that it is the responsibility of this
.body to initiate at that time the type of action talked about in this
report, either in the manner of performing some type of -a distric,and
I think this falls in line with the report and with what t.Mr. Walker was
talking about. Some type of district where the citizens in that
section want to continue to keep the trees that -are there, pay the cost
and not the city at large pay the cost. As far as I am concerned this
is the most equitable program I can figure in order to maintain our
aesthetic values and still do our responsibility to the rest of the
community that does not have this problem. I think we all are not only
interested in the future of this city but I think the beauty of this
city is an important factor in this city. Now if we can only pick out
the flowers or something else to argue about to get some more people
down here to understand that our position is not just out and dried
and the one -area .'.n which I do take offense too and I am sorry to say
this, but I would be remiss in behalf of this council if I didn't
it was a remark in one of the letters saying petitions, appeals,
appearances, etc., would not take Its toll as far as its weight on this
city council, and I feel it has and always will in any civic body
where there are elected officials to serve the interests of the people.
It is the only way in which elected officials will be able to.understand
the opinions and that is through petitions, letters, complaints . The
Citizens Committees formed in this city was probably the first step
forward in bringing some identification to our community that we are a
city and not just made up of little neighborhoods. As far as I am
concerned the evidence tonight with petitions coming from the north
side, the south side, from people who are interested in this city as a
•city and its aesthetic values. Again I repeat to you I have not
changed my opinion I think aesthetics are important and as long as I
am on this city council I will fight to maintain them. Thank you.
Mayor KrIeger3 There has been occasion to indicate to
the people that have come out tonight
certain subjective feelings of the
councilmen although this is typically an area of councilmen discussion
where the councilman must either prevail or fall on his point of view
in convincing other councilmen as to what would be the correct stance
to take. I will digress as. well as my colleagues on the council in
making a few comments to you people that have come out tonight. First
of.all.I want to compliment you. I think there is a certain tendency
to have a-Roman.eircus on an issue such as this and.if there were.any
people in or out of West Covina tonight that expected to see this I am
sure they -will leave sadly disappointed, because this was calmly Jaeard
and I think by everybody that spoke tonight, calmly presented.- they
spoke the way they felt and I am sure we can take them at face value.
For this reason I want to state to you publicly, as one member of this
council, and I am sure the other members -agree with me� we appreciate
the way you came down to .discuss this matter with us. The final decision
has to be ours, that is -what we are elected to do. This is an extremely
easy matter to be a good klxy in. In fact I can think of very few matters
that come before us, and this is my fourth year on the council, where
really the issue is so easy to be a hero, and that is the problem with
it in its 62:6arest sense. I would like to clarify one point raised,, that
I heard a great deal of misunderstanding about.
I got a tape transcript of the matter we
had before us in April to make sure that therewasn't something I said
that was subject to this interpretation regarding the. Citizens Committee
that Mr. Clardy chaired,, I would like to read word for word what was
said an the tape about that'C-itizens Committee. I said ® "I have heard
some comments tonight by a number of people that are appearing before this
council suggesting that this is a program they knew nothing about, that
this comes to them as a surprise almost smacking of a devious plot to
denude their streets of these trees. This has been before this council
- 35 -
Co Co 5/8/67 Page Thirty -Six
STREET TREE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM x Continued
for some period of time starting in October of 1965, In May of 1966 a
letter went out to every citizen in this community, if any -of the people
that are here tonight lived in the community in'May..of 1966 they received
one," That comment was directed merely and specifically and I think
explicitly at anyone that suggested there was a number of inferences,.
that this was a behind the scenes situation. That comment was to point
out that there was no more unlikely way to do it, if we had set out to
do it, than do it in the way it was done, if we wanted to do `anything
behind the scenes. It was never intended, and there was never any
remark to suggest that if yo-u did not .serve -on that committee that you
forfeited your right. How could we ppo..ssibly put 65,000 eop-le on any
c ittee? Or the entire adult po ulation_ on. any. commidee? Ih -ope it
s�Imulated some interest in these Oommittees because we are just begin®
ping them. We have Just completed.6 out of 15 or 16 that are going to
be working in these areas.
Now to the matter at hand, I really have not
heard a basic difference on this council. It seems to me we are not
talking about policy, we are talking about programs, we are talking
about implementation. I haven't heard one councilman suggest that if
the tree is causing the situations that the staff suggests it is caus-
ing and says it is, that we should leave that tree in. And that comes
to the programming of it. How do we implement the program to remove
these undesirable trees or the trees that have characteristics of:being
undesirable? What is there that we are concerned with as a city council?
WYy should we spend our time talking about these people's trees? Is!it
because g ey just happen to be on Cityproperty and we u t hfpfenE to
have a legal liabilityfor it and a leg al responsibilit i�or ut
even if we would like to shirk or were disposed to shirk it, we could
not do it-. They are on our property and we have the responsibility
of doing something in this area.
• The aspect of the policy boils down into two areas.
One, repair. In other words the destruction that these trees are causing
and require repairs, The other is a continual maintenance program from
year to year. I don't know why this problem is lucky enough to land
in our laps in this year 19677. Maybe it is our year, but more probably
it is the trees' years - some of them have aged and reached the point
where the staff finds themselves also with problems in this area. Now
to suggest that this Council is individually or collectively not con-
cerned about it because we may not live con a particular street, is a
bunch of hogwash. We decide things Monday after Monday night, and we
don't live on the streets. All we did was three or four years ago
decide that we wanted to have some say about the City, how it was run,
some positive.say about the way it was run and.we ran for City Council.
We don't have a district system in the City of West Covina, and I think
it is good we do not; we run from the City at large. We go all over
the City, we.talk..to people all over the City -and we like to think and
maybe. it is naive, but we like.to..think.we represent every.bod.in this
City. We .are .not :concerned .about your street. geography, whether you
live closeto us or next door to use I have seen:this council decide
some. issues that were on their street and right next to them, that were
hard decisions to -make, but they made them, they met up and faced up to
them, they Aldn't .say ®,that's my street, my neighbors, my house, I am
going. to go fight for. theme.
Now most of us went out in the field on this
issue, as well as every other issue, where we are not personally
acquainted with the situation as to what the problem is. A field
inspection was individually conducted so we are not being faced with
a situation that we are totally ignorant of. We take these responsim
bilities seriously and we acquaint ourselves with the information both
from the staff and our own personal inspection. When we get to
programming and I think this is the crux of the whole thing, when we
get to programming m I am still looking for alternatives. It seems
to me we have a problem and we recognize the problem and I don't
think we have a basic disagreement on the policy, but the City has
®36®
Co Co 5/8/67 Page Thirty -Seven
STREET TREE REPLACEMENT -PROGRAM ® Continued
a responsibility and must do something about it. The staff cannot
unilaterally do it, it needs direction from the council to do it, so
they are looking to use The Recreation & Park Commission fulfilled their
responsibility as to how it should be done and now it is our preroga-
tive here to say that -either we accept the policy as a continuing
.policy or we don't. I suggest that -we accept the policy as a
continuing policy in this city, because it is a problem that we know
we have and I think each one of us recognizes it. As -far as
implementation of the program is concerned, the proposal that has been
put before us by the staff and the Recreation & Park Commission is a
projection over a five year period for the substitution of trees, not
the elimination of trees, but the substitution of trees. None of us
can argue for a moment that we are talking about the in specie tree
that we are going to be able to go in and put in an in specie tree:
We still have to face up, if we say 'tnor'- this is not -the way to do it,
then it is our responsibility to say if accept the policy that we
are going to accept, how this thing will be done. In talking to the
Director, I find that 350 to 400 trees a year are replaced on an
request basis. People come in to the city and say ® take -them out.
So they have been doing this for sometime now. If that were to
continue and the program as proposed would be implemented we are
talking about an additional 500 to 600, depending upon the requests
during the year, that have been averaging 40 m 45 a month ®® we are
talking about the difference between that and a designed program to
remove these trees; If this is not the way to do it then I would
like to know what alternatives I have to vote on. What are the other
ways that we are going to do it? 'I will not, as a councilman,
delegate it to the staff to start making a lot of subjective decisions
in the field. Because if you do that I suggest to you that we are
placing these men in an untenable position and we will be confronted
•with the people - meeting -after meeting ® asking us ® why am I.being
singled out? Why is it my tree and not my neighbors tree?
I think i_f we are going to adopt an
alternative, theij it has to be a firm.. fixed and applicable alternative.
And that is not by one of our staff men that is out in the field ® as to
whether or not that tree comes out or not. As they presented to us, it
is a designed program. There is no question -but what this is a hard
question as far as the implementation is concerned, but.the implementation
of it permits us the scheduling for these things. The property owners
throughout the community have voluntarily submitted themselves for the
removal of these very same trees by coming forward and asking us and
the staff is saying to us now let's provide some rhyme or reason to_
these removals so we will have some continuity as far as our services
are concerned and the hiring of our departments are concerned. If there
is some other way to go about it, if one of you gentlemen can suggest it
to me and it has some merit, I will be happy to hear it and consider it,
Councilman Gleckmane May I make a suggestion Mr. Mayor?
I notice that Mr. McClay is in the
audience and I hope that Mr. Gingrich
or Mr. Aiassa would not mind if I went through you to Mr. McClay and ask
him if he has any comments he would like to make at this time,
Mayor Krieger; Will you step to the microphone sir?
Mr. Larry McClay I would like to make one suggestion, I
• 20923 Stephanie Drive like these Blue Ribbon Committees and
Oovina I would like to see you appoint a
Supervisor of Parks Blue Ribbon Committee from this group to
work with staff and see if we can come
up with a real good recommendation to offer. Thank, you...
Councilman Gleckmane Mr, Mayor, let me say I agree with most
of your remarks and when I say most about
90%. 10% I have some doubts because I
didn't get the meaning really such as to the substitution of trees. I
don't think there is any question in the mind of this council as far as
the substitution of trees, but it is on what basis that you referred to,
=37®
C. Co 5/8/67 Page Thirty -Eight
STREET TREE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM - Continued
I think that this particular program that was presented to us was
presented by staff so when you say ® what alternative program ® I think
they are pretty well equipped to deal with that, if we desire an
alternative program, And I think it is job of this council to give -
them direction as'to whether they do desire an alternative program or
adopt the :one they proposed. And that is what I am proposing at this
time. I think there are alternatives and I think our staff is
prepared to come up with an alternative, if not now, at least give us
some basis for a discussion, so that we can say alright fine we agree
with you or.nb, we do not agree with you. I know in the past,
whenever this council has made a decision as to programming something,
we have gone with staff advice and I seek it at this time,
Councilman Gillum: I would go along with Mr. Gleckman's
suggestion and again we have relied
on staff for many things in the past as
far as recommendations and many times in the past we returned it to
staff because we were not happy with the recommendation. As you stated
earlier.. this was a sincere desire by staff and the Recreation & Park
Commission to do what was best for the community and the people concerned
in the community. Again it is an emotional -problem and a hard ane to
deal with. I am not sure I can sit right here this evening and work
out a program that would be satisfactory to everyone in this city and in
this room, but I think someplace in this area is an area that can
satisfy the majority of the people and the vast majority of persons in
this community. We are not going to satisfy all of you, like Mr.
Krieger pointed out, when we out down someone else's tree they -are going
to say ® why my tree? But I do think someplace between staff and the -
council that there is an area we could find that would be satisfactory to
the city and to our responsibility to the remainder..of the citizens and
• the people in this rooms
Councilman Nichols: The only thing I am really adamantly
opposed to is that this council take a
policy statement that will say in a
five year period we are going to cut down every blessed one of three
particular kinds of trees. Now that is all I am saying because that just
does not make good sense to me. Now if we say we are going to cut down
every tree that is cutting up a curb or buckling sidewalk, or every tree
that the property owner will not pay the tab for repairing, then I am
with it 100%. I don't believe any one property owner has a moral right
to expect the other citizens in the community to repair damage continually
in front of his house, but I cannot see the sense of a blanket automatic
approach that says in a given period we are going to takeevery particular
tree of that type and I think that is the source of the argument.
As an alternative suggestion these
recommendations do not come from the Recreation & Park Commissioners
originally, they do not come from the council originally, they come
from the staff people that we hire to make these recommendations.to us.
They come with these recommendations because we have sought their advice
on this council and for reasons we may have, every aspect of the
recommendation we cannot accept, but it would be my feeling and my
recommendation that we would go on record as stating that the council is
adopting no specific time schedule or no specific numbers of trees that
are to be removed and then for the details for attempting to remove the
undesirable trees that we re -refer this to staff for further recommenda-
tion to us.
Councilman Snyder: Of course, it doesn't make very good
sense to just wait until the tree does
do damage, chat is the whole extent of
the staff report,. You remove prior to that time. You give people
tetanus shots so they won't get tetanus ....
Councilman Nichols: But you wait until -they break something
Doctor Snyder,
Councilman Snyder: Yes, but you try and institute a safety
m38®
C. Co 5/8/67 Page Thirty -'Nine
STREET TREE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM - Continued
measure so they won't break their leg. If we are going to talk about
sense then I say it is better sense to remove prior to the damage,
Mayor Krieger: There are two aspects to this question,
• Let's not just concentrate on this
question of repair - the Department has
said to us maintenance costs are going to go up. Your reference to
these figures Mr. Nichols in regards to cost
I feel that this council when it comes to the matter of maintenance
is going to have to decide one thing or another. Whether or not we
are prepared to fund this maintenance problem within the community,
which the trees pose and which the Department says they possess, or
we are not. If we are not, then whether the tree is causing damage,
is a remedial problem or -not, then we are going to have to do something
about it, So I don't think we can merely direct our attention -to a
tree as a cancer so to speak. We also have to answer the question for
the staff - how about the continued maintenance of this type of tree.
Is it going to be your responsibility and if it is their responsibility
then they have the right - - they also have the responsibility to
come back and say we are going to need this to do it.
Councilman Nichols: I agree wholeheartedly and that is why
I have said we have got to look to signi-
ficantly increased costs in this area of -maintenance in our community.
I question in my mind some of the outright figures in terms of manpower
given. But again I think this is an area for staff to come to us and
make specific recommendation$ to. us, I think they are operating on a
shoestring. I think they are doing a tremendous job with what they
have. I think 90% of this recommendation is an effort to operate
•within a limited maintenance budget operation. I think we should
encourage the staff to explore some of these other alternatives.
Mayor Krieger: May I ask some of the people that
proposed this proposal to us - - you
have heard Mr. Walker's proposal to us
and Mr, Justi's (Mayor Krieger then reread Mr. Justi's proposal,)
Mr. Justi what is different in this?
Mr. Chris Justi:
Mayor Krieger:
An extension of 2 years.
7 years instead of 5 years.
Mr. Chris Justin Also the individual selection of those
trees. The tree should be considered
only by the property owners request or
when a tree is caus.ing.a curb, sidewalk.or.gutter problem, or a high
maintenance cost to the city. Extension of pro ram to 7-years, by
individual selection and communicate directly with the homeowner.
Motion by Councilman Nichols, seconded by Councilman Gillum, that this
council accept the staff report with the exception of the firm
commitment as to number of trees involved and time limits for their
removal.
Councilman Nichols:
• undesirable trees to staff for
to the council.
Mayor Krieger:
trees and the cycle of removal.
My additional motion would be to refer
the matter of the handling of the
implementation of the removal of the
additional alternative recommendations
Discussion on the basic motion, which is
to accept the.staff report with exception
of the firm commitment as to the number of
Any discussion on'the motion.
Motion carried on roll call as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Gleckman, Snyder and Mayor Krieger,
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
- 39 -
Co Co 5/8/67 Page Forty
STREET TREE REPLACEMENT PROGRAM v Continued
Mayor Krieger: I voted "aya" with this qualification. My
vote -will stand as "aye" with the explana-
tion that I am perfectly willing to give the
staff the opportunity to explore and I hope they will find alternatives
to this program, but unless an alternative to this program can be pro®
•posed to this council that has justification of ultimate solution to
the problem, I would stand by the implementation, as well as the
policy basis of the program,
Councilman Snyder: I will qualify mine the same way,
Mayor Krieger: Motion carried, vote being unanimous.
Motion. by Councilman Nichols, seconded by Councilman Gillum, that the
council direct the staff to review the entire matter of the three
tree types designated as being problem trees and suggest alternate
methods to this council of effective and reasonable methods for
control -ling the problems resulting from the presence of those trees
in our city.
Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilman Nichols, Gillum, Gleckman, Snyder,,Mayor Krieger
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
(Mayor Krieger declared a 10 minutes recess to 11:45 p.m.)
(Councilman Snyder did not return,)
PLANNING COMMISSION
REIIEW PLANNING COMMISSION
ACTION OF MAY 3, 1967. m So indicated by Mrs. Preston,
Deputy City Clerk, No action
by the Council.
RECREATION & PARKS
BEAUTIFICATION COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATIONS
Motion by Councilman Gillum, seconded by Councilman Gleckman, and
carried, that council receive and file the staff report on the report
submitted by the Nest Covina City -Wide Beautification Committee,
(Mayor Krieger asked Mr. Aiassa to flag this report and put it on the
very next adjourned regular meeting°
REVIEW ACTION OF RECREATION & PARK COMMISSION
APRIL 25, 1967.
Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and
carried, that council receive and file the minutes of April 25, 1967.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS No further oral communications.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS None,
® 40
C'. C. 5/8/67 Page Forty -One
CITY ATTORNEY
ORDINANCE INTRODUCTION m AMENDING THE MUNICIPAL CODE SO AS TO
REZONE CERTAIN PREMISES (ZONE CHANGE
APPROVED NO. 372 m City Initiated)
(Annexation No. 192)
The Assistant City Attorney presented:
"AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF WEST COVINA AMENDING
THE' WEST-COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE SO
AS TO REZONE CERTAIN PREMISES-, RE
ZONE CHANGE NE). 372 ®CITY
INITIATED)
Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by -Councilman Gillum, and
carried, to waive further reading of the body of the Ordinance.
Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and
carried, that said Ordinance be introduced,
ORDINANCE NO. 995 The._Assistant City Attorney presented:
"AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
ADOPTED THE CITY OF WEST COVINA AMENDING
THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE SO
AS TO.REZONE CERTAIN PREMISES
(Zone Change No. 375 - City
Initiated)
Motion by Councilman Gillum, seconded by Councilman Gleckman, and
carried, to waive further reading of the body of theOrdinance.
Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, that the
council adopt said Ordinance.
Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:.
AYES: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Gleckman, Mayor Krieger
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilman Snyder
RESOLUTION NO. 3571 The Deputy City Clerk presented:
"A hESOLUTIOX OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
ADOPTED THE.CITY OF WEST COVINA
RECOMMENDING THE ADOPTION OF H.Ae4137
TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES,"
Mayor Krieger:
Hearing no objection, waive further
reading of the body of the resolution.
Motion by Councilman Gillum, seconded by Councilman Gleckman, that
council adopt said resolution.
Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Gleckman, Mayor Krieger
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilman Snyder
Mr. Tertian:
Ass°to City Attorney Mr, Mayor, I have one other item
a resolution with respect to your
termination of the Annexation
proceedings relating to Annexation 1:8,
- 41
C o C-. , 5/8/67
Page Forty-two
•
0
•
CITY ATTORNEY ® Continued
RESOLUTION NO. 3572
ADOPTED
The Assistant City Attorney presented:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE'CITY OF WEST COVINA TERMINATING
THE'.ANNEXATION"PROCEEDINGS RELATING
TO SOUTHERLY ANNEXATION DISTRICT
NO. 198"
Mayor Krieger: Hearing no objection, waive further
reading of the body of the resolu-
tion.
Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, that
said resolution be adopted. Motion carried on roll call vote as
follows:
AYES: Councilmen
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilman
CITY MANAGER
Mr. Aiassa:
-City Manager
Nichols, Gillum, Gleckman, Mayor Krieger
Snyder
them why Annexation No. 198 was
insufficient votes or anything
Mayor Krieger:
DEL NORTE PARK LAND ACQUISITION
GONNE PROPERTY
Mr. Mayor, on behalf of the council, I
think that it might be advisable on the
part of the staff to prepare a letter for
your signature to LAFC to explain to
dropped, that it was -not a reason of
like that.
Does the council concur? (Agreed),
Mr. Aiassa: I want to advise the council that I
,City..Manager have met with Mr. Gonne and Mr.
Himrichs, Mr. Gonne has accepted the
terms that we would provide him a pa.Lu program -as. -outlined in my
appraisal to the council of 038,500, with a down payment of $15,000
starting in the new fiscal year of 1967 and the balance to be paid in
January with no interest. I am going to develop a lease to be
effective as of May 1 where we will rent the property per month up
until the time we make full acquisition and possession of the property
and this is actually in lieu of part of the assessment and improve-
ments acts against the property which he has no use for and it amounts
to approximately $789. and we will then share 50-50 on all escrow
`co'sts and he will.pay the first installment of tax on December.10 and
we will pay the second one in April.
Mayor Krieger:
approval? (Answer: Right)
TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 28, 1967.
Mr. Aiassa, this report seems to be
informational only and the final agreement
will come before council for final
The council compliments you for the work done.
Councilman:Nichols: I have one comment to make. Last page on
the Traffic Committee ® speed zone for that
street. Either there is something I don't
understand or something mistyped. It says - "although posted for 25
miles per hour this speed.limit is presently unenforceable, etc.,"
Doesn't that sound strange?
(Discussion. Decision to hold, -over for interpretation.
- 42 ®
0. Co 5/8/67
Page Forty-three
TRAFFIC COMMITZEYMINUTES
Continued
April 28-, 1967
Mayor Krieger.-
I would,, -also
like some clarification on
Item 8. Have
the school districts been
contacted?
Mr. Aiassa.-
Not yet - not
until the council takes
City Manager
action,
MayorKrieger:
I would like
to see use when we get
around to these
minutes again, to take a
permanent action
directing the school
district.
Mr. Aiassa:
Alright,
City Manager
Councilman Gillum: Since I am representing the school dis-
trict should I convey this information
to them?
Mayor Krieger.- If the council takes action.
Motion by Councilman Nichols, seconded by Councilman Gillum-, and
carried, that council approve the minutes of the Traffic Committee of
April 28, 1967, less the last item which should be held -over until the
next scheduled council meeting.
PRECISE PLAN CRITERIA REGARDING
10 SUBMISSION TO PLANNING COMMISSION OR REVIEW BOARD
Motion by Councilman Gillum, seconded by Councilman Gleckman, and
carried, to hold over until May 22, 1967, meeting. '
GENERAL TELEPHONE HEARINGS
FINAL BILLING
Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and
carried to hold over until May 22, 1967,
SCAG ® 1967-6-8 ASSESSMENT
Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Mayor Krieger, and carried,
to hold over to May 22, 1967.
CITY CLERK
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONTROL APPLICATIONS:
A) ROARING TWENTIES LOCATION: 2713 E. Valle Boulevard
(On -sale beer
B) WEST COVINA DELICATESSEN 142 Glendora Avenue
(On sale beer and wine)
Motion by CouncilmanNichols, seconded by Councilman Gillum, and
carried-, that there be "No protest" lon Items A and B.
Mayor Krieger: On Item C - Grinder Den - there is no
action necessary.
- 43 ®
C. C. 5/8/67
Page Forty-four
•
r:
CITY CLERK ® Continued
AMENDMENT TO APPLICATION OF SUBURBAN WATER SYSTEM
(Mayor Krieger commented he did not see a report on this. Mrs. Preston
advised it was just received and extra copies have been ordered. )
Motion by Councilman Gillum, seconded by Councilman Gleckman, and carried
to hold -over, until May 22, 1.967.
CITY TREASURER
None
MAYOR'S REPORTS
RESOLUTION NO. 3573
ADOPTED
Mayor Krieger:
The Deputy City Clerk presented:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA COMMENDING
TEEN-KAN®TEEN FOUNDATION OFFICERS,
MEMBERS AND CONTRIBUTORS FOR THEIR
SERVICES TO THE CITIZENS OF WEST
COVINA."
Hearing no objection waive further
reading of the body of the resolution.
Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Gillum, that said
resolution be adopted. Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Gleckman, Mayor Krieger
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilman Snyder
RESOLUTION'NO. 3574 The Deputy City Clerk presented:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
ADOPTED OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA
COMMENDING HAL E. MARRON FORMS
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; for the
adoption of said resolution. Motion carried on roll call vote as
follows:
AYES: Councilmen Nichols, Gillum, Gleckman,Mayor Krieger
NOES: None,
ABSENT: Councilman Snyder
RESOLUTION NO. 3575
ADOPTED
Mayor Krieger:
The Deputy City Clerk presented:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF WEST COVINA COMMENDING
CHRIS JUSTI FOR HIS SERVICES TO THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA.
Hearing no objection, waive further
reading of the body of the resolution.
Motion by Councilman Gillum, seconded by Councilman Gleckman, that said
resolution be adopted.
44
C. C. 5/8/67
Page Forty-five
MAYOR'S REPORTS - Continued
RESOLUTION NO. 3575 - Continued
Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Gleckman, Mayor Krieger
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilman Snyder
RESOLUTION NO. 3576 The Deputy City Clerk presented:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
ADOPTED OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA
DESIGNATING ALTERNATE MEMBER OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF COUNTY.
SANITATION DISTRICTS NOS. 15,. 21
AND 22."
Mayor Krieger: Hearing no objection, waive further
reading of the body of the resolution.
Motion by Councilman Nichols, seconded by Councilman Gillum, that said
resolution be adopted. Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Gleckman, Mayor Krieger
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilman Snyder
PROCLAMATIONS
• SHARE A SONG DAY
May 18, 1967 - (So proclaimed earlier in the
meeting)
PUBLIC WORKS WEEK
May-_18 to 20, 1967. -
Mayor Krieger: If there are no objections, I will
proclaim Public Works Week, May 18 to
20, 1967.
(No objections.voiced.)
So proclaimed.
NATIONAL MARITIME DAY
May 22, 1967
Mayor Krieger: If there are no objections, I will
proclaim National Maritime Day, May 22,
1967.
(No objections voiced.)
So proclaimed.
Mayor Krieger: My last item. We should schedule a
council meeting to discuss these
appointments to the Boards and
Commissions. Our motion tonight will be to adjourn to that date and
time and for that discussion - May 15th at 7:30 p.m.
Councilman Gillum: I have a request from an organization -
Mormon Church Men's Organization,
sponsoring a 4th of July breakfast at
Citrus College. The speaker will be Dr. Max Rafferty. They are
looking to have representatives of all the cities in the San Gabriel
Valley present, and the congressional office holders, and they would
- 45
C. C. 5/8/67 Page Forty -Six
like to have me convey to this council and members of the staff of
West Covina their desire that they would like to have us attend.
It is from 7 in the morning to 8:30, tickets are 4 5.00 each.
Councilman Nichols: One item. At the end of the school
year Gerald Smith, the Senior School
Principal in the City of West Covina
is retiring, completing his 4Oth year. There will be a dinner,
sponsored by various groups. I received a request for perhaps a
letter from the Mayor of West Covina expressing the council's
appreciation for his years of service to the City of West Covina,
etc., I was contacted on the basis of a resolution and I. explained
the council's policy on that - but perhaps a letter,
Mayor Krieger:
Councilman Nichols:
DEMANDS
I think it is a meritorious suggestion
does the council agree? (Agreed.)
They would also like us to come to the
dinner on June 9th.
Motion by Councilman Gillum, -seconded by Councilman Gleckman, that the
council approve demands totalling $153,031.42 as listed on demand
sheets C-545 and B299 through B301 and payroll sheets.
Motion ¢carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Gillum,
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilman Snyder
Nichols, Gleckman, Mayor Krieger
Motion by Councilman Gillum, seconded by Councilman Gleckman, and
carried, that the meeting adjourn to May 15, 1967 at 7:30 p.m.
Meeting adjourned at 12:15 A.M.
APPROVED 12 l9�
MAYOR
ATTEST:
Deputy City Clerk