02-19-1968 - Regular Meeting - Minutes•
MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA
FEBRUARY 19,. 1968.
The adjourned regular meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Krieger
at 7. 30 P.M. , in the West Covina City Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by
Councilman. Nichols.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Krieger, Councilmen. Gillum, Nichols, Gleckman
and Snyder. (Councilman Gleckman arrived at 7: 35 p.m.)
Also Present: George Aiassa, City Manager (Arrived at 70 40 p.m.)
H. R. Fast, Public Service Director
Lela Preston., City Clerk
Owen Menard, Planning Director
George Zimmerman, Ass't. City Engineer
Robert Gingrick, Director of Recreation & Parks
Kirk Wilson, Recreation. Superintendent
Ray Windsor, Administrative Assistant
• SAN BERNARDINO FREEWAY WIDENING AGREEMENT
Mayor Krieger: In the absence of the City Manager, Mr. Fast: is there
anything to add to the staff report dated February 16,
1968?
Mr. Fast: The City Manager did wish to bring to your attention
prior to taking action, a supplement to the agenda of
February 19, 1968, and which I believe was given to
each Councilman at his position this evening.
Mayor Krieger: Yes we have it. Is there anything further?
Mr. Fast: No, Mr.. Mayor.
Mayor Krieger- Council discussion is then in order. We have received
the letter of January 19, 1968, from Mr. Aiassa to
Mr._ Hoy carrying out the council directive having to do
with the subject matters. of concern and the letter from Mr. Ayanian, dated F,ebruary9
in response to that letter from. Mr. Aiassa.
Councilman Nichols: I think often. --timers-. local agencies have the feeling, with
somejustification, that the State Division of Highways
does not always meet local needs in its planning, but I
have to say at this time I feel the State Division of Highways has come a long, long
.way in meeting the special needs of this community as expressed by this Council
over the past many months.. Not everything has been resolved to our absolute
satisfaction, but I am personally gratified at the willingness of the State Division of
Highways officials to work With this City in the implementation of the widening of the
Freeway, both in and out of the formal agreement. . I believe many of our wishes have
been met.. I am particularly gratified that the arrangements will be made to extend
the North Frontage Road between Vincent Avenue and Sunset, that the major under-
passes will be widened to 6 lanes, that the California hook off ramp will be improved,
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ADJ. REG. C.C. 2-19-68 Page Two
0
•
'SAN BERNARDINO FREEWAY WIDENING AGREEMENT - Continued
G{
and that a number of other improvements including the Cameron change will be incor-
porated. I have only one area of concern - it had been my hope for many months past
that the California off ramp situation might be resolved and implemented in advance
of the Freeway project itself. The need there, is very great and I think we are all
aware that the actual construction may not begin for as much as 2 years yet. Yet in
one of the communications there was mention that the improvements at that off ramp
might begin at the outset of the contract and l: understand that to mean not before the
actual construction period and I would like to get some staff clarification on that.
Generally, I am very pleased with the whole Agreement.
Mayor Krieger: Mr. Aiassa, with respect to the California off ramp - the response as I remember is that this would be
implemented at the first stage of construction. I am look-
ing for the exact language a o
Mr._Aiassa: That is in the letter - item 2 on Page I.
Mayor Krieger; The question is after. the Freeway contract is started
which of course is the initiation of construction - what
would be the inside date on that?
Mr. Zimmerman:
We anticipate the construction will start in early 1971.
Mayor Krieger: The question is whether or not this phase of it could be
expedited so as to take advantage of the climate in
which we are operating as far as the land donation is
concerned.
Mr. Fast:: We have had some discussion with District. 7 personnel
in regard to this exact question and although it could not
possibly start prior to the design being complete in this
area, they were not at all hopeless about the fact: that they could possibly make this a
separate contract, but they could not promise at this time, but the reaction was not
unfavorable from them in this regard.
Councilman Nichols: I would hope if this Agreement is signed, Mr. Mayor,:
that the Council would go on record with a covering
letter indicating our most strong feelings that this one
aspect of the contract be separated and undertaken in advance of the general con-
struction as soon as is physically possible relative to the development of the plans
for the implementation of the overall project.
Mr. Aiassa: Mr. Mayor - we can do this with our transmittal letter
with the agreement.
Councilman Gillum: Mr.. Nichols covered the area quite well,, but I would like
to commend the Mayor, staff and the many people that:
• took the time and effort when it was decided to proceed
in this direction. I for one am very happy it worked out the way it has. I find, with
the exception Mr. Nichols stated, that nothing in this agreement would stop me from
voting for it this evening
Councilman Snyder: As you know in the past 2 years I have been maybe one
of the biggest critics with regard to anything that has been
done on the Freeway Agreement., but after 8 years on the
Council this is one of the goals I wanted to see achieved and I think within the
framework of governmental red tape and what: we had to work with this is a good
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ADT. C.C. 2-19-68 Page Three
SAN BERNARDINO FREEWAY AGREEMENT WIDENING - Continued
agreement and I do think our goal has been achieved in the signing of this Freeway
Agreement and.the City of West Covina and the whole San Gabriel Valley will profit
thereby. I appeared to be in opposition sometimes just hopefully to get more and I
• don't care if the Division of Highways is here to hear that, but I feel we were short-
changed in the first place and. I didn't want to see us shortchanged in the second
place, but I do think we are getting a workable and much better Agreement than we
started out to. So I can vote for it.
a
Councilman Gleckman- Mr. Mayor,, I feel that this Agreement is long overdue -
I think a lot of it is because of the City Council of the
City of West Covina wanting what is best for its
citizenry in regards to making an Agreement with the Division of Highways. I would
like to compliment that body for its cooperation with this City. My only criticism
would be that I requested sometime in the past that included in this Agreement would be
a statement that no on or off ramp could be closed without first getting permission of
the City of West Covina, and this is not included in this -Agreement. I discussed this
today with our City Attorney and he agreed that it was not contained in this Agreement.
A letter to the City stated that the policy of the State Division of Highways has never been
in the past, one of closing or altering without first discussing with the City of West
Covina, but this in no way gives us the guarantee that we sought - that none of these
on or off ramps would be closed without first receiving our permission to do so. I
still think it behooves us,as a responsibility we have to the future of this City and its
future in these on and off ramps which are contained within the City of West Covina,
to have this prerogative, and. I would vote tonight with going along in approving this
• Agreement with some type of cover letter as an addendum to this contract, since we
have requested this in the past. Nowhere in their correspondence do I see that they
-would not grant this to us and I think it is a convenient oversight on their part. I would
not bring this up if they had not made the point at one time - that sometime in the
future regarding on or off ramps that if they desire to close it: they could and would
close it. For that reason I seek that protection for this community.
Mayor Krieger: Directing my response only to that comment, because my
feelings are well known with regard to the rest - if I
understand you correctly.,you are suggesting that this be
a comment. rather than a condition to the execution of the contract? If this is intended
to be a condition to the execution of the contract I would most strongly oppose it.
If it is a comment and is to be a request to the Division of Highways, I would have no
objection to accepting it.
Councilman Gleckman- Mr. Mayor - the only thing I can say is this particular
condition and not . comment, is in regards to a comment
made by those in power to take such action if they so
desired. It did not enter my mind to request this condition without them making the
statement that they could and would do such a thing if they saw fit. Therefore, I
would not only make it as a comment but as I saidD in the past they created my making
this a condition of this contract and it is my obligation to the future City Councils of
this City to give them that consideration because of the issue the State Division of
Highways made.not the ._position that the City Council has taken.
Mayor Krieger- I don't think anybody should be asked to comment on his
obligation to the future Councils,; -or' the future citizens
of West Covina. If we aren't satisfying our own moral
committment and understanding with the obligation, no degree of lecturing on the
subject is going to achieve it. I take exception to the fact that this was original ly
brought up by the State Division of Highways, because in fact it was brought up by
our own City Attorney. We had reached a point in our discussions where we asked
specifically of the City Attorney of what rights and powers the State Division of High-
ways would have in the existing Agreement :d we didn't sign any at all. I remember
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ADJ. C.C. 2-19-68 Page Four
SAN BERNARDINO FREEWAY WIDENING AGREEMENT - Continued
quite distinctly the verballas well as the communication written from the City Attorney/
that it was his sad conclusion that within the framework of the existing agreement the
State Division of Highways could go ahead and close certain on and off ramps. Then
• further on in the game when we decided to go into private negotiations with the State
Division of Highways, I remember a specific meeting in their office when this subject
matter was volunteered. by a member of the State Division of Highways, that was
rather out of context at the time, as I remember and I don't know if it was intended to
be an implied promise or a covert threat, but the comment was made. I am not quite
sure how the intent was made by the gentleman who made it, but I do remember
specifically the context in which it was brought up and it did not have anything to do
with the total Freeway Agreement, it had to do with one particular interchange at one
particular location, as we were exploring the alternatives having to do with that
situation. So originally it was our own City Attorney when we asked him what the
Division of Highways could do if we failed to enter an Agreement at all, that first
brought up the general subject matter of opening and closing on and off. ramps.
I would think that the State Division of Highways, and the Division of Highways, and
the Highway Commission have dealt most honorably with this City in this matter,
particularly when you take cognizance of the many areas of negotiation that have been
opened up during the course of this Freeway Agreement with the that have
been extended and need not have been given at all. I would tend to think that we are
now getting into a field where the State Division of Highways would in fact be making an
exception to the City of West Covina that they have not done throughout the State of
California. I can't think of one area that we have not in the past been able to go to
them in good conscience with a documented case and say now we don't want to be
•treated special but on the other hand we don't want to be treated unfairly and we don't
want to be treated in a manner that isn't equitable for the interests of our people. But
if we begin to impose upon them conditions of this type to enter into the contract,
one which I understand they have not previously incorporated in their other document,
then .I think we are placing ourselves in a stance where our good faith and our good
intention in this contract could be seriously questioned. That is why I take exception
to placing this as a condition.
Councilman Gleckman: Mr'. Mayor, let me answer you in this way. You are an
attorney, I am not. If not being'an attorney, I went to our
legal counsel, and asked them whether they would advise
a client to seek this in contractural form or to accept on its merits what would they
advise their client? And I say to you as an attorney if we have it in contractural form
or in a promise or policy - I think it does make a difference.
Councilman Snyder: May I suggest we have all been irritated by the County
holding up the intersection of Hollenbeck and Cameron and
apparently there is no closing date on such a contract
although it is open now, If such closings do take place, can we insert in the
contract that there will be at least a reasonable length of time and be bonded
for any further length of time rather than say - no closing at all. I:f we had some
assurance that in the closing of an on or off ramp that it wouldn't be closed too long
we would be in better shape than no statement at all.
• Mayor Krieger: The subject matter has really more to do with the permanent
closure rather than the temporary closing during the course
of construction.
Councilman Nichols: Have 'we been informed at anytime of lariy proposed closures
that have-not been listed here in this"a'greement? I would
be'greatly'shocked indeed`if`suddenly ice: -the midst of. an
operation to widen a Freeway we -found some major off ramps permanently closed., 1
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ADJ. C.C. 2-19- 68 Page Five
SAN BERNARDINO FREEWAY WIDENING AGREEMENT - Continued
ai.-' I would think it would be the
most horrendous breach of good faith to say the least if such things took place.
I wouldn't remotely envision that the State would do that and I think we have to
operate somewhere in terms of good faith and I think the Agreement as it is created
• is satisfactory to me. , I have no way of believing that this could actually occur
without the concurrence of the City of West Covina, otherwise -why all the modifi-
cations that have been listed here for our approval, if in the same plan there was some
contemplation of ,closing some major off ramp.
Councilman Gleckman: The statement was made at the time I was at the State
Division of Highways - if they felt an on or off ramp was
not suitable they would see to it that it would be closed.
I don't: mean it either as a promise or a threat but what I am saying is that as long as
this Council understands they have no prerogative over the opening or closing of an
on or off ramp and they are willing to accept those conditions then I will be defeated
4 to 1 in my thought
Mayor Krieger. I was present at that meeting too, and the record of that
meeting is a lot more complete than the extractulation
of one sentence asa fair summary of a discussion that
gook place over a good year and a half ago. The Exhibit B which is attached to this
Agreement and is also -a part of this Agreement and it shows the construction of on and
off ramps and this has been an area of our negotiations for sometime. Now if there is
anybody that thin,,Cs at any stage of these negotiations that I was willing to concede
• anything to the State Division of Highways that I felt was not a part of the
committment that the City of West Covina was going to make in this situation, they
are sadly mistaken. I was willing to extract in negotiation from the State Division of
Highways every legitimate area of concern and requirement as far as the City of West
Covina is concerned. The City originally submitted a design proposal to the State
Division of Highways for.the particular quadrant of an intersection. This is really
what it boils down to because we were talking about one quadrant of one interchange
of the whole Freeway Agreement and in discussing the possible reversal of that
position as far as the City is concerned and perhaps going back to a different design
complex after the State had indicated they were willing to accept the recommendation
of the City on that quadrant, this one man from the State Division of Highways happen-
ed to say, because he was very much enthused with the design by the State - and you
know if we have trouble we can close down an on or off ramp. That in fact was the
context in which it came up and I am not quite sure if that man were here this evening
how well he would put himself to that same question at this juncture. But I never felt
in the discussions that took place in their totality,.--thht anyone was shaking a stick
in our face or anything of the type. They were making comments as they came to mind
in a general discussion matter and as it was then applied to a specific question. And
this information was not new information as far as I was concerned, because I had
heard it before from our own City Attorney and we had talked in private about this
subject matter having to do with all interchanges and in fact the Freeway Agreement
under which we have been living for 15 years I don't know of any illustration in 15
years where the State Division of Highways has come in to close a ramp that we have
had. I had it pointed out to me after my inquiry into that subject matter, that there is
• no illustration of where in the State of California the Division of Highways has done
this before and as far as a contractural guarantee there is obviously no contractural
guarantee in this situation but there is a lot of matters that are not contracturally
guaranteed. And in fact there are a lot of matters that the State Division of Highways
never even had to come forward and meet with us on. But we do have from time to
time again illustrations from the State Division of Highways and the Highway
Commission - illustrations that are most commendable within my mind, where these
people within their legal rights recognizing the climate they operate in and recognizing
that local jurisdictions must be consulted in these matters and their wishes acceded
to. I am prefectly content to accept the word of the State Division of Highways on
this matter of policy because I think their word is good and I don't think that
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ADJ. C.C. 2-19- 68 Page Six
SAN BERNARDINO FREEWAY WIDENING AGREEMENT - Continued
contracturally we can get anything more on, the matter than a statement of policy.
Councilman �Nichols a I don't think I expressed myself too clearly. The
thought I had was that: we have discussed all -aspects
of the Freeway development, we have seen drawings and
we have drawings that are a part of the record, one in particular here listed as
Exhibit B, which places and shows all of those off and on ramps which we can expect
to be operative. It would seem to me we would be in a situation of a breach of con-
tract if in the implementation of this Agreement if some portion of some ramp were
closed that is shown on this drawing and this Exhibit to be shown as open in the
Freeway Widening Agreement. This is the only reason in my mind why I don't feel any
additional emphasis contracturally is necessary. I believe we have every protection.
I am certainly concerned equally as much as Councilman Gleckman, if this thing could
occur but I am of the opinion the protection is there.
Councilman Snyder: After 8 years I would like to see this Agreement get
signed.
Mayor Krieger: If it may add anything further to it, there is one comment
I wanted to make without gilding the lily - that I did not
make, and that is even.in that discussion it was
prospective. In other words the construction must follow Exhibit B. The discussion
we had when we came to that one quadrant was a prospective question if a series of
hypothetical circumstances should arise what theoritically can the State Division of
Highways do in that situation. So it wasn't even a question of the construction per
the Exhibit but the question of what if certain things began to happen as a result of
that type of construction - - what alternatives then lay within the province of the
State and I think their response over the signature of Mr. Aiyaniap as well as the
statements we have received on numerous occasions after pursuing that particular
question to something of a conclusion is consistent that is they would again return
to the local jurisdiction to discuss the significance of it and the effect of it.
Councilman Gleckman: My only final comment - Mr. Mayor, regarding this
Agreement, and once again I call to your attention,
I am not talking about any particular interchange but
I want you to know that at anytime under law, the State Division of Highways as long
as it is not in the contract can open or close or alter any on or off ramp within the
City limits of the City of West Covina without the concurrence of the City of West
Covina. . I have made my point.
Councilman Snyder: They can also do that with 2 more years of negotiation.
Mayor Krieger-, The statement is quite true but the statement is also
applicable to the other 380 cities in the State of
California and all the other agreements in the State of
California and it is also true as regards every ET eeway Agreement the Bureau of
Public Roads has entered - and let's not lose sight of the fact that the major funding
of this particular Freeway, because it is inter -state, is going to be federal funds.
• Is there further discussion on this matter?
There is a memorandum from the staff which has to do
with the spreading in full of the letters which would be the first item of the Council.
Motion by Councilman. Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Snyder, and carried,
that the letter from Mr. Jo A. Legarra, State Division of Highways engineer dated
December 15, 1967, be spread out in the minutes.
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ADJ. C.C. 2-19-68 Page Seven
SAN BERNARDINO FREEWAY WIDENING AGREEMENT - Continued
. "This is in response to your letter of November 3, 1967, to
'Mr. Haig Ayanian, District Engineer, requesting clarification of certain items prior to
the City 'signing the freeway agreement covering the portion of the freeway that the
Division of Highways is planning to widen and improve in West Covina.'
'Item 1 (a)
In view of the information presented, that the City will operate Azusa,
Citrus, and Vincent Avenues as a 6-lane facility at least during peak hours,. I will
recommend to the Bureau of Public -Roads that these undercrossings be widened to
accommodate six lanes of traffic.'
'Item 1 (b)
The State will design the California Avenue hook ramp and coordinate
this -design with the City Staff. Mr. Haig Ayanian's office will send you a preliminary
plan of the possible design with approximate right of way limits shown. Precise
design is not available at this early stage '
'Item 1 (c)
Mr. Ayanian's office will also send you a preliminary plan for on- and
off -ramps to Cameron Avenue showing the approximate right of way requirements.
The District is also studying the feasibility of alternate plans and will
Wcontact the City Staff in a very short time. '
'Item 1 (d)
The north frontage road at: Sunset Avenue can be extended to provide a
continuous frontage road on the north side of the freeway from Vincent to Sunset.
It is our intention to eliminate the open drain near Sunset. The final
design solution will have to be based on an engineering investigation of the existing
and planned drainage facilities in the area.
'Item 1 (e)
Every effort will be made to place drainage facilities underground wherever
feasible, It is our practice to design drainage facilities commensurate with existing
and imminent drainage plans in the area. This will require close coordination with the
local agencies. Our basic responsibility is to accept and pass the water intercepted
by the highway facilities. Cooperative agreements relating to local storm drains are
based on the- State's contribution being limited to the amount the State benefits. °
'Item 1 (f)
The frontage roads will be placed in a good state of repair prior to
• relinquishment. With regard to adequate frontage road widths, it is our intention that
frontage roads conform to standards satisfactory to both the City and the State. There
may be minor exceptions at the locations where existing development, such as an
apartment house, would make the cost of widening unreasonably expensive or could
cause adverse community effects. At these locations, however, we plan to provide as
a minimum a curb to curb width of 32 feet with an 8-foot parkway on the property
owner's side.'
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ADJ. Ca Co 2-19-68 Page Seven - (a)
SAN BERNARDINO FREEWAY WIDENING AGREEMENT - Continued
'Item 1 (g)
Where the State has to acquire additional right of way for freeway
widening and the City is interested in providing additional parkway width, etc. ,
• 'we can center into a cooperative agreement to acquire the right of way for the City
at the City's cost.'
'Item 1. (h)
.During the final stages of construction of the freeway widening, the State
will be preparing plans for the landscaping. Every effort will be made to develop plans
to produce landscaping commensurate with the surrounding area and they will be
coordinated with the City Staff. It is our intention to properly landscape within the
State's right of way limits. The right of way limits will be established only after
careful consideration of the excess land situation. The City will have first priority to
acquire the excess. That property outside our normal construction requirements which
could not reasonably be sold as excess will be retained as operating right of way and as
such will be fenced, landscaped, and maintained by the State. "
Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Snyder, and carried, that the
letter from the Division of Highways dated February 9, 1968, and signed by Mr.. H. Ayanian,
District Engineer, be spread in the minutes.
40 "Reference is made to your letter of January 19, 1968 to Mr. A. W. Hoy,
Deputy District: Engineer, confirming a meeting held on Friday, January 12, 1968 and
enclosing a draft of the. City's proposed. Agreement and Exhibit "B"
'At our meeting on January 12, and as stated in your January 19 letter, it
was brought out that the City desires assurances on three points of concern.'
'Following are our answers to the three points of concern.
l o . It is our intent not to close the freeway to public traffic during
construction, . Three lanes of traffic in each direction will. be
provided via detours within the freeway right of way. for con-
struction of new undercrossings
2. We will make every attempt to set up an order of work in the
contract so that the California off -ramp will be constructed as
soon as possible after the freeway contract is started.
3. . It is our intent to provide underpasses and overpasses as outlined
in the Exhibit "B" map transmitted with your letter, We will not
consider any changes without discussing and getting the. City's
concurrence.'
'The freeway agreement is intended primarily to show the proposed plan
. of the freeway as it affects city streets, including provision for closing city streets
and for separating city streets from the highway; for construction of frontage roads
and other local roads, and for construction of certain pedestrian facilities. . It is not
intended to be a detailed plan of the work required in connection with construction
of the freeway. The inclusion of other detailed and specific clauses in a freeway
agreement would complicate and circumvent the intent of the agreement.'
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ADJ. C.C. 2-19-68 Page Seven (b)
SAN BERNARDINO FREEWAY WIDENING AGREEMENT - Continued
'The following statements are offered regarding differences between the
State and City's freeway agreements,.
•1. On page 2, paragraph 4, of the City's agreement regarding storm
drain facilities and landscaping of the reconstructed freeway, it is our practice to
design drainage facilities commensurate with existing and imminent drainage plans in
the area. . Our basic responsibility is to accept and pass the water intercepted by the
highway facilities. Cooperative agreements relating to local storm drains are based
on the State's contribution being limited to the amount the State benefits. With regard
to landscaping, every effort will be made to develop plans to produce landscaping
commensurate with the surrounding area. . The preparation of these plans will be
coordinated with. the City staff.
2. On page 3,. paragraph 2, all the work and expense involved in
bringing the signs, signals, and other traffic -control devices up to present accepted
standards will be included in the contract plans. This includes any new installations
that are required to meet present standards in order to regulate, warn, or guide
traffic upon the highways.
3. On page 3, paragraph. 3, with regard to frontage road widths, it is
our intention that frontage roads conform to standards satisfactory to both the City
and the State. There may be minor exceptions at those locations where existing
development such as an apartment house, would make the cost of widening unreasonably
expensive or could cause adverse community effects. At these locations, however, we
. plan to provide as a minimum, a curb to curb width of 32 feet with an 8-foot parkway on
the property owner' s side. Where the State has to acquire additional right of way for
freeway or frontage road widening, and the City is interested in providing additional
parkway width, etc. , we can enter into a cooperative agreement to acquire the right
of way for the City at the City's cost.
4. On page 4, paragraph 2, with regard to relinquishment, we are
required to show the portions of frontage roads and State constructed local roads to be
relinquished on maps which must be recorded in the office of the County Recorder. These
maps include an accurate legal description of the portions of frontage roads and State
constructed local roads to be relinquished.
5. On page 4, paragraph 3, the completion date for the freeway project
cannot be included in the freeway agreement. Since the Federal Government will provide
the majority of the financing for this project, we are not in a position to control as to
when these funds will be made available by the Federal Government. . It is our intention
to begin this freeway project as soon as funds are made available after our plans are
completed and rights of way are acquired.
6. . On page 5, paragraph 1, with regard to the closing or altering of any
on or off -ramps, it is our policy to discuss and to obtain the City's concurrence prior
to any permanent closure or modification of ramp connections.'
•'We have revised the freeway agreement exhibit map to incorporate the
changes as mutually agreed to,.
1. An eastbound "hook -ramp" was added to Orange Avenue.
2. Sections of frontage road were added north of the freeway between
.Hartley Street and Morada Street, and between. Walnuthaven Drive
and Sunset Avenue.'
'I hope this. "letter of understanding", together with Mr. J. A. Legarra's
letter of December 15, 1967, will help to clarify our intent concerning the freeway
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ADJ. C.C. 2-19-68
Page Seven (c)
SAN BERNARDINO FREEWAY WIDENING AGREEMENT Continued
•agreement: and will help to expedite the processing of this agreement through your City
Council.'
•
By separate letter under this same date, we are transmitting the new
freeway agreement which we hope the City Council will be able to execute at an early
date "
RESOLUTION NO. 3747
ADOPTED
Mayor Krieger:
The City Clerk presented:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF WEST COVINA RELATING TO
THE SAN BERNARDINO FREEWAY AND
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF A NEW
FREEWAY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY
AND THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA. "
Hearing no objections, waive further reading
of the body of said Resolution.
Motion by Councilman Snyder, seconded by Councilman Nichols, that the City Council
adopt: said Resolution. Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES. Councilmen Gillum,. Nichols, Gleckman, Snyder, Mayor Krieger
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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ADJ. C.C. 2-19-68
Page Eight
SWIMMING POOL FUNDING
Mr. Aiassa- I think the title of the agenda item is slightly confusing.
The purpose of this meeting tonight is to have the
architect of Kistner, Wright & Wright - Mr. Bill Wright,
• present with us tonight to outline the basic schematics of the preliminary drawing
of the proposed Swimming Pool.
'Mr. Bill Wright, First I think I would like to go into the background of
Architect the criteria set up in connection with the design and
Sr. Vice -President location of the pool. (Detailed background criteria)
(In summary) So the pool necessarily has to be from an economy
viewpoint one single pool rather than a set of pools.
Also the pool has to serve not only as a pool on a school
site which may be used by the high school at certain times, but also has to serve as a
community facility. And as such it was not possible to locate it in close to existing
shower facilities and gymnasium facilities that might be on the high school site, but
the pool must be located readily accessible by the public and usable by the public
without interference with the school people. For this reason the site which you see on
this map is where it was located. A number of sites were studied. This one shows
the pool along Merced Avenue.
(Mr. Wright passed out a typed list of facilities proposed and their cost. He then
went into detail regarding the swimming pool including diving boards, concrete deck,
chain link fencing, mechanical equipment and equipment enclosure, deck and pool
lighting. Explained the need for a laundry room, storage, toilets, showers, office
• and check room; dressing areas, sombra, and the entry walks and parking.)
Councilman Gleckman. Will there be any doors in the area of the check room,
showers, etc. ?
Mr. Wright: Yes (showed were the doors would be located) the
entire building can be secured at all times.
Mayor Krieger: Any further questions of Mr. Wright - thank you Mr. Wright.
There may be some questions as we go into this.
I believe this item had a double function, one was the
design schematics and the other had to do with the financial undertaking.
Mr. Aiassa: Yes and I believe the financial undertaking will also have to
be explained by Mr. Wright. We had a dinner meeting
tonight and we worked out some of the details as far as the
project schedule.
Councilman Snyder; Mr. Aiassa - how do we receive our cigarette money - in
parts ?
Mr. Aiassa: Yes.
Mr.. Bill Wright: Relative to the estimated cost of the facilities. The
original concept of what we were to provide under the
agreement was the swimming pool itself of the size
indicated on the drawings and this }s the pool that you note here. The cost estimate is
$134, 570.00. This was arrived at from a: similar pool "which we built at the LaSerna
High. School in Whittier about 3 yedrs ago and we increased that by 6% because of the
additional costs for construction over the period of time involved. _..__.
ADJ. C.C. 2-19-68
SWIMMING POOL FUNDING Continued
Page Nine
Item B covers the roofed areas (explained) at an estimated cost of $40, 378. Item
C - the dressing areas (explained) at a cost of $8, 500. . Item D - the Sombra
(explained) at a cost of $6, 944. and Item E covers the entry walks and parking at
a cost of $7, 944. This totals $198, 336.00 for the complete facility.
Mayor Krieger: Are there questions of Mr. Wright?
Councilman Gleckman: Yes - I have a question. With regard to the fees, tests,
and other costs - we are figuring an architectural
percentage in that cost?
Mr. Wright: Yes.
Councilman Gleckman: Would you say that is the bulk of it?
Mr. Wright: Yes - about 8% of it and the other costs are for
inspectors, plan checking, etc.
Councilman Snyder: Is that architectural cost included in the total cost or
just in the Swimming Pool cost?
Mr. Wright: No, it is included in each one of the items. You will
note it is broken down so you will have the total cost
of each element. . It was broken down that way in
case you wanted to delete any one of the items.
Councilman Gleckman: Has a facility like this - the dressing rooms, etc. ,
been constructed by your firm?
Mr. Wright: As I remember we did do one with open site facilities
for the City of Hawthorne - I am of the opinion their
dressing room was in the open.
Councilman Gleckman: I was curious regarding the estimated cost where the
experience would come in for a building of this type in
making these estimates?
(Mr. Wright explained how they arrived at the cost figures estimated.)
Mr. Wright: (Passed out a project schedule sheet and explained in
detail.) The 120 days scheduled for construction of the
entire job would bring us up to the middle of August.
The entire job starting about the middle of April could be finished by the middle
or end of August.
Councilman Snyder: May I ask the staff, if not only the preliminary
y y y y planning
requires School Board approval, but also the working
drawings would require School Board approval?
Mr. Wright: That is correct.
Councilman Snyder: When do they meet? Has their meeting date been
scheduled?
ADJ. C.C. 2-19-68 Page Ten
•
SWIMMING POOL FUNDING - Continued
Mr. Wright: I can't answer that question, but we have had excellent
cooperation with the School Board people to date.
Mr.. Aiassa. We have the cooperation of the School Board and they
have assured us of special meetings if necessary.
Mayor Krieger: That means if you telescope your bids and awards you
would pick up approximately 3 weeks.
Mr. Wright: Yes.
Mayor Krieger: Which means that your total project if undertaken by the
middle of April would bring the total project in about the
end of August.
Mr. Wright: Hopefully - yes from the middle to the last week of
August..
Mayor Krieger: This is where our City Manager is vitally concerned.
Councilman Snyder:( It would seem to me it would also require close
cooperation of the School Board.
Mr. Ken Chappell: If I may say something - we will probably call a special
meeting - we are vitally concerned and want to get this
underway.
Mayor Krieger: Any further questions on the design features as presented
by Mr. Wright? Let's get into the estimate of cost then.
Councilman Gleckman: I have a question Mr. Mayor.. I believe this question
would be of staff. When we talked about dollars for a
public pool I don't want to put words in the staffs'
mouth - but I don't think we were talking about the additional facilities with regard
to the cost figure estimates originally made.
Mr.. Aiassa: Right. We were going to utilize the two locker rooms
behind the gym on the school grounds.
Councilman.G1 eckman: The reason I am asking is because I don't want the
estimate that the City was talking about as far as dollars
and cents for a swimming pool to look ridiculous to the
total cost estimate brought in because we weren't talking about total facility at the time.
Mr. Aiassa: We did get close to the estimate on the pool.
Councilman Gleckman: Right. That is all the comment I want to make at this time.
Councilman Snyder: The City cost is $134, 570 and the balance is the school
cost? That is my understanding - is that correct?
(Mayor Krieger advised it was not correct.)
Councilman Nichols: I would like to assure Dr. Snyder that the figure of
$198, 336. is the City's cost in this project as it is
shown here. When we first discussed the pool last
August and then again in September and when we began looking at funds available,
- 10 -
ADJ. C.C. 2- 19-68 Page Eleven
SWIMMING POOL FUNDING Continued
this Council talked in terms -of making funds available for a figure of $135, 000 for
a Municipal Swimming Pool., and in my memory that included everything this Council
was prepared to buy and spend money for. The talk at that time was to put on a
school site to save money so we could save the building of locker rooms, showers,
• etc°, because we would use the school facilities for that and it was on this entire
concept that we decided to go ahead with the pool on school. property. Tonight, for
the first time,, I see locker rooms and showers sprouting and a site location that
would make it virtually prohibitive for public use of locker facilities elsewhere
Unless I am misreading it, this is a plan that cannot make use of the present lockers
and showers on the school. grounds
Councilman Snyder-. It could be just as well implemented on a public park
as well.
Councilman Nichols: And I have wanted a public swimming pool just as bad
as anybody but I sort of felt '$135, 000 was about as far
as this City should stretch its resources in a year to
build a pool. Although I, am caught between many fires, I in good conscience, could
not give approval to any plans for the expenditure of $198, 336 0 00
Councilman Snyder-. Has any discussion been had with the School Board with
regard to their building the extra locker facilities?
Mr. Ai.assa: No, we have not moved in any direction because we
• were waiting for Council directive,
Mayor Krieger: Let's talk realistically about it, 3 years ago when we
had this bond issue we had 4 pools on it and at a
cost of $750, 000 and everybody said - where do you
come off with $750, 000 for 4 pools, we can build them for $100, 000 each. The
funny part of it, I think somebody off the top of their head in your Department ,
Mr. . Gingrich - came in and figured that if it was built at Edgewood it would be
somewhere around $175, 000 and now I am not quite sure how much off the top of the
head that: figure was. I think it comes closer to the $198, 000 figure we are now
batting around
I agree with you the whole impetus to the pool pro-
gram was - let's get a highschool site and pick up all the advantageous of those
fixed facilities and of course the land availability at the same time, but when we
got into the situation it became obvious to the experts in the field evidently that
this wasn't quite the case as far as the adaptation of facilities. There were
schools designed, as I remember from our previous discussions, with a pool in
mind but I don't think. Edgewood. High was one of them,
Councilman Snyder: I would like to see this held over until next week
and an approach made to -the School Board to see
if they would be willing to participate in the locker
facilities. I don't think there is anything wrong from the tax dollar in their
• participat.ing.. I doubt if it is going to occur but on the other hand.I am
reluctant to spend this kind of money on school facilities when we could do the
same thing on a public park. We are building everything. Our whole philosphy
was that we would share as regard to locker room, showers, parking, etc. , and
here we are not sharing anything. I am not against the pool - it is going to be
built and we will probably have to pay this kdind of money but if we are not going to
share - if the school is not going to share some of it then there- is nothing to be
lost if we wait a week and see if they are interested in sharing
Mayor Krieger: We might be able to gain the advantage of the whole
ADJ. C.C. 219-68 Page Twelve
0
•
SWIMMING POOL FUNDING - Continued
situation, inasmuch as we are talking about the approval, of the preliminary draw-
ings and going into the working drawings, by at .least taking advantage of this
stage of it and as far as the funding of it is concerned I think that is basically
still a separate item.
Councilman Nichols: Mr. Aiassa - where was the impetus for the re-
location of the pool from its original conception
near the locker facilities at Edgewood High to a
location approximating. the Street?
Mr. Aiassa: Well there actually were 3 - and as you know this is
the first community pool per se....
Councilman Nichols: I am not so much interested in as Why it was, but
Who?
Mr. Aiassa: I believe this was Mr. Davis, the School staff..,
Mr. . Fast and the. City staff. . .
Councilman Nichols: Was there any City feeling that this should be
moved out to the street level?
Mr. Wright: Unfortunately I can't answer that question.
Mr. Davis handled that
Mr.. Aiassa: We had 5 sites picked - I believe ... o .. .
Councilman Nichols: Well Mr. Fast was there and this is an important
answer relative to the City Council approaching the
School Board on this matter.
Mr.. Fast: We approached this from approximately 5 sites and
certain sites were totally unsatisfactory - I should
say their last priority - and they did not want to
consider them from that standpoint - because it was a remote distance from their
lockers, etc. , and another location preferable to the City where we could have
utilized doubling up of parking, but it would have required the moving of the two
existing baseball atheletic fields. So in reality the location of the pool gravitated
to this location as being the one neither the City nor the School District had any
objections and we actually saw advantages for both.
Councilman Nichols: When this matter first came to the Council all of the
communications that .I can recall coming to the Council
and I really can't ascribe them at this moment -
whether it was Mr. Gingrich, Mr. Fa st, Mr.. Aia s sa - or s omeone from the School
District, but the whole theme and thrust was that we would use common facilities
and the pool would be located in such a fashion that we could use those facilities
built by the High School - the Public School District, and we would be saving this
large sum of money. _ This to me was one of the major reasons I could accept the
whole concept of building this pool at Edgewood High because of the aspect of
savings. Now I am sure there must have been conversations going on behind the
scenes somewhere amongst School staff people and City staff people in terms of
the joint utilization of these facilities and up until the time the Council voted on that
concept and up until the time we signed the agreement with the School District to
bUild these facilities this concept was still being talked about. It was in conversa-
tions that I had - the joint use of facilities, and now for some reason it has been
moved away from the opportunity to use facilities jointly and I want to know why.
- 12 -
ADJ. C.C. 2-19--68 Page Thirteen
SWIMMING POOL FUNDING - Continued
This means another $50,000 . Why couldn't this facility be placed somewhere, for
at least a few years, where we could have used joint facilities for showers, locker
rooms, etc. , - this is my question.
• Councilman Snyder- Maybe we could carry the question further? Perhaps
other high schools could offer- joint use of facilities,
or the school could participate in the funding of the
locker rooms, etc, , or another method of funding? But I agree with Mr. Nichols,
the whole concept was placed on the use of the joint facilities and if we don't
in effect have that then we have to change our whole concept of thinking on it.
Mr. Aiassa- All of us went under the conception when we proposed
the bond issue that we would use the joint facilities
at high schools and at that time the Edgewood High
had a proposed site along the gym, on the north side of the gym. We, as a staff,
as well as the School staff, went over all the possible locations and most desirable
site for the pool - also realizing that: if the pool was put there, there was certain
disadvantages to the needs of our summer recreation program and also the dis-
advantages to school facilities which are now existing, and further the restrooms
available were presently inadequate, also the swimming pool would b e fenced off
and this would necessitate going around it to get to other school activity areas.
Councilman. Nichols. Mr. Aiassa - without being contradictory you are
alluding back to the period of a bond issue, but since
• .... that time Mayor Krieger appointed a Blue Ribbon
Committee and .
Mr. Aiassa: But since that Blue Ribbon Committee we hired a
professional architect, ....
Councilman Gillum- Just a moment Mr. Aiassa, I want to say something
also on that point.
Councilman Nichols: The Blue Ribbon_ Committee made a study at great depth,
it had staff participation, it met with the School people
and its final recommendation to the Council was again
that the pool be__1.ocated at the High School to use joint facilities, Now somebody has
been taken on a merry-go-round on this whole thing. That is all I can say. It is
darn funny that this theme followed through until a couple of months ago and now we are
stuck for. another $50, 000 plus
Councilman Snyder- You will recall I called a special meeting to agrue this
point.
Councilman. Gillum. The information given to the Blue Ribbon Committee
all lead to the decision because of the expense
involved to put the first pool at Edgewood High,
because the Committee and myself, were lead to believe there had been provisions
40 made and this would be the most economical way to get the first pool for $ 135, 000
or possibly as high as $150, OOO. If the City is going to spend this amount of money,
I for one couldn't support it on school grounds, I would rather see it go in a public
park.. I just can't see putting that much money on school grounds. We discussed
for a year a joint pool using joint facilities and now discover we can't do it. I just
can't buy it
Mayor Krieger. Let's not lose sight of one objective we had also,
and that was to provide maximum utilization for this
pool. I t:enunciated these facts about the high school
ground in terms of dollars and cents but 1 am also cognizant of the other facts of
- 13 -
ADT. C.C. 2-19-68 Page Fourteen
E
SWIMMING POOL FUNDING - Continued
using the school, grounds and that is to provide maximum utilization and I am still.
of the opinion that the maximum utilization we can provide for our first pool is on
school grounds
Councilman Snyder.- We can still get maximum utilization on a contract
basis or whatever basis you might have on public
park grounds. This does not preclude the schools
from using it
Mayor Krieger. Mr. Wright - how much groundare we talking about
here ?
(Mr.. Fast and Mr. Wright discussed. Mr. Fast advised approximately 2 to 2-1/2
acres for the entire facility,)
Mayor Krieger.- Mr.. Gingrich what is the dimension of Cameron Park?
Mr. Gingrich.- A Little over 6 acres.
Mayor Krieger.- . And what do we have on the north side of the freeway?
Mr. Gingrich.- Del: Norte as it now exists, not including the new
addition, a little over 6 acres. Orangewood is about
8-1/2 acres
Councilman Gleckman.- Mr,.Aiassa - the facilities that you speak of on the
school site being inadequate - was that the basic
reason for moving the pool or was it the location
of the pool near the inadequate facilities that we were concerned with?
Mr. Ai.assa: I will be honest with the Council, I did not have
the meeting with the School officials or the
architect - I did not participate in the locations but
Mr, Fast, Mr. Eastman and the architect Mr. . Davis, who isn't here, went over all
this. In fact I just saw this - about the same time Mr. Gillum commented he had
seen it, and I kind of resent this also because I knew when we budgeted this
thing we were taking a preliminary figure, we didn't at that time have an architect,
we didn't hire anyone specifically professionally.
Councilman Gleckmano When we discussed the location of the pool was the
location of the pool at Edgewood High moved from
the inadequate facilities because of the inadequate
facilities or was it moved because the location. of the pool per se was not in
agreement or to the desires of the City staff or the School District?
Mr. . Aiassa.- Mr. Fast. o 0 0 0 0
• Mr. Fast: I think it was mutual concurrence with the whole
staff that was working on .it, because when we
got into the details of trying to divert the boys
locker rooms for dual utilization of both educational and recreational and ----
determining that perhaps the girls locker- rooms would not ,be adequate at all due
to the remotness to that site and the additional locker rooms would have to be -
built in any event; that solely - the conversations of the staff and the
elimination of the play area on the west side of the gym which was of some loss
to the District, I don't know exactly how much, but these points were all brought
out to the extent of looking for a site that would, not eliminate those facilities and
- 14 -
ADf o C.C. 2-19-68 Page Fifteen
SWIMMING POOL. FUNDING - Continued
we would only be put to the additional expenditure of a girls locker room as opposed
to interrupting operations, which was another deficit factor as far as the School Dis-,
trict was concerned. For instance, the parking lot would be down at the southwest
• corner and recreational facility even during school, times would be past school
buildings. This was not a satisfactory operation as far as the school district was
concerned, On the other hand the City staff was concerned because of the drop off
of -little tykes being taken to classes by mothers - there was a rather far distance
concerned with regard to drop offs, so all these things lead to the common decision
that perhaps although looking good in advance without benefit of deeper analysis
that there was a common joint usage that perhaps these were not as common as
might have been thought nor necessarily as desirable. This was the thinking that
went into it
Councilman Gleckman, Okay - the total amount; of $135, 000 that this
Council has been working under, had t;o do with a
swimming pool being located on Edgewood High. School
near the facilities that could be used in conjunction with the pool and therefore the
$135, 000 estimate was not necessarily out of line. . Now because the Council has
continually pressured staff in order to get this job done, in order to get the pool
built by a certain time, it has not evidently allowed for the different aspects and the
different complications that have nowset in regarding the particular location of
this pool and therefore they find that by moving the location of the pool away from the
facilities already at Edgewood High that facilities will have to be built and
therefore this increases the costs from $135, 000 to approximately $198, 000 - - am I
• correct?
Mr. Fast: That is correct,
Mayor Krieger, The point is we have been discussing "apples and
oranges. " That is - never before have we gotten down
to the specific problem we are faced with. What con-
cerned me most about Edgewood was the fact that I was worried when the
architects came in and when we got our concept developed we were going to have a
buried pool, so integrated with the school that it would lose its connotation
completely as far as the public school site is concerned, so I like the location even
if I am a minority of one on the subject because I think we have the best of pool
situations. We have the availability of the ground, the availability of the
students to use in those hours when the people will not be using it and at the same
time we have easy access to a main thoroughfare of our City which makes it
accessible to the bulk of our citizens for their use. So I think it is completely
compatible. . I think to take 2-1/2 acres out of parks' which are inadequate " .
in size now, , would be fool hardy. The only shock that comes up with the
situation is the price tag, but we never asked the question of anyone that knew the
answer. We didn't spend the money to get the answer to the question we are now
Posing. This Council was perfectly prepared to make sacrifices, to put themselves
on record even if it had to, to go for a tax increase to finance the Swimming Pool at
$135, 000. We have cigarette tax funds that boon to us which allowed us
to have our cake and eat it and now suddenly we are faced with paying the Piper
• for the rest of the price tag, and that is all it amounts to. I think the product is
worth it and the price tag is now for the first time documented and I think we
ought to go about finding where we get the other $60, 000 - whether it comes by
contribution by the School District, by cutting back in something that the staff may
have a mad gleam in their eye for the next fiscal year, etc. , to accomplish
this program. . I am afraid if we get involved in second guessing as to this program
we may be side tracking it and never get this thing off the ground
- 15 -
ADJ. C.C. 2-19-68
Page Sixteen
SWIMMING POOL FUNDING - Continued
Councilman Snyder- There is one more thing besides price tag and that
is the concept that is being stated here and that is
building pools on school grounds. I have always
• maintained if we build one here the City will be expected to build one on the other
two high school sites although I have nothing against this if we have the money
to do it. Everything you said is true - we do not have park sites to lose but on the
other hand we have a lot of park sites that are not being equipped or being used and
2-1/2 acres might very well be taken out of a park site and if you have looked at
it in that concept and forget the money part, then in my opinion the City of West
Covina cannot in spite of cigarette tax afford to build more than one pool without
a bond issue and not being able to afford to build more than one pool we would
probably be better to put.it on a park site at this price. I would be for going ahead
at this price and finding the extra $60, 000 but I would be for moving it to a park site.
However, and I shouldn't beg the question by saying failing this I would be willing
to go ahead on this site, but I do feel the School District should be asked and
again begging the question, if they are men of good faith and collect all the tax money
they say they do they will help us in building the facilities that go with the pool.
I am for approving the plans and specifications but not as to location tonight.
Secondly, asking the School District if they are willing to participate in the cost of
the ancillary facilities.
Councilman Gleckman: We recently purchased some property from Mr. Gonne -
how many acres was that?
• Mr.. Aiassa- It was 1. 55.
Councilman Gleckman- How much did we pay for that?
Mr. Aiassao $34, 000.
Councilman Gleckman- I am concerned with the idea 'of taking 2 - 1/2 acres
off our public parks as if that property is worth
nothing and, concerning ourselves with the .idea that
if we had to go out and replace that 2-1/2 acres to make play area, I am sure we
would have to pay $50, 000 to $60, 000 at this stage of the game. . So I am not so
concerned about it being on the school grounds or not on the school grounds, but
I would agree with the Mayor, I feel that the $135, 000 we talked about for a
Swimming Pool and going along with Mr.. Nichols thinking even - did include at
that time the facilities that existed there and not with the idea it would be $135, 000
and we would build new facilities. . So what I meant by that "even" was that yes,
it was proposed that the $135,000 was to cover the locker facilities but that was
providing the locker facilities already existing at Edgewood High were usable, so
again I say $135, 000 was what we predicted we would have to pay and what we
were budgeted for and now we find that we have to build additional facilities that
we didn't plan on. So all I am saying is to build the type of facility that is shown
here this evening will require the additional money.
• MAYOR KRIEGER, CALLED A RECESS AT 9- 07 P.M. COUNCIL RECONVENED AT 9- 20 P.M.
Mayor Krieger- Further discussion on the Swimming Pool Funding?
Councilman Nichols- One final comment. I made a public committment in
the Community to build a Swimming Pool during this
fiscal year and I was prepared and I am prepared to do
it in terms of the concepts which underlay that committment. When the citizens
Blue Ribbon Committee came before the Council and made a recommendation that it be
built on Edgewood High School property with the premise that joint facilities would be
used I reiterated the committment to do it on that basis. This City has many vital
- 16 -
ADJ. C.C. 2-19-68 Page Seventeen
SWIMMING POOL rUNDING - Continued
needs and we have in my judgment made many fine and great committments relative
to the financial capabilities of this City I feel certainly that I do have a
responsibility for the expenditure of public funds, I didn't take the $ 135, 000
figure lightly, I thought it was about the maximum amount that I could. justify in my
• mind and I cannot support the approval of plans to move ahead with those plans
with the new concept introduced and a new cost introduced that goes considerably
above the maximum I had anticipated.. That would be about all I can say and it is
not the easiest position to take I can assure the Council, but that is how I feel about
it
Motion by Councilman Snyder that the preliminary plans be approved with the
reservation that the working drawings not be started, and secondly that the School
District be approached considering the building of ancillary facilities, or other
methods of financing ancillary facilities be explored and brought back to this
Council not later than the first meeting in March
Seconded by Councilman Gleckman
Councilman Gleckman. In effect - Mr, Mayor, wasn't this primarily what we
were really going to take up this evening - aside from
the -School Swimming, Pool funding - was to be able to
proceed with the working drawings?
Councilman Snyder. I don't think you should start on the working drawings
• until you know if you are going to spend the balance
of the money - the $ 6 0, 0 00. I don't think that would
be wise, I don't think a bill should be started for this until we know where we are
going
Mr. Aia s sa. I had a dinner meeting tonight with Mr. Wright to
discuss this and we came up with a minimum proposal
which we really don't like or approve but we can
initiate the Swimming Pool and the minimum roofed area of 636 sq. ft. , including the
laundry, storage, toilets, fixed fee costs, minimum entry walks - which amounts to
$151,480. 1 will pass this up for the Council to review and Mr. Wright can
possibly point out what this would provide, if you so desire
(Mr. Wright briefly explained.)
Councilman Snyder; Since we are discussing a motion it seems to me that
this preliminary construction of the ancillary
facilities would not prohibit the finalization of the much
larger ancillary facilities
Mr. . Ai.assa. It will be done in sequence although the advantage
would be under one bid because I think it would have
better benefits to the City. . But we know money is at
a premium and we are talking about funds and the first and most important thing is
• the pool
Councilman Snyder. My motion does not preclude the $198, 000 pool, it
only says hold it up until we can get some informa-
tion as to where the money comes from.
Mayor Krieger. I think this item you have distributed. Mr.. Aiassa, is
really a matter for second consideration by the
Council if the motion were adopted, in the event the
Council did not want to go for the entire program in terms of funding
- 17 -
ADJ. C.C. 2-19-68 Page Eighteen
SWIMMING POOL FUNDING - Continued
Councilman Gi.eckman: I have a.question, Mr. Mayor. If you think it
doesn't have anything to do with the motion - okay.
But there has been some conversation and it was
expressed.here this evening by Mr.. Nichols, I believe, as to not being able to go
. along with the dollars and cents figure we have here on the basis of whether we
should vote on having a swimming pool for. the City - - correct. me Mr. Nichols if I
am wrong. I am trying to figure out if we were to build a pool anyplace in the City
of. West Covina and we do not have adequate facilities, such as the locker space,
do I understand then that he would not be for building a pool because I don't see
anyplace where the cost would be cut down. I am trying to get some indication
so that either we will have a pool or have a pool at a price, so I can vote on this
motion or come back with this swimming pool alternate Mr. Aiassa has passed to the
Council?
Mayor Krieger: You don't have to respond Mr., Nichols - it is not
part of this discussion on the motion. Let's
restrict our comments and discussion to the sub-
stance of the motion itself which is to approve the preliminary plans, hold up on
working drawings, refer this matter to the staff for investigation, both with the
School District and other ways having to do with the possible areas of funding for
the difference between what the Council considered and the total package presented
to us. . Is that basically correct?
Councilman Snyder: That is correct.
• Councilman Gillum: I would like to say that I want the pool just as much
as anybody but to sit here and look at $200,000 -
when I went through a Recreation & Park budget session
and they are scrambling for money for needed things in the City. If we have
an additional $60, 000 to put into one installation I think we are kidding ourselves
with the other needed things in Recreation and Parks and it is now apparent that
we do have an alternate plan and it is apparent that we are trying to build something
here we don't really need in order to get our pool. I could go along with the
$150, 000 but not $200, 000 because we are kidding ourselves out of the other things
we need in the City. We have a park up here with 30 acres that we can't do a thing
with because we don't have the funds. , I think we would be guilty of misspending
the money by putting an additional $60, 000 in the swimming pool when we have parks
in this town that desperately need things. If we can put this pool in for $150, 000 1
think we would be well spending the money.
Councilman. Snyder: There is an alternate plan that the City wouldn't
pay for that no one has mentioned tonight, maybe
they have thought of it. The first few years I was
on the Council, the School District had I believe a 5.cent., tax - a community
service tax which they removed.. They may be prohibited for use for recreation
facilities but maybe it could be used for this. They dropped it because they felt
the City ran the Recreation and Park program and they should pay for it and their
taxing ability was at 'the limit. First the Covina School District dropped it and
• then the West Covina School District. Now faced with the possibility of adding on
these facilities maybe we could convince them to add that tax back on. That tax
is allowed by law, although it is not mandatory. It seems to me we could approach
the School District and ask them to add that 5� back and they could then pay for these
ancillary facilities.
Mayor Krieger: Well that is the investigation your motion could
call for Dr. Snyder, but how about the basic motion
itself?
ADJ. C.C.. 2-19-68 Page Nineteen
SWIMMING POOL FUNDING - Continued
Councilman Gleckman- I would like to see Dr. . Snyder amend his motion to
exclude the working drawings of the locker
facilities but; to go ahead with the swimming pool
drawings.
Councilman. Snyder- I will so amend,
Councilman Gleckman- I will accept it , as the second.
Mayor Krieger., Let's understand this then - the motion is to approve
the preliminary drawings, to authorize the architect
to proceed with the working drawings as it pertains
to the swimming pool and the rest of the motion stands as amended
Mr. Wright - while the Council is feeling its way on
the total subject matter is it possible for your firm, if this motion were adopted,
to restrict your activities for the time being to the working drawings of the pool
itself?
Mr. Wright- Yes we can.
Councilman Nichols- The matter of the $135, 000 came before us on the
Council at budget time, as I recall, At that time we
were weighing all of the needs of the City. Those
• things that we could do without, those things we felt we must budget for this year
and .I joined in the decision to set aside an approximate figure for a pool for this
year. I can support the motion that has been made because it incorporates no more
than I have made a committment to do and if at a later time when we have the
opportunity to analyze the funds that would be available for this City for the next
budget: year and this $60, 000 figure would appear and we could resolve it in the
context of our other obligations, then I will be at that time in a position to vote to
budget additional funds for further improvements but; until, that time comes I could
not in good conscience authorize to move ahead on a $60, 000 expenditure that I
have not previously scrutinized and have not authorized and. would be voted in lieu
of other expenditures that might be much more in need in our community. As far as
I; am concerned, at least for the time being, this would resolve the quandry I have
found myself in and I would certainly think that in the terms of the great convenience
to the School District a mutual appeal should be made to see if they feel these
additional facilities are desirable to the extent that they would like and feel they
could make a financial committment to create these facilities more rapidly than this
Council feels they could otherwise and perhaps this would resolve the matter. This
would for me and I could. support that motion.
Motion carried on roll call vote as follows -
AYES. Councilmen. Gillum, Nichols, Gleckman, Snyder, Mayor Krieger
NOES- None
ABSENT- None
• Mayor Krieger- The effect of the motion is to approve the
preliminary plans, to authorize the architect to
proceed with the working drawings on Item A under
the estimate of costs and to direct the city staff to explore possible areas of funding
for the balance of the estimate of costs, including discussion and negotiations
with the School District as to the availibi•lity of funds and participation funding
Councilman Snyder- That would include the 5 tax?
- 19 -
ADJ. C.C. 2-19-68 Page Twenty
E
•
0
SWIMMING POOL, FUNDING - Continued
Mayor Krieger-, I am sure they will take all that into consideration.
When is the next: meeting of the School Board?
Councilman Gillum. The 27th would be the fourth Tuesday.
Councilman Snyder. Would it be better if a City Councilman went with
the staff man?
Mayor Krieger,. This was the reason I brought this up - would the
Council have any interest in my appearing before
the School Board as the Mayor and making a pre-
sentation of the Council's position in this matter having to do with the background,
the development of the total concept, etc. , as far as we are concerned?
Councilman Snyder,. I would so move
Councilman. Gillum,. Seconded
Mayor Krieger: It has been moved and seconded, if there are no
objections - it is so ordered.
-----------------
RESOLUTION NO. 3748 The City Clerk presented,.
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
ADOPTED OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA ESTABLISHING
POLLING PLACES AND APPOINTING ELECTION
BOARD MEMBERS FOR THE GENERAL
MUNICIPAL. ELECTION TO BE HELD ON
TUESDAY, THE 9TH DAY OF APRIL, 1968. "
Mayor Krieger. Hearing no objections, waive further reading of the
body of. said Resolution.
Motion by Councilman. Snyder, seconded by Mayor Krieger, that the City Council
adopt said Resolution, Motion carried on roll call. vote as follows.
AYES,. Councilmen Gillum,
NOES,. None
ABSENT,. None
CITY MANAGER VACATION
Nichols,. Gleckman, Snyder, Mayor Krieger
Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman. Snyder, and carried,
that the Council approve the City Manager's request to take Friday, February 23rd,
1968, off as part of his vacation time.
J
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilman Gillum,. As you noticed we received the minutes of the
first meeting of the Community Services Blue Ribbon
Committee. They appointed their co-chairmen and
had a meeting to form the subcommittees, The subcommittees formed were Water and
Humane Society and Telephone Service. They are going to hold their first sub-
committee meeting this week and we are going to try and have this committee's work
- 20 -
ADJ.. Ca Co 2-19-68 Page Twenty-one
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS - Continued
completed by the lst of April for presentation to the Council,
I have a question of the City Manager - there was
some discussion a time back regarding plaque for the new City Hall. What was
resolved on that?
Mr.. Aiassa. We have never resolved this. We did not receive a
directive from the Council.
Councilman Gillum. What is the procedure? Who is on the plaque, , etc, ?
Mr. Aia s sa. Every City seems to have a different formula. Some
have the plaque at the time of construction, others
at the time of dedication of the building, some have
2 plaques - 1 at the dedication and 1 at the opening. There is also a possibility of
3 plaques because this is a joint adventure with the Public Authority - it is strictly
up to the Council as to how they want to set it up.
Councilman Gillum. Didn't I meet someone here one day that was an
architect on plaques?
Mr. Aia s sa. Actually we were trying to get some basic ideas
from a landscape architect. You may decide this
matter tonight if you want to. It is up to the
Council to decide what is wanted.
Councilman. Snyder. May I ask who was put on the plaque at the Library?
Councilman Gleckman. Why don't you talk about the Youth Center?
Councilman Snyder. That's different, the Youth Center was not built in
one unit, The Library contract was let and it was
built and .1 am afraid the point I am making leaves
my name off the plaque.
Mayor Krieger-, Mr. Gillum - you, are the one that brought up this
point, did you wish to pursue it or drop it or what?
Councilman. Gillum. I would like to pursue in the form of a motion, but
I am not sure of the proper procedure
Motion by Councilman. Nichols that a plaque be installed in a traditional. and suit-
able location in the new West Covina City Hall upon which would appear the names
of the present members of the City Council of the City of West Covina
Councilman Nichols. This would be the motion and it does not rule out any
additional plaques or any additional names that
other Councils might want, or the name of the City
Manager, or building contractor, or whom ever. . I think that should be left: to the
future but the purpose of this motion is to place this Council on record that the
belief of this Council is that the current Council should be identified at some
location relative to their role in the plans for the City Hall and this motion is made
by me as a token of respect and courtesy to two councilmen who will be outgoing
from this Council in Apr-1, 1 and have contributed immeasurably to the completion of
these plans
Motion seconded by Councilman Gillum
- 21
ADJ. C..C.. 2-19-68 Page Twenty-two
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS - Continued
Motion carried on roll call vote as follows-
AYES- Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Gleckman, Snyder, Mayor Krieger
NOES- None
ABSENT: None
--------------
Councilman Nichols: Some of you may have noted already that the City
Council of El Monte adopted a Resolution supporting
and concurring in the Resolution of the City of West
Covina relative to the extension of the easterly leg of the Rapid Transit System, and
I think it would be a courtesy of the Council to direct staff to prepare a letter of
appreciation to the El Monte City Council for the Mayor's signature, and I would so
move.
Seconded by Councilman Gleckman, and carried.
Councilman Snyder- I am sure you all received a letter from the
Congressman from the 25th District regarding his
appointment to the Republican Task Force on Urban
Affairs and asking our comments regarding anything that would be of meaningful:
contribution to its findings and I would like to see this Council as a body, direct a
letter to this effect - that in our experience funding is best obtained and best used
• at the local level but in the use of federal funds if such federal funds become
necessary that federal funds on a matching basis - is the most helpful since that
requires some motivation on the local people to obtain them. . In other words the
money you obtain locally is the best money you can receive but if you have to
receive federal funds, then federal funds which require some initiation or some
degree of participation at the local level, are the best kind of federal funds you can
receive. For instance - the. Inter -Community Hospital and the Queen of Valley
Hospital could not have been built without one-third State, one-third Federal and
one-third local funds. . All I am saying is that in federal funding, participation
at the local level, rather than an outright gift, is the best philosphy to use in
setting up federal funds. I can write this letter on my own, but I would like to see
a Council letter written.
Mayor Krieger: Is there a Council discussion then on Dr. Snyder°s
comments as to the substance of the letter to
express the consensus of the Council on this
matter?
Councilman Gillum: The only. thing I can add is that we have all received
this. letter and I have answered mine. It basically
says the same but differs somewhat
Councilman Snyder: Would you agree with me though that local participa-
tion is better?
Councilman Gillum: Basically I would.
Councilman Nichols: I am not sure I could agree with Dr. Snyder, I would
have to give it more thought.. I would not be
prepared to take a vote on it tonight.
Mayor Krieger- Can we hold this over until next Monday night and give
the Council an opportunity to review this matter ?
- 22 -
ADJ. C.C. 2-19-68 Page Twenty-three
•
•
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS - Continued
Councilman Snyder: I would like to bring it up as a motion next Monday
night. And I would like to see a full council action
on it to give it more impetus.
Mayor Krieger: Alright - bring it up next Monday :night.
Councilman Gleckman: I have taken some liberty here that I don't know
whether the Council will agree with or not, but I can
only explain the reason and that would be that at
my request I. asked the staff to prepare a Resolution, hopefully for adoption this
evening.. It is commending Vera Hazenbush for her services to the City of West
Covina. Whether the rest of the Council is aware of it or not, Mr.. & Mrs. Hazenbush
are moving out of the State to Louisville, Kentucky - and she has been one of the
most outstanding people in our community - devoting a great deal of time and effort
to the progress of this community, and I think it only fitting of this Council to
show appreciation in this manner and I would further request along with this
Resolution that we give approval that it be perma-plaqunedand presented to her, if
possible, the night of her dinner which is the 24th of this month.
Councilman, Nichols: I will second that.
RESOLUTION 3749 The City Clerk presented:
"A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
ADOPTED OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA
COMMENDING VERA HAZENBUSH FOR HER
SERVICES TO THE CITY. "
Mayor Krieger: Hearing no objections, waive further reading of the
body of said Resolution.
Motion by Councilman Gleckman, seconded by Councilman Snyder, that the Council
adopt said Resolution of commendation.
Councilman Nichols: I would like to interject, so that the record will
reflect it - quite sometime ago there was a dis-
cussion on the Council when the matter of a
possible Resolution for an individual in the community came up and the thought
was that where individuals had not rendered direct service to the City of West
Covina, the Council should not get themselves into the position of issuing
resolutions to the citizenry in general. However, this case does not violate
the spirit at all of that concept. . This individual has served the City directly and
indirectly and has been very active in the Sister City Foundation and indirectly a
very close arm of the City, so I wholeheartedly support this Resolution in both the
light of our policies in the past and this woman's services to the community and to
our city government.
Councilman Snyder: I have some reservations about Resolutions along
the same lines as Councilman. Nichols, and that is
that even though a Councilman is a bum he gets a
Resolution when he goes off the Council so they become meaningless and for that
reason I think we ought to be more careful how we hand them out - I think a
Resolution should mean something.
Mayor Krieger: Further discussion on the motion? Roll call, please.
Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Councilmen Gillum, Nichols, Gleckman, Snyder, Mayor Krieger
NOES- None
ABSENT: None - 23 -
ADJ. C.C. 2--19-68
Page Twenty-four
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REPORTS - Continued
Councilman Gleckman: My first Committee meeting of the Recreation &
Parks Citizens Committee will be tomorrow evening
at 7:30 p.m. If anyone would like to attend the
welcome mat is out.
Councilman Snyder: I have one further point. . I am on two State League
Committees which will be vacated in April. One
is on the Sister City and the other one is on Revenue
and Taxation which is of vital importance, and I am wondering if our Mayor should not
offer substitution before change of Council for continuity. Maybe - Mr. Aiassa, you
'should contact the League and ask if that wouldn't be better.
Mayor Krieger: That might be a good field for exploration and see
if they will honor a request for substitution, Mr.
Aiassa.
--------------
Mr. Aiassa: Mr. Mayor - one thing for clarification. Normally,
with regard to a plaque, the procedure is that we
outline and make a draft of the plaque for council
review. I assume this is the procedure you want us to follow?
• Mayor Krieger:
I presume so.
Motion by Councilman. Gillum, seconded by Councilman Gleckman, and carried, that
Council adj ourn. at 10 p.m.
ATTEST:
to City Clerk
APPROVAL:2����
Mayor
- 24 -