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03-03-1969 - Regular Meeting - MinutesMINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA MARCH 3, 1969. The adjourned regular meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Leonard S. Gleckman at 6.05 p.m., in the West Covina Council Chambers. The Pledge of. Allegiance was giiiren by those present. ROLL CALL Present-., Mayor Leonard S. Gleckman.; Councilmen Chappell, Nichols Gillum, Lloyd Also Present: George Aiassa, City Manager Lela Preston, City Clerk Owen Mena.rd, Planning Director Robert Gingrich, Director Recreation & Parks George Zimmerman; Ass°t. City Engineer Kirk Wilson, Recreation Superintendent William Fowler, Director Building & Safety Leonard Eliot, Controller (Mayor Gleckman stated this was a joint meeting of the City Council and Recreation & Park Commission, and requested the City Clerk to call roll on Recreation & Park Commission.) Present, Chairman Robert Nordstrom; Commissioners Davis, P.lesko, Ka.e lin 0 Absent: Commissioner A;,iger JOINT MEETING WITH RECREATION & PARK COMMISSION GALSTER PARK George Aiassa, City Manager, introduced the architect Mr. Lee Sharfman, of Armstrong & Sharfman. Lee Sharfman We are submitting a preliminary plan for Galster (In summary) Park - increment 1 - to meet the deadline set by the Deed of Gift. This plan is in full accord- ance with the County°s prepared general plan and meets all requirements of the Deed of Gift. However, in order to protect and exploit the park area certain qualities had to be consolidated such as the man made elements that are required within the site in order to make it economical and reduce grading requirements, and to retain its natural beauty. We found it necessary to do more now than. at first thought would be necessary in the way of grading. A change made was the parking lot, no longer drive into the parking lot to get to the rest of the park, parking lot is set to the side of the park entrance; explained in detail the architectural structure of the proposed buildings of triangle shape, one triangle to be 'built now with additional triangles added as needs require. Explained.u.ses of the buildings, how they would be spread throughout ;the park, ;three such 'buildings to start with, and each 'building would contain sufficient equipment, etc., so that maintenance of the park would be at a minimum, also eliminating the need for large trucks to be driving back and forth throughout the park every day. Idea in building structure and plan was to keep the park in ints natural state, buildings to be of the color of ground and blend in with the area, traffic of cars to be minimal in order to allow for solitude. Explained the roads to be left for pedestrian travel, the different areas to be stressed as stopping points, the proposed use of towers from the three different building sites, which would act as lookout towers and provide an excellent view.of the entire park area. ADJ. C.C. 3-3-69. Page Two GALSTER PARK - Continued Discussed the grading necessary and why it was best to do all the grading at this time. Pointed out the areas where trees would have to be removed for the picnic area, emphasizing the fact that few trees were going to be removed, that the plan was •laid out in such a way as to use and preserve existing trees wherever possible. Future plantings will be made both of trees and some plants, but on the whole the area was to be kept as natural as it now is in plant growth and beauty. Sum. total of the suggested plan is a series of highly useful, carefully oriented people spaces that show the hand of man closely aligned with the park's natural beauty, both functioning very well in unison. The great majority of the park will be left in its natural state, and where ever fallen branches contribute to the environment of the park, they will be left. Comfort Stations: Our unanimous opinion was that the building structures should be organic in quality and looking for a design to express this we thought of the tower -concept and the triangle buildings and this then led to the thought of a series of towers, along with the possibility of low maintenance -, a.d then Mr. .Niles started his work. (Mr. Sharfman introduced Mr. Niles, who laid out the building structures proposed.) Mr. Niles- The main criteria was the bringing together of all (In summary) the functions required to operate a park to function correctly and still. keep TAG he natural qualities of the park. So we developed a building with the main idea that it serves sanitary purposes and also serves locally having space for the storage of •items needed to maintain and also expandable in the future. (Explained the detail of the three buildings.) COUNCIL DISCUSSION. Mayor Gleckmano Lee - because of the natural topography the land, you say, it will be quicker and easier to develop it all now, as far as the grading is concerned? Mr. Sharfmano I. don't know that I could make the statement "quicker" "but I think we have to do all the grading at one time. The buildings can be done in increments, 'but the mechanized grading requires it to be done "now." Mayor Gleckman; Mr. Zimmerman - along that thinking, where are we at present as far as the money to be spent this year? Mr., Sharfmano We do not see this as in anyway delaying the commitments. Mr. Zimmerman: At present we have the grading contract out to bid and we did inform Council previously that there may be some modifications with regard to grading, and we feel these can be taken care of within the framework of the existing contract - timewise I believe some of the grading can go on while the contractor for the building is working simataneously, so we all wind up about the lst of June, and it will come within the framework of available money. Although I don't have the exact cost estimate of this particular contract, however I understand it will be within the monies available. We may have to use some of Mr. Galster's contribution. to fully finance it. Councilman Gillum: There is a spring on that first path as you enter from the parking lot - are you going to be able to retain it? - 2 - ADJ. C.C. 3-3-69 Page Three GALSTER PARK - Continued Mr. Sharfman: We will. certainly retain it, but in spite of all the rain it is still a very small stream, but we will exploit it as a small element and add things to it so it will make a nice enhancement to the park. I might say that 12 •this preliminary plan is actually 60 days ahead of the kind of total plan we would have liked to give you.. Councilman Gillum: I am quite happy with what I see here now. I think it is great. Councilman Chappell: . Will any of the roads in there be paved? Mr. Sharfman: We prefer to keep them in their natural state and the pickup trucks will move up the paths, but automotive traffic will be kept at a. minimum. Councilman Chappell: Will there be any area for the purchase of refreshments? Mr. Sharfman:- The design of the buildings will lend itself to anything, but I personally would like to consider it very carefully before going into that - we think of it as a place where you bring in your food. Councilman Gillum: During this grading and construction period that will be necessary to do the things you propose - there is a considerable amount of wildlife in the park area, will this change the habit of the animals? • Mr. Sharfman: We hope not. We are doing less than what was originally proposed by the County plan and the great preponderance of the site will not be touched at all. We do not believe it will disturb the habits of the animals. (Mayor Gleckman asked the Commissioners if they had any questions.) Commissioner Kaelin: I notice all your trails are going up the ravines or down the hills? Mr. Sharfman: Yes that is the easy way to go. (Explained in further detail, again mentioning it was the intenti.on.to keep things natural and that walking in. a. ravine was a pleasant sheltered experience, or going down or up a hill, gave one the feeling of isolation, you would not be viewing a lot of traffic, people or buildings.) Commissioner Davis: Originally we discussed a fountain effect at the entrance of the park? Mr. Sharfman: I haven't seen a fountain., I recall seeing a drinking fountain proposed. We thought people would want to take a drink when further in, especially after walking a bit. We were going to suggest honoring Mr. & Mrs. Galster at a different location. We want to screen the parking lot as much as possible and in fact were going to suggest a wall, so we thought it better to move the drinking fountain in further. (Council questioned water supply, and this was explained. To questions asked Mr. Sharfman explained that the Girl's Camp was designed for a camp group of 50 as we were told administratively it would be limited to 50, but actually we have capacity for considerably more, and the use of the campsite will be on a reserve basis.) (There being no further questions, Chairman Nordstrom called for a motion.) _,3- ADJ. C.C. 3­3-69 Page Four GALSTER PARK - Continued Motion by Commissioner Plesko, seconded -by Commissioner that the Recreation and Park Commission recommend to the City Council that the Preliminary Plan for Galster Park construction be approved, and that the architect be authorized to proceed with the working drawings for this basic concept. Motion carried. Commissioner lT,cT er absent, Mayor Gleckman. Thank you.. The recommendation then is that the Council now follow suit if it is the Council's desire to do so, and. then. the Planning Commission :will take this into consideration along with the balance of the plan. Is this correct, Mr. Aiassa? (Mr. Ai.a.ssa. asked Mr. Men:a.rd to .respond.) Mr. Menarde The Precise Plan. will. have to be accepted and approved 'by the Planning Commission and this will 'be heard on March .l.9th.. This has nothing to do with the concept involved- ('Councilman Lloyd stated :he felt Council might be ur. surping the authority of the Planning Commission. 'by doing this; Mayor Gleckman asked Mr. Aiassa if he felt Council was us-urping the authority of the Commission 'by taking action. tonight; Mr. Aiassa responded - "No, I do not. Mr. Lloyd is correct 7..f this were a brand new plan, something they had not seen but we do have a basic plan and they have seen and approved, also Council, and all. we are doing now is approving the implementation of a plan, and we have to do that before the Planning • Commission can act on the Precise Plan..??) Motion by Councilman Nichols, seconded by Councilman Lloyd, and carried, that Council accept the .recomme.ndati.on of the Recreation and Park Commission relative to the Preliminary Plan for the first phase of Gal.ster Park for proceeding to th.e working drawings. (Mayor. Gleckman thanked the Recreation & Park Commission. and Mr. Niles and Mr. Sha:rfman for being present tonight. ) THE CHAIR DECLARED A RECESS AT 1a30 p.m. COUNCIL RECONVENED AT 7.40 P.M. AWARD BID FOR. DRAPERIES .` CIVIC CENTER (.Mr. Aiassa advised that both. Mr. Fowler, Director of Building & Safety; and Mr,. Eliot, Controller, were present and would answer questions. Council. had a report from staff dated February 28th which is self- explanatory, also a spread sheet showing quotations of the various bidders, along with, staff recommendation. ) COUNCIL DISCUSSIONa Councilman Chappell: What type of specification do we have for the draperies? Mr. Eliot° We have quite a good map showing the areas to be draped, :rods and sizes needed, materials to -be supplied, etc. It was all specified. Councilman Chappell- If they are all bidding on the same quality, etc., there is quite a spread here and I wondered if they were all. bidding on the same requirements. Mr. Fowler: We started out with one type of material and we received some bids along with reports on the material, that it was actually not satisfactory in use, so we expanded the specification by addendum 1. and 2, and took _, 4 �. ADJ. C.C. 3-3-69 Page Five CIVIC CENTER DRAPERIES - Continued out of the fibre glass field only with regard to material. to be used. This way we got a good selection of bids. (Passed out sample of fabric to be used on the east and west walls of the Council Chambers only; and discussed material to be used on all other draperies. Council questioned and Mr. Fowler answered with regard to the material to be used, the length of use it might give, how it might dry clean, etc. etc.) (Mr. Eliot explained to Council the various quotes and why there were Quotes 1 - 2 - 3 - 4, and stated all 'bidders submitted proposals on the four. different fabrics. ) Councilman Lloyd: I frankly admit; I am no expert on draperies and I do not know whether a fabric is good or bad, and I don't believe this Council can. determine that, so I can't accept the responsibility on these things, I would have to .rely on the staff recommendation.. Mayor Gleckman: I agree that is what Council has to go on. - the staff recommendation. None of us are experts .in this field and we have to depend on what staff has researched and .recommended. (Council discussed further the type of material suggested 'by staff, the reliability of the Company submitting the lowest bid, etc.) Motion by Councilman Nichols, seconded by Councilman Lloyd and carried, that Council award bi.d to the lowest responsible bidder - Carl R. Anderson and Company, and authorize the Controller to issue a • purchase order in the amount of $8,363.49, plus tax, to that company for furnishing and installation of draperies in the City Hall and Police Building. GLENDORA AVENUE IMPROVEMENT - RIGHT OF WAY Mr. Aiassa: I would like to advise Council. that Mr. Gillum and I have a meeting scheduled with. Mr. Wittman on March llth. Mr.. Robb is not with them any longer. It is now at the point where we may have to delete some construction, so I would like to show Council what can. happen. if we don't put it in as planned. (Showed 'by drawing a picture of area and what is proposed on board.) Councilman. Gillum: Mr. Zimmerman - why in every place else that we want to do something with a curb, gutters and sidewalks we put them in under the 1911.Act, now for some reason we are faced with this problem? Mr. Zimmerman: This does not qualify under a 1911 Act because there is no real right of way there. The needs less than a 50% City Attorney advises that a General Law City protest and with only one property owner we have no way of getting that. • Councilman Gillum: And there isn't even a way to condemn it? Mr. Zimmerman: If the City wishes to use gas tax funds - yes it can be condemned and the City buy it-. This can be done. Councilman Chappell: Don't we have a tool to complete this development and then have a tie in prior to development of the property? Mr. Ai.assa: We explored this with Mr. Wakefield, but he has not come back with ananswer as yet. We did this -15- ADJ. C.C. 3-3-69 Page Six GLENDORA AVENUE IMPROVEMENT - RIGHT OF WAY - Continued with one project on Azusa Avenue, as Council probably remembers. I may have an answer from Mr. Wakefield on Wednesday. . Councilman Nichols: Just an observation - this is obviously sort of an unsatisfactory way to complete a major improvement in the City, but it will in fact create all the -essential traffic lanes necessary and ultimately the City will receive the correct and proper for additional land and such as is necessary topu.t that street in the shape it should be in can probably be arranged at that time. Councilman Gillum:- I am sure Mr. Aiassa and I can make progress with Mr. Wittman on the llth. Mr. Zimmerman, approximately how much property is required from the property owner? Mr. Zimmerman Councilman Nichols: Mr. Aiassa:- Mayor Gleckman: • MAYOR'S REPORTS A 20' dedication plus a small return portion on Service Avenue. What was the original offer? They would give 'us the right of way if we put in the improvements. If there are no further questions by Council - this was strictly an .informational item.. Mayor Gleckman; I receive a letter from the White House and it seems like the President has some other commitments on April. 25th.. The Secretary did direct the request to the Vice -President and we are awaiting his answer. I also talked to Congressman Wiggins and he was making every attempt to get the Vice -President or the next in line. COUNCILMEN REPORTS Councilman Lloyd- There was a. question today with regards to the dedication ceremony and I was erroneously under the impression that we were going to be badly delayed in the availability of,the new City Hall, to the extent that I questioned the Chairman - Chief Sill, saying perhaps we should give consideration to postponing beyond the 25th of April. He was very strong in his arguments to not postpone, stating he f-eels by`not going into the City Hall prior to its actual occupancy by the Administrative Staff of the City, that we can have enough of it there sufficiently ready to make a good showing and then they will have an opportunity to clean it up and finish it. He suggested we go on with our plans. However, if we get many more delays we may be :'faced with this dilemma. At present we are proceeding with our plans presuming we can get a principal speaker. • Mayor Gleckman: When is the last possible time we can go to press on what we might decide to have on the 25th? Councilman.Lloyd- Ten days - I would say offhand. Absolute minimum, preferably two weeks. Mayor Gleckman.-- The end of March then is the deadline for any last minute arrangements. Councilman •Llloyda- Our problem at present is the speaker. So our actual invitations have not gone out. We are - 6 ._. ADJ. C.C. 3-3-69 Page Seven COUNCILMEN REPORTS - Continued in a sense waiting for the verification of a principal speaker and .are now faced with.the dilemma of even though we do not have a principal speaker of having to get our invitations out because the time is already • short and if we don't get the invitations out and if we should get the -Vice-President of the United States, which apparently is a possibility, they will not be happy with us as a governing body or the Administrative body of the City for allowing them to get in such a spot. So we are required to get this moving and get our invitations out as rapidly as possible.. Councilman Gillum: I had a -request from some of the merchants on Glendora Avenue in the shopping area, that the City consider marked parking lanes on Glendora.. It seems there are times when the parking lot is quite full and people do not realize they can park on Glendora. In talking with Mr. Zimmerman regarding if this would be a problem, he suggested it might help if they would consider straightening the parking spaces out within the parking lot and thereby accommodate more automobiles. I would like to recommend to Council, if they agree, to refer this to the Traffic Committee for their recommendation and report, back to Council. Motion seconded by Councilman Nichols, and carried. • Mayor Gleckman: I might also add that I will be in Washington in about eight days and I will try and firm up,the things we talked about. (Mr. Aiassa asked permission to add an item to the Agenda. Council agreed.) Mr. Aiassa: The item is the contract with the State Retirement system people to do the actuarial. Councilman Gillum: Gentlemen - please consider this. Mayor. Gleckman.: Is Council prepared to go into this without a report - Mr. Aiassa? Mr. Aiassa-: The Council previously directed this back to the City Manager to meet with the State Retire- ment people and I didn't move on it.until I got a firm commitment from the State regarding the cost of the actuarial. It will not exceed the amount of $250.00. Motion by Councilman Nichols that the City Council authorize the expenditure of $250.00 for an actuarial study in connection with the possibility of the City going full StateRetirement System; and the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to sign the agreement. Seconded by Councilman Lloyd. Motion carried on roll call vote as follows: AYES: Councilmen Chappell, Nichols, Gillum, Lloyd, Mayor Gleckman NOES: None ABSENT: None - 7 - ADJ.. C.C. 3-3-69 ADJOURNMENT Page Eight Motion by Councilman Gillum, seconded by Councilman Lloyd, and carried, that this meeting adjourn at 8:09 p.m. • ATTEST: City Clerk 0 is APPROVED- 8