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03-18-1969 - Regular Meeting - MinutesMINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA MARCH 18, 1969. The adjourned meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Leonard S. Gleckman at 6:30 p.m. This was a special dinner meeting •with members of the City of Covina council and staff as guests of the City of West Covina, for the purpose of discussing items of mutual benefit to both cities. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Gleckman; Councilmen Chappell, Nichols, Gillum, Lloyd Also Present: George Aiassa; City Manager H. R. Fast, Public Service Director Owen Menard, Planning Director Lela Preston, City Clerk Mayor Frank Haven, City of Covina Councilmen Joe Lunetto, Vern Peckham, Al Maland and Oscar Yaeger Bob Christofferson, City Administrator, City of Covina Earl Elton, Ass't. City 'Administrator " " it Ed Haworth, Planning Director ft ti" Robert Johnson, Planning Commission, Chairman Bob Neher, City Attorney, City of Covina Bob Christensen, San Gabriel Valley Tribune Cliff Creager, Sentinel At 6:35 p.m. Mayor Gleckman called a recess for dinner. At 7:50 p.m. Mayor Gleckman reconvened the meeting, and stated the reason. for the meeting was that both cities might discuss matters of mutual interest and benefit to them. Mayor Gleckman then asked Mayor Frank Haven of the City of Covina to take the floor. Mayor Haven said the City of Covina welcomed this opportunity and agreed that the two Planning Commissions should get together and discuss various plans prior to their being recommended to the Councils, that in this way each City might be of benefit to the other and also benefit themselves in many ways. The subject of the Recreational Programs of each City was briefly discussed. It was verified by the City of Covina that their recreational program was coordinated with the Covina Unified School District, and that the cost of same was borne both by the School District and the City of Covina, and that this arrangement had been going on for many years. Mayor Haven said "long before his time" and he was not exactly aware of how the original arrange- ment came about, but at this point it was working out very satisfactorily. Huntington Beach Freewa Mayor Haven stated he felt the City of Covina and the City of West Covina were generally in accord on this subject and that when the time comes to meet with the State people it would be well if the two cities would together present a joint type of plan to the State for the route. Mayor Gleckman advised that there is every indication that this route will - starting on the south end of Azusa Avenue - go west of Azusa Avenue and then veer off towards Covina going north; and we were informed by the State that unless we can come up with a more practical route this is the one they are going to adopt. Mr. Haworth, Planning Director of Covina, commented that the Azusa and Lark Ellen concept was the more popular one with Covina. Discussion followed regarding the proposed route and the tie in point with the San Bernardino Freeway. Mayor Haven suggested that this be turned back - 1 - ADJ. C.C. 3-18-69 Page Two to the Planning staffs and Planning Commissions of both Cities for study sessions, discussions, and recommendation back to the Councils, and that this item might be discussed again in the future after receiving the reports, and at that time we might be somewhat better united on the matter. The next step would be for each City to line up the City closest to them that would be affected _ Azusa and L'aPuente. Discuss±on, followed regarding • the hook-up with the -Corona Freeway. Mayor Gleckman commented that it appeared there would be no battles between the two cities on any of.thef freeway issues. Councilman Gillum spoke with regard to the example of what can be done when the two cities work together., referring to the interchange at Grand Avenue. This was the first step where the cities realized what action could be had by making a concerted effort with the State. i Councilman Nichols commented that once we assume that the Huntington Beach Freeway is really coming and that there are certain routes that are more desirable than others, or less offensive than others - - and it is relatively obvious that the route that DM.TM is talking about and the route West Covina Planning Commission is talking about, and the E.S.G.V. Planning Commission is talking about - each one is less offensive, so unofficially both cities and the area in general, has conveyed to the State of California the routes that these communities can live -with. And now we come to the political posture and at this time I believe we should sit still and let the State move ahead. Councilman Nichols stated he felt he would just as soon not be in the position. of making any firm or more specific recommendation to the State of California at this time. Councilman Lunetto responded stating that the State Highway Commission.. stated they want the opinions of the Cities in the area so when they start on the second leg of the Pomona Freeway they can design it knowing •which way to go with it. Councilman Nichols stated the West Covina City Council has held meetings with the State Highway officials and they know the feelings of the City of West Covina. Mayor Haven pointed out that the route for the Huntington Beach Freeway is a rather broad concept, that it could go either one way or the other by a wide area, and he thought it might be better if the two cities worked together- on this broad concept and when they had arrived at some agreement, then each City might discuss in meetings with the City next to them, so that when the time comes for final decision the area would be lined up. Councilman Nichols observed that he felt this could really be accomplished by simply saying up to this point we generally concur with the :recommendations of the E.S.G.V. Planning Commission. Discussion centered on the proposed route and Councilman Yaeger commented that 'what each -City really is interested in is where it comes out of one City and goes into the other City; that is the real crux of the problem. Actually anything south of the San Bernardino Freeway is something the City of West Covina has to work out politically and anything to the north of the freeway the City of Covina has to work out politically. We can help you with influence but we can't do anything else.. Also I would like to state that I feel the State Highway Commission in its present form are much more flexible than the old ones that were on it and I don't fear the State as much as I did when we first started. They have new blood and are more flexible. I do feel that all we have to be concerned with, as a Council, is where it crosses into each City. When it comes to Pomona • that is up to the City of West Covina. I feel we should pinpoint it to this one thing and let the rest of the route take care of itself as it goes along. Mayor Gleckman agreed, stating primarily we want to just hit the subject so our two cities have no problem, even politically and we are only talk- ing about the general direction and not specifics. Mayor Haven stated the thing that would be disastrous to both of us would be if Azusa opposed and LaPuente opposed on the south - we have to be in accord on a close alignment. - 2 - ADJ. C.C. 3'18­69 Page Three Councilman Gillum stated he felt concerned regarding the location of the interchange in the center of the City of West Covina, because if LaPuen.te decided they wanted it someplace else, it could be disastrous to the City. Councilman Peckham agreed that each City could help the other by having a general. agreed alignment - that if the cities of Azusa, Covina, West Covina and LaPuente have a general. alignment on which they all agree, then when the State approaches they are going to be more receptive. •Both Councils agreed that a general alignment would be of benefit if agreed to mutually.. Joint Connection of Streets and Landscape Both Councils agreed this was a good subject and one that might be carried out to the benefit of both cities, if a theme would be worked out pertaining to trees and landscaping used on the same street running from one City to the next, such as Badillo Avenue. Discussion followed; Councils agreeing that where a street improvement was to be made and the_ connected both cities staff should get together and try and work out the improvement simultaneously. By doing this it would save money for each City and also many citizens complaints that such and such a street is of good quality until you reach such and such a point - not realizing that they have entered a different City. If projects were programmed wherever possible to 'be done on the same street in both. cities this would be of tremendous help. Mayor Gleckman suggested that this might be done also with median strips, consider making them uniform on. -the streets (major) going from one City to the other. Both Councils agreed it was up to the City Managers and their staff to work out and where it might present a problem to then present it to the Planning Commissions. Mayor Haven stated he thought it would also be of advantage to both cities if staffs • checked the speed limits on a street that went from one City to the other and tried coordinating the speed limit; the numbering of streets might be such that the San Bernardino Freeway would be the cut-off line for north and south. For example - Citrus, a1.1 of Citrus .north. of the Freeway would go .from 1 North and on, 'up; and all south of the Freeway on Citrus would be 1 South and on up, and in this way on the major streets anything north would be West Covina and anything South would be Covina. Ordinances would be another subject that might be discussed advantageously by both planning staffs. Coun.cil.man. Yaeger said he wanted to compliment the City of West Covina on the signals put in on Hollenbeck - those big street signs right under the lights are wonderful and whoever brought this to bear should be highly-, complimented. Councilman Yaeger further stated he didn't think either City should be "stingy" on street signs and to make the signs big so they could be read easily. It was also suggested that a color theme on street signs might be worked out whereby West Covina would have say a green sign with. white Letters and Covina would have the white sign with the green letters, or some such two -colors and in this way someone passing from one City to the other would*reali.ze when they left West Covina and entered Covina. Mr. Aiassa said if the idea of north and south of the freeway is pursued this might be so designated on the big panel signs on the Freeway - showing one side is south and the other side is north and in this way everybody would know which way to turn.; the Huntington Beach Freeway would then. - become the line for East and West. • Mayor Haven felt this subject was extremely important and he thought it would be an excellent idea if the staffs got together and decided the projects that might be done mutually. Mayor Gleckman agreed. Discussion followed regarding Azusa Avenue as another major street of importance to both cities; even the repairing of streets could be coordinated wherever possible; whichever City intends to repair a street that goes from that City to the other, the Engineering Department should be so advised that say Covina is going to fix their street and then maybe West Covina could arrange to fix their end of that same street at the sametime. Bids could also be called for by both cities on. a street at the sametime, thus saving money. Both. cities agreed that these suggestions should be followed by the staffs of each City. - 3 ,_ ADJ. C.C. 3-18­69 Page Four DISCUSSION OF BOUNDARY LINES Mayor Haven stated that this was a subject that was in a touchy but important area. Mayor Gleckman. suggested that Covina Council. appoint two members as well as the Planning Commission and Planning Director to act as an. Annexation. Committee from Covina, and that West Covina would do the same; and if any annexations were proposed they would meet prior •to -and they could discuss. This was considered a good idea; some of the problem between the two cities in, the past has been over annexation procedures and if they were discussed before this would eliminate the problem. The boundary line was so irregular that in some instances it would be better for one city to agree with the other which areas they might attempt annexation and in this way the boundaries might be worked out to better advantage for each City from .a maintenance standpoint. Councilman. Yaeger felt if LA.FCOhad been in existence years ago that the boundary lines might be a lot different, he felt LAFCO is doing a tremendous job in. uniting different cities together in such a way that there is some mark of congeniality. Mayor Gleckman. said he agreed but he was suggesting that the two cities Committees meet before the annexation was even. sent to LAFCO - the Committees would come to an agreement prior. Mr. Elton., Ass'to City Administratdr of, Covina agreed that this would be bf mutual benefit to both cities regardless of which way an annexation went; actually whether it went Covina or West Covina, isn't important, the important thing is that the area between us goes one way or the other. Discussion followed on legislation to the effect that these urban. areas be forced into a City and then let them take their choice. Councilman Yaeger said if this were drawn up to where a City wanted to annex, some,stipuations should be made for consideration such as how the services compared, tax rates imposed, etc. etc., - a1.1 such{ items would have to be stipulated and considered by both cities. • Mayor Haven pointed out that when. one is involved in County areas there is a tremendous amount of pressure exerted by County Firemen and they are vicious in their attack; this is something jointly we might do - Covina has written. to Bonelli and he says he is concerned about it, so the more pressure exerted by both cities in the long run. might force a breakthrough on this type of attack -by the County. Councilman Nichols pointed out that in the last five years there really - has been no trouble between. the two cities regarding annexation. The troubles before were caused when West Covina would start an annexation and somebody from Covina would sabotage .- or Covina would start and somebody from West Covina would sabotage. Probably all the annexations that have died has been due to some organized organization. killing it. There are rel.ati.vely few areas between the two cities and at this stage it is unimportant if they join Covina or West Covina and it is my feeling that we should continue to do what we have been doing for the past few years - if you get an. annexation going West Covina keep their hands off until it is resolved and vice -versa. I agree with the suggestion made -by Mayor Gl.eckman. - and if we relate one to another when we start in. these areas we won't have any trouble. Mayor Haven. discussed the possibility of one starting an annexation and then after discussing between. the two cities one City thought it would be better if that City started that annexation and the other City started in. some other designated area. Mayor Gleckman said that is why he suggested an. Annexation Committee from 'both Cities - that this Committee • would discuss areas and decide which would be best for each City and handle it in. a gentlemanly manner, whereby both cities would benefit. That such matters be referred to the joint Annexation Committees first and if they could not agree then Councils could be brought into the picture. Mayor Haven agreed that this might be turned over to the staffs of both cities to look into and come up withsome ideas on how this should be staffed and worked out. - 4 ­ ADJ. C.C. 3-18 -69 Page Five WILDERNESS PARKS Ed Haworth, Planning Director of Covina, briefly discussed the plans Covina is presently working on with San Dimas and the County regarding the wilderness concept pertaining particularly to the Puddi.n.gstone area; this had -been discussed with Mr. Menard, Planning Director of West Covina, and it appears there are a. lot of opportunities and that it would be well for the three cities and county to get together and discuss. The area • of discussion is about 6 to 8 miles and could contain horse trails going from West Covina right on, through to Puddingstone. The great advantage in going toge.-ther is the kinds of funding programs available. And for this .reason. Covina will be sending letters out to the Cities in the next week or so requesting that the cities get together and discuss this program, Mayor Gleckman said he could make available the aerial maps taken. at the time the Ridge Riders had originally discussed such horse trails. Both Councils agreed this was another good suggestion and would be beneficial to both cities. It was decided the next step would be a meeting of staffs and the setting up of a program for moving forward. Some discussion followed pertaining to the possibility of it being a joint powers agreement with County. WATER Mayor Haven. stated that the City of Covina 'was aware that the citizens of. West Covina were concerned; we are certainly very sympathetic with West Covina and the portionof water which we own in the City. The staff has got together and discussed ways of. solution - actually we don't know how you want to do it but all councilmen feel very receptive to doing what would be advantageous to both cities. At present we are in. the process but do not yet know the cost figure, but probably in the next two weeks we will have something on it. Mayor Gleckman stated that strange as it may seem the people living in West Covina serviced by the Covina Water Company have never come to Council and said do something for us, help us, but they have been on your back and on the back of the County people. We realize you own a water company and that you also are elected by your citizens and you have a responsibility to them and that we don't have our own water. company. We have been in discussion with Suburban Water Company through Councilman Gillum and the City Manager and the last impression I received and this does not mean this is the way it was, was that Suburban Water would be interested in buying these meters in West Covina if they could get a price from Covina.. And although our citizens have not asked us to step in., we feel as their representatives, that we should step in and attempt to get them some relief, if possible. I think what we would like to know, if possible, whether these meters might be purchased by Suburban, or if something can be done so that neither one of you get hurt in the deal. but so we can get it resolved. Mayor Haven. commented that this problem was one that had been around a long time • the problem of several areas in their City paying different rates and in order to attempt to resolve an Ad -Hoc Committee had been, appointed and they came up with the suggestion of consolidating.,. We are interested in. consolidating and this makes somewhat of a negotiable item -because we do own some meters in. West Covina. and Suburban has some in our City. We should be able to work it out. • Councilman Gillum stated that he had not conveyed any of this to Council because of not wanting to upset any agreement that might be in. the making; said he had received a number of calls from the residents in. West Covina asking what is happening? And that this was of concern to them, the fact that they haven't been told anything. Mayor Haven further stated that Mr. Ch.ristoffersen. was presently involved in this and that an attorney had to be selected in. order to go ahead. And further, regardless of what we do or how the deal goes between. Suburban and ourselves - a lawyer has to be involved and this is the type of matter that doesn't move very fast. -5 .ADJ. C.C. 3 -18-69 Page Six WATER Continued Mayor Gleckman asked if any proposal had been made to Suburban Water? Such as buying the meters or switching meters? We in West Covina are, in a funny position - we listen to Suburban and they say they will do anything we are just waiting for an answer from Covina..... And we would • like to be able to give our citizens an answer. Councilmen Lunetto pointed out that several meetings had been cancelled by Suburban Water and this also delayed the matter. The City Administrator _of Covin.a.-assured Mayor Gleckmen that Covina was working towards a definite deal, it was just a matter of a couple of weeks before we can present our proposi- tion. Mayor Haven stated there was no question at all but Covina wanted to settle the problem. Councilman Yaeger questioned Councilman Gillum regarding the attitude of Suburban Water - whether he thought their attitude was better now than it had been under the previous management? Councilman Gillum answered he found the new management more cooperative, and they definitely want to sit down and discuss the whole matter. Councilman Gillum said he wanted to make it clear to Covina Council and West Covina Council and staff that he was not fighting Suburban Water's battle and if Suburban and Covina couldn't come to an agreement, then the City of Covina and the City of West Covina will have to find some other way of doing it. Mayor Haven agreed, but first they wanted to work it out with Suburban, if possible. Councilman Yaeger said he felt they had a responsibility that Suburban Water doesn't have and that is to our constituents. Theirs is a profit set up and ours is municipally owned. We have to protect our citizens. Councilman Gillum agreed and said the reason he hadn't wanted to discuss this publicly was not to disturb any communications between the two offices. Mayor Haven stated. he felt certain that within a couple of weeks Covina would be making their first proposal. UNIFORMITY OF SIGNS Mayor Haven said this is a good thing as we discussed and I believe staff should look into it, and this would also apply to Azusa Avenue with regard to maintenance problems, keeping it clean, lighting and drainage. Mayor Gleckman agreed staffs should look into these areas and come up with some type of report and then at that time the two Councils could arrange for a return engagement to discuss the matters. Mayor Haven replied that when. staffs had adequate time to look into the suggestions made tonight and come up with some of the items, that Covina would then call a meeting and would host the City of West Covina Council. That it may take two or three months but when the reports are ready by staff, a mutual date will be set and these areas can again be discussed and more concrete plans laid. -Mayor Gleckman asked if there were any further comments on. any subject by Covina. Councilmen Yaeger said he would like to mention the Helicopter Service that is being considered and wondered if West Covina were going to join. The last thing done on this matter was it was being left to the Chiefs of Police and the City Administrators to get together - - I believe you people are in cooperation with us on this pretty much and the more I see of this the more I feel we should wind it up -because when agreed upon it probably wouldn't go into effect until September anyway, but if we are going to use it - it should be decided on and put in the budget that would shortly be under discussion by the Councils of both cities. Councilman Yaeger said he felt that the City of Covina and West Covina were the crux of the thing. Mayor Gleckman stated that as a Council they had not looked at it extensively but those of the Council that have are frankly looking favorably on it, and were awaiting a staff report. Covina advised that they were having a meeting on Thursday and there should be more conclusive answers shortly. Robert,_Johnson, Planning Commission Chairman of Covina, said hie felt the suggestions- - • C 0 0 ADJ. C.C. 3-18-69 Page Seven made this evening were very good and the Planning Commissions will get together and discuss them. Councilmen of both Cities agreed. Councilman Chappell asked that when the next meeting is called that an. agenda on the subjects to be discussed be prepared in advance so the Councilmen might prepare themselves in advance. This was agreed upon by all. Councilman Nichols said that all of the Councilmen that had spoken tonight did so in the concept of cooperation between the two cities and that he felt this was a firm directive to our staff to relate one to the other. Councilman Lloyd said he was much pleased with the opportunity to associate officially with the leadership of Covina and see the opportunity for dynamic action for both of these cities in the San. Gabriel Valley. He stated he felt that in the dialogue which was very free this evening that we will'find in the future some areas of disagreement but let us hope that we can find solutions to those in the same amicable manner displayed this evening. Councilman Gillum said he only wanted to say "thank you" for coming. Mayor Gleckman said in closing - let me add that I don't think either one of us would propose any of the things proposed tonight if we didn't have the capable staffs we have. For us to mutualLy sit down and agree on everything and then turn it over to our staffs - - I hope they understand how we really feel that they are capable staffs. And I know that we were not going to talk about the two cities joining - but I will say that some day I hope through a maybe freak accident - - there is really no reason why Covina and West Covina couldn't be one City and bring tremendous power and benefits to the East San Gabriel Valley. I don't know how it will happen or if ever it will happen and we were not going to discuss it, but I certainly can visualize the tremendous benefits the combined cities would bring to this area. Motion made b carried, that 4 p.m. ATTEST: City Clerk y Councilman Gillum, seconded by Councilman Lloyd, and this meeting adjourn at 9:20 p.m. to March 24, 1969, at APPROVED: - 7 - MAYOR