07-12-1976 - Regular Meeting - Minutes•'- ;,r
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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA
JULY 12, 1976
The regular meeting of the City Council.was called to order at
7:33 P.M. by Mayor Nevin Browne in the West Covina Council
Chambers. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Ken
Chappell; the invocation was given by the Reverend Charles R.
Simmons of the United Methodist Church.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Browne; Councilmen: Miller,
Chappell, Shearer, Tice
Others Present: Leonard Eliot, Acting City Manager
George Wakefield, City Attorney
Lela Preston, City Clerk
Michael Miller, Public Services Director
Ramon Diaz, Planning Director
Harry Thomas, City Engineer
Ross Bonham, Administrative asst.
Fred Terrell, Administrative Analyst
Renee Futter, Administrative Aide
Kevin Northcraft, Administrative Asst.
Harold Lange, Graphic Arts Delineator
MArk-Volmert, Administrative Asst-.lRedev.
Chet" Yoshizaki, Asst. Comm. Redev. Coord.
Carl Anderson, Supt. Rec. & Comm. Services
Patrick Rossetti, L.J. Thompson, Inc.,Assmt.Eng)
Bill Freemon, Staff Reporter, S.G.V.D.T.
Eric Cohen, Staff Reporter, Sentinel
PRESENTATION: Mayor Browne presented the Mayor's
Gavel and Plaque to Councilman Chappell
in recognition and appreciation of his
service to the City in 1975-76 as Mayor.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
June 22, 1976 Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Tice to approve
the minutes of June 22, 1976. Motion
carried.
June 28, 1976 The following corrections were made to
the minutes of June 28, 1976:
Page 3, paragraph 3 should read:
"...for a bicycle on the sidewalk..."
Page 13, paragraph 3 should read:
"...median income there of $13,000..."
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CITY COUNCIL July,12,' 1976
Approval of Minutes Page Two
Page 13, paragraph 6 should read:
"...I represent not just white..."
Motion made by Councilman Tice, seconded
by Councilman.Chappell.to approve the minutes of June 28, 1976 as
corrected. Motion carried.
CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Browne explained the procedure of
the Consent Calendar and asked if there
were comments on any of the following
items:
1. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
a)
WEST COVINA DISPOSAL CO.
Request for increase in charges
for disposal services. (Refer
to City Manager)
b)
HERSHEL E..JOHNSON
Request for mail order business
306 N..Nora Avenue
license. (Recommend approval
West Covina, Ca.
subject to City Attorney review)
c)
..BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Notice of Public Hearing - Zone
Case No. 6173-(1), Puente Zoned
District No. 76, for property
located at the southeast corner.
of Valley Blvd. & 3rd Avenue,
on 7/15/76. (Receive and file)
d)
KATHLEEN J. JONES
Re Appointments to Boards and
1428 S. Sandia Avenue.
Commissions. (Council)
West Covina, Ca.
2. PLANNING COMMISSION
a) SUMMARY OF ACTION
3. PERSONNEL BOARD
July 7, 1976. (Accept and file)
a) MINUTES .June 1, 1976. (Receive and file)
(Refer to City Attorney's Agenda
for Action Items from meeting,
items E-6 and E-7)
4. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
a) SUMMARY OF ACTION June 24, 1976. (Accept and file)
5. CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK
a)'-:'KATHY & JAMES K. BROWN Alleges illegal search and false
1105 S. Holly Place arrest on March 30, 1976. (Deny
West Covina, Ca. and.refer to City Attorney and
Insurance Carrier)
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CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Consent Calendar Page Three
b) JESSE P. VONBERKEFELDT Alleges injury while being
4122 N. Prospero, #2 arrested on 4/11/76. (Deny
Covina, Ca. and refer to City Attorney
and Insurance Carrier)
Mrs. Kathleen Jones requested that
item 1-d be removed from the Consent Calendar. Councilman Tice
requested that item 1-a be removed from the Consent Calendar, and
Councilman Miller requested that item 4 be removed for comment.
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Tice to approve the Consent Calendar
items with the exception of items 1-a, 1-d and 4. Motion carried
on roll call vote as follows:
ITEM 1-a -
WEST COVINA DISPOSAL
COMPANY
discuss the request for
AYES: Miller, Chappell, Shearer, Tice,
Browne
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Councilman Tice: I would like to suggest
.the same procedure as was followed last
year, after Staff review the Mayor and
Mayor Pro Tem meet with the officials.of
the West Covina Disposal Company to
an increase.
Mayor Browne: I would be in agreement with that, and
if the Mayor Pro Tem so desires, and the
Council so approves we will arrange for
that to happen this year.
Motion made by Councilman Tice, seconded
by Councilman Chappell that the Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem meet with
the principles of the West Covina Disposal Company to discuss the
requested rate increase. Motion carried.
ITEM 1-d -
KATHLEEN J. JONES Mrs. Jones: I would like to read into
RE APPOINTMENTS TO the record my fetter of July 8, 1976,
BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS addressed to Mayor Nevin Browne and the
West Covina City Council.
. "Dear Mayor Browne, Regarding the
presentation I made to the West Covina City Council on June 28,
1976, I would like to make the following points perfectly clear.
Number one, I am speaking as an individual,
a citizen of West Covina. Two, I personally developed and prepared
• my report during an intense ten hour period on Monday, June 28,
1976. My decision to express myself was not influenced by other
persons .
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CITY COUNCIL
Consent Calendar
July 12, 1976
Page Four
Since I was aware that my concerns
regarding the method of selection of West'Covina Commissioner and
Board members was of a sensitive nature, I intentionally presented
to Council factual information developed from West Covina Staff
personnel and West Covina Staff reports and booklets available to
the public.
Therefore, I was extremely surprised by
the verbal assault I received from the Council. The average
citizen, myself included, is nervous and apprehensive when they
speak before City Council; it is not a common every day experience.
When a citizen, any citizen, comes before Council to express thanks,
praise, suggestions, concerns, need, help, etc. they should expect
to receive polite consideration. I feel that polite consideration
was not extended to me. Council's comments to"::me were rude and
demeaning, and I was personally hurt by them. Your reactions to
my statements did not address themselves to the total intent of
-my presentation. You missed the point. The main thrust of my
statement was West Covina citizens were denied the opportunity
to apply for the three Commission or Board appointments available
since public announcement was not made to encourage a broader
citizen participation by those interested in filling out an
application. The socio-economical data I presented was a
statistical tool offered to reinforce my point. Also, Councilman
Miller's comments were especially disappointing to me because it
was my phone call to him on Friday afternoon, June 25, 1976,
which further stimulated my curiou ty regarding Council appoint-
ments.
I am not discouraged regarding Councils'
reactions on this matter. I realize that it was a difficult
situation for all of us. I am confident that the Council will
address itself to this.situation, and encourage broader citizen
participation for appointments in the future. Respectfully,
Kathleen J. Jones."
Councilman Tice: I appreciate Mrs. Jones' letter of
clarification; I think there was a mis-
understanding from the beginning on this.
However, I think there hasr.,,�been enough discussion on the matter,
and I. for one, have nothing else to say.
Councilman Shearer: A number.of the people in the audience
were not present at the meeting on June
28, 1976 to which Mrs. Jones has referred.
She has stated that a -number of Councils' comments were rude and
demeaning. If anyone is interested in my comments, I would
refer -,.them to the minutes of the meeting, page 13. I do not
believe that the comments I madewere rude or demeaning, and I
stand on the statement that I made, which in essence was, that
irrespective of my socio-economic,racial or religious background,
I represent z;a.11 of the citizens of West Covina.
Mayor Browne: I likewise would take the same stand as
Councilman Shearer. The minutes are
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CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Consent Calendar Page Five
open to the public. I feel that the explanation that I gave
was not demeaning to Mrs. Jones or had any intent of being
therefor. I was merely relating the due process which we .
go through in selecting Commissioners and Board members.
We have advertised; in fact, in previous years we have had less
:held over from one selection body to another. We are down to
the bottom of the list, and at the proper time we,will advertise
again.
Councilman Miller: It is good to see the interest of Mrs.
Jones. Hopefully, this will always be
a continuing factor and also for our
citizens to be involved. I think this is something we strive
for - to have people bring forth their concerns and comments.
I agree that we thoroughly exhausted
the comments the last time, and I am in concurrence with the
rest of the Council.
Councilman Chappell: I think that there were two sides that
were misunderstood; I believe that the
Council's side was also misunderstood
in the fact of hurt feelings. It was expressed by the Mayor, and
by me at the Citizens' Meeting prior to this how we conducted
appointments to Commissions and Boards. It is rather sad that
that is not good enough.. Many communities take very little time
and very little patience with their citizens, and,we spend a
tremendous amount of time interviewing citizens who come to us,
or through reading a newspaper find out that there are openings
available. I do not believe it is our responsibility to search
the City. I believe that those citizens who are in our community
who are interested in our community can come forth. I have had
several prior to this -meeting come to me and I.have advised them
to write a letter to the Mayor. The Mayor has received some of
those letters; they are on file. I think we handle appointments
of Commissioners and -Board members in an excellent manner, above
board through the examination and through the interviewing
process. We pick who.we think are the best. Five members of
our Council must agree.. If one member disagrees, that individual
will not serve. �We have 100 percent acceptance and attempt to
select the best citizens available in our community - citizens
who can spend the time, who have the type of job which will allow
them to spend the time. We have done an excellent job; I have
yet to hear a citizen (in my almost nine years on the Council)
say that we had a bum Commissioner or Board member. I think our
process of interviewing will continue to give us the best Council
representation that we possibly can receive.
• I just say to you, Mrs. Jones, I think
you are out of order in coming in the manner in which you prepared
your statements. You left off one complete Commission when you
told us the age_of the Commissioners, and the incomes of the
Commissioners. There are seven members on this Board, five of
which are women, and we were critici'z"ed for having only four
women Commissioners.
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CITY COUNCIL
Consent Calendar
July 12, 1976
Page Six
The whole vening, in my mind, should
not have happened, and I am sorry that it did happen. But, the
.thing is, we will continue to have our Hearings and our inter-
views, and allow citizens the opportunity of writinga letter
to the Mayor, whoever he may be, with the idea that they would
like to serve on a Commission. We have been doing this for the
nine years that I have been with the City, and I hope that we
will continue to do it for the ternity of our community.
.If you misunderstood us in our rebuttal
to your remarks, then I am sorry because they were factual. We
will continue to make appointments in the manner in which we
have been. If we pick a bad one, we will replace him; we have
that authority; they serve at our will and at our pleasure. We
pickethe finest citizens that are available that are interested.
I am not going to knock on doors to get people that are interested.
We have enough of them who come forth and ask how to get on the
Commissions and Boards.
I think that we do an excellent job,
Mayor, and I am just sorry that this continues to be an item
on our Agenda.
Mrs. Jones: Thank you.
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Tice to receive and file item 1-d of
the Consent Calendar. -Motion carried.
ITEM 4 - Councilman Miller: It was an honor for
HUMAN RELATIONS me to be at the Human Relations Commission
COMMISSION meeting on June 24. It was a unique
approach on their part. They held their
first meeting outside of the City Hall (at the First Baptist
Church on Cameron). The turnout was somewhat light, but I felt
it was a good turnout.. The meeting was very informative. In
fact, the people who were there who received awards and
commendations were well -deserving. I would encourage the public
to watch the newspapers, and any time the Human Relations
Commission is conducting a meeting - outside of City Hall, or
inside City Hall, I would encourage you to get involved.
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman.Tice to accept and file item 4 of the
Consent Calendar. Motion carried.
GENERAL AGENDA ITEMS
• AWARD OF BIDS
BID NO. 76-55 Bids were received in the office of the
FURNISHING UNIFORM Purchasing Agent at 10:00 A.M. on
SERVICES Wednesday, March 31, 1976, and there-
after publicly opened and read. Held
over from 4/12, 5/10 and 5/24/76 to
this date. Review Controller's report and award bid.
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CITY COUNCIL
Award of Bids
July 12, 1976
Page Seven
Motion made by Councilman Chappell,
seconded by Councilman Miller to award Bid No. 76-55 for
furnishing uniform cleaning services to Blue Seal Coverall
and Uniform Supply Service, and authorize the Acting City
Manager to execute the contract and annual purchase order in
the amount of $19,265.64. Motion carried on roll call vote
as follows:
PUBLIC WORKS
PRECISE PLAN NO. 17,
REVISION 19 - ACCEPT
IMPROVEMENTS
Keller & Grant, Inc.
(Eastland Theatre)
AYES: Miller, Chappell, Shearer, Tice,
Browne
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Location: Workman Avenue, east of
Citrus Street.
Accept street and sidewalk improvements
and authorize release of Federal
Insurance Company Faithful Performance
Bond No. 80633714 in the amount of
$4,500. (Staff recommends acceptance)
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Chappell to accept street and sidewalk
improvements and authorize release of Federal Insurance Company
Faithful Performance Bond No. 80633714 in the amount of $4,500.
Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Miller, Chappell, Shearer, Tice,
Browne
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
FEES AND CHARGES FOR
CERTAIN WATER DEPART
MENT SERVICES The City Attorney presented:
RESOLUTION NO. 5275 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
ADOPTED CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA,
CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING FEES FOR CERTAIN
SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE DELIVERY
OF WATER WITHIN WOODSIDE VILLAGE.
Motion made by Councilman Chappell,
seconded by Councilman Miller to waive further reading of the
body of the resolution. Motion carried.
• Motion made by Councilman Chappell,
seconded by Councilman Miller to adopt Resolution No. 5275.
Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Miller,
Browne
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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Chappell, Shearer, Tice,
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CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
City Attorney Page Eight
ORDINANCE INTRODUCTION The City Attorney presented:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA,'CALIFORNIA, ADDING
PART 4 TO CHAPTER 3 OF ARTICLE VI OF,
AND.REPEALING SECTIONS 4117, 4118, 4119
AND 4119.1 OF THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL
CODE RELATING TO THE REGULATION OF
GAMES OF:`.SKILL AND SCIENCE.
Councilman Miller: On page 2, under 6364, it talks about
$30.00 - is this in place of the Business
License fee?
Mr. Wakefield: It -.would be in lieu of the Business
License fee for those establishments
which are already operating as a business.
In those cases where an Unclassified Use Permit is required to
operate as an amusement center, the permit fee would be in addition
to the Business License.
Motion made by Councilman Shearer, seconded
by Councilman Tice to waive further reading of the body of the
Ordinance. Motion carried.
Motion made by Councilman Shearer, seconded
by Councilman_Tice to introduce said Ordinance. Motion carried.
T-iFARTNCC
AMENDMENT NO. 135
CATEGORICAL EXEMPTION
City Initiated
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
Proposed amendment to the Zoning Ordinance
of the West Covina Municipal Code relating
to regulations of signs in all zones
and certification that the Categorical
Exemption is consistent with the State
of California Environmental Quality Act.
Recommended by Planning Commission
Resolution No. 6-76-2661. Proof of
Publication in the West Covina Tribune
on July 1, 1976 received.
No one from the audience came forth
to speak on this matter.
Councilman Tice: I have attended a couple of Study
• Sessions on this, one with the West Covina
Chamber of Commerce. This is in line with
what I think we should have. I think this is a step in the right
direction; this clarifies many of the problems we have had before.
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CITY COUNCIL
Hearings - Amendment No. 135
July 12, 1976
Page Nine
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Miller to approve Amendment No. 135 to
the Zoning Ordinance of the West Covina Municipal Code. Motion
carried.
HILLSIDE MODIFICATION Location: West of Citrus Street, south
NO.,5;, CATEGORICAL of South Hills Country Club, east of
EXEMPTION - Sandy Hill Drive.
South Hillss Estates Request: Approval of setback modifica-
Southport Dev. Corp. tion.for 15 lots within a 51 unit develop-
ment known as South Hills Estates,
formerly the Homes of South Hills.
Recommended for approval by Planning Commission Resolution No.
6-76-2662. Proof of Publication in the West Covina Tribune on
July 1, 1976 received. 10 Mailed Notices.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
No one from the audience came forth to
speak on this matter.
COUNCIL DISCUSSION Councilman -Shearer: Mr. Wakefield, I
understand that after the action of the
Planning Commission, the applicant
submitted drawings showing that the need for certain modifications
was no longer necessary. Does that present a problem in Council's
action this evening?
Mr. Wakefield: No, if the Council approves modifications
as requested by the Planning Commission,
and as modified by the applicant, the
resolution will be made clear.
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Chappell to approve Hillside Modification
No. 5 as modified by the applicant. Motion carried.
STREET LIGHTING AND Location: Citywide
LANDSCAPING MAINTENANCE Request: Set for hearing of protests
DISTRICT NO. 1976-77 and/or objections of property owners and
PROTEST HEARING other interested parties for this date
by Resolution of Intention No. 5249
adopted June 14, 1976. Review Engineer's
report and take the following action:
a) Receive and file Affidavits of
Publication, Posting and Mailing.
b) Conduct Hearing.
c) Allow or overrule protests (if any)
and close Hearing.
d) Adopt resolution.
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CITY COUNCIL
Hearings - Street Lighting &
Landscaping Maintenance District
July 12, 1976
Page Ten
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
. seconded by Councilman Tice to receive and file Affidavits of
Publication, Posting and Mailing. Motion carried.
Mr. Thomas: We have a few slides showing some of
the typical conditions that would be
accommodated by this assessment district.
(Slides shown of areas to be included
in the Maintenance District - Amar Road,.easterly of Azusa
Avenue where the medians will not be constructed with District
funds, but maintained by the funds, raised median on Vincent
Avenue, Rowland Avenue median, Azusa Avenue medians, the land-
scaped portion of Amar Road, West Covina Parkway medians,
Sunset Avenue at Cameron Avenue medians.)
The.District, if adopted, will provide
maintenance for some 23,000 street trees.
(Slides shown of lighting maintenance
to be included in the District.)
Also included in the District will be
the cost of energy and maintenance of safety lights at inter-
sections.
The,proposal before you really consists
of two items; I would like to deal with them sequentially.
The first portion of .the District involves
Citywide landscaping maintenance. Included in this will be the
landscaped medians on major streets and the 23,000 street trees
located within public right-of-ways. This proposed District is
entirely new. The funds for maintenance at the present time are
coming entirely from gas tax funds. Prior to 1970, the gas tax
funds received by the City could only be used in a certain manner;
70 percent of the funds had -to be expended for capital improve-
ments on the City's major street system. The remaining 30 percent
of the funds could be used for maintenance on any City street.
Under those conditions, the cost for maintenance of the medians
and street.trees was funded primarily by the City's park fund.
In 1970, the gas tax rules were changed so that 50 percent of the
gas tax funds coming to the City could be used for maintenance of
the City's major street system; the remaining 50 percent could be
used for any street purpose. Because of increasing costs the last
. few years, an ever increasing amount of the gas tax funds have
gone to maintenance. At the present time, the current fiscal year,
no gas tax funds are available to capital improvements or major
street rehabilitation.
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CITY COUNCIL July 12-, 1976
Hearings - Street Lighting & Page Eleven
Landscaping Maintenance District
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Another problem that`,has developed in
that time has been the reduction in the value of the construction
• dollar. Since 1963, which was the last year in which cities
received an increase in gas.tax funds, there has been a reduction
of the purchasing power of the construction dollar to $0.39.
Gas tax funds had increased up until 1973 at about five percent
a year because of increasing consumption and increasing population
within the state. Since that time, they have been relatively
static at about the 1972 level, primarily because of increased
costs of fuel.
A further problem has developed for the
City, which comes as a result of the 1973 Federal Highway Act.
This Act, for the first time, provided a significant amount of
-funds for construction of capital improvements on streets in
urbanized areas. The City.of West Covina's allocation under this
program was approximately $272,000 per year. However, as with
most federal programs, the City is required tol,;;match funds from
local sources.on a ratio of about 17 percent. From 1973 to the
present time, the matching had been provided from the gas tax
fund. With the absence of any gas tax available for capital
improvements and no other funding sources available, the City
does not have the money to provide this match and stands to
lose over a half a million dollars over the next two years.
The District, as proposed, would release gas tax funds that could
match these federal funds and allow the City to retain them for
• much needed street improvements.
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The City, at the present time, has some
$15,000,000 in overall street deficiencies - storm drains,
deteriorating street pavement, required widenings in certain
areas, traffic signals and sidewalks. There are no funds available
to alleviate any of these deficiencies. The City is faced with a
problem in that as time goes by the cost of rehabilitation increases.
What might have been improved with a sealcoat ten years ago
requires resurfacing today, and probably reconstruction in the next
five years.
The gas tax fund which the City presently
receives is used entirely to finance street sweeping, landscaping
maintenance and minor street repairs. No funds are presently
available for major rehabilitation that is needed by much of the
City street system. Approximately 100 miles of local streets
were constructed during the.1950's. The bulk of these streets
are now in need of major rehabilitation. The proposed District
would release approximately $200,OOO to provide matching for the
federal funds and financing for major street rehabilitation on
streets not eligible for federal aide.
In Staff's opinion, it is essential that
the District be established.
CITY COUNCIL
Hearings - Street Lighting &
Landscaping Maintenance District
July 12, 1976
Page Twelve
(Mr. Thomas called attention to the
statistical charts and reviewed same with Council.)
On additional factor to the problem,
the County formerly provided about $80,000 per year for capital
improvements but can no longer provide this money because of
problems they are having. This was called the Highways Through
Cities Program.
In addition, the County has provided
about $100,000 per year in a program called Aide to Cities.
These funds, prior to 1970, were used for capital improvements.
In the period since then they have gone exclusively to maintenance
because of increasing costs. The County proposed this past fall
to eliminate this Program entirely; the cities prevailed upon the
County Board of Supervisors and they agreed to extend it for one
more year. The future of that Program is also'gravely in doubt.
SB-100 is pending before the State
Legislature which will increase the gas tax $0.02. Unfortunately,
none of the increase will come to the cities; it is exclusively
for the California Department of Transportation to offset the
loss of federal funds by that agency.
Staff has reviewed many alternatives to
• the proposed'District to generate sufficient revenue to provide
a viable improvement program for the City streets and to avoid
the loss of federal funds, which are badly needed for the City's
major street system. The result of these studies is the
recommendation before you tonight.
I would like to point out that typical
assessments for the District (Landscaping Maintenance only) range
from $7.50 for a parcel with a 50 foot frontage and located in
the general landscaping zone, to a maximum of $30.00 for a parcel
with a 12.0 foot frontage located in the residential landscaping
zone (per year).
-I would now like to deal with the lighting
maintenance aspects of the proposed District.. The charts summarize
the components of the District. (Mr. Thomas reviewed same with
the Council.)
The lowest residential assessment will be
$0.40 per front foot (lighting with overhead wiring), and the
highest assessment will be $0.45 per front foot (iincler.ground
wiring). The maximum assessment for the commercial zone will be
. $2.27 per front foot.
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CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Hearings - Street Lighting & Page Thirteen
Landscaping Maintenance District
The City first established the Street
Lighting District in 1959. At that time it included about 3,000
• parcels primarily located in the business areas. Between 1959
and 1966 many districts were established to install street lights
in residential areas throughout the City. As the street lights
were installed, these districts were consolidated into a Citywide
District for maintenance purposes. The first overall Citywide
District was established in 1966 and included some 12,000 parcels.
These districts were established pursuant to the Street Lighting
Act of 1919, and were primarily for maintenance purposes and
could only be established for a maximum of five years; they had
to be renewed at that interval.
The current Lighting District, which has
been in effect since 1971, expires this year. Staff would propose'
that it be renewed and that enabling legislation be changed to
the Landscaping and Lighting Act of 1972. The primary reason for
this recommendation is that the District would'be a perpetual one,
it would not expire in five years. Because of this, it would be
possible to realize a savings,66f about $19,000 each five years
in setup costs.
The District essentially provides for
maintenance and energy required to service the City's some
6,500 street lights. It is anticipated that some small amount
per year ($20,000) would be used for capital improvements if the
. funds are available within the District,
The District envisions an overall increase
of 20 percent in -current rates because of the increase in energy
costs. The Southern California Edison Company presently has
pending a 20 percent rate increase request before the Public
Utilities Commission; we anticipate that will be approved. The
cost of energy has risen dramatically in the last five years.
(Pointed out charts depicting this fact.)
The District contains a six percent
contingency to offset the fuel adjustment costs. This is an
increase which the Edison Company can secure on an informal
basis without Public.Hearing to offset any increases in the cost
of fuel. It has been very unpredictable and has increased ata
very rapid rate since it was -first introduced in 1972.
, No improvements of any significance are
contemplated in the District. It is primarily a renewal to
:,maintain what is existing in the City.
is Staff recommends that the District be
approved.
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CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Hearings - Street Lighting & Page Fourteen
Landscaping Maintenance District
Councilman Shearer: You indicated in your comments very
little, if any, improvements. For the
• benefit of those who are here and read
the signs on the light poles and trees, would you explain why
the word "Improvement" appeared on the notices?
Mr. Thomas: The District can be used for improvements
and maintenance. Our intent is to use
it for maintenance. However, the State
Law requires that the notices be headed "Notice of Improvement"
in letters at least one inch in height. That is why the notices
had that wording on them, even though the District is for main-
tenance purposes.
Councilman Chappell: If we stay with the 1919 Act, would
there be a reduction or an increase
in rates verses the 1972 Act?
Mr. Thomas: The 1919 Act would produce no increase
in the rates.for electrical energy,
however, there would be an additional
cost of some $19,000 over the five year period for setup charges.
So, the overall rates would be higher by a small percentage with
the 1919 Act.
Mayor Browne: Mrs. Preston, have you received any
• written protests or objections to
this matter?
Mrs. Preston: Two letters were received on the matter,
which I have made copies of, and we have
received lots of phone calls.
Mayor Browne: But, no written protests.
Mrs. Preston: No official written protests.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
Mr. J. Stinger I am not here to protest; I am here to
802 E. Barbara get a legal explanation of the signs
West Covina, Ca. posted on the light poles. What does
the City intend to do regarding the
landscaping and the existing lights? Will they be changed?
I am concerned because I. and my neighbors, have growth along
the City parkway. .
• Mayor Browne: No, sir. There will be no changes in
the street lighting currently in the
City. There will be improvements made
from time to time as deterioration takes place. There is no
intent of removing any landscaping; it is merely for the maintenance
of the existing landscaping.
- 14 -
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Hearings - Street Lighting & Page Fifteen
Landscaping Maintenance District
All we are doing is changing the
method of the District from the 1919 to the 1972 Act to
• afford the City a better opportunity to maintain an economic
balance.
•
Mr. Stinger:
Just what kind of lighting,do we have?
Mr. Thomas: The lighting that we have at the present
time is what is called a mercury vapor
light. It is a.high intensity source
which is quite efficient.
Mrs. P. Wessel I have no protest whatsoever against
802 S. Lark Elleh the lighting. The more lighting we
West Covina, Ca. have, the more important it is to the
City.
But, I do question why we need land-.
scaping in all of the median strips. Taxes are going up in
the County and the City this year. This is also a tax increase.
The landscaping takes maintenance,
which is expensive. I do not believe it is going to get cheaper
either.
What does the median landscaping and
planting do for.our City? It is very lovely, but what does it
actually do for the City of West Covina?
Mayor Browne: This landscaping district will maintain
those medians previously planted. The
City is now using low -maintenance as
the theme for planting; Staff has been going in that direction
for about a year and a half now. The funds will not be used to.
plant new medians.
Mrs. Wessel: Are we going to borrow this money from
the General Fund, and then repay it?
Mayor Browne: In.essence, those are the facts.
Mrs. Wessel: The report does not indicate that the
funds will reach any limit.
Mayor Browne: The funds will be based upon the precise
costs of maintenance; it will be based
upon the expenditures.
Mrs. Wessel:
But, there will be no limit?
Mayor Browne: At this time, the limitations are setforth
by the figures established by Staff in
the report. The only increase I would
foresee would be in the costs of salaries and materials needed
for maintenance.
- 15 -
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Hearings - Street Lighting & Page Sixteen
Landscaping Maintenance District
Mrs. Wessel: This could be highly escalating as the
years go on.
• Mayor Browne: I would rather doubt it would escalate
that rapidly.
Mrs. H. Miller In 1966, we, on our street, were to have
1432 E. Portner lights installed. We got together and
West Covina, Ca. paid money to have our lights under -
grounded, and paid for the type of pole
which does not require maintenance.
We were assessed in 1967, and we understood that,a lighting
district was spread out over the City, and that the cost would
decrease rather than increase. We first were assessed $19.70
in 1971; then up to $24.00 in 1972; $29.74 in 1974; and, last
year it went up to $40.00. Is this assessment that you are
talking about, $0.40 per front foot, an additional assessment
over what we are already paying for our lighting?
Mr.Thomas: The assessment as presented is the
total amount. In that particular zone,
prior assessment for this year was
$0.36 per front foot, so it would go up $0.04 per front foot
for a total of $0.40.
• The lighting districts were setup to
install lights; so there was a fairly high assessment cost
because it included the cost of installation plus the cost of
energy. We anticipated at the time that this was done that the
assessments would decrease, but, unfortunately, the energy costs
have increased some six -fold in about five years, so the overall
assessment has gone up even though it includes no capital
improvements at the present time; it is strictly an energy and
maintenance charge.
Mrs. Miller: Since our lighting is underground and
we paid for that, will we be charged
the $0.40 or $0.45 per front foot?
Mr. Thomas: The areas that have underground lights
will be assessed at $0.45. I believe
that Mr. Rossetti, the Assessment
Engineer who'laid out the spreads, should comment on that.
Mr. Rossetti: There are two areas, Woodside Village
and a new area coming in which will
be assessed at $0.45. Your area has
• already paid for your lights, so therefore you will be paying
$0.40.
Mr. Wakefield: I think we are creating some confusion
here. Mr. Rossetti, when you refer to
$0.40, that is the assessment for street
lighting maintenance, and does not include the landscaping.
- 16 -
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Hearings - Street Lighting & Page Seventeen
Landscaping Maintenance District
Mr. Rossetti: That is correct. $0.40, the minimum,
is just for the energy costs and
• maintenance of lighting.
Mr. Anderson Are these two things being considered
750 E. Merced as one, or are we con•s,idering them
West Covina, Ca. separately?
Mayor Browne: At the present time, we are considering
them as the same action. However, the
Council has the prerogative of separating
them and taking two actions.
Mr. Anderson: In regard to the tandscape Maintenance
District, I think the City Engineer just
said that there is a good probability
that we are going to lose another piece of County money. And,
in regard to the rapidly escalating scale, I think the Mayor
said that would not necessarily be. We are assuming that the
County is going to continue giving us money, and then if that
is cutoff, I can see this escalating very;rrapidly. Once the
district is in operation, then I presume it is just a matter of
raising it as you see fit for the needs of the district, and,
assuming the County did drop us, does that mean that we have
to get the money from someplace to keep the district in operation?
When I saw the signs, it looked to me like the solution would be
• to put the cobblestones in and landscape without too much
maintenance.
Mayor Browne: That is the direction that we are going.
Mr. Anderson: If that is the case, and you put cobble-
stones in with money we already have,
why do we need a district that starts
out at $0.15 that could very well escalate very rapidly if the
County and other people withdraw their money? I am concerned
that once we have it, then we have it and simply raise it because
the district is there. Without it, you could not automatically
assess.
Mayor Browne: The fact is that we do have landscaping
that we have to maintain. We are
preparing the maintenance of it because
we envision the taking away of the present funds for street
maintenance. The monies allocated in the past have been reduced
over the last few years. The ATC funds will probably be taken
away and those have gone to street maintenance. The City
Engineer related.those facts to us, and this is a separate item
• from what he was speaking about; he merely related the facts so
we could get our half million dollars in matching funds to
maintain our streets, and cover ourselves at such time as we do
lose the ATC fund.
- 17 -
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976.
Hearings - Street Lighting & Page Eighteen
Landscaping Maintenance District
Mr. Anderson: Are you saying that in order to get our'
half million we have to have a Landscape
• Maintenance District?
Mayor Browne: I am not saying that. We are trying to
save enough money out of our General
Funding factor so that we can.have
matching funds to get the half million dollars.. The only process
that we have is by withdrawing that money.
Mr. Anderson:.. It seems to me that what we are doing
then is a matter of trying to save money
in order to get $500,000 from the federal
government rather than a specific program for landscape maintenance.
It is a constant, constant situation. The
minute I see a new district opening up with a rate of $0.15,
which sounds reasonable enough to a guy with an SO foot frontage,
but then when it comes to $0.30, $0.40 or $0.50 for commercial
today and then it becomes $2.00, the guy that is in the commercial
building is still going to have to put the price to me as a
consummer.
Councilman Shearer: Your comments about low maintenance
medians are well -taken. That is something
• we are trying to.do. But, the biggest
cost of maintenance in this district is some 23,000 street trees
.that are already in.
Mr. Anderson: Every tree on our block was taken out
by the City,.and replaced with a small
tree after they tore up the street and
sidewalks to take out the big tree and then repaired them. The
point is, I will.plant my own tree. I will plant a tree that
is going to grow down'into the ground.
Councilman Tice:• This is one way that we are trying to
take care of the streets in the City.
Some of the streets are 15 to 25 years
old. We do not have the funds to properly maintain these streets,
and we are trying to figure out ways of funding this so we can
maintain them. If we don't do something in the next few years,
it is going to cost every citizen in this City quite a bit more
to rebuild.those streets.
Mr. R. Wiggins I would like to address myself particu-
1950 E. Eckerman larly to the federal funds. I think
• West Covina, Ca. that if we, as cities and communities,
were not so.greedy to get -federal funds,
maybe our federal taxes would be reduced. We are all out to get
money at some point. All of us are very concerned. Today, in
the face of the economic situation that we are all confronted with,
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Hearings - Street Lighting & Page Nineteen
Landscaping Maintenance District
(cited the price of coffee today), as responsible representatives
of the local government I feel you have a direct obligation to the
• citizens to consider all of us. Some of us are. facing very
difficult times, and their -are people in our community under very
severe stress"'e,. I do not really feel that we always have to seek
federal funds. I think we should be doing everything in our
power to alleviate this, if we possibly can, and I should hope
that other communities will do the same.
I am concerned about an increased tax
rate generally that is going to hurt and effect a lot of us.
People are at the point of revolt with respect to tax.
I do feel that we should maintain our
street lighting, and that consideration should be given to any
type of improvement that has to be made as to whether or not it
is absolutely necessary and essential to the well being, safety
and protection of this community. Sometimes things are considered
that are totally unnecessary.
I can see the value of street maintenance,
but I do think that today, more than ever before, great discretion
;should be given to what streets are maintained.
As responsible leaders of our community,
• all of us want to look to you as men of integrity and judgment
who are considering what it costs today to stay alive. Some of
us are actually concerned about what it is going to be like in
the next day or two. We have a lid on our income; we have a lid
on our circumstances, and we are fearful with respect, to our
homes. I am concerned about increased taxes when everything
else is going up so high and so rapidly. I would like to .
encourage you to see what you can do to hold the line on taxes.
In fact, if I were on the City Council, I would dedicate myself
that maybe-,,, with the help of God, I could lower taxes.
Mrs. L. Bergman The recent budget sessions held by
4260 Leaf Ave. Council presented a balanced budget.
West Covina, Ca. Was this assessment district outside
the actions or the discussions of the
budget sessions?: If it was outside, then what form of relief
does that give to the actual budget, and what is the intent for
the additional funds? If it is not outside, then how does it
actually correlate with the discussions on expenses for the
improvements of City streets or street sweeping? One comment
was that we may have to go to sweeping streets every other week.
Will there be any further exploration by the Council on
• alternative activities to reduce costs?
- 19 -
1 i
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Hearings - Street Lighting & Page Twenty
Landscaping Maintenance District
Mayor Browne commented that Council
has the option to take both actions together or separately.
• If these are setup as separate districts, would it not, in
fact, entail the same $19,000 to setup a district if the Act
of 1919 was kept in?
I would like to have you also discuss
the status of the very comprehensive program that the City has
had for many years regarding the five year plan'on street
maintenance. I do remember that there was a definite action
regarding primary streets, secondary streets and tertiary
streets. What is the state now that calls so much attention
to the fact,'
that.if certain funds are released that it will
apply to the City streets?
The comment was made that gas tax
funds are not available. And, yet another comment that if
something is released, then those will have another application.
Which is, in effect, true?
What is the actual total amount that
will be applied and assessed to a property? Are those
properties in any more than the two areas indicated by the
Assessment Engineer- Woodside Village being one. I had the
idea that there was some assessment applied to the distance
from the actual median strips.
• Have any of you ever seen a cobblestone
section after a rain? If the rain is followed by a warm spell,
you will find mosquitos in it. So it has proved to be a breeding
ground. Eventually, though, it does evaporate. What is wrong
with a very flat surface; what is the advantage of cobblestones?
They.gather dust, soil and water. Possibly an even cheaper mode
of covering -those areas could be found.
Mr. Thomas: The budget which you considered does
not include any capital improvements;
those are outside of the scope of the
budget which.has been considered to this point.
The five year program is the City's
capital improvement program. At this point of time, there is
no money in that program. Federal funding would be available
for the program, but.it requires matching funds, which we do
not have.
The design,of the medians has been
an evolutionary thing over the last ten years, since the policy
• was adopted that landscaped medians would be provided on the
major streets.. The designs which have been proposed are intended
to enhance the City, and provide a benefit to the value of
adjoining properties. Maintenance of some of the unlandscaped
areas, aside from being unsightly, is required (weed removal, etc.)
so there is really no such thing as a maintenance -free median.
- 20 -
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Hearings - Street Lighting & Page Twenty-one
Landscaping Maintenance District
We are attempting to come up with a design that will be
aesthetically pleasing, and provide the most benefits at the
• lowest cost.
The total assessment Citywide is $228,000.
This will release about $200,000 in gas tax funds that.are now
committed to maintenance such as street sweeping and maintenance
of the landscaped medians. The remaining costs, the difference
is mainly for the setup charges for the district.
ATC funds are not being used for land-
scaping. If those.funds are terminated by the County, they
could not be made up with funds from this district. They would
have. to be made up from some other source, or there would have
to be a reduction of service.
The rates established by the district
are the maximum that can be levied at the present time. It
requires notification and a Public Hearing before these rates
can be increased.
Mayor Browne: In relation to the costs of separating
the two and setting up two districts,
would that cost an additional $19,000?
• Mr. Rossetti: The reason that we are considering the
Landscaping Maintenance District is
because we have the Street Lighting
Maintenance District renewal coming up. If we set it up with
the Street Lighting District, we could use a lot of the data
and material for -the Street Lighting District to accommodate the
Landscaping Maintenance District.. If you are going to setup two
districts separately, you are talking about $40,000 against
$65,000. So, we think there is about $25,000 savings by going
this approach.
Mr. H. Glassburner I understand. there is a quarter of a
243 N. Lang million dollars a year of federal
West Covina, Ca.. funds available if we match it. The
City's contribution would be 17 percent.
That, in my figures, comes to $42,500
per year I am.a't a little bit of a loss as to how we can come
up with $55 per<,front foot in order to.ge.t the federal funds.
Mr. Thomas: We are really faced with two problems.
One is the matching for federal funds,
which amounts to approximately $53,000
• per year. The other problem that the City is faced with is a
deteriorating local street system that is not eligible for
federal funding, and which has no other funds available for
rehabilitation. The balance of the amount released, $145,000,
would be used for this purpose. This is basically for resurfacing
on local streets. Streets built some 25 years ago and have had
no major maintenance in that time period and now are in need of
overlay,.and in some cases, reconstruction.
- 21 -
11
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Hearings - Street Lighting & Page Twenty-two
Landscaping Maintenance District
Mr. Glassburner: Then do I understand we are playing games,
we are going to put fancy median strips
in some districts in order to get a
certain percent of funds to maintain streets that should have been
fixed a long time ago?
Mr. Thomas: That is not quite accurate. There is
no money being provided for construction
of median strips. It is for maintenance
of the areas that already exist, and those that would be land-
scaped from other funding sources.
Mr. Glassburner.:. You showed a picture of Amar road and
said that money was available. Where
did it come from?
Mr. Thomas: No, that money is not available. It
would come from either the federal
funds or from other funds that would
be available; i.e. gas tax fund.
Councilman Shearer: The ultimate decision as to whether any
additional medians, street trees, etc.
are planted (which will then entail
perpetual maintenance) lies with the Council. Council has not
taken any action with regard to Amar. Whether or not those
will ever be landscaped would be speculation at this time;
there is no money. At the time that the -Council would consider
it, we would also be required to consider if we are doing our
job properly. In addition, we also have to ask ourselves, how
are we going to maintain this in the future? These factors are
very legitimate, but they have not been addressed to.
Whether past Councils have made mistakes
or not in putting in street trees, we have them. Just like with
the City Hall; there have been a lot of debates as to whether we
should have it or not.. But, we have it and we have certain
.obligations to maintain it because it is here. That is the
purpose of this.district at this point - to maintain what we
already have. Our alternative is to let it die, and I do not
think I would be responsible in representing you if I would
make a decision to let it.die any more than I would be to let
the lights go out because I did not pay the bill to the Edison
Company.
We are not talking about new things that
cost more money; -we are talking about keeping even with what we
have today.
Mr.. Glassburner: These funds are not in addition to what
we are currently paying?
Mayor Browne: No.
Mr. Glassburner: I was misinformed. I came into the City
Engineer's office about a week ago and
- 22 -
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Hearings - Street Lighting & Page Twenty-three
Landscaping Maintenance District
a young man informed me that it was going to be a $0.40 charge -
$0.25 for the lighting, and $0.15 for the landscaping.
• Mayor Browne: When I say "no" I mean on the street
lighting portion, there will be an
additional charge on landscaping.
Mr. Thomas: Yes, the minimum residential rate is
$0.40 per front foot, however, the
present rate is $0.36, so there is a
$0.04 increase on that rate for street lighting. The landscaping
is entirely new; it is an assessment that has not been levied
before. It is $0.15 per front foot in the general area, and
$0.25 per front foot where there is a special benefit.
Mr. Glassburner: The information given me was that it
would be a total of $0.40.
Thank you very much for your time.
Mr. B. Fox I believe that we are paying taxes at
532 Chapman the present time to some department to
West Covina, Ca._ maintain our trees. Is that correct?
Mayor Browne: It is part of your total City tax. It
comes out of the General Fund and gas
• tax funds.
Mr. Fox: And, we have a lighting district?
Mayor Browne: We have a lighting district and the
additional cost will be a matter of $0.04.
Mr. Fox: In other words, we are going to form one
district for both?
Mayor Browne: Right.
Mr. Fox And, we are already paying taxes to the
City's General Fund to maintain those
trees?
Mayor Browne: No, as far as the lighting district, you
are paying separately at the present time.
This will entail a $0.04 increase over
the present rate. Planting trees, etc. came out of the park fund
or from the gas fax fund.
• Mr. Fox: Right.. But, there is a department to
maintain those trees and parkways at
the present time. Are they going to be
the same people who are going to maintain them in the future if
this goes into effect?
- 23 -
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Hearings — Street Lighting & Page Twenty-four
Landscaping Maintenance District
Mayor Browne: I would imagine that they would be; we
have no intent of changing personnel.
Mr. Fox: In other words, there will be nothing
but landscaping involved as far as the
maintenance is concerned?
Mayor Browne: As.part of the landscape maintenance, yes.
Mr_, Fox: Then why add that with the lighting?
Mayor Browne: I believe Mr. Rossetti explained that.
(Reiterated those comments.)
(Mayor Browne reviewed the district's
intent and costs with Mr. Fox.)
Mr. 0. Riggins In hearing the Staff report, and sensing
1239 W. Rowland the mood of the Council; it appears that
West Covina, Ca. we are going to have this ',district.
I am not so sure that it is wrong that
we have it, but I naturally resist any additional governmental
agency being added to -my tax roll.
• Would it be proper to add into this
legislation a limiting budget factor? In that way this Council
or any Council would have to give notice to the citizens and
come before us again before they could go"past that limit. If
it is not proper under present precedent, why don't we establish
the precedent of setting limits?
11
Mr. Wakefield: The City is proceding this evening under
a State statute enacted in 1972. That
statute does not establish specific
limits either in terms of cents per assessment or percentages for
the amounts that can be levied pursuant to the statute for street
lighting or street landscape maintenance. However, whatever rates
are established initially will be the rate that will prevail
unless City gives notice to the effected property owners of an
increase and holds another Hearing such as it is doing this
evening.
Mr. F. Tenent I am not here to protest. I think the
4922 W. Virginia district has a lot of merit, and the
West Covina, Ca. costs sound rather reasonable for what
is to be done.
. But, I would like to echo a previous
gentleman's concern. As I understand it, this district is not
governed by SB-90, and there is no ceiling on it. Although I
have great confidence in this City Council and this particular
City Staff, we do not know what will happen in future years.
- 24 -
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Hearings - Street Lighting &; Page Twenty-five
Landscaping Maintenance District
You have not stated tonight precisely
• what percent of the money in the district will be used for
salaries.
There has been some publicity that you
would transfer fringe benefits from the General Fund into the
district.
My concern is this, the greatest
abuses of the property tax dollar, and perhaps all public dollars
today, are monies paid to employees, particularly fringe benefits
and pension�� funds . _ I would be very concerned if you do carry",out
any plans to transfer fringe benefits, particularly pension funds,
into the district.. This would set up a tremendous mechanism for
abuse in future years.
As'recently as this morning in the Los
Angeles Times, there was an -article stating that public salaries
today run five to six percent above those in the private sector
with comparable jobs.
Mr. Thomas:' On the landscaping, I do not have a
precise figure on what will go for
salaries, but I would imagine it is
• pretty close to what the.average is Citywide which is around
70 percent'of the total budget. As far as the street lighting
is concerned, 10 percent of the total amount goes into engineering
and related services; the remaining 90 percent goes to pay the
energy costs for the district. The salaries are extremely low
because the work (maintenance) is done essentially by the Edison
Company. However, on the landscaping district, my expectation
is that it ,;will be significantly higher because the work will
.be done by City forces.
Councilman Shearer: On the question of fringe benefits, etc.
I would have to assume that the fringe
benefits related to the particular
landscape maintenance man.or tree trimmer, however many, would be
paid from this source. I assume it would be both immoral and
illegal to:try to play games and, say, pay for the fringe benefits
for the Planning Department or the Fire Department out of monies
generated by this district. The only fringe benefits which will
be paid will be for those people actually doing the landscape
work in connection with the particular landscaped area.
Mr. Tenent: I would suggest that if it was just for
• those people employed within the district
that it would be wise at this time to
setup some type of a formula innate to West Covina similar to
what SB-90 calls for on a wider basis. This could setup the
potential for abuse in the future, if not..
- 25 -
•
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Hearings - Street Lighting & Page Twenty-six
Landscaping Maintenance District
Councilman Tice: For the past two years, the City has
been working towards a system called
Cost Center Accounting. Each specific
area carried its own load - benefits, salaries and soforth, so
we know exactly what.we are spending for 'a particular function.
Mr. J. Simpson Re the lighting district, it is fine
1426 Pioneer Dr, except that when you call into the City
West Covina`', Ca. no one seems to -know who maintains
them. I have been told that Edison
maintains them, but when you call Edison, they say the City
maintains them. Our lights are constantly out, which is another
problem.
But-, back to the maintenance district,
what guarantee do we in the City have that this money will be
spent for the City and not around the City Hall and the Fashion
Plaza?
The charts show $130,000 for tree
tramming. I have been in the district for'seven years; the
only thing that has happened in our -area is that we have to
clean our lawns three and four times a day if we want to keep
it looking right. The trees have never, never been maintained
in our area. I would like to know what is planned in this
phase so that the money is spread throughout the district.
Mr. Thomas: The money that is budgeted for tree
trimming is only for trees that are
located within the public right-of-ways;
there are.some 23,000 trees in the City so located maintained by
a crew of approximately five or six men. Thela.ndscaping around
the City Hall and the Fashion Plaza, in one case is on privately
owned property, and in the other it is on public property, but
not on public right-of-way. It would be illegal to use funds
to maintain those areas out of this district.
Mayor Browne:
Councilman Shearer:
Mr. Simpson:
to be cleaned up two or
City Hall maintenance is under a separate
contract.
Might I suggest that tomorrow the Pioneer
Drive area be looked at to determine if
there is a need for tree trimming.
We have magnolia trees that the City
planted. They are shallow rooted trees
and are tearing*up our lawns and have
three times a day.
- 26 -
f
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Hearings-SStreet Lighting_& Page. Twenty-seven
Landscaping Maintenance District
Councilman'[Shearer:, If I am correct, the landscape main-
tenance of trees does not include
•
o cleaning up of the leaves; it is
merely the.tree itself, the pruning, etc. Maintenance of the
lawns is the responsibility of the individual property owners.
Mayor Browne:. This would also provide for pruning or
removal of any tree. Mr. Eliot, please
look into this request.
For information, the City is replanting
in areas where trees have been removed with a deep root type
that will not injure sidewalks, curbways, or roads.
Mr. Thomas: There is a Master'Plan for Street Trees
with these factors taken into account.
Mrs. Bergman: Many of my questions were not answered;
may I restate the one most important in
my thinking?
Mayor Browne: Go ahead.
Mrs. Bergman: The Councilddid arrive at a balanced
budget during budget sessions. The
City Engineer commented that there was
•
no capital "improvement within that budget. I was not referring
to capital 'improvement, I was referring to the costs involved in
the budget for street maintenance, landscape maintenance, etc..
If these items are taken out, on what date would the district
be effective? Would it be this fiscal year? If those charges
-are then taken out and put into the district, what is the Council's
plan regarding the budget at that time?
Mayor Browne: We have not balanced the budget yet, we
are still in budget sessions. We did not
know what the reassessed :,evaluation
factor was.',i We have one more session to go, and possibly two.
I will ask Mr. Eliot to answer your question in relationship to
the maintenancellandscape maintenance district in the present
budget as presented to be balanced.
Mr. Eliot: ..As the budget was presented to the
Council for their consideration, the
funding for -the landscape maintenance
district remained with the gas tax funds, as,in the past. The
effect of the landscape maintenance district being adopted
•
would be as Mr. Thomas related. The funds would then come from
the landscaping district to maintain the landscaping, and, there-
fore, the gas tax funds would be availab.le,for budgeting by the
City Council. It is Staff's recommendation that those funds be
used for street construction.
- 27 -
i
CITY COUNCIL
Hearings ;;Street Lighting &
Landscaping Maintenance District
July 12,.1976
Page Twenty-eight
Mrs. Bergman: Then, there would be reimplementation
of the five year plan.
Mayor Browne: That is correct.
Mrs. Bergman: In the total landscape district, since
it is a continuing factor, is there any
time where variations from .the existing
application could occur? An amount cannot be reassessed, but
what if there is redirection of the purpose? Does that have to
be subject,to Public Hearing?.
Mayor Browne:
Mrs. A. Lawrence
1924 Foster Ave.
West Covina, Ca.
Yes.
I came here tonight totally unprepared
and totally unaware of what was going
on. I just received my notice in the
mail today.
Due to circumstances beyond my control,
I had to leave my property here in West Covina and rent it out.
Since I have�been.away from the property, my beautiful trees
have been taken out without any notification to me. I now have
little trees, some dead, which I.have been trying to nurse back
for two years. I have tried to get in touch with the City
offices toli,have the trees taken out and replaced. But., I have
had no response and have been given the run-around in the City
building.
I am totally against being assessed for
anything right now. I think we should wait until the economy
stab,ilizes,'a little bit. I am in dire straits. I have this
piece of property that I hoped I could maintain and keep for my
daughter and myself, but I don't see.how I can. My taxes have
more than doubled, which makes it hard.for me to try to rent
the property. My rent tenants do not stay long; they abuse the
property. .My property has depreciated all of the time that I
have been away. Mytaxes have increased, and yet I cannot sell
the property because I cannot maintain it the way it should be
for sale purposes. The City is going to get it, and that is
just pushing too far. I tried to appeal my taxes last year, but
I find you ''cannot buck City Hall. I do not think this is the
right time"to push more assessments and more .costs on people
that are in dire straits.
Mayor Browne:' Mrs. Lawrence, I think you are confusing
the City with the County. Your great
increase in taxes, which have gone up
consistently in the County, the school districts; the City has
not raised ''taxes in two, years. This will be the first considera-
tion that this City Council has given in the two years that I
have been on it towards raising any funds to meet existing needs.
The City would not get your house; we have no intent of doing that.
28 -
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Hearings - Street Lighting & Page Twenty-nine
Landscaping Maintenance District
I am concerned about your calling
City Hall and not receiving the attention that you desired in
• relation to the trees that were removed and replainting of
those. Before you sit down, please address yourself to the
Acting City Manager, and I am sure that we will take care of
that problem.
Councilman Tice: I am rather concerned that these trees
were removed without Mrs. Lawrence's
permission. Pherhaps the renters who
had your house called for the removal of them.
Mrs. Lawrence: I don't know; they said the City just
came in and took them out.
Councilman Tice: Please find out and let the Council
know(Mr.,Eliot).
MAYOR BROWNE CALLED A RECESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL AT 9:30 P.M.
THE CITY COUNCIL RECONVENED AT 9:48 P.M.
Mr. Hawkinson Does the district involve the whole
West Covina, Ca. City of West Covina?
Mayor Browne: Yes.
• Mr. Hawkinson: I would like to know why the entire
City was not posted according to law.
Mr. Thomas: The entire City was posted, but I do
not know what the life of the posters
was. Unfortunately, many of the posters
were removed almost immediately after they were placed.
Mr. Hawkinson: How do you arrive at each assessment
for each parcel?
Mr. Rossetti: We breakdown the different zones, the
types of lighting benefits, the types of
lights, the types of landscaping and the
landscaping benefits.
Mr. Hawkinson: You have the figures then for each parcel?
Mr. Rossetti: Yes.
(Mr. Hawkinson requested to see the
• figures for a certain parcel, so, :he and Mr. Rossetti left the
podium to view the assessment book, and the meeting continued.)
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
- 29 -
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Hearings - Street Lighting & -Page Thirty
Landscaping Maintenance District
COUNCIL DISCUSSION
• Councilman Miller: At the City Council meeting on June 14,
19763 I voted against having this
Hearing include -.the landscape main-
tenance district only. From the Hearing I hear tonight and what
I understand of the situation, I feel we are somewhat premature.
I still feel that the landscape maintenance district should not
be at this time approved.
Staff has definite, legitimate concerns
that they have presented to us tonight, especially the major
lack of concern for lack of funds to continue major rehabilitation
of City streets. So, it is a fact that, as a Council, we have to
look at this problem, address it and tackle the problem.
Given the budget for the coming=year,
1976-77, it is possible, as I understand it, to, transfer General
Funds which could be used for the $53,000 matching funds for
the Federal Highway Act and then replace that with federal
revenue sharing. I don't generally like�to use revenue sharing
to balance out the budget; it has been done in the far past.
But, as I see this, it is an emergency type of situation. Given
that fact, I think this is one possible way.of going. True,
we will only have $272,000 to work with for major street con-
struction, but, at least, this gives us something to.work with;
it gives us something to at least hold the line with at this
time.
Our City is still growing. Given the
fact that -in fiscal year 1977-78 hopefully the economy will
continue on the upswing, Wie will see increased sales tax
revenue next year which also can address itself to future major
street development.
I just feel that at this time it would
be best to hold the line, and address this problem a year from
now when we see our City in a more developed stage. If, at that
time, we are faced with a critical situation, then let us
consider other revenue alternatives. If we are looking at a
$15,000,000 problem as has been presented in this report, this
is a major problem that may need to be addressed through other
types of funding, possibly a bond issue, which would give the
people a chance to vote. This isa way of letting the people
have a say-so, but, also, -once the bonds -are paid off, they are
paid off. They are not.on an on -going basis as is taxation.
• So, with those statements, I will be
voting against that part (landscaping maintenance district) of
the budget.
- 30 -
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 19;7,6
Hearings - Street Lighting & Page Thirty-one
Landscaping Maintenance District
Councilman Chappell: I think some things have to be taken
into consideration, and sometimes'we
• have to go back to what has happened
in the past. There was a time when we spent a considerable
amount of money in capital improvements and repair and main-
tenance of streets. This is basically what this subJect is
all about.
SB-90, in the wisdom of our legislatures,
opposed the cities ability to receive new -revenues from increases
in taxes such as the County is privileged to do, and the school
districts are privileged to do through a very short term
financial arrangement to help schools. It was a real break
system for the cities.
We are faced here with the fact that we
are not improving streets; we are not maintaining them in the
manner in which.they should be; and, basically, we are not even
repairing some of them in the manner that would allow them to
hold and stay in good shape for a while. We are faced with the
fact that this is an -on -going cost that should be maintained.
We are being asked by Staff for an increase in tax, and I think
it is probably the only way to go. We, up here, pay that same
tax increase, but perhaps with a little more ease than some of
our citizens who are on a limited income. It is still a fact
• of life that we require our streets to be maintained properly;
we require them to be in good repair. If you follow the law
suits that arestarting to evolve in communities such as ours,
you will see that potholes in the streets are a good subject
for law suits today.
What we are going to do here, if we pass
on it, is move some funds from one position to .another. We are
also going to take advantage of some federal funds which have
been appropriated. If we don't take advantage of those funds
available to us, someone else in some other community or state
will. They will not go back into the federal budget. There
was a time when funds not asked for by communities would go
back to the federal .budget and be eliminated from taxation by
the federal government, and we, perhaps., would be on the right
road to cutting costs. But, that isn't the way it works.
So, what we are going to have to do
tonight is make a decision whether we are going to continue to
maintain our streets, or not maintain them. Our five year plan
has not been enacted upon; it has been considerably set aside, and
I do not believe that we can afford to set the repair of streets
• aside any longer. I think we have more than held the line in that
area.
- 31 -
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976.
Hearings - Street Lighting & Page Thirty-two
Landscaping Maintenance District
This is a protective tax in the sense
that we would have'to hold Hearings again to increase it and
• we cannot use the funds for other than maintaining landscaping.
I think many people live-in West Covina
because it is a more beautiful community than some of the
communities surrounding us.. There have been efforts by Councils
in the past to beautify the community. In the years that I
have been on the Council, we have had environmentally -minded
citizens come before us to demand more landscaping, to demand
more greenery, to demand more beautification. In some instances
we complied with those demands because we attempted to comply
we the requests of our community. This has cost us some money
down the road.
But, I do not. see any other logical
reasoning than what we propose to do tonight. I am certainly
opposed to just raising taxes, per se, but we sometimes have
to "fish or cut bait." In this instance it is repair our streets
or not repair them. I am willing to take the risk of some sort
of criticism in doing this'. I think that the average citizen
will recognize that our hands are tied in fund raising ability.
This is one way to accomplish some of the needs of our community.
Therefore, I would move, when the time
• comes, to approve the Street Lighting and Landscaping Maintenance
District.
Councilman Tice: Over the past few years I think we have
run a pretty frugal operation here in
the City. We have not had any tax
increases, nor have we increased our Staff, as some cities have.
I am concerned about the streets; I have
been for several years. At this time I think we have to "bite
the bullet,"so to speak. There is no way around it, whether we
do it with this type of mechanism or some other source, somehow
we are all going to have to.pay for what we have here in the,way
of services. I do not particularly relish having to pay the
$9.00 - $10.00 or $12.00, whatever it is going to cost me a year,
but it has to be done. It is especially hard on people with
fixed incomes, and I realize that. There are, however, some
slight relief mechanisms available for some of our people.
We have tried to maintain the best we
could over the years on our streets, medians and trees. I do
not want to see our streets go into any more disrepair than
• they are in right now. If we wait much longer, instead of
repairing what we intend to repair right now, we are going to
be paying millions of dollars for reconstruction. This way,
at least_, we can maintain them and break even from the dollar
standpoint. Some 20 or 25 years is a pretty long life for a
street.
- 32 -
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Hearings - Street Lighting & Page Thirty-three
Landscaping Maintenance District
So, I am going to support this
Street Lighting and Landscaping Maintenance District. I am
• not happy about it, but at this time I do'not see any way
around getting the needed money to keep our streets going.
I am not in favor of using revenue
sharing for this type of thing because once you start using
revenue sharing, it becomes an operating item. If in a year
or two the revenue sharing is cut out, the city is left high
and dry with no funding. We.have more or less reserved that
revenue sharing for capital expenditure items - one time items,
not for operating costs. I believe that is the way it should
be used.
Councilman Shearer: I think what we have gone through this
evening is rather confusing; we have
an Improvement District with no
improvements. We have to maintain trees so that we can pave
our streets. When you think about that for a while, it comes
out pretty confusing. It is easy.to understand why many
citizens have called and were upset, etc.
It is a tax increase any way you cut it.
Any of us would not be honest -if we did not say that. If this
passes, it is going to result in the 6itizens of West Covina
paying more money.
The question is, what are we going to
get for it? We are going to get ,theea-b Ii�t.y.--eto_make additional
money available for street maintenance. I do not think that
the amount of money that we are talking about is going to
perform miracles - overnight -we are not going to see every
street in town repaved. You do not get that with the kind of
money we are talking about.
I think that we have to ask ourselves
in a decision like this, or any other decision, what are our
alternatives if we do not do this? Well., the alternatives are
that we will not be able to maintain,ebo:tl: the trees and the
streets; we will have t.o make a choice. We could say that we
will take the gas tax funds and spend them on the streets, and
let the trees and landscaping die. I do not think that is a
very viable alternate because of the liability aspect as well
as the aesthetic aspect.
I agree with Councilman Tice that the
use of federal revenue sharing for something of this nature,is
• not, in my opinion, the way to go because it is a continuing
thing. If it is for one street project such as the widening
of Vincent south of the freeway where we did use some revenue
sharing funds.;to supplement other funds, that is one thing,
but we are talking about a year in and year out program.
- 33 -
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Hearings - Street Lighting & Page Thirty-four
Landscaping Mainta:-jEince District
Deferring this for a year would be like waiting to go to the
dentist until next week - the pain is still going to be there;
• it is not going to be any better, in fact, it may be worse.
I think it is time to come to grips.
with this. The lighting district goes without saying. The
alternate there would be to turn all of the street lights off.
I do not think that the citizens of West Covina would want that.
WhenI consider the alternates, asp,_
undesirable as a raise in taxes is, I come to the conclusion
that I will support this.
There is one other thing that I was
requested to speak to during the recess. There is a faith
that has to be placed in this Council. One of the gentlemen
asked what guarantees the citizens have that the Council will
not do such and such... You really don't have any guarantee
other than the fact that we are here and we are saying what
we say. If you believe me fine, if you don't believe.me, I guess
that is your choice.
A specific question was asked, "What
happens if we collect more money than we need?" It is up to
the Council to decide what to do with it. I guess that within
• the law, legally, but not in keeping in good faith with you
people, go out and landscape more median strips. Am I correct?
Mr. Wakefield: It could be used in a subsequent year
for improvements, but it would require
again a Public Hearing and a deter-
mination as to what the ultimate assessment would be. .
Councilman Shearer: If we had surplus funds (the district
did not use 100 percent of the money
that was collected), can those funds
be used for improvements?
Mr, Wakefield: No,'it would be required to be used to
reduce the assessment in the subsequent
year.
Councilman Shearer: Well then, I was misinformed and I am
glad I asked the question. I hope that
clarifies to some people that we could
not not keep our word. We are forced to be honest, if that is
what it takes these days.
I will support it.
- 34 -
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Hearings - Street Lighting & Page Thirty-five
Landscaping Maintenance District
Mayor Browne: I think that pretty well sums up the
feelings that I have. We are just as
reluctant as some of the citizens are
in relationship to raising taxes. After sitting through the
pre -budget sessions that we have had, and demanding of Staff to
cut out $180,000 of costs which were an on -going thing based upon
the last year's budget, and having had them done so, I think that
we are working in the right direction for economy in City govern-
ment. This was all borne out of mind not wanting to raise taxes
per se. However, we had alternatives to explore faced with the
street situation; you heard the rationale on that.
In the few years that I have been on the
Council, I have been very concerned about our street maintenance,
the deterioration thereof and the lack of funds to do anything_
about it.
I would be very reluctant to use federal
revenue sharing funds for anything of this nature. It is not
the intent when the money is given to us to use it in this
direction. Basically, it is for capital improvements; one-shot
things when there is a crisis in the community. It is the only
resort that we do have available to us to cope with an emergency
situation. This is not an emergency; this is a situation that
was brought about by economics, forced upon us by higher
• echelons of government in reduction of funding that we were
allowed to use. A ready means of counteracting that is the
action proposed here tonight.
I would ask for a motion.
Mr. Wakefield: There is one preliminary determination
that needs to be made. The 1972 Act
requires that upon conclusion of the
Hearing, the City Council must determine whether a majority
protest exists. ✓
As you recall, the City Clerk reported
that she has received two written communications. A majority
protest is based upon the basis of the area represented by
written communications objecting to the proposed formation of
the district filed with the City Clerk either before or during
the Hearing. Under such circumstances, it would be in order to
find that a majority protest did not exist.
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Chappell that the City Council find that
a majority protest based upon assessed evaluation does not exist.
Motion carried.
- 35 -
•
CITY COUNCIL
Hearings - Street Lighting &
Landscaping Maintenance District
July 12, 1976
Page Thirty-six
RESOLUTION NO. 5276 The City Attorney presented:
ADOPTED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA,
CONFIRMING THE REPORT OF THE CITY ENGINEER
DATED JUNE 11, 1976, PREPARED PURSUANT TO
RESOLUTION NO. 5230 AND APPROVED PURSUANT
TO RESOLUTION NO. 5248 OF SAID COUNCIL,
AND THE PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS, ESTIMATE,
DIAGRAM AND ASSESSMENT CONTAINED IN
SAID REPORT: ORDERING CERTAIN STREET
LIGHTING FIXTURES AND APPURTENANCES TO BE
RENOVATED, IMPROVED AND MAINTAINED AND
ELECTRIC CURRENT TO BE FURNISHED FOR
LIGHTING OF SAID FIXTURES AND FOR THE
MAINTENANCE AND TRIMMING OF TREES AND FOR
LANDSCAPING MAINTENANCE, FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, 1976.
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Tice to•waive further reading of the body
of said resolution. Motion carried, 4 in favor, 1 opposed (Miller)
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Tice to adopt Resolution No. 5276. Motion
carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Chappell, Shearer, Tice, Browne
NOES: Miller
ABSENT: None
Due to the number of people present in
•the audience to discuss Agenda Item G-1, Mayor Browne called.
that item out of order for Council action.
CITY MANAGER
PETITION FROM RESIDENTS
OF THE TAMARA TRACT ON
GEMINI STREET WEST OF
SHADOW OAK DRIVE
Mr. Miller: You have before you a Staff
Report pertaining to the petition that
was submitted to the City Council from
the homeowners in the Tamara Tract
located at Gemini Street and Shadow Oak
Drive.
Basically, their concern was the placing
of the cul-de-sac on the west side of the intersection of Gemini
and Giano. The matter was discussed at a public meeting where
all of the homeowners were invited. The matter was also referred
to the Rowland Unified School District for their consideration
at their Board meeting.
Attached to the Staff Report, you find
a letter from the School District outlining their concerns and
their reaffirmation of the original placement of the cul-de-sac.
- 36 -
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
City Manager- Petition Page Thirty-seven
Tamara Tract
As a little background, there really are
probably four alternatives; I have listed three in the Staff
• Report. The one that is not listed is the.fact that there would
be no cul-de-sac anywhere in that intersection or anywhere on
Giano or Gemini. (He reviewed those outlined in the Staff
Report.) The property owners are in disagreement with the
first alternate. In Staff's opinion, the third alternative is
the only one that will try to satisfy a little bit of every-
thing. In planning in any area, there is always a certain amount
of compromise for all segments.
As indicated in the letter from the
School District, the District wants to maintain the vehicular
access through this area to the south.
It might be pointed out that the
children coming from the Bren area further to the north are
being bused at this time down Shadow Oak because they cannot
get through this area, down to Nogales and down to La Seda
and Yorb.ita1.Schob.ls::Lo If this proposal is adopted, given
the distance these children are from the elementary school,
they would still, by the guidelines that we last saw from
the School District, qualify-1 for busing. If this alternative
is adopted, these citizens (who signed the petition) would really
have no change in status because they are within 3/4 mile
• walking distance to an elementary school.
So, in reviewing the total matter from
the Staff's standpoint, on page 3 of the Staff Report we
summarize the considerations.
In discussing this with the developer
as well as the people who are involved in the area, we find
that they will go along with anything that the Council approves
in this matter.
Staff recommends Council approval of
Alternate #3, which would require immediate installation of
the Gemini Street cul-de-sac and later installation of the Giano
Street cul-de-sac.
Councilman Shearer: Would you indicate for me on the map
the area that presently has occupied
residents.
(Mr. Miller complied with the request.)
• Councilman Shearer: And, the petition we received was
generated from there?
Mr. Miller: That is correct.
- 37 -
•
CITY COUNCIL
City Manager -
Petition/Tamara Tract
Councilman Shearer: ,
Mr. Miller:
Councilman Shearer:
Mr. Miller:
Councilman Shearer:
July 12, 1976
Page Thirty-eight
Where do those junior high, high school
and elementary school children go at
the present time?
They go to Villa Corta Elementary
School; they walk.
Where do the junior high students go?
To the best of my knowledge, they go
to Giano; I would imagine they walk.
And, high school?
Mr. Miller: They go to Nogales High School. Given
the standard of a mile and a half for
high school students, they walk.
Councilman Shearer: You indicated there is some busing
for the children to the north.
(Councilman Shearer and Mr. Miller
reviewed the current bus route.)
Mayor Browne: Could I have a show of hancb of the
people here in the audience on the
Tamara Tract problem.
Mayor Browne:
(Over 20 people raised their hands.)
Do you have a spokesman?
Mr. W. Inski As you know, when we brought this
1934 Gemini Street problem to you several months ago,
West Covina, Ca. we postponed the matter to have
discussions. We have had those and
appreciate it. We have also met with the School District to
try to resolve the problem.
As Mr. Miller mentioned, we did come
with different resolutions at different times; nothing really
met the happy medium for any of us. We knew that there was
a potential problem for busing the children in the future that
goes beyond Amar and Nogales and will be out of the limits for
Giano Junior High School.
We,presently. the Tamara residents,will
• not have our children affected by this, but we were sympathetic
to the School District's need for busing children. We feel that
through this plan, proposed by the City Staff, it does meet that.
We are fully aware that it will be approximately 18 months to two
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
City Manager - Page Thirty-nine
Petition/Tamara Tract
years, and maybe longer, before either area will be cul-de-
saced. We are fully aware that it will be that long before the
• new housing is developed that will necessitate the busing to
Giano Junior High School or Yorbita Elementary School.
We are hoping that there will be enough
school aged children from the tracts in Woodside Village to
construct an elementary school where there will not be any
busing of the children.
We, the residents, support the Staff's
recommendation. We think it is a good recommendation. We think
it is the happy medium for the School District and for the
residents of West Covina.
Mr. D. Engeroll You remember about a year and a half
Asst. Supt. ago, the City and the School District
Rowland Unified spent many long hours working out a
School District compromise for traffic flow through
Woodside, primarily Gemini Street.
It was the School District's contention
that Gemini should be a through street. The basis for that was
that we needed access to our schools for the residents in Wood-
side Village. With that in mind, we worked out the compromise,
a cul=de-sac on Gemini Street west of Giano Street. This was
a desirable compromise as far as the School District was
• concerned.
La,str'Friday we heard from Mr. Miller;
that he had an alternative plan. The School District cannot
participate in that plan. While it does settle some of the
problems from the City's standpoint, it brings up more problems
than it solves from the School District's standpoint.
For example, it would isolate Giano
School. Here is a school in the City of West Covina that you
would isolate. It prevents .some 300 students from their nearest
bus route to Yorbita. Equally important, it prevents the
parents from getting to that school; they would have to go all
of the way around.
The School District has forever the
additional cost of this busing. I do not have the exact
figure right now; we did not measure everything out.
Mr. Miller talked about a walkway from
Giano to the cul-de-sac., We have to supervise all of those kids;
• a tremendous increase in the cost .of supervision.
- 39 -
CITY COUNCIL
City Manager -
Petition/Tamara Tract
July 12, 1976
Page Forty
The School District strongly feels
that Alternate #3, this compromised plan, gives us more
problems than it solves. Speaking on behalf of the District
• and the Board, we strongly urge that you reject the Staff
recommendation and uphold the plan that we developed a year
and a half ago, in January 1975.
Mr. Koosman, I think that in the past we have met
President of the Board with Councilmen Chappell, Shearer and
Rowland Unified School Miller to study the proposed route
District of Giano Street and Gemini Street. At
one point the developer agreed that
Gemini would be a through street. We
also agreed at that point to close it off on the west side of
Giano. That would give the school access to Woodside Village.
By closing it off at the point proposed
tonight, you would close off any access that the School District
would have into the area for busing. That would be a bad
situation for us. We are talking about saving money again. In
the long run it is going to cost the School District a number
of dollars to go around either Amar or Shadow Oak and come
around the backside.to the schools.
We do not foresee the need for any more
than one elementary school,' in Woodside Village. Consequently, we
• will have to bus kids from that area to the junior highs - Rincon
or Giano. So, we do need the access, and we hope that you will
consider that.
Mr. K. Seymour I am a member of the Woodside Village
1724 Oakridge Circle Courtyard Homeowners Association. I
West Covina, Ca. would like to go on record as saying
that the Association would be in favor
of Alternate #3 for the reasons stated.
Woodside Village was originally proposed
by the Bren Company as a planned community where the children -
elementary, junior high and high school, would be able to use the
paseos and walkways originally installed to obtain access to the
various schools. At the time, it was hoped that the schools
would be within the boundaries of Woodside Village. Inasmuch as
we have all come to realize that this may not be the case for
years to come, we still feel that the idea is a good idea and
that the children need to be able to walk to and from school in
safety. The idea of opening up a street to the kind of traffic
that streets such as Amar, Shadow Oak and Nogales are now
. handling is down -right frightening.
I would just like to say again that we
would support Alternate #3, and would hope that the Council will
consider the paseos and cul-de-sacs as a way to keep the children
safe. That is the most important idea.
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CITY COUNCIL
City Manager -
Petition/Tamara Tract
July 12, 1976
Page Forty-one
Councilman Shearer: If we would start up there at a point
on Shadow Oak... (Outlined the route
• currently taken by the bus.)
Have you (Mr. Miller) made any calcu-
lations as to the distances from a common point using route A
to designate the current route and route B the route through
the tract?.
Mr. Miller: I have not made any specific calculations.
Councilman Shearer: Could you make a good guess?
Mr. Miller: I would say that the difference is
about a mile and.a half to two miles.
That taken from the intersection of
Shadow Oak and Gemini.
Councilman Shearer: We will give them the benefit of doubt
and say two miles. At full development,
is there any estimate of how many buses -will run a day in that
area?
Mr. Miller: I do not know how many buses they would
run. I do know that there are 400 plus
homes completed, 350 under construction
• and 1461 planned. In the next 18 months to two years we should
have some 2200 homes built in that area. That includes the Bowl,
the area north of Amar (Covington) and the area south of Shadow
Oak.
Councilman Shearer: But, if we make the assumption that
eventually an elementary school will
be built, then we are only talking
about junior high schools. The junior high school possibilities
are Rincon or Giano. If my geography is correct, for Rincon
you would have to go out and down Nogales anyway. So, if they.
were bused to Rincon, this alternate would have no effect on it
whatsoever. The effect would only be on those students being
bused from somewhere in Woodisde to Giano Junior High School.
Mr. Miller: That is correct. That could be
mitigated, too, if there is some concern,
by providing a place for the bus to
stop and unload kids for Giano.
Councilman Shearer: It seems to me that we have different
• special interests involved. Perhaps,
if you took only one and isolated the
- 41 -
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
City Manager - Page Forty-two
Petition/Tamara Tract
case, you would come up with a different answer. But, we have
to look at the total aspect of living in that area. Goint to
• and from school is only one aspect of that; there are many
others. One comment was made about getting the parents to
school; it is obvious to me that the parents, if they want to
go to school, want to go some other method or way than down
Gemini and Giano. If that is their desire because of the
adversities of some other things which we will not go into,
I think we should defer to their desire. They are the ones
who are part of the School District; they pay the School
District taxes, and I think they should have a say in deter-
mining their future.
I would seem tome that the extra
costs for two miles twice a day is not an extremely high price
to pay for the other results that would be obtained from
Alternate #3. I will support Alternate #3.
Mayor Browne: I would totally agree with you. Our
first charge is our responsibility
to the citizens in our community for
their safety and welfare, and number two is to maintain our
City in a manner condusive for them to live in.
The original concept of that area was
for a planned community development, and I think this is in
• keeping with the original plans.
Councilman Tice: I am somewhat sympathetic with the School
District; the additional burden that it
puts on the School District to maintain
the buses. But, I am,also well aware of the burden which the
residents in the area have, which I think far outweighs the
burden of the School District. They have a traffic problem;
they have a vandelism problem; and a number of other things.
If this is a help in that direction, I most certainly will support
it. I do not think it will stop the problems they have there;
I think some additional things have to be done.
Councilman Chappell: I think it should be pointed out that the
City and the School District did meet
on numerous occasions to work out what
we thought were some correct solutions. But, there was one
incredient lacking at the time of our meetings, that was citizens
living in some of these areas.
I am sure that the School District is
• aware of some of the.problems developing in our community. We
are responsible to see that the citizens in our City have any
safeguards that we can provide if at all possible.
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•
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CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
City Manager- Page Forty-three
Petition/Tamara Tract
Even though, at the time, I thought we
came to some logical conclusions for the school problems,
Alternate #3 seems to be a solution that will not disrupt the
School District that much, but will certainly protect the
citizens of our community in their homes and in Woodside
Village per se because it isn't going to stop there if we
allow these roads to open up; we will have the problem throughout
our community there.
I will support Alternate #3 this evening.
Mr. Miller: Again, this -is a unique situation whereby
two sides have to be presented and an
alternative reached. I. too, concur
with the Council on Alternate #3.
Motion made by Councilman Tice, seconded
by Councilman Shearer to approve Alternate #3, which would require
immediate installation of the Gemini Street cul-de-sac and later
installation of the Giano Street cul-de-sac. Motion carried.
Councilman Shearer: I hope that somewhere down the line we
do not have anyone coming forth to say
that they want improved access and
would like the cul-de-sacs taken out. That type of thing is
very, very expensive and we do not want to be placed in the
middle of two factions. Over the years we have had some varied
experiences with things of this type.
Contrary to what one -woman said here
this evening, "You can't fight City Hall." Sometimes you can
and win, although we do not think it is a battle. We are looking
for you. As Councilman Chappell said, citizens were the one
thing that was lacking many months back when we were discussing
the matter with the School District. I thank you for bringing
this to our attention.
Councilman Tice: I think that what we have seen here tonight
is just the surface of some other problems
that might exist or come to be in that
area. I think it bears watching by the residents in the area and
by Staff to forestall vandelism and,t1i(every in that area. It is
close to an area that is questionable; you are going to get some
spillover,.and there is no way around it. I think that we are
going to have to work with that area to do something about it.
HEARINGS
WOODSIDE VILLAGE LAND Location: All of Woodside Village, except
SCAPING MAINTENANCE area located south of Amar Road, West of
DISTRICT N0. 4 Shadow Oak Drive, and generally northerly
(1976-77) of Gemini Street; and excepting the area
located between Lark Ellen Avenue, the
ridge line west of Azusa Avenue, Amar
Road and Fairgrove Avenue.
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CITY COUNCIL
Hearings -
Maintenance Dist. No. 4
July 12, 1976
Page Forty-four
Sett'for Hearing of protests and/or
objections of property owners for this date by Resolution of
• Intention No. 5252 adopted June 14, 1976.
Motion made by Councilman Chappell,
seconded by Councilman Miller to receive and file Affidavits
of Publication, Posting and Mailing. Motion carried.
•
with the City Council.
be adopted as presented.
Mayor Browne:
Mrs. Preston:
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED
seconded by Council.
based upon assessed
Mr. Thomas reviewed the Staff Report
Staff recommended that the assessments
Madam City Clerk, have you received
any protests for the levying of
annual assessments for Maintenance
District 4?
No, I have not.
No one from the audience came forth
to speak on this matter.
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
Chappell to find that a majority -protest
iluation does not exist. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 5277 The City Attorney presented:
ADOPTED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA,
CONFIRMING THE REPORT OF THE CITY ENGINEER
DATED JUNE 14, 1966, PREPARED PURSUANT TO
RESOLUTION NO. 5250 AND APPROVED PURSUANT
TO RESOLUTION NO. ' 21'5,1 OF SAID COUNCIL,
AND THE PLANS, SPECIIFICATIONS, ESTIMATE,
DIAGRAM AND ASSESSMENT CONTAINED IN SAID
REPORT: ORDERING CERTAIN LANDSCAPING
MAINTENANCE, RENOVATING AND REPLACEMENT
AND APPURTENANCES TO BE MAINTAINED FOR
THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 110 1976.
Motion made by Councilman Tice, seconded
by Councilman Shearer to waive further reading of the body of
said resolution. Motion carried.
Motion made by Councilman Tice, seconded
by Councilman Shearer to adopt Resolution No. 5277. Motion carried
on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Miller, Chappell, Shearer, Tice,
Browne
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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•
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CITY COUNCIL
Planning Commission
Park Site Relocation
PLANNING COMMISSION
July 12, 1976
Page Forty-five
PARK SITE RELOCATION Location: Area southwest of Nogales
WOODSIDE VILLAGE Street and the proposed Shakespeare Drive.
Councilman Shearer: I notice in the Staff Report, it talks
about clearing the brush and constructing
a gunite rip -rap swale lining. How
much study has gone into the effect of that being done? Is this
a full flowing stream?
Mr. Diaz: The complete study as to the effect of
the guniting has not been done as yet.
At such a time as the guniting would
be" -done,` the grading plans for the stream bed would be
examined and approved by the Engineering Department to make sure
that we have sufficient drop in grade to insure a constantly
flowing stream.
As far as the volume of water is
concerned, the channel involved accepts all of the drainage
from Woodside Village in addition to some underground streams
that would be punched out of the large culvert at the start
of this. So, there would be sufficient water even in the
summertime to insure that once it is gunited it would be kept
clear and maintained.
The guniting that we are talking about
is not an L.A. River type of guniting. It is just a small
amount of guniting to insure an adequate flow of drainage, and
at the same time keep the area looking natural and as aesthetically
pleasing as possible.
Councilman Shearer: Is there a problem with the stream bed
in its natural state?
Mr. Diaz: There is a slight problem. Some of the
plant and brush material should be
removed. This is the reason for the
letter that you have from Mr. Sloan of Umark, Inc. Clearing
of the brush and creekbed will not take place for a two year
period, or as directed by the Parks Department. All of the
problems will be ironed out at the time of clearing.
Councilman Shearer: By approving the park site, we will not
automatically be approving anything in
the channel; is that correct?
Mr. Diaz: Staff "ecommen:dation would be that we
maintain the natural courseway; that
is about the only environmentally
significant part left in Woodside Village. We have prevailed
- 45 -
CITY COUNCIL
Planning Commission
Park Site Relocation
July 12, 1976
Page Forty-six
upon the developer to pay out the initial costs of clearing out
the channel and making sure that the water flow is sufficient to
• keep it as clear as possible, and to have'as low a maintenance as
possible.
Councilman Shearer: That was my concern also; that we do not
turn that into a concrete lined storm
drain channel.
Mr. Diaz:
No, that will not be the case.
Councilman Shearer: We will maintain as much of the natural
aspect of it as possible. It looks like
it would split that park.
Mr. Diaz: Yes. The ultimate plan for the park is
that bothasideb-twould be entirely
integrated, yet separated. You could
have passive recreation on the 1.7 acres, and active recreation
on the 6.3.
Councilman Chappell:
Mr. Diaz:
• Recreation and Parks
of bridges we want.
Councilman Chappell:
Mayor Browne:
Who will build the bridges?
We are now in the process of speaking
'with developer about who will build the
bridges. We are also talking with the
Department to determine exactly what types
be bound in clear terms
Shouldn't we.hold up ort this then until
all of those things are in agreement?
They are the ones asking for the reloca-
tion, and they are the ones to benefit
by it, so I would think that we should
on responsibilities.
Is there some reason why this has come
up now when development will not take place for some two years?
Mr. Diaz: As far as the park is concerned, the area
in which the park is being transferred
from is subject to revision -of an
improved development plan, and ultimately that development hinges
on approval of the transfer.
Mayor Browne: But, there are certain amenities that
• should be bound in that relocation.
Mr. Diaz: The problem with the bridges and cross-
overs is minimal, and I am -,-sure that it
can be worked out between the developer
and the Staff as to -exactly what each wants.
- 46 -
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Planning Commission Page Forty-seven
Park Site Relocation
Perhaps Council would desire a letter
from the developer indicating what he is willing to do about
• the bridges.
This is not entirely a pro -developer
situation. The City does benefit somewhat. .This is a slightly
better park°;'siteaas far as useable land is.concerned. It is
located more realistically to the community park site than the
original site was.
Mayor Browne: I think that there has been enough
concern demonstrated here to hold the
ma titer over.,
Councilman Tice: I attended the discussion at the
Recreation and Parks Commission meeting.
There was very little discussion about
the bridges, but they did indicate a minimal type of bridge.
Mr. Diaz: Yes, we are talking about a minimal
type of bridge.
Councilman Tice: The .Commission was concerned that by
moving the park further south, other
citizens besides West Covina residents
would use it. But, that is prevalent no matter where you go,
• so I do not think it was a real concern.
Motion made>by Councilman Chappell,
seconded by Councilman Tice to hold over this matter. Motion
carried.
Mr. Diaz: A point of clarification, the primary
concern,at this 'point is working out
bridges from one side, of the channel
to the other.
Mayor Browne: That is true.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mrs. L. Bergman. I call your attention to City Attorney
4260 Leaf Ave. Agenda Item No. 8 (Cameron Avenue Park
West Covina, Ca. Site).
It is a little late to bring before
the Council the community concern at the time the Agenda item
calls for accepting a corporation grant deed for an accomplished
• fact. However, I will remind you of things that you have all
heard. West Covina acquires park sites, and does not yet have
one developed park site that is complete.
- 47 -
CITY COUNCIL
Oral Communications
July 12, 1976
Page Forty-eight
There was quite a bit of concern by
Council regarding the relocation of a park site in Woodside
Village. May I ask you to discuss in the same detail the
• potential of a park site outside of the City limits of the
City of West Covina, located on the east side where the use
of a park is really not related to the same type of use as
the neighborhood parks that occur in the rest of the City.
If there is some intention to continue
the use that has been made for this piece of property during.its
resale time, then possibly this is the time to start exploring
exactly what community.resources can be drawn so that the use
will be more assured.
I make this statement in consideration
of the fact that the Council has, tonight particularly, given
comment to the fact that the City does not have funds. Previously,
comment was made that the City was very short of funds regarding
the acquisition of the Sunset School Site for park purposes.
Obviously, prior to 1970, street
maintenance, or at least tree maintenance, and landscaping was
done out of park funds. That is no longer available. What is
going to be the solution for using some of the parks while the
citizens are still young enough to enjoy them?
Mrs. K. Jones . Last meeting there was some concern
• 1428 S. Sandia Ave. and interest expressed about the
West Covina, Ca. grafetti, which is becoming more
prevalent in the City. I have since
read that the governor just signed a bill which would permit
local governments to remove obnoxious grafetti from public
or privately owned structures. It is Senate Bill 2530. Staff
is probably aware of it, but maybe -not, and I thought I- would
bring it to your attention in light of your past concerns.
Mayor Browne:
CITY ATTORNEY
ORDINANCE INTRODUCTION
I am glad someone else has concerns
about this, too.
The City Attorney presented:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING
SECTION 3118 OF THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL
CODE RELATING TO THE INSTALLATION OF
TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES.
. Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Tice to waive further reading of the body
of the Ordinance. Motion carried.
- 48 -
CITY COUNCIL
City Attorney
July 12, 1976
Page Forty-nine
Councilman Miller: Question on Section 3118-A, under the
words "Engineering Standards" does
• this also include traffic investigations
as part of the Engineering Standards? That part has been omitted.
Councilman Shearer: I believe this is on the Agenda because
of my request to have the City Attorney
look into this. The only change is
in subparagraph B, the addition of "...where it may be so
directed by the City Council." In going over this section of
the Code, it gave the authority to install traffic control
devices to the Traffic Authority, which in this case is by
definition the Traffic Committee; it made no reference to the
City Council. My concern was that the Traffic Committee, under
the Ordinance, was required only to do it on the basis of traffic
studies and warrants. This Council has, on a number of occasions,
over-riden the recommendation of the Committee and has installed
traffic stop signs, etc. whereby on accepted warrants they- were
not justified; they were done on the basis of Council wisdom.
I was concerned that perhaps with the Ordinance we were somewhat
in conflict, so I asked the City Attorney to look into it. I
assume from the addition it gives the Council the prerogative,
for whatever reason they want, to order these things installed.
Mr. Wakefield: That is correct. That is the purpose
• of the amendment. The Traffic Engineer-
ing Standards referred to by Councilman
Miller are the State standards that are applied by the Traffic
Committee in its investigation.
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Tice to introduce said Ordinance. Motion
carried.
ORDINANCE INTRODUCTION .Tlie,7CAty.Atborne y presented:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMEND-
ING SECTIONS 2321, 2322, 2331 and 2405
OF THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATING TO CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS.
The Ordinance is submitted based upon
an experience which arose out of litigation involving the City
of San Dimas. The Ordinances of the -,City made no specific
provision for the removal of a member of a Board or a Commission
during the term for which he was appointed. The court, in that
situation, decided that unless the Ordinance of the City
• specifically provided for removal, that the authority does not
exist. So, what we have attempted to do here is spellout with
respect to each of the Ordinance Commissions and Boards that
the City Council may, by a majority vote, remove a member with
or without cause during his term of office.
- 49 -
CITY COUNCIL
City Attorney
July 12, 1976
Page Fifty
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Chappell to waive further reading of
the body of the Ordinance.
• Councilman Tice: When I first read this, I was pretty
disturbed about the point that we could
remove a Commission or Board member
"with or without cause." But, after deliberating this over the
weekend, I have decided more or less to go along with it.
C�
The thing that concerns me more than
anything is "without cause." Generally, to remove a Commission
or Board member there has to be some kind of cause. I do not
want to inhibit any of our Commission or Board members from
telling us what they think. We may not agree with them, but
I do not want them to be under the shadow of being removed.
I do not agree with this, and this is possible with the words
"without cause." But, I,will go along with it because it
would take a majority of the Council to remove anybody.
Mr. Wakefield: The cause referred to is a legal cause.
The courts require that specific charges
be filed and an opportunity for it to be heard. In the context
of a Board or Commission member, it presents a pretty impossible
situation,to remove a member for legal cause through all of the
hearing conditions involved. I am sure that you are not going
to have a majority vote of the Council to remove a member without
some underlying basis.
Motion to waive further reading carried,
kin favor, 1 opposed (Miller).
Councilman Miller: I do not support the wording,"without
cause."
Councilman Chappell: As the City Attorney pointed out, the
word "cause" is certainly a very narrow
description. This just gives us a little
more ability to control the Boards and Commissions as they stand.
Councilman Shearer: We appoint Commission and Board members
to serve and advise the Council. They
serve at the Council's pleasure. I
think that any time the majority of the City Council is unhappy
with a member, they ought to be fired, whether it is cause or
not. It is pretty blunt, and I do not think it will ever occur.
But, when we have a situation where the Commission and Council
are bickering, they don't get along and there are charges flying
back and forth, I think it is time that the Commission be changed.
MITIM
CITY COUNCIL
City Attorney
July 12, 1976
Page Fifty-one
There are times also when there might
be a very good cause, but it might be something that you do
not want to go into in a public discertation to prove charges.
So, I think it works both ways.
They are our employees and our advisors,
and if we are unhappy I do not think that we should have to have
an inquisition, trial and guilty verdict, etc.
Mayor Browne:
I agree with your statement.
Councilman Tice: I had the same concerns as Councilman
Miller. However, after I realized
what the words "without cause" mean,
I felt it was the best way to go.
Councilman Miller: I understand what is being said, but
I think this is one of the weaknesses
in our legal structure. -We get to the
point where we have too much flexibility. People do not always
use discretion wisely and use it to their advantage. I am not
saying that this Council would do that. But, this would leave
the door open for opportunity in the future.
To me the words "without cause" simply
mean what.they mean. I do not care what line of work you are
• in. Sure a Commissioner serves at the Council's pleasure, but
he is not going to go through the interview, put his application
in, he isn't going to be paid without a purpose. He may have
other ambitions to go forward, which is legitimate. I would
hate to think that one was stopped because he had an ambition.
That is why I do not like this loop hole, otherwise it is fine.
Motion made by Councilman Chappell,
seconded by Councilman Shearer to introduce said Ordinance.
Motion carried, 4 in favor, 1 opposed (Miller).
ORDINANCE INTRODUCTION. The City Attorney presented:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMEND-
ING SECTIONS OF 6218, 6219, 62203%
6226.51 6227, 6233, 6234, 6235.1 AND
6312 OF THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE
RELATING TO BUSINESS LICENSES.
Motion made.by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Chappell to hold over this matter.
• Councilman Miller: I am very disappointed on this one.
I was assured that this would be fully
handled properly before it came before
us; and it has not. I hope this is -corrected.
Motion carried.
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0 .
•
•
CITY COUNCIL
City Attorney
July 12, 1976
Page Fifty-two
ORDINANCE NO. 1306 The City Attorney presented:
ADOPTED AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMEND-
ING SECTION 8121 (PLUMBING), SECTION 8136
(ELECTRICAL), AND ADDING TO SECTION 8110
(BUILDING) OF THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL
CODE AS THEY RELATE TO CONSTRUCTION FEES.
Motion made by Councilman Tice, seconded
by, Councilman Shearer to waive further reading of the body of the
Ordinance. Motion carried.
Motion made by
by Councilman Shearer to adopt Ordinance
carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Miller,
Browne
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Councilman Tice, seconded
No. 1306. Motion
Chappell, Shearer, Tice,
APPROVAL OF SALARY Mr. Wakefield: This matter does not
STEP INCREASE require a resolution, but simply action
by the Council by motion. The existing
provisions of the Salary Resolution
authorize the granting of an additional step increase under
certain circumstances with the approval of the City Council.
What is sought here is approval of a step increase from C to D
for Peter Selak in accordance with Section VIII (d) and (j) of
Resolution No. 1277.
Motion made by Councilman Chappell,
seconded by Councilman Miller to approve a step increase from
C to D for Peter Selak, Recreation Supervisor I, in accordance
with Section VIII (d) and (j) of Resolution No. 1277. Motion
carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 5278 The. City Attorney presented:
ADOPTED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMEND-
ING SECTION VII OF RESOLUTION NO. 1277
RELATING TO THE COMPENSATION PAYABLE TO
THE CIVIL ENGINEERING ASSOCIATE CLASS.
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Tice to waive further reading of the body
of the resolution. Motion carried, 4 in favor,, 1 opposed -(Miller).
• Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Tice to adopt Resolution No. 5278. Motion
carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Chappell, Shearer, Tice, Browne
NOES: Miller
ABSENT: None
- 52 -
N .
CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
City Attorney Page Fifty-three
Councilman Miller: I voted "no" because 'I feel that ih the
past it has been six months - I can see
granting a year, but not 18 months.
• CAMERON AVENUE PARK SITE The City Attorney presented:
RESOLUTION NO. 5279 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
ADOPTED CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA,
ACCEPTING A CORPORATION GRANT DEED
EXECUTED BY THE COVINA VALLEY UNIFIED
SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR THE CAMERON AVENUE
PARK SITE, AND DIRECTING THE RECORDATION
THEREOF.
Motion made by Councilman Chappell,
seconded by Councilman Shearer to waive further reading of the
body of the resolution. Motion carried.
Motion made by Councilman Chappell,
seconded by Councilman Shearer to adopt Resolution No. 5279.
Councilman Shearer: In view of the statements during Oral
Communications on this topic, I would
like to comment.
This matter has been before us a number
of times. It is one of the more difficult decisions that I have
made for much the same reasons that Mrs. Bergman outlined. The
• site is not within the limits of the City of West Covina; it is,
however, within our sphere of influence as adopted by LAFCO.
The property is available; it may not be -available in the future.
It did appear to be in the best interest of the City to acquire
it at this time at the price it was offered to us. State Bond
Issue money was available to us to use for this purpose. It is
true that this money could have been utilized for other purposes.
However, partly because of the strong recommendation from the
Recreation and Parks Commission and the fact that it is within
the sphere of influence, and perhaps the only available land in
that area should it become within the City of West Covina, I would
support the acquisition at this point.
Councilman Tice: Mrs. Bergman also spoke about developing
the rest of our parks. We have taken the
initiative in licensing for the BKK
Landfill to see what we can do to develop the rest of our parks,
as well as this one downstream.
Councilman Chappell: There is another area here which I think
is very important, one of the reasons
• why I decided to vote for this. If you
remember, when this acquisition was initially proposed, I was
opposed.
It is the responsibility of communities
to prepare for the future. We are, in this instance, preparing
for the future. This park site may not be developed until some
time five to ten years from now. This property is within the
sphere of influence of the City of West Covina.
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CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
City Attorney Page Fifty-four
Considering the bills that have been
passed, what is proposed in the legislature, and the goals of
LAFCO, we may see this land coming into West Covina much sooner
• than we thought when we started to buy the land.
To build the future we have to prepare.
There are certain park developments in West Covina that were
prepared by Councils 20 years ago. Perhaps they have only been
developed in the last few years to a point where they are even
useable.
Open space is a requirement of our
General Plan Master Plan. We have designated this as some of
the open space that West Covina will have.
I think all of these things together
changed my vote in purchasing this land and made it acceptable
to spend $130,000 of funds that we could have utilized in other
areas. If people did not have vision, we would not have water
in Southern California; if people did not have.vision we would
not have the park sites that we have'in our City. I think this
Council and those in the past have recognized that we have to
prepare for the future. This is one of the ways in which we
are doing it.
Mayor Browne: I think all of us were in the same
position; we were all in opposition
• to it initially.
Motion carried on roll call vote as
follows:
AYES: Miller, Chappell, Shearer, Tice,
Browne
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Chappell to authorize payment of $130,000
to the Covina Valley Unified School District for the Cameron
Avenue Park Site.. Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Miller, Chappell, Shearer, Tice
Browne
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION NO. 5280 The City Attorney presented:
ADOPTED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
• CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA
DESCRIBING A COUNTY PROCEDURE TO BE
FOLLOWED BY THE SEVERAL CITY DEPARTMENTS
AND OFFICES WITH REFERENCE TO MISCELLANEOUS
CASH RECEIPTS.
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t
CITY COUNCIL
City Attorney
July 12, 1976
Page Fifty-five
Motion made by Councilman Tice,
seconded by Councilman Shearer to waive further reading.of
the body of the resolution. Motion carried.
Motion made by Councilman Tice,
seconded by Councilman Shearer to adopt Resolution No. 5280.
Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Miller, Chappell, Shearer, Tice,
Browne
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
MAYOR BROWNE RECESSED THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING FOR THE PURPOSE
OF CONDUCTING THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING AT
11:30 P.M. COUNCIL RECONVENED AT 12:10 A.M.
CITY MANAGER
APPROVE CITY'S PROPERTY Mr. Eliot: It is requested that this
EQUIPMENT & GLASS matter be held over. Today we had a
INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR telephone call on the insurance coverage
FISCAL YEAR 1976-77 which negated prior information.
Motion made by Councilman Chappell,
seconded by Councilman Miller to hold over this matter. Motion
• carried.
-COMPREHENSIVE EMPLOYMENT Motion made by Councilman Shea : rer;,
& TRAINING ACT OCCUPA seconded by Councilman Tice to receive
TIONAL SUMMARY and file. Motion carried.
BLOCK PARTY REQUEST Mr. Eliot: The Council has received a
.request from Mrs. Neil 'Shanski, 3000
gently Street for a block party. We do
have a petition signed by all of the residents on the cul-de-sac.
The party is scheduled for this weekend.
Motion made by`Councilman Tice, seconded
by Councilman Chappell to approve the request.
Councilman Shearer: We had severalof these this past weekend -
two weekends ago, I guess. Is Staff
aware of any particular problems develop-
ing from any of these - noise, fires, riots, etc.?
Mr. Eliot: No such reports have come to my attention.
• Motion carried, 4 in favor, 1 opposed (Miller)
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CITY COUNCIL July 12, 1976
Mayor's Reports Page Fifty-six
MAYOR'S REPORTS
LIAISON APPOINTMENTS TO The Council concurred with the schedule
• COMMISSIONS & BOARDS as presented.
RTD CORRIDOR "D" Mr. Eliot: The City Attorney does have
VACANCY for your approval a resolution relating
to the City Selection Committee, and
I believe that does bear on your
discussions". (Explained same)
Mayor Browne: We have applications here from three
adjacent cities. Would the Council
like to discuss these before we act
on the resolution?
Councilman Chappell: These are all qualified men. If I
have the authority, I would like to
recommend Charles Storing, a Councilman
from the City of La Puente. He has been very active in League
activities and within his own community. He does have the time
to serve on this Board, which can meet as many as ten times a
month. I know all of these men, and they are all capable in
my mind of representing us, but I think Mr. Storing would do
something that has not been done for a long time, and that is
to keep us up.to date as to what is going on.
• Councilman Tice: Can we expect any more applications in?
Councilman Chappell: I would say we will not get any more
in because voting takes place the first
Thursday of August. So, if people are
not out seeking nomination at this point, it is almost too late.
Councilman Shearer: I would like to put in a plug for Mr.
Perez from the City of South E1 Monte
for two reasons.' Number 1, if we do
not like what,he is doing, I see him just about every day, and
I can do some first-hand lobbying. But, more importantly, one of
his valuable assets to be on the Board for RTD," Mr. Perez rides
the bus to work. I do not think there is a better way to observe
the operation of the RTD than to ride the bus to work.
Councilman Chappell: He does work for CALTRANS, is there any
chance for conflict of interest on
voting in that seat?
Councilman Shearer: Mr. Perez, at my request, did check with
• our legal staff to determine if there
was any objection on their part, and they
said no, providing, of course, that when there is a direct
conflict (which arrives at times with any of us), he abstains from
voting. The major portion of RTD business does not involve
CALTRANS.
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CITY COUNCIL
Mayor's Reports
July 12, 1976
Page Fifty-seven
After some discussion on .the applicants,
the Council concurred that they would like to talk with Mr.
Storing and Mr. Perez personally.
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Chappell to hold this matter over until
the next regular meeting of the Council . July 26, 1976, and
to have Staff contact these two gentlemen and have them contact
Councilmen Miller, Tice.and Mayor Browne for discussion. Motion
carried.
INDEPENDENT CITIES OF Motion made by Councilman Chappell,
LOS ANGELES COUNTY seconded by Councilman Miller to
NOMINATIONS receive and file. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 5281 The City Attorney presented:
ADOPTED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA,
APPOINTING COUNCILMAN KENNETH I. CHAPPELL
AS A MEMBER OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
RAPID TRANSIT DISTRICT'S CITY SELECTION
COMMITTEE.
Motion made by Councilman Tice, seconded
by Councilman Shearer to waive further reading of the body of the
resolution. Motion carried.
• Motion made by Councilman Tice, seconded
by Councilman Shearer to adopt Resolution No. 5281. Motion
carried on roll call vote as follows:
APPROVAL OF DEMANDS
carried on roll call
AYES: Miller, Chappell, Shearer, Tice,
Browne
NOES: None_
ABSENT: None
Motion made by Councilman Shearer, seconded
by Councilman Tice to approve Demands
totalling $561,342.58 as listed on
Demand Sheets U.C.B. 56076 through 56285
and B Ak, Nos. 412 through 418. Motion
vote as follows:
AYES: Miller, Chappell, Shearer, Tice,
Browne
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
• ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Councilman Tice, seconded
by Councilman Shearer to adjourn the
meeting at 12:30 A.M. until Wednesday,
.July 16, 1976 at 5:00 P.M. Motion carried.
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