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01-17-1995 - Human Services Commission - Summary of Minutes - 12/13/94Ll TO: . ` City Council and City Manager . City of West Covina Memorandum AGENDA FROM: Human,Services Department ITEM NO. c-2—a DATE 1/17/95 SUBJECT: HUMAN SERVICES COND41SSION ® PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER SUMMARY OF MINUTES 12/13/94 I. Commissioners 'Present: Sotelo, McBride, Cano, Guadiz, Moreno, Jones, Sheety, Singleton Commissioners Absent: Jones Staff Present: Salazar, Markham, Jones, Parker, Cook, Perea,. Yoshizaki Others Present: Tami Klenck, James M. Dunlevy, Bruce S. Badoni, Rene Martinez, Mary Ann McReynolds, Lydia Fernandes, Joyce Huskey, Ray Bastinanelli, Marvin Boatright, Charles L. Gallant, Bert Hedlund, George Scriganoli, Debbie Cotter, Randy Smith, Ron Johnson, Alan Chenoweth, Robert Klenck, Dino. Diaz, Jose Cabrera, Charles Cook, Jim Thermos, Shirlee Thermos, John Konrad, Dorothy Jennings, Mary Hughs, Betty Autry, John Maraio, Ursula Maraio, Ron Claypool, David Claypool, C. Frank Bales, Mike C. Yoakum, Mary Ann Macaraig, Debbie Morehead, Frank Whitcher, Keith Anderson H. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Regular Meeting of November 8, 1994 MSC Sheety/Cano (8-0) III. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS - a) Commissioner Cano handed out written copies of a complaint he had made via a phone call to the City Manager regarding two emergency directories he had given to Mr. Salazar at the Commission meeting on October 11, 1994 to submit to City Council for approval to distribute copies of these directories City-wide. The directories were still on Mr. Salazar's desk. Mr: Salazar reiterated that the Commission could not take an action on something that is not agendized; ` this item has not been on the agenda. The item has to be formally agendized, i.e., the idea has to be explored, with a written Staff report and recommendation to the City Council. b) Letters were received from: Lourene Crow and Family and Roland and Lorraine Moore, opposed to Cameron Park Plan. - Baseball Lighting; Robert E. Klenck and Tami Klenck - opposed to Cortez Park Plan - Bandshell and Football Field Lighting. MSC Cano/McBride (8-0) Receive and File IV. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - Commissioner Moreno had received a complaint from Knora Jackson. She would like a committee formed to go into the Dial -A -Ride bus with her and she will demonstrate what is happening when she boards it.. Her wheelchair is securely tied but there is nothing to hold onto as the seats are too. soft and therefore difficult to get out. Staff will make arrangements to do this at the next regular meeting of the Commission. V. PUBLIC INPUT 1. Del Norte Park Plan - Baseball Field Lighting - Alan Chenoweth, 1508 Lahaina Street, West Covina, former President of the West Covina National Little League at Del Norte Park, in favor. "The lights would be out by 10 p.m. four nights during the week plus Saturday night. The lighted fields will be an attraction to young ball players. No homeowners would be affected by the lighted field." J Bert Hedlund, 357 ';N. Nora Avenue. "I need more data before I can make any decision. Is it was for little kids who should be home in the evening? Is it economical? I am not opposed to anything. I just want to know what is going on and the amount of money being expended." RECOMMENDATION - To continue this item to the January 10, 1995 meeting. MSC Sheety/McBride (8-0) 2. Palm View Park PlanBaseball Field Lighting Bruce Badoni, 316 N. Shadydale, West Covina, President, Pacific Coast Little League at. Palm View Park, in favor.. "We plan not to go far into the evening, 9:00 p.m and to move game times from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. It will allow working parents time to get to the park. We cannot complete four -inning games' because of darkness. It would eliminate coming back on Sundays because of no other openings. There are garbage and parking problems and we are trying to solve them. Commissioner Moreno and I have discussed working something out where the League's Board can meet with some of the residents on an ongoing basis to resolve problems when they occur." Commissioner Sotelo made note that the loud speakers did not work last year. Mr. Badoni , said the League will work with whatever is suggested. A lady in the audience questioned, "Who pays for the electricity?" Mr. Salazar responded; "City." Ron Johnson, 332 N. Carvol Avenue, West Covina, Treasurer, Pacific Coast Little League, in favor. "The League is willing to work with the neighbors. I work in Irvine and get home late.. 1 would like to see my kids play." Another gentleman in the audience stated that he was for lighting the field and wanted the kids to experience the thrill of playing under lights. Starting later might accommodate some of the parents. Agreed with what Bruce Badoni said. George Granoli, - Pacific Coast Little League, Ways and- Means Committee, in favor. "I enjoy raising money for the Little League: I think lights would help: We are willing to work out any problems with the neighbors and keeping the kids off the street." Commissioner McBride asked if the League had done anything in the past to keep peace with the neighbors and understanding their point of view. There has to be a solution to the parking problem, possibly putting a fence between the end of the cul-de-sac and the park to block access. Commissioner Brown suggested the possibility of using the church parking lot at the corner of Lark Ellen and Puente. Mr. Granoli responded that there was plenty of parking and using the church parking lot was unnecessary. Randy Smith, 1829 E. Workman, Apt. 2, with the Pacific Coast Little League, in favor.: "I have three children in the League. My main reason for lights, a little greedy, is to have more time to spend with my kids. I don't believe there is ample parking if other activities are taking place in the park at the same time such as picnickers." . 2. Complaint from a neighbor about the loud speaker being a disturbance. She has to wait until after the game to put her kids to sleep. With the lights, when will she be able to put her kids to sleep? Randy Smith responded that the games are over at 9 p.m. They stay to clean up. A lot of volunteers can't get to the game to be with their kids; the lights would help. James Dunlevy, 441 N. Osborn, West Covina, on Little League Board/Manager for nine years felt money needed to be spent on lights. Marvin Boatright, 1411 E. Eckerman, West Covina, opposed.. "What is the benefit in spending $60,000 for 1-2 hours a day? If you were to move to Palm View Park, what would your life be like? The City is trying to shoehorn too much into too small a park. The Little League is a fine thing but doesn't need to play at night. Problems: 1. Persons park in residential streets and block our driveway. 2. There is foot traffic on private property. People are walking across our lawns, without any regard for private property. 3. Excessivenoise from bleachers that are less than 150 feet from our homes. The Center had been rented but this has been limited so there is less noise. 4. With more activity in the park comes more trash in the park. 5. -- There is drinking; . foul language, use of drugs; and people with _ undesirable restroom habits such as. the soccer players. from Mexico using outdoors and front yards in broad day light. Six homes --all have been robbed more than once —from armed robbery to picking fruit; garages. robbed; day light robbery. I moved. to this address in 1956 when there was no Palm View Park. I recommend no further expansion of park activities and would welcome a reduction in park activities. The park is too small for all the activities at this time.." Commissioner Sotelo commented that the league is expanding. Crowds are increasing and staying for longer durations. Additional parking is needed. The police stop to check out what partying is going on at Palm View Park. The amount of problems is directly related to more people and how much is going on in the park: dog shows, rentals, etc. Commissioner Brown commented that it is hoped the lights will bring in parents with .kids. She doesn't agree that lighting will bring in riffraff. She lives one block from a park. Joyce Huskey,, 1315 E. Carlton Avenue, West Covina, is opposed. "I have lived here for 25 years. I want to reiterate that cars are double parked in front of our homes; guests cannot park, there is little regard for our privacy; the P.A. system is an ongoing noise; there is an abundance of trash, discards from the snack bar. We. deal with these problems on a daily basis with baseball from 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. during the week,. and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays. We will have to put up with more if lights are installed. With less tax revenue and tighter budgets the City should rethink this." 3. Commissioner Sheety feels lights are not the problem. The League should not use the loud speaker after 8 p.m. No lights after 9 p.m. The League should pick up its own trash and the police should patrol the area more. RECOMMENDATION - That the Planning Commission approve the Palm View Park Baseball Field Lighting. Any complaints by the neighbors are to be worked out by the Little Leagues. MSC Sheety/Brown (6-1-1) Moreno (No) Sotelo (Abstained) John Schimanski, Police Department, suggested making it a "PARKING PERMIT ONLY"' which can be used by house guests. This is done through the City Traffic Committee and enforced by police citations. 3. Cortez Park - Bandshell & Football Field Lighting Dino Diaz, 1241 Valinda Avenue, West Covina, President, West Covina Jr. All American Football League, in favor. "With the loss of the field at Orangewood Park to the Roller Hockey Rink we are expanding our home field in Cortez Park to Saturday and Sundays. There is a problem with overflow parking in Christ Lutheran Church's parking lot. Traffic is a t general problem. Without lighting we have no place to go. It can't die because of four residents who live on Citrus Avenue." Commissioner McBride commented that if the church was having a service, there would be interference. Complaints were coming from the church, not- from -the neighbors. The pastor was upset that non -church members were parking in the church lot after "NO PARM NG" signs were put up. Commissioner Brown asked, "If the field was lit, would you have to play - Sundays?" Response, "No." Commissioner Moreno commented that it was the adult element there during the games that were drinking beer. "What is the Little League going to do about it?" Response, "Automatically kicked out of park." Moreno would like to have the good neighbor policy exercised in our parks. The Little! League should notify other visiting leagues that beer drinking will not be tolerated in a West Covina park. Charles Cook, 404 S. Citrus Street, West. Covina, was opposed to lights in the park. "I am one of the four Citrus Street neighbors that Mr. Dias so lightly dismissed. There are acts of vandalism and other crimes in the park. I can understand that you don't understand. I don't think the Little Leagues are doing it. The activities in the park do attract an undesirable element. I know there is a.law, "No drinking in the park" but I pick up the empty beer cans. I am not saying that our police department is not adequate; I am saying they are not handling that problem. You (the Commission) have to make a philosophical decision. You have to decide what sort of balance you want to achieve between the needs, wants and requirements of the kids and the needs of your older residents. There may not be an optimum solution. What you decide may not only affect the residents but the whole City of West Covina-. I think the density and usage of our parks' have already reached their limits and further expansion will have detrimental affects. About six months ago, there was a Superior Court decision that government agencies could not have an adverse impact on private property rights..I suggest that the City's legal department look into this court decision. There is no perfect solution but the Commission must look for an optimum solution that will have the maximum benefit for the entire City." 4. Tami Klenck, 609 S. Magnolia, West Covina. "I am speaking on behalf of 53 neighbors who signed a petition against the lighting of the football field and the bandshell. (Petition given to staff). The lights are an invitation to come into the park at night. Cortez Park has had problems with drugs and homicides. The police know how rough the park is. It is only one mile to the Covina Bandshell and only two miles to West Covina City Hall._ There is no need for a bandshell in Cortez Park." Robert -Klenck, 609 S. Magnolia, West Covina. "The leagues are expanding with limited fields. Where does it stop? The close proximity to the freeway brings a bad element into the park. Not only four residents on Citrus Street are opposed to this. There is also a Petition signed by 53 neighbors." Shirley Thermos, 620 Magnolia, West Covina, opposed. "I live one block away from the park. With the Senior Center expansion there is inadequate parking yet the City keeps adding to this park. The Senior Center has big auctions and full week tournaments. I would like to know what in the world is going on that we are putting so much into Cortez Park? This is a residential neighborhood park. What are our rights? They should be considered. What else can you add to the park? Liquor and beer bottles from these events are littering private property. Now you want to add a-bandshell. There is a huge fire station and more noise; an oversized Senior Center; it doesn't make sense. There is inadequate parking; would need 200 parking spaces. There is gang graffiti on curbs, mail boxes are broken at night. How far can this go? We are trying to be a residential neighborhood and you should take this into consideration. Lights and a bandshell will draw the wrong element.". Commissioner- Singleton stated that the bandshell should be dropped for consideration as there were no proponents -for the bandshell in attendance. Motion by Cano and seconded by Brown to recommend approval of the Football Field Lighting and Bandshell in Cortez Park to the Planning Commission failed on a 3-3 tie vote and no recommendation was made. (3-3-2) Sotelo/Sheety abstained. Commissioner Sotelo abstained due to a possible conflict of interest as a coach and board member. 4. Cameron Park Plan - Softball Field Lighting Keith Anderson, 1033 W. Marbury Street, West Covina, President, West Covina Bobbi-Sox League. "Lights would provide extended play and more parents would come out. It is the only field in West Covina that girls can play on. We want to resolve the problems and issues with the neighbors." Ron Claypool, 1621 E. Doublegrove, West Covina, past Little League president, in favor. "It is the only field for girls to play softball. The lights would be beneficial. At this time, we cannot have a game prior to 12 noon on Sundays. The league is controlling the trash. The beer and liquor drinking is not done by the League but by others using the parks. I appreciate the concern of the neighbors but I don't feel the type of lights that would be installed would be a problem. I can only recall one time when a ball was hit into the back yard of a neighbor." David Claypool, 1621 Doublegrove, . West Covina, 10 year League Manager, in favor. Frank Bales, 1325 Larkwood, West Covina, opposed. "The Girls Senior League are 16 plus year olds. There are no sidewalks, it is not well lit, traffic and parking problems on Larkwood. Someone should address the 5. • City about dew the schools. If property. They should consider leasing fields from &ring vapor lights, they are obnoxious." Debbie Morehead,, 1317 E. Mobeck Street, West Covina, against lights. "I am not opposed Ito girls playing softball. I have a major concern about traffic problems. {Many balls hit have landed in our back yards. The rules and laws are not being followed in the City. Before the tournament, the "No Parking" signs were taken down. Does someone have an "in" with the City, that 1 they can parkwhere where they are not supposed to park? During tournaments, people do not obey the signs. I am concerned with the integrity of our City government that they can make an exception for one weekend to take down the "No Parking" signs. The people attending those games are very rowdy and use bad language. I am also concerned with the safety of !my children. There are permanent red "No Parking" signs, intersection of Mobeck and Avington yet someone had called the City and received special permission to take the signs down for Memorial Day weekend and then they put the signs back up. If we want to park on the street in front of our house, we have to pay for the "no parking" ticket." Mary Ann Macaraig, 1317 E. Mobeck Street, West Covina, opposed. "There is adequatei lighting to play. The only time lighting is not adequate is problems with traffic, parking, and people socializing. My son was almost hit by traffic. The loud noise from games on Saturday starting at 8:00-8:30 a.m. wake up my children and they are unruly for the rest of the day. There is heavy traffic on Mobeck at all times. Weekend partying gives a "slum" look to the park. I am ashamed of how the park looks." Mike Yoakum, 642 S. Avington, a 13 year resident, opposed. " I live two houses from the park and am very concerned with all the weekend activity in the park." Mary Hughes, 1337 Larkwood Street, opposed. "I have lived at this address for seven iyears and her husband, all his life. We are upset that the City didn't even notify us of this meeting. We are already impacted by the park; do not need lights. It is a very small park but important to the neighborhood: 25 % park, 25 % .Youth Center, 25 % Softball field, and 25 % for picnic and play. We already have bright lights, noise, and pollution from thef West Covina High School. We can't see why you can't work out a deal y4th the high school to have the girls play their games there. If the City, has so much surplus money, it can be used for other things." John Maraio, 1316 E. Larkwood, opposed. "I have been a resident for 14 years. I am open-minded about the West Covina Bobbi-Sox League and feel qualified as I have worked both sides of the fence. At the time I was with the League there was no problem scheduling the games and we did not have to rely on the City of West Covina. 1 feel more tournaments will be scheduled, with more trash, and more inconvenience to the neighborhood. The distance between the field and the homes is too close and too noisy. We would not have bought this home had there been lights at night. I am sure the money going for the lights could be better utilized by the City. The "trash" problem was brought up at the last community meeting on Cameron Park lighting. Here are pictures taken of the amount of trash after the Mast tournament that ended on a Sunday night. It was three days before the trash was picked up." Pictures were given to Staff. Dorothy Jennings; 1312 Larkwood Street, opposed. "I feel like the clean up man. The loud speaker is disturbing. I commend Mr. Salazar for the accurate recording of the last meeting. There were other people who J wanted to attend the.meeting to protest but were unable to. Lights on the field are going to play havoc with our lives. I am a 31 year teacher with the West Covina Unified School District and know the value of sports for the kids and have no objection to sports. City, why not buy our property and do what you want with it? People are drawn to Cameron 'Park from long distances; we tolerate high school drums, our back yards are lit up, and have Rock and Roll from the Teen Kanteen. Now we are being asked to take on more that will attract an undesirable element into the area. Sixteen year old girls do not want their parents watching them play ball. I am incensed by the additional burden that lights in that small park would create. I have a petition with 76 names opposing the lights. Only two neighbors would not sign; one was sick and another man thought God would take care of it." She read out loud the letter she had written to Gus Salazar. Staff received the letter for the records. RECOMMENDATION - that the Human Services Commission recommends approval of the lighting of the softball field at Cameron Park to the Planning Commission and to the City Council. MSC Cano/McBride (4-3-1) Sheety/Singleton/Moreno (No) Sotelo (Abstained) VI. STAFF REPORTS 1. CDBG-Loan Payoff Allocation - The CDBG-funded Home Improvement Loan Program is financed in part from repayment of previous loans. Demand for home improvement loans has exceeded current year allocations. RECOMMENDATION - that the City Council allocate the 1994 loan payback. funds in the amount of $100,000 to supplement the Home Improvement Program. - - MSC Sheety/McBride (8-0) 2. Fourth of July Event - . The City Council approved the 4th of July event with a fireworks show and booths for one day only. 3. Joint Meeting with City Council - Scheduled for Monday, December 19, 1994 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 314. The Human Services Commission and Departmental goals and work programs will be discussed., 4. Haunted House 1994 - Commissioner Cano indicated that the Covina Sunrise Rotary Club will submit a Request for Proposal to put on the 1995 Haunted House Event. 5. Statistical Reports - October. 1994 Receive and File. VII. I COAMUSSIONER REPORTS Sheety - Commended the Commissioners on their efforts in organizing and participation in the free breakfast for children at Edgewood School. The West Covina Unified School Board voted to apply to the Federal government for funding a daily free and reduced breakfast program. no - Reported that the City Council would be sending a letter of thanks to all the merchants who contributed turkeys for the homeless in the community. Moreno - Asked about CDBG funds for the needy in West Covina and how the needy could be reached. Mr. - Salazar responded that it would be done through the Consolidated Plan. 7. Sotelo - Thanked the Commission for its help in resolving a problem his basketball league was having with the West Covina Unified School District. VM. ITEMS TO BE AGENDIZED - L Emergency Directories 2. Reinstitute Afterschool Program - Report rt � 3. Haunted House Sunrise Rotary Proposal 4. Investigate the Dial -A -Ride Vans - DAVE representative present at next meeting. 5. Hotline for Children - Dial ABC - "I'm Hungry" 6.. Del Norte Sunset Field Lighting -Public Hearing 7. Tour of City Parks by Commission IX. ADJOURNNWNT - At 12:02 a.m. motion to adjourn to the next Regular Meeting of the Human Services Commission on Tuesday, January 10, 1995 at 7 i p.m. in the MRC Room 314, City Hall. Gus -Salazar Human Services. Director - xscniinuLHS/Gs:x- 8.