11-26-1973 - Regular Meeting - MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA
NOVEMBER 26, 1973.
• The regular meeting of the City Council called to order at 7:30 P.M.,
in the West Covina Council Chambers by Mayor Jim Lloyd. The Pledge
of Allegiance was led by Bryan Kilpatrick, Taki Brewer, Tim Rogers,
Ronald Trewhella of Boy Scout Troop 800, Christ Lutheran Church.
The invocation was given by the Reverend Charles R. Simmons of
United Methodist Church.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Lloyd; Councilmen: Nichols, Shearer,
Chappell
Absent: Robert Young
Others Present: George Aiassa, City Manager
George Wakefield, City Attorney
Lela Preston, City Clerk
George Zimmerman, Public Services Director
Leonard Eliot, Controller
Michael Miller, Planning Director
John Lippitt, City Engineer
Ken Larson, Administrative Analyst, Jr.
(Mayor Lloyd thanked Bob Ott, Assistant Scout Master and the Boy
Scouts of Troop 800 for their participation in leading the Pledge of
Allegiance.)
PRESENTATIONS
CERTIFICATES OF Mayor Lloyd: Lynn Giles, Lisa Kristal,
COMMENDATION Ken Stokes and
Brenda Thompson, are members
of our Youth Advisory Commission and I am sad to say that due to the
built-in function of the Ordinance our Youth Commission is non-
functioning at this moment but I am also pleased to say that we did
have some meetings with the young people to get it underway again.
Both Lynn Giles and Brenda Thompson have been involved in that and
I am sure we will see them again. (Presented Certificates of
Commendation)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
October
29,
1973.
(Adj.Reg.
Mtg.)
Councilman Shearer:
Mr. Mayor,
November
5,
1973
(Adj. Reg.
Mtg.)
I have one
November
12,
1973
(Adj. Reg.
Mtg.
comment -
Jt. Mtg.
C/C)
in the absence of the
November 5th
November
12,
1973
(Reg. Mtg.)
minutes from my packet
I was unable
to review - it was a very
short
meeting, I believe one
page of
minutes. (Councilmen
agreed to
withhold
approval
of November
5, 1973, minutes.)
Motion by Councilman Shearer, seconded by Councilman Chappell and
carried, to approve minutes of meetings of October 29, and
November 12, 1973.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Mayor Lloyd explained the procedure of the Consent Calendar items
and asked if there were any comments on any of the following items:
CITY COUNCIL
CONSENT CALENDAR - Cont'd.
1. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
a) MRS. PAUL K. STARR
543 N. Morada Avenue
16 West Covina
2. PLANNING COMMISSION
SUMMARY OF ACTION
•
3. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
Page Two
11/26/73
Re scheduling of street resurfacing
projects in vicinity of schools.
November 14, 1973 (Adj. Reg. Mtg.)
November 21, 1973. (Reg. Mtg.)
(Accept and file)
SUMMARY OF ACTION November 15, 1973. (Accept and file)
4. ACCEPTANCE OF IMPROVEMENTS AND/OR RELEASE OF BONDS
a) TOPICS PROJECT NO. T-3041 LOCATIONS: Vincent Avenue at West
(124) Covina Parkway, Glendora Avenue and
GRISSOM & JOHNSON, INC. South Garvey Avenue; Sunset Avenue
at Francisquito Avenue.
b) PROJECT NO. SP-73001
LORCO PROPERTIES, INC.
c) PRECISE PLAN OF DESIGN
NO. 452, REV. 2
CRESTVIEW CADILLAC
d) PRECISE PLAN OF DESIGN
NO. 615 - CITRUS AVENUE
DEVELOPERS
e) PRECISE PLAN OF DESIGN
NO. 625 - STAN MARR MOTEL
f) TRACT NO. 19665
MEEKER DEVELOPMENT CO.
Accept Traffic Signal installation
and Street Improvements and authorize
release of Employers Commercial Union
Insurance Company Bond No. EA71033-08
in the amount of $107,348. (Staff
recommends acceptance)
LOCATION: Various throughout the City.
Accept Sidewalk Improvements and
authorize release of The Ohio Casualty
Insurance Company Bond No. 1 698 826 in
the amount of $211859. (Staff
recommends acceptance)
LOCATION: South Garvey Avenue,
E/O Citrus Street.
Accept Sidewalk Improvements and
authorize release of Agricultural
Insurance Company Bond No. 74 35 02
in the amount of $2,500. (Staff
recommends acceptance)
LOCATION: E/S/O Citrus Street
S/O Walnut Creek Wash.
Accept Street Improvements and
authorize release of The Ohio
Casualty Insurance Company Bond
No. 1-639-033 in the amount of
$8,600. (Staff recommends acceptance)
LOCATION: North Garvey Avenue at
westerly limits of City.
Accept Sidewalk and Street Improve-
ments and authorize release of
Travelers Indemnity Company Bond
No. 1859406 in the amount of $1,300.
(Staff recommends acceptance)
LOCATION: Sunset Hill Drive cul-de-
sact, east of Manington Place.
Accept Street and Sewer Improvements
- 2 -
CITY COUNCIL
CONSENT.CALENDAR - Cont'd.
Page Three
11/26/73
and authorize release of.Fireman's Fund Insurance Company Bond No.
SCR 707 76 48 in the amount of $9,700. (Staff recommends acceptance.)
5. ABC APPLICATIONS Chief of Police recommends NO PROTEST.
a) Jean A. & Joseph Rappa dba TOUCH OF ITALY
40 445 Banna, Covina 277 S. Glendora Avenue
b) Carl Hannebohn
P.O.Box 1174, Alhambra dba THE ISLANDER
2239 E. Garvey Avenue
6. CLAIM FOR DAMAGES FILED WITH CITY CLERK:
a) FELDMAN & GOLDE, Attorneys for Claimant Simon Subirias, 16772
E. Francisquito Avenue, Valinda, for
personal injuries during incident on
or about November 2, 1973. (Deny and
refer to City Attorney and Insurance
Carrier)
7. TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MINUTES
_REYIEW FICTION November 20, 1973. (Accept and File)
8. CITY TREASURER'S REPORT Month of October, 1973. (Receive
and File)
Tom -Gallagher With reference to Traffic Committee minutes,
812 S. Valnda Item VI - with regard to the approaches of
West Covina Cameron Avenue and Valinda to be restripped
to provide separate 100:!.,lohg_aturn lanes,
that no stopping zones be established on
both sides of all approaches for a distance of 220' from the limit
line. This matter was brought to the Traffic Committee's attention
at their meeting of last week and they made a recommendation
favorably. for ,it. The residents of this intersection have taken up
two petitions, one of which was submitted to the Traffic Committee
last week consisting. -of 9 separate parties living on the north side
of Valinda, dated November 17, to the Engineering Department. There
is another petition taken up more recently consisting of 21
signatures from residents on.the Cameron Avenue side, south side
of Cameron and the southern part of Valinda,those most immediately
affected by this proposed move. In all cases all 30 signatures
representing all.the property owners in that intersection they are
very much opposed to.this.
Very briefly, the first petition signed by
the.9 north of the intersection state that parking is already a
problem on Valida, property values would be reduced, the alley
running parallel to Valinda has no parking thus finding a place to
park cars for multi -car families would be impossible. I would
comment.that only at this time north of Valinda do they have an
alley where they can even get off the street.
• The other people, the six salient points of
their argument: reduction of property values; parking would be
critical;.visitors.would not be able to park conveniently close to
the .visiting home; families owning several cars would have an
impossible situation as it is extremely difficult now to get in and
out of driveways and will be even more so when the traffic is coming
steadily along the curb; residents on Valinda, the southwest side for
example, will have to contend with left turns from westbound traffic
on Cameron plus right turns into Valinda, and with the traffic using
- 3 -
CITY COUNCIL
CONSENT CALENDAR - Cont'd.
Page Four
11/26/73
the parking lane it will be more difficult than ever to get in and
out of their driveways:; and number 6 , we strongly.oppose the
painting of the curbs -red because it will greatly inconvenience
us by prohibiting parking and also eliminate the need for stopping,
loading or unloading. This is part of the Traffic Committee's
recommendation, that a no stopping zone be established on both sides
of all approaches.
I have talked to Mr. Peters from the Traffic
Department about this.situation, we spent almost an hour and a half
a week ago going.over the vital facts and figures. We went over
the volume. of traffic.accidents since 1960. I have lived there
since 1962 and I have seen this street evolve from essentially a
local dead.end.street to.amm:ajor thoroughfare. Some interesting
figures came., up at that time based on the City's own findings.
One is the east/west traffic on Cameron approaches 9200 vehicles a
day,,,-north/south traffic on Valinda approaches 8900 per day. We are
into the neighborhood of 6 million vehicles per year using that
intersection. At the actual frequency rate that is in the neighbor-
hood of 1.8 accidents per million vehicles. The Traffic Committee's
opinion is that one accident per million vehicles is not in excess
of recommended standards. The situation is not at an intolerable
point, but going back to the recorded figures the Traffic Department
keeps they had a 2.0 accident rate there in 1971. In 1973 they had
10 accidents to date at that intersection, 5 of which are left turn
accidents. The amazing thing that shows up when you start delving
into the statistics is in these 10 accidents 5 occurred during
January and February. There -is nothing on the map that substantiates
that it was raining at the time but for those of you familiar with
Cameron you know that the north side of Cameron has a tremendous
amount of standing water, the south side i• ;pretty well drained but
on the north side all the way from West Covina High School down to
the Cameron/Valinda intersection you will have water that extends
over allthe parking area and well out into the first lane of traffic.
I.t is my contentionthat these.vehicles coming down there had wet
brakes and this helped to contribute to some of the 5 accidents in
January and February and that situation doesn't occur in any of the
other recorded accidents at this intersection which goes back to
five years and which has been very well documented. If you hadn't
had those 5 accidents in January and February then you would have
only had 5 accidents for the year at that intersection which is not
out of line with what has been -.had down there during the last 5 years.
Our contention is that a left turn lane will
not alleviate the problem one bit. As it is now you have traffic
standing to make a left turn and all that is being proposed by the
Traffic Committee is to restrip the thing and put a whole bunch of
red paint down there to eliminate any parking which will affect
nineteen residents. You are not making any provision to put in a
left turn arrow. It was the thought of Mr. -Thomas at this time that
the cost of a left turn arrow would be prohivitive, somewhere in
the neighborhood of $25,000. The intersection was likened to the
one at Lark Ellen and Cameron where a left turn lane was put in and
in the statistics they used they claim there was a 75/ reduction
in accidents at Lark Ellen and Cameron. By no stretch of the
imagination can you compare the intersection at Lark Ellen and
Cameron with the intersection at Valinda and Cameron. You have
almost an equal traffic flow on Lark Ellen and Cameron. I hate
to guess what the flow would be on Lark Ellen but probably 20/
less of the flow at Cameron. If you can affect a 75% reduction
at Lark Ellen and Cameron because you put'.,j.in a left turn lane
you cannot use this as a valid argument to say you can affect the
same reduction at Cameron and Valinda.
MM
CITY COUNCIL Page Five
CONSENT CALENDAR - Cont'd. 11/26/73
It is the unanimous recommendation of all the
residents in this area that this plan be abandoned. There is no
need at the present time to make any changes in the traffic flow
at this intersection, particularly with respect to establishing left
turn lanes without left turn arrows. That will be absolutely worth-
less. You are talking about $500. to put in effect those plans
• and from my experience you will be spending about $2500. to getdown
there and sandblast all those red lanes off of there. If you really
want to make an effective change in this area but the left turn
signals in. I strongly believe that when the freeway is completed
you will find a reduction in the flow of traffic on Valinda during
rush hours. We would appreciate your consideration. Thank you.
(Council agreed to remove this item from
the Consent Calendar and discuss.)
Mrs. Robert J. Fishback I would like to speak on the Traffic
1137 S. Auburn Drive Committee's decision around West
West Covina Covina High School. I have some
people coming and they have not
arrived yet, can we give them .time later on to speak?
Mayor Lloyd:. We have Oral Communications which
will occur after 8 P.M. and anyone
wishing to may speak may do so at that time.
Councilman Nichols: Mr. Mayor, normally the item the
lady would like to speak to would
be routinely approved by Council at
this time unless Council requests that it be held over.
Councilman Shearer: Does this item have to do with the
crosswalk? (Mrs. Fishback answered
"yes".) I would also ask that it be
held over for further discussion by Council so it will not be
routinely approved at this time. And in addition to the two
mentioned on the Traffic Committee minutes, I would also request
that Items 7 and 8 be removed from.,;the Consent Calendar.
(Council agreed)
Motion by Councilman Shearer that the Consent Calendar Items
be approved with the exception of the Traffic Committee minutes
items 4, 6, 7, and 8, same to be withdrawn for discussion;
seconded by Councilman Chappell and carried on roll call vote as
follows: AYES: N:i-chop,s,' :iS-,he.dr_er;,�:: C,happell. ;:i=L1•oyd'. , j
NOES: None
ABSENT: Yourig- ,
Mayor Lloyd: I apologize, I was going to make it clear for
the record why Councilman Young wasn't here
this evening; he apparently hurt his back and
he called me this evening and I advised him not to come if he
wasn't feeling well. That is why he isn't here tonight, and I
believe he had some thoughts on some of the items which he dis-
cussed with Councilman Nichols.
• TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MINUTES Councilman Shearer: I was going
ITEM IV - Cameron & Valinda to ask that
Avenue this be
withdrawn because if for no other
reason that we discuss it so we
don't have the problem we had with the stop sign on the North
Garvey situation, where we go through and pass it and then people
come in and raise their objections. I have a question or two to
ask Staff.
CITY COUNCIL Page Six
CONSENT CALENDAR: Traffic Committee Minutes 11/26/73
(Mr. Aiassa advised that the Traffic Engineer, Harry Thomas was present
to answer questions.)
Councilman Shearer: Do you know the curb to curb width of the
two streets?
• Harry Thomas Yes, Cameron Avenue is 64' curb to curb, and
Traffic Engineer Valinda Avenue is 60' curb to curb.
Councilman Shearer: We had this same situation, as Council will
remember, at the corner of Azusa and Cameron
sometime back where the recommendation was to
prohibit curbside parking on both sides. At that time the question
was raised as to whether this was too much of an. imposition to impose
particularly on those properties that front onto the particular
street. My concern is still the same. I am not so concerned with
those properties that side onto those streets. I believe at that
time Staff went back and was able to design within the right-of-way,
utilizing only one side of the street. I notice on the sketch that
accompanied our packet that on all four approaches there are side
fronting lots that perhaps could be utilized. I would like to
suggest that this approach be investigated to see if this is at all
feasible. If not, then in my mind regardless of the traffic
accident frequency count I feel that the every day, day in and day
out disadvantage to the homeowner who fronts on those streets and
now has trouble parking in that area, far outweighs the slight
potential reduction in the accident rate. My feeling is if staff
cannot provide their desire for left turn pockets without abandoning
parking on the front facing lots then I will vote against the
proposal.
Motion by Councilman Shearer that this item be referred back to
Staff for consideration of this plan and advise Council further
whether it is or is not feasible; seconded by Councilman Chappell
and carried.
ITEM VI Councilman Shearer: Mr. Mayor, in view
of the fact there was
a request to speak .to this item later I would request that it be
deferred until after Oral Communications.
Mayor Lloyd: Very well, we will defer this item until
after Oral Communications.
Councilman Shearer: Items VII and VIII - I merely had an
objection to the wording in the recommenda-
tion. These both had to do with adoption
of certain standards with regard to development of�private streets
and I believe the other had to do with the parking layout. The
wording is: "that the attached standard be approved and trans-
mitted to the Planning Commission for formal adoption by Resolution."
This:' -is a little sore point with me. I think that is putting the
cart before the horse, to ask the Council to approve and then send
it to the Planning Commission for implementation.
I would move that this item be referred to
the Planning Commission for their recommendation with regard to
any Resolution that might be forthcoming. Seconded by Councilman
Chappell and carried.
GENERAL AGENDA ITEMS
AWARD OF BIDS
PROJECT NO. 125-7304-1 LOCATION: Gingrich Park.
GINGRICH PARK Bids received in the Office of the
- 6 -
CITY COUNCIL Page Seven
Award of Bids: #125-7304-1 11/26/73
City Clerk up to 10;00 A.M. on Wednesday,
November 211 1973 and thereafter publicly
opened and read.
City Clerk: Mr. Mayor and members of the Council, we
received three bids as follows:
Nelson & Nelson, Van Nuys: Concrete Block - $17,065
Slumpstone - $17,689
Prefab. - $20, 818
Lloyd E. Moen, W.C. Concrete Block - $18,600
Slumpstone - $19,100
Prefab. - No Bid
Everett E. Clark, Arcadia: Concrete Block - $19,490
Slumpstone - $20,340
Prefab. - No Bid
Motion by Councilman Shearer that City Council award a_contract
to Nelson & Nelson in the amount of $17,689 for the construction of
a slumpstone comfort station at Gingrich Park; seconded by
Councilman Chappell and carried.
BID NO. 74-25 Bids received in the Office of the Purchas-
FIRE PUMPER SUPPORT ing Agent up to 10:00 A.M., on Wednesday,
EQUIPMENT November 21, 19731 and thereafter publicly
opened and read.
City Clerk advised that the Staff recommenda-
tion is to hold this item: -over to the next
regular Council meeting of December 10, 1973.
So moved by Councilman Shearer, seconded by
Councilman Chappell and carried.
HEARINGS
AMENDMENT NO. A proposed amendment to Chapter 11
TO WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL Article'Ii to establish guidelines
CODE RELATING TO and standards for the development
CONDOMINIUMS of new condominiums and for the
CITY INITIATED conversion of existing developments
to condominiums. Recommended by
Planning Commission Resolution No.
2502. (Proof of Publication of Notice of Public Hearing in the
West Covina Tribune on November 16, 1973 received)
Mr. Miller Mr. Mayor and members of Council, the
Planning Director Planning Commission conducted several
study sessions on the proposed Ordinance
over the past couple of months and the
Ordinance before you tonight for public hearing is a result of
that work. (Briefly summarized the basic requirements as set
forth in the Resolution.) The Planning Commission in their
Resolution No. 2502 recommends approval of this Ordinance.
THIS IS THE TIME AND PLACE FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING ON AMENDMENT
NO. TO THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO CONDOMINIUMS,
CITY INITIATED.
Mayor Lloyd: Madam City Clerk, have we had publication
on this?
City Clerk: Yes, we have.
- 7 -
CITY COUNCIL
HEARINGS: Amendment re Condominiums
Page Eight
11/26/73
Motion by Councilman Shearer, seconded by Councilman Chappell and
carried, to receive and file the affidavit of posting.
.Mayor Lloyd: Madam City Clerk, do we have any written
communications?
• City Clerk: One from Umark, Inc., a copy of which I
believe all of you received today.
(Mayor Lloyd asked that the Umark letter be read into the record.)
Dated November 21, 1973, addressed to City Council, City of West
Covina; Re Proposed Condominium Ordinance: "The following excerpts
from either Resolution No. 2238 of the West Covina Planning
L
Commission and Exhibit "B" of the Woodside Village Master Plan Text
dated March 24, 1970 are applicable for our approval of our Planned
Community Development. We point these out only to illustrate our
concern regarding the proposed condominium ordinance which, if
approved, might significantly affect certain density segments
within the Master Plan delineated as 25 units per acre.'
'Portions of our Master Plan Text include the following statements:
Whereas ....In the Planning process, the developers have
worked closely with the Cities of West Covina and Walnut
as well as various agencies and utility companies. The
resulting Master Plan shows a pattern of land development,
street patterns, school and park planning, utilities, etc.
which will achieve a balanced and well planned community
providing for a wide range of housing types with related
public facilities and shopping areas.'
'The policies and proposals of the Plan intend to create a
total community; i.e. a community that reflects a balance
between the people who reside there and the schools, parks,
other public services, and the shopping facilities which
those residents desire. This is accomplished through the
inclusion of density patterns which will accommodate a
variety of residential dwelling types appealing to various
income groups.'
'Several classifications of residential land use density are propos-
ed. The density designation do not specify specific dwelling unit
types. Any density classification can accommodate various types of
dwelling units, as long as the total number of units constructed
does not exceed the density designated within each density segment
of the Woodside Village Master Plan."
'Multiple Family Dwelling Units: The site development Stand-
ards of the West Covina MF-25 shall be used.'
'The proposed Condominium Ordinance specifically suggests under the
heading of Development Standards for New Condominium Projects thtLt
the 'maximum number of dwelling units per net acre shall be eight
(8).' Woodside Village. presently has an inventory of approximately
140 acres zoned 25 dwelling units per acre. Assuming we were to
develop these properties with just ownership units at 8 dwelling
• units per acre we would suffer a net loss of over 21000 units and
5,400 in anticipated population. The following approximate
computations reflect our concern: Zoning - 25 du/acre - Inventory
of Gross Acres - 140,*Net Acres 126, Total units 3,1501 Total Pop.
7,900; 8 du/acre zoning - Inventory of Gross Acres 140; Net acres
126; Total Units 11008; Total Pop. 2,500; Net Losses - 2,142 units;
and 5,400 population.
* 10/ Reduction in Land Computed for Net Acreage
** Population based on 2.5 people per unit
'A substantial decrease in units and population has a significant
CITY COUNCIL Page Nine
HEARINGS: Amendment re Condominiums 11/26/73
adverse affect upon Umark's program of providing the necessary
backbone utilities servicing this planned community. Umark has
made large sums of financial commitments for major backbone water,
sewer and storm drain lines all of which are based totally upon
anticipated growth in the area. We are in the process of donating
a 40 acre community park site based upon the future population of
this area and we have also set aside several neighborhood park sites for
future donation to the City of West Covina also based upon the growth
rate of the area. Another important impact of this proposed
ordinance is the affect on street circulation, street widths,
traffic indices, and the construction of major highways, primary
highways and secondary highways.
'We know full well that in many instances abuilder will not develop
a 25 du parcel to the absolute limit of density but will voluntarily
reduce the density to allow for a more marketable product. For
example, the Lusk Company is presently studying a fourplex design
on property zoned 25 du/ac at the corner of Nogales Street and
La Puente Road but only chooses to develop at approximately 11 units
per acre or less than half of the allowable density. But a further
reduction in density would most certainly increase the purchase price
of each unit and make a feasibly sound project not marketable since
prospective purchasers of this type of a product would likely be
unwilling to pay the higher price.'
'We must further note that under the concept of a Planned Community
Development the City of West Covina has the necessary controls
to insure quality development but we must still maintain flexibility
in order to have a variety of housing types. As is stated quite
clearly in our Master Plan Text, "the density designations do not
specify specific dwelling types."'
'For all of the preceding reasons Umark would like to respectfully
request that the City Council seriously consider denial of this
proposed condominium ordinance or exempt the Planned Community
Development of Woodside Village from this ordinance as it is
presently written or, refer this ordinance back to the Planning
Commission and staff for further review.'
'I would be happy to answer any questions you might have regarding
the impact of this ordinance on our property and would like to have
the opportunity to discuss this ordinance with you at the public
hearing on Monday, November 26, 1973." Signed: R. J. Sloan,
Project Manager.
IN FAVOR No testimony by the public.
IN OPPOSITION
Ron Sloan, (Sworn in by City Clerk)
Project Manager We are a little bit concerned and probably
Umark, Inc. it is our fault because we did not appear
before the Planning Commission or at any
of the Study Sessions. As I said it is
our fault and we were assuming this is for condo conversions,
various apartments in the City being converted to condos in an
established structure where you can't totally plan it out, you are
just changing the ownership relationship. Negligence or ignorance
for not appearing before is really no justification for being here
but when it came to our attention through the processing of one
of our development plans - and as you know I haven't been before
this City Council in a number of years - we went through
Woodside Village and we are developing the land and selling to
various builders - now we are currently under construction of
Nogales/Amar and Shadow Oak, a 22- million dollar construction
program and tomorrow we are ready to let a contract for the grading
of the bowl area which is another 2 million dollars. The reason
for doing this is to provide a land base for prospective builders
- 9 -
CITY COUNCIL Page Ten
HEARINGS: Amendment re Condominiums 11/26/73
for this community. We go out and represent the property to the
various interested builders with a very comprehensive text of our
Master Plan of Woodside Village and I believe it is the only
PCD within the City at the present time and I am not sure if that
is good or bad. However it is existing and it is very extensive
as far as the conditions and requirements within that.
In fact when we show the piece of property
it is not really just saying here's the 20 acres go build on it.
It takes them a week or two to understand the conditions they have
to build under. One of the reasons I mentioned we are under our
construction program and where this hurts us drastically is if you
have had the time to readthe letter on the density factor, and we
appreciate the fact there is a waiver in the condominium ordinance,
but the problem with that waiver is when you go to prospective
builders and we are not selling to individual homeowners, we are
theoritically land wholesalers that put a great deal of money on
the property and when you put in three quarters of a million in
storm drain system in Nogales and another two million dollars for
the rest of the streets, sewers, water and what have you — well it
is all geared to the projected population of 1100 and some odd
acres within West Covina. The size of the sewers, the size of the
storm drain, every factor is taken into consideration. Now if we
apply the straight across the board 8 dwelling units to the acre
and a prospective builder comes in and he picks up the 8/du's but
we say - hold on there is a waiver you can get! Well that sounds
very good and the City has been very fair with us on anything we
have tried to process, if it wasn't good it was not approved and
if it was good it was approved, and we have always taken the stand
if you don't like one of the developments or the Planning Commission
doesn't they have the rightodf denial and the Council can back up
the denial. So a waiver even though it does allow some flexibility
on a PCD of over 1100 acres and a major commitment of dollars we
can't gamble with the backbone being built way in advance of the
builders. The streets I am building today the developers will be
coming in next year and the year following. So we have geared all
of our investment and all of our plans and the water system now owned
by the City, the revenues produced by that system and the rates
established are also based on a certain population within the City
of West Covina. When that population figure decreases we have
grave problems and pressures from many sources.
I am not being facetious about this and I am
not asking that you deny the total ordinance but I truly feel in
looking through this there is some worthwhile points in the
ordinance, especially on the condominium conversions. Now if it
coula be the Council's }Measure to either exempt PCD NO. 1 - and
I might have to defer to Mr. Wakefield whether the PCD NO. 1 and
its text and the ordinance associated thereto is actually a zone
change at that time - if we apply this over our PCD on the books
at this time are we theoretically changing the zones on some of
our property without the benefit of a zone change hearing? That
is a question I honestly do not know. But it does reduce our
density and it does theoritically change our zones if we elect
to build the condominium process. Or if the Council cannot find
• its way clear to exempt PCD NO. 1, or if it is not a legal basis,
and Mr. Wakefield would be better equipped for that, then we ask
that it be referred back to Planning.
It would be repetitious to them I am sure
to go through the study sessions again but if you look at the
agenda when this first was put out it was Item 3, Amendment to
the West Covina Municipal Code, Negative Declaration of Environ-
mental Impact, City Initiated -now if you get as many of these as
we folks do and you run through your items and you see the
- 10 -
CITY COUNCIL Page Eleven
HEARINGS: Amendment re Condominiums 11/26/73
environmental impact thing although farther down it goes into
Condominium Conversions for Apartment Condos - well it is easy to
overlook. I would rather see it go back to Planning than have
the Ordinance passed tonight and have the opportunity for an
indepth study session with them so they can see the affect it
would -'have on PCD NO. 1 and I think it would be remiss of the
Council to deny this Ordinance just on our request alone because
there is more to the City of West Covina than just Woodside
Village and I think there is some merit within that Ordinance.
I am afraid it causes some great problems when we have already
designed our streets which are already planned and underway.
I would be very happy to answer any questions and if you have
seen the letter it does reduce something in the neighborhood of
2142 units and reduces the population by 5400 people and these
are rather conservative numbers. If you have any questions I will be
pleased to answer them. Thank you.
Councilman Shearer: A point for clarification. This reduction
you are talking about only would occur if
the developer choose to go condominiums?
Mr. Sloan: That is correct.
Councilman Shearer: If he choose to go apartments this would
have no effect?
Mr. Sloan: That is true. And the difficulty we are
having is there are several apartments
Bren already built and the developers coming
to us and one case in point and probably one of our reasons for
concern, is the Lusk Corporation, who is in the process of going
into a study session I think it is on December 5th or so with the
Planning Commission, and the merits of their plan I honestly do
not know yet, but they have elected not to build the apartment
complex at Nogales and La Puente Road, they are going into a
condominium development townhouse program based on 11 units to
the acre density. Now they are voluntarily reducing that from 25
to 11 because it is the proprietorship/ownership type thing rather
than the rental apartment thing. So that reduction is a
voluntary thing and they are willing to do it on their own. Now
with imposing the 8 units per acre on them;the Lusk project will
not fly. I have rather a lengthy letter from them on that which
was just received the other day.
.Mayor Lloyd: Are there any other questions? If not is
there any rebuttal? I assume, Mr. Aiassa,
you would like to have someone speak to
that since this was City Initiated.
Mr. Aiassa: I would like to make the suggestion that
this be carried over before being referred
back to the Planning Commission so that
Mr. Sloan and our Planning Director, Mr. Miller, can review his
comments and bring it back to Council on December 10, 1973.
• Mayor Lloyd: You want to continue this hearing and that
is your recommendation?
Mr. Aiassa: Yes sir.
Councilman Chappell: Mr. -Mayor, one question. It seems to me when
we were doing some other changing of land
density that the PCD since it had been
approved was entirely left out of that particular situation.
Mr. Wakefield, can you bring us uptodate on that?
CITY COUNCIL Page Twelve
HEARINGS: Amendment re Condominiums 11/26/73
Mr. Wakefield: That is true, it was left out from the
changes that were made in connection with
the MF-15 and MF-20 zones. However, this
Ordinance as proposed by the Planning Commission in effect. -,,super -
cedes those provisions that are in the basic zoning provisions
applicable to a given piece of property insofar as the standards
set for condominiums are inconsistent with those provisions.
The land involved in the Umark development is covered by a
Planned Unit Development Master Plan that has been approved.
However, this being a later Ordinance would subject those properties
to its provisions to the extent that the Condominium Ordinance as
proposed is inconsistent with the PCD standards as approved.
It would be necessary to either modify this Ordinance or to
specifically exempt PCD zones and Master Plans from the provisions
of this Ordinance, either of which could be done, of course.
Councilman Nichols: Mr. Mayor, may I speak to this matter? I
have reflected on this at considerable
length because I think it raises some
rather interesting and significant questions. West Covina only in
recent years has come into the PCD concept, it was applied I think
first to the Umark properties and then recently to a development
that has not yet flown at Cameron and Azusa, where it was used on a
smaller parcel situation, and it was done to in fact create greater
municipal control over a development. It was done so that the
entire package could be prepared in consultation with City and
builder so whenthe City Council finally said go, the entire project
in fact was pretty much locked in. The builder in agreeing to that
type of a procedure surrendered considerable latitude in developing
under the general ordinances for multiple family development and
at the same time he also surrendered additional independence for
certain guarantees, that once his plan was approved by the City the
City would stand by it.
. Therefore, tonight really for the first time
we have an ordinance before the Council that purports to make
changes that would have a basic effect on a PCD in the City. I
think the City has a great deal of responsibility to uphold the
integrity of the PCD concept by not helter-skelter coming in with
modifications or,lesser ordinances that would tend to override
the PCD concept.
So for my part I would be much opposed on
the face of it to see the City begin to enact ordinances that
would negate the features of the PCD ordinance which we worked so
long on to get into our City. If we have erred we erred within
the framework of that particular permission that was granted to
build because we looked at every aspect of it along the way and
if we erred and I think think we should then try and correct that
by trying to override our own errors and change the name of the
game on that particular builder who accepted those advantages and
inherent restrictions. On the other hand I see inherent in this
type of situation a concern that I didn't see before and that is
that once you as a City Council agree to a PCD should you be
bound for life to that? Should you have thousands of acres
• resting, waiting for development and a decade later then be
committed to a continuation of an original approval that may in
fact be unreasonable standards and no longer be valid.
So I think perhaps some of these problems
need to be resolved by a review of our PCD ordinance to put some
of the same kind of time limits on that we'have applied to some
of our other multiple family uses. That is only something that
I commend to staff and Council to look at.
- 12 -
LJ
•
CITY COUNCIL
HEARINGS: Amendment re Condominiums
Page Thirteen
11/26/73
Until that time, —comes I think we have a
great deal of responsibility to uphold our agreement with that
developer, that what we said would be incorporated within that
area will be incorporated. I think it would be very bad indeed
to come in now and imply some change and pull the rug out from
under somebody that has put in millions of dollars in major
development. I have one further observation, I see some
fallacies from my point of view in the entire ordinance. I am not
satisfied with the Planning Commission on this - for example
Section E of this ordinance in the Conversion Section it states
"that the conditions applicable to new condominium development
shall be applied as stipulated under the new development standards,
etc. etc." I don't see how unless a community or a Council is
prepared to say - you shall not convert apartments to condominiums -
I don't see how you can at all apply exactly the same standards to
conversion that you do to new construction.
It is reasonable and valid that over the years
we upgrade our permissable standards and in terms of new construction
that we allow less density or the expansion of certain things, etc.,
but when you apply a concept to existing structures and attempt to
apply 1973 standards to conversions, in fact if you apply your
conversion standards as you have your initial condominium standards,
you effectively prevent conversions. Now if that is the wish of
the Council then that is an issue we should decide. Should we in
West Covina allow people to convert their apartments to condominiums
or should we:not? Without going into the rest of it because it is
fraught with the same kind of problems, let me cite only one:
minimum floor area per dwelling. It indicates on any conversion of
an apartment in West Covina to a condominium that the 1 bedroom
units to be converted must have a minimum footage of 1050 square
feet; 2 bedroom 1200; 3 bedroom 1350, etc. I would suspect that
in the several thousands of apartment units that exist in West
Covina, let's say that existed up to a couple of years ago, that
you wouldn't find a dozen of 2 bedroom apartments at 1200 square
feet. I happen to own a 4 unit apartment building in Covina and
I own none in West Covina, so this does not affect me, and people
tell me that my 2 bedroom apartments are rather larger than
others in the area and they are 900 square feet. I do own a
3 bedroom home in West Covina, a rental property, it has 1300
square feet, and yet this ordinance says you must have 1350 square
feet for a 3 bedroomaapartment to convert.
I think I have cited enough to give some
indication that throughout this conversion section are standards
being applied that will functionally make it almost impossible
for any significant conversion of apartments to condominiums occur
in West Covina. Now that is another issue again that is separate
of this, but we certainly don't want an ordinance adopted pre-
scribing conversions that in fact does not permit conversions.
It makes no sense at all. It is either a devious approach or a
incorrect approach. In either event I feel there are better ways
to answer this problem. So for this reason I concur with the
City Manager's recommendation to hold it over both from the point
of view of Umark's very legitimate concerns and from the concerns
that I have raised here in terms of the conversion aspect of this
proposal. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Councilman Shearer:
if we hold this over
Mr. Wakefield:
Mr. Wakefield - what is the time factor on
this? We passed the emergency ordinance
sometime back declaring a certain moratorium,
does that time limit expire?
problem inasmuch as we
Yes, the urgency ordinance will expire.
However, in my discussions with staff it
seemed to me there really was no immediate
do not have any pending:`.applications for
- 13 -
CITY COUNCIL Page Fourteen
HEARINGS: Amendment re Condominiums 11/26/73
conversions. We have had inquiries with respect to the procedures
necessary to follow but have not actually received any applica-
tions. I would think as long as the ordinance is under considera-
tion whatever applications might be received could either be held
pending final resolution of the ordinance or be processed in the
light of the Council and Planning Commission consideration in the
light of the proposed ordinance.
Councilman Shearer: Mr. Mayor, I feel in view of the comments
brought up by Councilman Nichols in addition
to those Mr. Sloan mentioned, I would
recommend not as the City Manager is indicating but to get this
moving along, - and eventually I think we will be sending this
back to the Planning Commission anyway. I would not want to amend
it here without it going back to the Planning Commission, so I
think this would serve to save two weeks if we take that action
this evening. I base my recommendation on the point that Mr. Sloan
brought out, the City does have an interest here which concerns me
at this time more perhaps than Mr. Sloan's interest because we
represent different sides at times. He pointed out the design of
the water company, which we now own, and have an obligation to pay
for out of revenues was based on a certain projected population
and if we take action here that tends to reduce that somewhat
we may be building in some problems that we really wouldn't want and
perhaps as Mr. Sloan indicated that appears to be an oversight
that perhaps the Planning Commission didn't consider either.
I think this plus the concerns of Councilman Nichols would warrant
this going back now to the Planning Commission and not held over
so that Mr. Miller and Mr. Sloan can get together and then decide
in two weeks from now that it goes back to the Planning Commission.
Councilman Chappell: Another point if we are going to do that,
,Mr. Mayor. One of the problems that I was
concerned with most was the 8 unit
standardization throughout the City. Talk brought out in the
minutes of the Planning Commission and suggested a couple of times
in there was that perhaps as we have our lot sizes for homes in
various parts of the community this standardization should also be
placed on the Citylin the same relationship to the condominiums.
Some areas have far less square footage requirements than others
in various parts of the City. Azusa and Cameron being one which
would fit the 8 unit without any problem at all, but perhaps
Sunset and Merced might be allowed ten because of the size of the
homes in the area. This was a valid point to me and for some
reason this was sort of skimmed over and they standardized on the
8 units throughout the whole City, but to me this is not good
planning to do it that way. So I agree with Councilman Shearer it
should go back to the Planning Commission rather than be held over
and then sent back and that this should be looked at too because
I think we are being unrealistically tight in our requirements
throughout the whole City of West Covina. That is just another
thought the rest of the Council might want to dwell on.
Motion by Councilman Shearer that this ordinance be referred back
to the Planning Commission for further study taking into the
• comments of the Council. Seconded by Councilman Chappell and
carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Nichols, Shearer, Chappell, LLoyd
NOES: None
ABSENT: Young
- 14 -
CITY COUNCIL Page Fifteen
HEARINGS - Cont-d. 11/26/73
VACATION OF PORTION OF LOCATION: Batelaan and Sylvan Avenues,
BATELAAN & SYLVAN AVES.,. between West Covina Parkway and Garvey
PROTEST HEARING Avenue.
Set for hearing on this date for pro-
tests by Resolution No. 4803 adopted
on October 29, 1973.
Mayor Lloyd: Madam City Clerk, do you have the Affidavits
of Posting and Publication?
City Clerk: Yes, I do.
Motion by Councilman Shearer, seconded by Councilman Chappell and
carried, to receive and file.
Mayor Lloyd: Do we have a statement regarding the proposed
vacation of Batelaan and Sylvan Avenues?
Mr..Zimmerman: Yes, Mr. Mayor and members of Council, the
Public Services Dir. portions of Batelaan and Sylvan Avenues
proposed to be vacated are no longer needed
for public use by virtue of the action of the Redevelopment Agency in
rebuilding the area and therefore it is recommended that the streets
be vacated from public use.
Mayor Lloyd: Thank you, Mr. Zimmerman. Madam City Clerk,
have you received any written protests or
objections against the abandonment of the
streets?
Madam City Clerk: No, I have not.
THIS IS THE TIME AND PLACE FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING RE VACATION OF
PORTION OF BATELAAN AND SYLVAN AVENUES.
Mr. Wakefield: Mr. Mayor, just for the information of the
City Council and those that may be in the
audience, the sections which are here
involved are small 22' strips at the ends of the original streets
which were not vacated at the time the proposal for vacation of
the original streets were vacated. This in effect is a clean-up
action to conform the street sections to the actual limits of the
proposed redevelopment projects.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER PUBLIC TESTIMONY FOR OR AGAINST PUBLIC
HEARING CLOSED.
RESOLUTION NO. 4807 The City Attorney presented:
ADOPTED "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA ORDERING THE VACATION
OF A CERTAIN PORTION OF BATELAAN AND SYLVAN
AVENUES."
Motion by Councilman Shearer, seconded by Councilman Chappell and
carried, to waive further reading of said Resolution.
• Motion by Councilman Chappell, seconded by Councilman Shearer, to
adopt said Resolution and carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES. Nichols, Shearer, Chappell, Lloyd
NOES: None
ABSENT: Young
AT 8:32 P.M. the CHAIR CALLED A RECESS OF THE COUNCIL MEETING.
COUNCIL RECONVENED AT .8:42 P.M.
- 15 -
CITY COUNCIL
GENERAL AGENDA - Cont'd.
YOUTH ADVISORY COMM. Mayor Lloyd:
people but we are not yet ready to
(Answered: That is right.) Can we
recommendations for this Council by
Yes) I really want that done.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Page Sixteen
11/26/73
I believe we had some
things started and Mr. Larson
has contacted some of the
go - is that right,,Mr. Aiassa?
expect to have some positive
the next meeting? (Answered:
Mrs:Dampier - President I wish to speak on Item 7 of the
PTA COUNCIL Traffic Committee's minutes.
WEST COVINA Recently I wrote a letter to the
City Traffic Committee regarding the
traffic problem at West Covina High
School. There were four accidents there involving students within
a course.of two weeks. I think after having just quickly read over
the recommendations from the Committee that my letter was mis-
understood because I requested that a3survey be done of the entire
traffic situation around the high school,not just the crosswalk in
front of the high school.
When I spoke to the gentleman he said that
the crosswalks were to be considered to be taken out because they
had done a.survey in San Diego and it was safer not to have cross-
walks. We had previously requested that a blinking yellow light
be placed in front of the high school during the time that school
is let out, because the situation between Azusa and Lark Ellen
causes one to come up on the crosswalk before it is seen. Because
of the fact there are no school buses at the high school anymore
there is more traffic involving students, there are more cars there.
There is a parking lot on the south side and north side for students
and,both of these are letting out at the same time. There is foot
traffic and there are people driving down Cameron just on their own
business. As a parent of students at that high school it is very
difficult to get into Fernwood Street, which is in front of the
high school, or be able to see people coming in and out, and I
think this may be your first complaint on having too quick of a
survey, because I feel the situation is more than just removing a
crosswalk. I feel that there has to be more study done on the
traffic patterns around the entire school. The situation grows
worse when the weather is bad.
I was to be informed of this Traffic Committee
meeting but I did not receive any information. -Therefore, I could
have gone and spoken at that time. I wish the City Council could
consider that a real indepth survey be done because I hav no
idea of the amount of cars that pass that school, but I know it is a
considerable number.
Mayor Lloyd: You are recommending that the crosswalk be
retained and the flashing yellow light be in
operation during that period of time from
say 7:45 to 8 and then when school lets out....
• Mrs. Dampier: The hours vary. They start getting out at
1:30 or 1:15 depending on the day and they
get out until 3:15. The problem is, Mr.
Mayor, everyone I have spoken to involved in the traffic situation
says that the blinking yellow light does not work well on a 4-lane
street because of the traffic flow and with the traffic lights at
Lark :Ellen and Azusa, it is just impossible to regulate this kind
of traffic. I don't know what the answer may be. I have spoken to
16 -
CITY COUNCIL Page Seventeen
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - Cont'd. 11/26/73
other PTA people who have said the only answer is to paint the
curbs red on both sides of the street to avoid anyone stopping
on Cameron at all, but my concern is not just Cameron. I don't
know if the crosswalk is the answer because when the condominiums
go in the students that are crossing the field at Azusa and
Cameron will have to find another way, but they are not the only
people crossing there. Parents stop in front of the crosswalk
to let students out and pick them up. I recommended to the
principal that "no parking" signs be taken out in front of the
school on Fernwood in order to allow people to come there. The
parking lot facilities in front of the high school cannot
accommodate the parents that come to pick up and let out students
in the rainy season. I wish I had an answer to this problem,
but I feel just removing the crosswalk will not solve the
accident problem at the high school, therefore I would recommend
a more indepth study be done of this problem�.to see if we couldn't
answer this as well as to instruct the students in safer ways of
crossing. I realize the responsibility is on them too, but I
would hope that the City Council would not accept this as the
answer to the traffic problem in front of that school. Thank you.
Mrs. Robert Fishback I am here to heartily second Mrs. Dampier's
1137 Auburn Drive suggestion. I do think it was a hasty
West Covina survey and needs to be thoroughly thought
out and hopefully another solution found.
The traffic along Cameron is going at too fast a rate. I have
one little item to point out - the traffic signs in both
directions along Cameron as you approach the high school in
either direction, both indicate that 35 miles per hour is the
speed limit the minute you cross Lark Ellen and Azusa and only as
you come closer to the school does it indicate that 25 miles is
the desired speed in case there are children present. They are
all along there and the 25 mile per hour signs are much smaller
than the 35, which would be, hopefully, revered. Thank you.
Ruth Hamilton I also would like to object�;.to the Traffic
930 S. Auburn Place Committee's hasty decision' -about removing
West Covina the crosswalk. I also recommend that we do
a better survey around the high school
since my son was one of the students hit. Thank you.
Tom Gallagher I just want to take this opportunity to
812 S. Valinda present to you the petition that was taken
West Covina up by the residents affected by the proposed
left turn lane at Cameron and Valinda.
(Handed petition to City Attorney)
THERE BEING NO FURTHER ORAL COMMUNICATIONS, ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
CLOSED. COUNCIL DISCUSSION.
Mayor Lloyd: We handled the one situation already by
referring it back to the Traffic Committee,
we will now discuss the traffic and the
crosswalk situation at the high school.
• Councilman Shearer: Mr. Mayor. If for no other reason, although
I have other reasons that I won't go into,
the fact that the initiator of the request
feels that their request was misunderstood and the study did not
really address itself to the problem as they saw it, I think this
in itself is enough of a reason to refer it back to the Traffic
Committee and I will so move.
Seconded by Councilman Chappell and carried.`
- 17 -
CITY COUNCIL
Page Eighteen
11/26/73
Councilman Shearer: Mr. Mayor, I would further suggest that all
efforts be made before the next meeting to
contact the representatives of the PTA for
their input.
Mayor Lloyd: One of the things that I have asked is that
Council review some of the energy things
and one. -,of the things I was going to bring
up at that time is the heavy flow of cars directly attributable
to the high schools and I guess I am going to commit a bit of
heresy but I don't see the necessity of all these young people
driving cars. I am going to make a recommendation 'that this Council
go on record to the School Boards in this area that they ask or
make a regulation that these cars be prohibited from these schools.
Obviously there are cases which will require the use of cars, if
someone is infirmed or something of that, but in general I don't
see the need of youngsters driving to school, or as I witnessed
on several occasions persons living within four blocks of the high
school dropping her youngster off at school. I honestly believe
that is a waste of energy. So that is one of the things I am' -.going
to be recommending when we get into a discussion on the energy crisis
that pertains to West Covina. So we will be in that during the
Council reports.
CITY ATTORNEY
ORDINANCE NO. 1234 The City Attorney presented:
ADOPTED "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF WEST COVINA AMENDING SECTION 3185 OF THE
WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO
OBSTRUCTIONS IN STREETS."
Motion by Councilman Chappell, seconded by Mayor Lloyd and carried,
to waive further reading of said Ordinance.
Motion by Councilman Chappell, seconded by Councilman Shearer, to
adopt said Ordinance and carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Nichols, Shearer, Chappell, Lloyd
NOES: None
ABSENT: Young
RESOLUTION NO. 4808 The City Attorney presented:
ADOPTED "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA AMENDING RESOLUTION
NO. 2962 RELATING TO SCOPE OF HUMAN
RELATIONS COMMISSION."
Motion by Councilman Chappell, seconded by Councilman Shearer and
carried to waive further reading of said Resolution.
Motion by Councilman Chappell, seconded by Councilman Shearer, to
adopt said Resolution and carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Nichols, Shearer, Chappell, Lloyd
NOES: None
ABSENT: Young
AGREEMENT BETWEEN Mr. Wakefield: Mr..Mayor and members of
CITY OF WEST COVINA - Council, this agreement
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY - relates to the operation
PARKING AUTHORITY - and management of the
SYLVAN SHULMAN Parking Structure by the
developer following its construction by the
Parking Authority. It is designed to pro-
CITY COUNCIL Page Nineteen
City Attorney Agenda 11/26/73
vide for a coordinated operation of the facility without expense to
the City, The Redevelopment Agency or the Parking Authority, as
an overall part of the shopping center development.
Motion by Councilman Chappell, seconded by Councilman Shearer, to
move approval of the Management Agreement.
Councilman Shearer: Mr. Wakefield - you said"at no cost, etc."
what does that cover? What are we granting
the right to operate....
Mr. Wakefield: We are granting the right to operate and
maintain the parking structure itself as a
building. The obligation to maintain the
structure - repaint as required and in general see that it is kept
in good operating condition for the life of the project.
Councilman Shearer: That is the parking structure?
(Mr. Wakefield answered "yes".) One further
question - on page 2 there is a word that to
me runs up a red flag when I see it. That is in Item No. 1 -
"irrevocably - grants to you, etc." Will you elaborate a bit on
that? Whichever one of our three groups who owns the building
eventually becomes dissatisfied with Mr. Shulman's operation and
the wording here sounds to me like "that's tough" - is that
correct?
Mr..Wakefield: No, under the terms of the REA itself the
major Department Stores have the right to
take over the operation of the maintenance
of the parking structure and parking areas owned by the developer
if for any reason he fails to do a satisfactory job of maintenance
and operation. At that time the Department Stores would select a
new operator and he would continue to have the same obligation to
maintain the parking structure as the developer. It is true under
this agreement that neither one or all of the public agencies could
actually withdraw from the maintenance agreement so long as the
operator was doing a satisfactory job and if he isn't then he may be
replaced by another operator who will have the same obligation.
Councilman Shearer:
What then is the reason for the word
"irrevocable" - I just don't like that word.
Is there something sacred about that?
Mr..Wakefield:
No, the Management Agreement was drafted
essentially to follow the provisions of
the REA which was designed to insure that
there was a continuance responsibility and a means by which not
only the surface parking but the parking structure itself could
and would be maintained.
Councilman Shearer:
Are you convinced that the City and the
Agency and the Parking Authority are ade-
quately protected by the terms of the REA
and that we will get
satisfactory maintenance operation of our
multi -million dollar
parking facility -'wen though we leave in the
word "irrevocably"?
Mr..Wakefield:
Yes sir.
Councilman Shearer:
Then I will withdraw my objection to this.
Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Nichols, Shearer, Chappell, Lloyd
NOES: None
ABSENT: Young
- 19 -
CITY COUNCIL Page Twenty
City Attorney Agenda 11/26/73
GENERAL SERVICES AGREEMENT Mr. Wakefield: Mr. Mayor and
RENEWAL members of the
WITH COUNTY OF L.A. Council, the County
has submitted for renewal the existing
General Services Agreement which covers
miscellaneous services which may be provided by theCounty at the
request of the City. The present agreement expires June 30, 1974.
This would authorize the renewal of the agreement for another five
year period. In the services that are utlized are those selected
and authorized by the City; such services as those of the District
Attorney to prosecute misdemeanors, the services of the Registrar
of Voters in connection with elections, and similar items. It
requires the adoption of a Resolution entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 4809 "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
ADOPTED THE CITY OF WEST COVINA AUTHORIZING
THE RENEWAL OF A CONTRACT WITH THE
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES CONCERNING A
GENERAL SERVICE AGREEMENT.
Motion by Councilman Shearer, seconded by Councilman Chappell and
carried, to waive further reading of said Resolution.
Motion by Councilman Shearer, seconded by Councilman Chappell, to
adopt said Resolution and carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Nichols, Shearer, Chappell, Lloyd
NOES: None
ABSENT: Young
LOS ANGELES CRIMINAL
JUSTICE BOARD -
Mr. Wakefield: This item was held over from
REQUEST FOR of
FORMAL RECOGNITION of
by
to withdraw from the Los
then the whole project as
be my recommendation that
for the time being and if
at some future time.
your last meeting. The Chief
Police has recommended against the adoption
the resolution. The matter is complicated
the fact the City of Los Angeles has asked
Angeles County region and if that happens
proposed, I think, will collapse. It would
the request simply be received and filed
necessary to reactivate it can be done so
Motion by Councilman Shearer, seconded by Councilman Chappell and
carried, to receive and file formal request for recognition.
MINUTES CLERK CONTRACT Mr..Wakefield: This is a proposed amendment
to the Minutes Clerk contract.
It provides, as the Staff
Report would indicate, a cost of living increase of $45.00 per month
in her compensation.
Motion by Councilman
Shearer, seconded by Councilman Chappell, to
approve Staff recommendation.
Mayor Lloyd:
I would like
everyone to
notice that whatever
else can be
said that this Council has not
received an
increase for
a long time, since
1970-71, as long as
we are talking
about increases. I made my
point.
Councilman Shearer:
For what it
is worth, Mr.
Mayor, I will make
this statement
and I may
not be here very
long but as
long as I am
I will not vote to
give us one either.
Councilman Chappell:
You don't have a".choice.
Our salary is tied
in by State
statute.
- 20 -
CITY COUNCIL
City Attorney Agenda
Councilman Shearer: And as most of
give ourselves
which I don't
Motion carried
AYES: Nichols,
• NOES: None
ABSENT: Young
•
Page Twenty-one
us are aware we are allowed to
a cost of living increase,
think is appropriate.
on roll call vote as follows:
Shearer, Chappell, Lloyd
THE CHAIR RECESSED THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT-9a07 P.M. FOR THE
PURPOSE OF CONDUCTING THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT'AGENCY MEETING,
FOLLOWED BY THE PARKING AUTHORITY MEETING. COUNCIL RECONVENED AT
9:17 P.M.
CITY MANAGER
BALDWIN PARK Motion by Councilman Chappell, to give the
"TOYS FOR TOTS" DAY City of Baldwin Park support from our
community for their "Toys for Tots" Day
in conjunction with the Marine Reserves.
Seconded by Councilman Shearer.
Mayor Lloyd: Discussion? If you would like, Councilman.
Chappell, I happen to know the man who
started this thing - Bill Hendricks - and
I do know they have quite a program in connection with the
Hollywood Navy League. We might be able to contact the local
Marine Recruiters out of El Monte, Azusa, etc., and tell them
if there is anything the City can do we would be pleased to do
it and if you are of a mind I will go forward and write a note
to them from the Mayor saying this.
Councilman Chappell: Fine.
Councilman Shearer: Hopefully that would include making known
to the press strategic locations in town
for drop off points and pick up points
such as the fire stations?
Mayor Lloyd: That sounds good and if that is encompassed
in the spirit of your motion I am prepared
to vote.
Councilman Chappell: Yes, it is, Mr. Mayor.
Motion carried.
Mayor Lloyd: Mr. Aiassa, will you have the staff drop a
letter in this regard, for my signature.
LAFCO NOTICE OF Councilman Nichols: Mr. Mayor.
HEARING Councilman Young
called me on the phone and asked if I
would express his views on this matter,
although he can't be here tonight to vote on it. His personal
point of view is that the proposed West Covina position is a bit
of sour grapes which results from the experience West Covina has
had with the County rather than with the City of Covina, that
the entire are involved in this matter has been established as
being within the sphere of influence of Covina and not West Covina,
and in essence it is none of our business and we shouldn't do
anything. I indicated after conversing with him that I would be
in agreement with him and subscribe to his viewpoint and would
add that my own concurred with that.
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CITY COUNCIL
City Manager Agenda
Councilman Shearer:
Mr. Mayor in
that is about
weeks ago.
Page Twenty-two
11/26/73
about four or five words,
what I said two or three
Motion by Councilman Shearer that the City Council of West Covina
make No Protest with regard to Covina's Southerly Annexation
District #58. Seconded by Councilman Nichols and carried.
WCCEA REQUEST Mr. Aiassa: Council has a request from
the President of the
Association asking for a
donation from the Council for the Awards Dinner and Christmas
Party. This is a policy of the Council and it:.is a budgeted item.
Motion by Councilman Shearer to approve the request, seconded by
Councilman Chappell.
Councilman Nichols: Mr. Mayor, a comment. There has been some
discussion I think about the matter of
joining the awards with the Christmas Party.
Councilman Shearer - weren't you discussing this? And I note the
request is for the money to be appropriated for the Awards Dinner
and Christmas Party. I wondered if you wanted to qualify your
motion.
Councilman ,Shearer: I have been in the absence-:-.Df the Mayor, who
will be out of town I believe, requested by
the Employees' Association to attend the
dinner and make the employee awards. I have tentatively indicated
acceptance of that invitation knowing that back in April or
whenever it was during our budget discussions that we had
approached this question of combining the employee awards with
their party. Basically it is a social activity, at least it appears
to be, having attended two or three very fine dinners, and in
combining this with a social function of the City, namely the pre-
senting of awards to employees who have spent three years and
upwards with the City, it was the general feeling of the Council
at that time that perhaps it would be best to separate these two
functions and not combine an employee function with a city function.
I believe we kind of left it hanging up until now. I am perfectly
willing to go and make the presentations and enjoy myself; however
if,there is a feeling on the part of the council that his is not the
thing to do then as a member of the Council I would comply with the
wishes of the majority.
Councilman Nichols: Mr. Mayor, may I direct a question to the
City Attorney? Mr. Wakefield, what would
be the implications of an appropriation to
the City Employees Association if the awards ceremony is divorced
from the Christmas Party?
Mr. Wakefield: I think it would be improper for the City
to appropriate funds for the party of the
employees Association if that activity is
separated from -.-the employee awards activity. The employee awards
• really is the basis on which the City contributes to the affair
justifiably from a legal standpoint.
Councilman Nichols: Thank you, Mr. "Wakefield. I think, gentle-
men, for the purposes of this year's
budgeting and commitment that rather answers
our question. I would be prepared to vote on the question.
- 22 -
CITY COUNCIL
City Manager Agenda
Page Twenty-three
11/26/73
Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Nichols, Shearer, Chappell, Lloyd
NOES: None
ABSENT: Young
LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA Motion by Councilman Shearer, seconded by
CITIES "HIGHLIGHTS OF Councilman Chappell and carried, to receive
1973 LEGISLATION) and file.
(Informational)
Councilman Shearer: Mr. Mayor, one comment. -Did we receive these
copies in the mail for the City distribution?
Mr. Aiassa: No, we had to reproduce these.
Councilman Shearer: My suggestion would be in the future when we
get many, many pages like this that perhaps
Staff contact Council to see -if we did
receive one before making copies of 50+ pages - I already had one
at home.
Mr. Aiassa: All right, we will; and if you have an extra
copy will you pleaseleave it with us so we
can transmit it to our Staff.
MAYOR'S REPORTS
Mayor Lloyd: I sent to each of the Councilmen a memorandum
in which I suggested a possible discussion of
the energy crisis, and what we can do about
it as far as the City of West Covina is concerned. I was informed
that some consideration was being given by the Staff, and
Mr. Aiassa if you will give us a report on that now then we will go
forward with our own discussion.
Mr. Aiassa: I had our Staff, both Mr. Zimmerman and
Mr. Fowler, prepare a report for Council
with regard to meeting the energy crisis
and we are now going to have another meeting this week to see if
we can find other ways of reducing the use of energy. As Council
knows there are certain items that we must maintain and we cannot
reduce, but we will make an effort to reduce as much as possible.
-Mayor Lloyd: Is there anything else, Mr..Aiassa, you
wish to add? (Staff had no further input.)
Councilman Chappell: Mr..Mayor, are we going to discuss this
now before we see their report?
Mayor Lloyd: Yes, I am. (Councilmen declined to dis-
cuss, would rather wait until the report
is received.) Well I have some thoughts
on the matter and I already alluded to one which is curtailment
of the use of automobiles by those in the City that do not have
a very real need to use those automobiles in getting to school
when I think walking and bicycling is not beyond the realm of
possibility, and who knows it might build up some energy. As far
as our youngsters are concerned I would propose at this point
and suggest that we initiate a letter from the Mayor's office
to the Superintendents of Schools and the School Boards in our
area making this recommendation. I think.it will make our
streets safer as evidenced by the people that were here this
evening and I think it will be a tremendous reduction in the use
of fossil fuels. Beyond that I would recommend that the City of
West Covina change its hours of operation to coincide with daylight
saving time, so that I presume our regular operations, until such
- 23 -
CITY COUNCIL
Wayor's Reports
Page Twenty-four
11/26/73
time as a national decision is made on this, and I think it will be,
that we operate our City Hall in daylight hours. That would be
7 to 4 versus 8 to 5. I think this will materially reduce the
necessity of all the lighting being required, and that in con-
junction with that that the possibility of every third light in
the building be reduced. I do not in anyway intend to jeopardize
the physical safety of anyone working in this facility, but I do
hope that we can save some energy. It maybe that these
recommendations are not very practical but I think they do make
a demonstration of the fact that we do have an energy crisis
and beyond that I would suggest that automobiles used as far as
individuals are concerned be reviewed very carefully and if it
is really not necessary that that individual have a car for the
duration of the crisis that consideration be given to pool driving,
etc.
Those are my recommendations as an interim
measure. I don't think any of them are unreasonable or that I am
asking anyone in the City to make sacrifices that we are not
really willing to do ourselves. Does anyone have anything to say?
Councilman Nichols: I want to commend the Mayor for giving some
thought to this area of concern because I
think it is a vital and critical area. I
think there are many areas where savings can be made. I see signs
of that as I walked on the property tonight and saw our beautiful
fountain lights on, and as I came down Merced Avenue and passed
the tennis courts tonight and saw them all lighted up and I
wondered if our tennis buffs would be willing to sacrifice their
night time tennis and so on and so on. But I am inclined to
believe until we come up with a comprehensive recommendation we
might conceivably be doing some injustice to certain segments of
our community by making recommendations in a rather isolated
fashion.
For instance, who is really to say that the
high school student driving to school has any less need than the
woman that attends Women's Groups? Who is to say that the people
that play tennis at night are not really enhancing their health
even more so than those that go to South Hills or Edgewood High
and play basketball? But at any rate we run into problems when
we point at one group andtry and determine that is a non -essential
use.
For my part I would prefer not to ask the
Board of Education to attempt to regulate traffic enforcement
because what would happen simply is that all the kids would start
parking on the streets and we would be right back where we were.
I would lake to take under serious advice the recommendations
that you have made and the leadership you have shown tonight and
combine those recommendations with the final staff review, which
I hope will not be too much longer in coming before Council, and
consider them all in one package at one time.
Councilman Chappell: I think some of the suggestions you made
have merit in relationship to the things
• we can actually control such as city
vehicles, lighting the building under daylight saving time,
although I don't know if that would make any less use of lights.
And I really feel the government is in the process of establishing
that anyway so we don't have a problem. I have been driving
around the City and observing the street lights which we pay for
and at intersections I would not want to see them turned off or
dimmed, but very frequently one or two lights are inbetween inter-
sections and if they were turned off that would not make any
difference. In that area, I am sure staff will be coming up with
this type of thing, -,.because Edison is already looking at it and
24 -
CITY COUNCIL Page Twenty-five
Mayor's Reports 11/26/73
this is the area we will be saving the lights. I think we should
encourage the Chamber of Commerce to look into the turning off of
business lights; my partner turned our big light off tonight and
it will stay off for the duration of the energy crisis. I think
these are the kind of things that use up tremendous amounts of
energy. We shut ours off and we had had it on from 5 P.M. to 2 A.M.
and if all businessmen would just cut down, have them on when open
and then turn them off at night, I think these are the areas that
will save tremendous amounts of energy.
As far as me telling my boy that you can't
take your car to school but you can come home -and get your car to
go to work - well he isn't going to get to work on time. So I
think these are the problems that we will run into if we start
trying to influence the school districts to keep the cars off
of the parking lots. These are the young;that have\"to have something
to drive in order to get a job and support themselves,and I am not
speaking of the wealthy ones, but the average kids that have to
get a part-time job.
I think it is a point to start, letting the
community know that we are participating in this and are behind
the President and the government in fuel conservation. I am
looking forward to the staff report with regard to things that we can
actually implement at this time and then go forward in that way.
Councilman Shearer: I think there are a lot of other items we
could add to.the list. In my office we
have already reduced considerably the level
of lighting in hallways. There is a problem in reducing the
lights in working areas which causes eyestrain. Speed limit
reduction - the Acting Governor today has signed a proclamation
limiting State vehicle limits to 50 miles per hour and I think
this is another thing the City should consider. I recognize that
Christmas tree lights do not use too much energy but if for nothing
else than appearances I would suggest that a ban be placed on the
city property that a11.Christmas decorations using energy be banned
and that the Chamber of Commerce discourage this type of thing
across the board. I do think, however, that rather than the
Council at this point in time taking a vote saying we ban Christmas
tree lighted decorations in City Hall, etc., that we do leave this
initially up to an administrative function and -perhaps adopt
a policy. I will place a motion that it is the policy of the City
of West Covina to encourage all Departments to reduce the con-
sumption of energy and that periodic reports be made to this
Council as to what is being done. The first report being due
December 101 1973.
Seconded by Councilman Nichols and carried.
Councilman Shearer: That motion carries with it the understanding
if we are not happy with the report then we
pass specific "thou shalt not .....".
Mayor Lloyd: I think that goes without saying. At least
we are heading down the path and that is
important!
COUNCILMEN'S REPORTS/ Councilman Chappell: I have one question,
COMMENTS Mayor. This was on
population. I note
that sometime ago we received a figure that 72,800 was the population
figure for the Cityof West Covina, yet in the Tribune in the last
ten days they came out with some figure around 69,000. This
difference, as I remember, means a tremendous amount of dollars to
our City in the way of appropriations. Can we get some clarification
- 25 -
CITY COUNCIL Page Twenty-six
Muncilmen's Reports/Comments 11/26/73
as to what the population figure of West Covina is?
Mr. Aiassa: Yes, the figure is from the 1970 census and
each year the State Department of Finance
does ours and now it is 72,800 - is that
correct, Mr. -Eliot?
Mr. Eliot: Mr. Aiassa, and members of Council, the
population of the City was reduced this
year as a result of SB90. SB90 as --part of
its provisions provided that a population base for cities and
counties in California be established for the purpose of determining
whether or not increases in the tax rate may be allowed. As a
consequence the State Department of Finance, I believe as of April 1
this year is performing asspecial census of all the cities and
counties in California and for the first time they had to total up
all the small parts to come out to a whole and surprisingly enough
all the cities didn't add up to the County. As a consequence they
backed down on some of their estimates of the number of persons
in households and tried to conform all the individual cities to
the County total. As a result there was a slight reduction
in West Covina and I believe the present estimate on which our
appropriations are based is approximately 71,000. The Tribune,
I don't know what their source was, I presume they used the 1970
census and the regional County projections, but the actual popula-
tion upon which our appropriations are based is 71,000. I would
expect when the next automatic census is taken in 1974, around
April, our population will rise again to the 72,800 figure because
of the new construction witithin the City.
Councilman Chappell: In the same article they referred to West
Covina as being now the largest City in
the Valley, which I thought was a feather
in our cap,if size means anything, but I just wanted -to know why
all the figures differed and that is not a good answer but I
guess it is the answer.
Mr. Aiassa: Also the County Regional Planning Commission
gives out quarterly reports and some of these
figures come from their computations and
that is why they vary to some degree. This last report - and. 'I
think it also was in the Tribune - placed West Covina as the
largest City in the Valley for the first time, larger than E1 Monte
and the.Bank of America just came out with a report making El Monte
the regional shopping area, so we kind of made the Bank of America
look funny in their report.
Mayor Lloyd: Well we.`are the superlative then I take it.
That gladdens the heart.
(Mr. Aiassa brought to the attention of the Council that this would
be the last appearance of Mr. Yamasaki before the Council as he was
leaving to take a position with the City of Orange. Council
commended Mr. Yamasaki on his fine work with the City and his
good public relations and wished him Godspeed in his new job.)
DEMANDS Motion by Councilman Shearer to approve
to, Demands totalling $355,109.16 as listed on
Demand Sheets C925 through 927, and B600A.
Seconded by Councilman Chappell and carried on roll call vote as
follows:
AYES: Nichols, Shearer, Chappell, Lloyd
NOES: None
ABSENT: Young
�0=
a �
CITY COUNCIL
ADJOURNMENT
Page Twenty-seven
11/26/73
(The City Attorney suggested that Council
adjourn to December 3, 19731, at 4:30 P.M.
just in case that meeting is necessary.)
• Motion by Councilman Shearer, seconded by Councilman Chappell,
to adjourn meeting at 9:45 P.M., to December 31 1973 at 4:30
P.M., in recognition of the fine services of our good friend
Mr. Bert Yamasaki. Motion carried.
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
a
APPROVED:
MAYOR
- 27 -