04-22-1974 - Regular Meeting - MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA
APRIL 22, 1974.
The regular meeting of the City Council called to order at 7:30 P.M.
• in the West Covina Council Chambers by Mayor Chester Shearer. The
Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilman Ken Chappell; the
invocation was given by Rabbi Elisha Nattiv of Temple Shalom.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Shearer; Councilmen: Browne, Lloyd,
Nichols, Chappell
Others Present: George Aiassa,,City Manager
George Wakefield, City Attorney
Lela Preston, City Clerk
George Zimmerman, Public Services Director
Michael Miller, Planning Director
John Lippitt, City Engineer
Leonard Eliot, Controller
Jeff Butzlaff, Administrative Analyst
Jan Williams, Administrative Intern
Wm. Fowler, Dir. of Bldg. & Safety'
Chester Yoshizaki, - Redevelopment
Mark Volmart - Redevelopment
Richard Klemp, Staff Reporter - S.G.V.D.T.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
March 12, 1974.
• March 18, 1974
April 8, 1974
CONSENT CALENDAR
L�
(Adj. Reg. Mtg.)
(Adj. Reg. Mtg/it Mtg Chamber of Commerce)
(Reg. Mtg.)
Motion by Councilman Lloyd to approve
minutes of meetings; seconded by
Councilman Chappell and carried.
Mayor Shearer explained the procedure of the
Consent Calendar items and asked if there
were any commentson any of the following
items:
1. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
a) CORNELIUS MORLEY
1706 W. Padre Drive
West Covina
b) LOCAL AGENCY FORMA-
TION COMMISSION
c) NATIONAL MULTIPLE
SCLEROSIS SOCIETY
k,
Re beautification of the City. (Refer
to Staff)
Notice of Public Hearing re proposed
Southerly Annexation District No. 63
to the City of Covina. (Refer to
Staff Report and receive and file)'
Request for permission to conduct
Annual Hope Chest Campaign from
Mother's Day through Father's Day,
May 12 - June 16, 1974. (Approved
in prior years. Recommend Approval)
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CITY COUNCIL
CONSENT CALENDAR - Cont'd.
Page Two
4/22/74
d) SANDI SNYDER Request to have Glenhurst Place blocked
2760 Glenhurst Place off on May 261 1974 from 1 P.M. until
West Covina 6 P.M. for a get -acquainted block party.
(Approve subject to Staff review and
regulations)
• e) LORETTA MACEAS Requesting sidewalk on her street.
436 S. Sandy Hook St., (Refer to Staff)
West Covina
f) Joy Machado Re what City Council's part is in the
1037 Mossberg Ave., elimination of air pollution. (Refer to
West Covina Staff)
2. PLANNING COMMISSION
SUMMARY OF ACTION April 10, 1974. (Adj. Reg. Mtg.)(Accept
and file)
April 17, 1974. (Reg. Mtg. (Accept and
file)
3. ABC APPLICATIONS Chief of Police recommends NO PROTEST.
a) Golden Vista Foods, Inc.,
1208 N. Citrus Ave.,
Covina
b) Julian A. & Stella R.
Hernandez
2321 W. Sherway St.,
West Covina
• c) MAE . M. Fink
3620 Moreno Ave.,
LaVerne
dba PIZZA SKIDOO
2418 S. Azusa Avenue
dba TALL PAUL'S
328 S. Glendora Avenue
dba EASTLAND LANES COFFEE SHOP
2714 E. Garvey Avenue
4. CLAIM FOR DAMAGES FILED WITH CITY CLERK
Deborah R. Baker Damaged tire from running over spike
744 N. Azusa Avenue attached to traffic counter cable.
West Covina (Deny and refer to City Attorney and
Insurance Carrier)
5. CITY TREASURER'S REPORT Month of March, 1974. (Receive and file)
6. ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
a) Supervisor Schabarum's
b) CBD Phase II
Receive/Accept and File)
Transportation Needs Framework re rapid
transit system. -.Progress Report
Property Owners & Staff Meeting
Informational report.
c) Suburban Water Systems Proposed Rate increase - informational
report.
• d) Federal Aid Urban
Funds Procedure
e) Traffic Committee
Minutes
Progress Report.
Review Action of April 16, 1974.
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CITY COUNCIL Page Three
CONSENT CALENDAR - Cont'd. 4/22/74
Sandi Snyder Mr. Mayor, I would like to.amend my
2760 Glenhurst Place request - Item 1-d,.from the 26th of
West Covina May to the 19th of May.
Mayor Shearer: Mr. Aiassa, will that present any pro-
blems? (Answered "none") We will make
that correction.
Nora M. Jackson Honorable Mayor and members of the
843 Lucinda Ave., Council, I am not here tonight in
West Covina regards to the Multiple Sclerosis
Society; however, I represent this even-
ing the newly formed chapter of the
California Association for physically handicapped. We are only two
months old, however we already have forty members. As you can see,
your Honor, I am not able to stand up much longer and dress you
people, therefore may I please have a chair to sit down?
(Chair supplied)
As a representative of the California
Association for Physically Handicapped I am wishing to address the
Council this evening. I had two comments. I had to come yesterday
with a friend of mine to find out whether this building was
accessible to me. We found the place rather difficult to get in and
after I did take the elevator up I found there was a long walk to
the Council Chambers plus the fact there were some steps quite
difficult for me to come down on. You would have seen a great many
patients here tonight, however most of our patients are in wheel
chairs therefore we are unable to accommodate them in these
chambers. However, I have made it, so I am going to speak to you
gentlemen, and I do hope I will make some impression on you people
at this time as to the difficulties that we are running into
• because we have so sadly neglected our architectural barriers in
this area.
Here are just a few of the problems,
we, the handicapped face. The biggest is to the wheel chair or
walker patient who faces lack of proper ramps, parking facilities
that would allow shorter walking distances, parking slots wide
enough to allow doors to open for exiting; sidewalks or curbs that
are so high that we cannot step up or open our doors; doors that
are not wide enough to accommodate a wheel chair or too heavy and
we are not able to open them; telephones too high for someone in
the wheel chair to use and water fountains are not accessible to
us at all; fire alarms that cannot be reached by a wheel chair
patient in case there is an emergency; restroom facilities that
do not allow entrance because of the size of the door or not
specifically designed for this purpose - that is for a stall wide
enough with a bar so a wheel chair patient can easily use this.
And the places of amusements - theatres for instance, and public
transportation is absolutely unheard of for the handicapped.
There are some restaurants that are not able to accommodate wheel
chair patients at all because of fire regulations that limit the
width of the aisles.
In the past few years tremendous gains
have been made in regards to the mobility laws in our State. The
Civic Code, Section 54 through 54.6 provides that the physically
handicapped or disabled shall have the same rights as able bodied
to the full and free use of streets, highways, sidewalks, public
buildings, public facilities and public places. The newly enacted
Building Accessibility Government Code 4450 through 4454 provides
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CITX COUNCIL Page Four
CONSENT CALENDAR - Cont'd. 4/22/74
that any building or facility constructed in California with public
funds shall be designed to accommodate the handicapped. I bring
this to your attention in light of the new construction goind on in
our City at the present time. You, as a Council, will have the
opportunity through this new construction to provide those of us
that are handicapped the ability to shop in our own City. I ask
. you as members of the City Council and as members of the
Redevelopment Agency to peruse the building plans of this shopping
center in order to insure us that the mobility and accessibility
codes are being met here in West Covina.
I thank you very much. And at this time I
would like to present each one of you with a sample of what our
new building codes are in the State of California
Mayor Shearer: Thank you, Mrs. Jackson. Are there any
comments from Council?
Councilman Lloyd: Yes, Mr. Mayor. I had
speaking to this group
they took a great deal
ing their dissatisfaction with the attention
their handicapped position. Of course it is
someone who has his full faculities to stand
those who have not enjoyed the same benefits
living that I have. Certainly I was empathic
of them the possibility of their appearing to
would be more aware of their plight and to be
presence, and to make sure that they did come
Council meetings and present their situation,
that they did.
the opportunity of
the other evening and
more.time in express -
which was given to
very difficult for
there and listen to
of just every day
and did suggest to all
speak to us so we
more aware of their
to one of the City
and I am very pleased
I think it would be incumbent upon staff to
• have an awareness of the fact that we have a very silent group in
our City who, because of their nonfeasibility and because you do
not normally see them because they have problems in just moving
around, we sometimes tend to forget .and I think it would be well
if we would try and bear in mind the fact that these people do not
have the same opportunities and privileges the rest of us enjoy in
mobility and getting around and moving down 8.steps to get in here.
I asked a man in a wheel chair that was doing some work for me -
Jim Cordell - and he said this was an insurmountable obstacle for a
man in a wheel chair - those eight steps. However, it gets a little
tough for these people in our society to not have us so aware of
their presence. I think we do indeed owe a quiet statement of
saying that we are sorry that we have not taken into consideration
some of the problems and I am very pleased that you took the time to
make that presentation.
Councilman Browne: Mr. Mayor, I completely concur with the
statements made by Councilman Lloyd. I have
had the opportunity to investigate some of
these situations that the handicapped are involved with in our
community and I have had personal conversation with Mrs. Jackson
and I assured here) would be totally cognizant of the needs of
those people in. the community that are handicapped and I would
sincerely back Councilman Lloyd's suggestion that staff be fully
• aware and make totally available to those people any opportunity
that they may see fit when they come before us or appear before a
public hearing and that they have access to these Chambers. And
further in the consideration of Precise Plans for development
here in the City that they do it according to the State Codes.
Mayor Shearer: I would also request that Staff specifically
look at the present constructions going on, as
•
CITY COUNCIL
CONSENT CALENDAR - Cont'd.
Page Five
4/22/74
Mrs. Jackson suggested - the parking facilities being built with,
I guess, public funds, (which is really immaterial) before it is
too late, to make sure that the items specifically mentioned are
being built into them. You may have difficulty in a facility
already constructed but now is the time to review the plans. I
don't know who to.direct this to but whoever is listening might
take notes, and at the same time set aside parking spaces, since
it will be under our control, and I am not talking about a whole
floor but a few spaces close to the entrance of the mall area
and mark them "Reserved" as we do out here alongside of City Hall
where I have one reserved for me, and mark them for the less
fortunate people.
Also, to urge, as Councilman Browne said,
particularly in the shopping center adherence to the State codes,
although Bullock's and Penney's might not legally be required to
comply with the codes I think they should be encouraged to in
anyway possible to comply with the intent of this legislation.
Are there any other comments?
Councilman Nichols: No, I agree with all that has been said.
I was going to mention that with regard to
the law, Mrs. Jackson, as it applies at the
present time it relates to public facilities, public financing.
And the parking structure is publicly financed and the buildings
and stores are privately financed and that is why the Mayor said
we can only encourage them we could not require them in their
construction, but all of those steps suggested that the City might
take,, particularly this one of giving a close parking access in
the mall area; and incidentally the access to the new parking
structure will be by way of an elevated ramp structure for
vehicles and it is my understanding from the design that it will be
on level with the entry to the shopping facility itself without
any other stairs to climb. So that in itself is of some help.
I commend the thought of attempting to provide some wider openings
and parking spaces and all the other things mentioned.
Mayor Shearer:
Councilman Lloyd:
Staff I would like
Commission also.
from the approval
Mayor Shearer:
Councilman Browne
AYES:
NOES;
ABSENT:
Item 1-a
Anyone else wish to speak to an item on the
Consent Calendar?
Yes, Mr. Mayor, I would like on Written
Communications - Item 1-a, the Cornelius
Morley letter, instead of just referring to
to see it referred to the Youth Advisory
And Item 1-d, 1-a, 6-a, d, and e, all removed
of the Consent Calendar for further discussion.
With those exceptions I will entertain a
motion to approve the Consent Calendar
items.
So moved by Councilman Lloyd, seconded by
and carried on roll call vote as follows:
Browne, Lloyd, Nichols, Chappell, Shearer
None
None
Councilman
refer this to the Youth Advisory
might be interested in handling
constructive recommendations to
move.
Lloyd.: As I said, instead
of referring to Staff
I would like to
Commission. It is something they
and certainly might have some
the City on that, and I will so
3
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CITY COUNCIL Page Six
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS - Contd. 4/22/74
Seconded by Councilman Browne and carried.
Item 1-d Councilman Lloyd: My request for re -
Sandi Snyder moval is more for
Request information. After
• reading the letter and the request of tonight
to move the date to May 19th - I don't
understand why Staff review - what has to be reviewed?
Mr. Aiassa: Normally in requests of this type the Traffic
Committee and Police Department will review
the site, and as a precautionary measure it
is also reviewed by the Fire Department.
We have had four of these requests and we
have had no problems.
Item 6-a Councilman Lloyd: While I got a lot of
Supervisor Schabarum's words out of the
Report - Re RTD report I didn't under-
stand exactly how it pertained to the City of
West Covina. There is a dial -a -ride, a mini
bus with routes all over the place and everything is just dandy except
in our report I did not see anything which says we believe such and
so to be in the best interests of the City of West Covina. Do we
have that?
Mr. Zimmerman: Mr. Mayor and members of the Council, the
question of rapid transit and rapid transporta-
tion has been addressed by many different
authorities including Supervisor Schabarum;: the California Department
of Transportation, the RTD and many others, and for that reason we
have been monitoring the actions that have occurred and we propose
• to make frequent progress reports as to where we are. The Chamber
of Commerce has been discussing dial -a -ride and the mini bus
system and additional RTD routes and some more than the RTD has
suggested, park and ride lots and car pooling.
We were merely going to bring this to the
Council's attention at this time as a progress report.
Councilman Lloyd: What I was concerned about was a direct
recommendation for routing - it discussed
routing down Foothill or Pomona Freeway, also
it talked of expenditure of large sums of money, a couple of
million dollars or so for the San Fernando Valley and I gathered
that is not going to occur here. I know the minimal system will go
south and west out of the center of Los Angeles and then it
builds on down and finally gets out here - are we considering the
San Bernardino Freeway as the route or is another route being
considered? I guess I am being one way about it, I want something
to come to the City of West Covina. I think it is imperative,
particularly in view of the gasoline scare. I am afraid I can no
longer say there was a shortage but it was a dandy scare and since
the price has now gone up there is no shortage, at least
temporarily, but it could be in the future that we would face a
serious situation and I want to be at least protective of the City
• of West Covina to insure the fact that we have all made a strong
bid for this, assuming the rest of the Council wants to do this, to
bring this transit system into the West Covina area.
Mr. Zimmerman: As mentioned there are many things going on,
at a recent meeting of SCAG by the Transporta
tion Committee, there was a motion by the
City of Riverside and the County of Riverside to include the Pomona
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CITY COUNCIL
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS - Cont'd.
Page Seven
4/22/74
in the San Bernardino corridor and this was approved by the
SCAG Transportation -Committee. Some of the future plans of RTD
include the use of -rail lines. These are all theoritical at this
time but they appear to include the Pacific Railway through Covina
and other routes are being considered such as the Santa Fe and the
• Southern Pacific.. So there is .a tremendous variety of things
being considered..
As far as the one hundred million dollars in
the San Fernando Valley, the bus lines in that area atblplanned by
RTD at this point and a much closer distance apart, more frequent
buselines than in the -San Gabriel Valley. The RTD people assure us
this is being done on a scientific basis according to the layout of
the streets and other things in the area, but there does appear to
be a great deal more transit facilities proposed for that area than
in our area.
Councilman Lloyd: I fail to communicate whether it is scientific
or.unscientific - if I find dollars that I
honestly believe should be spent in this
area going elsewhere - well I want to make sure that our voice is
heard.not that we may necessarily win the battle, and as I under-
stand it we don't have a great deal of. -time.
Mr. Zimmerman: That is correct. The proposal is to go forward
on this at the Chamber of Commerce's
Executive Committee meeting.
Councilman Lloyd: Whatever else this body is, it is not the
Chamber of Commerce, it is the City Council and
we are waiting for a recommendation from Staff
and I am voicing an opinion as only one member of Council, there are
• four other voices here, that I want a recommendation that is strong
to Rapid Transit, to the Southern California Area Governments, to
whomever it has to go to, saying - hey we have a good area, it should
be coming through here, we have put up these many years with the
San Bernardino Freeway with. -all of its problems including the
widening, and I think the time has come when our voices should be
heard when the time comes in passing out some of the goodies, if they
are indeed goodies. I would like to hear.from. the. Council on that.
Councilman Nichols: I think it is really a discussion item. I
think it.is one that should come back to the
Council. I share in the comments, but I
don't want to prolongthe discussion this evening. I think the
input has been given to Staff and I don't think there was any
negativism here in terms of the City's interest in the area. I
think all we need to do now is wait for that bonfire to reach the
proper portion of the anatomy and the action occurs.
Mayor Shearer: Would -it be possible, Mr. Aiassa, by our next
meeting to have - and we are talking
specifically as I believe this report covers
of the alternate proposal put together by Supervisor Schabarum and
his staff and in it there were a half dozen or so different items
and if in the interim before our next meeting if we could have a
• specific breakdown of that report on an item by item basis as to
how it affects this area - the East San Gabriel Valley - dollarwise,
impactwise, etc. etc. So we can more intelligently evaluate what
the report does or does not do.
I frankly felt we were getting consideration
when I read the report, not perhaps an equal dollar basis per head
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CITY COUNCIL
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS - Cont'd.
Page Eight
4/ 2 2/ 74
but there were a number of items in the report by Supervisor
Schabarum. Can we have this in three weeks?
Mr. Aiassa:
Yes sir.
ITEM 6-d Councilman Lloyd: I think this is
40 Federal Aid Urban D the item Mr. Zimmerman
Funds Procedure spoke to me about - is
that correct? (Answered "yes")
I am more than willing to act on that this
evening if that will help to expedite. Mr. Aiassa, what is your
pleasure?
Mr. Aiassa: I believe we have a report for the Council
and Mr. Zimmerman has a tentative contract
also that he can explain.
Mr. Zimmerman: Mr. Mayor and members of Council, you have
before you a report on the matter of the con-
sideration of the one million dollar three
year program of the Urban e.D: Funds and the proposal of the Staff
would be that this be presented.as rapidly as possible at this
point because.of.the very short deadlines, which we have been
advised on by the California.Department of Transportation. The
deadlines include a report and final presentation of plans and
specifications by the first of May. We would like on that basis
to recommend to the City Council the statements in the report of
the Urban Aid Funds with one exception. We would like immediate
authority for the passing of the motion to hire a consultant to do
a design and present us with plans and specifications on the traffic
signal coordination system for Azusa Avenue at a cost of $10,000.
• This is Item b of the report slightly changed to provide for the
immediate hiring of George Nolte & Associates, a consulting firm
who has a unique method of coordinating signals, which we believe
is not available through any other source.
The firm has promised to present plans
within the time limit needed so that we can present these plans in
turn to the Department of Transportation by the first of May and
we would propose to go ahead and include in the contract they have
presented us a provision for a 20% penalty on their fee for the
portion of their work that includes Azusa Avenue if they do not
perform the work within the time limit proposed. So we would
recommend that the Council approval for immediate action the
program for Urban 1.D.: Funds as proposed in the report.
Mayor Shearer: Mr. .Aiassa, the urgency on this matter is
in the fact if it is not designed and ready
for advertisement by the 24th of May that
we stand an excellent chance of losing a part or all of the
1973 money. This was.a requirement imposed by the Federal
Government?
Mr. Aiassa: That is right, Mr. Mayor.
• Councilman Nichols: Mr. Mayor - what is the funding source -
this was not a budgeted item. What is
being cut out of the budget to provide
this $10,000?
Mr. Aiassa: Project SB 73008 - Puente Avenue to Azusa
and Project SB 73003.1 - Sunset Avenue
landscaping - totalling approximately
,CITY COUNCIL
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS - Cont'd.
Page Nine
4/ 2 2/ 74
$15,000 - these were excess funds available because these projects
have mt been done yet..
Councilman Chappell: Mr. Mayor, I believe it is very urgent that we
get on this and give staff every bit of time
possible to act on this. I have been sitting
• on the Committee of 9 for the establishment of Federal Aid Urban
System and unbelievably.the time is so short that it appears to me
that this thing was designed so the cities would fail and then the
Federal Government in their fashion could say we offered the cities
the money and they couldn't perform so why should we offer cities
money. This to me looks like some sort of design approach to prove
that we are not capable. Two weeks is not enough time and our staff
has been running on this since last Tuesday. They have put a
tremendous amount of time into it and if they think they can hit
that deadline in the right amount of time I say let's give them the
go ahead sign and run with it.
Councilman Nichols: One other question. Were these impound
release funds from the 1972-73 budget?
Mr. Zimmerman: The Urban D funds are new funds not previously
authorized.
Councilman Nichols: New funds issued with such a short deadline
for application?
Councilman Chappell: That is right.
Councilman Nichols: That is incredible.
Councilman Chappell: In fact they really want us to submit our
request - and that is why the present issue
. as we see it here is for a million dollars
rather than the $335,400 alloted us for the first year, in fact they
are asking us to submit not only the 1973-74 request but the 1974-75
request at the same time. Again, I go back and say it appears to me
all they are attempting to do is s.ay we have offered the cities the
funds and they can't handle them. So our staff is trying to clear
all the hurdles. In sitting on this meeting the other day with
members of the City, RTD, SCAG and the County, it is an unbelievable
situation that they place us in but at least it looks like West
Covina will, as we have in our storm drain funds and things like that,
move ahead properly so we can utilize this money and 'not have to take
advantage of the offer that the County gave us that if we turn the
funds over to them for 1973-74 they will give us back 50/ of that
money next year from the gas taxes so we can locally maintain our
streets. That is the alternative to zero, so I think we are going
about it in the right way and working for the full sum of money
and not just the alternative.
Mayor Shearer: Are there any other questions? We have a
staff recommendation in the report dated
April 19th. We have recommendations A, B, C,
and D, and B is proposed to be revised in accordance with the
document and report you have dated April 22nd.
• Motion by Councilman Chappell that the City Council approve the Staff
recommendations for Items A, B, C, and D on the proposed sheet.
Seconded by Councilman Lloyd and carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Browne, Lloyd, Nichols, Chappell, Shearer
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
MM
CITY COUNCIL Page Ten
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS - Cont'd. 4/22/74
Item 6-e Councilman Lloyd: Mr. Mayor, I thought
Traffic Committee this item was tied in
Minutes with the Federal Funds in someway, but I find
it is not. I move approval of Item 6-e.
• Seconded by Councilman Browne and carried.
(Mayor Shearer welcomed the large number of students present from
the high schools.)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1973-74 SUPPLEMENTAL WEED LOCATION: Various throughout the City.
AND RUBBISH ABATEMENT Set for hearing on this date for .
PROGRAM - PROTEST HEARING protests or objections from property
0 owners and/or other interested
parties by Resolution 4865 adopted
April 8, 1974. Engineer's report
reviewed by Council..
Mayor Shearer: Madam City Clerk, do you have the
Affidavit of Mailing?
City Clerk: Yes, I do.
Motion by Councilman Chappell, seconded by Councilman Browne and
carried, to receive and file Affidavit of Mailing. t
Mayor Shearer: Madam City Clerk, have you received
any written protests or objections
against performing the proposed work?
City Clerk: I have not.
THIS IS THE TIME AND PLACE FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING OF PROTESTS OR
OBJECTIONS AGAINST THE 1973-74 SUPPLEMENTAL WEEK AND RUBBISH
ABATEMENT PROGRAM. THERE BEING NO PUBLIC TESTIMONY FOR OR AGAINST
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED. COUNCIL DISCUSSION.
Councilman Nichols: Mr. Mayor, I have a comment. A
citizen brought my attention to
something today which I thought had
enough merit to warrant bringing before Council and Staff. This
person representing an individual stated he owns about a half acre
in the heart of the City on Valinda Street south of Vine Avenue,
that the individual, -:was around 90 years of age and had no
capability of doing his own weed abatement on a corner portion of
his large property and that the weed abatement technique used by
the City was to use the same large discing machinery that was used
to disc the 20 to 40 acre parcels that exist in the City, and when
the discing operation is finished in a completely surrounded
residential area it was a very unsightly looking display of weed
abatement and the.individual that spoke to me suggested the
possibility for these very small parcels strictly in residential
areas in our bid next year we ask for weed clearance by mechanical
equipment that it would not appear it was getting ready to be
• farmed afterwards. I thought this was a very legitimate point
and would leave these kinds of properties that might not be
capable of being restored to a level appearance in a little more
slightly appearance than they are now when disced by the heavy
equipment. So I will pass that comment on to staff to consider
in next year's bidding.
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CITY COUNCIL Page Eleven
CONSENT CALENDAR - Cont'd. 4/22/74
Motion by Councilman Chappell, seconded by Councilman Nichols and
carried, to authorize the City Engineer to proceed with the abate-
ment of weeds on those properties described in the Resolution of
Intention No. 4865.
• PUBLIC WORKS
PROJECT NO. SP-73008 LOCATION: Puente Avenue, Azusa Avenue to
Armel Drive.
(Council reviewed Engineer's report.
Mr. Aiassa: Mr. Mayor, a question of Mr. Zimmerman.
Previously it was mentioned you are taking
some money from this project - is this
shown? I believe it is $51000.
Mr. .Zimmerman : Mr. Aiassa, the report;.., -,shows that the
estimated cost including a 10/ estimated
contingency totals $33,000, whereas at the
present time there is slightly over $49,000 available. So we feel
there is sufficient funds to do both projects at this time.
Mayor Shearer: This is the project we authorized the
$5,000 from to pay for the rush Urban D
project. Any questions on the part of
Council with regard to the ;Staff report?
Motion by Councilman Chappell, seconded by Councilman Lloyd and
carried, to approve the plans and specifications for City Project
SP 73008 and authoriz,e..the City Engineer to call for bids.
TRAFFIC SIGNAL CO- Mayor Shearer: This item has been
• ORDINATION FOR CITY pretty well covered
OF WEST COVINA and unless there are further questions
I would suggest we receive and file.
So moved by Councilman N.chols_k., seconded
by Councilman Browneaandc:carried.
TENTATIVE TRACT
NO. 30872
ROBERT HIRSCH
REQUEST FOR TIME EXTEN-
SION TO FILE FINAL MAP
LOCATION: Easterly cul-de-sac of Mardina
Street, on the north side of Garvey
Avenue, east of Vincent Avenue in the
MF-20 (Medium Density Multiple Family)
Zone, a reversion to acreage for a .72
acre parcel. Recommended for approval
by the Planning Commission.
Motion to approve the request for the time extension made by
Councilman Nichols, seconded by Councilman Lloyd and carried.
PLANNING COMMISSION
TENTATIVE TRACT LOCATION: Amar Road approximately 1000
NO. 32339 feet (more or less) east of the northeast
COVINGTON BROTHERS corner of Amar Road and Azusa Avenue.
REQUEST: Approval of a Tentative Tract
Map for the subdivision and construction
of a 476 unit multiple family complex within the Woodside Village
PCD-1 Zone (13 DU/AC) in accordance with Development Plan No. 5 as
recommended by Planning Commission Resolution No. 2522.
Councilman Browne: Mr. Mayor, I would like to call upon the
Council to give consideration to the
calling up of Tentative Tract No. 32339.
mom
CITY COUNCIL
TT NO. 32339 - Cont'd.
Page Twelve
4/22/74
It has already gone through the Planning Commission and since
there were.only three commissioners in attendance at the hearing
I feel within my own mind that there are many items that have
been overlooked in the development plan. I would move that we
appeal the Planning Commission's decision pertaining to
• Development Plan 5, PCD-1 and the accompanying EIR covered by
Planning Commission Resolution No. 25221 and set a public hearing
for May 13, 1974, and if not that date then the date would be
May 27, and a continuance on this Tentative Tract No. 32339 to be
held over and that we hear it in conjunction with Development Plan
5. Seconded by Councilman Chappell.
Mayor Shearer:
What this
basically does
is call up the
items for
full discussion
of this
development within the 20
day limit
Council has that is so
prescribed.
I believe the
20 days is up
tomorrow. And you are
asking that
it be called up
for total review
of the package.
Councilman Nichols: I would call the Council's attention to
the fact if it was called up it is called
up as a hearing item and it will be
subject to full procedures and Council's action will be final unless
we should carry it over or refer it back.
Mayor Shearer: Right. Any further discussion?
Motion carried.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
James Stoddard
I would like
to speak on behalf
1529 E. Walnut Creek
Parkway of Mr.
Nicholl-s
presentation'..for-having
West Covina
a bond
issue
for the street improve-
ments
in the
City of West Covina. I
think it is
about
ten years overdue and I
would like
for the
rest of the Oouncil to
get behind that project.and make it possible. I don't think we
will ever catch up to adequate streets in the City of West Covina if
we don't get a big lump sum of money and go at it right, because
the way we have been going at it it costs as much in maintenance
for worn out streets as it would if we had fixed the streets right
five or ten years ago. The money has to be appropriated, we have
to pay for the streets and we have to get the job done.
I talked to Mr. Zimmerman, Mr. :,Lloyd and
several other people in the City and the way I feel the 1970 Plan
evidently there was not enough money to carry out the plan and we
can plan and plan but if we don't get the money to do the job it
will never get done._ Thank you.
f.
Councilman Nichols: Thank you, Mr. Stoddard. That is the first `
time I can recall in over ten years that
I have had someone come in after a proposal
and say I support it. I have had them come in and say I am
against it.
• Mayor Shearer: Unfortunately what Councilman Nichols
said is all too true. We generally hear
more from the "againers" than the people
that are for something. I guess that is just the way of life and
it is encouraging to hear a favorable comment.
�' - 12 -
CITY COUNCIL
CITY ATTORNEY
Page Thirteen
4/ 2 2/ 74
ORDINANCE Mr. Wakefield: Mr. Mayor and members
INTRODUCTION of the Council, this
is the so-called Noise Ordinance which is
back before you for the third time. After
your last consideration of this matter the ordinance draft was
. again revised, it is now limited in its application to the
residential areas of the City. The City standards which may be
measured by a decibel measurement device and limits the permissable
noise level to 5 decibels above the ambient noise level at any pro-
perty line in connection with radios, television sets and similar
devices, machinery equipment, fans and air conditioning apparatus
and certain construction and building projects, together with
vehicle operations and repairs. Those items which seem to be of
major concern relating to the regulation of other noise sources.
have been eliminated from this draft.
' "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 6 TO ARTICLE IV OF
THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO NOISE."
Motion by Councilman Lloyd, seconded by Councilman Chappell and
carried, to waive full reading of said Ordinance.
Motion by Councilman Lloyd, seconded by Councilman Chappell, to
introduce said Ordinance.
Mayor Shearer: Discussion? I will discuss then. I still
don't like it. That is not to be con-
strued as favoring noise because I also
oppose noise. I also oppose an ordinance that I feel is unenforce-
able. I think the provisions in the ordinance for a differential
of 5 decibels at the property line was demonstrated to us some
• months back when we had the van from the City of Inglewood here, it
makes almost all of us in violation as soon as this ordinance is
enacted. I have an air conditioning unit that sits 3' from the
property line, I am sure when it is on that the noise level is
well in excess of 5 decibels. I am sure that when I start my car
in the morning at about 6:15 A.M. and drive past my neighbor's
bedroom.window probably within 8 to 10' I probably�_:exceed 5 decibels.
I don't doubt at all the intention of the ordinance to control
certain types of noise but unfortunately sometimes our legislation
controls the exception as well as the rule.
I don't know what the answer is. I am
open for discussion. I will not vote to introduce the ordinance.
What I would like to see is it held over just one more time and
give staff time to communicate with the other cities. I under-
stand this is a model ordinance, which means it was devised by the
League of California Cities to be used by others to determine if
they have had difficulties in enforcing. Am I right,
Mr. Wakefield? That the courts and the District Attorney's office
recently said unless an ordinance is administered and enforced
uniformly throughout the City that they will not bother to prose-
cute , or if it was the court they would not hold someone guilty.
That a man can debate the action if his neighbor isn't enforced the
same as he is.
• Mr. Wakefield: That is the general policy of the District
Attorney's office - yes, Mr..Mayor.
Mayor Shearer: So if we had an ordinance and everybody
wasn't enforced equally and we did have
a problem we might not be able to abate
- 13 -
CITY COUNCIL
City Attorney - Cont'd.
Page Fourteen
4/22/74
•
•
that particular problem either without the prosecution of the
District Attorney. If you follow what I am saying....
.Mr. Wakefield: Yes, I follow what you are saying. The
problem arises more frequently, I think,
in connection with those portions of our
zoning ordinances which relate to setbacks for hedges, fences and
that sort of thing, more than an ordinance of this sort which is
capable of precise measurement and I assume that in most instances
the enforcement of the ordinance would be uniform. It is
customary, I think, in most enforcement procedures, and I would
assume a procedure adopted under an ordinance such as this that
the property owner is given a warning usually before being given
the first citation and that does not mean that the enforcement of
the ordinance is not uniform because the same procedure is
followed citywide.
Councilman Nichols: I am compelled to accept the Mayor's
argument in terms of receiving some survey
of any cities that have alread enacted
this ordinance and if there are none I am not particularly interest-
ed in pioneering a rather touch and go operation. So, although I
was in support of it, I am prepared to vote "no" on the introduction
and accept an alternate motion to hold it over.
Councilman Lloyd:
type -in force - is that
Mr. .Wakefield:
Mr. Mayor, while I appreciate your
persuasive arguments, however there are
cities who already have an ordinance of this
correct, Mr. Wakefield?
That is correct. The
ordinance followed the
prepared by the League
Cities. It was also the form of the ordinance
of Beverly Hills initially and since that time
adopted the original League version.
original draft of the
so-called model -'--
of California
adopted by the City
other cities have
Councilman Lloyd: I do know that some cities that have gone
forward with it have experienced no pro-
blems with it, at least at the present
moment and I am of the opinion that I think the time has come for
the City of West Covina to get on the books with an ordinance
dealing with noise that gives us a point of departure. You are not
throwing the baby out with the bath water. I think we can go
ahead and put it on the books and try it out with a trial and
error method and we are not going to defranchise any person in the
City of West Covina merely because they turn on their air
conditioner or start their automobile. I appreciate the fact that
may change the ambient noise in that given instant but it is the
noise which emanates from undue situations such as parties,
gatherings and things of that nature, or people racing.up and
down the streets at midnight with cars that.we are really dealing
.i`
with and I think the people of West Covina have a right to have that i
kind of protection. If it isn't going to work - well let's get it
on the books, let's take a look at it, we are capable of making
changes and have. I want to see something get rolling on this
thing. I think we can sit around and we have - it is almost a year
since that first introduction.
Councilman Nichols: You may be assured that other cities have
no problems with it but I am not so sure,
so all I am suggesting is that we hold it for two weeks and ask
staff to check around a bit with the other cities and see if they
have had any experience with problems on the 5 decibels. Maybe
they have amended their ordinance and we might get some additional
- 14 -
CITYCOUNCIL Page Fifteen
City Attorney - Cont'd. 4/22/74
information that we don't have. If two additional weeks is an undue
delay then I guess I will be undue, because I have changed my mind.
Councilman Browne:
• other cities. I think
restrictive ordinances
vindictiveness between
thoroughly investigate
12 and come back with
live with it if it has
Mayor Shearer:
Mr. Wakefield?
Mr. Wakefield:
regulate is the repair
private property.
Mayor Shearer:
Mr. Mayor, I would acquiesce along those
lines and have the opportunity of
investigating the ordinance as applied in
it is only fair. Sometimes we write
within the City and it just leads to
neighbors on occasion. I think we should
this portion of part No. 2 of 4610, 11 and
a report in two weeks - I would be able to
proven successful in other cities.
I have a question about the noisy vehicles
which was mentioned by Councilman Lloyd -
does this ordinance cover that,
No, it doesn't, Mr. Mayor. The problem of
noisy vehicles on streets is controlled by
State law. What this ordinance tends to
or rebuilding, or testing of noise levels on
in a definitive manner,
party where loud noises
from an amplifier system
I also question whether the ordinance
really controls those points that we are
trying to control. Does this ordinance
namely Part 2 of the ordinance, cover a
are emanating from the vocal chords and not
or radio, or TV set?
Mr. Wakefield: No, I don't think it covers the so-called
• loud party, except to the extent that it is
accompanied by loud music from a radio or
orchestra, or similar device.
Mayor Shearer: So people singing and yelling and having a
good time that wouldn't be illegal, but if
I had my TV set up toDhigh then it.would.
Mr. Wakefield: That is right.
.Mayor Shearer:. Then I think perhaps the ordinance is
deficient in some of the points we are
trying to control. So perhaps that should
be looked at. Any other comments?
Councilman Chappell: Mr. Mayor, I was just going to say in
sending it back for two weeks - and I think
we all agree we need something like this -
but an ordinance of this kind should really have a 5 to 0 vote or a
4 to 1 vote to get it on the books and make it a real valid type
ordinance. A.3 to 2 on an ordinance like this really just not
strong enough to have all of us stand up and say this is the way we
want it. So two weeks more will give us a chance to find these
things out. I agree with the Mayor on the singing and dancing
. noises - they should be included as well as music itself.
Councilman Browne: Mr. Mayor, may I speak to one item in the
explanations of the sound amplifying
equipment - Mr. Wakefield, does this
expressly cover the amplification of sound emanting from parties
given in yards where there are gatherings of numerous people,
where it amplifies into other areas? These are the things I would
- 15 -
CITY COUNCIL Page Sixteen
City Attorney - Cont'd. 4/22/74
be more concerned with, if someone had amplifying equipment that
traversed an area of the neighborhood.
Mr. Wakefield: Yes, it does. The information is contained
• in subparagraph L of Page 2.
Motion by Councilman Chappell, seconded by Councilman Nichols and
carried, to hold this item over to the next regular meeting of
Council, May 13, 1974.
THE CHAIR CALLED A RECESS AT 8:35 P.M. COUNCIL RECONVENED AT 8:50
P.M.
CITY ATTORNEY - Con t'd.
ORDINANCE NO. 1245 Mr. Wakefield: At the request of
ADOPTED Staff I have prepared
an urgency ordinance
which is designed to
allow for a study period not to exceed 120 days with respect to the
size of signs on larger buildings, particularly department stores
and the like within the redevelopment area of.the City. This
ordinance is designed to in effect V.think meet what the provisions
of the reciprocal easement agreement provide for in the way of
signs for the department stores in the Phase I area or the Phase I
project area of the redevelopment area.
Two things, if the City Council desires to
consider the ordinance this evening. One of the preliminary steps
before you consider the ordinance is to instruct the Planning
Commission to study the problem of sign size on large commercial
• buildings and make a recommendation back to the City Council for a
change, if necessary, in the existing sign ordinance.
Councilman Nichols: I would offer a motion in connection with
the proposed adoption of an ordinance
prohibiting erection of signs upon large
commercial buildings to get it on the floor for discussion. I
move that the matter of concerns of the Planning Commission, that
they might have in terms of conflict with existing ordinances be
clarified through a referral of this matter to the Planning
Commission.
Councilman Lloyd: Mr. Mayor - a repeat of the motion?
Mayor Shearer: Before continuing - a question. Is that
what is in the "Whereas" in the
ordinance, Mr. Wakefield?
Mr. Wakefield: Yes sir.
Mayor Shearer: So really if we pass the ordinance do we,
need a separate motion on that?
Mr. Wakefield: Yes sir, I think you.need a separate
motion to refer to the Planning Commission.
• The motion was to ask the Planning
Commission to make a recommendation with respect to its concerns
relative to sign size on large commercial buildings.
Councilman Nichols: That is correct, and in any areas where
they feel it is in conflict or there
could be potential conflict between this
ordinance and the existing sign ordinance.
- 16 -
CITY COUNCIL Page Seventeen
City Attorney - Cont'd. 4/22/74
Seconded by Councilman Chappell.
Mayor Shearer: Mr. Miller - would you elaborate on what
this Ordinance does?
Is Mr. Miller: Yes, Mr. Mayor. The ordinance before you
actually adds to the existing sign
ordinance a provision that will allow
large buildings in excess of 75,000 square feet on a graduated
scale to have additional signing. The wording here is not in
conflict with any provision in the code that we are aware of at
this point.
Councilman Nichols: The purpose of my motion is in light of
the fact this is an emergency ordinance
and is to last for a period of 120 days
only and that in some respects it does override the provisions
in our existing sign ordinance and if regulations in effect here
became permanent it would tend, it seems to me, in terms of the
existing ordinance to run into some conflict on sign size. Isn't
this correct?
Mr. Wakefield: That is correct.
Councilman Nichols: What,Iywe are doing is really voiding por-
tions of the sign ordinance for a period
of 120 days to enable certain things not
to occur while this matter is reviewed. So that is why I made the
motion that this action of the adoption of the ordinance be also
referred to the Planning Commission so they could look at it along
with the existing sign ordinance and make any recommendations
that they might choose to make that would be applicable after the
• 120 day freeze period.
Motion carried.
The City Attorney presented the Ordinance.
"AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, PROHIBITING THE ERECTION OF SIGNS
UPON LARGE COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS EXCEPT THOSE WHICH COMPLY WITH
THIS ORDINANCE DURING A PERIOD OF STUDY NOT TO EXCEED 120 DAYS AND
DECLARING THE URGENCY THEREOF TO TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY."
Motion by Councilman Chappell, seconded by Councilman Browne and
carried, to waive full reading of said Ordinance.
Motion by Councilman Browne, seconded by Councilman Lloyd and
carried, to introduce said Ordinance.
Motion by Councilman Browne, seconded by Councilman Nichols to
adopt said Ordinance and carried on rollcall vote as follows:
AYES: Browne; �Niehol`s Ehoyd:y: , Chappell Shearers
NOES: None
ABSENT:. None
THE CHAIR RECESSED THE COUNCIL MEETING AT 8:55 P.M. fOR THE
• PURPOSE OF CONDUCTING THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING.
COUNCIL RECONVENED AT 9:05 P.M.
CITY MANAGER
ROTARY CLUB. RE
EXCHANGE OF NARCOTICS
TRAILER FOR A STEP -VAN
Mr. Aiassa: Mr. Mayor, I would
like to have this
item carried over - we are having a little
problem with the step -van and we talked to
the members of the Rotary Club and they
agree. - 17 -
CITY COUNCIL
Page Eighteen
City Manager
.4/22/74
Motion by Councilman
Nichols:, seconded by Councilman
Chappell, and
carried, to continue
this item.
LEGISLATIVE BILLS
Mr. Aiassa:
Mr. Mayor and
AFFECTING CITIES
members of Council,
• spread sheet I provided
you with before and I
this is the same
believe we will have
to poll the Council
to see how they feel about
each one of these
bills.
Motion by Councilman
Nichols that this item be
tabled for action
at this time and that
each Councilmenfurther
review these matters
and the Council be polled
on their individual
feelings. Seconded
by Councilman Lloyd
and carried.
COVINA IRRIGATING
Mr. Aiassa:
This item will have
COMPANY WATER RATE
an effect on the
INCREASE
water that the City
of West Covina is
purchasing.
Councilman Lloyd: Mr. Mayor - I noticed an article in the
San Gabriel Valley Tribune - is that 14/0
increase pertaining to this Company or is
that the City of West Covina?
Mr. Eliot: I believe it is a 12% increase for the
Covina Irrigating Company and the rates
are going up 14/o for the City of Covina.
We do buy water from the City of Covina.
Councilman Lloyd: In other words it appears that we will
have to pay an additional 14/.
Mr. Eliot: It appears that way.
Councilman Chappell: Mr. Mayor, that could be one of our items
that we discuss when we meet with the
City Council of Covina - suggesting we
get a rate for volume purchase. (Council
agreed)
EXECUTIVE SESSION (Mr. Aiassa advised this could be
REQUEST carried over to the meeting of the 29th.
Council agreed)
MAYOR'S REPORTS
PROCLAMATIONS Mayor Shearer: If there are no
objections I would
proclaim the following: "Anti -Litters.-
Month" - May, 1974; "Respect For Law Week" - May 1/7, 1974;
"Multiple Sclerosis Month" - May 12/June 16, 1974; "Voter
Registration Week" - April 29/May 5, 1974; "National Secretaries
Week" - April 22/26, 1974. (No objections, so proclaimed)
I would like to request whatever support
we can get from the press in urging the citizens to vote and to
• register prior to May 5 in order to vote in the June 4th primary.
RESOLUTION No. 4875 The City Attorney presented:
ADOPTED "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA,
COMMENDING ORA M. (MAC) SHORT FOR
SERVICE TO THE CITY THROUGH HIS OUTSTAND-
ING EFFORTS IN THE WEST COVINA FIRE
DEPARTMENT."
18
CITY COUNCIL
Mayor's Reports (Res. #4875)
Page Nineteen
4/22/74
Motion by Councilman Lloyd, seconded by Councilman Chappell and
carried, to waive full reading of said Resolution.
Motion by Councilman Chappell, seconded by councilman Lloyd, to
adopt said Resolution and carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Browne, Lloyd, Nichols, Chappell, Shearer
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Shearer: Thursday of last week, Mr..Aiassa and I
met with Mayor Brutocoa and City Manager
Russell of the City of Covina and we dis-
cussed the possibility of the Councils in total meeting and dis-
cussed further the possibility of mergers, specifically the Fire
Departments of the two cities. It was agreed at that time that
further discussions on this matter would be worthwhile and I am
recommending to this City Council that we agree to meet with the
City Council of the City of Covina on May 22, 1974 at 6 P.M. at
the Holiday Inn.
Move the meeting, Councilman Lloyd,
seconded by Councilman Chappell and carried.
Mayor Shearer: Mr. Wakefield - remind us at the appropriate
meeting which I believe is May 13, to adjourn
to that time and place.
Councilman Nichols: One question - was there any discussion
that might require the presence of legal
counsel at that meeting? .
Mayor Shearer: We didn't discuss the details. We left it
•
to the two City Managers to make sure we
are properly covered on City Clerks, City
Attorneys, etc.
We were all saddened by the news of the
passing last Friday of Councilman Oscar Yeager of Covina. I under-
stand the funeral will be Wednesday at 1 P.M. at Oakdale Morturary
on Grand Avenue in the City of Glendora. I am going to request that
this meeting be adjourned in memoran of Councilman'Yeager.
COUNCILMEN'S REPORTS/COMMENTS
Councilman Chappell: I just want to bring the Council uptodate.
I mentioned earlier in the evening about
the Committee of 9 appointed to work on
the Federal Aid for Urban Systems Procedures. We have a Councilman
on it from Long Beach and myself for medium sized cities and a
Councilman from Palos Verde Estates, the ,Mayor of the City of
Los Angeles, the -Chairman of the Supervisors of the County of
Los Angeles, SGAG, RTD.and a number of other people compose this
membership of 9.. We met and you received the information tonight
on a sort of a .tentative type situation due to the shortness of
time. The first week of May we will be meeting to set up and
develop a process for acceptable allocation of these funds in
Los Angeles County. I feel honored to be picked as a representa-
tive of this group and I feel that the City of West Covina was
really honored in that I was asked to sit on this Committee. In
accepting I think we can keep on top of it and this gave us a head
start in our project because I cane right back to the City and dis-
cussed with the City Manager and we got staff going right away on
it. The paperedid mention the other night that there was a
19 -
CITY.COUNC.IL. Page Twenty
Councilmen's Reports/Comments 4/22/74
Committee formed but they didn't exactly say who was on it, but I
thought at.this,time.I. would let them know that we do have a
member on that Committee -
Councilman Nichols: Mr. Mayor, I may be mistaken but I thought
. I had asked that the comments I made at
the last Council meeting come back as an
agenda item for the Council relative to the possibilities of a bond
issue, but perhaps I didn't state that clearly. Urgency had been
conveyed. Mr. Lloyd, did you have it personally called to your
attention, the particular comments I made at the last Council
meeting about the possibilities of a bond issue? My remarks
at that time were only to stimulate thinking and comments in
response to the receptivity or nonreceptivity on bonds, and I
would think this should be a meeting where we should go into this
further and thoroughly. So I would like to turn the opportunity
to speak tonight back to the chair and ask for a response and
discussion, Mr. Mayor, about those comments I made at the last
regular council meeting.
Mayor Shearer: Yes, Councilman Nichols, I.believe at that time I
.requested as you did, specifically that this item,.
because Mr. Wakefield advised us we have to notify
certain people by August 1 in order to be on the November ballot,
that this item be placed no later than the first meeting in May.
Mr. Aiassa: That is right and it is scheduled for the first
meeting in May.
Councilman Nichols: Then you are suggesting, Mr. Mayor, that
there is no reason to discuss it tonight?
I am not pressing it at all.
Mayor.Shearer: I am perfectly willing to discuss but what
I was hoping we would have, for instance
the record with regard to street
improvements, that we would have some report as to cost, what is
left to be done in our street maintenance program, some idea of
the magnitude.
Councilman Nichols: Yes, that was my concern; my comments were
only general and we had not given any
specific input in any given area and I
mentioned those two particular items of concern - the need for a
Senior Citizens' Community facility that I feel personally has
been tossed about and is long overdue. When this has come up
before the response has been that the various School Districts
are closing schools and probably some time within a year or so a
school building will become available. So for two or three years
this has been the response and I was at a meeting just the other
day when it was mentioned, a school closing in the Covina Valley
District is already involved in a contest with several other
agencies as to which ones will get the use of that.building.
And there is discussion in West Covina if a year from now a school
should close and there is no commitment in that direction that
certain agencies, including adult education, are much in need of
• expanded facilities. So year after year all of us put this off
and each of us on the Council come closer to that time when we
may be looking for such a building in the community, and there
are many older people in the community. We have done so much
for our young, which we should do, but we seem to put off our
Senior Citizens year after year and I feel that is a grave con-
cern.
- 20 -
,CITY,COUNCIL Page Twenty-one
Councilmen's Reports/Comments 4/22/74
There are street deficiencies that cannot be made
at least in reviewing the five year plan and in the updating keep
being postponed for more urgent types of things and I feel those
kind of improvements are those kinds of improvements that should not
be a heavy burden to those people that exist today in West Covina
and pay property taxes but should be burdens amortized over the life
• of those improvements. I feel, finally, that they are so major that
this is something we should allow our citizens to participate ina:,
We have become rather gun shy about bond issues because we have
failed in the past, but I don't think we should forever fail to use
that route and where there are legitimate needs that are widely
recognized in the community and where support could be generated
I feel we should not hesitate to go that funding route, if it is
considered desirable.
I would like to formally request that at the
early May meeting we receive input from Staff in regard to the
matter of street deficiencies and the needs that can be met in the
current 5 year plan and deficiencies that have been left out
because of the lack of capability, and I would further move that
the history of the consideration of the possibility of developing a
Senior Citizens' type facility or an additional recreational
facility in the community be reviewed by Staff and a packet put
together for us. I would offer that as a motion to Council and if
there are other concerns that Councilmen have that they would like
to bring into this, other items of concern going into the discussion
of the possibility of a bond issue they are certainly welcome to
follow my motion with their own motion.
Seconded by Councilman Chappell.
Councilman Chappell: I don't have any other items, but I would
like to say if we have other items thrown
on the table that we review them and hold
them to a minimum, because basically as I look at it, our bond issues
previously had a large number of items and that helped defeat it ,
because anyone adding up those costs they would want to move out of
West Covina. So if we have more than just these two, let's analyze
and pick the most two important ones and.run with the bond issue on
them and then perhaps at a later time go with another bond issue.
Councilman Nichols: I agree with that. Over the years I have
watched and I think we have reached too
high, asked for too much and asked for
things that were not quite so essential in terms of needs for the
community and were tried.in a particularly negative period of time
and yet election results in recent times indicate in both
municipalities - Burbank and school districts - where they come in
with realistic proposals, legitimate needs and reasonable costs
they are still able to get their citizens to support these kinds of
developments. So I think that is a very well put point.that you
made.
Councilman Browne: May I ask Councilman Nichols if he has
any size in mind of a building for the
use of the Senior Citizens:
Councilman Nichols: It would be my thinking at this point
that the benefit of the thinking of the
Council be .made known, preferably the
tape of my initial comments and the conversation tonight and the
conversations that might follow at our next meeting and then be
referred to the Recreation and Parks Commission with the understand-
ing that it is not Councils'. thinking of a Taj Ma-hal or Ohympi-c
size that is needed but some sort of a reasonably adequate,
potentially expandable facility for the use of our Senior Citizens
in the community that they might call their own, and review it
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CITY COUNCIL .
Councilmen's Reports/Comments
Page Twenty-two
4/ 2 2/ 74
and study it, and with staff assistance return to the City Council
with a recommendation.
Mr. Aiassa: Mr. Mayor, if I read Councilman Nichols'
comments correctly, on the 13th of May I am
supposed to have two items - one if the
• deficiency of streets report for a possible bond
issue and the other is a plan for the possibility of a Senior
Citizens' facility.
Councilman Nichols: Yes. We have a 5 year plan that we updated
a year ago - Mr. Zimmerman?
Mr. Zimmerman: Yes, yearly we update it.
Councilman Nichols: And we have deleted some projects, others
we added. I know that staff is juggling
priorities and needs as they move with
this 5 year plan and there are needs that are not in it, I am sure
because of the critical shortage of funds, so my thinking was that
Staff would indicate what deficiencies of a significant nature are
not being met by the current 5 year plan and therefore what
deficiencies will still remain and at what cost. Because as
mentioned by this gentleman, if each 5 years we have a 5 year plan
and we leave deteriorating streets that we can't take care of and
then we move on to the next 5 year plan, we tend to get increased
deterioration and the result is a greater and greater costs in
these inflationary years and the City is constantly then torn up
by little projects over a long period of time and perhaps our
citizenry would concur after twenty years West Covina needs some
additional major street work and.they are willing to expend the
money to see it happen. Now if they are not then Council has done
its job and we all will just bump along together.
• Mayor Shearer: In regard to.the Senior Citizens' Center I
would just throw this out. Perhaps staff
would want to give some consideration and
comments to us with regard to the possibility of maybe not one
large one but because of the inaccessibility of some people to get
to locations that they consider two smaller ones. It might be
worth looking at.
Councilman Chappell: The Senior Citizens have an organization
with a President, etc., and if we did
look at it that way we might be splitting
their organization too thin. You have a good thought there but
it appears to me they have a well organized organization and have
people arranged to pick up other people, etc., so five blocks one
way or the other is probably not a great thing in that respect but
to split them up this might weaken them to the point that they
will not accomplish what they are accomplishing today. It is just
a thought that might be looked at by staff.
Councilman Nichols: I believe all that kind of input would
come in to the Recreation and Parks
Commissions' consideration and we would
hopefully have those considerations made by them. One final
• observation, I can recall not too many years ago when we had very
,detailed plans for a facility in Palm View Park that we were never
able to get off the ground. The only final observation is that we
have tended at times, again, to overreach and say - yes, the
Recreation and Parks Department needs some extra rooms and buildings
and we say that in a report and then it starts to expand and grow
and pretty soon everybody's input creates a great huge structure at
a million dollars cost and down the tubes it goes again. So I
again commend the thought - let's be modest and fill a real need
and hope for growth in the future.
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4�CITY COUNCIL Page Twenty-three
Councilmen's Reports/Comments 4/22/74
Motion carried.
Maybr S.herarer: Is. there any further business?
Mike Ryan Mr. Mayor, if I may, I would like to have
Covington Brothers a study session with the Council or a
• representative of the Council on the pro-
ject which.was pulled off this evening.
Councilman Nichols: Mr. Mayor, I think this is a m*-ter that
really should be referred to staff for
rescheduling- If -there is a desire on the
part of this gentleman to have a Couridilerepresentative sit in and
review any of the concerns I am sure that would be._appropriate, but
I don't deem in this one man's view it is appropriate to attempt
on the spur of the moment to discuss an agenda item that has been
pulled out by Council during the evening and attempt to resolve it
up here in some fashion, other than to refer it immidiately to
staff and if it your desire that a member of Council meet with you
and staff that certainly this Council will always oblige in that
request.
Mr. Ryan: Yes, Mr. Mayor, that is my request.
Mayor Shearer: I would suggest that you work through
Mr. Miller and make your desires known, and
of course you are free at anytime to contact me, preferably not
without going first through staff. This will be scheduled for a
hearing sometime in May.
Mr. Ryan: I was just in doubt in the procedures
for setting up such a meeting but I will
• go through Mr. Miller. Thank you.
APPROVAL OF DEMANDS Motion by Councilman Nichols to approve
demands totalling $1,295,629.97 as listed
on Demand Sheets C966-969, B62la-622a and
C860a. Seconded by Councilman Chappell and carried on roll call
vote as follows:
AYES: Browne, Lloyd, Nichols, Chappell, Shearer
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Councilman Chappell: Mr. Mayor - a question. What is this for?
It appears to be the minutes of March 12th
Mayor Shearer: The minutes of March 12th have been
approved earlier.
Councilman Nichols: The minutes were approved earlier and I
think they were up onto the Council
because the comments of Councilman Nichols
in retrospect appeared a bit asinine and the comments were intended
to be -in good humor and a cold appraisal of the tape indicates
that Councilman Nichols was totally critical of Mayor Shearer
• ascending to the Mayorship, and I believe Mayor Shearer is aware
that I was only jesting when I made certain comments about a
relative being present and thatbP_ was getting to the chair sooner
than I had planned or desired and so forth, and as long as
Mayor Shearer knows the intent of those comments and in making
these comments in these minutes I think that should solve that
problem and bring an end to any concerns, and thanks for bringing
that to our attention.
Mayor Shearer: Not to belabor it, Councilman Nichols,
at that time nor when I read the minutes
0
•
•
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did I ever consider your statements to be asinine - I am sure
they were well intended.
Councilman Nichols:
Mayor Shearer:
ADJOURNMENT
April 29th at 4:30 P.M.
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK
The wit dimmed in the printed word!
And when I made the comment about your
relatives it was not a jab back but it was
a friendly gesture.
Motion by Councilman Chappell, seconded by
Councilman Nichols and carried, to adjourn
meeting at 10:20 P.M. in memory
of Councilman Oscar Yeager, to Monday,
APPROVED:
MAYOR