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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) - 1 - 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. - 2 - 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 - 3 - 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 - 5 - 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 - 6 - 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 - 7 - 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. - 10 - 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 - 21 - 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. 22 - 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 • • M r CITY COUNCIL Page Twenty-four 4/ 2 2/ 74 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