11-18-1974 - Regular Meeting - Minutes•
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MINUTES OF ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
AND
JOINT MEETING
RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 18, 1974.
The adjourned meeting of the City Council in joint session with the
Recreation and Parks Commission called to order at 7:31 P.M. by
Mayor Chester Shearer in the City Manager's Conference Room at
City Hall.
ROLL CALL
CITY COUNCIL
Present:
Absent:
RECREATION & PKS. COMM.
Present:
Mayor Shearer; Councilmen: Browne,
Chappell, Young
Lloyd
Chairman Dun; Commissioners: Alfaro,
Plesko, Calnan
Others Present: George Aiassa, City Manager
Norm Stevens, Dir. Rec. & Pks. Dept.,
Ray Thurston, Ass't. Dir., Rec. & Pks. Dept.
George Zimmerman, Public Service Dir.,
Leonard Eliot, Controller
Janet Williams, Administrative Analyst
Bob Sutton, Staff Reporter - Sefitnel
Lela Preston, City Clerk
Herb Tice, Councilman Elect
Gary Miller
Jim Schoonover
JOINT MEETING ITEMS
BOND ISSUE Mayor Shearer asked Mr. Zimmerman to briefly
ALTERNATE FUNDING summarize the presentation he made previously
to some members of Council.
Using a display chart,Mr. Zimmerman briefly explained the various
decisions required in order to arrive at a viable acquisition and
development of the Sunset School site or some other location as a
facility for a multi -purpose building. The type of uses: Stages
provided for drama purposes; gymnasium for league and open play;
senior citizens lounge and social area; lighted softball and base-
ball diamonds already exist at Sunset School; picnic area; play-
ground area; community meeting rooms; class rooms for fee and
charge activities: Map of the general city area shown, pointed
out possible locations for a multi -purpose building: Community
parksite,i.in Woodside Village area; Cortez Park; Sunset School and
neighborhood parks,such as: Palm View, Cameron and Walmerado.
Staff recommendation was Sunset School.
Explained further if the School District sells Sunset School to
• someone other than the City a new location for the three ball
diamonds would have to be found. No acquisition costs would be
incurred in the case of using one of the neighborhood parksites but
all new buildings would have to be built. Sunset School now has
three existing ball diamonds which can be continued to be used and
there is room for a fourth to be added. In using the existing school
the City can take advantage of the lower cost of the existing build-
ings. There is ample parking and considerable ground covering.
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There might be a slightly higher maintenance cost involved but the
existing buildings are considered to be in good condition by the
Building and Fire Departments. It is restricted by, State Law to
be used for recreation and park use only. Sunset School includes
• thirteen classrooms, kitchen, and a small auditorium. Some remodel-
ing and renovating would be required. Street circulation to all
portions of the City is good.
State Law requires the City to notify
the School District within 60 days if it intends to purchase the
site and City Council has done this by resolution as of a week ago
tomorrow night subject to: 1 - the satisfactory negotiation of
price; and 2 - once price is settled, deciding on method for coming
up with the money.
Approximate costs broken down into three
categories: Capital Costs, Operating Costs and Program Costs.
New improvement costs estimated at $40 to.$50 per square foot;
total Capital Costs estimated at one and a half to two million
dollars. Mayor Shearer pointed out if the school is utilized as it
now exists for the present then that cost figure would be considerably
less. Operating Costs: Maintenance and upkeep perhaps somewhat
greater at Sunset School because of not being a new facility.
Utilities are included in the estimated cost of about $401000 per year.
Programs would be self-supporting.
Financing Methods which have been considered:
Bond Issue which requires 2/3rds vote of the electors. Another is
a non-profit corporation under SB90 and could be a City activity or
under a Joint Powers Agreement. There was an offer by the School
District whereby the Gity could purchase under a 20 year payment plan
• and the City Attorney has indicated the City cannot buy under that
plan; however a non-profit corporation could be set up under which the
City could buy it on a 20 year basis. Recommendation is if there is
an election that it be held the last Tuesday in May because other
elections would be out of the way.
Other possible decisions by Council would
include the Housing and Redevelopment Act of 1974; Revenue Sharing,
although there is some question as to whether sufficient funds would
be available due to the other needs of the City using portions of
revenue sharing funds; the 20 year payment plan under a non-profit
corporation; a Redevelopment Agency could possibly be funded under
the Health and Safety Code Section 3345.
Mayor Shearer; Mr. Aiassa, before opening to general
questions and discussion can you brief us
on the status of the appraisals?
Mr. Aiassa: We have talked to the'School District and
it was indicated their appraisal should be
completed by December 15. I have been in
contact with Mr. Cox and we are trying to establish a time schedule
and he does have some other prior commitments. I will have an answer
for Council on the 25th along with cost figures. Initially, Mr. Cox
• has advised me they will make an appraisal of the triangle that is
facing this property (to the Wash) which the Queen of the Valley
also wants to possibly sell to the City if we are interested in the
school site. It is a very small triangle.
Mayor Shearer further explained Council would be briefed by the end
of the week regarding the Community Development Act which appears
might be a source of funding; there are possibilities of financing
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that might not require going to the voters with regard to a bond issue.
Councilman Browne mentioned that at the meeting with the School Board
there was an indication that.a decision on the Sunset School might not
be made until after their School Board election in March,in regard to
price. Mayor Shearer stated their concern was if the present School
Board reached a price could a new School Board,(which is a potential
because there are three seats up for consideration in .March,) Over turn
a previous decision; generally agreed if the present School Board
signed a contract it would be binding; however, they were going to
the County Counsellor to get a decision.
Councilman Browne said he would be interested
in knowing what the Commission thinks in relation to the purchase of
Sunset School versus a bond issue for a multi -purpose building in
another location. Chairman Dun stated the Commission recommended to
City Council a Bond Issue and the acquisition of the Sunset School.
Chairman Dun: Mr. Mayor - one of the things the Commission
has been plaqued with is our inability to
understand the financing programs in the City.
Especially myself. I have to admit my ignorance on the methods of
financing and have asked several times what methods of financing there
are. As far as a Bond Issue - my personal opinion is we need the
Bond Issue in order to obtain the things this City needs. I have
been kind of moved about the national problem in relation to the passing
of Bond Issues, not only municipal but federal. I would like to know
what is the availability of revenue sharing funds?
It was explained that Revenue Sharing is one
possibility; the disposal of those funds are at the discretion of the
City Council and they are obviously pushed and pulled by a lot of
different forces in advanced commitments; so the answer would depend
on what amount is being considered. If it is a small amount, revenue
sharing could be considered, but if it is close to two million as
mentioned by Mr..Zimmerman, then revenue sharing isn't sufficient.
-Mr. Eliot asked by the Mayor what the present uncommitted portion of
revenue sharing funds is at the present time - stated a possible
$600,000 uncommitted at this time.
Mayor Shearer: The City is kind of caught in the middle
right now; we are depending on the
completion of the shopping center in the
next couple of years to bring in sufficient added revenue to make up
the gap that has presently been filled in the last couple of years by
revenue sharing funds. So I would be hesitant to commit revenue
sharing money and then find out the gap is not going to be closed.
We are also in a bind that we cannot raise property tax beyond a
limit that is based on increased population offset by increased
evaluation in the community. I believe the recommendation of the
Commission was that we impose a 10(,' park tax and this cannot be
done without a vote of the people unless we in turn reduce the
present property tax. We are at the maximum rate that we can
charge at present. So any additional money for whatever purpose,
whether it is for general purposes or parksites or whatever, in
addition to what we are presently charging has to be done under the
provisions of SB 90 - by a vote of the people.
Chairman Dun:
Mayor Shearer:
Mr. Mayor, one of our major questions is
the financing - whether the City can
afford to buy this property?
I will answer that by saying with our
present income we cannot afford to buy it.
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If we get a raise, either through a tax override or a bond issue,
which would carry with it the ability to raise the taxes to pay off
the bond issue then we could afford it. With our present financial
situation we could not afford it unless some new programs, such as
• the Community Development Act could be utilized.
Chairman Dun: Can we discuss the Community Development
Act a bit? The information we received
was that we would be receiving a certain
amount of dollars in the first three years - approximately $192,000
the first year, $400,000 the second year and $5001000 the third year.
The impression I got was that this particular money could be used
for this type of facility - I may be wrong.
Mayor Shearer: Yes, it could be, but maybe it would not
be approved. As I understand it, it
appears to be dependent on the specified
used, if it falls within certain guidelines. I asked this question
this afternoon and there seemed to be a reservation on the part of
staff to adopt one project utilizing all the money that the City
might be given or a major portion of the money, exclusive- of all
the other eligible uses that the federal government has provided for
in the legislation. The stages we have to go through are: 1 - we
have to make a proposal and it has to be approved by HUD; 2 - a
Citizen's Committee has to be formed to assist in the city's pre-
paring its short range as well as its long range proposal for the
utilization of this money. Approximately we have three and a half
million over 6 years available to West Covina. You would tie up the
first three or four years of our allocation in this and it is
thought that may not be looked on too favorably - to put all our
eggs in one package.
• Councilman Young: Mr. Mayor - suppose you had a tax override
or a bond issue and then supposing a wind-
fall like this occurred, could that be used
to pay off in lieu of the contract that is made by virtue of the
overridge election?
Mayor Shearer: I believe, Mr. Eliot, advised us there was
a provision in the law that said this
money could not be utilized to pay off
previously agreed to obligations. It had to be new things, new
programs, new ideas.
Commissioner Plesko: Mr. Mayor - I think this was one of our
main concerns - in going to bat, working
very hard for a bond issue and then seeing
it go down to defeat and then in the meantime you got monies coming
in from other potential areas. It seems to me that we are putting
the cart before the horse and maybe we are here a little too early
tonight to discuss this as far as the bond issue is concerned.
(Council agreed as far as the bond issue it is too early, but there
were other things that might be discussed at this time.)
• Mayor Shearer: I am of the opinion that we should explore
all other avenues of financing of this
item and use as a last resort the bond
issue. (Commissioners and Councilmen agreed.)
Councilman Young: I agree on the matter of exploring
alternatives. The only real regret we
probably all have is we are discussing
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this in kind of a vacumm because we don't know what we are really
talking about yet.
Councilman Chappell: I think we should give the Commissioners
the reassurance, if it is there, that we
• want to move ahead on Sunset School, so
they can move ahead in formulating their plans irregardless of
whether we have to go via a bond issue or whatever method. I think
they should go ahead with plans as to how it would be used, what it
would cost to make use of the property to its maximum and how we
could start eliminating it down in order to reach the amount that
we can put into it. One of the things that killed the RTD was
there was no plan on the table. So we should know what that site
would cost with a multi -purpose building on, what the additional
baseball diamond would cost, lights cost, etc. We should have a
complete layout and costs.
Commissioner Alfaro: Mr. Mayor, based on your conversation here
tonight, I assume each member of Council
is 100/ in agreement that a multi -purpose
building is favored by all. I am talking about the concept of the
idea.
Councilman Browne: I can give you my viewpoint. As I look
at it we are in a two phase proposition
here. Number 1, the acquisition of Sunset
School which I feel can be utilized to the betterment of the
community as it now exists, and I think we have indicated that we
would be willing to go ahead and purchase the school site if the
price is right.
Commissioner Alfaro: Is each member of the Council in agreement
• that the City of West Covina needs a multi-
purpose building such as we have been talk-
ing about for a long time?
Mayor Shearer: If you are talking about a multi -purpose
building ala Palm View Park as we talked
about a few months ago in addition to
Sunset School then my answer is "no", but if you are talking about
a multi -purpose building as it relates to the existing buildings at
Sunset School I say "yes". I am 100% in favor of the acquisition
of Sunset School even if the only utilization that we can make is as
it now stands, and then add on from there. (Council members agreed.
Mr. Tice, Councilman elect, also stated he was in favor of a multi-
purpose building two and a half years ago and fully supports it.)
Chairman Dun: Since we have been talking about this
effort - and I hate to guess how long -
but I know we have been discussing a
multi -purpose building since I have been on the Commission, and as
Councilman Chappell said.we need to have a decision on where we are
going and what we are going to do, we need to have some t*me if we
have to go to the last resort - a bond issue - and the election is
going to be in Mayoof next year that doesn't give us much time.
.I have gone through some of our previous bond issue efforts in the
• City of West Covina and I have come to the conclusion we need time
to educate the public on what we are trying to do. As stated by
Councilman Young, they are still throwing stones on us because of
this building. So if we go out for another bind issue this building
is going to come up and I don't want that to happen. My feeling is
we need time. We have to have a decision made as to which way we
are going to go and we have to have time to educate the people.
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Mayor Shearer: Let's don't get locked into May or any other
time. We can't make a decision now, we
don't know what the School District wants.
We won't know until after the middle of December. If at that point
we look at the calendar and decide there are not enough days left it may
• be that it would have to be postponed to the next election date.
Chairman Dun: Mr. Mayor, really what I don't understand,
back .in September of this year we met with
the School District people and went to the
school property and at that time we had a pretty fair idea that was
the facility for West Covina for a multi -purpose building and I was
under the impression at that time that we were going out for an
appraisal. Now I don't understand why it takes so long to get an
appraisal. All this period of time we have been concerning
ourselves with a possible bond issue and how much money we might
need.
Mayor Shearer: But the fact remains the School District
says we don't know what We are going to
charge you until we get out appraisal.
They own the property. Until that time we have nothing to go on.
Two appraisals are needed and it may be necessary to have three if
we don't agree. It is a matter of law for each to have their own
appraiser.
Mr. Aiassa: Mr. Mayor, one thing that should be made
part of the record is that both the
School District and the City are mandated
by the government code and we are actually proceeding in accord with
the code.
Mayor Shearer: It appears to me that we are in agreement,
both the Commission and the Council. In
summing up I think it can be said that we
are in complete agreement that Sunset School is the way to go, even
if, we can do no more than utilize the classrooms, meeting rooms,
etc., as it now stands. (Council and Commission agreed.) And that
we are pursuing investigation of possible funding alternates.
One of which is a bond issue, which is very low on the priority list
because of needing two-thirds of the voters permission. It seems to
me that is about as far as we can go, unless the Commission, and I
don't think you need instructions from the Council, should be
formulating through staff the information that will be needed if we
do get CDA funds. We have to show what the facility would be
utilized for and how it would be developed, etc. So I believe it is
quite timely that the Commission and staff work on possible programs
that could be utilized as the building now stands and then adding
on from there.
Councilman Young: Mr. Mayor, a question. Things will start
jelling here hopefully pretty quick - do
we have any kind of a projection as to how
much we need in the way of time and money to put goether a Master
Plan of Development for that facility if we were to get it?
. We have talked about the use of the facility as it stands and
things that can be done to it. How long will it take us to have
our own blue print for it if we see a possibility of getting it
after that possibility matures around December 15th?
Mayor Shearer: It seems to me the appropriate action here
is to authorize Frank Sata and Associates
to work on plans. He was previously
authorized to work on plans for a multi -purpose building and told to
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stop when the Sunset School property came into the picture. Now it
seems pretty certain that we are going towards Sunset School, so
perhaps we should authorize Mr. Sata to start work on various
alternates for the Sunset School property.
• Motion by Councilman Chappell to authorize Frank Sata and Associates
to continue with plans using the Sunset School property in conjunction
withtheir development of the projects they were originally hired to
do in relation to a possible multi -purpose building; and further that
the Recreation and Parks Commission act as coordinator; seconded by
Councilman Browne and carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Browne, Chappell, Young, Shearer
NOES: None
ABSENT: Lloyd
VACANCY ON COMMISSION Mayor Shearer: Not on our agenda is the
item concerning a vacancy
on the Recreation and Parks Commission. Chairman Dun called me and
asked that the matter of an appointment at least be discussed with
the Commissioners, that we get some of their thoughts as to what
they feel we should look for in an appointment. We have received
I believe fourteen applications. Two are present tonight, Mr. Miller
and Mr. Schoonover. That item is now open for discussion.
Chairman Dun: Mr. Mayor, I think when I called you I was
concerned about the forthcoming year,
especially with the acquisition of Sunset
School coming up and the amount of work involved. I feel we have a
tremendous need for a very energetic individual, one that is
involved in this type of acquisition. We need somebody familiar
with the City who can work with people and willing to work. I feel
a tremendous need for help on this Commission. So I ask you to
consider our request and think about your appointment before you
make it. We need somebody that is really going to help the City of
West Covina.
Commissioner Plesko: May I hadd a comment, Mr..Mayor? I think
certainly the person whom you will appoint
should be one that is willing to attend
more than one meeting a month and have some time to do so. We are
all busy people but I think if they are interested in the first place
then they should be willing to donate the required extra time to get
the job done. And if we are going to acquire this property we are
going to need the strongest person we can get.
Councilman Chappell:. Mr. Mayor, I think by the first meeting
in December we should have interviewed
those people that we are not familiar
with and make our decision in early December.
Mayor Shearer: I was going to suggest that we set an
interview schedule starting as soon
after next Monday as wecan. We will
have to devote several hours to interviewing with fourteen
people to interview. So with the concurrence of Council we can
direct staff to .set up an interview schedule at 20 minute intervals.
Council discussed and. agreed to start interviewing on Tuesday,
November 26 at 4 P.M. with a dinner break from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M.,
not at City expense, and then come back at 7 P.M. and continue to
9 P.M. If there is a carry over it will be completed on Monday,
December 2, again starting at 4 P.M. Mr. Aiassa asked to have
staff set up the schedule and notify Council.
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Chairman Dun: Mr. Mayor, going back to the motion
relating to Mr. Sata performing the work -
do you want the Commission to work with
Mr. Sata and are we going to control Mr. Sata and his expenditures
• as well?
Mayor Shearer: Yes, you are to act as coordinators and
you will control the expenditures only
up to the -amount set by Council previously.
I believe some $6,000 was set, some of which has already been expended.
Now if you reach the point where the money has been spent and some
additional work has to be done, a recommendation to Council by the
Commission would be considered by Council. I would say that I
think additional money will be required.
Chairman Dun: Thank you. My concern was strictly on
the motion as stated.
.Mayor Shearer: You are the coordinators on the effort,
but Council still holds the purse strings.
And staff will work with you. We have to
have a good finished product presented to us.
(Mayor Shearer advised the Commissioners that the balance of the
meeting would be devoted to Council matters if they wished to
adjourn at this time.)
Motion by Commissioner Plesko, seconded by
Commissioner Alfaro and carried, to adjourn at 8:48 P.M.
• CONTINUANCE OF COUNCIL MEETING
AMENDMENT TO PERSONNEL Mr. Aiassa advised that he discussed this
RESOLUTION NO. 1277 matter with the City Attorney and the
following resolution is suggested to
Council for adoption. This relates' to
the item discussed with Council at their
regular meeting in the Lxecutive Session.
RESOLUTION NO. 4969 The City Manager presented:
ADOPTED "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING
RESOLUTION 1277 RELATING TO DEPARTMENT
HEADS AND FLAT RATE POSITIONS AND
SALARIES."
Motion by Councilman Young, seconded by Councilman Browne and
carried, to waive full reading of said Resolution.
.Motion by Councilman Chappell, seconded by Councilman Browne, to
adopt said resolution and carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Browne, Chappell, Young, Shearer
NOES: None
ABSENT: Lloyd
. CDA REQUIREMENTS Mayor Shearer: One further item.
`Briefly, Councilman
Chappell and I attend&d<a briefing this afternoon, (I believe the
other Councilmen will be briefed this week) one of the things we
have to do as a City in order to be eligible for the Community
Development Act monies is to appoint a Citizens Committee. There
are no requirements as to number but the make up is generally
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11/18/ 74
advised to cover all spectrum of society, young and old. (Passed
out copies of a map to the Councilmen indicating the areas set up
under the General Plan and asked that Council between now and
Monday nights' meeting be considering people who live in these
various areas who would be willing to meet possibly one night a
• week for the next month and a half and then perhaps on a less
frequent basis. Keeping in mind the spread in age.) We will not
have time to advertise in the papers and this Committee has to be
appointed Monday night. Staff has suggested that we consider a
Committee of at least ten and that the Chairman of the Planning
Commission, Youth Advisory Commission and Recreation and Parks
Commission ex-officio members. So the Committee may end up with
about fifteen. Please submit your names on Monday night.
ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK
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Motion by Councilman Young, seconded
by Councilman Browne and carried, to
adjourn meeting at 9:05 P.M.
APPROVED:
MAYOR