01-26-1976 - Regular Meeting - MinutesMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA
JANUARY 26, 1976.
The regular meeting of the City Council called'to order by
Mayor Ken Chappell in the West Covina Council Chambers at
7:32 P.M. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Mayor,
followed by the invocation by Councilman Gary Miller.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Chappell.; Councilmen: Shearer,
Miller, Browne, Tice
Others Present: George Aiassa, City Manager
Leonard Eliot, Controller
George Wakefield, City Attorney
Lela Preston, City Clerk
Michael Miller, Acting' Public Services Director
Harry Thomas, City Engineer
Ramon Diaz, Acting Planning Dir.,
Gus Salazar, Redevelopment Coordinator
Frank Terrell , Administrative Intern
Bill Freeman, Staff Reporter - S.G.V.D.T.
Eric Cohen, Staff Reporter - Sentinel
Gloria Davidson, Deputy City Clerk
Police Chief Alle'in Sill
CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Chappell explained the procedure
of the Consent Calendar items and asked
• if there comments on any of, the follow-
ing items:
1.. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
a) AMERICAN NATIONAL Request for exempt business license
VOLLEYBALL ASSOC., to sell tickets*door to door to
exhibition matches of the "Women's
Junior National Champion" Volleyball
Team. - (R.efer -to City Attorney)
b)
LYNN MUCHMORE
NEXT TIME LOUNGE
Request for a variance of two feet
1831 W. Badillo St.,
so that dance floor can be moved to
front of stage. (Refer to Staff
a,nd City Attorney)
c)
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy of Resolution No. 2607 approv-
ing aid to Cities funds in amount
of $120,751 for maintenance of City's
Select.System Streets. (Receive and
file)
d)
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Approval'of City's request for
appraisal, acquisition and related
services under terms of General
Service Agreement. (Vincent Avenue)
(Receive and file)
e)
EL MONTE CHIEF OF
Copy of letter to Don Nash, Job
POLICE -
Corps, expressing appreciation of
M. L. Matthews
special service to his department
in -helping young people.
(Informational)
- 1.-
CITY COUNCIL Page Two
CONSENT CALENDAR - Cont'd. 1/26/76
f) LOCAL AGENCY FORMA- Copy of Resolution No. 1976-1
TION COMMISSION approving Annexation 198 to County
Sanitation District No. 21
(Woodside.Village Area) (Receive
and file)
S g) COMMUNITY HEALTH Requests anon -profit corporation
PROJECTS, INC. business license. (Refer to City
3362 So. Glendora Ave., Attorney)
West Covina
h) EASTER SEAL SOCIETY FOR Request to hold appeals for funds
CRIPPLED CHILDREN & in the city for Neighbor to Neighbor
ADULTS OF LOS ANGELES Campaign, March 1 through March 31,
COUNTY 19769.._Annual"Spring Campaign Mailing,
March 15th through April 15, 1976 and
1976 Telethon on March 27th and 28th.
(Approved in prior years. Recommend
approval)
2.
PLANNING COMMISSION
SUMMARY OF ACTION
January
21, 1976.
(Accept and
file)
3.
PERSONNLL BOARD
SUMMARY OF ACTION
January
15, 1976.
(Accept and
file)
ACTION ITEM
From Jan.
15, 1976:
See City
Attorney's
Agenda
Item #F-4.
4.
HUMAN RELATIONS COMM.
SUMMARY OF ACTION
January
22, 1976.
(Request to
hold
•
over to
2/9/75)
5.
YOUTH ADVISORY COMM.
MINUTES
January.
6, 1976.
(Receive and
file)
6.
gCCEPTANCE OF IMPROVEMENTS AND/OR
RELEASE
OF BONDS
a) TRACT NO. 20456 Location: Charlinda Street and
BOWEN-BARTHELEMY, INC. Mobeck Street.
Accept sewer, driveway approach and
sidewalk improvements and authorize
release of American Motorists In-
surance Co. Faithful Performance
Bond No. 55M 164-850 in the amount
of $69,300. (Staff recommends
approval."
b) TRACT NO. 31407 Location: Summer Place and Valinda
BAUER DEVELOPMENT CO. Avenue.
Authorize release of Surety Company
of the Pacific Bond No. 106105-in
the amount of S1,650. Monuments in
place. (Staff recommends release of
bonds.)
• c) UNCLA'SS'IFIE'D- USE PERMIT Location: West side of Sunset Avenue,
NO. 151 —STANDARD South side of Merced Avenue.
OIL OF CALIFORNIA Accept driveway and sidewalk improve-
ments and authorize release of The
American Insurance Company Faithful
Performance Bond No. SCR7105218 in the
amount of $1,600. (Staff recommends
approval)
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U
•
CITY COUNCIL Page Three
CONSENT CALENDAR-Cont'd. 1/26/76
7. CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK
a) THORPE, SULLIVAN, On behalf of claimant — West Covina
WORKMAN, THOR.PE & Postal Properties, Ltd. re closing
O'SULLIUAN, ATTORNEYS off California Avenue and construct-
ing parking lot: (Deny and refer to
City Attorney and Insurance Carrier)
b} WALTER W. FRANK Re damages to sewer line from roots
'1421 E. Eckerman Ave., of parkway Magnolia Tree. (Deny
West Covina and refer to City Attorney and
Insurance Carrier)
8. CITY TREASURER
9.. TRAFFIC COMMITTEE MINUTES
ACTION
Report for Month of December, 1975.
(Accept and file)
January 209 1976. (Accept and file)
(A Mr. Gittleson asked if this was the proper time to talk re
a Planning Commission item referred to in their Summary of
Action of 1121/76 'and the Mayor advised the proper time would be
under Oral Communications. Councilman Shearer then asked the
City Attorney if that item should be withdrawn from the Consent
Calendar, the particular item referred to in the Summary of
Action?)
Mr.: Wakefield: Mr. Mayor and members of Council, what is
on the Consent Calendar is simply the
recommendations of the Planning Commission
with respect to this particular item. The change of zone will come
before the City Council automatically and at that time it would be
in order to dispose of the matter. The acceptance and the filing
of the Summary of Action of the Planning Commission will not really
affect that matter.
Motion by Councilman Shearer to approve the Consent Calendar
items; seconded by Councilman Miller and carried on roll call vote
as follows: AYES: Shearer, Miller, Browne, Tice, Chappell
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Councilman Shearer: Mr. Mayor, I did have a comment with
regard to an item in the .Traffic
Committee minutes having to do with
Crossing Guards. It seemed that for quite a few years the
Crossing Guards had not presented a problem before Council and
I have noted within the last few months there have been two or
three such items. I would like to request a report from staff
as to where we have Crossing Guards, what they are costing us,
and the rules and regulations, warrants, etc. In the particular
request this evening it was noted it met the warrant, however,
there were insufficient funds to finance. I would like for my
own benefit a report on that subject because it may become
another frequent item.
• (Mayor Chappell asked Mr. Aias6g to,,make a note of the request
and report back to Counsel.)
GENERAL AGENDA IT.EMS:. AWARD OF BIDS
BID NO. 76-32 Bids were received in the Office of the
FURNISHING FIREHOSE purchasing Agency up to 10:00 A.M. on
Wednesday, January 14, 1976, and there-
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CITY COUNCIL
AWARD OF BIDS: -No. 76-32
• American Rubber Mfg.
Santa Fe Springs, Ca.
Halprin Supply Co..
Los Angeles, Ca.
Service Rubber Gasket
La Puente, Ca.
Wardlaw Fire Equipt.
La Habra, Ca.
Western Fire Equipt.
Brisbane, Ca.
Page Four
1/26/76
after publicly opened and read. Five
bids were received:
Price Per Foot Per Diameter
1rr 1_9 2411 3rr 41r 3/411
$.1.20 $1.45 $2.00 $2.74 $11.49 $1.35
$ .09 $.1.10 $.1.62 2.62 $10.65 $1.59
$ .65 $1.25 $1.7.9 $2.87 $12.10 No Bid
$1.08 $1.08 $1.68 $2.65 $12.91 No Bid
$ .82 $1.19 $1.72 $2.74 $11.96 $ .83
Lotion by Councilman Shearer to award Bid No. 76-32 and authorize
the City Manager to issue purchase orders as follows:
1.
Western Fire
Equipment
$29272.64 includ. tax
2.
Wardlaw Fire
Equipment
$39434.40 it n
3.
Halprin Supply
Co.
$229730.64 " ^
4.
American Rubber
Mfg. Co.
$19558.96
Seconded
by Councilman
Miller and carried on roll call vote as
follows:
AYES:
Shearer, Miller,
Browne, Tice, Chappell
NOES:
None
.ABSENT:
None
PROJECT NO.- SP-74007 Location: Civic Center Area
CIVIC'CENTER LIGHTING Bids were received in the Office of the
PHASE.II. City Clerk up to 10:00 A.M., on
Wednesday, January 21, 1976, and there-
after publicly opened and read. Bids
received as follows:
McCain Construction Co.,
Placentia
S741,088
J.S.J. Construction Co.,
Los Angeles
75,460
A.E.C. Eagle Rock
Los Angeles
77,000
Grissom & Johnson
Santa Ana_
789560
Edwards Electric
Arcadia
78,565
Phoenix Electric Service
Long Beach
809600
S & W,Electric
Maywood
81,391
Fisbhbach & Moore
Los Angeles
81,500
Paul Gardner
Ontario
819680
Steiny & Co.,
Los Angeles
82,706
Spectra Electric
Whittier
859450
Bieber Lighting Corporation
Inglewood
851,850
Power Distributors
City of Industry
679359
Sherwin Electric'
Los Angeles
879721
C.T. & F. , Inc.
Bell Gardens
879950
Thayre Electric Service
Covina
889943
Smith'Electric
Stanton
919368
Motion by Councilman Tice to
accept the bid of McCain
Con-
struction Company of Placentia
i-n the amount of
$749088 (low
• bid) for City Project SP 74007
and authorize the
Mayor and City
Clerk to execute an agreement
with McCain Construction
Company
for the work to be done; seconded
by Councilman
Shearer and
carried on roll call vote as
follows:
AYES: Shearer,
Miller, Browne,
Tice, Chappell
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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CITY COUNCIL
Page Five
PUBLIC WORKS
1/26/76
SANITARY SEWER
Location: Citywide
REIMBURSEMENT AGREE-
(Council reviewed Engineer's report)
MENTS - ANNUAL
STATUS REPORT
Motion by Councilman Miller
to accept the Annual Sewer Reim-
bursement Status Report
and authorize funds to be reimbursed
in accordance with the
Sanitary Sewer Reimbursement Agreements;
seconded by Councilman
Shearer and carried on roll call vote as
follows: AYES:
Shearer, Miller, B.rowne, Tice, Chappell
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
a Railroad grade
Motion by Councilman Shearer to receive
Crossings in Need
and file; seconded by Councilman Miller
of Separation
and carried.
b) Waste Discharge
Motion by Councilman Shearer to receive
Requirements for
and file; seconded by Councilman Miller
BKK CO. CLASS I
and carried.
LANDFILL
PLANNING COMMISSION
TENTATIVE TRACT NO. Location: Northeast corner of Shadow Oak
31147 (REVISED) Drive and Woodgate Drive.
BUTLER/UMARK, INC. Request: Applicant requests approval
for a revised 74 lot subdivision in
Development Plan No. 8 in Woodside
Village (PCD-1) (Categorial Exemption).
(Request to hold over to.February 23/76)
• Motion by Councilman Browne to approve request to hold over to
February 23, 1976; seconded by Councilman Tice and carried.
CITY ATTORNEY AGENDA
ORDINANCE The City Attorney presented:
INTRODUCTION AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMEND-
ING THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE SO AS
TO REZONE CERTAIN PREMISES AND GRANTING
A VARIANCE IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
(Zone Change No. 497 - Robert Hirsch)
Motion by Councilman Tice to waive full reading of said ordinance;
seconded by Councilman Browne and carried.
Motion by Councilman Tice to introduce said ordinance; seconded
by Councilman Browne and carried.
RESOLUTION NO.-5182 The City Attorney presented:
ADOPTED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, APPROV-
ING UNCLASSIFIED USE PERMIT NO. 207.
(Richard and'Zola Musich)
Motion by Councilman Browne to waive full reading of said reso-
lution; seconded by Councilman Shearer and carried.
Motion by Councilman Browne to adopt said Resolution; seconded
by Councilman Shearer and carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Shearer, Miller, Browne, Tice, Chappell
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
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CITY Ct1UNCIL Page Six
CITY ATTORNEY_ AGENDA 1/26/76
RESOLUTION NO. 5183 The City Attorney presented:
ADOPTED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING
GOALS AND POLICY STATEMENTS OF THE GENERAL
PLAN OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA.
• Motion by Councilman Miller to waive full reading of said Resolu-
tion; seconded by Councilman Shearer and carried.
Motion by Councilman Miller to adopt said resolution; seconded by
Councilman Shearer and carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES,: Shearer, Miller, Browne, Tice, Chappell
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION NO. 5184 The City Attorney presented:
ADOPTED A RESOLUTI.ON'OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMEND-
ING RESOLUTION NO. 1277 APPROVING CLASS
SPECIFICATIONS FOR SUPERINTENDENT OF
BUILDING_ REGULATIONS, ESTABLISHING SALARY
THEREFOR AND SPECIFYING POSITION AS
EXEMPT.
Motion by Councilman Browne to waive full reading of said resolu-
tion; seconded by Councilman Tice and carried.
Motion byCouncilman Browne to adopt said resolution; seconded by
Councilman Tice.
Councilman Miller: Mr. Mayor, there are two main areas
wherein I have some major concern.
No. 1 - it says they are lowering
• the education requirements to 2 years of college training,
pre -engineering, architect and related fields. Taking a
hypothetical situation if an individual came in on these
minimum requirements he would be functioning as a classroom
teacher and doing informal type of training functions for
inspectors. And No. 3 - supervisory experience indicated if
desirable: Well that may go either way'. And under administra-
tive duties we find he will be performing administrative duties
in place of the building director when he is absent. So at
this point personally I am prepared to disapprove until con-
vinced on those two major items that the minimum requirements
are adequate to meet the responsibility. I do agree that with
unemployment highybu will probably get a more expertise indivi-
dual, but I.feel the minimum requirements should reflect the job.
Councilman Shearer: O'n the training, with all due respect
to the teaching profession, I don't believe
a full college degree is required,
particularly when we are talking about specialized training.
This individual is called upon to train only in a very narrow
field of expertise. I really wouldn't see that as a particu-
lar problem. I am sure we have maintenance men and men who
drive street sweepers in our City who do training and I amsure
they don't have an academic background. I think with reference
to the supervisory experience is always desirable, whether it
• really belongs in this particular job classification, but you
could also say a college degree would be desirable but two years
is the minimum requirement and more is always desirable in any
particular area. I don't see any particular problem with the
item at all.
(Councilman Tice agreed with Councilman Shearer; Councilman
Browne agreed and pointed out that the Personnel Board review-
ed this item very thoroughly.
Z�
11
CTTY:COUNCIL
CITY' ATTORNEY: Res. 5184
Page Seven
1/26/76
Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Shearer, Browne, Tice, Chappell
NOES: Miller
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION NO. 5185 The City Attorney presented:
ADOPTED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, APPOINT-
ING ELECTION OFFICERS AND DESIGNATING
POLLING PLACES FOR THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL
ELECTION TO BE HELD ON THE 2ND DAY OF
MARCH, 1976.
Motion by Councilman Tice to waive full reading of said resolu-
tion; seconded by Councilman Browne and carried.
Motion by Councilman Tice to adopt said resolution; seconded by
Councilman Browne and carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Shearer, Miller, Browne, Tice, Chappell
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
RESOLUTION NO. 5186 The City Attorney presented:
ADOPTED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, RE-
SERVING THE PREROGATIVE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL TO PROVIDE FOR INCREASED COMPEN-
SATION FOR CERTAIN EXEMPT EMPLOYEES, TO
BE EFFECTIVE THE FIRST PAY PERIOD IN
JANUARY 1976.
Motion by Councilman Tice to waive full reading of said resolu-
tion; seconded by Councilman Browne and carried.
Motion 'by Councilman Tice to adopt said resolution; seconded by
Councilman Browne and carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Shearer, Miller, Browne, Tice, Chappell
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
PURCHASE OF FREEWAY Mr. Wakefield: Mr. Mayor and members
EXCESS PARCEL of Council, this- item
is in the- form- of an
offer from the State Department of Transportation to sell the
excess parcel of land located at the California Avenue off -ramp
at its appraised figure of $44,400.
Motion by Councilman Tice to approve the purchase of the freeway
excess parcel for $44,400; seconded by Councilman Browne and
carried. Councilman Shearer abstained.
AGREEMENT FOR LABOR
Motion by Councilman Shearer to accept
RELATIONS CONSULTING
and approve the offer from Mitchell,
SERVICES
S.ilberberg & Knupp, labor relations
consulting services, for the 1976-77
meet and confer activities as outlined
in their January 19, 1976 letter/agree-
ment; seconded by Councilman Miller and
carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES:
Shearer, Miller, Browne, Tice, Chappell
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
CITY COUNCIL Page Eight
CITY ATTORNEY - Cont'd. 1/26/76
JOINT EXERCISE OF Mr. Wakefield: Mr. Mayor and members
POWERS AGREEMENT of Council, the draft
of the Joint Powers
Agreement that pends before you is designed to establish a co—
operative enterprise between the Cities of West Covina, Covina,
Azusa and Glendora for managing and directing the East San
Gabriel Valley Regional Occupational Program on behalf of the
four cities.
Motion by Councilman Shearer to approve said Joint Powers Agree-
ment; seconded by Councilman Miller and carried on roll call vote
as follows: AYES: Shearer, Miller, Browne, Chappell
NOES: Tice
ABSENT: None
THE MAYOR RECESSED THE COUNCIL MEETING AT 7:50 P.M. FOR THE
PURPOSE OF CONDUCTING THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING.
COUNCIL RECONVENED AT 7:55 P.M. .
CITY MANAGER AGENDA
RESOLUTION NO. 5187 The City Attorney presented:
ADOPTED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, DE-
CLARING CERTAIN CITY OWNED EQUIPMENT
AS SURPLUS PROPERTY.
Motion by Councilman Miller to waive full reading of said resolu-
tion; seconded by Councilman Shearer and carried.
Motion by Councilman Shearer to adopt said resolution; seconded
by Councilman Miller and carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Shearer, Miller, Browne, Tice, Chappell
• NOES: None
ABSENT: None
SCAG SPRING GENERAL (The Mayor said he would be attending a
ASSEMBLY few sessions that he thinks are of
COSTA MESA great interest to the City; Councilmen
Tice and Miller indicated due to their
work schedule and the unknown outcome
of the corning election, they would not be attending; Councilman
Browne stated he probably would be attending a few sessions.
The Mayor..suggested this be taken up again atthe next meeting.)
LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA (Mayor Chappell commented that Mr. Aiassa
CITIES REVENUE AND certainly covered a lot of ground in his
TAXATION COMMITTEE report to Council - and he hoped some of
these items can be implemented and the
League will follow up on them because
there are several areas that will help the City in financing.)
Motion by Councilman.Shearer to receive and file report; seconded
by Mr. Miller and carried.
LEAGUE'O'F CALIFORNIA,' Mr. Wakefield: Mr. Mayor and members of
CITIES LEGISLATIVE Council, there are two
UPDATE items that deserve
comment - SB 1294,
which is the bill which provides for collective bargaining agree-
ments and compulsory arbitration for unresolved disputes between
the City and its fire and police employees has been dropped by
the author and will not come up again, at least in time to be
effective this year. It may crop up at the end of the season
somewhere, but the immediate problem has been resolved by the
withdrawal of the bill.
CITY COUNCIL Page Nine
CITY MGR.: Legislative Update 1/26/76
AB 337 which proposes to change somewhat
the formula contained in old Senate Bill 90 for establishing
maximum city tax rates has been approved by the Assembly
Committee on Ways and Means and will shortly be on the floor of
the assembly. If passed before the end of this month then it
• could.be considered in the senate and would be effective in time
to affect next year's budget and next year's tax rate.
The League of -Cities continues to hope
that cities will contact their legislators with reference to
the bill and continue to oppose it. The City has been in touch
with Assemblyman Lancaster and he is aware of the City's posi—,
tion in reference to the bill at the moment. .I think we have
done what we could db under the circumstances.
Mayor Chappell: Mr. Wakefield, we will continue to watch
this bill hoping it doesn't pass.
(Mr. Wakefield answered: Yes) I see the
School District is in favor of it — naturally — because it gives
them support and takes it away from us. Thisis really getting
kind of tiresome when the legislature continues to play one group
against the other. We are both representatives of the citizens
at the local level and they pit us against -each other from time
to time so we take stands in opposite direction and this weakens
the structure of our communities and local control . It seems to
be a time honored situation in Sacramento for them to continue
to do this type of thing and I hope the press will give us some
support on this type of way of dividing elected officials and
support our position to see that these types of things don't
happen in the future. I hope this bill 'is defeated, it is not
good for us or for the State.
Motion by Councilman Tice to receive and file the report;
. seconded by Mayor Chappell and carried.
Councilman Shearer: One comment, Mr. Mayor.. We have heard
it before but there may be some new
ears in.the audience that don't know
what our State Legislators try to do to us but not to themselves.
They frequently pass bills and SB 1294 is an example, that
requires certainthings with regard to the Cities and their
employees but did not require the same thing for the State and
their employees. This is kind of common for whatever reasons,
I assume the State Legislators do not want to be burdened with
their own requirements so they place it on others such as cities
and counties. I would urge all the citizens of this community
when it comes time tb°.,,vote in the June election and they have an
opportunity to quiz some of the candidates for offices in
Sacramento that they ask such things as local control and pin
them down to things like mandatory overtime, compulsory and
binding arbitration, etc. I am not really concerned as to how
you feel about compulsory and binding arbitration as to the fact
that you want someone in Sacramento telling you about your city,
your school district — telling you this is what you have to do with
your area of government. Pin them down, don't let them get away by
saying — oh we believe in local control and then trot off to
• Sacramento and vote for SB 1294 and some of the other things.
(Councilman Tice pointed out in the last 32 years there have
been 6 bills very similar to this one and only one has included
the State employees and the rest applied to the school level,
school board, counties and cities.)
CITY COUNCIL
CITY MGR. AGENDA- Cont'd._
INFORMATIONAL REPORTS
a) PROGRESS REPORT re
AERIAL LIFT
ACCIDENT
• b) PROGRESS REPORT ON
FREEWAY UNDERPASS
LANDSCAPING
c) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
PROGRESS REPORT
d) IMPLEMENTATION OF PRO-
CEEDINGS TO ESTABLISH
A COUNTY SERVICE AREA
(No questions)
(No questions)
(No questions).
(No questions)
Page ten
1/26/76
Motion by Councilman Tice to receive and file informational
reports; seconded by Mr. Miller.and carried.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Don Gittleson I am sorry to interrupt your
9171 Wilshire Blvd., schedule this evening but I have
Beverly Hills sent a letter to the Council
because of the action taken by the'
Planning Commission last week and
I"would hope that we could prevent some waste of money and
action by the City in regards to the zone change that was approv-
ed at the last Hearing. Inasmuch, as.I am in escrow and a pur-
chaser of the property I would not want the buyers to face a zone
change with the possibility the property may never be purchased.
I think my letter is self-explanatory and I would like your con-
sideration to deny or arrange to deny that zone change when it is
•� before you. I believe there are some mechanical problems and I
wasn't aware of what they might be.
Mayor Chappell: That item comes before us next
month; we will take your letter under
consideration and your appearance
here this evening and then come to a conclusion.
Mr. Gittleson: Does that mean it still has to
o through a public hearing, etc.?
the Mayor answered: Yes)
Councilman Shearer: A question of Mr. Wakefield.
Assuming that we wanted to, is there
anyway that we can save the city the
time and expense of going through the advertising, etc., or are
we in the stream of things and can't paddle out?
Mr. Wakefield: Mr. Mayor and members of Council, if
I intrepret Mr. Gittleson's letter
correctly what he is suggesting is
that the entire matter including the tentative tract map should be
returned to the Planning Commission for further consideration.
It seems to me an appropriate way to make progress in that
• request would be for Mr. Gittleson to sit down with the Planning
Department staff and see if some of the problems that do not
relate specifically to the zone change can be resolved in advance
of the date when that matter will be heard. If they can be then
the request for the approval of the tract map, for example, could
be resubmitted to the Planning Commission -and it would avoid what
would necessarily be delay on the part of the applicant's in
- 10 -
CITY COUNCIL Page Eleven
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS 1/26/76
connection with the hearing and process of the change of zone.
If (fir. Gittleson wishes to have the entire matter referred back
to the Planning Commission I think that could be done at this
point in time without the necessity of our publishing the notice
of hearing.
• Councilman Shearer: One further question - is it possible
for the applicant at anytime to just
withdraw his whole request without pre-
judice?
Mr. Wakefield: He may do that but then that means he
has to stapt all over again and pay the
fee again. If referred back to the
Planning Commission at this point in time without a hearing the
Planning Commission can review it and make its recommendation
back to the City Council at some future time.
Councilman Shearer: A question of Mr. Gittleson. Do you feel
that with the comments of the Planning'
Commission and their concerns, whatever
it was that caused them to disapprove your variance request, do
you feel you can submit something that they may reconsider?
Just sending it back to them without any changes from you is
really kind of a wasted effort also.
Mr. Gittleson: I understand that. I took the liberty
today to stop and talk with staff and
I would like the opportunity to re-
design, I want to arrive at something that staff and the
Commission will send to council in an approved fashion, not
in a sort of half loaf which really isn't satisfactory. I feel
we can reach a common meeting ground and with a Council
• recommendation to turn it back to the Planning Commission for
further review and consideration is something that I would
accept very well.
Councilman Tice moved on that basis to refer this item back to
staff and the Planning Commission;'seconded by Councilman Browne
and carried.
(Mr. Wakefield advised the Mayor that it may be necessary to re -
notice a due hearing for the Planning Commission but he would
work out the details with staff.)
Sarah Drex I attend Willowood School. Several
1632 South St. Malo years ago the parents of West Covina
West Covina presented a petition to the City Council
requesting a semaphore signal at Sunset
and Durness Avenues and the petition was denied. The reason
given was a financial commitment to the San Bernardino Freploay
going through West Covina. As an alternative we were givena•:
crossing guard for this intersection at peak school hours.
Pedestrians crossing at other.hours had no protection.
Unfortunately last week a child was struck by a car while
attempting to cross this intersection. I was going home from
school I saw.the child lying in the street and the police
officer was removing the child's shoe from the center of the
! street. I saw�the cracked windshield of the car which
apparently struck the boy. I saw the driver who was apparently
uninjured. The freeway through West Covina is completed - has
the City of West Covina met its commitment - where is the
semaphore? Does a school child have to be killed before a sema-
phore is installed? As a student who crosses this intersection
CITY COUNCIL Page Twelve
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS 1/26/76
twice daily and will be doing so for the next four years, I feel it
is important to me and many other students to be protected with a
semaphore signal. I am requesting that a review be made of the need
for a semaphore signal at the intersection of Sunset and Durness
Avenues. I would appreciate being informed of the date at which
this information will be presented. Thank you for your attention.
• (The Mayor asked Mr. Aiassa to secure the necessary information
and put it through the Traffic Committee and see what comes up
at this time as far as an answer goes. Thanked Miss Drex for her
appearance.)
Mary Ann Murphy I am here to speak about Citrus again.
2904 Far View Lane Unfortunately I was sick last week and
West Covina couldn't attend the meeting. As you
know I was a member of the Citizens'
Conference Committee. It was very
fortunate the citizens did have that opportunity. However, when
we did meet and did vote there were only about 30/35 citizens
present. Several months ago I came in with a petition of about
two thousand signatures stating we did not want Citrus to go
through to Walnut as a major street. This is what I would like
to reiterate tonight. Nothing has been done. We are not appeased.
We are just simply saying we will not oppose orderly development
of the hillsides but we do not want the road to go through and
when you decide on the General Plan I hope you will consider the
fact that many people do not want it to go through and that the
Citizens' Committee does not represent all of West Covina.
(Councilman Tice advised Mrs. Murphy that was taken out of the
General Plan guidelines at the last Council meeting;
Mrs. Murphy said she read the minutes but wasn't sure the road
was removed from the map of the General Plan, which the citizens
are requesting. Councilman Browne stated it will be indicated as
• a two-lane road giving access into the hillside if ever developed
and it states precisely that.)
Mrs. Murphy: I want to go on record as being opposed
to a two-lane road that goes into Walnut
or the County land, which we will not
have control over,. , Thank you.
(Councilman Miller advised the Mayor that he had not seen the
petition referred to; Mr. Aiassa said the City Clerk will make
it available to Councilman Miller)
Dorothy Grinstead We would like to thank you for the 3-way
1328 California Ave., stop sign at Evanwood and Durness, but
West Covina we would also like your consideration
for a crossing guard at Bainbridge and
California Avenue. We have a large
number of small children in a very few hours a day crossing
there and we do have a lot of traffic on California Avenue,
probably due to the new mall. We.would like consideration for
a crossing guard there.
Mayor Chappell: A traffic guard was approved and
recommended and we now have to look for
some funds to implement the recommenda-
tion and that'was what'Ccuncilmnn Shearer was referring to when
he earlier asked for a'full report regarding crossing guards,
locations, funds, etc. We will go into this further as to where
these funds will come from, probably at our next meeting.
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CITY COUNCIL Page Thirteen
MAYOR'S REPORTS 1/26/76
RIDGE RIDERS Mayor Chappell: As you know City Council
REPORT directed the Mayor to
meet with members of the
Ridge Riders in regards to the tremendous increase in property
taxes on the land the Ridge Riders use and that we are leasing
• from the Valinda Water Company. We met with Ridge Rider members
and their Board and a thought came out of that meeting that
perhaps we could contact Mr. Watson, the County Assessor, and
see if some sort of'relief could be given to that county land
due to the fact it is being used for many recreational uses
besides the use by the Ridge Riders. We had one meeting with
a gentleman from Mr. Watson's office and he recommended a letter
be written to Mr. Watson requesting further input with them
in order to come up with a solution so that we might at -.least
have some reduction on the taxes as long as the site is used for
recreational purposes. This letter has been written and we are
now waiting for an answer from him telling us when we can have
this meeting. At that time we will attempt to show him that
even though this is owned by a private company they are being
taxed for their water and this is :a different taxation method
used on this land, perhaps we can save the almost S6,000 we are
now paying each year out of Recreation and Park funds to pay these
taxes.
I would also like to ask Council to
adjourn our meeting this evening to Monday, February 2nd to
have a Study Session at 7:30 P.M. with our Police Chief and
his staff in relation to being briefed thoroughly on the Police
Department's ideas to help reduce the crime in our community.
As you know our homes are being broken into frequently and there
are other areas that we would also like to cover. Mr. Browne and
myself, along with Mr. Aiassa, met with the Chief and from this
the idea came that the Council could do well with a briefing on
• all of this so if there are no objection's I will ask for an adjourn-
ed meeting on Monday, February 2 at 7:30 P.M.
Council and the members lnwVH'e a filsencekFhaV eurlB cenieAnial°n of
200th Birthday will be celebrated by West Covina Beautiful at a
bithday ball along with celebrating the 53rd birthday of the City
of West Covina. This will be held at Bethany Church in two weeks.
The press has given us some nice publicity and we hope they will
continue to do so and we will have a large turn out of our citizens
to celebrate this dual event. I am certain all that attend will
have an outstanding evening.
COUNCILMEN'S REPORTS/COMMENTS
Councilman Shearer: I received a letter from the International
Mediation Society (and it must be a good
outfit because they got away with only 10o
postage on their letter). They are requesting a time to make a
presentation to Council. I don't feel this would be a proper
thing to encourage -'people coming in and making presentations to
Council. It is a product that is being sold and it may be good
or i.t may not, but I would suggest that staff send a letter
back stating that this is not an activity that the West Covina City
Council as a Council would care to become involved with. (Council
members agreed.and Mr. Aiassa was asked to send the letter.)
• Councilman.Miller: Mr. Mayor, I would like to direct this
towards staff to possibly take a look at
a situation we encountered last evening
going down, West Covina,P.arkway to.make a left turn into the Fashion
Plaza at Ernie's. We had two cars ahead of us making -the left turn
also but unfortunately they went down the wrong lane - and it does
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CITY COUNCIL Page -Fourteen
COUNCILMEN'S REPORTS/COMMENTS 1/26/76
lend itself to that' since the divider seems to be, compared to
other streets, a little further away than normal'. I wondered
if this had been -a problem and if so possibly a sign out'in the
planter could say "Keep to the Right" and also coming back out
a sign saying "Keep to the Right."
• Councilman Tice: I might mention we had a very success-
ful dinner at the Annual Mid -Valley
Health Council event, there were about 400 people present.
It was a very successful evening and we had good speakers.
THE MAYOR CALLED THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ON PERSONNEL MATTERS AT
8:30 P.M. COUNCIL RECONVENED AT 9:25 P.M.
Mr. Wakefield: Mr. Mayor, the offer to sell the parcel
of property referred to in Item 7 of the
City Attorney's agenda from the
Department of Transportation indicates that a Resolution needs
to accompany the return of the letter.
RESOLUTION NO. 5188 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
ADOPTED CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA,
AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE FROM THE
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OF THE STATE
OF CALIFORNIA OF A CERTAIN PARCEL OF,
LAND IDENTIFIED AS PARCEL 001086-01-01.
Motion by Councilman Browne to wpive full rea-ding of said reso-
lution; seconded by Councilman Miller:.and-caTr ed.
Motion by Councilman Miller to adopt said resolution; seconded
by Councilman Browne and carried on roll call vote as follows:
• AYES: Miller, Browne, Tice, Chappell
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: Shearer
Mayor Chappell: At this time as a Councilman for almost
eight years I am about to present the
second saddest thing that has occurred,
I am announcing the official resignation of our City Manager
to be'effective February 1, 1976. Mr. Aiassa has written a
letter to the Council expressing his appreciation for the 18
years with the City and stating he feels it is` now time to do
aomthing else. So if one of my fellow,C.ouncilmen will move to
accept this letter - -
Councilman Tice: Mr. Mayor, it is with sad regrets that
I move that we accept Mr. Aiassa's
resignation; seconded by Mayor Chappell
and carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Shearer, Miller, Browne, Tice, Chappell
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Chappell: The ordinances of the City of West
Covina - Ordinance No. 352 lay out
• certain provisions that the City
Council must immediately follow, so we will take them one step
at a time.. The first thing we must do.is appoint a City:
Manager Pro tem within five days. Effective February 1, 1976,
the City Council will, and on a vote, appoint Leonard Eliot
as City Manager Pro tem. May we have a motion along with the
salary?
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CITY COUNCIL
Page Fifteen
1/26/76
Motion by Councilman Browne to appoint Leonard Eliot as City
Manager Pro tem as of February 1, 1976, until such time as the
City can recruit a new City Manager;. and during this duration
we pay Leonard Eliot an additional $500. a month for his
efforts in this position; seconded by Councilman Shearer and
carried on roil call vote as follows: .
AYES: Shearer, Miller, Browne, Tice, Chappell
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Chappell: The second step is to instruct the
City Attorney to prepare documents
to the California State Personnel Board
to set up a selection procedure to fill this vacancy and we are
certainly bound by time. So may we have a motion to appoint the
California State Personnel Board as a recruitment board for the
replacement of a City Manager?
So moved by Councilman Shearer; second—
ed by Councilman Miller and carried.
(Mayor Chappell further stated this appointment must be made
within 60 days from February 1 and asked Mr. Wakefield if he
had any questions of the Council in preparing this document.
Mr. Wakefield answered: no.)
Mayor Chappell: I'would like to say to the citizens of
our community that Mr. Aiassa's tenure
in our City for almost eighteen years
have been outstanding. I have`.been a resident of this City the
whole time he was on as City Manager and watched West Covina
become the most viable and outstanding community, I think, in
our Valley and probably the State. Many decisions have been
made by Mr. Aiassa and the City Council through the years that
have brought us to the point that we are at today. Such as the
Fashion Plaza, that many of us can hang our hats on with pride,
and that Mr. Aiassa with his dedication and love of West Covina
played an important part in bringing the City to the position
it is in today. Many times our City could have veered off in
the wrong direction but Mr. Aiassa as our City.Manager kept
our City on the right path and the right direction. The Council
has said many nice things to Mr. Aiassa in the Executive Session
asking him to reconsider and will do so again but to no avail.
So I would like again to say that this City is where it is today,
larger and better, and a much better place for our citizens to
live perhaps than if we had been guided by some other person.
We had decided in the Executive Session
that we would do our commending of Mr. Aiassa at a later time
but if any of the Council would like to say something at this
time please do so.
Councilman Shearer: Mr. Mayor, I would echo completely the
comments you made. It came not as a
shock, at least not after reading
Bob Christianson°s. column in the Tribune, that Mr. Aiassa was
considering this. Some people might say — well it is kind of
a bad time, but I guess at anytime a City Manager decides to
retire would.be a bad time. There is always something going
on herein West Covina, there is no good time for something
like this to occur. It may be a very good time for Mr. Aiassa
and his future but as the Mayor indicated I think we need to
look at the accomplishments of the City over the years. I am
sure -there are citizens -in West Covina who haven't always
agreed with Mr. Aiassa — I know there are Councilmen who have
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CITY COUNCIL Page Sixteen
1/26/76
not always agreed with Mr. Aiassa and I really don't think
Mr. Aiassa expects that but together with the agreements and dis—
agreements we have.worked together constructively and for the
benefit of the City and as they say, the proof of the pudding is
in the eating and we have only to drive through our City streets
and see them all lighted, go through our business community
• and note the vast improvements that have come over the years as
a result of Mr. Aiassa's endeavors with the support of the
Council to say there is no question in,my mind that his con—
tribution to the City has been outstanding and will be long .
remembered. I regret he has made this decision but if the
tables were reversed I might well do the same thing. It is
always great to retire a winner, just ask some of the people who
stuck on too long and things don't continue as they had in the
past. At this point I consider Mr. Aiassa, and the City of West
Covina, a winner as a result of his activities, and I guess that
is a good time to look for bigger and better things.
Councilman Browne: I think George when he first started in
with the City saw it as a little country
village and with his foresight and
tenacity and responsibility as a City Manager fighting many
battles in the community as well as with the City Councils over
a period of years — and he always came back for more — George is
a person that works under pressure. The more pressure on him
the harder he works. I think there comes a time in a man's life.
when he has to look for the twilight years and as George indicated
to us there aren't too many good years left that he will enjoy
with his family. I am sure that George in the next few years
will go on to further accomplishments. We certainly wish you
well.
Councilman Tice: George, I have worked with you for nine
• years now starting with the Personnel
Board and it has been your wisdom and
guidance over the years that has kept the Boards and Commissions
out of trouble, you made the Boards and Commissions what they
are today because of your insistence in complying with the intent
of the Board and Commissions. Some cities have Boards and
Commissions but they never functioned, you made them function
here in West'Covina. I look around the City and note the many
memorials present that do not have your name on but when I look
at them I know you were behind it, you and your staff. I wish
George, you would have stayed for a little longer. I know you
were thinking seriously of it. I wish the best to you and
Pearl in the coming years in whatever endeavors you decide to
undertake. Good luck George. Good luck Pearl.
Councilman Miller: I would like to say to George that I have
a deep respect for what you have done
for this City and I wish you God speed
and the best for you and your family.
Mayor Chappell: Well I think George, you have heard just
a few of the comments relating to your
eighteen years in the City. We will be
sorry to see you leave on February 1 and certainly hope you
• stay around for a bit so we can do justice to you with a
ceremony of some kind that we will be formulating immediately.
(The Mayor then asked the City Attorney if everything that need
be done by law or ordinance has been done and Mr. Wakefield
answered: yes.)
— 1;6; —
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CITY COUNCIL
Page Seventeen
1/26/76
APPROVAL OF DEMANDS Motion by Councilman Browne to approve
Demands totalling $538,767.89 as listed
on demand sheets U.C.B. #535599 537279
and B.A. #375,376; seconded by Councilman Tice and carried on'
roll call vote as follows: -
AYES: Shearer, Biller, Browne, Tice, Chappell
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ADJOURNMENT Motion by Councilman Shearer to adjourn
meeting at 9:40 P.M., to February 2,
1976 at 7:30 P.M.; seconded by Councilman
Miller and carried.
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