05-10-1976 - Regular Meeting - Minutes•
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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA
MAY 10, 1976
The regular meeting of the City Council called to order at
7:33 P.M. in the West Covina Council Chambers by Mayor Nevin
Browne. The Pledge of Allegiance was given followed by the
invocation by,the Reverend John Freitag of Immanuel First
Lutheran Church.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Browne; Councilmen Miller,
Chappell, Shearer, Tice
Others Present: Leonard Eliot, Acting City Manager
Lela Preston, City Clerk .
George Wakefield, City Attorney
Michael Miller, Public Service Director
Harry Thomas, City Engineer
Ramon Diaz, Planning Director
Gus Salazar, Redevelopment Coordinator
Bill Freemon, Staff Reporter, S.G.V.D.T.
Eric Cohen, Staff Reporter, Sentinel
PRESENTATIONS
WEST COVINA AMERICAN Mr. John Thiehoff: On behalf of the
LEGION POST 790 West Covina American Legion, Post 790,
I would like to present this plaque
in memory of the Bicentennial Year to
the City of West Covina.
Mayor Browne: On behalf of the City Council and the
City of West Covina, I would like to
thank you and the West Covina American
Legion, Post 790, for this award. It will first be placed in
the display cabinet on the first floor of City Hall, and then
hung on the wall in the Mayor's office. Thank you very much.
SOUTH HILLS HIGH SCHOOL Mayor Browne: During Councilman Chappell's
VARSITY FOOTBALL TEAM tenure as Mayor, the South Hills High
RESOLUTION OF School Varsity Football Team was awarded
COMMENDATION a Team '-_Res.ol:u.t 6a: of Commendation. At this
time, I would like to ask Kenneth Chappell
to make this presentation to Mr. Jim
Jones, Football Coach, and Mr. Bill
Hummel, Assistant Principal.
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CITY COUNCIL May 10, 1976
Presentations Page Two
Councilman Chappell: It is a real pleasure to read this
Resolution, and I thank Mayor Browne
for giving me this opportunity.
THIS IS A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA,
COMMENDING THE 1975 SOUTH HILLS HIGH
SCHOOL VARSITY FOOTBALL TEAM.
(Councilman Chappell read the body of
the Resolution.)
I would like to present this plaque to
you, Coach. It is not the first one, and with 29 returning
juniors, it may not be the last one.
Mr. Jones: I would like to thank the City Council.
The last three years in a row we have
been acknowledged by a presentation
here. It is a great honor. One thing that is very nice for our
team, our staff, and those people around us, when we go to all
of the various places to play, we are proud to say we are from
West Covina. Thank you very much.
MR. THOMAS RATCLIFFE Mayor Browne: We now have a certificate
CERTIFICATE OF to be presented to an outstanding
COMMENDATION citizen in the community. This is upon
the recommendation of our Chief of
Police, Allen Sill. It will be presented
by the Chief to Mr. Thomas Fredrick
Ratcliffe.
Chief Sill: Tom, it is indeed a privilege to
recommend this certificate for you.
It is signed not only by myself, but
the City Manager, Leonard Eliot, and Mayor Nevin Browne.
You are a very uncommon young man. On
March 11, Mr. Ratcliffe, while in the area of Grand Avenue,
witnessed a robbery at the service station there, and saw the
shooting which took place. He followed the suspects, obtaining
their license number and making it possible for the Police
Department to consummate this case in an arrest and a quick
conclusion. It is not the kind of thing that I would recommend
for everyone to do, but when it turns out fine, we are just
delighted.
• On behalf of the Police Department,
and, I am sure, Mayor Browne, we are more than pleased to make
this presentation to you.
Mr. Ratcliffe:
Thank you very much.
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CITY COUNCIL
Presentations
May 10, 1976
Page Three
Councilman Shearer: I would like to comment before Mr.
Ratcliffe leaves. If we had more
people like him, we would not have
the problems like we have been discussing for the last couple
of months; i.e. traffic signals to control people with unhealthy
driving habits. It is even better than a championship football
game, when people of this caliber can step forward and be
counted. If there were more people like this, we would have a
better City, country and world.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
April 21, 1976
April 26, 1976
CONSENT CALENDAR
Motion made by Councilman Tice, seconded
by Councilman Chappel to approve the
minutes of the Adjourned Regular Meeting
of April 21, 1976 and the Regular
Meeting of April 26, 1976. Motion
carried.
Mayor Browne explained the procedure of
the Consent Calendar items and asked if
there were questions or discussion on
any of the following items:
1. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
• a) LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION
COMMISSION OF LOS
ANGELES COUNTY
b) DISABLED AMERICAN
VETERANS CHAPTER
44
c) SAN GABRIEL VALLEY
ASSOCIATION OF CITIES
Notice of Hearing on Annexation
No. 207 County Sanitation District
No. 21.of Los Angeles County May 26,
at 9:00 A.M., in Room 381, Hall of
Administration, 500 West Temple St.
Los Angeles.
(Receive and file)
Requesting permission to sell
fireworks in the City from July 1
through July 4, 1976 at three
locations.
(Approved in prior years.
Recommend approval)
a,Not ce,of meeting Thursday, May 13,
1976 at T & J Restaurant, 8526
Valley Blvd. Rosemead, Ca. at
7:00 P.M. re presentation by
Supervisors Pete Schabarum and
Baxter Ward on their respective
positions on the Sunset Coast Line
Initiative. (Informational)
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CITY COUNCIL
Consent ' Calendar
0
May 10, 1976
Pages misnumbered
No page four
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CITY COUNCIL
Consent Calendar
d) GLENDORA COUNCILMAN
2. PLANNING COMMISSION
a) SUMMARY OF ACTION
May 10, 1976
Page Five
James W. Vincent, Board Member,
San Gabriel Valley Symphony -
requesting consideration of several
"Donor" Memberships in the.city
budget for the coming fiscal year
for the San Gabriel Valley Symphony
Orchestra. (Reefe-r -;e-S�t-af-) (Withdrawn.
Refer to Page 6)
May 5, 1976 (Acept and file)
3. RECREATION AND PARK COMMISSION
a) SUMMARY OF ACTION April 27, 1976 (Accept and file) (Refer to
discussion on Pages 6:and 7)
4. PERSONNEL BOARD
a) MINUTES
b) ACTION ITEMS
5. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
a) SUMMARY OF ACTION
6. ABC APPLICATIONS
a) MILLER DAVIS ENTER-
PRISES, INC.
301 South Broadway
Santa Maria, Ca.
April 6, 1976 (Receive and file)
From May 4, 1976: Refer to City
Attorney's Agenda Item Numbers
D-5 and D-6
April 22, 1976 (Acept and file)
Chief of Police recommends NO PROTEST
dba THE COOPERAGE
376 Fashion Plaza
b) JAMES MICHAEL GUARINO dba THE STING
5235 N. Citrus #54 340 N. Azusa
Azusa, California
c) BETTY & HUBERT KLOTZ
555 E. Vine Avenue
West Covina, Ca.
Authorize Chief of Police to
WITHDRAW PROTEST
dba ROCKVIEW DAIRY #29
551 E. Vine Avenue
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CITY COUNCIL May 10, 1976
Consent Calendar Page Six
7. CLAIMS -FOR DAMAGES FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK
a) ELIZABETH A. & Re traffic collision with Police
VIRGINIA E. ACOSTA unit on March 22, 1976. (Deny
4026 Shadydale..;'..and refer to City Attorney and
Covina,.Ca. Insurance Cartier)
b) RICHARD RAYMOND Re bicycle -auto collision on
AMAVIZCA January 23, 1976. (Deny and refer
920 Glenmere to City Attorney and Insurance
West Covina, Ca. Carrier)
Councilman Miller asked to have item
3-a remov d from the Consent Calendar.
Councilman.Shearer asked to have item
1-d removed from the'Consent Calendar.
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Chappell to approve the Consent Calendar
with the exception of items 1-d and 3-a. Motion carried on roll
call vote as follows:
AYES:. Miller, Chappell, Shearer, Tice,
Browne
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
• ITEM 1-d. Councilman.'Shearer: I'called this up
to expedite things. The recommendation
is to "refer to Staff." I would, per-
sonally, like to short-cut Staff time in view of past action by
the Council,.'�with regard to our own symphony orchestra. I, for
one, would feel a little hard-pressed to use City funds to support
the San Gabriel Valley Symphony Orchestra (that is in no way an
indication of the creditability of the organization) when it has
been this Council's decision in the past that this type of activity
should be supported by individuals and not by cities through the
use of .taxpayers' funds. If there is. agreement, I will make a
motion.
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Miller to instruct Staff to forward a
letter to Glendora Councilman James W. Vincent stating the
City's position,..and declining to purchase member"ships in the
San Gabriel Valley Symphony Orchestra. Motion carried.
ITEM 3-a Councilman Miller: Under item 3-a,
• number b,'The Vincent Avenue Median
Design, for clarification, what are
we basically looking at here? Hopefully, it is low maintenance.
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CITY COUNCIL May 10, 1976
Consent Calendar Page Seven
Mr. Miller: The median design is just that; it is -a
low maintenance effort on the part of
• the City Staff. Basically, we are
talking about the area north of the freeway. It will be carried
to the south at such time as funds are available. It will use
a chip -seal type of concrete with landscaping modules rather
than the treatment employed on Sunset. It will be a lower main-
tenance type.
Motion made by Councilman Miller,
seconded by Councilman Chappell to accept and file item 3-a.
Motion carried.
GENERAL AGENDA ITEMS
AWARD OF BIDS
PROJECT NO. MP-76007 Location: Cameron Park, Cortez Park,
CONSTRUCTION - PLAY Orangewood Park, Palm View Park and
EQUIPMENT AREAS Walmerado Park.,,
Bids were received in the office of the
City Clerk up to 10:00 A.M., on Wednesday, May 5, 1976, and
thereafter publicly opened and read.. Review Engineer's Report..
Hold Over -to May 24, 1976.
. Motion made by Councilman Chappell,
seconded :by Councilman Miller to Hold Over this matter until
May 24,'1976., Motion carried.
IMPROVEMENTS AT CORTEZ Bids were received in the office of the
RECREATION CENTER Redevelopment Agency up to 10:00 A.M.,
on Wednesday, May 5, 1976, and thereafter
publicly opened and read. Review Staff
Report. Award bid and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to
execute contract agreement.
Motion made by.Councilman Tice,
seconde'd.by Councilman Chappell that the City Council waive the
bid irregularity on the bid of R & K General Contractors, and
award a construction contract to R & K General Contractors based
on the total of the three lump sum unit prices, in the total
amount of $18,410. Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Miller, Chappell, Shearer, Tice,
Browne
NOES: None
. ABSENT: None
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CITY COUNCIL
General Agenda Items
Award of Bids
May 10, 1976
Page Eight
BID NO. 76-55 Bids were received in the office of the
FURNISHING UNIFORM Purchasing Agent up to 10:00 A.M., on
SERVICES Wednesday, March 31, 1976, and thereafter
publicly opened and read. Review
Controller's Report. Held Over from
April 12, 1976. Award bid and authorize the issuance of Purchase
Order.
Mayor Browne: I might ask the City Manager to explain
this in as much as it was Held.Over on
two previous occasions.
Mr. Eliot: The City has, for quite a number of
years, provided a uniform service for the
blue collar workers. This consists of
utilizing a linen supply company who, furnishes the uniform and
then contracts to launder those uniforms so.many times per week.
The laundering price includes the amortization of those uniforms
being furnished by the company.
In reviewing the bids this last period,
it was revealed to us that two of the lower bidders were very
close. Staff required more time to search out the adequacy of
the service.
• Furnishing of the uniform to City
employees is usually fraught with dramatic experiences because
so many employees feel concern about the fit of the garments
and quality of the laundering. Staff time is often taken up
over many months sorting out claims by the employees. There-
fore the quality of the service is a concern of the Purchasing
office. Because of the two low bids, it was felt inc-unbent to
go t o the plants to determine that the quality would be there
on the part of the low bidder,
The Purchasing office is at this time
satisfied that the low bidder can and will be able to perform
properly, and therefore has made the recommendation to go
forward with the bid award tonight.
Councilman Shearer: We are talking about an annual expenditure
of close to $20,000. I recognize the
problems that Mr. Eliot described. In
some organizations, the uniforms are furnished and it becomes
the obligation of the employee (or his wife) to do the laundry.
This guarantees, at least, that the hasseling is reduced.
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CITY COUNCIL
General Agenda.Items
Award of Bids
May 10, 1976
Page Nine
I wonder if this item should be taken
• up in a meet and confer type atmosphere where exploration
could be made of, perhaps, some sort of in lieu payment, which
in the long run, might save the City some cost - if not direct
cost, at least some indirect cost. I am not saying this is the
way to go, but I think it would be appropriate, subject to
review of the City Attorney, to defer this for at least two weeks
to allow this area to be explored. We might find that for a
monthly.in-lieu payment, the employees will be happy to have
their wives do the laundering.
Councilman Tice: You are just discussing the cleaning
aspect of the uniforms?
Councilman Shearer: I'am saying that the City would continue
to --furnish the uniform, but then it
would become the obligation of the employee
to do normal maintenance - laundry, pressing, sewing on buttons,
etc., then, when the shirt becomes warn out, it would be replaced
by the City.
Councilman Tice: Is there any problem from the standpoint
of operation if we delay this two weeks?
Mr. Eliot:. There is sufficient time.
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Tice to hold this matter over for two
weeks pending a Staff Report on the question brought forth.
Motion carried.
PUBLIC WORKS
PROJECT.NO. TS-74002 Location: Azusa Avenue, Cortez Street
ACCEPT JMPROVEMENTS to Amar Road
STEINY AND COMPANY, INC.
Motion made by Councilman Chappell,
seconded by Councilman Shearer to accept street improvements
and authorize release of Safeco Insurance Company of America
Faithful Performance Bond No. 2424488 in the amount of $234,000.
Motion carried.
TRACT NO. 32722 Location: Woodgate Avenue between
ACCEPT DEDICATI.ON_.OF" Shadow�0- Drive and Nogales Street,
VEHICULAR ACCESS RIGHTS Bowl Area.
• BUTLER-UMARK
The Council reviewed the Engineer's Report.
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CITY COUNCIL May 10, 1976
General Agenda Items Page Ten
.Public Works
RESOLUTION NO. 5235 The City Attorney presented:
ADOPTED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
• CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, ACCEPT-
ING THE.DEDICATION OF VEHICULAR ACCESS
RIGHTS OFFERED TO THE CITY OF WEST COVINA
.ON THE FINAL TRACT MAP OF TRACT NO. 32722
RECORDED IN BOOK 862, PAGE 39, AND,
DIRECTING THE RECORDATION THEREOF.
Motion made by Councilman Chappell,
seconded by Councilman Miller to waive further reading of the
body of said resolution. Motion carried.
Motion made by Councilman Miller,
seconded by Councilman Chappell to adopt said resolution.
Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Miller, Chappell, Shearer, Tice,
Browne
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
REVISED ENGINEERING The Council reviewed the Engineer's Report.
DEPARTMENT FEE SCHEDULE
RESOLUTION NO. 5236 The City Attorney presented:
• ADOPTED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING
RESOLUTION -NO. 4679 RELATING TO SCHEDULE
OF FEES,
Councilman Tice: This is the first knowledge I have ever
had that a citizen is required to post
$3.50 to drain a pool;': is that correct?
Mr. Thomas: Yes, that is correct.
Councilman Tice: Could you elaborate a little on some
of the others - street obstruction,
encroachment, etc.?
Mr. Thomas: Starting with pool drainage. That is
a permit that is issued to allow drainage
of a pool into a public right-of-way and
thence, into the storm drain system of the City. The permit is
required to insure that drainage will not take place in a
construction area which may cause problems for any project that
• is underway. The cost is to cover the cost in issuing the permit.
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CITY COUNCIL May 10, 1976
General Agenda Items Page Eleven
Public Works
Street obstruction primarily involves
the case where sand for sand blasting (as in pool construction)
• is piled in the street or within the public right-of-way. A
permit is issued and a deposit required to insure that the
obstruction will be properly barricaded, and when the work is
completed, that it will be removed and the original conditions
restored.
The encroachment relates, generally, to
a permanent structure that may encroach into the public right-of-
way. An example of this would be'on Vincent Avenue due to the
recent widening, Bob's Big Boy canopy encroaches about eight
inches into the right-of-way; and; the sign for Hacienda Bank
encroaches about six inches into the right-of-way. These permits
are intended to legalize that condition, if such condition does
not cause any difficulties for the City.
The advertising vehicle permit is
primarily for activities which involve the use of sound equip-
ment or signs for the purpose of raising funds for various
activities. This would apply to political campaigns and raising
funds for various charitable organizations.
The dye test indicated is a service
performed by the City to verify that a particular piece of
property is connected to the sewer system. This is a common
• request in connection with the sale of residential property.
The industrial waste disposal is some-
thing imposed upon us by the County Sanitation District.:; We:had
been processing these things without charge. This involves the
preparation of a permit and review of applications for an
industrial connection to the sewer system. The City, in enforcing
the County Ordinance, handles all of the paperwork for the County,
and the County has final approval of the application. The City
is permitted to make a charge under the provisions of the Ordinance.
Councilman Miller: How important is the permit on advertising
vehicles? In my last campaign, it was
very advantageous to put signs on the
side of cars.
Councilman Shearer: Would this include bumper stickers?
Mr. Wakefield: What we are really talking about is the
car or truck that has a sign affixed to
it in such a way that the sign might be
• dislodged and create a traffic hazard. The kinds of signs that
can be put on the side of an automobile with scotch tape, or
whatever is appropriate, are really no hazard. It is the
structural type of sign that this permit is concerned with.
CITY COUNCIL,
General Agenda Items
Public Works
May 10, 1976
Page Twelve
Motion made by Councilman Chappell,
seconded by Councilman Miller to waive further reading of
. the body of said resolution. Motion carried.
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Chappell to adopt said resolution.
Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Miller, Chappell, Shearer, Tice,
Browne.
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
HEARINGS None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Jim Schoonover Mr. Mayor, members of the City Council,
803-B E. Mobeck until this past Wednesday evening, the
West Covina, Ca. absence of a Planning Commissioner from
a Commission meeting had not created
too many problems. After hearing more
than an hour and a half of testimony regarding a zone change at
the eastern end of the, City, it -came time for four Commissioners
present to cast their, votes on the is -sue. After hearing the
• vote of the other three Commissioners, Chairman Bacon was faced
with a more difficult problem. If he voted his conscience, the
matter would have concluded in a 2 - 2 vote. This would have
meant delaying action by the Commission for at least two more
weeks. It would have meant a waste of time spent by the
developer, his staff, the City staff, and residents of the area
who had taken the time to attend the meeting to voice their
objections to the zone change. Rather than inconvenience these
people, Chairman Bacon voted contrary to his own beliefs so that
the matter could betaken up by the.City Council for final
disposition. Chairman Bacon should be commended for his attempt
to obtain a final -disposition of this matter, but I find it rather
disturbing that a Commissioner was forced to vote contrary to his
convictions. It is not the vote of Chairman.Bacon that disturbs
me, for I�,afeel that he acted in a proper manner. 'It is the
circumstance that forced his vote in this matter that disturbs me.
I request that this Council consider the
possibility of naming an alternate to the Planning Commission.
This alternate would be seated as a full voting member when the
Chairman has been advised prior to the meeting of a member's
absence. In this way, all members of the Commission would be able
• to vote in a manner consistent with their beliefs, and not as a
means of bringing about a final disposition of an issue.
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CITY COUNCIL
Oral Communications
May 10, 1976
Page Thirteen
Councilman Shearer: I am sure that we are all aware of the
situation that -Mr. Schoonover described.
That could happen on this body or any
other "body.
Mr. Wakefield, on a.2 - 2 vote, does
that not defeat the particular item?
Mr.. Wakefield: Yes,.it requires three affirmative votes
for the item to carry.
Councilman Shearer: So, in reality, the zoning issue before
the Planning Commission in a 2 - 2 vote
would have been the same as a 3 - 2
rejection, and, in such case, the applicant could have appealed
to the Council; am I correct in that assumption?
Mr. Wakefield: Yes.
Councilman Shearer.: I am not critizing Chairman Bacon ---
because I think that the action he
took was the most expedient, but
the item could have been resolved just as, well with a 2 - 2
vote as it could have been with a 3 2.vote on the negative
side The applicant, if he so chose, could go to the Council
for appeal.
So, I don't think the absence of a
Commissioner disables the.Commission from functioning.
.Mayor Browne: We might also add that all zone changes
automatically come to the City Council,,:,
for final approval. So, we have a
situation here where the Council would have automatically
received that item.
Mr. Schoonover: Councilman Shearer has pointed out that
the matter would have been defeated on
a 2 - 2 vote, and that -the applicant
would then have the right to come to City Council, but that
would be for a fee. Now, I am not saying that the Mayer
Construction Company is a pauper, but there are some people who
could come before that Commission and lose on a 2 - 2 vote whom
the fee would impose a hardship on.
Mayor Browne You are speaking if a zone change were
not involved.
I think, in replyr' to your request -
to appoint an alternate member, I do not think our structure
would allow that in our Commissions.
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CITY COUNCIL
Oral Communications
May 10, 1976
Page Fourteen
Mr. Wakefield: I think it would be possible to adopt
an ordinance that would provide for an
• alternate, although it becomes a very
clumsy procedure from the standpoint of administration because
it means that an individual may sit through many meetings of a
Board or Commission without ever having an opportunity to
participate.
Mayor Browne: We have experienced that in our Youth
Commission where we have the alternative
set in for alternates.
Mrs. S. Baldonado I am speaking on behalf of the League
282 W. Cypress of Women Voters, East San Gabriel Valley,
Covina, Ca. and as the past chairman of the League
of Women Voters of Los. Angeles County
Government
,
Government Study.
It came to our attention that the
City Council might be discussing the placing on the ballot a
ballot measure to create an elected chief executive and also
to enlarge the County Board of Supervisors, which, I believe,
Supervisor Hahn has proposed. I would like to speak to that
measure, although it has not officially come.up.
• The League of Women Voters of Los
Angeles County, which is a representation of some 3600 members
of the some 20 Leagues in Los Angeles County, have completed a
two year study of County government. Our members have spent
the better part of two years collecting information about County
government. Our research, a completely voluntary and low -budget
effort, was, nevertheless, thorough and unbiased. Given the
comprehensive character of both studies - that done by the
Public Commission on County Government and the County League
Study, we are pleased to report that the League of Women Voters
has arrived at conclusions that parallel those of the Public
Commission on County Government. These positions are as follows:
The League of Women Voters support
action for a more efficient, economical, representative,
responsive, accountable and visible County government.
We support the separation of the
executive and legislative functions,of the Board of Supervisors.
We support the position of an elected
• chief executive. with power stipulated by the charter, including
the appointment and dismissal of department heads.
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CITY COUNCIL
Oral Communications
May 10, 1976
Page Fifteen
Lacking the option of an elected chief
executive, we would favor an appointed chief executive.
• In order to implement our support for
representative and responsive government, we support increasing
the size of the Board of Supervisors with careful consideration
of increased costs.
We support an independent and separate
audit department that would report directly to the Board of
Supervisors acting in their legislative capacity. This depart-
ment would provide an independent review of the executive
functions of County government.
The League also discussed part of the
considerations of commissions and boards and committees. I will
give that to you now, although it does not pertain directly to
the measure that will appear on the ballot.
The League of Women Voters supports
changes in the present procedures for establishing boards,
commissions and committees.
We support strict conflict of.interest
provisions, especially when the commission has regulatory power.
• We support procedures for periodic
review and re -appraisal of each commission to assure its continued
relevance.
We support a limit on the number of terms
a person may serve on any one commission..
We support the widest possible notice of
vacancies on commissions.to assure the widest participation of
citizens in County government.
This is the consensus of the League of
Women Voters of Los Angeles County, and it will be the basis upon
which we will take action in order to achieve the goals for a
more efficient, economical, representative, responsive, accountable,
and visible County government. We urge you to give the people of
Los Angeles County an opportunity to decide by ballot what kind of
government they want by coming to agreement that the measure should
appear on the ballot in November for the citizens to vote on.
I would be happy to answer any questions
is
that you may have at this time concerning the League Study.
Mayor Browne: Thank you.
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CITY COUNCIL
City Attorney
CITY ATTORNEY
ORDINANCE INTRODUCTION
May 10, 1976
Page Sixteen
The City Attorney presented:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING,
THE WEST'COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE SO AS TO
REZONE CERTAIN PREMISES. (Zone Change
No. 502 -John R. Harris, Jr., 1049
West Garvey Avenue)
Motion made by Councilman Chappell,
seconded by Councilman Shearer to waive further reading of
the body of the ordinance. Motion.carried.
Motion made by Councilman Chappell,
seconded by Councilman Shearer to.introduce said ordinance.
Motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 5237 The City Attorney presented:
ADOPTED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA,. CALIFORNIA, APPROVING
PRECISE PLAN NO. 263, REVISION 7 AND
APPROVING A PORTION OF AND DENYING A
PORTION OF VARIANCE�NO. 725. (S.S.
Kresge Company, Northeast corner of
Orange and Cameron Avenues)
• Motion made by Councilman Miller,
seconded by'Councilman Chappell to waive further reading of the
body of said resolution. Motion carried.
Motion made by Councilman Chappell,
seconded by Councilman Miller to adopt said resolution. Motion
carried on.roll call vote as follows.:
AYES: Miller, Chappell, Shearer, Tice,
Browne
NOES: None
ABSENT: None'
Councilman Chappell: Do we have a report on this development
from our'City Manager at this time?
Mr. Eliot: W6'did receive in this morning's mail a
precise plan for the interior and exterior
of the building, and indication that a
letter would be following accepting the conditions imposed by the
Council, and that they will be proceeding under the legislation
as just approved by the Council in this action.
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CITY COUNCIL
City Attorney
May 10, 1976
Page Seventeen
RESOLUTION NO. 5238 The City Attorney presented:
ADOPTED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING
SECTION VII OF RESOLUTION NO. 12772
APPROVING THE RECLASSIFICATION OF
AUTHORIZED POSITION IN THE STREET DEPART-
MENT FROM STREET CLERK DISPATCHER TO CLERK
TYPIST.
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Tice to waive further reading of the body
of said resolution. Motion carried.
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Tice to adopt said resolution. Motion
carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Miller, Chappell, Shearer, Tice,
Browne
NOES: None
ABSENT: None.
RESOLUTION NO. 5239 The City Attorney presented:
ADOPTED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING
SECTION VII OF RESOLUTION NO. 12773
APPROVING THE RECLASSIFICATION OF
AUTHORIZED POSITION IN THE CENTRAL
SERVICES DEPARTMENT FROM CLERK TYPIST
TO OFFSET OPERATOR.
Motion made by Councilman Chappell,
seconded by Councilman Miller to waive further reading of the
body of said resolution. Motion carried.
Motion made by Councilman Chappell,
seconded by Councilman Miller to adopt said resolution. Motion
carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Miller, Chappell, Shearer, Tice,
Browne
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
APPROVAL -OF AGREEMENT
Mr. Wakefield: This item relates to the
FOR PURCHASE OF CAMERON
purchase
of the Cameron Avenue
Park Site
AVENUE PARK SITE FROM
from the
Covina Valley Unified
School
COVINA VALLEY UNIFIED
District.
The School District
has now
SCHOOL DISTRICT
taken the
necessary procedural
steps to
authorize
its Board to execute
the Agree-
- 17 -
CITY COUNCIL May 10, 1976
City Attorney Page Eighteen
ment. It is a simple Agreement designed to consummate the
transaction for purchase of the park site by the City subject
to the actual receipt by the City of State Park Development
• funds.
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Chappell to approve the Agreement
for purchase of Cameron Avenue Park Site from the Covina Valley
Unified School District,,,,,,and to authorize execution of same.
Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Miller, Chappell, Shearer, Tice,
Browne
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
(MAYOR BROWNE RECESSED THE COUNCIL MEETING FOR THE PURPOSE OF
CONDUCTING THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING AT 8:25 P.M. CITY
COUNCIL RECONVENED'AT 8:30 P.M.)
CITY MANAGER
REPORT RE Mr. Eliot: Presented to the City Council
TRANSPORTATION CENTER this evening is a Staff recommendation
regarding a joint study with the Chamber
of Commerce on the proposed transportation
center in the City of West Covina. Staff recommendation is that at
• this time City participation in a transportation center feasibility
study is unwarranted due to the many unanswered questions with
regard to transportation (present and future) in the East San
Gabriel Valley. Staff feels that the need for a transportation
facility can be more properly addressed in future years when a
more definitive direction with regard to transportation is known.
This does not preclude Staff assistance to outside interests, such
as SCRTD, CALTRANS, SCAG, etc. for better public transit now or in
the future when the role of transportation is more clearly defined.
Councilman Tice: I wonder if we could hold this off for
a couple of weeks. There is a Chamber
meeting in San Diego this coming weekend.
I do plan to be there. ,I,think this may be one of the subjects
that will be discussed. 'Before we take action, I request that I
have their complete input.
Mayor Browne: I think I would be in agreement with that
request inasmuch as the RTD forwarded a
letter to the Council indicating that, if
the Council so approved, they would be willing to come forth and
• make a presentation to the Council on their projected system in
this area along with clarification of their intent on the location
of any depot or transportation center that they might deem fit to
place in our City. At this time I would ask the Council if they
would be favorable to having RTD make this presentation; we could
request Staff forward a letter indicating our interest.
- 18 -
CITY COUNCIL May'10, 1976
City Manager Page Nineteen
Councilman Chappell: I really feel that a transportation
center, as I have'been looking at it
and hearing about it, is just too big
a facility to place in West Covina where we have limited vacant
• land. I think that we can better utilize our land for the type
of projects that are being researched and have been built or
are being built in our City. Perhaps we could support a neigh-
boring city,, if they are interested, in developing it. It is
going to take a lot of land; it is going to take a lot of area
for parking cars. I feel that the*way our City has been developing,
we are past.the stage of being able'to utilize land for this type of
facility.
Councilman Shearer: I made some statements at our joint
meeting with the Chamber on this item.
I would agree, as I did then, with
Councilman Chappell.;tlZlti- the absence of anything to the contrary,
I am convinced right now that it is not a thing that I wish to
commit City Staff time or resources to. However, I would be
willing to defer to Councilman Tice's request to hold over this
matter to, at least, give him the opportunity to further discuss
it this coming week. Pending the information he comes back with,
we can reconsider the matter at that time, including the request
by the RTD to make a presentation.
Councilman Miller: I, too, would be willing to go along with
Councilman Tice's request, but I do have
• the same concerns as have been expressed
about using prime land. This is something, you might say, that is
going to be a knot they are going to have to resolve - a big hurdle
they are going to have to overcome, as to the location.
Mayor Browne: I think the Council has pretty well
expressed their concerns and desires in
the development of a transportation
center. The reasons outlined by Councilmen Chappell and Shearer
have indicated that in the planning stages there is not a
conceivable piece of property along our corridor, the freeway
zone, wherein we would feel justified in setting aside and
extending funds counter -productive to what RTD might have in
their minds. After all, they would probably be the final say
on the location of such a facility.
I would go along with the tabling of this
until such time as we meet in San Diego; I, too, will be there;
and discuss this issue. Perhaps at a later date we can ask the
RTD to come in and express their desires in this area, and perhaps
it will settle the issue to the content of the Chamber of Commerce.
• Motion made by Councilman Tice, seconded
by Councilman Shearer to Hold Over this matter until the meeting
of May 24, 1976. Motion carried.
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CITY COUNCIL
Mayor's Reports
MAYOR'S REPORTS
May 10, 1976
Page Twenty
PROCLAMATIONS Mayor Browne: Unless there is an
• objection, I will proclaim May 9th through
15th, 1976 as "Healthy Baby Week."
Mayor Browne: Unless there is an
objection, I will proclaim May 16th
through 22nd, 1976 as "National
Transport Iation Week."
Mayor Browne: We will jo back to the City Manager for
a report roh a written in item.
APPLICATION FOR A Mr. Eliot: We have received an application
VARIANCE FROM from Lynn Muchmore, "Next -time Lounge"
Lynn Muchmore 2031 Badillo, requesting a variance re the
dance floor distance from the place of
eating or drinking.
You have before you a report from the
Police Chief with his recommendation regarding the matter. His
recommendation is that the applicant could conform if she spent
the money that would be necessary to do so. Therefore, he
recommended :denial of the request for variance.
Motion made by Councilman Chappell,
• seconded by Councilman Miller to deny the request for variance
from Lynn Muchmore. Motion carried.
LETTER/BOARD OF Mayor Browne: We received a letter from
SUPERVISORS the County Administrator, Mr. Mize, out
of the Supervisors-s office, wherein the
Board of Supervisors are urgingnadoption
of an ordinance to require paramedic units to respond to all
vehicular accidents. I think, perhaps, we are complying with
this to a certain degree, are we not?
Mr. Eliot: It is evident from the letter received
that they are reporting on a County
problem, perhaps the Highway Patrol.
However, it has been the policy of the City of West Covina for
many years now to dispatch rescue, and now, paramedic support
whenever there is a reported accident within the City limits.
That is standard operating procedure; as far as we know, we are
operating one hundred percent response to any accident within
our City boundaries, which includes the freeways.
• Mayor Browne: Would you inform Mr. Mize ofathis
procedure; that this has been,in effect
within the City of West Covina.
- 20 -
CITY COUNCIL May 10, 1976
Mayor's Reports Page Twenty-one
Councilman Shearer: What little I know about the matter, it
is not a matter of responsiveness, it
is a matter of calling. It would
surprise me greatly if any paramedic, County or City, would
refuse to go, if called. The problem is, as I have heard it
second or third hand from questionable sources, that there is
a reluctance on the part of certain police agencies to some-
times call paramedic units because they get in the way of moving
traffic, etc. I am sure that a letter to that effect to Mr. Mize,
saying that all you have to do is call, and we will be there as
quickly as we can; would eliminate us having to have an ordinance..
COUNCILMEN'S REPORTS
AND COMMENTS
Councilman Miller: It was an honor for me to be part of the
opening ceremonies for the West Covina
Water Otters' Invitational Swim Meet
held at Edgewood High School last Saturday. Over 608 swimmers
were there from all over Southern California. It was a very
well -run swim meet. I might give credit to the Boosters Club,
the Board members lead by the president, Ray Aragon, and the
meet officials.
It was also exciting to see my high
school, Edgewood, take the Sierra Baseball League Championship,
14-0. West Covina High School took the Sierra Track League
Championship, which is also outstanding.
And, not to be last but not least, I
would.like.to recognize my wife, .Mrs. .Miller.
The Council congradulated Councilman
and Mrs. Miller, wishing them many.years of happiness.
Councilman Shearer: Two weeks ago, if you recall, I brought
up the.question of the County Mayor and
County Board of Supervisors reorganiza-
tion that Mrs. Baldonado spoke to this evening. At that time I
asked that it be tabled because there seemed to be some desire
on the part of some councilmen to look into the,matter a little
further. At this time I would like to bring the matter back up
and restate the motion.
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Tice to communicate to our Supervisor
this Council's support of principle of an elected executive
and expansion of the 'Board, and•tha.t we would urge them to
pursue the matter to place it on the ballot. Once.a final
decision is made on their part.along with a final copy of the
proposition,'we would then review it and take a position as to
favor or oppose the particular item.
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•
U
0
CITY COUNCIL May.10, 1976
Councilmen's Reports/Comments. Page Twenty-two
Councilman Tice: As you recall, I had some concerns of
the particular proposition that was
submitted by Supervisor Hahn in that
the chief executive position, the Mayor; to me appeared to be
a veryt-weak position. I can see nothing but a "latch -up"
betwen the legislative branch and the administrative branch
of the government the way it is.formed. I hope that is not
the final proposition on the ballot. The power still rests
with the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor acts, more or less,
as a manager rather than an executive, as far as I am concerned.
But, the -concept I am for. I think we
have an unwieldy beast in this County government situation with
84,000 employees. Something has to be done, and it should be
done mighty quick. So, I am supporting the concept of this.
Councilman Chappell: Why don't we, in our letter to the
Board of Supervisors, strongly recommend
tthat the position of.Mayor be a.strong
one, and also the enlargement of the Board.
Mayor Browne: With economy factors considered.
Mr. Eliot, after we take action on this,
will you so form a.letter.,
Councilman Miller: Since we last discussed this, I asked
for a cost factor from Supervisor Hahn's
office and I have received something in
a'general breakdown. They have shown that through this, they
are knocking it from 72 deputies down,to 42 deputies, a savings
of 30 positions. But, it is still at this particular point very
general. In one paragraph where they talked about the 72 deputies
they also talked about the cars,.expenditures and secretaries, but
when they got down to the 42 deputies, they ommitted that part -
cars, expenditures and secretaries...
So, at this point, I am still not going
to be supportive of it. I agree; I feel that L.A. County needs
a change in its governmental structure, but until I can get more
conclusive evidence of cost factors I will not be supportive of it.
Also, again, I am very interested in the Governor's Office Study
on,'�ece-$§ion: Before I feel that I can support anything, I
always like to see all of the alternatives involved, and then
decide which is the best way to go. I.feel that Supervisor Hahn
is heading in the right direction, -and it is,his prerogative to
push it as fast as he wants, but., then again,.I feel that some-
times we push too fast and maybe that isn't the best direction
to go. So, I will not be supportive of this.,
- 22 -
•
•
CITY COUNCIL.
Councilmen's Reports/Comments .
May 10, 1976
Page Twenty-three
Councilman Chappell: This is not a new idea. It has been
brought up and kicked around and brought
up again. This Council is not supporting
that item. It is just supporting them putting it together, and
then having our review of it - the final print that will go on::-
the ballot. So, we are really not supporting anything other than
the concept of getting something going so that we can, at that
time, make a determination whether we are in favor or against.
Councilman_ Shearer:.. As Councilman Chappell mentioned, this
is not a new idea. I am sure it is not.
exclusively Supervisor Hahn's idea
because, if it were, I think I would have to take a second look
at my motion.' I think Supervisor Schabarum has been supportive
of a County Mayor for 'some time. I'am not naive enough to say or
.bealiev.` figures given us that the cost, just the cost of running
the expanded Board and Mayor, will be equal to or less than it is
now. There is no doubt
,in my mind that if this is successful and
we go to 7 or 9 Supervisors and a Mayor, chief executive, the
costs are going to go up to run just those offices. But, I think
the payoff will come in a more efficient overall government. The
costs" of running a Supervisor's office is small compared to the
total cost of running County government -,some three billion
dollars.
Councilman Tice:., The cost factor isn't the important point
tome in this issue. It is the efficiency
and responsiveness to the public that we
may gain by going this route. That to me is paramont and over-
rides any increase or decrease in costs. I think it is the
principle here, the form of government that we are interested in.
That is why I am supporting the concept as: Councilman Shearer
pointed out.
Mayor Browne: I think the concerns indicated to our
Supervisor, Mr. Schabarum, very clearly
pointed out.some of the pitfalls in the
area of increasing the Supervisorial Staff. I think that.is
borne out in the fact that one Supervisor,might have 40 staff
members, and another one with as high as 70. 1 think this is
indicative of the demands of the -individual supervisor. This
is something that you cannot lose sight of.
As Councilman Shearer stated, he is not
naive, nor do I.think anyone of us sitting here are in that factor.
It is the matter ofa better -run govern-
ment, placing it on the ballot for the will of the people to make
this decision. However, before we support anything, we will
definitely review it and come to our conclusions at that time
when we see more facts and figures, and the way it will be
presented to the voting constituency.
- 23 -
CITY COUNCIL
May 10, 1976
Councilmen's Reports/
Comments Page Twenty-four
Motion carried, 4-1.. (In favor: Chappell,.
Shearer, Tice and Browne; In opposition: Miller)
•
APPROVAL OF DEMANDS
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by Councilman Tice to approve
Demands totaling $482,510.95 as listed
on Demand Sheets UCB No. 55162 through
554022 and BA No. 401 through 403.
Motion carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES: Miller, Chappell, Shearer, Tice,
Browne
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Councilman Shearer,
seconded by .Councilman Chappell to
adjourn the meeting at 8:55 P.M. to
Monday, May.24, 1976 at 7:30 P.M.
Motion carried.
•
APPROVED:
MAYOR
ATTEST:
24 -