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06-02-1976 - Regular Meeting - MinutesMINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF WEST COUINA, CALIFORNIA AND.. JOINT SESSION WITH WEST cbviNA UNIFIED SCHOOL.DISTRICT BOARD June 2, 1976 . The adjourned regular meeting of the City Council called to order • at 7:40 P.M. by Mayor Nevin Browne at the;Wast Covina Unified School District Administration Building.;. ROLL CALL Present: Mayor Browne; Councilmen: Miller, Chappell, Shearer, Tice Others Present: WEST COVINA SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS: Dale Henderson, President Richard Jennings Mary Lewis Jack Hochberger, Dir. of Personnel Phineas Goldstein, Ass't. Superintendent Dr. Clifford S. Thyberg, Supt. of Schools Sanford Smith Sam Sornborger Richard Brammer Leonard Eliot, City Manager Michael Miller, Pub. Serv. Dir., Bill Freemon, Staff Reporter, S.G.U.D.T. Gloria Davidson, Deputy City Clerk JOINT MEETING WITH THE Mr. Henderson: It was our intention BOARD OF EDUCATION TO at this meeting to • CONSIDER CHARGE TO THE decide on the items to CITIZENS COMMITTEE TO be included in the STUDY FUTURE USE OF charge of the Committee to study the SUNSET SCHOOL future of the Sunset School site. This afternoon I made some notes as a possible framework f.or this charge of the Blue Ribbon Committee. (Read and passed copies to Council members) "Charge to Blue Ribbon Committee, Re Sunset4:School Site: 1 - Sunset School Site has.been declared sur- plus by WCUSD; 2 - Appropriate.State and County agencies have denied interest in buying captioned property for any use; 3 - City of West Covina has indicated interest in obtaining the property for a fair price; 4 City of Wsst Covina has indicated interest in developing the property for r�e:oreatio`M6I 4= educational puriposes; 5 - The fair price to cdneu#iate sale trhd• tranvfor of property from WCUSD to City of West Covin c6uld 0, t be Agre&d upo'n by bath parties; 6 - Two bids each have been Obtaihed -an tht 0!tq O-rty by. froth parties, and this did not resolve the 1Atk of agrcomf3bt vaga�rding. the fair market value of the proport y7 - Thy WCtkS�3's pa iitis -n hs.s been that tax funds for educational._purpg.sas wore us" to pgy for the Sunset School property and thus any Funds dorived itna•sale or transfer of the property should be used to -buy oducat onal c�;�itai outlay items- which have been denied etta,dants. .during WCU1,50's rg-aid.-gr.owth;. this according to • the Educational, CO.6a, B T•tre WCUSD is desirous to sell and transfer Sunset School Sit-o tQ thb City b.,r Ue!at Co.sr na for a fair price, the proceeds of which wcfu'Id be doskgna-ted, for capital outlay for needed educational •purpvs.es ' CITY COUNCIL ADJR. REG. MEETING JOINTLY WITH W.C. UNIFIED SCHOOL Page Two DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION 6/2/76 'Therefore, we charge the Sunset School Site Blue Ribbon Committee to: 1 - Investigate the desirability and plausibility of the sale of the Sunset School Site by the WCUSD to the City of West Covina; 2 - Make a recommendation or optional suggestions as to the financial arrangements to accomplish said • sale or transfer of the property if plan to sell or transfer is found to be desirable; 3 - Make recommendation to insure that the interests of the taxpayers of West Covina will.be best served and that past taxes paid for educational purposes will be so directed as to serve educational purposes; 4 - Make recommendations as to the future use of the Sunset School for the advantages of all the citizens of West Covina.' 'We pledge to make available to the Committee the necessary resourices to accomplish this charge, including informa- tion gathered in previous negotiations, any previous studies made and any other pertinent information desired by the Committee. We encourage the Committee to audit the _c.it,z;enry,' of West Covina, through open public presentations, to obtain the broadest possible understanding of the desires of the community." (Mr. Henderson pointed out that Item 7 is one that is perspective and not necessarily shared by the Board of Education members or City Council, but perhaps should be part of the charge submitted to the Committee.) Mr. Henderson: Obviously this is not etched, :'. in stone, it is just the perimeters for our dis- cussion this evening. Mayor Browne: Gentlemen, City Council having taken a • stand on previous negotiations we have also come up with the philosphy on our intent,.which I shall read: "The purpose of the Sunset School Committee is to find a methods -whereby the citizens of the West Covina Unified School District and the citizens of the City of West Covina may have available recreational facilities as well as educational and vocational progra-m-s for their use: such programs to be offered both at the present Sunset' -.School Site and at other school areas to be selected.' 'This Committee should seek to find a method whereby a cooperative agreement can be achieved through which title to the Sunset School site may be transferred to -the City of West Covina, together with the responsibility for the City to conduct programs there for the general good of the citizens of the District and the City.' 'Whether compensation shall be paid to the School District in a fixed dollar amount, or whether the School District will benefit adequately by the City providing physical facilities for recreational purposes at the other school sites, is a matter to be determined by the members of this Committee. We must bear in mind that in great part taxpayers of the West Covina unified School District are also taxpayers of the City of West Covina; therefore, the payment of dollars from one political entity to another with the same taxpayers does not better the positions of those citizens. The provision of greatly expanded recreational, educational, and vocational programs would be of general benefit to the citizens and, therefore, is an avenue that does appeal to the City Council of the City of West Covina. However, the recommendation is yours to be achieved objectively after meeting with your counter- parts nominated by the School District and the chairman who has been jointly agreed upon.' - 2 - CITY COUNCIL ADJ. REG. (MEETING JOINTLY WITH W.C. UNIFIED SCHOOL Page Three DISTRICT. BOARD OF EDUCATION .6/2/76 That is the concept that the City Council has on this which is pretty parallel with what you have stated, fir. Henderson. • Mr. Henderson: Obviously there were several alternate suggestions made available in your comments. Mayor Browne: Yes, I think the ,Committee should have a program with alternate alternatives to pursue in case these two bodies do not justify possibly the first recommendation and that we should sit down and negotiate any alternatives they may suggest. Councilman Shearer: If I may, a comment on the two papers read. I think there needs to be some modification to differentiate between the positions taken by each of the bodies previously and the charge now to the Committee. I feel some of the language in here pre- supposes to the Committee certain things. For example, in the document the City has presented we state, and it may well turn out this way, I am not arguing it one way or the other, but I would like to see the Committee have greater leeway. The statement is made in the City's comments, second paragraph ".....whereby a cooperative agreement can be achieved through which title to the Sunsbt::School Site may be transferred to the City of West Covina, together with the responsibility for the City to conduct programs there for the general good of the citizens of the District and the City." This to me limits it. When we say this is a charge I think we would have to eeparate that -when the City is all through we do not have fee title to the property. And I think the #3 at • the bottom of the page of the School District's proposal again pre- supposes on the Committee the fact that dollars have been spent by -- the School District,which is quite true, and that these funds are going to somehow have to be reimbursed otherwise nothing will happen. That may well be the recommendation of the Committee but I would like to see them have the leeway to make that recommendation or to make some other which might not require a dollar for dollar exchange of funds. Councilman Tice: I think both of these papers are fine and more or less set the positions of both; however, I would prefer that the Committee use this as input but not as a charge as indicated here and that they determine on their own what method is best for the disposition of the•School Site and make this recommendation to both parties. This gives them some ideas of positions on both sides of the issue but I would prefer to let them set their own ground rules. M@yor Browne: I concur with Councilman Tice's position on this. I think the only charge given to this Committee should be that they keep two things in mind: 1 - Benefits to th-e students.,and children -'of -,our bbmmunity;,2-?the-citizent-of our community. Other than that.,they be given full latitude to make the recommendations they see fit. Gather as much information as they can and there are a number of • reports, research studies, etc., on file'for their use. In essence in appointing this Committees, now these two bodies withdraw the positions they held two years ago and at this time we are starting new and fresh and have appointed this Committee to bring back the recommendations to us.' - 3 - CITY COUNCIL ADJ. REG. MEETING Page Four JOINTLY WITH W.C. UNIFIED SCHOOL 6/2/76 DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION Mr. Sornborger: I would like to point out to the Council, as Mr. Henderson said, these are his notes, the Board as a whole has not gone over them. If we deviate from it it is purely in • the terms of the fact that everyone thinks as an individual on the Board. I would like to say I concur with what has been said because,primarily I don't think the Committee should be restricted in anyway. We should give them some general charges but not specifics because I can see other purposes the site can serve without an actual exchange of money and I think that is what the Committee should come up with. We should state what we hope to accomplish from the School Board's point of view and the City Council's point of view and then let them come up with their suggestions and then that is the time to debate. Councilman Chappell: Are the members of the Committee all here tonight? Mayor Browne: The School Board has picked their members and it was publicly announced last week, but as yet we have not announced the two members the City has picked. Councilman Chappell: I would like to comment a bit on the past history of this. What started all this is the fact that the School District declared a school site surplus. The City Council has for many years pointed out the fact that this end of town has no park. Orangewood Park is certainly not a park,per se. We have looked for land and*attempted to rectify this situation. We have parks • in the Galster area, on the north and south side of the City but we do not have a park in this end of the city. So when the school site became available in the form of declaring it surplus, it seemed a logical and ideal location to provide the citizens of this part of the community with a reasonable type park and that is where I think the Committee should start from as they search out their findings. There is a need in this end of town fora park and the decision to be made is how can we all work together to accomplish this so everyone is happy. Mr. Jennings: A question. Is this pretty much the un- animous opinion of.the Council that a park is what is desired? Mayor Browne: As Mr. Chappell indicated a park would be one of the purposes,but it could also be used as a recreational center and we need recreational facilities such as this. Also,it could be used for vocational programs through our Recreation and Parks Department where at present we have no building facilities to hold such and these type of things are always held in park sites. Councilman Chappell: And right next door'to Sunset School site isa facility used by the City as a Maintenance Yard and the Council has • thought in the past if we acquired Sunset School site we would remove our Maintenance area from that location and expand,the park to more uses, which makes the School Site more valuable. We can have a recreat.ional.facility, a Senior Citizens area, educational programs, etc., as well as an outstanding park site. - 4 - CITY COUNCIL ADJ. REG. MEETING Page Five JOINTLY WITH W.C. UNIFIED SCHOOL 6/2/76 DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION Mayor Browne: I think we have brought out the intent_ and purposes of the probable use of the school site and should now continue on with our instructive guidelines to the Committee. Perhaps we can compile • the two papers together to be read out to the Committee. Is there any suggestions on the part of Councilmon the combining of the,two papers with the intent it be rewritten? Councilman Tice: My feeling is if they have these two documents.,let them mull it over and come up with something for our review.. They are going to be working with this and should have a free hand. They are put together to tell us what to do, we want their recommendations. Councilman Chappell: Mr. Mayor, if the School Board has announced their choices I think it would be appropriate for the Mayor to announce our choices now. Mayor Browne: Our choices were resolved last night after the submission of numerous names to us. I think James Gonsalves is present tonight and Robert Bacon is the other Committee member, he is not present tonight. Mr. Henderson: Harvey Krieger has been selected to head the Committee and the two Committee members appointed by the Board are Emma Fischbeck ;,,and .Ray Amatore and both are present tonight. (Mr. Henderson and Mayor Browne discussed where the meetings were • to be held and what staff assistance would be available and it was decided that this could be determined by the Chairman of that group. Mr. Sornborger suggested that one location be picked for all the meetings and then hold to it.) Mary Lewis: It seems to me we can each express an opinion but I am not sure that we have really yet stated what we are going to do. My feeling when I considered this matter was as to what was the best thing to do as far as directing the Committee as to what they were to come up with which was to have them come up with the best use of the site and have them offer suggestions on how that could be accomplished, and not give them too many other things to go by. I have heard something like that expressed by several people here,but I wonder if we do have concurrence on that. I don't know�but when you set up a Committee to do something that you then ask them to state what they are going to do. I think you have to give them some reason for being. Have we done that? Mr. Henderson: At this point I think it has been suggested that we give them these two documents and let them come back to us with their outline of what they are going to do. r • Mr. Brammer: I think it has been pretty much the conversation here this evening as it was a couple of years ago, that we were looking at this site for recreational — educational -use. Now if we tell them to ascertain the best use for that site or what will guarantee the most revenue to the School District, I guarantee you it is not going to the City but to some other possible use. — 5 — E • • CITY COUNCIL ADJ. REG. MEETING JOINTLY WITH W.C. UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION Page Six 6/2/76 I think the Committee should address itself to the purpose of making this a recreational - educational facility. I think that is the intent of both of these bodies, if possibly the citizens of the community can get some benefits from doing this. Councilman Miller: Coming down to this point and possibly if they concur it sounds like it will be a recreational - educational use - - is the next two objectives,then;)to determine the financial aspects of it, to what extent the buildings should be used for recreational, educational, etc. Are they going to build the program along with the financial aspect? (Mr. Henderson explained that the development would be up to the one that has the ,ava.i_lability of it.) Mr. Henderson: Would it be possible for the two bodies, while here, to come out with a broad paragraph with that kind of a charge? Mr. Shearer, would you be in the position of expressing your thoughts once again? Councilman Shearer: they might come up with an recreational - educational scope and that would limit I think we should limit it. As Mr. Brammer indicated, if you say the best use and greatest revenue return auto center. If our intent is uses then we should st-ay:;within that their consideration. The purpose of the Sunset School Committee is to investigate and recommend the method for the Sunset School Site to be made available to the citizens of West Covina for recreational and educational uses; the recommenda- tion shall include initial financial arrangements as well as a continuing program responsibility. I Would move that the City adopt that as a charge to the Committee, Seconded by Councilman Tice'and carried. Motion by Mr. Brammer that the Board of Education adopt this charge to the Committee; seconded by Mr. Sornborger. Mary Lewis: Mr. Henderson, I just wanted to say I was sorry that we were not going to trust the Committee to come up with the best use and expect it would be recreational - educational; however, I will vote for the motion. .Motion carried. Mayor Browne: On behalf of the City Council, we certainly appreciate the opportunity` to sit here and help decide the direction for the disposition of the Sunset School site. We thank you. At this time we will adjourn our adjourned meeting back to the City Hall for the purpose of an Executive Session regarding the making of a decision on the selecting of our new City Manager. COUNCIL ADJOURNED MEETING AT 8:11 P.M. AND RECONVENED MEETING AT THE CITY MANAGER'S CONFERENCE ROOM AT CITY HALL AT 8:27 P.M. • • CITY COUNCIL ADJ. REG. MEETING Page Seven 6/2/76 JUNIOR WOMAW S'CLUB REQUEST Motion by -.Councilman Chappell to approve the request from-the,Junior Woman's Club to conduct an anti -rabies clinic, Friday, June 18, 1976 from 7:00 P.M. to_.10:00 P.M. in the North Parking Lot'behind City Hall; seconded by Councilman Tice and carried. ANY OTHER MATTERS RESOLUTION NO. 5243 The Mayor presented: ADOPTED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, ACCEPTING THE GRANT FOR THE EAST SAN GABRIEL VALLEY BURGLARLY PREVENTION PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZING THE CHIEF OF POLICE AND THE CITY MANAGER TO IMPLEMENT THE BURGLARLY PREVENTION PROGRAM. Motion by Councilman Tice to waive full reading of said resolution,•' seconded by Councilman Shearer and carried. Lotion by Councilman Tice to adopt said resolution; seconded by Councilman Shearer and carried on roll call vote as follows: AYES: Miller, Chappell`,'Shearer,, Tice, Browne NOES: None ABSENT: None Mayor Browne: Are there any matters that Council would like to discuss at this time? Motion by Councilman Chappell that a resolution be prepared, perma plaqued and presented as follows' RESOLUTION NO. 5244 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE ADOPTED CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, FOR THE EDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL TEAM IN HONOR OF THEIR WINNING -THE CIF CHAMPIONSHIP. Motion by Councilman Shearer to waive full reading of said resolu— tion; second.ed by Councilman Tice and carried. Motion by Councilman Tice to adopt said resolution; seconded by Councilman Shearer and carried on roll call vote as follows: AYES: Miller, Chappell, Shearer, Tice, Browne NOES: None ABSENT: None EXECUTIVE SESSION The Mayor recessed the Council meeting for the purpose of conducting an executive' session regarding the selecting of a new City Manager. Went into Executive Session at 8:30 P.I. gD,�n�iRntmFNT Motion by Councilman Shearer to adjourn meeting at 10:00 P.M., to June 7, 1976 at 5:00 P.M., for Budget Review; second— ed by Councilman Tice and carried. ATTEST: ., C I T Y CLERK APPR0VED: MAYOR - 7 -