12-19-1994 - Special Meeting - Minutes• The special
Commission
Management
Covina.
ftbl OK4.1401
M I N U T E S
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE WEST COVINA
CITY COUNCIL AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
December 190 1994
meeting of the West Covina City Council and Human Services
was called to order by Mayor McFadden at 6:20 pm in the
Resource Center at City Hall, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West
City Council:
Mayor McFadden, Mayor Pro Tem Herfert, Councilmembers
Manners, Touhey, Wong (arrived at 6:55 pm)
Human Services Commission:
Chairman Sotelo, Vice Chairman McBride, Commissioners
Brown, Cano, Gaudiz, Jones, Moreno, Sheety, Singleton
Others Present:
Starbird, Salazar, Cook, Perea, Berry
PRESENTATIONS Mayor McFadden presented a Mayor's Certificate to
Commissioner Michael Cano for his efforts in obtain-
ing 25 Thanksgiving turkeys which were donated to
needy families in West Covina.
Mayor McFadden presented Mayor's Certificates to the
following individuals who helped organize and serve
breakfast at Edgewood Middle School and through this
effort helped start a regular Breakfast Program:
Michael Cano`
Mercedes Gill
Barney McBride
Michael Touhey
Phil Moreno
Ms. Gill thanked the Commission and the City Council
for the recognition and noted the importance of con-
tinuing the Breakfast Program. She said she would
like to target Merlinda Elementary School as the next
school to participate in the program.
Commission Moreno addressed an article in the Los
Angeles Times discussing Youths at Risk. He empha-
sized the importance of the City continuing to work
with schools on this issue.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA No comments offered.
HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION AND DEPARTMENTAL GOALS, WORK PROGRAM, AND ISSUES
Human Services Director Salazar stated that there
were three goals for this evening's meeting: a)
review the goals of the Commission and Department
with the Council for confirmation as to their value
and continued pursuit, b) review the current work
• program, and c) receive direction from Council as to
other directives the Council may have for either or
both the Commission and the Department.
Mayor Pro Tem Herfert commenced a discussion on com-
munity togetherness. This commission, more than any
other, has the ability to create projects/programs
that can bring the community together. He also noted
the commission's input is extremely valuable.
Special Meeting of December 19, 1994 2
Chairman Sotelo stated that if there is going to be
a funding process, it must be fairly administered
across the board, noting the problems inherent in
bypassing the process. Perhaps Council could give
the Commission a set of guidelines.
• City Manager Starbird acknowledged the difficulty in
dealing with projects out of sync and hoped to
prevent it happening again. Human Services Director
Salazar outlined the procedure: a) sport leagues
submit their requests, b) the requests are
prioritized taking into consideration funding
sources, and c) the Commission's recommendations are
forwarded to Council for final determination.
The discussion ensued regarding the Commission's last
meeting and the citizen comments they received about
various projects proposed in the parks. The major
complaints were increased traffic, parking, noise and
trash in residential streets.
Councilmember Wong arrived at 6:55 pm.
Councilmember Manners also acknowledged the problems
that occur when the process is circumvented and pro-
jects are brought before Council without the objec-
tive review and prioritizing by the Commission.
Mayor McFadden agreed with her comments.
Further discussion ensued regarding the need for
playing fields throughout the year for the various
seasonal sports, a problem when the sport seasons
overlap.
Councilmember Wong brought up another concern. Often
times Council will react to a citizen's complaint at
the Council meeting and give direction to staff
without a full investigation into the complaint.
This is one area in which Council could refer the
matter to the Commission for their objective review.
Commissioner Sotelo stated that he felt the need to
abstain from voting on football league requests
because he has been a coach for ,one of the leagues.
He was wary of conflict of interest laws. Council -
member Manners suggested that there may be a conflict
in terms of appearance rather than an actual legal
conflict requiring abstention. An interpretation
from the City Attorney would be a good idea.
Councilmember Manners related a complaint regarding
difficulties for wheelchair persons utilizing the
Dial -A -Ride vehicles. Human Services Director
Salazar stated that he would arrange for the Senior
Citizens Commission to join the Human Services Com-
mission in riding the vehicles to become more
familiar with the operation.
Another discussion ensued regarding the recent Break-
fast Program at Edgewood Middle School and the news-
paper article regarding hungry school children in
West Covina that precipitated it. The school dis-
trict took no action, and consequently concerned
citizens became involved - several of them Human
Services Commissioners. The question was raised as
to how can a determination be made as to the true
magnitude of the problem. And if hunger is a problem
in West Covina, the Human Services Commission would
be the proper commission to address a community -wide
social issue. Human Services Director Salazar noted
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Special Meeting of December 19, 1994
that new requirements from HUD have been received and
it is very possible that hunger may be an area
eligible for funding. If so, then the Commission may
want to target the issue of hunger. Councilmember
Touhey noted that West Covina encompasses four school
districts. Councilmember Wong suggested that the
City deal from the standpoint of what can the City
and the Commission do - rather than trying to
persuade school districts to take some sort of
action. He added that hunger is not just related to
the youth. Mayor McFadden noted that homeless people
often go hungry too.
Mayor Pro Tem Herfert recapped several areas for the
Human Services Commission to look into: community
togetherness, social issues of the community, and the
changing demographics.
City Manager Starbird suggested that the Commission
be scheduled to receive a presentation on the issues
that make children become "at risk" and that the City
is seeking a $250,000 grant for three years to help
combat these problems.
Councilmember Manners stated that she appreciates the
input of the Commissioners and when considering
issues, she assumes the Commissioners have studied
the issues thoroughly. She assured them that she
relies on their input even if she votes in another
direction, which she may do based on other factors.
Commissioner Moreno requested a copy of the City's
affirmative action plan/policy. City Manager Star -
bird responded in the affirmative.
ADJOURNMENT Human Services Commission
Motion by Jones and seconded by Sheety to adjourn the
meeting at 8:30 pm. Motion carried 9-0.
ATTEST:
Clalnl�z
City Clerk Janet B ry
City Council
Motion by Manners and seconded by Touhey to adjourn
the meeting at 8:30 pm. Motion carried 5-0.
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Mail Br dley J. McFadden