06-14-1995 - Special Meeting - Minutes0
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M I N U T E S
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
June 14, 1995
The special meeting of the West Covina City Council was called to order
at 6:18 pm by Mayor Herfert in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1444 W.
Garvey Avenue, West Covina.
ROLL CALL Mayor Herfert, Mayor Pro Tem Touhey, Council -
members McFadden and Wong
Absent: Councilmember Manners (excused)
Others Present: Starbird, Wylie, Collier, Glover, Salazar,
Winters, Shott, Parker, Jones, Cook, Koniarsky,
Dixon, Miller, Panas, Mayer, Yoshizaki, Orr,
Berry
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Charles Cook Charles Cook, 404 S. Citrus, commented on the
CIP projects at the Maverick Field, supporting
the priority rating given to each by the Human
Services Commission, reflecting a low priority
to the lighting request.
Don Canzoneri Don Canzoneri, President -Elect of the West
Covina Chamber of Commerce, reported on the
Chamber's accomplishments for the past fiscal
year. He introduced the following two speakers
who would address specific areas regarding the
Chamber's functions.
Sonnie Faires Sonnie Faires reviewed the "Shop West Covina"
campaign nearing completion and the desire to
expand and continue the campaign for FY 95/96.
Greg Landers Greg Landers, Treasurer of the Chamber of Com-
merce, discussed the Chamber's FY 95/96 budget,
reiterating the requested additional $25,000 in
Business Improvement Tax (BIT) funds to expand
the "Shop West Covina" campaign as explained by
Ms. Faires. He noted the budget also contained
an additional request of BIT funds in the amount
of $10,000 for the purpose of conducting a
business survey.
Don Canzoneri Don Canzoneri concluded the Chamber's presenta-
tion by emphasizing the willingness of the
Chamber to work with the Council on economic
development for the City of West Covina.
Keith Anderson Keith Anderson, President of the Bobbi-Sox
League, expressed appreciation for the priority
rating the Human Services Commission gave to the
projects that would enhance Cameron Park, the
site of the Bobbi-Sox baseball league.
Earl Haugen Earl Haugen of the Maverick Development Group
stated that his group was in agreement with the
prioritized listing by the Human Services com-
mission.
Minutes of June 14, 1995
PA
Albert Behr Albert Behr, President of the Youth Pony Base-
ball League, appreciated the City Council's
attention to the little leagues. He noted that
he knew of no other city that spends as much
. time and money for the little leaguers.
Paul Viera Paul Viera of the Youth Pony Baseball League
requested more bathrooms for Walmerado Park.
Mayor Herfert thanked the speakers for their
comments and stated that the Council would
consider the Chamber of Commerce budget first.
Council Discussion:
Chamber of Commerce Mayor Herfert stated that he had hoped to see a
reduced budget request for BIT funding, but this
year's amount is the same as last year with an
additional request of $25,000. He said that he
could not support the budget as presented.
Mayor Pro Tem Touhey stated his concerns. He
believes the "Shop West Covina" program should
be the first priority within the Chamber's
Program of Work. He would like to see separate
books: one concerning the chamber's fund and the
other concerning the BIT funds. All BIT payers
should have access to all Chamber programs, as
some programs at the present time exclude
nonmembers. He would like to see a stronger
audit program detailing where BIT funds are
used.
Councilmember Wong stated that BIT account-
ability rests with the City. All businesses in
West'Covina benefit by the efforts of the Cham-
ber, not just the retail businesses. The
relationship between the Chamber and City in the
past has always been synergistic. Many of the
Chamber programs and projects are .successful
because of the time and effort of volunteers.
If the City were to embark on those same pro-
grams and projects, the City would need to pay
City staff for the time and effort expended.
Councilmember McFadden asked what more could the
Chamber do or do differently to satisfy the
mission of the BIT. It was his belief that
there doesn't appear to be a great demand by the
business community to break up the Chamber of
Commerce. He did suggest that the City continue
with the BIT study. Until then, he noted his
willingness to support the Chamber's programs
and budget as presented.
First Motion Motion by McFadden and seconded by Herfert, for
discussion purposes, to approve the budget as
submitted.
• Mayor Pro Tem Touhey suggested that BIT funds be
used for a small business loan program. He
would like to see the BIT offset by new revenues
and the "Shop West Covina" be included within
the basic budget as proposed without the
additional requested $25,000. He would also
like to see an advisory vote of the business
community as to the disposition of the BIT
funds.
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Minutes of June 14, 1995 3
Mayor Herfert asked for a roll call vote on the
motion mentioned above. The motion failed by
the following vote:
AYES: McFadden, Wong
NOES: Touhey, Herfert
ABSENT: Manners
Second Motion Motion by Herfert and seconded by McFadden to
approve the budget with the stipulation that the
extended "Shop West Covina" campaign be con-
ducted within the basic budgeted amount of
$317,190.00 and the additional requested $10,000
in BIT funds (earmarked for a business survey)
be denied.
Councilmember Wong was concerned about cutting
up the Chamber budget and suggested that the
Chamber of Commerce be given an opportunity to
rework their budget and bring it back to the
Council.
Mayor Herfert was satisfied with President
Canzoneri's response that without official
Executive Board approval, the Chamber could work
within the reduction as indicated in the motion.
Mayor Pro Tem Touhey amended the motion to
require the Chamber to provide separate
accounting for the Chamber's funds and the BIT
funds. The amendment was seconded by Herfert.
Councilmember Wong reiterated that he was not
supportive of cutting the Chamber budget, with-
out first knowing where those cuts would be felt
in their organization.
Councilmember McFadden noted that if the Chamber
does not experience an increase in their rent,
as anticipated, there would be a savings in
their budget.
Mayor Herfert asked for a roll call vote on the
amended second motion. The motion failed by the
following vote:
AYES: Touhey, Herfert
NOES: McFadden, Wong
ABSENT: Manners
Recess Mayor Herfert called a recess at 8:00 pm. The
City Council reconvened at 8:15 pm with all
members present, except Manners.
Third Motion Motion by McFadden and seconded by Herfert to
approve the basic $317,190 in BIT funds within
which $25,000 in BIT funds would be used for the
"Shop West Covina" campaign. (This results in
a reduction in the recommended scope of the
"Shop West Covina" program from $35,000 to
$25,000.) This motion eliminated the requested
extra $10,000 in BIT funds for the survey.
Motion included requiring the Chamber to provide
separate accounting systems for the BIT and the
Chamber's funds. Motion carried 3-1 with Wong
voting no.
Minutes of June 14, 1995
WEST COVINA CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
4
Human Services Director Salazar reviewed the
95/96 Park CIP Project Worksheets, drawing
. Council's attention to various projects,
particularly those recommended by the Human
Services Commission as lowpriorityprojects.
Mayor Herfert suggested that Items 44 through 48
not be considered one way or the other this
evening because they require the School Dis-
trict's involvement/commitment. Mayor Pro Tem
Touhey suggested that Item 46 (Portable Snack
Bar) remain on the list of projects for con-
sideration.
Motion Motion by Herfert and seconded by McFadden that
all projects listed on the worksheet be approved
with the exception of those projects prioritized
as "D" and those relating to the Hollencrest
School site (Items 44 through 48), except Item
46. Discussion ensued.
Councilmember Wong asked about Item 37 (Con-
struction of restrooms at the Maverick Field).
That project is estimated to cost $95,000.
Earl Haugen Earl Haugen of the Maverick Development Group
(MDG) addressed the issue of restrooms. He
state that there were restrooms at the adjacent
Ridgeriders facility, but that they did not meet
ADA requirements.
Cash Grimes Cash Grimes, President of Ridgeriders Esques-
trian Center, stated that the restrooms are
extremely old and the upkeep, maintenance, and
cost are borne by the Ridgeriders. + The agree-
ment with MDG regarding restroom upkeep didn't
work out and the restrooms are now open only for
equestrian activities. She listed several other
items that would improve the equestrian center.
Mayor Herfert suggested she speak to staff about
those and that Ridgeriders would need to address
opening the facility to the public to be
considered for public funds.
Mayor Herfert asked for a roll call vote on the
pending motion:
AYES: McFadden, Touhey, Herfert
NOES: Wong
ABSENT: Manners
Councilmember Wong objected to the proposed rest -
room project at the Maverick field.
City Engineer Glover reviewed the remaining CIP
projects.
Councilmember Wong stated that he would abstain
from discussion and vote on those items invol-
ving Maintenance District 4, due to conflict of
interest laws.
Motion Motion by Touhey and seconded by Herfert to
approve the CIP projects for FY 95/96. Motion
carried 4-0-1 (Wong abstaining only on MD #4
items).
Minutes of June 14, 1995 5
Councilmember McFadden asked for a status report
on the contractor conducting the Business
Improvement Tax study.
ADJOURNMENT Motion by Herfert and seconded by Touhey to
adjourn the meeting at 9:18 pm.. Motion carried
4-0.
miyor
ATTEST:
City Clerk