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11-18-1997 - Regular Meeting - Minutes• MINUTES REGULAR MEETING WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL NOVEMBER 18, 1997 The regular meeting of the West Covina City Council was called to order by Mayor Wong at 7:55 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina. The invocation was given by Dr. Kundan Peter of West Covina United Methodist church and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Pro Tern Melendez. ROLL CALL Mayor Wong, Mayor Pro Tem Melendez, and Councilmembers: Herfert, Howard, Touhey Others Present: Starbird, Koniarsky, Martyn, Miller, Greene, Paul, Samaniego, Collins, Tong, Nelson, Collier, Distelrath, Yoshizaki, Mayer, Palkhiwala, Glover, Gardner, Fong, Ure, Lantz, Tucker, Berry APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Wong corrected the spelling of one of the speakers in the minutes of November 4 (regular meeting). Motion by Howard and seconded by Melendez to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of October 7, 1997, the special meeting of November 4,1 997, and the regular meeting of November 4, 1997, as corrected. Motion carried 5-0. PRESENTATIONS John Hughes of the West Covina ELKS Club invited everyone to attend the Elks' MDA Christmas Party, scheduled for December 7, 1997, at 4:00 pm. Gifts for eight to 14 year olds are welcomed. He reminded the audience that reservations are required. Community Services Director Collins invited the public to attend Break -fast with Santa, scheduled for December 6, 1997, from 8:30 am to 11:30 am at the Shadow Oak Park facility. She also introduced the new Recreation Supervisor I1, Lyndel Morgan. Police Chief Distelrath introduced Corporeal Shively who made a Safe Streets Now program, noting the success of the program to . date. He was pleasantly surprised with a certificate of appreciation from representatives of the Galster Action Group, one of the neighborhoods that has participated in the program. They expressed deep gratitude for his assistance and guidance in helping them reestablish safety in their area. PROCLAMATION Linda Siggins, Community Library Manager introduced Erica Carr, the new Children's Librarian. Together they received a proclamation from Mayor Wong proclaiming November 16 . through 22, 1997, as CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK. HEARINGS - RDA As there were no scheduled City Council public hearings for this evening, Mayor Wong recessed the City Council meeting at 8:17 pm to conduct the scheduled Redevelopment Agency public hearings. Mayor Wong reconvened the City Council meeting at 8:35 pm with all members present. Council Minutes of 11/18/97 SPECIAL MEETING Mayor Wong explained that an item came up for City Council attention after the Agenda packets had been prepared. In order for Council to consider the matter, staff prepared a special meeting agenda for this evening. As there were several speakers in the audience intending to address the issue, Mayor Wong convened the • special meeting at 8:35 pm for consideration of the following matter at this time. FIRE ADMINISTRATION EMERGENCY RESPONSE TIMES Emergency Response Times Fire Chief Greene presented the staff report. He stated that through the Freedom of Information Act, he and the City Attorney were able to obtain raw data from the County Fire District in relation to their response times to calls for service. City staff culled through and analyzed 4000 emergency responses in adjacent communities serviced by the County Fire District. City Manager Starbird found the response times to be astounding and stated that he didn't believe any other agency has sought out and received this kind of information. Iris Delameter Iris Delameter, 1212 W. Eckerman, commented on the difficulty the City experienced in obtaining information from the County and could that be indicative of the cooperation the City can expect from them? Richard Jennings Former Mayor Richard Jennings, 1616 E. Greenville Drive, noted that the County response times were suppose to be available in the library. Unfortunately, he looked and the information cannot be found. He wondered if the citizens really want to go County with fire services. This would be the same Los Angeles County that built a jail and then couldn't open the facility for a year because they couldn't operate it; this would be the same County that cannot decide on how many beds for the new hospital. George Ogden George Odgen, 1249 Valinda Avenue, spoke to the importance of 911 response times when it comes to saving lives. He suggested thinking about why the San Fernando Valley wanted to become their own County and get out from under the umbrella of Los Angeles County. He would like to see just how the County would save the city $1 million. Carl Johnson Former Covina Fire Chief Carl Johnson, 329 N. Orange, commended staff for obtaining information from the County. He tried in 1991 for the City of Covina was unable to get it. He thought other agencies will follow West Covina in getting infor- mation from the County and the truth will eventually come out. He pointed out that the areas covered by the County are twice the size of that covered now by West Covina. The County cannot possibly provide better service. Royal Brown Royal Brown, 2153 Aroma Drive, noted that County would eliminate some of West Covina's stations and the response times will resultantly increase. He hoped that the staff report would be . distributed to the citizens. Robert Klenck Robert Klenck, 609 S. Magnolia Avenue, as a physician he discussed how "every moment counts" when it comes to responding to emergency medical calls. He also referred to the ballot measure wherein there is no provision to terminate the or revise the contract if there are no cost savings or if the City wishes 2 Council Minutes of 11/18/97 • to change service levels. The City would be tied to this County contract for ten years. Bruce Leinbach Bruce Leinbach, 1309 Sandy Hill, stated that now the facts are out and West Covina provides better service than the County. He also noted that there are lots of complaints about the County Department of Animal Care and Control dog licensing program. What's going to happen if the City transfers fire service to the County? He spoke to the fact that there are no citizens canvassing the City promoting the passage of Measure B, only the fire fighters. He read from the campaign financial reports which reveal that the fire fighter's committee have so far spent $55,908.00 and collected contributions of $35,280.00, the money being contributed solely by the fire fighters. On the other hand, the citizens' group opposing Measure B have collected $9,186.00 from individual citizens and have spent $6,176.00. Audrey Lynberg Audrey Lynberg, 1311 Golden Vista Drive, noted that there are many residents that do watch the Council meetings. To them she stated: signing the ir.tiative petition does not in any way bind one's vote on the issue; every member of the City Council opposes Measure B; this is a ballot issue about the firemen wanting to go County and is not about any staff member of the City - it is not about Fire Chief Greene; and that the committee welcomes the help of all interested persons. City Manager Starbird recommended that the staff report be received and file, and that the report be distributed to every City in the San Gabriel Valley, that's thirty in total. Motion Motion by Herfert and seconded by Melendez to approve the City Manager's recommendation. Councilmember Herfert noted the importance of the response time and suggested the citizens liken it to the possibility of someday needing emergency medical services. He also corrected misinfor- mation about the City's financial condition. The City is in excellent financial shape and the City has no intention of levying a any kind of a tax to fund fire service. Councilmember Touhey was happy about obtaining the response times and noted that the City of Alhambra would love to receive the statistics too. The City of Alhambra's similar election is one week after West Covina's. Mayor Wong asked for the vote on the pending motion. Motion carried 5-0. Special Meeting Adjournment Motion by Howard and seconded by Herfert to adjourn the special meeting at 9:20 pm. Motion carried 5-0. Recess Mayor Wong called a recess at 9:20 pm. The City Council reconvened at 9:36 pm with all members present. CONSENT CALENDAR Written Communications (none received) Commissions/Summary of Actions (receive & file) Planning Commission 11/6/97 Planning Commission 11/11/97 3 Council Minutes of 11/I8/97 GP 98303 - Whelan Construction Administrative Review Board House Relocation — Categorical Exemption Applicant: Hurst Ranch Historical Foundation/City of W.C. Location: 1233 E. Idahome Street Request: The relocation of a 1,640t square foot single story house and 360f square foot detached garage from 1227 S. Orange Avenue to 1233 Idahome Street. The project as proposed will comply with all applicable requirements of the West Covina Municipal Code. Slight Modification No. 162 — Categorical Exemption Applicant: Brookfield Homes Location: 1523 and 1527 Westridge Road (Lots 7 and 8 of Tract 42169) Request: Approval of a slight modification to allow reduced front yard setbacks of 20 and 21 feet, respectively, rather than the 25 feet normally required in the R-I (Residential Single-family) zone. Award of Bids GP 98303 — Remodel Community Services Dept. at City Hall Recommendation is to accept the bid of Whelan Construction in the amount of $13,466.00 as submitted at the bid opening of 11/10/97 and authorizetheMayor and City Clerk to execute the contract. GP 98305 — Miscellaneous Improvements at Fire Station No. 3 GP 98305 - Recommendation is to accept the bid of Whelan construction in the Whelan Construction amount of $70,940.00 as submitted at the bid opening of 11/10/97 and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the contract. MP 98506 — City Internet Web Site MP 98506 - Recommendation is to direct the Assistant City Manager to prepare Jeff Weiss/Black Diamond and execute a contract with Jeff Weiss/Black Diamond for professional services to design and maintain the City's web page for $42,892 for MP 98506 City Internet Web Site, account 110- 320-3856-7900. Miscellaneous — Public Works Puente Avenue Drain — Approval of Plans and Specifications and Authorizing Use of City Streets Puente Avenue Drain Recommendation is to adopt the following resolution: RESOLUTION NO. 9513 — A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY Resolution 9513 - COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, transferring to County APPROVING CERTAIN PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PUENTE AVENUE DRAIN PROJECT IN THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AND AUTHORIZING THE USE OF PUBLIC STREETS FOR CONSTRUCTION, OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF THESE FACILITIES SP 97108 — Rowland Avenue Street Improvements — Approval of Plans and Specifications SP 97108 - Recommendation is to approve the plans and specifications for SP Plans & Specs approved 97108 and authorize the City Engineer to call for bids. Council Minutes of 11/18/97 Conditions at Baymar Street and Garvey Avenue South Baymar Street - red curb Recommendation is to approve painting the southerly curb of Garvey Avenue South red for 150 feet westerly and 180 feet easterly of Barmar Street. Update on Los Angeles County Review of Traffic Conditions at Valinda Avenue and Summerplace Drive Valinda/Summerplace Recommendation is to receive and file the status report wherein the County traffic officials have indicated that their review of the intersection should be completed by the end of November. Miscellaneous — Community Services Service Contract — Maverick Development Group Maverick Dev. Group Recommendation is to release the approved amount of $25,000 under account 160-320-3815-7700 for Service Contract to Maverick Development Group. Miscellaneous — Environmental Services BKK Landfill Closure Plans Status Report Recommendation is to receive and file the updated report on the status of plans for BKK Landfill closure and other related BKK matters. Miscellaneous — City Manager Ordinance Amending Various Municipal Code Sections Regarding Commissioners' Terms Recommendation is to introduce the following ordinance setting an attendance policy for Commissioners. Ordinance introduction - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE Attendance Policy CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALI- FORNIA, AMENDING VARIOUS WEST COVINA MUNIC- IPAL CODE SECTIONS REGARDING COMMISSIONERS' TERMS CONSENT CALENDAR ACTION Motion by Touhey and seconded by Herfert to waive further reading of the resolutions and ordinance and to adopt/introduce, as applicable, and to approve all other items listed, except: B-3a, B- ad, and B-5f. Motion carried by roll call vote: AYES: Herfert, Howard, Melendez, Touhey, Wong NOES: None B-3a Councilmember Touhey stated that he would need to abstain on the issue of the house relocation by the Hurst Ranch Historical Foundation, as he sits on the Board of Directors. Motion by Herfert and seconded by Howard to approve the house relocation request. Motion carried 4-0-1 with Touhey abstaining. B-5d City Engineer Glover presented the staff report. He stated that his office received today the County's report relative to the inter- section of Valinda and Summerplace and he questioned some of the figures contained therein. A complete report will be submitted to Council at the next meeting. Councilmember Herfert suggested we contact Supervisor Antonovich on this matter. Councilmember Howard suggested notifying the speakers from last time that the item is scheduled for next meeting. . 5 Council Minutes of 11/18/97 • Gloria Vargas Gloria Vargas, 1915 Summerplace Drive, emphasized the need to do something about that intersection. Randall Moyer Randall Moyer, 1852 Summerplace Drive, concurred with Ms. Vargas' comments. Motion by Herfert and seconded by Howard to direct staff to report back to Council with alternatives. Motion carried 5-0. B-5f Councilmember Herfert stated that he would need to abstain from the discussion and vote on this issue (BKK Landfill Closure Plans Status Report). Motion by Touhey and seconded by Howard to receive and file the status report. Motion carried 4-0-1 (abstained due to conflict of interest). PUBLIC WORKS No reports for this meeting. WASTE MANAGEMENT ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (LEA) No reports for this meeting. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES No reports for this meeting. Mayor Wong moved forward the following item for discussion at this time. COUNCILMEMBERS' REPORTS DISTRIBUTION OF LARK ELLEN VILLAGE DEVELOP - Development Park Fees Councilmember Touhey proposed the following distribution of park fees generated by the development of Lark Ellen Village: Grove Center School $25,000 Rowland School $25,000 Workman School $25,000 Traweek Jr. High $25,000 Palm View Park $100,000 Faith Community Church $115,000 The development park fees would be used to pay for improvements at parks, schools, and other recreation projects in Park District `B", the Park District in which Lark Ellen Village is being developed. Motion Motion by Touhey and seconded by Herfert to disburse the money as delineated above. Councilmember Herfert stated his support, noting that Council is basically setting aside the money and it can be moved around later, if need be. Councilmember Howard agreed that if the money was set aside then each project would be reviewed individually as it became time for Council review and approval. She was uncomfortable with spending all the development fees and suggested letting it accumulate for the time being. She noted the difference between using the money for public property enhancements versus private property, as suggested for Faith Community Church. Council will need to be very sure that it doesn't play politics with the money. Mayor Wong could not support the proposal as he preferred to use the budgetary process to determine when and how the develop- N Council Minutes of 11/18/97 ment fees would be used. He was a little concerned that this would set up expectations on the part of the schools too. Mayor Pro Tent Melendez supported Councilmember Touhey's proposal and felt that Council was expediting the process, not • circumventing it. Billy Lewis Billy Lewis, 1631 E. Workman, a volunteer at Faith Community Church, addressed the very large baseball fields at the church and a partnership that could be developed with the City. Don Eckerman Don Eckerman, 1502 Randall Way, director of adult sports at Faith Community Church, talked about the benefits to the community if the baseball fields were lit. Mayor Wong didn't like the appearance of City Council decisions being made without input from the entire Council and the previous comments about lighting the baseball fields indicated that just such discussions have taken place. Action on motion . Mayor Wong asked for a vote on the pending motion. Motion carried 3-2 with Howard and Wong voting no. POLICE DEPARTMENT APPROVAL OF CLASS SPECIFICATIONS FOR PUBLIC SERVICES OFFICER AND RECLASSIFICATION OF JAILER POSITIONS PSO/Jailer Positions Councilmember Herfert explained that he had requested this item to be reagendized because he felt there were job description inaccuracies. Police Chief Distelrath responded. Jacqueline Mandosin Jacqueline Mandosin and Mia Brown, two current jailers, spoke in Mia Brown favor of the new Public Services Officer. They noted that the other jailers were supportive of the PSO position as well. Motion by Herfert and seconded by Touhey to rescind the previous action taken by the Council, approving the Public Services Officer positions. Council discussion followed. Motion carried 3-2 with Howard and Wong voting no. City Manager Starbird stated that the City would move forward to fill the current vacancies under the previous classifica- tions. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Carl Johnson Carl Johnson, 329 N. Orange Avenue and former Fire Chief of Covina, spoke in opposition to Measure B on the upcoming December 9's Special Municipal Election ballot. Royal Brown Royal Brown, 2153 Aroma Drive, noted that Congressman David Dreier would be in the City Hall Council Chambers the following day at 2:00 pm to speak with his constituents. He also addressed a . recent EPA flyer regarding the BKK Landfill cleanup plan. Iris Delameter Iris Delameter, 1212 W. Eckerman, wondered whether the City could inform the citizens about response times as reported in the Fire Chief s staff report. Council Minutes of 11/18/97 r POLICE DEPARTMENT BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE BLOCK GRANT APPLICATION 1997/1999 Police Chief Distelrath presented the staff report. Motion by Howard and seconded by Herfert to direct the • City Manager and Police Chief to proceed with the process on the bureau of Justice Assistance Block Grant Application and direct the Police Chief to coordinate with City Council on the selection of the Advisory Board. Motion carried 5-0. FINANCE DEPARTMENT PURCHASE OF BUSINESS LICENSE SOFTWARE Council reviewed the staff report. Business License Software Motion by Howard and seconded by Herfert to a) authorize the Acting Finance Director to purchase fully networked business license software from HdL Companies at a cost not to exceed $12,000.00 with continuing support at $4,100 (plus CPI increase) annually; and b) appropriate $12,000.00 from unappropriated reserves in the General Fund to account 110-320-2541-7850. Motion carried 5-0. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION No reports for this meeting. APPROVAL OF DEMANDS Motion by Herfert and seconded by Touhey to approve demands totaling $608,710.17 as listed on check registers FI 173547 through 17378.1. Motion carried by roll call vote: AYES: Herfert, Howard, Melendez, Touhey, Wong NOES: None ABSTAIN: Touhey re: Community Food Bank COUNCILMEMBERS' REPORTS Motion by Herfert and seconded by Touhey to hold over this matter to the next Council meeting per Councilmember Touhey's request. Motion carried 5-0. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Herfert and seconded by Melendez to adjourn the meeting at 11:02 pm. Motion carried 5-0. Mayor ATTEST U