04-21-1998 - Regular Meeting - MinutesMINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
April 21, 1998
IsThe regular meeting of the West Covina City Council was called to order by Mayor Melendez at 7:47
pm in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina. The invocation was
given by Interim City Manager Glover and the Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilmember
Howard.
ROLL CALL Mayor Melendez, Mayor Pro Tern Herfert, Councilmembers
Howard, Touhey, Wong
Others Present: Glover, Collier, McIsaac, Greene, Keating, Mayer, Pidgeon, Paul,
Bommarito, Tucker, Collins, Wynder, Dillon, Samaniego, Pullin,
Bonaparte, Fong, Lantz, Yauchzee, Yoshizaki, Berry
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion by Touhey and seconded by Howard to approve the
minutes of the following Council meetings:
Special meeting of April 7, 1998
Regular meeting of April 7, 1998
Special meeting of April 14, 1998
Motion carried with Wong and Herfert abstaining in relation to the
April 7 minutes (both absent from meeting).
PRESENTATIONS/PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Melendez presented immediate past Mayor Benjamin
Wong an outgoing Mayor's plaque.
Mayor Melendez proclaimed the week of April 19-25, 1998 as
NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK and presented the proclamation to
Linda Siggins, West Covina Library Manager, and Ericka Carr, the
Children's Librarian.
Mayor Melendez proclaimed the week of April 19-25, 1998 as
GENERAL FEDERATION OF WOMEN'S CLUB and presented
the proclamation to Gloria Vargas of the Women's Club of West
Covina.
Mayor Melendez presented a proclamation congratulating South
Hills Academy on the occasion of their 4& Anniversary the
dedication of a new building to Don Payne, School Principal, and
Ivy Sun, the Executive Director.
Mayor Melendez proclaimed May 7, 1998 as NATIONAL DAY
OF PRAYER and presented the proclamation to Sharon Harville
and Vicky Thibodeaux of Concerned Women for America.
• Mayor Melendez proclaimed the month of May as WEST
COVINA BEAUTIFUL MONTH and presented the proclamation
to Francis Andreozzi of West Covina Beautiful.
Mayor Melendez proclaimed the month of May as MENTAL
HEALTH MONTH and presented the proclamation to Elsie S.
Redline from the Alliance for the Mentally III East San Gabriel
Valley.
Council Minutes of 4/21/98
John Fields, Executive Director of the West Covina Chamber of
Commerce, announced West Covina Day, May 28, at the Rancho
Cucamonga Quakes stadium. He introduced After -Shock, the
mascot, and stated that the Chamber had tickets for $3 each for the
game that day.
HEARING WEED ABATEMENT 1998
City Clerk Berry verified the affidavit of mailing and Mayor
Melendez opened the hearing. The staff report was presented by
Fire Chief Greene.
Public Testimonv Mayor Melendez opened the public testimony portion of the
hearing. City Clerk Berry stated that no written protests or
objections had been received and Mayor Melendez asked for
verbal comments.
None No one addressed the City Council.
Mayor Melendez closed the public testimony portion of the
Testimony closed hearing.
Motion by Herfert and seconded by Howard to order the abatement
of weeds and rubbish on those properties described in Resolution
of Intention No. 9550 (adopted 4/7/98). Motion carried 5-0.
HEARING PUBLIC HEARING ON THE FORMATION OF A
PROJECT AREA COMMITTEE AND ADOPTION OF
GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE ELECTION
OF A PROJECT AREA COMMITTEE FOR THE PRO-
POSED CITYWIDE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
RDA —PAC City Clerk Berry verified the affidavit of publication. Mayor
Melendez opened the hearing and the staff report was presented by
Senior Project Manager Fong.
Public Testimonv Mayor Melendez opened the public testimony portion of the
hearing and City Clerk Berry stated that no written communi-
cations had been received relative to this matter. Mayor Melendez
asked for public comment and the following addressed Council:
Emma Fischbeck Emma Fischbeck, 1137 S. Auburn Drive, expressed her on -going
concerns about redevelopment and how it affects property owners.
She requested that she be considered as a committee member to
attend and help at the meetings. She spoke in opposition to the
expansion of the plan unless it excluded private residences.
Testimony closed There being no others wishing to address Council, Mayor
Melendez closed the public testimony portion of the hearing.
Mr. Yoshizaki responded to Ms. Fischbeck's concerns, clarifying
the process and the necessary steps if eminent domain proceedings
are required. There are no such plans pending at this time.
Councilmember Wong noted that any properties involved
in eminent domain proceedings are compensated at fair market
value.
City Clerk presented:
Resolution 9559 - RESOLUTION NO. 9559 — A RESOLUTION OF THE
Formation of PAC CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA FINDING
THAT A PROJECT AREA COMMITTEE IS NECESSARY TO
EFFECTUATE THE ADOPTION OF THE WEST COVINA
CITYWIDE REDEVELOPMENT PLAN, DIRECTING THAT
FORMATION OF A PROJECT AREA COMMITTEE AND
K
Council Minutes of 4/21/98
•
ADOPTING GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES FOR THE
FORMATION, ELECTION AND OPERATION OF A PROJECT
AREA COMMITTEE FOR THE CITYWIDE REDEVELOP-
MENT PROJECT AREA
Motion by Wong and seconded by Herfert to waive further
reading of the resolution and Exhibit A as amended, and to adopt
the resolution. Motion carried 5-0.
HEARING AMENDMENT TO THE ACTION PLAN 97/98
City Clerk Berry verified the affidavit of publication and Mayor
Melendez opened the hearing. The staff report was presented by
Community Services Manager Bommarito.
Public Testimony Mayor Melendez opened the public testimony portion of the
hearing and asked for comments from the audience. No comments
none were offered and Mayor Melendez closed the public testimony
Testimony closed portion of the hearing.
Motion by Herfert and seconded by Touhey to amend the 1997/98
Action Plan as follows: a) appropriate an additional $1500 for the
Youth Assistance program (131-320-2417-6447) and b) adjust the
Capital Improvement projects as described below:
Project
Project
Original
Adjustments
New
Number
Budget
Budget
Park Barrier Removal
PP 98220
$70,000
($8,500)
$61,500
Fencing/ADA Ramps P. View
PP 98221
10,000
0
10,000
Hockey Netting at Orangewood
PP 98226
15,000
0
15,000
Street Barrier Removal
PP98104
70,000
($8,500)
61,500
Paint Interior Senior Annex
PP 98301
15,000
0
15,000
After School Trailers
PP 97304
80,000
0
80,000
Totals
$260,000
(17,000)
$243,000
Motion carried 5-0.
CONSENT CALENDAR
Written
Communications
(none received)
Commissions/Summary of Actions (receive & file)
Personnel Commission 4/8/98
Planning Commission 4/14/98
Temporary Use Permits (receive & file)
TUP #2441-98 was issued to Friendly Hills for a Health Fair and
radio van at 1300 S. Sunset Avenue on 3/28/98.
TUP #2442-98 was issued to Los Angeles County Animal Control
for a rabies clinic on 6/4/98 at the Cameron Park Youth Center.
Acceptance of Improvements/Release of Bonds
Precise Plan 175 - Location: 342-346 North Azusa Avenue.
Dr. Gregory V. Chew Recommendation is to accept on -site improvements and release
Union Bank of California, N. A., Certificate of Deposit, in the
amount of $20,000.
Ordinance for Adoption (waive reading & adopt)
Ordinance 2014 - ORDINANCE NO. 2014 — AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
reverse vending machine COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA,
standards AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 26 (Zoning)
OF THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO
STANDARDS . FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF REVERSE
VENDING MACHINES (Code Amendment No. 269)
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Council Minutes of 4/21/98
•
CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION Motion by Herfert and seconded by Touhey to waive further
reading of the ordinance/resolutions and adopt, and to approve all
other items listed, except Items B-7c, B-7d, B-8b, and B-8j.
Motion carried by roll call vote:
AYES: Herfert, Howard, Touhey, Wong, Melendez
NOES: None
Items B-7c and B-7d Councilmember Howard noted both items were related to
computer needs and requested staff to a) ensure a cooperative
effort in the upgrading process to avoid a piecemeal approach, and
b) keep abreast of new technology.
Motion by Howard and seconded by Herfert to approve
both items (replacement of master traffic signal computer and
upgrade of autocad software). Motion carried 5-0.
Item B-8b Mayor Pro Tern Herfert noted the lengthy list of Capital Improve-
ment projects and complimented staff for managing the projects
well. He asked staff to check into a flooding problem and sewer
smell in the Police Department basement.
Motion by Herfert and seconded by Howard to receive and
file the status report. Motion carried 5-0.
Item B-8j Mayor Pro Tem Herfert stated that he would need to abstain on this
issue (BKK Landfill closure plans and status report), due to con-
flict of interest laws.
Motion by Touhey and seconded by Howard to receive and
file the status report. Motion carried 4-0-1 with Herfert abstaining.
PUBLIC WORKS
No reports for this meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT
CLEAN-UP SATURDAYS
Clean -Up Saturdays Environmental Management Director Samaniego elaborated on the
staff report.
Motion by Howard and seconded by Touhey to receive and
file the staff report. Motion carried 5-0.
Recess Mayor Melendez recessed the City Council meeting at 8:47 pm.
The City Council reconvened at 8:53 pm with all members present.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
ENHANCEMENT OF CODE ENFORCEMENT SERVICES
Code Enforcement An in-depth staff report was presented by Interim Assistant City
Manager Collier with the assistance of Acting Planning Director
McIsaac. Mr. McIsaac distributed revisions to the proposed ordi-
nance relative to the issuance of correction notices (§15-224(a) —
15-224(c)).
Royal Brown Royal Brown, 2153 Aroma Drive, felt the listed priorities favored
businesses over residences.
Frank Nixon Frank Nixon, 1236 S. Shadydale, discussed an on -going weed
abatement problem on the commercial vacant lot across the street.
C!
Council Minutes of 4/21/98
voting member on the governing board as well as the appointed
staff member on each Risk Management Committee of ICRMA.
Resolution 9560 - RESOLUTION NO. 9560 - A RESOLUTION OF THE
ICRMA representatives CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALI-
FORNIA, APPOINTING SPECIFIC REPRESENTATIVES TO
THE INDEPENDENT CITIES RISK MANAGEMENT
AUTHORITY
Miscellaneous — Police Department
Application for Grant Funds from VAWGO (Violence Against
Women Grant Office)
VAWGO Grant Application Recommendation is to approve the program's application for grant
funds.
Miscellaneous — Finance Department
June 30, 19997 Los Angeles County/West Covina Civic Center
Authoritv June 30. 1997 Audit Reoort
Recommendation is to receive and file the Los Angeles
County/West Covina Civic Center Authority June 30, 1997 audit
report.
June 30, 1997 West Covina Public Financing Authority Joint (A
Joint Powers Agreement) June 30, 1997 Audit Report
Recommendation is to receive and file the JPA West Covina
Public Financing Authority June 30, 1997 Audit Report.
Miscellaneous — Community Services
Outstanding Older American
Outstanding Older American - Recommendation of the Senior Citizens Commission is to select
James W. Labadie James W. Labadie as this year's West Covina Outstanding Older
American.
Miscellaneous — Environmental Management
Electrical Vehicle Loaner
Electrical Vehicle — SCE Recommendation is to authorize the Environmental Management
Director to execute a contract with Southern California Edison
Transportation Division to enter the Electric Vehicle Trails
Program.
BKK Landfill Closure Plans and Status Report
Recommendation is to receive and file the status report.
Miscellaneous — City Manager
Change of Control Request — Metricom_ Inc (adopt resolution)
Resolution 9561 - RESOLUTION NO. 9561 - A RESOLUTION OF THE
Metricom Franchise Agree. CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALI-
FORNIA, APPROVING A CHANGE IN CONTROL OF
METRICOM, INC. PURSUANT TO SECTION 13.2 OF THE
FRANCHISE AGREEMENT ENTERED INTO BETWEEN
• METRICOM, INC. AND THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALI-
FORNIA
Correction of an Oral Report on the Cost of Overtime
Recommendation is to receive and file the corrected spreadsheet
regarding overtime vs regular time for the rank of sergeant in the
Police Department.
Council Minutes of 4/21/98
City Treasurer's Report (receive & file)
City Treasurer Reports of October 1997 through February 1998
Award of Bids
SP 97109 - Merced Avenue Street Improvement
SP 97109 - Recommendation is to accept the bid of Mobassaly Engineering,
Mobassaly Engineering Inc., La Verne, in the amount of $273,005.30 as submitted at the
bid opening of April 7, 1998, and authorize the Mayor and City
Clerk to execute the contract.
SP 98101 — Street Rehabilitation Work at Various Locations
SP 98101 - Recommendation is to accept the bid of CalMat, Azusa, in the
CalMat amount of $476,532.00 as submitted at the bid opening of April 7,
1998, and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the
contract.
Replacement of Master Traffic Signal Computer
Traffic Signal Computer - Recommendation is to authorize the replacement of the City's
Intersection Development Corp. Master Traffic Signal Computer by Intersection Development
Corporation for $15,1565.31 including tax.
Uoerade of Autocad Software
Autocad Software - Recommendation is to authorize the upgrade to six versions of
Upgrade Autocad 14 at a cost of $20,838 to be funded through limited
service and full time employees' salary savings in Traffic
Engineering.
1998 Weed and Rubbish Abatement Contract
1998 Weed Abatement contracts Recommendation is to accept the bids of Gardner Tractor Service
Proposal A — Gardner Tractor in the amount of $8,860.00 for Proposal "A", and Azteca
Proposal B — Azteca Landscape Landscape in the amount of $3,150.00 for Proposal `B", as
presented at the bid opening on April 8, 1998, and authorize the
Fire Chief to execute a contract with both companies.
Miscellaneous — Public Works
PP 96258 — Slope Repair at 1830 & 1832 Arizona Street (Shadow
Oak Villa III) and Reservoir No. 2 —
Approval of Plans and Specifications
PP 96258 - Recommendation is to approve the plans and specifications for PP
Plans & specs approved 96258 and authorize the City Engineer to call for bids.
Capital Improvement Program and Building Activity Report
Recommendation is to receive and file the status report for the first
quarter ending March 31, 1998.
National Pollution Discharge Elimination System, Educational Site
Visit — Memorandum of Understanding with Los Angeles County
Department of Public Works
MOU with L. A. County - Recommendation is to authorize the City Manager to enter into a
NPDES educational program Memorandum of Understanding with Los Angeles County for the
NPDES educational site visit program.
Miscellaneous — Personnel Services
Appointment of Representatives to Independent Cities Risk Man-
agement Authoritv (adopt resolution)
The resolution designates Councilmember Touhey as the City's
primary representative to serve on the Governing Board of ICRMA
and Kermit.Francis, Acting Personnel Director, as the alternate
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Council Minutes of 4/21/98
Bill Robinson Bill Robinson, 1146 E. Louisa Avenue, opposed a volunteer
program to enhance Code Enforcement; the downside could be a
vigilante approach. He suggested making administrative remedies
more available.
Dolores Morris Dolores Morris, La Verne resident owning rental property at 2409
• Rio Verde Drive in West Covina, spoke supportively of Code
Enforcement. She stated that her property faces a constant neigh-
borhood eyesore.
Interim Assistant City Manager Collier responded to the
comments. Mayor Pro Tem Herfert noted that the commercial
vacant lot discussed by Mr. Nixon was an embarrassment. The
City has tried to work with the property owner long enough. He
requested that alternatives relating to that property be agendized
for possible revocation or some other Council action.
Further Council discussion followed regarding the RFP
process and shifting from the current soft -glove approach to a more
pro -active approach.
City Clerk presented:
Ordinance introduction - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
Administrative Fine Process CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER
15, ARTICLE XI TO THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE
ESTABLISHING A PROCEDURE FOR IMPOSING AND
COLLECTING ADMINISTRATIVE FINES FOR VIOLATIONS
OF THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE, as amended
Motion by Herfert and seconded by Wong to waive further
reading of the ordinance and introduce. Motion carried by roll call
vote:
AYES: Herfert, Howard, Touhey, Wong, Melendez
NOES: None
RFP Process Motion by Howard and seconded by Herfert to direct staff to
develop Requests for Proposals for City Prosecutor services and
contract Code Enforcement staffing addressing four components:
a) complete replacement of current full time staff with contract
staff, b) contracting for residential enforcement, c) contracting
for commercial enforcement, and d) contracting for apartment en-
forcement. Motion carried 5-0.
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Mayor Melendez recessed the City Council meeting at 10:30 pm to
convene the Redevelopment Agency. The City Council recon-
vened at 10:40 pm with all members present.
PARKING AUTHORITY
Mayor Melendez recessed the City Council meeting at 10:41 pm to
convene the Parking Authority. The City Council reconvened at
10:42 pm with all members present.
• COMMUNITY SERVICES No reports for this meeting.
'POLICE DEPARTMENT 1) PURCHASE OF A REMOTE VIDEO
Commander Dillon
staff report.
7
Council Minutes of 4/21/98
•
•
E. T. Snell Mr. E. T. Snell, 2318 N. Cameron Avenue, spoke favorably
of the proposal and noted that there were other
technological products available to aid the Police in crime
prevention.
Councilmember Touhey suggested that staff review Prop A
funds for park and ride surveillance.
Video Surveillance System - Motion by Touhey and seconded by Howard to authorize
Viper Industries staff to purchase the lowest bid remote video system from
Viper Industries at a cost of $19,636 plus $1620 tax for a
total cost not to exceed $21,256.00. Motion carried 5-0.
Regarding Ephedrine
2) REQUEST FOR SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION AND
A CITY ORDINANCE DEALING WITH THE SALES
OF EPHEDRINE
Commander Dillon presented the staff report.
Motion by Touhey and seconded by Howard to direct staff
to a) prepare a resolution in support of Senate Bill 1395 and
b) draft an ordinance that will restrict the sales of certain
quantities of cold medications that contain ephedrine or
pseudo -ephedrine. Motion carried 5-0.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES No reports for this meeting.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
APPROVAL OF MINUTES PROCESS
Procedure for Approving Minutes City Clerk Berry presented the staff report.
Motion by Herfert and seconded by Touhey to adopt
minutes using the Unanimous Consent method as suggested in
Robert's Rules of Order. Motion carried 4-01 with Wong voting
no.
APPROVAL OF DEMANDS Motion by Herfert and seconded by Melendez to approve Demands
totaling $757,684.43 as listed on check registers FI 177212
through 177495. Motion carried by roll call vote:
AYES: Herfert, Howard, Touhey, Wong, Melendez
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Touhey re Community Food Bank and the
Rutan & Tucker check until he receives a
ruling from the FPPC
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Royal Brown, 2153 Aroma Drive, reminded the audience to vote
next Tuesday on Measure C and that information is available in the
City Clerk's Office.
E. T. Snell, 2318 N. Cameron Avenue, stated that he is a cable
producer and director; and as such he wanted the Council's per-
mission to aire the taping of the Distelrath hearing that was held in
the Council Chambers.
City Attorney Wynder stated that there were laws
governing images. He also stated that Council was being asked by
a citizen to take action on a matter that was not before them on the
Agenda, a violation of the Brown Act.
K,
Council Minutes of 4/21/98
MAYOR'S REPORTS RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF AB 2194 —
AIR POLLUTION: CLEAN FUELS TECHNOLOGY
The City Council reviewed the staff report.
City Clerk presented:
Resolution 9562 - RESOLUTION NO. 9562 - A RESOLUTION OF THE
• Supporting AB 2194 CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALI-
FORNIA, SUPPORTING ASSEMBLY BILL 2194 (Washington)
AIR POLLUTION: CLEAN FUELS TECHNOLOGIES
Motion by Howard and seconded by Herfert to waive
further reading of the resolution and adopt. Motion carried 5-0.
COUNCILMEMBERS' REPORTS
The City Council commended the Community Services
Department for the excellent Easter Egg Hunt at Cortez Park.
ADJOURNMENT
Attest:
City Clerk Janet Berry
•
Mayor Pro Tem Herfert requested staff to agendize the subject
matter of a joint dinner meeting with all the commissioners.
The City Council encouraged everyone to vote on Measure C at
the special municipal election on Tuesday, April 28. Absentee
voting may take place at the City Clerk's Counter.
Motion by Howard and seconded by Herfert to adjourn the meeting
at 11:15 pm. Motion carried 5-0. ,
0