01-05-1999 - Regular Meeting - Minutes•
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 5, 1999
The regular meeting of the West Covina City Council was called to order by Mayor Melendez at 7:40
pm in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina. City Manager Hobbs
gave the invocation and Councilmember Wong led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL Mayor Melendez, Mayor Pro Tern Herfert, Councilmember
Howard, Touhey, Wong
Others Present: Hobbs, Fields, Pidgeon, Panas, Bommarito, Martyn, Chung,
Samaniego, Keating, Fox, Mayer, Paul, Fong, Janis, Garcia,
McIsaac, McDonald, Collier, Wills, Schimanski, Berry
APPROVAL OF MINUTES The following minutes were approved as presented:
Special meeting of November 16, 1998
Special meeting of December 15, 1998
Regular meeting of December 15, 1998
PRESENTATIONS City Manager Hobbs introduced the newly appointed Personnel
Director, Carol Fox.
Mayor Melendez presented Certificates of Appreciation to the
Rose Parade Executive Committee Volunteers for their work on
the City's Rose Parade Float:
Councilmember Touhey, Co-chair Fundraising sub -committee
Mike Miller, Co-chair Rose Float Committee
John Hughes, Co-chair Rose Float Committee
Gloria Vargas, Secretary Rose Float Committee
Lee Laue, Co-chair Fundraising sub -committee (absent)
Rob Sotelo, Co-chair Volunteer sub -committee
Marilyn Jessup, Co-chair Volunteer sub -committee
George Ogden, Co-chair Publicity sub -committee
Bill Singleton, Co-chair Publicity sub -committee
Susan Weesner, Volunteer
Frank Michaud, Volunteer
Mayor Melendez proclaimed Tuesday, January 12, 1999 as Blood
Donor Day in the City of West Covina and presented the
proclamation to Joe Ayer, Field Representative for American Red
Cross Blood Services.
Mr. Nelson Hernandez of the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development gave a short presentation on the HUD
programs in West Covina.
HEARINGS No City Council hearings scheduled for this meeting. However,
Mayor Melendez recessed the City Council meeting at 8:15 pm to
convene the. Redevelopment Agency. There was a scheduled
hearing on the Agency's Agenda. The Redevelopment Agency
adjourned at 8:0 pm, at which time the City Council reconvened
with all members present.
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PUBLIC SAFETY
Mayor Melendez moved forward the following. Agenda item for
consideration at this time.
COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT
CABLE TELEVISION NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE
The City's special counsel regarding cable issues, Bill
Marticorena, presented the staff report. He discussed the history of
Charter Communications' cable franchise in West Covina up
through the current negotiation process involving Charter
Communications and its potential transfer to Paul Allen. He
presented the City's position and addressed many issues, including
continuing, or increasing, the current funding source from Charter
towards public access.
William Eastham William Eastham, Director of Broadcasting at Mt. San Antonio
College. He presented the evolution of today's outstanding, cable
channel, WCCT, since its inception twelve years ago. Further
enhancements and state -of -the art equipment is coming within this
next year. He hoped the City Council can find a way to continue
the unique partnership between the City and the college.
Pat Rasmussen Pat Rasmussen, Vice -President of Institutional Advancement at
Mt. San Antonio College. She discussed the working relationship
and the benefits received by the City and the students at Mt. Sac.
through the joint program.
Council Discussion Mayor Pro Tern Herfert stated that the problem is that Charter
Communications has offered the City $600,000 as a one-time PEG
(Public, Education, and Government) access funding with the
current franchise transfer and the City is looking for $1.6 million.
He suggested the matter be referred to a subcommittee of the City
Council and the cable company for resolution. .
Councilmember Touhey favored Mr. Herfert's suggestion to refer
this to a City Council subcommittee.
Councilmember Wong stated that he would not support a Council
sub -committee because 1) this is a very complicated issue and 2) it
would compromise the Council's actions.
Councilmember Howard wondered aloud if Charter was willing to
put in $1 million last year before the offer to transfer came from
Paul Allen, why is Charter unwilling to put in $1 million now after
Paul Allen's offer. She questioned the legality of a Council sub-
committee negotiating this matter.
Mayor Melendez stated that the City is asking Charter to continue
the status quo, just maintain the same level of funding as in the
past. He felt the City has an excellent attorney representing the
City and wanted to move forward in the current direction. The
report was received and filed.
Recess Mayor Melendez called a recess at 9:19 pm. The City Council.
reconvened at 9:35 pm with all members present.
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CONSENT CALENDAR Written Communications (receive & file)
Letter dated December 18, 1998 received from San Gabriel Valley
Water Company informing the City that water in one of their wells
was found to contain a certain contaminant in excess of a
• Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL). The letter states that the
water from the well is being treated (and has been routinely
treated) before it enters the water distribution system for delivery
to the company's customers. The treated water received by the
customers does not exceed the MCL and meets all State and
Federal safe drinking water standards.
Commissions' Summary of Actions (receive & file)
Community Services 1 12/08/98
Personnel 10/14/98, 11/11/98, 12/9/98
Senior Citizens' 12/10/98
Waste Mgmt./Env. Quality 12/17/98
Claims for Action (deny & notify claimant)
On August 19, 1998, the City Clerk's office received a claim from
Stephanie Mips for bodily injury and property damage amounting
to $84.97.
On September 30, 1998, the City Clerk's Office received a claim
from David Hawes for personal injury. The amount of the claim
had not been determined at time of filing.
On October 16, 1998, the city Clerk's Office received a claim from
Fausto Rodriguez, Fausto Rodriguez, Jr., Virginia Saleeby, Maria
Garcia and the Estate of Ada Rodriguez. for damages as a result of
the wrongful death of Ada Rodriguez. the amount of the claim had
not been determined at time of filing.
Traffic Committee Minutes (accept & file)
Minutes of the regular meeting held December 15, 1998.
Temporary Use Permits (receive & file)
TUP #2493-98 was issued to West Covina Chrysler at 298 N. Azusa
Avenue for a tent sale on 12/24/98 to 12/31/98.
TUP #2494-98 was issued to McDonalds at 100 N. Azusa Avenue
for a roof balloon on 12/17/98 to 12/31/98.
Miscellaneous — Community Services Department
Additional Appropriation Rose Parade Float
Recommendation is to approve an additional appropriation of
$25,000 against the Business Improvement Tax Fund (118-320-
2430-6206) for the payment of Rose Parade float related expendi-
tures.,
Reapplication for Older Americans Act Funds
Recommendation is to adopt the'following resolution authorizing
• the Community Services Director to solicit senior meal grant funds
from the Los Angeles County Area Agency on Aging under Title
III -CI of the Older Americans Act:
Resolution 9646 - RESOLUTION NO. 9646 — A RESOLUTION OF THE
Senior Citizen Meals CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALI-
FORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF A
PROPOSAL FOR COMPETITIVE GRANT FUNDS FOR THE
SENIOR CITIZENS MEALS PROGRAM
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Application ofMTA Funds: Call for Projects
Recommendation is to adopt he following resolution authorizing
the Community Services director to apply for competitive funds
through the Metropolitan Transportation Authority:
Resolution 9647 - RESOLUTION NO. 9647 — A RESOLUTION OF THE
MTA funds re shuttle service CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALI-
FORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF AN
APPLICATION THROUGH THE METROPOLITAN TRANS-
PORTATION AUTHORITY FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE
WEST COVINA SHUTTLE
CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION Motion by Howard and seconded by Touhey to waive further
reading of the resolutions and adopt, and to approve all other items
listed on the Consent Calendar, except Item B-6a. Motion carried
by roll call vote:
AYES: Herfert, Howard, Touhey, Wong, Melendez
NOES: None
Item B-6a Councilmember Wong expressed concern about taking another
$25,000 from the BIT to pay the additional expenses for the Rose
Float, particularly without a recommendation from the Chamber of
Commerce Executive Committee. Discussion ensued.
Motion by Herfert and seconded by Howard to authorize
staff to take the $25,000 from the City Council's budget for now
and staff to contact the Chamber of Commerce and report back
with a more appropriate funding source. Motion carried 5-0.
PUBLIC SERVICES
No reports for this meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
AGREEMENT WITH BROWN, VENCE & ASSOCIATES,
INC. TO PROVIDE A THIRD -PARTY REVIEW OF
ATHENS SERVICES CURBSIDE RECYCLING PROPOSAL
Environmental Management Director Samaniego presented the
staff report.
Brown, Vence & Asso. Motion by Howard and seconded by Herfert to authorize
the City Manager to execute an agreement with Brown, Vence &
Associates, Inc. for the third -party review of Athens Services'
Curbside Recycling Proposal for a cost of $19,846. Motion carried
5-0.
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY The Redevelopment Agency agenda was disposed of earlier in the
meeting.
COMMUNITY SERVICES No reports for this meeting.
PUBLIC SAFETY POLICE DEPARTMENT
PROPOSED INCREASE IN THE VEHICLE RELEASE FEE
Police Chief Wills presented the staff report and responded to
Council questions and comments.
Vehicle Release Fees Council discussed the Police Department's proposed
increase to $80.00 versus increasing it further to $90.00 as
suggested by Councilmember Wong. Councilmembers Touhey
and Herfert felt the written backup material supported an increase
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Aerial Ladder Fire Truck
to $80.00, and without additional written information supporting
an additional $10.00 were not comfortable approving the higher
amount.
Motion by Wong and seconded by Howard to approve an
increase of the vehicle release fee to $90.00. Motion carried 3-2
with Herfert and Touhey voting no.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
REPLACEMENT OF AERIAL LADDER FIRE TRUCK
Fire Chief Greene presented the staff report and responded to
Council questions and comments.
Councilmember Touhey expressed his preference for the
Fire Department to pursue an RFP process, rather than
piggybacking on the City of Los Angeles' bid. .
Motion by Howard and seconded by Wong to take the
following actions:
a) Find that the City of Los Angeles' bidding
procedures are as stringent as those employed by the City of West
Covina,
b) Find that Jay Bressler Fire and Reserve Apparatus
Bid No. M2280 to the City of Los Angeles meets or exceeds all bid
requirements of the City of West Covina and waive the
procurement procedures required under WCMC § 2-330,
c) Authorize staff to issue an Intent to Purchase letter
for a 100 foot LTI/Spartan Apparatus at a cost not to exceed
$650,000.
Motion included a repayment schedule of ten years. The
motion carried 4-1 with Touhey voting no.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES No reports for this meeting.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION No reports for this meeting.
APPROVAL OF DEMANDS AND WIRE TRANSFERS
Motion by Herfert and seconded by Touhey to approve demands
totaling $1,090,546.43 as listed on check registers No. 182465
through No. 182798. Motion carried by roll call vote:
AYES: Herfert, Howard, Touhey, Wong, Melendez
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Touhey re Community Food Bank
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS John Scheuplein, Personnel Commissioner, complained that he had
submitted an attachment to the Personnel Commission Summary of
Actions and it was not attached or included in the Council packet.
City Manager Hobbs stated that staff would report back to
Council regarding protocol of such matters, given that Personnel
matters are sometimes confidential. Perhaps there was a reason
Mr. Scheuplein's submittal was omitted.
MAYOR'S REPORTS No reports for this meeting.
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COUNCILMEMBERS' REPORTS
Mayor Pro Tern Herfert reminded the citizens that Christmas Tree
recycling begins this week. He also requested that the Planning
Commission review promotional automobile corporate events.
Councilmember Touhey noted that gas station/food. places are not
• yet addressed in the Municipal Code.
Public Services Director Collier stated that an amendment
to the Municipal Code is coming soon to the Council and includes
that subject matter, among others.
CITY MANAGER'S ORAL REPORTS
City Manager Hobbs requested Public Services Director Collier to
elaborate on recent progress with the Code Enforcement process.
Mr. Collier responded.
ADJOURNMENT Motion by Howard and seconded by Touhey to adjourn the
meeting at 10:45 pm in memory of John Bechtel and Joe Dunn,
with sympathy to their sirviving families. Motion carried 5-0.
Attest:
City Clerk Janet Ber
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