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01-12-1999 - Special Meeting - Minutese MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL AND THE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION • JANUARY 12, 1999 The joint meeting of the West Covina City Council and the Community Services Commission was called to order by Mayor Melendez at 7:15 pm at the Shadow Oak Center, 2121 Shadow Oak Drive, West Covina. ROLL CALL City Council Mayor Melendez, Councilmembers Herfert, Howard, Touhey, Wong Community Services Commission Chairman Michaud, Johnson, McBride, Puchalski, Singleton, Sotelo, Valles, Vargas Absent: Commissioner Redondo Others Present: Hobbs, Fields, Bommarito, Collier, King, Rush, Morgan, Garcia, Jones, McDonald, Wills, Schimanski, Berry SHADOW OAK PARK ISSUES AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT Mayor Melendez welcomed the community members to the meeting and stated that the purpose of the meeting is to receive comments on 1) any outstanding issues/problems surrounding Shadow Oak Park, and 2) developing the lower portion of Shadow Oak Park that is currently unimproved. Mayor Melendez reported on another project. The City has requested responses from reputable firms to an RFP to study the possibility of constructing a multi -purpose facility/center at one of the following locations: Azusa/Amar, Aroma/Azusa, Rincon Middle School; Shadow Oak Park, Cameron Youth Center, Glendora/Vine, Wescove Theater, and Palm View Park. Mayor Melendez then introduced the remaining members of Council and the Community Services Commission, and several staff members. Staff presentations Acting Community Services Director Bommarito presented the staff report. She reported on the issues surrounding Shadow Oak Park and the steps taken to date to alleviate the neighbors' concerns. She then summarized the brief history in the actions taken up to this point in relation to developing the lower portion of the park. Ms. Bommarito drew the audience's attention to two flip charts. Ideas and comments relating to the completion of the lower portion of the park will be listed on one and any other • miscellaneous items to be addressed at a later time will be listed on the other. Police Chief Wills addressed crime level in the area versus the City as a whole and noted that Shadow Oak Park is the safest park in the City. Statistics show that this park receives more police attention than other park because of its secluded location and numerous paseos. Minutes of 1/12/99 .• Acting Community Services Director Bommarito reported on the park facility and park use issues. She noted the programs are monitored to match community desires, park lights are on timers, and in conjunction with the Maintenance Department upkeep the park acreage. Public Services Director Collier discussed the issue of noise and I trash complaints, both during park hours and off -hours. He related the current level of park maintenance at all City parks within the confines of Proposition 218 and the defeat of Measure C. Public Questions of Staff Paul Tecson, 2930 Elena Avenue, noted the proliferation of shopping carts and asked what could be done about them. Mr. Collier related the problems with shopping carts and the possibility of adopting an ordinance addressing the nuisance. Curtis Hedland, 1542 W. Workman. Avenue, wondered why Rincon School was considered as one of the potential sites for the multi -facility. Mayor Melendez noted that a large number of West Covina residents surround Rincon School with many West Covina students. There have been very few improvements to the south end of the City and if there is going tobe such a facility, Rincon should be in the list of locations for consideration. Mario Ramero, 2708 Glenhurst Place, expressed concern about public safety if more people are drawn to the park with additional improvements. Also, if a new facility is built, how does the City plan to maintain it financially? Mr. Collier stated that the City always considers the cost of maintaining an improvement as well as the cost of constructing it. It is important to understand the ongoing costs before its approved. Jack Reed, 3045 Cecelia Street, complained about the early morning activities and noise from the park before the park opens. Commissioner Sotelo reported that he has spoken to the basketball league regarding the start times of their games and the noise problems. They are accommodating his requests. Terry Galzote, 742 N. Hartley, asked for more police presence in the area of Amar and Azusa in light of the recent robbery in that area. Police Chief Wills reported that since that incident the police officers are introducing themselves to all the storeowners and discussing related matters. He felt there might be some environmental changes that could be done to assist in crime prevention. Porfi Gonzales, 3025 Cecelia Street, stated the noise level emanating from the park has improved since Commissioner Sotelo visited the basketball league. He suggested a library be con- structed on the lower portion on the park. If a gym is the chosen facility, then perhaps it could include a swimming pool. He asked if the City had an ordinance requiring residents to maintain their landscaping. Ms. Bommarito reiterated the Mayor's earlier statements in that the City is in the preliminary stages of studying the possibility of erecting a gym or multi -purpose facility. As the project progresses, the City will hold meetings and public hearings for citizen input. 2 Minutes of 1/12/99 Mr. Collier stated that the City does have a landscape main- tenance ordinance and questions and complaints may be directed to the Code Enforcement Officers in the Building/Engineering Department at City Hall. Paul Tecson, 2930 Elena Avenue, noted the sidewalks and median • islands are in need of maintenance and asked for a status of the empty businesses on the southwest corner of Amar and Azusa. Mayor Melendez suggested another meeting at Amar and Azusa to discuss the transition of new businesses into that center. Roberta Azpeitia, 1740 Oak Ridge Circle, questioned restrictions if a City multi -purpose center, was located on school property. Robert Ngo, 2430 Arline Street, apologized as a member of the basketball league for the noise. He also favored a gym at Shadow Oak Park. Curtis Hedlund, 1542 W. Workman Avenue, asked if a gymnasium was built at Rincon School, would the City have full control of it. Luis Tolentino, 1239 Adul Street, as a member of the basket ball group, he requested the following items: a) additional maintenance to be done on the court, b) storage space in the rest -room, and c) another basketball court. Terry Galzote, 742 N. Hartley, spoke about a statute of a national hero in front of Seafood City. Mr. Collier responded that it was his understanding that Seafood City requested that particular site for the statute. Porfi Gonzales, 3025 Cecelia Street, thanked the Council for the Rose Parade Float. Alfaro Parris, 717 E. Michelle, felt that Shadow Oak Park is rather far for the students on the north side, such as West Covina High School, to come to a gym. Comments re Shadow Oak Mayor Melendez commenced public input on the possibility of an improvement on the lower portion of Shadow Oak Park. He noted that the cost of the project would have an impact on the type of facility finally constructed. Rico Rafols, 3610 S. Nogales Street, supported the concept of the gym at Shadow Oak Park or a second basketball court. Dr. Ronald Leon, Rowland Unified School District Superintendent, proposed a partnership with the City for the use of Rincon School as the site for a multi -purpose center and related peripheral issues such as custodial work, security, etc. Jerry Davenport, President of the Board of Education, Rowland Unified School District, spoke in favor of expanding recreational • facilities into the southern portion of West Covina, particularly at Rincon School. Curtis Hedland, 1542 W. Workman Avenue, spoke as president of West Covina Youth Basketball. He supported the concept of a gym in West Covina, but not necessarily located on a school site. 3 Minutes of 1/12/99 Andy Janawa, 432 Sandy Hook, encouraged Council to consider something other than a sports facility, such as an art center or a performing arts center. Georgina Navarro, 19029 Hollingworth Street, stated the multi- purpose facility is a wonderful idea, but the location at Rincon - School is not good. She favored Shadow Oak Park was a better location. Ed Casanova, 809 Avington Avenue, felt that there were a lot of things that need to be done in West Covina and they won't get done without joint efforts. He favored the Cameron Park Youth Center as the location for the multi -purpose facility. Lucilene Tolentino, 1239 Adul Street, supported the building of a gymnasium at Shadow Oak Park. Dr. Catherine Carter, 3003 Hollingworth Street, Principal of Hollingworth School, spoke favorably for a multi -purpose center at Rincon School for the entire neighboring community, not just the students. Tony Ambriz, 3901 Ellsford Avenue, presented a letter by twenty five neighbors adjacent to Rincon School in opposition to a facility at Rincon. They prefer a facility be constructed at Shadow Oak Park. Roberta Azpeitia,.1740 Oak Ridge Circle, felt that based on the comments this evening a facility should not be constructed on a school site. She suggested a,facility at the south end and perhaps one at the north side. Jack Reed, 3045 Cecelia Street, suggested Shadow Oak Park as the location for a multi -purpose facility for a variety of advantageous . reasons. John Casato, 2800 E. Hollingworth, Principal of Rincon Inter- mediate School, spoke highly for a facility for youths and adults to meet for recreational activities. He submitted a stack of letters from the students at Rincon School favoring a facility at their school. In response to Mayor Melendez, he didn't feel that having the facility on the school campus would preclude use by the community during the daytime. America Adame, 4001 S. Ellsford Avenue, stated that she lives directly across Rincon School playground, which is where the entrance to the facility would be situated. She spoke in opposition to the facility being constructed on the school site, although she favored a facility for the community. Eddie Perez, 1357 E. Idahome Street, favored a gymnasium at Cameron Park and against a facility constructed on school property. • Final Comments Acting Community Services Director Bommarito clarified with the audience that the only items they have suggested for the development of the lower portion at Shadow Oak Park are: a) a gym b) a library. There were no additional or opposing comments to her statement. 11. Minutes of 1/12/99 • Councilmember Touhey noted that the library system falls under the jurisdiction of the County, not the City. Mayor Melendez asked for comments from the commissioners. Commissioner Sotelo stated his excitement in working with the residents in the southern part of West Covina. Commissioner Vargas agreed with Ms. Azpeitia in seeking two locations for two facilities in West Covina. Commissioner Michaud appreciated the offering from the Rowland Unified School District and would like to challenge the Covina Valley Unified School District and the West Covina Unified School District to contact the City and work together as units. The City Council stated their appreciation to the citizens for their participation and comments. They were particularly grateful to the Rowland Unified School District for coming forward in stating their desire to work with the City for the improvement of the south side of the City. The Council noted that financial constraints will limit the kind of multi -purpose facility to be constructed and the location is still in the study stage. The input from the citizens is invaluable in helping the City Council reach a decision, although that it some way off. Mayor Melendez commenced a round of appreciative applause to the Rowland Unified School District representatives in attendance for initiating their proposal. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Melendez adjourned the Meeting at 9:21 pm. Attest: City Clerk Janet Berry