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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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