01-19-1999 - Regular Meeting - Minutes•
MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
JANUARY 19, 1999
The 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. City Manager Hobbs
gave the invocation and Councilmember Howard led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL Mayor Melendez, Mayor Pro Tern Herfert (arrived at 9:00 pm),
Councilmembers Howard, Touhey, Wong
Others Present: Hobbs, Fields, Pidgeon, Chavarria, Barge, Fong, Collier, Greene,
Paul, Mayer, Wills, Martyn, McIsaac, Fox, Tucker, Garcia, .
Samaniego, Morgan, Berry
APPROVAL OF MINUTES The following minutes were approved as presented:
Special meeting of December 30, 1998
Special meeting of January 4, 1999
Regular meeting of January 5, 1999
PRESENTATIONS Mayor Melendez presented the following individuals with
Certificates of Appreciation for their work on the Rose Parade
Float:
Larry Crain, President of Charisma Floats
Betty Lou Barker, Head Florist of Charisma Floats
Leilah Alimufa, Crew Supervisor of Charisma Floats
Scott Harms, Volunteer (photography)
With the assistance of Employee Recognition Committee Chair
Brian Lee and Personnel Commissioner Gilbert Ramirez, Mayor
Melendez presented a Certificate of Recognition to Public Services
Department Secretary Grace Chavarria. Grace is the recipient of
the bi-annual Employee Recognition Award.
Rose Float Committee Co-chairs Mike Miller and John Hughes
recognized several Rose Float volunteers in the audience by name
who stood up for crowd appreciation. These volunteers had
contributed a lot time and effort to the success of the City's Rose
Float.
HEARING VINTAGE GARDENS SENIOR APARTMENTS —
ISSUANCE OF MULTIFAMILY HOUSING BONDS
Vintage Gardens Mayor Melendez explained that the City Council would consider
the issuance of multifamily housing bonds by the Association of
Bay Area Governments (ABAG) Finance Authority for this project
located at 1950 Badillo Street.
City Clerk Berry verified the affidavit of publication and stated
that the record contained the following documents:
a) A resolution authorizing a joint powers agreement with the
Association of Bag Area Governments Finance Authority, and
Council Minutes of 1/19/99
b) A resolution authorizing issuance of multifamily housing
bonds by the ABAG Finance Authority for non-profit corporations
(Vintage Garden Senior Apartments Project).
Mayor Melendez opened the hearing and Redevelopment Agency
Director Chung presented the staff report.
• 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 regarding this project.
None Mayor Melendez asked for comments in favor of the pro-
posal and then in opposition. No one addressed the City Council.
Testimony closed Mayor Melendez closed the public testimony portion.
City Clerk presented:
Resolution 9648 - RESOLUTION NO. 9648 — A RESOLUTION OF THE
approving the issuance of bonds CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA
APPROVING THE ISSUANCE OF MULTIFAMILY HOUSING
REVENUE BONDS BY THE ABAG FINANCE AUTHORITY
FOR THE NON-PROFIT CORPORATIONS (Vintage Gardens
Senior Apartments Community)
Motion by Howard and seconded by Touhey to waive
further reading of the resolution and adopt. Motion carried 4-0.
Resolution 9649 - RESOLUTION NO. 9649 — A RESOLUTION OF THE
authorizing a JPA CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA
AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A
JOINT EXERCISE OF POWERS AGREEMENT
Motion by Howard and seconded by Touhey to waive
further reading of the resolution and adopt. Motion carried 4-0.
CONSENT CALENDAR Written Communications (receive & file)
Final Report of the West Covina rose Parade Float Committee,
dated January 12, 1999.
Commissions' Summary of Actions (receive & file)
Planning. Commission January 12, 1999
Temporary Use Permits (receive & file)
TUP #2495-98 was issued to the.Community Services Department
to display the City's Rose Parade Float at The Plaza north parking
lot from 1/4/99 to 1/5/99.
Acceptance of Improvements/Release of Bonds
3101 Halsey Court — Dr. Samosh Garg
Recommendation is to accept on and off -site improvements
and release two Certificates of Deposit with Great Western Bank:
Nos. 561-611180-2 and 561-611181-0 totaling $26,011.65.
City Treasurer's Report (receive & file)
Report for the month of November, 1998.
• Miscellaneous — Police Department
Adopting the New Vehicle Release Fee
Recommendation is to authorize the increase of the Vehicle
Release Fee from $55 to $90 and adopt the following resolution:
Resolution 9650 - RESOLUTION NO. 9650 — A RESOLUTION OF THE
Vehicle Release Fee CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALI-
FORNIA, APPROVING THE NEW ABANDONED/STORED
VEHICLE RELEASE FEE
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Council Minutes of 1/19/99
•
Miscellaneous — Public Services
TS 99I20 — Cameron School Flashing Beacons —
Approval of Plans and Specifications
TS 99120 - Recommendation is to take the following actions:
Plans & specs approved a) Establish Project No. TS 99120,
b) Appropriate $25,000 form Community Development Block
Grant reserves to this project; and
c) Approve the plans and specifications for TS 99120 and
authorize the City Engineer to call for bids.
Capital Improvement Program and Building Activity Report —
Fourth Ouarter 1998
Recommendation is to receive and file the informational report.
1998/99 Transportation Development Act (TDA) Funding
Recommendation is to adopt the following resolution:
Resolution 9651 - RESOLUTION NO. 9651 — A RESOLUTION OF THE
TDA funds via SB 821 CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALI-
FORNIA, APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR BICYCLE
AND PEDESTRIAN FUNDS AUTHORIZED UNDER SB-821
AND RECONFIRMING THE ADOPTION OF ITS BICYCLE
AND PEDESTRIAN PLAN
SP 97108 — Request for $67,092 in Supplemental State Funding
for Rowland Avenue Street Rehabilitation
Recommendation is to adopt the following resolution:
Resolution 9652 - RESOLUTION NO. 9652 — A RESOLUTION OF THE
Rowland Ave. street repair CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALI-
FORNIA, APPROVING SUPPLEMENT NO. 003 — STATE -
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PARTNERSHIP' PROGRAM
AGREEMENT NO. SLTPP-5259 AND AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE SAID
SUPPLEMENT NO. 003
SP 97109 — Request for $66,219 in Supplemental State Funding
for Merced Avenue Street Rehabilitation
Resolution 9653 - Recommendation is to adopt the following resolution:
Merced Ave. street repair RESOLUTION NO. 9653 — A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALI-
FORNIA, APPROVING SUPPLEMENT NO. 004 — STATE -
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
AGREEMENT NO. SLTPP-5259 AND AUTHORIZING THE
CITY MANAGER AND CITY CLERK TO EXECUTE SAID
SUPPLEMENT NO. 004
1999 Transportation Improvement Program Call for Projects
Recommendation is to adopt the following resolution:
Resolution 9654 - RESOLUTION NO. 9654 — A RESOLUTION OF THE
MTA call for -projects CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALI-
FORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF APPLICA-
TIONS THROUGH THE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTA-
TION AUTHORITY FOR THE 1999 TRANSPORTATION
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Miscellaneous — Environmental Management'
BKK Landfill Closure Plans Status Report
Recommendation is to receive and file the status report.
Appropriation Transfer Request
Recommendation is to authorize the transfer of funds as outlined in
the staff report to cover the salary of the limited service employee.
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Council Minutes of 1/19/99
•
Miscellaneous — Fire Department
State Joint Apprentice Funding of Equipment
Recommendation is to receive and file the report.
Miscellaneous — Community Services
Additional Appropriation: Senior Meals Program
Senior Meals Program Recommendation is to direct the Finance Director to appropriate
an additional $25,000 against the Senior Meals Program (Acct. No.
146-320-2392-6158).
Mike Miller Mike Miller, 735 E. Herring Avenue, expounded on Item B-1, the
Final Report of the West Covina Rose Parade Float Committee, a
report that he authored.
CONSENT CALENDAR MOTION Motion by Wong 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
Motion carried by roll call vote:
AYES: Howard, Touhey,
NOES: None
ABSENT: Herfert
Item B-6a (Vehicle Release Fees).
Wong, Melendez
Item B-6a Councilmember Touhey explained that he would not vote in favor
of the increase to $90.00 based on previously calculated
information received by Council at the last Council meeting.
City Clerk Berry read the title of the resolution increasing
the vehicle license fees (Resolution No. 9650). Motion by Wong
and seconded by Howard to waive further reading of the resolution
and adopt. Motion carried 3-1 with Touhey voting no.
PUBLIC SERVICES ENGINEERING DIVISION
REVIEW OF TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ON VINE AVENUE
FROM GLENDORA AVENUE TO CITRUS STREET
Vine Avenue traffic Councilmember Touhey stated that Mayor Pro Tem Herfert had
initiated this item and since he was absent, perhaps the item could
be held over.
Motion by Howard and seconded by Touhey to hold this
matter over. Motion carried 4-0.
PLANNING DIVISION
PROPOSED COVINA FREEWAY SIGN
Public Services Director Collier presented the staff report.
Covina Freeway Sign Motion by Howard and seconded by Melendez to authorize
the City Manager to transmit a letter expressing neighborhood
concerns about the sign to the city of Covina Planning Commission
and City Council. Motion carried 4-0.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT No reports for this meeting.
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY Mayor Melendez recessed the City Council meeting at 8:28 pm to
convene the Redevelopment Agency. The City Council recon-
vened at 8:30 pm with all members present, except Mayor Pro Tern
Herfert.
Council Minutes of 1/19/99
•
COMMUNITY SERVICES 1) ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATION: Rose Parade Float
Acting Community Services Director Bommarito presented
the staff report, responding to questions and comments by
Council. Discussion continued regarding the source of
funds to cover the additional $25,000 for Rose Parade Float
costs.
Lee Laue Lee Laue, President of the West Covina Chamber of
Commerce, stated the agreement of the Board of Directors
in the use of BIT funds for the additional requested
$25,000. In response to Councilmember Howard, numerous
positive comments have been received from the business
community in relation to using the BIT funds for the float.
Mike Miller Mike Miller, 735 E. Herring Avenue, Co -Chair of the Rose
Float Committee, discussed the lessons learned from this
first attempt and various phases of the project that would be
changed and enhanced for the next time.
Mayor Melendez spoke highly of the partnership between
the business community and residents of the City with this
project.
Councilmember Howard concurred with his comments;
however would prefer taking the money from some fund
other than BIT, such as the BKK fund.
Councilmember Touhey was satisfied with the Chamber's
concurrence in using BIT funds to cover the additional
$25,000.
Councilmember Wong strongly opposed the use of BIT
funds for this. He was concerned that the Chamber was in
agreement with the use of BIT funds, because the Chamber
is dependent upon the City for the distribution of the BIT
for the Chamber's operating budget.
Mayor Melendez read the Chamber's letter attached to the
staff report that states the Chamber's support for the use of
BIT funds for the $25,000 expenditures.
Councilmember Howard suggested taking a recess for staff
to discuss another fund to offer the Council. She wasn't
ready to approve the BIT for this until she hears more from
the business community.
Recess Mayor Melendez recessed the City Council at 8:52 pm. The City
Council reconvened at 9:03 pm. Mayor Melendez, stated that he
received a request to open the discussion for public comment.
There being no objections from Council, Mayor Melendez asked
for audience participation.
Herfert arrived at 9:00 pm Mayor Pro Tern Herfert arrived at 9:00 pm and stated that he has a
touch of the flu and was watching the Council meeting on
television. He decided to attend the meeting to contribute to the
deliberations.
Lee Laue Lee Laue, President of the Chamber of Commerce, restated
the Board's feelings as reflected in the letter. He was not
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Council Minutes of 1/19/99
aware of any opinions that were not stated at that Board
meeting.
Colleen Janssen Colleen Janssen, 224 N. Sunkist Avenue, suggested that the
BIT be used this year because the support is there from the
Chamber. Funding sources can be different next year.
• Councilmember Wong noted that of the $94,000 raised
toward. the float, much of that was directly from the
business community.
Ms. Bommarito responded that between $50,000 to
$60,000 were sponsorships and donations from the business
community.
Bruce Leinbach Bruce Leinbach, 1308 Sandy Hill Drive, stated that as a
member of the Chamber of Commerce he didn't feel the
Chamber was coerced into agreeing to fund the extra
expenditures from the BIT.
George Ogden George Ogden, West Covina business owner and non-
member of the Chamber of Commerce. He did not oppose
the use of the BIT for the additional expenditures.
Ed Casanova Ed Casanova, 809 Avington Avenue, felt that participating
in the Rose Parade cast the City of West Covina in a very
positive light, which is good for the community. But how
much publicity was generated for the business community?
There were conversations and concerns about the additional
expenditures, but assurances were given to the Board of
Directors that using the BIT funds would not impact the
Chamber. Consequently, the City received a unanimously
from the Chamber.
Paul Gipple Paul Gipple, 125 N. Walnuthaven Drive, noted that the
money has been spent, the horse is already out of the barn,
the Chamber has said yes to the use of more BIT, so
perhaps the answer is to move forward with this. Then,
direction should be given to next year's committee to
handle this differently to avoid this situation.
City Manager Hobbs reviewed the options available at this
point: a)
Business Improvement Tax
b)
General Fund reserves
c)
BKK reserves
d)
RDA promotion account
e)
Use 2000 fundraising monies to repay 1999
expenditures
Discussion continued.
Action Motion by Herfert and seconded by Touhey to approve the
additional appropriation of $25,000 from the Business
Improvement Tax fund for the payment of the 1999 Rose
Parade Float related expenditures. Motion carried 3-1-1
with Wong voting no and Melendez abstaining as he is a
• member of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
2) INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN 2000
TOURNAMENT OF ROSES PARADE
Acting Community Services Director Bommarito presented
the staff report, responding to questions and comments by
Council.
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Council Minutes of 1/19/99
Lee Laue Lee Laue, President of the West Covina Chamber of
Commerce, presented a letter from the Board of Directors
supporting the participation in the 2000 Rose Float Parade
and the use of BIT funds for the $2500 application fee. In
response to Councilmember Wong's request, Dr. Laue gave
• his personal commitment that the BIT would be reimbursed
$2500 out of the first $10,000 raised towards the 2000
float.
Mike Miller Mike Miller, 735 E. Herring Avenue, spoke in support of a
2000 Rose Float and the changes that will be made towards
that effort.
Ed Casanova Ed Casanova, 809 Avington Avenue, also spoke in support.
Paul Gipple Paul Gipple, 125 N. Walnuthaven, spoke favorably too.
John Hughes John Hughes, 1999 Rose Float Co-chair, spoke in support.
Motion by Howard and seconded by Touhey to approve the
acceptance of the invitation to participate in the 2000
Tournament of Roses Parade and appropriate $2500 from
the Business Improvement Tax fund. Motion carried 4-1
with Melendez abstaining.
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS
CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE STATUS
City Attorney Marlyn briefed the City Council on Charter Com-
munication's breach of the City's franchise agreement. She related
that they would be taking a different approach, but not necessarily
one of litigation. There will be thirty days in which negotiations
can still continue, giving the various parties an opportunity to
reach agreement.
Paul Gipple Paul Gipple, 125N. Walnuthaven Drive, asked Mayor Pro Tern
Herfert to explain his position in relation to the issue facing the
City with Charter Communications.
Mayor Pro Tem Herfert responded and noted that his
position regarding Charter Communications remains the same.
Councilmember Howard favored the staff recommendation and
urged the remaining Council to stay united on the issue to
strengthen the City's position.
Letter to Charter Comm. Motion by Howard and seconded by Herfert to authorize the City
Manager to send a formal written demand that Charter
Communications comply with the Franchise Agreement. Motion
carried 5-0.
Councilmember Wong commenced a discussion about Charter
• finalizing their deal with Paul Allen before the last Council
meeting and that that fact was known by Councilmember Herfert
but wasn't shared with the rest of the Council or the City Attorney.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES No reports for this meeting.
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Council Minutes of 1/19/99
•
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION No reports for this meeting.
APPROVAL OF DEMANDS Motion by Herfert and seconded by Melendez to approve demands
in the amount of $701,770.87 and wire transfers in the amount of
$1,315,411.06 for a grand total of $2,017,181.93. .Motion carried
by roll call vote:
AYES: Herfert, Howard, Touhey, Wong, Melendez
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Touhey re Community Food Bank
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Colleen Janssen, 224 N. Sunkist Avenue, discussed the proposed
sale of the City's water enterprise to Suburban Water Systems and
her estimate of its worth. She expressed concern about the
community losing an asset at a bargain price.
MAYOR'S REPORTS No reports for this meeting.
COUNCILMEMBERS' REPORTS No reports for this meeting..
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT No report for this meeting.
ADJOURNMENT Motion by Herfert and si
at 10:12 pm in memory
recently deceased comm
Attest:
l/,G
City -Clerk Janet Berry
Mayor
ed by Touhey to adjourn the meeting
isan Taormina and Stan Smith, two
members. Motion carried 5-0.
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