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02-02-1999 - Regular Meeting - Minutes• MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL February 2, 1999 The regular meeting of the West Covina City Council was called to order by Mayor Melendez at 7:55 pm in the West Covina City Hall Council Chambers, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue South. Dr. Kundan Peter of West Covina Methodist Church gave the invocation and Councilmember Touhey led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Mayor Melendez, Mayor Pro Tem Herfert, Councilmember Howard, Touhey, Wong Others Present: Hobbs, Fields, Martyn, Collier, Mayer, McIsaac, Bommarito, Briley, Keating, Greene, Schimanski, Pidgeon, Fox, Morgan, Samaniego, Wills, Berry APPROVAL OF MINUTES Councilmember Wong corrected page seven of the 1/19/99 regular City Councilminutes to reflect Councilmember Herfert by name. The following minutes were approved as presented, and as corrected above: Special meeting of December 11, 1998 Special meeting of January 19, 1999 Regular meeting of January 19, 1999 PRESENTATION With the assistance of Acting Community Services Director Bommarito, Mayor Melendez received a $4,000 grant from Sal Failla of Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation. HEARING CODE AMENDMENT NO. 284 — ATHLETIC CLUBS AND GYMNASIUMS — PARKING REQUIREMENTS — GENERAL EXEMPTION Code Amendment 284 Mayor Melendez explained that this code amendment would provide greater flexibility for establishing parking requirements for gyms and health clubs. City Clerk Berry verified the affidavit of publication and City Planner McIsaac presented the staff report. Public Testimonv Mayor Melendez opened the public testimony portion of the hear - none ing and asked for comments, either in favor of or in opposition to the code amendment. No one addressed the City Council and the Testimony closed public testimony portion of the hearing was closed. City Clerk presented: Ordinance introduced - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF Code Amendment 284 WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 26 (ZONING) OF THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO PARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR GYMNASIUMS AND ATHLETIC CLUBS (Code Amendment No. 284) Motion by Herfert and seconded by Touhey to waive further reading of the ordinance and introduce. Motion carried by roll call vote: AYES: Herfert, Howard, Touhey, Wong, Melendez NOES: None Council Minutes of 2/2/99 HEARING CODE AMENDMENT NO. 285 — SERVICE STATION REGULATIONS — FAST FOOD, CAR WASHES, AND CONVENIENCE SALES — • GENERAL EXEMPTION Code Amendment 285 Mayor Melendez explained that the proposed amendment would allow fast food restaurants in conjunction with service stations, and allow for more expanded convenience food sales and car washes in conjunction with service stations. City Clerk Berry verified the affidavit of publication. City Planner McIsaac presented the staff report. Public Testimonv Mayor Melendez opened the public testimony portion of the hearing and asked for comments either in favor of or in opposition none to the amendment. No one addressed the City Council and Mayor Testimony closed Melendez closed the public testimony portion of the hearing. City Clerk presented: Ordinance introduced - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF Code Amendment 285 WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CERTAIN SECTIONS OF CHAPTER 26 (ZONING) OF THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATED TO ACCESSORY COMMERCIAL USES OF SERVICE STATION SITES (Code Amendment No. 285) Motion by Wong and seconded by Howard to waive further reading of the ordinance and to introduce. Motion carried by roll call vote: AYES: Herfert, Howard, Touhey, Wong, Melendez NOES: None CONSENT CALENDAR Written Communications (receive & file) Letter received on January 25, 1999 from Michael Miller regarding Variable Rate Schedule for Waste Collection. Commissions' Summary of Actions (receive & file) Community Services 1/12/99 Planning 1/19/99 Senior Citizens' 1/14/99 Waste Management & Envir. Quality 1/21/99 Claims for Action (deny & notify claimant) on October 19, 1998, the City Clerk's Office received a claim from Guido Marucut for monetary loss in the amount of $355.00. Temporary Use Permits (receive & file) TUP #2496-99 was issued to A-1 Rentals (West Covina Nissan) at 1840 E. Garvey Avenue South for a tent sale from 1/14/99 to 2/l/99. Acceptance of Improvements/Release of Bonds • Longo Motorcars (Penske Plaza) Location: 2004 and 2010 E. Garvey Avenue South Recommendation is to accept on and off -site improvements for Precise Plan No. 756, Revision 2, and release Cash Performance Guarantee in the amount of $81,150.00. Traffic Committee Minutes (accept & file) Minutes of the regular meeting held January 19, 1999. Council Minutes of 2/2/99 • City Treasurer's Report (receive & file) Report for the month of December, 1998. Miscellaneous — Community Services SCMAF Grant — Acceptance of Funds Recommendation is to take the following actions: a) Accept the SCMAF Community Sports Grant in the amount of $4,000; and b) Appropriate $4,000 to the sports supply account 111-320- 2384-6240 to be used for the purchase of the Little Shots Program start-up supplies and equipment. Miscellaneous — Public Services SP 98102 and SP 98105 — Citrus & Cameron Street Rehabilitation Approval of Plans and Specifications SP 98102 & 98105 Recommendation is to approve the plans and specifications for SP Plans & specs approved 98102 and SP 98105, and authorize the City Engineer to call for bids subject to authorization form the State of California Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Adminis- tration. Renewal of the Citywide Lighting and Maintenance District and Landscape Maintenance District Nos. 4, 6, and 7 — Ordering of Engineer's Reports (adopt resolutions) Resolution 9655 - RESOLUTION NO. 9655 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY Citywide Lighting & Maint.. COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, ORDERING THE CITY ENGINEER TO PREPARE AND FILE A REPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH PROPOSITION 218 AND ARTICLE 4, CHAPTER 1, PART 2, "LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ACT OF 1972", BEING DIVISION 15, STREETS AND_ HIGHWAYS CODE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ORDERING CERTAIN LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE IN THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, FOR THE SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING 7ULY 1, 1999. West Covina Lighting and Maintenance District Resolution 9656 - RESOLUTION NO. 9656 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY MD No. 4 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, INITIATING PROCEEDINGS FOR THE CONFIRMATION OF THE WEST COVINA LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DISTRICT NO. 4's LEVY AND COLLECTION OF ASSES- SMENT WITHIN THAT DISTRICT PURSUANT TO PROPOSI- TION 218 AND THE LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ACT OF 1972 FOR FISCAL YEAR 1999-2000. West Covina Landscape Maintenance District No. 4 (1999-2000) Resolution 9657 - RESOLUTION NO. 9657 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY MD No. 6 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, INITIATING PROCEEDINGS FOR THE CONFIRMATION OF THE WEST COVINA LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DIS- TRICT NO. 6's LEVY AND COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENT WITHIN THAT DISTRICT PURSUANT TO PROPOSITION 218 AND THE LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ACT OF 1972 FOR FISCAL YEAR 1999-2000. West Covina Landscape Maintenance District No 6 (1999-2000) Resolution 9658 - RESOLUTION NO. 9658 — A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY MD No. 7 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, INITIATING PROCEEDINGS FOR THE CONFIRMATION OF THE WEST COVINA LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE DIS- 3 Council Minutes of 2/2/99 • TRICT NO. 7's LEVY AND COLLECTION OF ASSESSMENT WITHIN THAT DISTRICT PURSUANT TO PROPOSITION 218 AND THE LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING ACT OF 1972 FOR FISCAL YEAR 1999-2000. West Covina Landscatie Maintenance District No. 7 (1999-2000) Southern California Association of Governments 1998 Regional Transportation Plan Forecasts Recommendation is to approve the draft 1998 RTP population, household and employment estimates attached to the staff report as Exhibit A (as modified by staff) and instruct staff to communicate. its approval to SCAG by February 15, 1999. Approval of Funding for the Lease of Valencia Heights Water Company Property Sale of Valencia Heights Recommendation is to take the following actions: Water Co. property a) Establish PP 99220 for the Valencia Heights Lease/Purchase (Finance No. 39620770). b) Approve the transfer of $3,840 in Park Funds (163) from PP 99210 (Finance No. 3910) to PP 99220. c) Appropriate $2,000 in unappropriated Park Funds (163) to PP 99220. d) Transfer $1,418 in Construction Tax Funds (161) from PP 95223 (Finance No. 3639) to PP 99220. e) Appropriate $2,742 in unappropriated Construction Tax Funds (161) to PP 99220. Mayor Melendez stated that there were a few speaker cards for the Consent Calendar and the following individuals addressed Council: Mike Miller Mike Miller, 735 E. Herring Avenue, addressed his written com- munications item ( B-1) relative to trash collection variable rates. Colleen Janssen Colleen Janssen, 224 N. Sunkist Avenue, requested a clarification of the funds being used in connection with the Valencia Heights Water Company property (B-8e). Public Services Director Collier responded that Con- struction Tax funds are not the same as Park Dedication fees and that the City is proposing the use of Park Dedication fees.. Councilmember Wong stated that due to conflict of interest laws he would abstain from the discussion and vote on the following two items: Resolution 9658 regarding Maintenance District No. 7 and the issue involving the Valencia Heights Water Company. CONSENT CALENDAR ACTION 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 with the exception of Items B-8c and B- 8e as noted above. Motion carried by roll call vote: AYES: Herfert, Howard, Touhey, Wong, Melendez NOES: None Items B-8c and B-8e Motion by Howard and seconded by Touhey to approve as recom- mended by staff. Motion carried by roll call vote: AYES: Herfert, Howard, Touhey, Melendez NOES: None ABSTAIN: Wong 0 Council Minutes of 2/2/99 PUBLIC SERVICES REVIEW OF TRAFFIC CONDITIONS ON VINE AVENUE FROM GLENDORA AVENUE TO CITRUS STREET Speed Study on Vine Avenue City Engineer Mayer presented the staff report. Mayor Pro Tern Herfert suggested that in addition to increased signage, radar, and the continuance of traffic studies as • recommended by staff, he would have additional discussions with the Police Chief regarding other available options as the problem seems to be citywide and not just on Vine Avenue. Motion by Herfert and seconded by Howard to receive and file the staff report. Motion carried 5-0. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT No reports for this meeting. REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY Mayor Melendez recessed the City Council meeting at 8:31 pm to convene the Redevelopment Agency. The City Council reconvened at 8:32 pm. with all members present. COMMUNITY SERVICES No reports for this meeting. PUBLIC SAFETY POLICE DEPARTMENT 1) TOWING SERVICES CONTRACT Assistant City Manager Fields presented a power point pre- sentation on the review process of the Request for Proposals (RFP) and the recommendations of the reviewing committee. The following individuals addressed the City Council: Marc Franco Marc Franco, Walnut Valley Towing, submitted a letter advising Council that the staff report contained a couple of mathematical errors and omitted a portion of his RFP response in the final calculations. He questioned the RFP reviewing committee's authority to use additional criteria in their deliberations over and above those stated in the RFP Colleen Janssen Colleen Janssen, 224 N. Sunkist, felt the tow companies being awarded an area of West Covina should all pay the same franchise fees. Bonnie Welsh Bonnie Welch, Haddick's Towing, stated that she was available to answer questions. Valerie Hill Valerie Hill, Basura's Towing, disagreed with the towing RFP process from beginning to end. She suggested that the RFP be rewritten and the process redone. Irma Gonzalez Irma Gonzalez, Budget Towing, stated that she was avail- able to answer questions. E.T. Snell E.T. Snell, community activist in the San Gabriel Valley, felt that prior to this RFP process for tow service, there were no towing contracts — it has been strictly hip pocket. City Manager Hobbs recapped the RFP process and that the purpose was to set standards of tow operators working for 5 Council Minutes of 2/2/99 the City and to generate revenue. He felt that the rules of the RFP placed the tow operators on a fair playing field. Councilmember Howard stated that the wide diversity of the numbers submitted by the tow operators made her wonder, but not suspicious, about the responses. She asked • about financial due diligence evaluation by staff. Assistant City Manager Fields stated that due diligence would be conducted on the final three tow operators, not the five that submitted responses. Councilmember Wong agreed with statements offered by the tow operators not receiving a towing area but felt the error made by staff were not significant. He agreed with the criteria used by staff during the evaluation process and favored Alternative No. 1. Councilmember Touhey concurred with Councilmember Wong, feeling too that the mathematical errors were not material in the final recommendation. Mayor Pro Tern Herfert related the length of the entire RFP process, wherein Council discussed it at 4 or five Council meetings. He stated he would support the staff recommen- dation. Mayor Melendez agreed. Action Motion by Wong and seconded by Touhey to approve Alternative No. 1 and award franchise agreements to Blackard's Towing, Inc. (Area #1), Budget Towing (Area #2), and Haddick's Towing, Inc. (Area #3), and direct the City Manager, or his designee, to negotiate a contract with the aforementioned two companies with financial due diligence and performance bonds. Motion carried 5-0. Recess Mayor Melendez called a recess at 9:24 pm. The City Council re- convened at 9:40 pm with all, members present. 2) APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THE COPS MORE GRANT Police Chief Wills presented the staff report. COPS MORE grant Councilmember Wong suggested that the appoint- ment of the Administrative Analyst be removed from staffs recommendation, as appointment to that position falls under the prerogative of the Police Chief. Council concurred. Motion by Touhey and seconded by Herfert to take the following actions: a) Authorize the provisional Administrative Analyst position with the Police Department. b) Authorize the appropriation of the federal grant • award ($35,357) into Fund 151-304-2112-5111 (this amount is being electronically transferred to our bank). c) Authorize the transfer of the local cash match $22,310) from Fund 110-304-2112-5112 (Police Adminis- tration limited -service salaries) to Fund 151-304-2112- 5111. Motion carried 5-0. 2 Council Minutes of 2/2/99 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FINANCE DEPARTMENT • 1998/99 MID -YEAR BUDGET REPORT FY 98/99 Mid -Year Report Finance Director Tucker presented the staff report and explained the Christmas figures lag in the reporting process. Mayor Pro Tern Herfert noted that the City was financially sound, contrary to com- ments made during the current election campaign period. Motion by Howard and seconded by Touhey to receive and file the staff report, Motion carried 5-0. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION No reports for this meeting. APPROVAL OF DEMANDS AND WIRE TRANSFERS Motion by Herfert and seconded by Touhey to approve demands totaling $1,988,966.68 (of which wire transfers amounted to $243,568.38) as listed on check registers 183072 through 183386.. Motion carried by roll call vote: AYES: Herfert, Howard, Touhey, Wong, Melendez NOES: None ABSTAIN: Howard re Future America Touhey re Community Food Bank ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Anna Glynn Anna Glynn, 3500 Hillhaven Drive, spoke about a large city sign proposed by the City of Covina to be erected in her neighborhood. She submitted a petition with eighty-two signatures opposing the sign and asked for Council's direction and help in opposing it. Mayor Pro Tem Herfert noted Council's opposition and that a letter has already been submitted to the City of Covina. Mayor Melendez assured her that the entire Council is in agreement with her neighborhood on this issue and that Public Services Director Collier is representing the City at the Covina meetings. Frank Taormina Frank Taormina, 2714 Altamira Circle, related ambulance service problems. Fire Chief Greene to speak directly with Mr. Taormina. Leslie Nacionales Leslie Nacionales, 2214 Calle Jalapa, requested the Council to approve the televising of the February 4, 1999 Candidates' Forum sponsored by FOR WEST COVINA. Gloria Gandara Gloria Gandara, 2142 Evangelina Street, spoke favorably of airing the forum and that all candidates had been invited in person on January 16`h at a FOR WEST COVINA meeting. Robert Tafoya Robert Tafoya, 2214 Calle Jalapa, spoke on the same issue • Tom Arp Tom Arp read a letter by Paul Zarna, 2145 Aroma Drive. The major complaint revolves around a barking dog and lack of response from City staff and Councilmembers as to a resolution of the problem. Paul Zarna spoke for himself, stating that he was still un- happy and dissatisfied with the City in resolving his problem. 7 Council Minutes of 2/2/99 [7 Individual Councilmembers and City Manager Hobbs related the history of the on -going problem and effort to work with Mr. Zama. Frank Williams Frank Williams, I I IS. Barranca Avenue #240, complained about the amount of political campaign mail during election periods. He is very happy about the attention and focus of Councilmembers towards youth sports. E.T. Snell E.T. Snell, S.G.V. community activist, spoke on public access on cable television. Ed Casanova Ed Casanova, 809 S. Avington Avenue, commented on several items: a) Budget Towing is a good outfit, b) cable television at the High School is a good idea, c) focusing on our youth is very important. Shelly Sanderson Shelly Sanderson, 2743 Vanderhoof Drive, spoke in support of the candidates' forum and that plenty of notice must be given to the community. She also spoke against candidates opposing special interest groups. City Manager Hobbs addressed the matter of the candidates' forum proposed by FOR WEST COVINA and scheduled for February 4, 1999. He discussed his initial response and the additional infor- mation he received later that has culminated in .the decision to permit the filming of the event, without the use of City staff, and with a disclaimer that it is not being sponsored by the City. Mayor Pro Tern Herfert was concerned that this candidates forum in being sponsored by a political action committee, not an impartial group such as the League of Women Voters. Staff was directed to contact the League of Women Voters to conduct a second candidates' forum. Councilmember Touhey commented that everyone should have equal access to providing programs on the City's cable channel. MAYOR'S REPORTS No reports for this meeting. COUNCILMEMBERS' REPORTS Howard Councilmember Howard reported on function she recently attended in recognition of the outstanding girls' athletic program at Christ Lutheran School. She presented a City proclamation to them proclaiming February 2, 1999 as Girls and Women in Sports. Wong Councilmember Wong reminded Council of AB 939 requirements, of which a 50% diversion rate of landfill waste shall be reached by the year 2000. He reported that the calculations made initially might have set the 50% rate for West Covina at an inaccurate level. He would forward the Inside Solid Waste report from the California Integrated Waste Management Board to Environmental Management Director Samaniego to ensure the City's numbers have been calculated correctly. CITY MANAGER'S REPORT No reports for this meeting. Council Minutes of 2/2/99 [7 CLOSED SESSION Mayor Melendez recessed the City Council meeting at 10:47 pm to convene a closed session in the City Manager's Conference Room to discuss the following item: ADJOURNMENT Attest: CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS Pursuant to Government Code 4 54956.8: Property: West Covina Water System Agency Negotiators: Hobbs, Collier Negotiating Parties: City of West Covina Under Negotiation: Price and/or terms of payment The closed session concluded at 11:25 pm. Motion by Herfert and seconi at 11:25 pm. Motion carried Mayor Richard by Touhey to adjourn the meeting