05-19-1999 - Special Meeting - Minutes•
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
MAY 19, 1999
The special meeting of the West Covina City Council was called to order by Mayor Howard at 6:24 pm
in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina.
ROLL CALL Mayor Howard, Mayor Pro Tern Melendez, Councilmember Wong
Absent: Councilmembers Herfert and Touhey
Others Present: Hobbs, Fields, Collier, Tucker, Briley, Garcia, Mayer, Bommarito,
Schimanski, Meier Greene, Pidgeon, Chung, Fox, Houston, King,
Berry
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA No comments offered at this time.
STUDY SESSION West Covina Chamber of Commerce
President Lee Laue of the West Covina Chamber of Commerce
discussed the highlights of the past year for the Chamber of
Commerce and then introduced the incoming president Remero
Francisco, whose term begins July la.
Bob Spencer Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Bob Spencer,
presented the Program of Work and the Operating Budget for FY
1999/2000. He discussed twenty-four programs 'and projects
proposed for the coming year. The Chamber of Commerce is
requesting an additional $84,000 in Business Improvement Tax
revenues for those programs and projects as well as an ombudsman
position discussed at the retreat. This would take the total annual
allocation to $400,000. The Chamber of Commerce is also seeking
a multi -year agreement or a Memorandum of Understanding with
the City to enable the Chamber of Commerce to effectively
develop these programs over time.
Ed Casanova Ed Casanova, Chamber's committee representative, presented a
proposal to replace the current computer system used by the
Chamber of Commerce, which is not Y2K compliant. The Com-
mittee is proposing a leasing arrangement that would amount to
approximately $36,000 over three years.
Bob Spencer Bob Spencer offered to brief the other two Councilmembers on this
evening's Chamber presentation, if they would like.
Mr. Spencer explained the Chamber's second request for BIT
funds amounting to $100,000. This would expand and replace the
current Chamber/City marketing campaign "Shop West Covina"
with "You Can Spend a Lifetime in West Covina." It is possible_
that part of the $100,000 may be needed for the following areas:
* Expansion of the auto row
* E-Commerce system
* San Gabriel Valley Entertainment & Tourism
Bureau
Council Minutes of 5/19/99
Melendez Mayor Pro Tern Melendez asked for a clarification of matching
funds from the Tennant Foundation. Mr. Spencer stated that the
Chamber would follow up with Dr. Forest Tennant.
Wong Councilmember Wong suggested that the Chamber build in some
method to measure or evaluate the results of the various programs.
• Bob Spencer Mr. Spencer discussed the Chamber's third request for BIT funds
amounting to $16,600 toward the production and distribution of
Discover West Covina, the joint newsletter of the Chamber, School
District, and the City. There is no change from last year for this.
Mayor Howard noted the City Council would be considering the
adoption of the Chamber's FY 1999/2000 budget at the June ls`
meeting. Mayor Pro Tem Melendez was very impressed with the
Chamber's plans.
Capital Improvement Program
Royal Brown Royal Brown, 2153 Aroma Drive, asked a question about late
water bill payments. Thenhe addressed himself to at least 1/3 of
the CIP. He referred to projects that have been earmarked between
now and the next five years for BKK funds.
Assistant City Manager Fields presented the staff report, noting
that only funding for the upcoming fiscal year has been specifically
recommended. For the following four years, staff inserted all o�s-
sible funding sources. The City Council will only be approving
funding for FY 1999/2000. The total CIP Program projected cost
for FY 1999/2000 is $6,110,000.00 broken down as follows:
Buildings
$ 322,000
General
788,000
Parks
1,020,000
Streets
3,496,000
Traffic Signals
50,000
Utilities
0
Youth Sports
434,000
Council clarified that while there are no legal restrictions on the
use of BKK funds, the Council has felt that it would be appropriate
to allocate those funds for projects within a one -mile radius of the
landfill.
The following concerns were raised by Council.
B99-8 Storage Bin for Palmview Center
Staff directed to report back on the $10,000 for this project.
B99-10 Replace Swamp Cooler in Kitchen of Senior Center
Public Services Director Collier explained the project and
staff would report back on the project.
• B00-2 Replace City Hall Roof
Mayor Howard suggested this project of $100,000 be
placed in the upcoming FY 1999/2000.
G99-9 Rec. Ware Software Registration Pro ram
City Manager noted that there is a Financial Software Sys-
tem and these two items could be combined. Staff was
directed to explain this possibility further in written memo.
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Council Minutes of 5/19/99
S99-8 & Street Rehabilitation
S99-11 Mayor Howard was pleased with earmarking $2 million for
street rehabilitation and the community reinvestment
program.
• Y99-14 Handrail for Board Room
Y99-15 Storage She
Council requested further explanations for these projects, in
light of the high estimated costs.
G00-2 Video Editing Equipment (Fire Department)
Fire Chief Greene addressed the importance of this to the
Department (training and community education). He re-
quested that this project be placed in the FY 1999/2000
CIP. Council concurred on placing this $12,000 project
into FY 1999/2000 CIP.
G02-1 Hand Held Field Computers and Software for Building and
Code Enforcement Inspection
Mayor Howard requested this project come into fruition
sooner than FY 2002/2003. Building Official Yauchzee
addressed this issue, noting that this program could replace
the G99-7 (Scantron for Field Inspections for $14,000).
The G99-7 funds could apply to G02-1 to cover two more
hand held computers for the two new code enforcement
officers. City Manager Hobbs noted that there might be
some funds in the General Fund to bring this project
forward.
Councilmember Wong asked to what extent the Community
Services Commission reviews past funding for the requesting
groups. There are groups that are quite attuned to the process and
ultimately have received a lot of funds over the years. Then there
are groups that have asked for very little and have received very
little. Perhaps a program wherein a group offering matching funds
would receive a little more consideration. Or perhaps a group that
hasn't received as much as other groups in the past receive first
consideration. Acting Community Services Director Bommarito
responded. Mayor Howard concurred with Council member Wong
and suggested too that the amount of work contributed by the
parents of the youth groups be weighed in as part of the overall
consideration for requested funds.
Mayor Pro Tern Melendez requested clarification of a prior year
project and its funding (Landscaping Azusa Avenue median south
of Aroma). City Engineer Mayer and Public Services Director
Collier responded.
ADJOURNMENT Motion by Wong and seconded by Melendez to adjourn the
meeting at 8:25 pm. Motion carried 3-0.
Attest:
M7ayWr Kathy and
U
City Clerk Janet Berry
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