Loading...
09-28-1999 - Special Meeting - MinutesMINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL September 28, 1999 The special meeting of the West Covina City Council was called to order by Mayor Howard at • 7:11 p.m. in the Shadow Oak Park Community Room, 2121 E. Shadow Oak Drive, West Covina, California. ROLL CALL Mayor Howard, Mayor Pro Tern Melendez, Councilmembers Herfert, Touhey, Wong (arrived at 8:15 p.m.) Others Present Fields, Buchanan, Fong, Pidgeon, Chung, Collier, Urban, Meier, Bommarito, Samaniego, Smith, Yauchzee, Wills, Schimanski PURPOSE OF MEETING Mayor Howard extended a warm welcome to those in attendance and went on to describe the parameters of the meeting. She assured the audience that the Council is concerned about the conditions, vacancies, and the loss of a major market in the Amar/Azusa site, and has been recruiting for tenants at the site. She noted that the audience would have an opportunity to comment on these issues after staff presentations. Ms. Howard added that, if time allows, those persons wishing to speak on the water issue will have the opportunity to do so. REDEVELOPMENT OVERVIEW Redevelopment Director Chris Chung explained the concept of "redevelopment". He explained that the Amar/Azusa area had recently been included in the Citywide Redevelopment Project Area adopted in June, 1999, and redevelopment funds could now be utilized for this area. He went on to introduce Andy Lazzaretto, a redevelopment consultant hired to assist with redevelopment in the Amar/Azusa area. Mr. Chung also noted that the Agency has contacted several retail chains to try to get them interested in the site, and assured the residents that staff was working diligently with the property owners of the Amar/Azusa site in a effort to revitalize the area. CODE ENFORCEMENT Public Services Director Jeff Collier introduced Shannon Yauchzee (Building Official) and Dan Smith (Senior Code Enforcement Officer). Mr. Collier explained the new process used by Code Enforcement in working with code violators and emphasized that staff was working pro- actively with the community in an effort to maintain the City's beauty. He noted that the shopping cart retrieval service was now in operation and urged the residents to call the 800 number for service. Mr. Collier went on to describe the Code Enforcement Marketing Program and the Apartment Inspection Program. He also emphasized that the business community will be closely scrutinized as they, too, have a responsibility to the upkeep of the City. He closed by petitioning the residents to call City Hall to report blighted areas. • PUBLIC SAFETY Police Chief Frank Wills shared with the residents that statistics show that the south side is not the highest crime area of the City. He went on to say that there are "quality of life issues" on the south side of the City (e.g. the homeless, traffic, shopping carts, loitering, code enforcement, etc.). He noted that he has doubled the foot beat in the area and adopted a number of programs that has helped to lower the crime rate in the area. The Police Department is moving toward a Community Service Area concept where the public will meet with a Lieutenant with their Council Minutes September 28, 1999 concerns. This Lieutenant will be evaluated on his ability to solve the residents' problems. He closed by assuring the residents that several changes will be visible within the next six months. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Executive Director Fred Burkhardt noted that the Chamber of Commerce • was also working proactively in the community. Mr. Burkhardt noted that the Chamber look forward to working with the City in an effort to resolve several issues of mutual concern. He went on to say that a new position of Business Services Director (ombudsman) has been created to communicate with local businesses. Mr. Burkhardt also mentioned that the West Covina Chamber will be working very closely with the Filipino -American Chamber. FILIPINO-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - SAN GABRIEL VALLEY Executive Vice President John Dattola recounted his version of the Amar/Azusa site conditions. BKK DEVELOPMENT OVERVIEW BKK Executive Vice President Alan Tuntland addressed the proposed "facelift" to the BKK frontage on Azusa Avenue. He emphasized that the public's input on this project is critical. COMMENTS/QUESTIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE • Katherine Davis thanked Mike Touhey for getting potholes filled. • Don Grant asked Chris Chung if the buildings at the old Von's site could either be demolished or combined to create a much larger retail space. • Gloria Vargas congratulated the Police Chief on handling the skateboarders in the Summerplace area. She also inquired about the City exercising its' right of eminent domain. • Wendy Toy expressed concerns for two other areas of West Covina, the Sav-On center at Nogales/La Puente and the Stater Bros. center. She asked if there were Redevelopment funds for these two areas that are in such severe need of repair. • Angelo Cabe asked Police Chief Wills if the City has adopted the so- called "Good Samaritan law". "Chief Wills responded that the "Good Samaritan law" is a civil law, not criminal; and that citizens are always urged to report suspicious activity. • Bruce Lembach asked about the proposed south entrance to BKK and compensation to property owners in the area • Leslie Nationales Tafoya asked if there are any programs where City officials work with local landlords in an effort to keep rents at an affordable rate. • Robert Tafoya spoke in support of the Filipino -American Chamber of Commerce. He also attests to the conditions at the Amar/Azusa site. He went on say that it is unfortunate that Council is suppressing comments on the sale of the water system. • Herb Rettles agrees with Councilmember Touhey that the Amar/Azusa site from Rite -Aid to Azusa Avenue should be demolished and restructured. He emphasized that "If you build it, the people will support it." • • Nancy Aiden thanked the Police Chief and Code Enforcement for swift responses to her calls. She also urged Council to speed up efforts to revitalize the blighted areas. • Priscilla DomPierre thanked Mayor Pro Tem Melendez for addressing issues affecting West Covina and Walnut residents. smin09.28.99 t 2 Council Minutes September 28, 1999 • Leonard Mercado expressed his excitement about the efforts to clean up the area. He also thanked Mr. Melendez and Police Chief Wills on their efforts in working with the residents of the south side. • Roberta Azpeitia asked if Code Enforcement has ever taken businesses to court for code violations. Jeff Collier responds: "Many times." Ms. Azpeitia added that businesses in the area should be monitored more closely to ensure that their premises are • not in violation of the code. She also commented on the "A" Street, noting that she will assist the residents in protesting the street. • Linda Mooney concerned about the golf course and the traffic that comes with it. She described the traffic in her residential area and the nuisance it creates. Ms. Mooney requested, a traffic impact report at the BKK entrance and at her residential street. • Mike Urban addressed the lighting at the Amar/Azusa center site. • Grace Barrios stated that she would like to see more community meetings in this area. She offered her assistance to her fellow, neighbors with any problems they may have with the problem kids in the area. She also urged more dialogue among the bordering cities. • Royall Brown raised concerns regarding access to the shopping centers at Amar/Azusa. He also addressed the possibility of a particular grocery chain locating at the Amar/Azusa site. • Ray Hernandez expressed concerns on the proposed "A" Street. • Ed Casanova noted that a major chain just can't fit. They offer a wide range of services and needs space to do it. Assured the audience that the community leaders are working in the citizens' best interest. He also expressed that the BKK site holds great promise and could potentially draw hi -tech design companies. • Carol Van Atter expressed concerns regarding the blighted areas. • Ismael Vargas expressedinterestin having a major retail chain in the area. • COUNCIL MOTION Motion by Touhey and seconded by Herfert to direct staff to request RFP's from the three property owners of the Amar/Azusa center site with a timeline and report back in 30 days. Motion carried 5-0. ATTEST: C" '✓Y' f City Clerk Janet Berry May r Kath Howard smin09.28.99 3