11-16-1999 - Regular Meeting - MinutesMINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 16,1999
isThe regular meeting of the West Covina City Council was called to order by Mayor Howard at 7:36 pm
in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina. Both the Presentation of
Colors and the Pledge of Allegiance were conducted by the West Covina Police Explorers, Post 499.
City Manager Hobbs gave the invocation.
ROLL CALL Mayor Howard, Mayor Pro Tem Melendez, Councilmembers
Herfert, Touhey, Wong
Others Present: Hobbs, Fields, Collier, Pidgeon, Fong, McIsaac, Tucker, Mayer,
Samaniego, Wills, Schimanski, Chung, Martyn, Clark, Morgan,
Hatch, Berry
APPROVAL OF MINUTES The following minutes were approved as presented:
Special meeting of November 2, 1999
Regular meeting of October 19, 1999
INTRODUCTION City Manager Hobbs introduced the new Community Services
Director, Tom Hatch.
PRESENTATIONS Mayor Howard presented a GFOA 1998/99 Distinguished Budget
Award to Finance Director Tucker, who accepted on behalf of her
department.
Mr. Carlos Thrasher requested the City's participation in the Toys
for Tots Campaign. He stated that boxes will be at each of the fire
stations and the City Hall and City Annex for contributions.
Councilmember Herfert encouraged the residents to participate in
this worthwhile program.
Mayor Howard proclaimed November 15 through 21, 1999, as
Children's Book Week and presented the proclamation to the
Library Manager, Linda Siggins. Ms. Siggins introduced the Child-
ren's Librarian and the new regional administrator.
ANNOUNCEMENT Mayor Howard stated that residents wishing to help decorate the
City's 1999- Rose..Float entry, may sign up by calling Lyndel
Morgan at the City Annex: 626 814-8440.
HEARING APPEAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION RE:
DEVIATION FROM THE WEST COVINA VILLAGE SIGN
PROGRAM
City Clerk Berry verified the affidavit of publication. Mayor
Howard opened the hearing and City Planner McIsaac presented
the staff report.
Council Minutes of 11/16/99
Public Testimonv Mayor Howard asked for comments in favor of the appeal and the
following individuals addressed Council:
Michael Woods Michael Woods, appellant and manager of North American
Mortgage Company, expressed his reasons for requesting special
consideration for his company's signage.
Royal Brown Royal Brown, 2153 Aroma Drive, noted his support for the
appeal.
Mayor Howard asked for comments opposing the appeal and no
one addressed the City Council. She then closed the public testi-
Testimony closed mony portion of the hearing.
The City Council discussed at length the signage needs of the com-
pany and the available signage space as permitted by the West
Covina'Village Signage Program. City Planner McIsaac responded
to the Council's questions and comments. Council concurred that
the current configuration of the available signage was very
awkward and favored overturning the Planning Commission's
decision.
City Clerk Berry presented
Resolution No. 9738 - RESOLUTION NO. 9738 — A RESOLUTION OF THE
Supporting the Appeal CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALI-
FORNIA, OVERTURNING A PLANNING COMMISSION
DECISION AND APPROVING A DEVIATION FROM THE
WEST COVINA VILLAGE SIGN CRITERIA FOR A TENANT
IDENTIFICATION SIGN AT 341 NORTH AZUSA AVENUE
Motion by Touhey and seconded by Herfert to waive
further reading of the resolution and adopt, and allow signage up to
forty square feet. Motion carried 5-0.
CONSENT CALENDAR Commissions/Summary of Actions (receive & file)
Planning Commission 11/9/99
Temporary Use Permits (receive & file)
TUP #2553-99 was issued to Mike's Trees — Mike Steel for a
Christmas tree lot at 744 South Glendora Avenue from 12/1/99
through 12/24/99.
TUP #2554-99 was issued to Car Quest for a Halloween promotion
at 1705 West Garvey Avenue North from 10/30/99 to 10/31/99.
TUP #2556-99 was issued to Target for a car display on 10/29 at
2831 Eastland Center Drive.
TUP #2557-99 was issued to Miriam Tennant for a haunted house
at 2536 Workman Avenue from 10/27/99 to 10/31/99.
Miscellaneous — Public Services
SP 00104 — Curb and Gutter Repairs —
Approve Plans and Specifications
SP 00104 - Recommendation is to approve the plans and specifications for SP
Plans & specs approved 00104 and authorize the City Engineer to call for bids.
Miscellaneous - Environmental Management
BKK Landfill Closure Plans — Status Report
Recommendation is to receive and file the report.
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Council Minutes of 11/16/99
Miscellaneous — Community Services
Approval for use of City -owned Equipment
WCHS Band Parents Assn. Recommendation is to provide direction to staff concerning the
request.
CONSENT CALENDAR ACTION Motion by Herfert and seconded by Touhey to approve the items
• as listed on the Consent Calendar, except Items B-3b and B-3c.
Motion carried by roll call vote:
AYES: Herfert, Melendez, Touhey, Wong, Howard
NOES: None
Item B-3c John Scheuplein, 1520 E. Newcrest Drive, supported the concept
of loaning City equipment to the West Covina Band Parents
Association.
Motion by Herfert and seconded by Wong to loan the
equipment to the Band Parents Association for their fundraiser and
donate $1500, as requested. Staff was directed to develop a policy
on the loaning of City equipment for later review by the City
Council. Motion carried 5-0.
Item B-3b Regarding the BKK Landfill Closure Plans Status Report, the City
Council concurred in having the subject matter of the closure plans
agendized for a future meeting with representatives of EPA in
attendance.
Motion by Herfert and seconded by Wong to receive and
file the status report. Motion carried 5-0.
PUBLIC SERVICES CENSUS 2000 COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEE
Public Services Director Collier presented the staff report.
Motion by Herfert and seconded by Melendez to receive
and file the staff report. Motion carried 5-0.
Azusa Ave. Beautification
GATEWAY TO WEST COVINA—
AZUSA AVENUE BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT
Public Services Director Collier presented the staff report.
Mike Miller, 735 E. Herring, stated that Azusa Avenue is a
freeway corridor and that while it would be nice to improve the
looks of Azusa Avenue for those traversing through the City,
perhaps the money could be better spent on improving the roads
within the community. He also suggested that before earmarking
funds, take a look at the source of funds within the City. For
instance, any money gleaned from the water sale should be used in
the southern portion of West Covina.
Council discussed phasing the 'project and beginning with one
section of Azusa Avenue versus another.
Motion Motion by Wong and seconded by Melendez to approve the staff
recommendation to consider this project within the CIP process for
• the upcoming year and schedule a study session just after the first
of the year to look closer at this project as well as the larger CIP
needs of the community.
Councilmember Touhey stated his preference for starting
on a portion soon, perhaps the northern section. It was understood
that staff would detail the northern section for the study session.
Motion carried 5-0.
Council Minutes of 11/16/99
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Recess
COMMUNITY SERVICES
PUBLIC SAFETY
Mayor Howard called a recess at 9:19 pm. The City Council re-
convened at 9:35 pm with all members present.
No reports scheduled for this meeting.
No reports scheduled for this meeting.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES No reports scheduled for this meeting.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
CITY CO-SPONSORSHIP OF MARTIN LUTHER KING,
JR., DAY CELEBRATION
January 17, 2000 Administrative Analyst Pidgeon presented the staff report.
John Scheuplein John Scheuplein, 1520 E. Newcrest Drive, supported the event and
asked if the money raised for scholarships remained in the City for
West Covina students.
Jimmy Dixson Jimmy Dixson, 1606 S. Conlon Ave. and member of the NAACP,
urged Council to approve the event and responded to Mr.
Scheuplein's question. He stated that scholarship funds raised in
the City remain in the City and that has been the practice in the
past.
Motion by Herfert and seconded by Touhey to take the following
actions:
* Approve the City's co-sponsorship of the Martin Luther
King, Jr., Day Celebration on January 17, 2000; and
* Authorize the Mayor to join the NAACP and the Chamber
of Commerce in signing a letter to businesses requesting their
financial support to offset marketing costs for the Martin Luther
King, Jr., Day Celebration and generate revenue for the NAACP
Academic Scholarship Funds.
Motion carried 5-0.
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY Mayor Howard recessed the City Council meeting at 9:40 pm to
convene the Redevelopment Agency meeting. The City Council
reconvened at 10:35 pm with all members present.
APPROVAL OF DEMANDS AND WIRE TRANSFERS
Motion by Wong and seconded by Herfert to approve Demands
totaling $2,161,863.19 (of which $1,255,194.77 was in wire trans-
fers) as listed on check registers 189400 through 189688. Motion
carried by roll call vote:
AYES: Herfert, Melendez, Touhey, Wong, Howard
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: Touhey re Community Food Bank
Howard re Future America
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Carla Matus, 201 W. Fairview Avenue, County area, discussed
Carla Matus RDA's First Time Home Buyers Program. She and her husband
have been looking for a home in West Covina and would like to
participate in RDA's program. Funds apparently are available but
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Council Minutes of 11/16/99
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frozen. She requested Council authorize the release of funds for
applicants, like her and her husband, who were pre -qualified
before the freeze went into effect.
John Scheuplein John Scheuplein, 1520 E. Newcrest Drive, objected to the newly
revised commission appointment process. He did appreciate his
reappointment to the Personnel Commission by Councilmember
Herfert.
He also commented on the on -going debate regarding the
senior meals program contract and bid procedure. He spoke of
other city issues.
Mayor Howard stated that the opinions offered by those
speaking under Oral Communications are strictly those of the
speaker.
Councilmember Wong stated that he would be happy to
discuss any of the issues addressed by Mr. Scheuplein with
anyone, including Mr. Scheuplein.
Carlos Thrasher Carlos Thrasher, 1800 Aroma Drive, suggested that City Hall close
on Veterans' Day and conduct some sort of event or ceremony that
day to celebrate the services given by the veterans of West Covina.
Bruce Lienbach Bruce Lienbach, 1308 Sandy Hill Drive, spoke as a realtor about
the First Time Home Buyers Program. He requested Council to
address the issue of releasing funds of the program.
MAYOR'S REPORT No reports for this meeting.
COUNCILMEMBERS' REPORTS
Councilmember Herfert expressed surprised that City Hall wasn't
closed on Veterans/ Day and hoped that next year the City will
conduct a ceremony. Perhaps the City could initiate ceremonies
for the various types of holidays.
Councilmember Herfert requested a report regarding the
various holidays for the different employee groups within the
organization.
Mayor Pro Tem Melendez stated that no Council majority exists.
The constant bombardment of mudslinging by the same individuals
serves no purpose for the citizens, the City Council, or the City
organization.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT No reports for this meeting.
CLOSED SESSION Mayor Howard stated that the City Council would recess at this
time for the purpose of conducting a closed session. City Attorney
Marlyn stated that the one item for discussion was agendized as
"Threatened Litigation" pursuant to Government Code §
54956.9(c). Since the preparation of the Agenda, that situation has
now been titled. Therefore, the City Council will be meeting to
discuss an "Existing Litigation" matter entitled City of West
Covina versus Davis, pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9(a).
Mayor Howard recessed the City Council at 11:03 pm to
convene a closed session in the City Manager's Conference Room.
In addition to the Councilmembers, others present were: City
Manager Hobbs, Assistant City Manager Fields, and City Attorney
Marlyn. The closed session concluded at 11:40 pm.
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Council Minutes of 11/16/99
ADJOURNMENT Mayor Howard adjourned the City Council meeting at 11:40 pm.
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M or Kat n Howard
,t.
Attest::
City Clerk Janet Berry