04-20-2000 - Special 2 Meeting - Minutes17�
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MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
and the
WEST COVINA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
April 20, 2000
The special meeting of the West Covina City Council was called to order at 7:10 pm in the Management
Resource Center, Third Floor at City Hall, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina.
ROLL CALL City Council
Mayor Herfert, Mayor Pro Tem Wong, Councilmembers Howard,
Melendez, Touhey
Redevelopment Agency
Chairman Herfert, Vice Chairman Wong, Agency Members
Howard, Melendez, Touhey
Others Present: Hobbs, Chung, Pidgeon, Fong, Collier, McIsaac, Paul, Samaniego,
Berry
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Mayor Herfert stated that comments from the audience on the
various study session items would be taken at the time the items
are discussed.
Councilmember Howard requested that her following statement
appear in the minutes:
"I am now, and have been for eight years, an elected
member of the 60a Assembly District Central Committee, a
political not -for -profit organization, which has leased office space
for a period of 4 '/z years within the Citrus/Workman project area.
"This Committee is not a source of income to me, or any
member of my family. I receive no gifts or expense reimburse-
ment from my involvement with this organization.
"In November of 1997 I contacted the West Covina City
Attorney and sought an opinion relative to a potential conflict of
interest that may arise as a result of my status with this Committee.
The previous statement of disclosure is required under the various
laws related to conflict of interest and I request that it be entered
verbatim into the minutes of this meeting." Signed: Kathy Howard
Redevelopment Agency Director Chung presented the staff report
and introduced the Haagen Company representative, Chris Fayhey.
Haagen Company is the developer of the site and Mr. Fayhey pre-
sented the site plan and status of project. Ralph's grocery has
executed a lease as the major and Haagen is continuing its negoti-
ations with the Macaroni Grill and Krispy Creme.
John Peterson John Peterson, attorney representing Linda Kuglar of Burger King,
noted their satisfaction with curb cuts and parking spaces that have
been done to accommodate Burger King, currently situated on the
comer of Citrus and Workman.
Minutes of 4/20/00
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Upon conclusion of the Council discussion, motion by Wong and
seconded by Howard to receive and file the report. Motion carried
5-0.
AMENDMENT TO SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH BKK CORPORATION
REGARDING GRADING OF NORTH RYDGELINE
Mayor Herfert read a statement that precluded him from partici-
pating in the discussion of this item (conflict of interest) and turned
the meeting over to Mayor Pro Tern Wong to handle.
Public Services Director Collier presented the staff report,
reviewing background leading up to the proposed amendment,
various options, and the consultant's conclusion that there would
be no significant adverse impact created by the grading. He noted
that the consultant preparing the Environmental Impact Report has
included an analysis of the grading proposal and that that is
included in the final EIR.
Alan Tuntland Alan Tuntland, representing San Jose Development, explained the
grading proposal and the cross-section charts, depicting the
elevations and proposed landscaping. He favored Option No. 2.
Public Services Director Collier related results of the community
meeting held on February 16, 2000, and the recommendation
reached by the Waste Management/Environmental Quality Com-
mission to disapprove the requested amendment to the Settlement
Agreement (in other words, leave the ridgeline as is).
Mr. Collier responded to additional Council questions.
Mayor Pro Tern Wong asked for comments from the audience.
The following individuals addressed Council:
Royal Brown Royal Brown, 2153 Aroma Drive, favored Option No. 4, denying
the request for the amendment.
Don Carman Don Carman, 1238 Hollencrest Drive, reviewed the history of the
BKK Landfill from the perspective of a RACCOON member and
all the lies put forth by BKK throughout the years.
Mike Miller Mike Miller, 735 E. Herring Avenue, stated that the request to
amendment the Settlement Agreement for grading consideration
should be considered during the environmental review process by
the Planning Commission. Reviewing it at this time by the City
Council separates the project.
Linda Santos Linda Santos, 1825 W. Farlington Street, spoke in support of the
BKK project to realign the ridgeline for the development of the
site.
Recess Mayor Pro Tern Wong recessed the meeting at 8:44 pm to continue
the closed session, begun earlier, in that the mediator to the closed
session matter had arrived. The City Council reconvened at 9:32
pm to continue the study session.
John Scheuplein John Scheuplein, 1520 Newcrest Drive, urged Council to enforce
the current language of the Settlement Agreement and make no
amendment.
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Minutes of 4120/00
Bill Polich Bill Polich, 1216 Hollencrest Drive, urged Council to deny the
request as well. He reminded Council that in March of 1993 BKK
lowered the north ridgeline in violation of the Unclassified Use
Permit.
Rickie Santell Rickie Santell, 336 S. Barranca Street, noted BKK's pattern in
• always appealing whenever a ruling has come down. She read by
the Waste Management/Environmental Quality Commission
minutes and concluded by stating that the City has never been told
that it is safe to build on the landfill site.
After further comments from staff, Mayor Pro Tem Wong
commenced Council Discussion.
Touhey Councilmember Touhey noted his problem in allowing any altering
of the settlement agreement and spoke to the financial aspects of
the project.
Melendez Councilmember Melendez stated that he was not supportive of
touching the ridgelines; however, he felt the project as a whole was
very good for the residents and the city.
Wong Mayor Pro Tem Wong supported the adjustment to the ridgeline as
requested. He said he didn't hear much opposition in the citizen
comments opposing the reduction to the ridgeline. He felt the
reduction to the ridgeline as proposed would not be much of an
aesthetics difference or much of a negative environmental impact
to the adjacent neighborhoods. There may even be a positive
impact.
Howard Councilmember Howard stated that she is looking for an
opportunity of turning this ugly site into something productive and
good for the community. Without the reduction in the ridgeline,
the project will be substandard; with the reduction, it will become a
project that the City Council and the community can be proud.
Motion Motion by Touhey and seconded by Melendez to receive and file
the report. Motion carried 4-0-1 with Herfert abstaining.
At this point in the meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Wong returned the
gavel to Mayor Herfert.
Mayor Herfert stated that this report would be held over until
another time, due to the lateness of the meeting.
ADJOURNMENT Motion by Wong and seconded by Touhey to adjourn the meeting
at 10:41 pm. Motion carried 5-0.
is
Mayor Stev, er ert
Attest: Ma
0,
City Clerk Janet Be
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