01-30-2001 - Special Meeting - MinutesMINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
AND THE
WEST COVINA PLANNING COMMISSION
• JANUARY 30, 2001
The special meeting of the West Covina City Council and Planning Commission was called to order by
Mayor Pro Tem Wong at 7:36 pm in the Management Resource Center, third floor at City Hall, 1444 W.
Garvey Avenue, West Covina.
ROLL CALL City Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Wong, Councilmembers Howard and Melendez
(Councilmember Melendez left at 8:00 pm)
Absent: Mayor Herfert, Councilmember Touhey
Planning Commission:
Chairman York, Vice Chairman Tafoya (arrived at 7:48 pm), Com-
missioners Lane, Scheuplein, Warshaw
Others Present: Hobbs, Chung, McIsaac, Anderson, Fields, Mayer, Berry
STUDY SESSION MAGLEV (Magnetic Levitation) Proiect
Mr. AI Perdon, Albert Perdon & Associates, and Ms. Genoveva
Arellano, Arellano Associates, introduced the MAGLEV Project
with a video entitled "Imagine." The project would connect Los
Angeles International Airport with March Air Force Base in
Riverside County with three stops in between, one proposed for the
San Gabriel Valley. The other two proposed stops are Union
Station in downtown Los Angeles and the other is Ontario Airport.
A MAGLEV train glides twenty feet above the ground
along existing rail and freeway rights -of -way at about 200 mph.
The MAGLEV train is quiet because it rides on a cushion of air
between magnets. The conventional steel wheels on steel tracks is
eliminated. The ninety-two mile system is estimated to take ten
years to complete.
Councilmembers and Commissioners asked for clarification on pro-
posed locations in West Covina, the size of the MAGLEV station,
parking requirements, impact on local traffic, cost per trip,
ridership, etc.
Mr. Perdon responded and noted that there were many
facets of the project being explored and needed the input of citizens
and civic leaders.
Public Comment Mayor Pro Tem Wong opened the discussion to accept public
comments and the following individuals spoke:
• Dorothy Jennings Dorothy Jennings, 1312 E. Larkwood Street, commented about
noise, impact on freeway traffic, earthquake jolts, and the general
impact on the community adjacent to the station.
Royall Brown Royall Brown, 2153 Aroma Drive, noted that three of the proposed
stations fall under the jurisdiction of the City of Los Angeles and
asked about the Los Angeles City Council's reaction.
Joint meeting City Council/Planning Commission
Study Session re MAGLEV
Minutes of 1/30/01
St. James Davis St. James Davis, 616 N. Vincent Avenue, asked about the
capability of the MAGLEV train of going up over the hill to the
Pomona Valley.
Fred Burkhardt Fred Burkhardt, Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce,
• reported that there is a measurable revenue benefit already
experienced by the City through the users of the Park & Ride
program at the Eastland Center. It was his thought that a
MAGLEV station could generate related revenues as well.
Lee Laue Lee Laue, 2973 Hillside Drive, asked about the transport of cargo
using the MAGLEV train.
George Ogden George Odgen, 1249 S. Valinda Avenue, wondered if the MAG-
LEV concept included transporting vehicles, not just people.
Robert Klenck Robert Klenck, 609 S. Magnolia, asked if there had been studies
conducted concerning EMF (electromagnetic fields) and if there
were other agencies or organizations interested in the MAGLEV.
Tami Klenck Tami Klenck, 609 S. Magnolia, asked about the financial structure
of the project, shared costs or those to be absorbed by the City, and
the ride fee structure.
Adelle McKinney Adelle McKinney, Covina resident, spoke favorably of the
MAGLEV and discussed a related concept: magnetrain. The
Magnetrain would be used primarily to transport cargo and goods.
Roberta Azpeitia Roberta Azpeitia, 1740 Oakridge Circle, suggested that the cost per
ride be adjusted to a reasonable amount for working people.
Staff was directed to place the matter of MAGLEV on the City
Council Agenda for February 6, 2001 for a resolution of support for
the project.
The consultants left the following website address for
persons interested in more information about the MAGLEV
project: www.calmeelev.org.
ADJOURNMENT Planning Commission:
Chairman York adjourned the commissioners at 9:48 pm.
City Council:
Mayor Pro Tern Wong adjourned the Councilmembers at 9:48 pm.
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Attest:
City Clerk -Janet Berry
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