06-19-2001 - Special Meeting - Minutes•
MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
JUNE 19, 2001
The special meeting of the West Covina City Council was called to order by Mayor Wong at 5:35 pm in
the City Hall Council Chambers, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina, CA.
ROLL CALL Mayor Wong, Mayor Pro Tem Touhey, Councilmember Herfert,
Miller, Sanderson
Others Present: Chung, Fields, Alvarez-Glasman, Heaton, Batt, McNamara,
Smilowitz, Morgan, Orta, Fong, McIsaac, Fox, Samaneigo, Briley,
Bommarito, Freeland, Dominguez, Hoppe, Petty, Rodriguez,
Swink, Greene, Schimanski, Genovese, Mayer, Gardner, Hatch,
Lee, Rush
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Katherine Castucci Katherine Castucci, 430 Pima Avenue, requested that Council
include the repair and maintenance of the Police Officers'
Memorial located outside the entrance to the Police Department in
the Capital Improvement Program.
Royall Brown Royall Brown, 2153 Aroma Drive, suggested that the City Council
implement phasing out the Business Improvement Tax to the
Chamber of Commerce.
STUDY SESSION
A. BALANCING THE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT TAX
City Controller Swink presented an overview of the BIT and the
Chamber of Commerce representatives presented a Program of
Work for the upcoming year.
The following Chamber of Commerce representatives addressed
Council:
Don Canzoneri Don Canzoneri briefly gave an historical overview of the Chamber.
Judy Haisman Judy Haisman, new C.E.O. of the Chamber of Commerce, stated
that she is looking forward to a changed financial and operational
relationship with the City.
Roberta Wile Roberta Wile, 2000/2001 Chamber President, stated that she was
available for questions.
• Jean Grabowski Jean Grabowski, incoming Chamber President, presented the
overview of the Chamber's Program of Work for the upcoming FY
2001/2002. She reviewed the personnel and expenditure cutbacks.
Council discussed the funding of the Chamber of Commerce, the
purpose and function of the Chamber, the purpose of the BIT, what
the BIT has been used for in the last couple of years, and the pros
and cons of phasing out the BIT or the elimination of the BIT.
Special Meeting of 6/19/01
Motion Motion by Herfert and seconded by Sanderson to approve the
appropriation of $100,000 to the Chamber of Commerce out of the
remaining year 2000 BIT, and bring back an ordinance to abolish
the BIT at the next Council meeting.
Substitute motion A substitute motion was offered by Miller to phase out the BIT
• over a three-year period: that the activities that are funded by BIT
for fiscal year 2000/2001 and 2001/2002 that are non -Chamber
related put into the General Fund reserves; and that the City fund
over the three-year period roughly $300,000 and perhaps lower the
BIT income to match that $300,000. The motion was seconded by
Wong.
Motion failed 2-3 with Herfert, Touhey, and Sanderson
voting no.
Action on original motion Mayor asked for a vote on the original motion. Motion carried 3-2
with Miller and Wong voting no.
Recess Mayor Wong recessed the study session at 7:30 pm and announced
that the City Council would be considering items in a closed
session in the City Council Chambers' small conference room.
CLOSED SESSION Mayor Wong commenced the closed session at 7:40 pm to discuss
the following matter. All Council Members were present as were
Acting City Manager Chung, Assistant City Manager Fields, and
City Attorney Alvarez-Glasman.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL —
EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a)
City of West Covina vs. Davis'
Mayor Wong concluded the closed session at 7:53 pm.
Recess Mayor Wong announced that the remaining closed session items
would be rescheduled for consideration at another time. At 7:53
pm Mayor Wong convened the regular City Council meeting to
consider Oral Communications and Presentations. At 8:25 pm
Mayor Wong recessed the City Council meeting to continue the
study session.
STUDY SESSION (CONTINUED)
B. FISCAL YEAR 2001/2002 OPERATING BUDGET ISSUES
Controller Swink presented the staff report. Swink explained that
the report is a supplement to the preliminary budget book, which
the Council received at the beginning of the budget process.
Swink provided an overview and stated that two items require
• Council direction this evening. One of the items pertained to the
Business Improvement Tax, which was discussed earlier this
evening and action taken. The other is a request for direction from
the Council for enhancing the Park Ranger program.
Councilmember Herfert asked for clarification of the Risk
Management department, particularly in relation to the uninsured
loss funding and budget. Staff clarified uninsured losses, how the
program works and the program funding. Council discussion
continued.
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Special Meeting of 6/19/01
Councilmember Herfert asked for a status of the reinstatement of
the Risk Manager. Acting City Manager Chung stated the
reinstatement would occur July Is` with the adoption of the budget.
Swink asked for direction from the Council on the proposed Park
Ranger program enhancements. Public Works Director Tom
is Mayer addressed the proposed maintenance and nature programs.
Council voiced their support for the proposed enhancements.
Recess Mayor Wong called a recess at 9:05 pm. in order change the
videotape. The City Council reconvened at 915 pm with all
members present.
Reporting Out from Closed Session
City Attorney Alvarez-Glasman stated that the City Council met
earlier in closed session on the matter of the City of West Covina
vs. the Davis'. All Councilmembers were present and an action
was taken that requires a verbal report, in compliance with the
provisions of the Brown Act. He stated that the City Council
received a briefing from Special Counsel and authorized Special
Counsel to execute a stipulation between the parties consistent
with the terms expressed in closed session.
STUDY SESSION (CONTINUED)
C. PROPOSED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Assistant City Manager Fields presented the staff report, outlining
the revisions to the proposed Capital Improvement Projects (CIP).
Public Works Director Mayer addressed specific revisions.
North Azusa Median Councilmember Miller requested agendizing a request to Cal Trans
Landscaping to allow the City to take Azusa Avenue over in its entirety,
providing that we receive funding for improvements. This could
expedite the North Azusa Avenue Median Landscaping project.
Mayor Wong requested staff to bring back a report on the fiscal
impact of assuming responsibility of Azusa Avenue.
Wall of Recognition Councilmember Herfert clarified his request for a "Wall of
Recognition." Herfert would like this item brought back at a later
time.
Energy and Environmental Councilmember Miller suggested that a wide range of HVAC
Proposal systems be looked at prior to requesting a funding amount and
proposes a sub -committee to review HVAC replacement systems.
Councilmember Herfert volunteered to review the systems with
Miller.
Sand Volleyball Courts Councilmember Sanderson commented on her request for sand
volleyball courts at Cortez Park. Sanderson stated that she
• frequents the City of Glendora because of their community
activities, has observed their sand volleyball courts, and would like
to bring this type of activity to West Covina.
Councilmember Touhey commented on moving park projects at
the same park to run concurrent to eliminate ongoing, continuous
rehabilitation at any one park. Touhey also requested that funding
be in this CTP budget for repair of the police memorial.
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Special Meeting of 6/19/01
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Councilmember Miller initiated discussion on proper notification
of community meetings to area residents before any formal City
action is taken. Discussion continued regarding current procedures
and processes for notifying residents of community meetings and
public hearings when the City is making changes within the
community. Miller requested that a policy report be brought
before Council regarding notification to residents of community
meetings that pertain to the development or modification of public
property. Herfert expanded that request to also include private
property. Councilmember Touhey did not support a notification
policy that would include private property development.
Councilmember Miller discussed the street hockey league
membership and requested a report on the possibility of utilizing
the east rink at Orangewood Park as a skateboard park.
Herfert requested that staff review available funding for
community events that had previous been funded by BIT.
ADJOURNMENT Mayor Wong adjourned the special meeting at 9:40 pm to continue
the regularly scheduled City Council meeting.
Attest:
�ep ay�City;Clerk Sue Mush
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