07-17-2001 - Regular Meeting - MinutesMINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
JULY 17, 2001
Mayor Wong called the regular meeting of the West Covina City Council to order at 7:40 pm in the City
Hall Council Chambers, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina. Pastor Norman Coulter of Faith
Community Church gave the invocation and Councilmember Sanderson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL Mayor Pro Tem Touhey, Councilmembers: Herfert, Miller,
Sanderson
Absent: Mayor Wong
Others Present: Chung, Fields, Alvarez-Glasman, Genovese, Swink, Hatch, Wills,
Morgan, Smilowitz, Mclsaac, Freeland, Samaniego, Fox, Fong,
Bommarito, Sindelar, Schimanski, Berry
APPROVAL OF MINUTES The following minutes were approved as presented:
* Special and Adjourned Regular Meeting of May 16, 2001
* Special Meeting of June 5, 2001
The minutes of the Special Meeting of July 3, 2001 were held over
until the next Council meeting.
REPORTING OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Alvarez-Glasman reported that the City Council had
taken an action in closed session that required an announcement at
this time. By a vote of 3-1 with Touhey voting no the City Council
authorized the City Attorney to participate in an amicus brief in the
matter of the County of Santa Cruz vs Charter Cable Television.
PROCLAMATION Mayor Pro Tern Touhey proclaimed August 7, 2001 as NATIONAL
NIGHT OUT and presented the proclamation to Police Chief Wills
and Community Services Director Hatch. This is a nationwide
event to promote cooperation between the police and community
crime prevention efforts.
PRESENTATIONS Mayor Pro Tern Touhey presented John Hughes with a Certificate
of Recognition for his fundraising efforts on behalf of the City of
West Covina for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Police Chief Wills and Corporal Fernald introduced members of
the West Covina Explorers, noting that West Covina's Explorers
came in Fourth in the State competition.
Councilmember Miller explained a gift from the Jiaxing Municipal
• People's Government of China, a beautiful plate.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Wayne Heieck Wayne Heieck, 1313 S. Sunkist, commented on the history of the
provisional appointment process within the Police Department and
a recent sergeant appointment.
Council Minutes of 7/17/01
•
•
Chris Brown Chris Brown, President of the West Covina Pony Colt Baseball
League, felt there was a safety issue with the baseball field at
Orangewood in that the netting behind home plate was inadequate.
Gloria Vargas Gloria Vargas, 1915 Summerplace Drive, Community Services
Commissioner, complained about the lack of handicapped ramps
inside Thyberg Field.
Councilmember Herfert requested that this item be referred
to the ADA Committee.
Lollie Bergman Lollie Bergman, 847 Wescove Place, complained that City Hall
staff members have been told not to give out Councilmembers'
phone numbers.
Councilmembers stated that they have no problem with
their phone numbers being given out to citizens.
Edwin Frischling Edwin Frischling, 1314 Sandy Hill Drive, commented first on
Rose Float expenditures, and secondly on the recent reduction in
size and staff of the Chamber of Commerce due to the action taken
by Council to eliminate the Business Improvement Tax.
Cruz Navarette Cruz Navarette, 1320 Sandy Hill Drive, suggested the City look at
what it's getting in return by funding a Rose Float and perhaps a
better use could be found.
HEARINGS No hearings scheduled for this meeting.
CONSENT CALENDAR Commission Summary of Actions (receive & file)
Community Services 6/12/01
Planning 7/10/01
Senior Citizens 6/14/01
Waste Management/Environmental Quality 6/21/01
Ordinance for Adoption (waive reading & adopt)
Ordinance 2071 - ORDINANCE NO. 2071 — AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
Eliminating the BIT COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA,
REPEALING ARTICLE III OF CHAPTER 14 OF THE WEST
COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE, SECTIONS 14-81 THROUGH
14-88 (ORDINANCE NO. 1210), RELATING TO THE
"BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA OF THE CITY OF WEST
COVINA" AND THE LEVY OF LICENSE TAXES ON THE
BUSINESSES IN SUCH AREA
May 2001 State of Treasurer's Accountability (receive &.file)
Report for the month of May 2001.
Miscellaneous — Community Services
Rowland Unified School District —
Capital Improvement Projects
Rowland U.S.D. Recommendation is to direct staff to present Option No. 1 to the
School District, which would:
1) Add language to the agreement to include a guarantee of
gymnasium usage for one day a week, other than Sunday, for a
five-year period, with exceptions agreed to by the City,
2) Negotiate the length of the agreement, and
3) Return to the City Council with a new agreement.
2
Council Minutes of 7/17/01
Miscellaneous — Finance
Surplus Vehicles
Surplus Vehicles Recommendation is to authorize the sale of the vehicles listed in
the staff report and authorize staff to dispose of the surplus
vehicles by sending the vehicles to auction.
• Future of West Covina Service Group
WC Service Group Recommendation is to take the following actions:
a) Support the continuation of the West Covina Service
Groups (WCSG) and a responsible expansion of the enterprise
sufficient to increase revenues and reduce risk.
b) Direct staff to provide annual financial audits (Independent
Accountants' Reports) of the WCSG to the City Council. In
addition to auditing the financial health of the enterprise, these
audits shall include an examination of management and/or
operational issues when requested by the City Council, City
Manager, or Chief of Police. Them audits shall be paid from
WCSG revenue.
Miscellaneous — Redevelopment Agency
West Covina Chamber of Commerce —
One -Year Funding Contract
WC Chamber of Commerce Recommendation is to approve the One-year Funding Contract and
authorize the City Manager to execute the contract.
Miscellaneous — City Manager's Office
Payment of San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments
Dues for Fiscal Year 2001/2002
COG FY 2001/02 Dues Recommendation is to authorize the payment of the San Gabriel
Valley Council of Governments' dues in the amount of $28,219.20
from the following accounts:
1. Transit and Transportation program fee (Prop. A & C) of
$12,609.60 to be paid out of account 121-320-2440-6120.
2. Air Quality program fee (AB 2766) of $12,609.60 to be
paid out of account 1 19-320-2319-6120.
3. General Fund fees of $3000.00 to be paid out of account
110-320-2640-6087.
CONSENT CALENDAR ACTION Motion by Herfert and seconded by Miller to waive further reading
of the ordinance and introduce, and to approve all other items
listed except Items: C-4a, C-4c, C-4d. Motion carried by roll call
vote:
AYES:
Herfert, Miller, Sanderson, Touhey
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
Wong
C-4a In relation to Item C-4a (R.U.S.D. Capital Improvement Projects),
Community Service Director clarified the availability of the
Nogales High School gym.
Motion by Miller and seconded by Herfert to approve the
staff recommendation. Motion carried 4-0.
• C-4c In relation to Item C-4c (Future of West Covina Service Group),
the following individual addressed Council:
Wayne Heieck Wayne Heieck, 1313 S. Sunkist, urged Council to stress the
importance of recognizing the City of West Covina and the West
Covina Police Department as WCSG's No. 1 Customer. He also
suggested a "real" audit be conducted of WCSG's financials.
3
Council Minutes of 7/17/01
Motion by Herfert and seconded by Touhey to support the
staff recommendation. Motion carried 4-0.
Item C-4d In relation to Item C-4d (Chamber of Commerce One -Year
Contract), Acting Redevelopment Agency Director Fong presented
the staff report with additional comments by City Attorney
• Alvarez-Glasman regarding the reporting of salaries, the filing
Statements of Economic Interest, and quarterly Chamber reports.
Jean Grabowski Jean Grabowski, incoming president of the Chamber of
Commerce, stated that the Chamber has traditionally prepared
monthly financial reports and they have always been available to
the Council liaison to the Chamber's Executive Board.. The
monthly packet will be delivered to the City and the City
Manager's Office can make the necessary copies. According to
the Chamber's legal advisor, the * Chamber is not required to
comply with supplying salaries to the City and all contracts have
been cancelled, therefore there is no need to file Statements of
Economic Interest.
The City Council discussed the Chamber's position on
these issues versus public information.
Motion by Herfert and seconded by Miller to approve the
contract as recommended by staff, require the quarterly reports,
and have the Chamber submit salary ranges. Motion carried 4-0.
END OF CONSENT CALENDAR
PUBLIC WORKS No reports for this meeting.
PLANNING No reports for this meeting.
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES — PERSONNEL SERVICES
PLAN CHECK ENGINEER JOB DESCRIPTION
Plan Check Engineer Personnel Director Fox presented the staff report, with additional
comments offered by Personnel Commissioners Azpeitia and
Heieck. Council discussion ensued.
Motion by Miller and seconded by Touhey to approve the
alignment for the Plan Check Engineer as recommended by the
Personnel Commission and authorize a six-month retroactive pay.
Council discussion continued.
A substitute motion was made by Miller and seconded by
Sanderson to proceed with the alignment of the two positions (Plan
Check Engineer and Principal Engineer) as recommended by the
Personnel Commission with retroactive increase for the salary
range back to October 22, 2000 and refer the position of Public
Works Project Supervisor to the Personnel Commission for study.
Motion carried 3-1 with Touhey voting no.
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY Mayor Pro Tem Touhey recessed the City Council meeting at 9:30
pm to convene the Redevelopment Agency. The City Council re-
convened at 9:31 pm with all members present, except Mayor
Wong.
COMMUNITY SERVICES No reports for this meeting.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT No reports for this meeting.
11
Council Minutes of 7/17/01
PUBLIC SAFETY
No reports for this meeting.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION — CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE
DESIGNATION OF VOTING DELEGATE FOR
• LEAGUE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Voting Delegate: Miller Council reviewed the staff report.
Motion by Touhey and seconded by Herfert to designate
Councilmember Miller as the City's voting delegate to the League
of California Cities Annual Conference in Sacramento. Motion
carried 4-0.
Councilmember Herfert left the meeting at 9:30 pm.
ESTABLISH SEPARATE CABLE CHANNELS
FOR GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY ACCESS
CATV Channel 55 & 56 Assistant City Manager Fields presented the staff report, noting
that it has come to light that the cost figures are not accurate and
another report would be forthcoming.
Motion by Miller and seconded by Sanderson to hold over
the item until another meeting for more information. Motion
carried 3-0 with Herfert absent.
Emma Fischbeck Emma Fischbeck, 130 S. Barranca Street, supported the concept of
the two cable channels.
MAYOR'S REPORTS No reports for this meeting.
Councilmember Herfert returned to the meeting at 9:40 pm.
COUNCILMEMBERS' REPORTS
TRASH COLLECTION CHARGES FOR RDA ASSISTED
HOUSING PROJECTS FOR LOWER -AND -MODERATE -
INCOME FAMILIES
Councilmember Miller elaborated on the report. He spoke of the
apparent inequity of the trash pickup rates for similar type services.
Council discussion followed.
Dave Ferguson Dave Ferguson of Thomas Safron & Associates (owner of Lark
Ellen Village, a senior citizens complex) discussed the cost of trash
collection of Lark Ellen Village. For the same number of bins, the
commercial rate is nearly half.
Motion by Miller and seconded by Touhey to authorize
staff to negotiate with Athens regarding Lark Ellen Village and
The Promonade and report back to Council. Motion carried 4-0.
WEST COVINA STREET MARKET
• Council reviewed the staff report. Mayor Pro Tern Touhey held
this item over to another City Council meeting.
SENIOR HOUSING ISSUE
Councilmember Herfert requested staff to look into and report
back on Section 8 Housing problems and to plan a Senior Housing
Summit at the Senior Citizens Center for sometime in September.
Council Minutes of 7/17/01
ALLOCATION OF 2001 ROSE FLOAT
FUND RAISING PROCEEDS
Rose Float Before considering this item, Councilmember Miller stated that he
serves on the Rose Float Board of Directors and received no
reimbursement for his time and effort, therefore there is no conflict
of interest in participating in the discussion and vote on this issue.
• Council reviewed the staff report. Motion by Miller and
seconded by Herfert to approve the staff recommendation to leave
the $12,372 in Rose Float fund raising donations on deposit in the
existing account and reduce the General Fund appropriation for
Rose Float fund raising "seed money" from $20,000 to $7,628.
Motion carried 4-0. Councilmember Herfert requested staff
to contact the gentleman who spoke earlier and give him accurate
Rose Float expenditure amounts.
2002 FOURTH OF JULY EVENT
2002 July 4`s Event Mayor Pro Tern Touhey referred to a letter received from the West
Covina Elks Lodge requesting a four -day Fourth of July Muscular
Dystrophy fundraiser event at Cameron Park for the year 2002.
Motion by Herfert and seconded by Touhey to approve in
concept the four -day (July 4 through July 7, 2002) event. Motion
carried 4-0.
Other Council Items
Councilmember Miller requested staff to report back at the next
Council meeting with a written opinion concerning the issue of
Corrective Action Mitigation Unit (CAMU) — meaning a landfill
on top of a landfill. He would like to know whether or not the land
use provisions of the City permit or regulate such a thing at the
BKK Landfill site.
Councilmember Sanderson requested staff to expedite the netting
for the West Covina Mustang Pony Colt baseball field (discussed
earlier) by August 3rd for Opening Day ceremonies.
Councilmember Sanderson reminded staff about setting up a
community meeting involving the Amar/Azusa commercial area.
Councilmember Sanderson suggested the Community Services
Department personnel assist with Rose Float fundraisers.
Councilmember Herfert reported on the success of the tonight's
first outdoor movie at City Hall, stating that he observed about 300
to 500 people outside enjoying Toy Story 2.
ADJOURNMENT At 10:12 pm Mayor Pro Tern Touhey adjourned the meeting in
memory of Gregory William Rapp, City Clerk Berry's 52-year old
brother who recently passed away. Staff was requested to prepare
a Certificate for Mr. Rapp's wife, Sally.
Closed Session Continued At 10:14 pm Mayor Pro Tern Touhey announced that the closed
session, which commenced and recessed earlier, would reconvene
isat this time in the City Manager's Conference Room for the
conclusion.
Attest,
l/ K�
City Clerk Janet Berry
01b _�lu ..� 1 i►�.�_
y
01,