01-30-2003 - Special Meeting - MinutesMINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
January 30, 2003
Mayor Touhe called to order the special meeting of the West Covina City Council at 7:15 m in the
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Senior Citizens Center, located at 2501 E. Cortez Avenue, West Covina.
ROLL CALL Mayor Touhey, Mayor Pro Tem Herfert, Councilmembers Miller,
Sanderson, and Wong
Others Present: Pasmant, Alvarez-Glasman, Urban, Freeland, Fields, Williams,
Dewus, Schimanski, Gorman, Tedesco, Berry
REPORTING OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Alvarez-Glasman reported that the City Council met
in closed session in the conference room at the Senior Citizens
Center approximately 6:15 pm. All members were present and the
Council received a briefing from the City Attorney concerning the
parameters of filing suit against the State of California. No action
was taken by the City Council and there was nothing further to
report.
OPEN SESSION CITY'S INVOLVEMENT AND ACTION RELATING TO
THE RELEASE OF SERIOUS SEX OFFENDERS
Mayor Touhey stated that the Attorney General has been
supportive of the City's concerns and efforts towards the sex
offender that was released into West Covina. He also reported that
State Senator Gloria Romero and State Assemblyman Ed Chavez
are looking into updating Megan's Law while Gary Miller is
looking at it at the federal level.
City Attorney Alvarez-Glasman gave a presentation concerning the
background of the situation (felon Conklin relocating back to West
Covina) and the steps taken thus far in addressing this. He then
outlined available strategies relative to actions relating to the
Department of Corrections, actions that can be taken by his firm
and other elected officials, and possible litigation steps if they were
necessary.
Public Comments The following residents addressed Council, expressing their
opposition to the return of this felon to West Covina and implored
the City Council to continue to fight with them on this issue at all
levels from a multitude of reasons. Those speaking were:
Tom O'Donnell
John Shewmaker
• George Ogden
Corey Warshaw
Susan Cole
Monique Orrantia
Ed Cassanova
Sherell Davis Perez
Lloyd Johnson
Marie Bryan
Nicole, student
Council Minutes of 1/30/03
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Gerardo Rosales
Eddie Perez
Greg Young
Christine Muriada
Rhonda Forgette
Herb Redholtz
Mark Breceda, Mayor of Irwindale
John Solis, Mayor of La Puente
Roger Hernandez
Paul Forgette
Leonard Mercado
Mary Rosales
Brian Gonzalez
Jamie Hernandez
Scott Marsale
Olga Vargas
Carol Hajialiakbar
Christine Butler
Council Discussion Mayor Pro Tern Herfert stated that it was his intention to continue
having these meetings and moving forward on this issue until the
State rectifies the situation. He thanked the speakers for stepping
forward to express their views. The other Councilmembers echoed
his sentiment and especially thanked Christine Muriada, the
victim's mother, for her courage in coming forward and speaking
out about pedophiles and felons.
Councilmember Sanderson stated that it is time for the citizens to
stand together and tell the State that as a community we will not
take any more. She felt the citizens, the City Council and staff
were doing the right thing with this issue. She was appreciative of
the City Attorney's Office for the amount of work they've done in
a short period of time.
Commander Schimanski and Lt. Tedesco responded to questions
concerning the number of sex offenders in West Covina and the
availability of information at the Police station. Anyone interested
in making an appointment to research the Police Department's
computer program, needs to call 626 939-8510.
ADJOURNMENT Motion by Sanderson and seconded by Herfert to adjourn the
meeting at 8:40 pm to 11:00 am on Saturday, February 8 in the
City Hall Council Chambers for another special meeting on this
same subject. Motion carried 5-0.
• AttP,st:
City Clerk Janet Berry
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Mayor Mic el ouhey
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