04-22-2003 - Special Meeting - Minutes0
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MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
April 22, 2003
Mayor Herfert called to order the special meeting of the West Covina City Council at 7:00 p.m. in the
City Manager's Conference Room at City Hall, 1444, W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina.
ROLL CALL Mayor Herfert, Mayor Pro Tem Miller, Councilmembers
Hernandez, Sanderson, and Wong
Others Present: Pasmant, Alvarez-Glasman, Chung, Lee, Fields, Villegas,
Semblantes, Fields, Lennard, Richards, Fitchitt
CLOSED SESSION Mayor Herfert commenced the closed session at 7:00 p.m. to
discuss the following matter.
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL —
ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Pursuant to Government Code &54956 9(b)
One case.
OPEN SESSION Mayor Herfert concluded the closed session at 7:40 p.m. and the
City Council convened in the City Hall Council Chambers for the
scheduled open session portion of the meeting with all
Councilmembers present.
Others Present: Pasmant, Alvarez-Glasman, Freeland, Fields, Dewus, Schimanski,
Tedesco, Morgan, Bommarito, Hoppe, Genovese, McDonald,
Simpson, Reynosa, Franklin, Bachman, Samaniego, Yuasa-Wang
Yauchzee, Smilowitz, Rush
REPORTING OUT OF CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Alvarez-Glasman reported out that regarding the one
item of anticipated litigation for consideration by the City Council,
there was no final action taken and there is nothing further to
report.
Please see RDA special meeting minutes of April 22, 2003 to view
the reporting out summary of the RDA closed session issues.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Herfert stated that there was one item for discussion in open
session and asked if there were any public comments on issues
other than the Cameron Park Community Center/Gym project.
Don Carman Don Carman, 1238 Hollencrest Dr., commented on the BKK land
acquisition and is glad to see the project moving forward. Mr.
Carman also supports the gym project to remain at its current
location.
STATUS OF THE CAMERON PARK COMMUNITY
CENTER AND GYM CONSTRUCTION
(Project No. BP-03309B)
Mayor Herfert asked for a detailed report of the status of the
construction of the Community Center and Gym.
Public Works Director Shannon Yauchzee presented the staff
report. Yauchzee provided a chronology of the construction events
Council Minutes of 4/22/03
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which included Council direction to proceed with the construction
at Cameron Park, awarding a construction contract and the
approval of bond financing.
Subsequent to Councilmember Miller's request that this
item be brought back for reconsideration, Yauchzee further
described Council's direction to staff to attempt to renegotiate a
revised project scope, report back to the City Council and to place
a hold on the work at the project site until the Council could act on
the information received.
Yauchzee presented the costs of a revised project as
submitted by the contractor noting that these costs are preliminary
and subject to further review and change depending on the City's
direction regarding this matter.
Councilmember Wong asked Yauchzee on what basis did the
contractor use to provide an estimate of a revised project.
Yauchzee stated it was their best estimate without having a revised
plan in hand.
Public Comments The following residents addressed Council providing comments.
John Scheuplein John Scheuplein, 1800 Aroma Drive, supported moving forward
with the project in the current location. He questioned
Councilmember Miller's original vote on the project before the
election and then his subsequent request for reconsideration after
the election.
Joseph Ore Joseph Ore, 1328 E. Cameron Avenue opposed Cameron Park as a
site for the project stating that Cameron Park is a neighborhood
park and not a community park. Supports project at Shadow Oak
Park.
Frank Cannon Frank Cannon, 1106 S. Lark Ellen supported the project at possibly
Shadow Oak Park or BKK, but not Cameron Park.
Ed Casanova Ed Casanova, 809 Avington supported the project and its programs
and having them located close to home. He feels that Cameron
Park is the best location for after school programs.
John Shewmaker John Shewmaker stated that Cameron Park is the heart and soul of
the community and supports moving forward with the project.
Herb Redholtz Herb Redholtz, 2622 Altamira Drive feels that we are already too
far into the project to walk away now. He supported the project at
Cameron Park, agreeing with the prior two speakers that Cameron
Park is the center of the City's activities.
Nancy Adin Nancy Adin, 2633 Maureen Street stated that BKK is not a
centralized location for the project and that stopping the project is
unthinkable.
Roberta Azpeitia Roberta Azpeitia, 1740 Oakridge Circle supported finishing the
project at Cameron Park and that the City needs more than one
gym.
Gladys Cannon Gladys Cannon, 1 106 S. Lark Ellen supported a gym but not at
Cameron Park. She would like to see the project in the south side
of town at Shadow Oak Park.
Royall Brown Royall Brown, 2153 Aroma Drive urged Council to move forward
with the gym at the Cameron Park location.
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Monica Peters Monica Peters, 819 S. Indian Summer supported the project
remaining at Cameron Park. She asked the Council to do
something positive for the community.
Gloria Vargas Gloria Vargas, 1915 Summerplace Dr. asked the purpose of the
City Commissions since they have had many previous meetings
regarding the project and their decisions have been considered null
and void. Would like to see the project move forward.
Rob Sotelo Rob Sotelo, 1436 E. Larkwood stated he realizes that no site is
perfect but hopes that the City Council will consider this project
and realize what we will save by moving forward.
Alan Carrico Alan Carrico, 2937 E. Mesa Dr. addressed items in the staff report
and gave praise to the construction company for their cost estimate
of revising the project. He further commented on the benefits to
families by combining a community center with a gym.
Alex Baltodano Alex Baltodano, 1847 Gretta Ave. spoke in support of the gym and
the need for the kids.
Iris Fleck Iris Fleck, 818 Serenade would like to see the Council make the
best decision for the majority of the community. She urged the
Council to keep the park a community park with open space for
parties and family gatherings and relocate the project elsewhere.
Frank Michaud Frank Michaud, 1629 Bridgeport stated that when this project
started years ago, input was requested from the community and
this evening's comments are missing the input gathered from the
children in the community The children were asked where they
wanted a gym built and they responded with Cameron Park which
is close to schools and on the main traffic flow of the City.
Jefferson DeRoux Jefferson DeRoux, 803 S. Lark Ellen stated he has opposed the
project at Cameron Park since the beginning and that several issues
still haven't been addressed, but feels it is too late to rethink since
the project has started.
Theresa Bruns Theresa Bruns, 1008 S. Pima Ave. said she is unsure why there is a
special meeting tonight since the project has already gone through
the public process, was approved and has advanced. To reopen the
decision is not responsible or sensible in a fiscally challenged time.
Jose Baraza Jose Baraza, gymnastic instructor, supported the gym at the
Cameron site because the location is centrally located and easy to
get to. The previous building was not large enough for the
community's needs.
Curtis Hedlund Curtis Hedlund, 1542 W. Workman Ave. supported the gym at
Cameron Park and said that the City needs to move forward.
Council Discussion Mayor Herfert asked for comments front the Council.
Councilmember Miller stated that he agrees the concept of a gym
in West Covina is long overdue but the issue is not about the gym,
but about the location. He outlined issues that he feels have not
been addressed yet. He further expressed his concerns of parking
issues and the future impact to the surrounding residents. Miller
also addressed parking enforcement and its associated costs.
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Councilmember Miller explained one reason for reconsideration of
the location is because he doesn't want a facility in a location that
will take better than 20 years to pay off along with the additional
costs to mitigate the concerns of the neighbors. Miller supported
the location for a gym that will not impact residents and stated that
Cameron Park is the wrong location.
Councilmember Sanderson extended thanks to those who came out
this evening. She has seen the need for a gym and agreed that the
0 location has been a tough issue.
Recess Mayor Herfert called a short recess at 9:35 p.m. in order for staff to
change the video tape. The meeting resumed at 9:47 with all
members present.
Councilmember Sanderson continued with her comments. She
feels finding a space with our City's large population is difficult
and does support the concept of two gyms. She is aware of the
residents concerns and the need to mitigate them.
Motion Councilmember Sanderson made a motion to move forward as
scheduled with the Community Center and Gym at Cameron Park.
Seconded by Councilmember Herfert.
Councilmember Hernandez thanked those who came out to voice
their opinion whether they were for the project or not.
Hernandez addressed an issue regarding a request he made at a
prior meeting. Hernandez stated that he made a request on how to
improve decorum of the Council meeting, not on how to limit
speech.
Regarding the Community Center and Gym, Fernandez stated he
is in a position where he is challenged by looking at a decision
made by a prior Council. He had previously expressed his interest
of the project being relocated due to residents concerns but cannot
justify financial loss in moving the project. Councilmember
Hernandez said he will support moving forward with the project.
Councilmember Wong said he does not support Cameron Park as a
location for the gym, that it is the wrong location and will not
support the motion. Ile also thanked the residents who came out to
speak tonight.
Councilmember Wong commented on Councilmember
I-Iernandez's request of the prior meeting regarding decorum. He
also agreed that there can be disagreement between people without
getting personal and he hopes to set an example starting at the
Council level.
Councilmember Wong stated that a motion to move forward
doesn't need to be made tonight since there had already been a
decision to move forward. A motion would need to be made only
if there was a decision to change course.
Mayor I-lerfert agreed that no motion is necessary but since a
motion and second was made, they will take a vote.
Mayor Herfert also made comments on the behavior at Council
meetings and the right to different opinions echoing the
Coucnilmembers opinions.
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The Mayor called for a vote for the motion on the floor to continue
with the Community Center and Gym as it is. Motion carried 3-2
with Miller and Wong voting no.
Mayor Herfert asked if there is any other business.
COUncilmember Sanderson wanted to make sure staff responds to
mitigating concerns on traffic, congestion and maintenance as well
as addressing a residents concerns regarding soccer fields.
Councilmember Miller reported on a legislative bearing he
attended on public safety. The topic was relative to revisions to
Megan Law. /
ADJOURNMENT Motion by Wong and seconded by Herfert to adjourn the meeting
at 10:10. Motion carried 5-0.
Mayor eve serf rt
Attest:
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City Clerk Janet Be
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