05-19-2004 - Special Meeting - MinutesMINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
MAY 19, 2004
• Mayor Miller called to order the special meeting of the West Covina City Council at 7:13 pm in the City
Hall Council Chambers, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina. Councilmember Hernandez led the
Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL Mayor Miller, Councilmembers Hernandez and Wong
Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Sanderson, Councilmember Herfert
Others Present: Pasmant, Adams, Gardner, Freeland, Bachman, Swink, Durbin,
Ballard, Janis, Bommarito, Martinez, Fields, Chung, Morgan,
Dominguez, Mclsaac, Samaniego, Smilowitz, Yauchzee, Wills,
Yuasa-Wang, Houston, Taylor, Devera, Johnson, Berry
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA..,"
Cookie Nance, West Covina resident, commented on the
financial benefits of bringing a Wal-Mart to West Covina.
Royal Brown, West Covina resident, commented on the
staff report and numbers being presented. He also encouraged
more development in the City to bring in revenues.
Mayor Miller discussed problems arising from the state
legislature in regards to the state's budget and its resulting impact
on cities.
FIRE DEPARTMENT — AMBULANCE NEGOTIATIONS
Mayor Miller noted that this subject had been carried over from the
previous meeting for discussion at this time. Interim Fire Chief
Ballard presented the staff report and responded to Council
comments and questions.
John Scheuplein John Scheuplein, West Covina resident, urged Council to support
the recommendation to use firefighter/paramedics to operate three
fully staffed ambulances for the following three reasons: distinct
line of authority, compatible with fire paramedics, and financially
beneficial for the City.
Amber McIntire Amber McIntire, Cole -Schaefer employee, urged Council to
support the first option: sign long-term ALS pass-thru fee
agreements with the ambulance companies.
Art McKieman Art McKiernan of AMR urged Council to wait to make a decision
until they have seen and reviewed the revised Fire Department
Business Plan.
Bernie Wilner Bernie Wilner, West Covina resident, remembered addressing this
same issue about a year ago and his opinion now is the same as it
was then: move forward with the Fire Department ambulance
service.
Raymond Huffmaster Raymond Huffmaster, Cole -Schaefer employee, talked about he
integrity of his employer.
Council Minutes of 5/19/04
Jim McNeal Jim McNeal, president of Cole -Schaefer Ambulance, distributed
and discussed his revised numbers for a pass-thru agreement with
the City, favoring Option No.l. It would create approximately
$232,000 annually to the City without any additional costs to the
City.
• The three Councilmembers discussed their points of view on the
subject.
Councilmember Wong suggested beginning the program
with West Covina firefighters/paramedics providing a two -
ambulance service with an honest evaluation of the program, and
then, if warranted, move forward with the three -ambulance service.
Councilmember Hernandez suggested three ambulances
from the very beginning so that the best coverage and shortest
response times are attained at the onset.
Mayor Miller stated that he initially favored Option No. 3,
utilizing three ambulances, but agreed with the concept of
reviewing the statistics of the two -ambulance service and moving
forward with three, once the program has proven itself.
Motion by Wong and seconded by Miller to move forward with
Option No. 3, beginning with two ambulances. Motion carried 2-1
with Hernandez voting no.
City Manager Pasmant stated that A revised business plan would
come before Council at the June 1s` City Council meeting.
2004/05 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET PREVIEW
Utilizing a Power Point presentation, Finance Director Bachman
discussed an update on the state's proposed budget with its impacts
on the City's budget, details on the City's revenue picture and
projected budget gap, and a deeper discussion on the departments'
target cuts and the heavier 13% cuts.
There was some discussion on the suggested departmental
cuts by Council as Mr. Bachman drew attention to each item.
Several Department Heads responded to Council questions.
Councilmember Wong requested a breakdown of the line
items by percentage to the overall budget.
Herb Redholtz Herb Redholtz, West Covina resident, noted that this was the most
uncomfortable meeting he has ever attended. He noted the
importance of increasing revenues and suggested parking tickets
fines be increased and perhaps other infractions as well. He
expressed concern about the appearance of letting go big box
stores and interested car dealerships.
John Scheuplein John Scheuplein, West Covina resident, commented on several
items: a) CDC should be separate meetings with public input, b)
City Manager is doing a good job looking at various opportunities,
c) eliminating the police reserve program would actually be
eliminating sworn police officers, d) schools need to pick up their
fair share of the school resource officers and crossing guard costs.
• Bernie Wilner Bernie Wilner, West Covina resident, felt the community would
not approve a $41/parcel/year tax increase. A responsible, small,
increase in local taxes should be considered through a ballot
measure with sunset provisions to last through a couple years.
Royal Brown Royal Brown, West Covina resident, spoke of financial obligations
already expended at the BKK landfill site. He felt it was time the
Council level with the public regarding the post closure costs there.
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Council Minutes of 5/19/04
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Art Velasquez Art Velasquez, West Covina resident, noted the state doubled the
fines for infractions and fines and saw no reason why the City
couldn't as well. He also talked about the differences between a
contractor and a developer.
Leyla Huerta Leyla Huerta, West Covina resident, encouraged Council to not
turn the lights off at the parks, which would have detrimental
impact on children.
Joanne Wilner
Dale Rice
ADJOURNMENT
Attest:
City Clerk Janet Berry
Joanne Wilner, West Covina resident, suggested Pay to Play
program for tennis lights and ballpark lights.
Dale Rice, West Covina resident and president of San Jose Little
League, also spoke against turning off the park lights.
City Manager Pasmant requested direction/feedback from Council
on the budget preparations.
Councilmember Wong suggested that seeking new taxes is not a
supportable notion. He emphasized the need to stop the project at
the landfill. There is a $9.8 million hole that no one is willing to
talk about and the Council needs to cut its loses on that project.
Councilmember Hernandez supported the concept of separate
Community Development Commission meetings; noted proposed
economic projects and the funds that could be generated and that
they need to come before the Council for approval. The City needs
to make aggressive moves towards economic development and
until it does, he won't make the draconian cuts.
Councilmember Wong suggested Council place the Big League
Dreams project at the landfill on the ballot and let the citizens vote
on the issue. He asked for that subject be agendized for the next
council meeting, as well as a status report on Sheriff Baca's
proposal.
Motion by Hernandez and seconded by
meeting at 10:44 pm. Motion carried 3-0.
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Mayor Michael Miller
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