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07-27-2004 - Special Meeting - Minutes0 MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL July 27, 2004 Mayor Miller called to order the special meeting of the West Covina City Council at 6:53 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina. Mayor Pro Tern Sanderson led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL Mayor Miller, Mayor Pro Tem Sanderson Councilmembers Herfert, Hernandez, Wong Others Present: Pasmant, Alvarez-Glasman, Paul, Dewus, McIsaac, Bachman, Swink, Taylor, Wills, Fields, Chung, Smilowitz, Lee, Freeland, Berry PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA City Attorney Alvarez-Glasman explained that oral comments at special meetings, such as this evening, must be restricted to only the items listed on the agenda. This is unlike regular City Council meetings when speakers may comment on any municipal matter under "Oral Communications." These regulations are spelled out in the Ralph M. Brown Act. Joanne Wilner, West Covina resident, commented and questioned sections of the staff report concerning the Community Survey and its methodology. John Scheuplein, West Covina resident, commented on the proposed survey and Winco versus Wal-Mart at the former BKK landfill site. He urged Council to proceed with the charter desig- nation and placing the military memorial plaques on the wall. Cookie Nance, West Covina resident, did not favor the survey and reiterated her position of constructing Wal-Mart in West Covina. CHANGES ON THE AGENDA City Manager Pasmant requested that Item C-3 be considered last, as the staff member giving the report won't be able to arrive until later this evening. STUDY SESSION COMMUNITY SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE City Manager Pasmant introduced Mr. George Ross of Strategy Research Institute (SRI), the consultant hired to conduct a survey of the community for the City. Mr. Ross spoke of the various types of surveys and the reliability and validity of telephone surveys. He explained the type of questions, the objective method of presenting questions, and the importance of framing the context of questions to the recipients. He noted that his company has two rules: clients (in this case the City Council) can tell SRI what to ask, but cannot tell SRI how to ask it and how to measure it. He explained the random sampling that would be conducted in West Covina. Council asked questions throughout his presentation regarding the methodology of the survey and analysis of residents' responses. Council Minutes of 7/27/04 • • CONSENT CALENDAR Resolution 2004-69 Approving Final Map Mayor Miller stated that no action was necessary this evening on the part of the City Council. The purpose of the study session was to hear from the consultant and have the consultant understand the positions and concerns of the City Council. Traffic Committee Minutes (approve & file) Minutes of the regular meeting of July 20, 2004. Approval of Final Map Final Map for Parcel Map No. 26462 Location: 2461 Grand Avenue and 2465 Grand Avenue Subdivider: Billary Development, Inc. Recommendation is to adopt the following resolution: RESOLUTION NO. 2004-69 — A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALI- FORNIA, APPROVING FINAL MAP OF PARCEL MAP NO. 26462 LOCATED AT 2461 GRAND AVENUE AND 2465 GRAND AVENUE AND DIRECTING THE RECORDATION THEREOF (Billary Development, Inc.) CONSENT CALENDAR ACTION Motion by Herfert and seconded by Hernandez to waive reading of the resolution and adopt, and to approve all other items listed on the Consent Calendar. Motion carried by roll call vote: AYES: Herfert, Hernandez, Sanderson, Wong, Miller NOES: None ITEMS CARRIED OVER FROM PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING West Covina Auto Plaza Business Improvement District 2004105 Annual Report and Assessment This hearing was opened on July 20 and carried over until this evening. City Manager Pasmant elaborated on the staff report. Councilmember Wong asked about whether or not a replacement amount was built in to the assessment. City Clerk presented: Resolution 2004-70 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2004-70 — A RESOLUTION OF THE Auto Plaza Bus. Improvement CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA CON- FIRMING THE ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE WEST COVINA AUTO PLAZA BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT AREA FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004/05 Motion by Herfert and seconded by Miller to waive further reading of the resolution and adopt, and to direct staff to meet with the Auto Plaza Business Improvement District members regarding additional funding for replacement costs in the future. Motion carried 4-1 with Wong voting no. COMMUNITY SERVICES Placement Location of Plaque Honoring Members of the World War II Japanese American Combat Army Units and Future Plaques Within the Same Category Council reviewed the staff report. Motion by Herfert and seconded by Miller to take the following actions: * Approve the placement of the plaque on the existing Veterans Memorial Wall next to the Prisoner of War plaque. * All costs (materials and installation) to be paid for by the requesting party. FA Council Minutes of 7/27/04 * For uniformity, all plaques shall be of a standard 18" x 18" clear -coasted bronze, Times Roman font, two plaques per alter- nating panels, and mounted to be uniform with heights and base of existing Veterans Memorial Wall plaques. Motion carried 5-0. • POLICE DEPARTMENT Update on Increasing Traffic Fines in School Zones Lt. Marc Taylor presented the staff report. Traffic Fines in School Zones Motion by Herfert and seconded by Wong to approve staff contacting Senator Romero's office to request Los Angeles County be included in Assembly Bill 2001. Staff will also request that the assembly bill be amended to authorize cities to use these additional revenues to fund existing crossing guard positions. Motion carried 5-0. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Graffiti Removal Contract Update Administrative Analyst II Paul presented the staff report. Motion by Wong and seconded by Herfert to receive and file the staff report with the caveat that ALL City employees report graffiti when they see it. Motion carried 3-2 with Hernandez and Sanderson voting no. PLANNING DEPARTMENT Art in Public Places Ordinance Planning Director McIsaac presented the staff report. Council - member Sanderson voiced her opposition to the costing mechan- ism for the program. Ordinance introduced City Clerk presented: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAP- TER 17 (Planning) OF THE WEST COVINA MUNICIPAL CODE ESTABLISHING AN ARTS IN PUBLIC PLACES PROGRAM Motion by Hernandez and seconded by Herfert to waive further reading of the ordinance and introduce. Motion carried by roll call vote: AYES: Herfert, Hernandez, Wong, Miller NOES: Sanderson COUNCILMEMBERS' REPORT Councilmember Herfert — Coyote Control Needs Coyote Issues Councilmember Herfert felt the needs of the neighborhoods were not being met by the current contractor for coyote control and wondered what other options were available to the City. Motion by Wong and seconded by Herfert to have the County Agriculture Commissioner on Weights/Measures come to a Council meeting and explain what they do and direct staff as to what else the City could do, particularly including education. • Motion carried 5-0. CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE Charter City Designation Special Assistant to the City Manager Freeland presented the staff report and responded to Council questions and comments. Staff was requested to provide information re: a) examples of when less then the prevailing wage has been used by Charter cities for various City projects, and b) a survey of cities that have recently Council Minutes of 7/27/04 changed with their reasons for it and any benefits derived from the change, and if their objectives were achieved. Neither Council - members Herfert, Sanderson, nor Wong expressed support for the change if the intent behind it was to increase or impose new taxes. Motion by Hernandez and seconded by Sanderson to direct staff to prepare a draft charter for community input and decide then • whether the Council wants to move forward at that time. Wong suggested that perhaps staff could indicate the options and why one option was chosen over another. In response to a question as to incurring additional costs on this project, City Manager Pasmant estimated $7,000 or $8,000. Motion carried 4-1 with Herfert voting no. ADJOURNMENT Motion by Hernandez and seconded by Miller to adjourn the meeting at 9:50 pm. Motion carried 5-0. Attest: City Clerk Janet Berry E Mayor Michael L. Miller Cl