07-25-2005 - Special Meeting - MinutesMINUTES
SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
AND THE
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
July 25, 2005
Mayor Sanderson called to order the special meeting of the West Covina City Council and Community
Development Commission at 7:09 p.m. in the Council Chambers on the first floor at City Hall, 1444 W.
Garvey Avenue, West Covina. Mayor Sanderson led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL Mayor/Chairman Sanderson, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chairman
Wong, Councilmembers/Commissioners Herfert, Hernandez,
(arrived at 7:20 p.m.), Miller
OTHERS PRESENT: Pasmant, Nichols, Fields, Chung, Briley, Yuasa, Smilowitz,
Bachman, Samaniego, Hudson, Freeland, Yauchzee, Cendejas,
McIsaac, Elliott, Wills, Hernandez, Rodriquez, Swink, Gardner,
M. Hernandez, S. Hernandez, Dominguez, DeVera, lxco, Paul,
Rush
Deputy City Attorney Nichols stated that oral communications must
be limited to items on the agenda only, as this meeting is a special
meeting. The three -minute limit established by City ordinance will
also apply.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA No comments offered.
ITEMS CARRIED OVER FROM PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING
WEST COVINA AUTO PLAZA BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
DISTRICT 2005-06
ANNUAL REPORT AND ASSESSMENT
Community Development Commission Administrative Analyst
Oscar Ixco, presented the staff report. This item was continued from
the meeting of July 19, 2005. Doug Pearson, President of the West
Covina Auto Plaza Advisory Board was present to answer any
questions. _
City Manager Pasmant informed the Council of a letter
received prior to the meeting from the Advisory Board informing the
Council of their position regarding assessment increases.
Deputy City Attorney Nichols responded to questions
regarding any tax assessment increases and stated that any proposed
increases would require another public hearing.
City Manager Pasmant confirmed that the deadline for direct
assessments to be included on the tax rolls is August 1.
Mr. Pearson stated the Association approved the current proposed
assessment but are opposed to increases. The Association is also
inviting all the auto dealers in West Covina to join the Association
and would like all dealers involved in a new sign.
Council Minutes of 7/25/05
Public Testimony Herb Redholtz, West Covina resident, spoke in support of
improvements to the reader board and was pleased the association
was inviting all dealerships to join.
Testimony Closed
Mayor Sanderson closed the public hearing.
Assistant City Clerk presented:
Resolution No. 2005-48 RESOLUTION NO. 2005-48 — A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
Confirming Auto Plaza COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA,
Annual Report CONFIRMING THE ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE WEST
COVINA AUTO PLAZA BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT
DISTRICT AREA FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005-06
Motion Motion by Herfert, seconded by Hernandez to waive further
reading of the resolution and adopt. Motion carried 5 — 0.
WEST COVINA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE — CONTRACT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005-2006
Community Development Director Chung presented the staff
report. Mr. Chung stated the Chamber is requesting a $50,000
increase above last fiscal year's appropriation and this year's
budgeted appropriation, for a total of $100,000.
Dr. Andrew Fijita, Chamber of Commerce President, addressed the
Chamber of Commerce budget issues and proposed joint efforts of
the Chamber and the City. The requested increase of $50,000
funding above the budgeted appropriation is to meet their
operational needs. Dr. Fijita stated the Chamber made several cuts
the past year, utilized reserves, and would not be able to conduct
events to increase business and spur economic activity without an
increase.
Council engaged in discussion with staff regarding the impact to
the Community Development Department budget and the deficit of
the City if the appropriation to the Chamber were increased.
CDC Director Chung stated the department could fund an
increase, but it would have a negative effect on the department.
Councilmember Herfert suggested the City auditors assist with
auditing the Chambers books due to auditing' difficulties the
Chamber is having.
Dr. Fijita stated the Chamber would break even with an
additional $25,000, but the Chamber would not be able to add any
new projects, which would prevent them from generating revenue.
Motion Motion by Hernandez and seconded by Herfert to grant the
Chamber of Commerce an additional $25,000 [for a total of
$75,000] out of CDC funds and direct staff to work with them to
reduce their overhead.
Amendment Miller offered an amendment to increase the amount to $100,000
with the stipulation that the additional $25,000 [above $75,000] be
used by the Chamber to develop a small business program that
encourages small businesses to form and promote themselves.
Councilmember Hernandez stated that a 50% increase is
reasonable [additional $25,000] and does not want to compromise
the ability to rebuild both Planning and CDC who are down
positions, and therefore, cannot support the amendment.
Substitute Amendment Mayor Pro Tern Wong offered an amendment that in excess of the
$75,000 to relieve the Chamber of both their rent and property
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Council Minutes of 7/25/05
taxes, which would provide some relief to the Chamber. Mayor
Pro Tern Wong commented that on tonight's agenda is a proposed
sales tax reimbursement agreement between the City and the
Community Development Commission, which would support the
CDC's ability to appropriate additional funding.
Councilmember Herfert supported allocating an additional $25,000
allowing the Chamber to balance their budget, with the option of
revisiting further allocations at a later date.
Councilmember Miller supported the additional $25,000
with the commitment to review in January.
Councilmember Hernandez amended his original motion to include
revisiting in January for possible further allocations. Amendment
seconded by Herfert.
Action Motion restated by Hernandez to grant the Chamber of Commerce
$75,000 out of CDC funds, direct staff to work with them to reduce
their overhead and revisit the matter in January to consider further
allocations. Seconded by Herfert. Motion carried 5-0.
2005-2006 FISCAL YEAR PRELIMINARY BUDGET PREVIEW
Finance Director Bachman presented a PowerPoint presentation of
the budget overview. The presentation consisted of an overview of
the measures taken to close the budget gap in 2004-05 and 2005-06
years, a revised 2005-06 budget.
Public Works Director Yauchzee presented the Capital
Improvement Program overview. This year there are no proposed
expenditures of general fund money. Yauchzee reviewed the
proposed projects for the year.
Interim Human Resources Director Fields presented the Staff
Reclassifications Report and proposed changes to the Human
Resources, Community Development Commission departments.
Staff responded to various questions from the Council.
Public Testimony Audrey Lynberg had turned in a comment card in favor of the
budget but left the meeting before the public comment period.
Testimony Closed
Deputy City Clerk Rush presented:
Resolution No. 2005-49 RESOLUTION NO. 2005-49 — A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
Adopting July 1, 2005 through COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA,
June 30, 2006 Budget ADOPTING THE CITY OF WEST COVINA OPERATING
BUDGET, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
BUDGET, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, AND
LOCAL ENFORCEMENT AGENCY BUDGET AND
APPROVING THE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2005 AND ENDING JUNE 30,
2006
Motion Motion by Herfert and seconded by Hernandez, to waiver further
reading of the resolution and adopt. Motion carried 5 — 0.
Motion by Herfert and seconded by Hernandez, to approve the
budget as presented with staff reorganization coming back to
Council at a later date.
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Council Minutes of 7/25/05
SALES TAX REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE CITY OF WEST COVINA AND THE WEST COVINA
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Item V Finance Director Bachman presented the staff report. Council
Sales Tax Reimbursement engaged in discussion.
Deputy City Clerk Rush presented:
Resolution No. 2005-50 RESOLUTION NO. 2005-50 — A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
Sales Tax Reimbursement COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA,
between the City and CDC ADOPTING THE CITY OF WEST COVINA OPERATING
BUDGET, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
BUDGET, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, AND
LOCAL ENFORCEMENT AGENCY BUDGET AND
APPROVING THE APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL
YEAR COMMENCING JULY 1, 2005 AND ENDING JUNE 30,
2006
Motion Motion by Miller, Seconded by Herfert, to waive further reading of
the resolution and adopt. Motion carried 5 — 0.
Deputy City Clerk Rush presented:
Resolution No. 582 RESOLUTION NO. 582 — A RESOLUTION OF THE
Sales Tax Reimbursement COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY
between the City and CDC OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING THE CITY OF
WEST COVINA OPERATING BUDGET, COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION BUDGET, CAPITAL
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, AND LOCAL ENFORCEMENT
AGENCY BUDGET AND APPROVING THE
APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR COMMENCING
JULY 1, 2005 AND ENDING JUNE 30, 2006
Motion by Miller, Seconded by Hernandez, to waiver further
reading of the resolution and adopt. Motion carried 5 — 0.
Motion Motion by Wong and seconded by Herfert to approve the
repayment of amount previously owed to the City by the CDC in
the annual amount of $3.3 million.
Motion carried 5-0.
ADJOURNMENT Motion by Herfert and seconded by Hernandez to adjournment the
meeting at 9:40 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.
Submitted by:
Assistant C4 Clerk Susan Rush
F.