03-18-2008 - Regular Meeting - MinutesMINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
March 18, 2008
Mayor Lane called to order the regular meeting of the West Covina City Council at 7:08 p.m in the City
Hall Council Chambers, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina.
INVOCATION Reverend Mary Hollifield
West Covina United Methodist Church
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Pro Tern Hernandez
ROLL CALL Mayor Lane, Mayor Pro Tern Hernandez,
Councilmembers Sanderson, Touhey
Absent: Councilmember Herfert
Others present: Pasmant, Alvarez-Glasman, Fields, Freeland, Iseri, Mclsaac,
Morgan, Yauchzee, Rush
REPORTING OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Alvarez-Glasman reported the following:
All members were present except Councilmembers Herfert
and Sanderson and prior to convening into closed session, all items
on the City Council agenda were announced for inclusion in the
closed session discussion.
Items on the City Agenda:
Public Employee Release - — No action taken.
Threat to Public Services or Facilities — Consultation with
West Covina Police Chief Wills — Council received a briefing with
no further action and nothing further to report.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA Mayor Lane requested that Item H-3 be held over to the next
meeting due to Councilmember Herfert's absence.
Motion by Sanderson and second by Touhey to hold Item
H-3 to the next meeting. Motion carried by 4 — 0.
PRESENTATIONS Blue Star Video was aired.
Rick Meza, Regional Manager for Southern California Edison
presented Mayor Lane and Public Works Director Shannon
Yauchzee a rebate check to the City from Edison, for
implementing an energy conservation project replacing the 40-year
old heating, cooling and ventilation system.
Mayor Lane presented Heidi Gallegos, Boardmember of Rowland
Unified School District with a Certificate of Recognition for being
named 601h Assembly District Woman of the Year by
Assemblyman Bob Huff.
Mayor Lane, assisted by Travis Iseri, Senior Center Supervisor,
presented Bruce Glaspy, the Senior Center Chef with a Certificate
of Recognition recognizing him for his 7 years of service to the
City.
City Council Minutes of March 18, 2008
Mayor Lane, assisted by Lyndel Morgan, Community Services
Manager, recognized the City staff for their work on the AB2404
Gender Equity Project.
Mayor Lane presented resident Jim Waterhouse with a certificate
of recognition for his volunteerism with the Community
Enhancement Program to remove graffiti throughout the City.
Resident Brian Melgar was also recognized but unable to be
present.
ANNOUNCEMENTS None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Lloyd Johnson Lloyd Johnson, West Covina resident, spoke in opposition to an
ordinance changing the day of a council meeting when the meeting
date falls on an election day as the council already has the authority
to change the day of a meeting.
Fred Sykes Fred Sykes, West Covina resident, addressed several items on the
agenda including the lateral police officer hiring incentive
program, the formation of a Public Arts Commission and BLD
Walk of Fame; suggested augmenting the current youth assistance
program to assist more children; addressed areas needing sidewalks
installed and spoke in support of holding quarterly council
meetings in different parts of the city.
Don Pascoe Don Pascoe, West Covina resident, spoke of the many qualities of
Bruce Glaspy, retiring Senior Center Chef.
Joanne Wilner Joanne Wilner, West Covina resident, addressed the proposed
police and fire MOU's; Glendora Avenue downtown
improvements; funding for Coastal Sage and Scrub Community
Facilities District; formation of public arts commission; and
suggested looking at the lack of emergency vehicles access to the
upper deck of the parking structure.
Rudy Lopez Rudy Lopez, on behalf of Police Association, thanked each
councilmember for their support of public safety.
Joseph Meyers Joseph Meyers, West Covina Police Officers Association Board
member, thanked the city council for their support.
Brian Gutierrez Brian Gutierrez, Nogales High School Student, nominated Mayor
Pro Tem Hernandez to the Nogales High School Wall of Fame.
Ferdy Chan Ferdy Chan, West Covina resident, commented on the Los Angeles
Metropolitan Transportation Authority long-range transportation
plan.
CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Touhey requested that Item D-4c be pulled for
separate consideration and Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez requested
Items D-4c and D-3a also be pulled for separate consideration.
D-1 City Council Meeting Minutes (receive & file)
Council Minutes No reports for this meeting.
D-2 Commission Summary of Actions (receive & file)
Summary of Actions No reports for this meeting.
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City Council Minutes of March 18, 2008
This item was removed from the consent calendar for separate
consideration.
Award of Bid
Award of Bid for City Project SP-07119 — Glendora Avenue
D-3a Downtown Improvements
Glendora Downtown Improvements Recommendation is that the City Council take the following
actions:
1. Accept the bid of Green Giant Landscape in the amount of
$447,661.50 (Base Bid without Alternate "A") as submitted at
the bid opening on March 5, 2008, and authorize the Public
Works Director/City Engineer to execute an agreement with
Green Giant Landscape of La Habra, California for the work to
be done.
2. Appropriate $93,000 from the CDC reserve funds to SP-07119
Account No. 876.22.2254.6457.
3. Direct staff to conduct a survey for street name change of
Glendora Avenue between Vincent Avenue and South Garvey
Avenue to Old Town Center or Old Center Drive.
Miscellaneous — Human Resources Department
Transmission of Memorandum of Understanding and
Implementing Resolution for the West Covina Police Officers'
D-4a Association
Police Officers Assoc. MOU Recommendation is to adopt the following resolution:
Resolution No. 2008-12 RESOLUTION NO. 2008-12 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA,
ADOPTING THE PROPOSED MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE WEST
COVINA POLICE OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION; AND
AMENDING COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS FOR
CLASSES REPRESENTED BY THE POLICE OFFICERS'
ASSOCIATION
and
Appropriate $729,680 from the General Fund reserve to various
salary and benefit accounts in the Police Department budget.
Transmission of Memorandum of Understanding and
D-4b Implementing Resolution for the West Covina Firefighter's
Firefighters Assoc. MOU Association I.A.F.F., and Local 3226
Recommendation is to adopt the following resolution:
Resolution No. 2008-13 RESOLUTION NO. 2008-13 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA,
ADOPTING THE PROPOSED MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE WEST
COVINA FIREFIGHTERS' ASSOCIATION, I.A.F.F. AND
LOCAL 3226; AND AMENDING COMPENSATION AND
BENEFITS FOR CLASSES REPRESENTED BY THE
FIREFIGHTERS' OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION AND LOCAL
3226
and
Appropriate $289,543 from the General Fund reserve to various
salary and benefit accounts in the Fire Department budget.
This item was removed from the consent calendar for separate
consideration.
D-4c Suspension of Lateral Police Officer Hiring Incentive Program
Police Officer Hiring Incentive Recommendation is that the City Council authorize suspension of
the Lateral Police Officer Hiring Incentive Program.
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City Council Minutes of March 18, 2008
Miscellaneous — Public Works Department
Appropriate Funds for the Maintenance and Operation of the
Coastal Sage and Scrub Community Facilities District — FY 2007-
D-4d 2008
CSS Facilities District Funding Recommendation is that the City Council appropriate $55,000 for
the maintenance and operation of the Coastal Sage and Scrub
Community Facilities District from 183.
CONSENT CALENDAR ACTION Motion by Sanderson and seconded by Touhey to waive further
reading of the resolutions and adopt, and approve all items except
Item D-3a Award of Bid for City Project SP-07119 — Glendora
Avenue Downtown Improvements and Item D-4c Suspension of
Lateral Police Officer Hiring Incentive Program.
Motion carried by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: Hernandez, Sanderson, Touhey, Lane
NOES: None
ABSENT: Herfert
Item D-3a Award of Bid for City Project SP-07119 — Glendora Avenue
Downtown Improvements — Mayor Pro Tern Hernandez shared his
concerns that the proposed improvements are only a band aid and
stated that landscape improvements are good, but stated there is a
great potential in revitalizing the downtown area that should be
realized; and therefore would be abstaining.
Following comments and further discussion by the Council,
motion by Sanderson and seconded by Touhey to approve the
recommendation by staff.
Motion carried 3-0-1 by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: Sanderson, Touhey, Lane
NOES: None
ABSENT: Herfert
ABSTAIN: Hernandez
Item D-4e Suspension of Lateral Police Officer Hiring Incentive Program
Councilmember Touhey stated he would not support the
suspension of the hiring incentive program and made the following
motion:
Motion by Touhey and seconded by Sanderson to not approve
suspending the Lateral Police Officer Hiring Incentive Program.
Motion carried 4 — 0 by the following Roll Call vote:
AYES: Sanderson, Touhey, Hernandez, Lane
NOES: None
ABSENT: Herfert
RECESS Mayor Lane recessed the City Council meting at 8:11 p.m. and
reconvened the meeting at 8:27 p.m. with all members present with
the exception of Councilmember Herfert.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Appeal Hearing
Appeal of Variance No. 08-01
Appeal of Administrative Use Permit No. 08-02
Categorical Exemption
Appellant: Rene Ortiz
E-1 Location: 1388 E. Garvey Avenue South
Appeal — 1388 E. Garvey Mayor Lane announced the public hearing matter and Assistant
City Clerk Rush verified that proper legal notice had been given.
Mayor Lane then opened the hearing and Planning Director
McIsaac presented the staff report with a slide presentation, which
illustrated the proposed sign with readerboard. The proposed sign
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City Council Minutes of March 18, 2008
was denied by the Planning Commission as being too large for the
small office building and the proximity to freeway signage.
Public Testimony Mayor Lane opened the public testimony portion of the hearing
and asked for public comments.
In Favor Katie Pierce, Sign Methods, on behalf of the appellant stated that
the larger elevated sign is necessary to allow for landscaping, will
not be in view by neighbors and was designed to meet the
architecture of the building.
Opposed Herb Redholtz, West Covina resident and Vice Chair of the
Planning Commission, opposed the appeal and stated that the
proposed sign is too large for the size of the building and expressed
concerns of setting a precedent if the variance was granted.
Joanne Wilner, West Covina resident, opposed the project stating
there was no need for a readerboard for a small office building.
Lloyd Johnson, West Covina resident, opposed the sign stating the
City does not need this type of sign for an office building.
Rebuttal Ms. Pierce stated the sign will be designed aesthetically to match
the building and that it will help bring business to the tenants.
Closed testimony With no others wishing to speak on the matter, Mayor Lane closed
the public testimony portion of the hearing.
Council discussion Council spoke in concurrence that the variance is necessary in
order for the sign to be visible and voiced their support of the
appeal and to overturn the Planning Commissions decision.
Assistant City Clerk Rush presented the following resolutions:
Reso No. 2008-14 RESOLUTION NO. 2008-14 — A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING VARIANCE NO. 08-01 ON APPEAL OF
PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION
Reso No. 2008-15 RESOLUTION NO. 2008-15 — A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING ADMINISTRATIVE USE PERMIT NO. 08-02 ON
APPEAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION ACTION
Motion Motion by Touhey to overturn the Planning Commission decision
and adopt the following resolutions. Seconded by Sanderson.
Motion carried 4 — 0.
DEPARTMENTAL MATTERS
G-1 Formation of Public Arts Commission
Public Arts Commission Formation Motion by Sanderson and second by Hernandez to hold this item
over to the next meeting. Motion carried by 4 — 0.
MAYOR'S/COUNCILMEMBERS REPORTS
Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez
H-1 Initiation of an Ordinance to Change the Day a City Council
Council Meetings on Election Day Meeting is Held When it Lands on an Election Day
Mayor Pro Tern Hernandez stated reasons for moving the City
Council meeting to an alternate day when the meeting falls on a
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City Council Minutes of March 18, 2008
day when an election is held as meetings held on election night are
often poorly attended.
Motion by Hernandez and second by Touhey to initiate an
ordinance to change the day a city council meeting is held when it
falls on an election day. Motion failed by 2 — 2 (Lane and
Sanderson - No)
H-2 Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez
Public Safety Facilities Update on the Public Safety Facilities Needs Study
Assistant to the City Manager Freeland presented a brief report on
the status of the Public Safety Facilities Needs study.
Motion by Hernandez and second by Sanderson to receive
and file this report. Motion carried by 4 — 0.
Councilmember Steve Herfert
H-3 City of West Covina Walk of Fame
Walk of Fame Motion to hold this item over to the next meeting was made at the
beginning of the meeting.
COUNCILMEMBERS' REQUESTS FOR REPORTS, STUDIES OR INVESTIGATIONS
Request from Mayor Pro Tem Roger Hernandez Seeking the
City Council's Consensus to Reinstate Holding Quarterly City
I-1 Council Meetings in Different Parks of the City
Quarterly Council Meetings Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez proposed to reinstate a program in
which quarterly meetings of the council were held at various
locations in the city.
Fellow councilmembers expressed concerns with meeting
ADA requirements at other facilities and safety issues.
Motion by Hernandez to reinstate quarterly meetings in different
parts of the City. Motion failed due to lack of a second.
Request from Councilmember Michael Touhey Seeking the
City Council's Consensus to Consider West Covina Youth
Basketball's Request to Waive Fees for Use of Cameron
I-2 Community Center
Waiver of Fees Councilmember Touhey stated he would support the request of the
West Covina Youth Basketball League for a fee waiver as the
league is a non-profit organization and as long as other programs
were not relocated or disrupted. Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez stated
the fee waiver would not be fair to other leagues that pay.
Councilmember Sanderson stated she would be interested in a
study on how to assist the leagues with costs.
Motion by Sanderson and second by Touhey to bring back a report
addressing fee waivers for youth sport leagues.
Motion carried by 3 — I (Hernandez — No).
Request from Councilmember Michael Touhey Seeking the
City Council's Consensus to Allow Blue Star Banners to be
I-3 Placed Near Family Member Homes at their Cost
Blue Star Banners Placement Motion by Touhey and second by Hernandez to bring to the next
meeting a report to allow families to place a Blue Star banner near
their home.
Motion carried by 4 — 0.
City Council Minutes of March 18, 2008
COUNCILMEMBER COMMENTS
Councilmember Sanderson requested to agendize that all
misdemeanors be kept within the City's jurisdiction instead of the
court system in order for the City to capture any funds.
Councilmember Touhey requested to agendize the hiring of an
audit firm to assist with recouping any fees being held by other
agencies.
ADJOURNMENT Motion by Hernandez and second by Touhey to adjourn the
meeting at 9:15 p.m. Motion carried by 4 — 0.
Submitted by:
nt_Cii Clerk Susan Rush � � /�
Mayor Sherri Lane o 0
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