04-01-2014 - Regular Meeting - MinutesMINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
WEST COVINA CITY COUNCIL
April 1, 2014
Mayor Herfert called to order the regular meeting of the West Covina City Council at 7:05 p.m. in the
City Hall Council Chambers, 1444 W. Garvey Avenue, West Covina.
INVOCATION Pastor Mason Okubo
Immanuel First Lutheran Church
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilmember James Toma
ROLL CALL Mayor Herfert, Mayor Pro Tern Sykes,
Councilmembers Spence, Toma, Warshaw
REPORTING OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION
Deputy City Attorney Scott Nichols reported the following:
Prior to convening into closed session, all items on the City
Council and the Successor Agency agendas were announced for
inclusion in the closed session discussion with all members
present.
Items on the City Council/Successor Agency agendas:
Conference with Legal Counsel — Existing Litigation — City
of West Covina v. Hassen Imports Partnership, et al.; Los Angeles
Superior Court Case No. KC048157; In re Hassen Imports
Partnership, Debtor, United States Bankruptcy Court Case No.
2:11-bk-42068-ER; In re Hassen Imports Partnership, Debtor,
United States District Court Case No. 2:13-cv-07532-CAS —
Deputy City Attorney Nichols reported that the City
Council/Successor Agency Board were briefed on the progress of
litigation by Special Counsel; City Council gave Special Counsel
instruction on how to proceed with no reportable action taken.
Items on the City Council Agenda:
Conference with Real Property Negotiators — Property:
625 East Merced Avenue — Nichols reported the City Council was
briefed by staff on the matter regarding a potential site for a
telecommunications tower at Walmerado Park. City Council gave
staff direction with no reportable action taken.
Conference with Legal Counsel — Anticipated Litigation —
One Matter: Nichols reported that the City Council considered the
records regarding the retention of Squire Sanders as Special
Counsel for the appeal in the case of WCIA vs. City of West
Covina. The Council voted unanimously 5 — 0 to release those
documents as public records.
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA No changes.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Irene Fleck Irene Fleck, West Covina resident, announced upcoming Library
events.
Pearl Omaya Pearl Omaya, West Covina resident, thanked the City Council for
their support of the Cherry Blossom festival.
Herb Redholtz Herb Redholtz, West Covina resident, addressed a Tribune story
regarding a car dealership that will not be coming to West Covina
City Council Minutes of April 1, 2014
but instead will locate in Covina; expressed his opinion that
changes need to be made with the City Manager and City Attorney.
John Shewmaker John Shewmaker, West Covina resident, addressed litigation costs
over the past several years and whether the City will recoup any of
the costs; addressed the County Information regarding the Fire
Feasibility Study.
Lloyd Johnson Lloyd Johnson, West Covina resident, addressed legal agreements
and whether they are properly signed.
William Elliott William Elliott, West Covina resident, addressed the right to carry
concealed weapons and gun violence.
Jefferson DeRoux Jefferson DeRoux, West Covina resident, addressed the
intersection of Cameron and Lark Ellen and related issues
surrounding both traffic issues and activity at Cameron Park and
the community Center.
Bruce Leinbach Bruce Leinbach, West Covina resident, stated that as a realtor,
finds that people say West Covina is a great place to live;
addressed the last City Council agenda regarding the proposed
rental ordinance; and, addressed City litigation costs.
Mayor Herfert requested that staff follow up on several of the
speakers' concerns.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1) Approval of Meeting Minutes (receive & file)
Minutes Special Council Meeting Minutes of March 03, 2014
Adjourned Special Council Meeting Minutes of March 04, 2014
Special Council Meeting Minutes of March 04, 2014
Commission Summary of Actions (receive & file)
2) Planning Commission Planning Commission — March 11, 2014 and March 25, 2014
3) Community/Senior Community and Senior Services Commission — January 14, 2014
Award of Bid
4) Award of Bid for the Repair of the City Hall West Elevator
West Elevator Repairs Recommendation is that the City Council take the following
actions:
1. Accept the lowest responsive bid from Amtech Elevator
Services in the amount of $54,010 as submitted on March 6,
2014, and authorize the Public Works Director/City Engineer
and City Clerk to execute the contract to repair the west
elevator at City Hall.
2. Establish expenditure Account 161.83.8434.7900 for Project
No. BP-14303.
Traffic Committee Meeting Minutes (accept & file)
5) Traffic Committee Meetiniz Minutes of March 18, 2014
Traffic Committee Recommendation is that the City Council accept and file the
Minutes of the Traffic Committee meeting held on March 18,
2014, for Item No. 1 only and hold over the minutes for Item No.
11 at the request of the resident and bring it back at a future City
Council meeting.
L Request:
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City Council Minutes of April 1, 2014
Lola Finley, West Covina Resident
That parking on Brookfield Place from Woodgate Drive to
2720 Brookfield Place be restricted to permit only parking
every day, Sunday through Saturday.
Traffic Committee Recommendation:
That parking on Brookfield Place from Woodgate Drive to
2720 Brookfield Place be restricted to permit only parking
every day, Sunday through Saturday.
IL Request: (recommendation to bring back)
Lola Finley, West Covina Resident
That speeds be reviewed on Woodgate Drive and Stop signs be
installed at the intersections of Woodgate Drive at Courtnay
Circle and Woodgate Drive at Brookfield Place.
Traffic Committee Recommendations:
That staff continue to monitor the traffic conditions on
Woodgate Drive.
That Playground (W15-1) and Ahead (W16-9P) signs be
installed in advance of Gingrich Park on the east and
westbound approaches of Woodgate Drive.
That a right -edged stripe be installed along Woodgate Drive
adjacent to Gingrich Park.
Community Services Department
6) Waiver of Fees for West Covina Rotary Club "Strut Your Mutt
Waiver of Fees — Rotary Club Dog Show"
Recommendation is that the City Council authorize the City
Manager to waive the park rental, temporary use permit, and fire
permit fees for the event.
7) Waiver of Fees for West Covina American Legion Post 790
Waiver of Fees — American Legion Annual Family Spring Picnic
Recommendation is that the City Council authorize the City
Manager to waive the picnic shelter rental fee for the event.
CONSENT CALENDAR ACTION Motion by Spence and seconded by Sykes to approve all items
listed on the Consent Calendar as presented.
Motion carried by 5 — 0.
DEPARTMENTAL REGULAR MATTERS
Community Services Department
8) Host Town for the 2015 Special Olympics World Games
Host of 2015 Special Olympics Mayor Herfert introduced the item and Community Services
Director Chris Freeland presented a brief report informing the
Council that the City had been contacted by the Special Olympics
organization regarding their 2015 World Games to be held on July
25 — August 2, 2015 in Los Angeles. The Special Olympics
organization is asking local communities to provide housing,
meals, cultural activities and other events to help accommodate
athletes from over 100 countries that are competing and asked the
City to become a host town. This would take place prior to the
games.
Community Services staff has met with various West
Covina civic groups and conveyed the request of the Special
Olympics organization and groups expressed overwhelming
support. He briefly described some of the responsibilities of the
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City Council Minutes of April 1, 2014
Host Town and reported that the City has transportation funds
available to provide transit service within West Covina and the
Rotary Club Sunrise offered to provide housing for the athletes.
Freeland further gave a brief overview of how other services could
be provided.
Council discussion Councilmember Spence inquired about liability to the City and
Freeland responded.
Councilmember Toma supports the hosting of the Special
Olympics program in West Covina and was encouraged that the
service clubs are stepping up to provide the housing.
Motion Motion by Toma and seconded by Warshaw to approve hosting the
2015 Special Olympics participants in the City of West Covina.
Councilmember Spence inquired about the actual cost to the City
and the sources of funding. Freeland outlined the estimated costs
and stated some would come from the General Fund and others
through donations and fund raisers.
Action on Motion Motion carried by 5 — 0.
Fire Department
Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER)
9) Grant
SAFER Grant Interim Fire Chief Rick Genovese presented a concise report on the
SAFER Grant that was awarded to the City which will fund
thirteen positions within the Fire Department for a two-year period.
He reported that the City will receive a total of $4,661,329 and
then gave a breakdown of the amount over two years and what it
would help fund. He also reminded the Council that there are some
fiscal impacts associated with accepting the Grant, such as an
increase of overtime costs and future potential layoffs but stated
these could be offset through Ground Emergency Medical
Transportation (GEMT) reimbursements. Genovese also outlined
the positives and negatives of accepting the grant and the impact to
the Fire Department. He then offered to answer questions.
Councilmembers had a variety of questions regarding concerns
with staffing levels and understaffing, and how to manage after the
two years' provisions of the SAFER grant.
Genovese provided response to all questions.
Motion Motion by Herfert and seconded by Warshaw to accept the 2013
SAFER grant. Motion carried by 5 — 0.
AB1234 CONFERENCE AND MEETING REPORT
Councilmember Spence reported attending the San Gabriel Valley
Transportation Forum.
Mayor Pro Tern Sykes also provided his report of
attendance at the San Gabriel Valley Transportation Forum.
CITY COUNCIL REQUESTS FOR REPORTS, STUDIES OR INVESTIGATION
10) Mayor Pro Tem Fredrick Sykes
Private Tour Buses on City Request from Mayor Pro Tern Fred Sykes Requesting the City
Streets Council to Instruct City Staff to Prepare a Report to Restrict
Private Tour Buses from Loading and Unloadingon City Streets
Mayor Pro Tern Sykes introduced his item describing a serious
traffic problem that occurs when private tour buses stop and park
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City. Council Minutes of April 1, 2014
on Azusa Avenue just north of Amar Road. He asked for
Council's support to have staff report back on what measures may
be taken to resolve this issue.
Council discussion ensued regarding currently available
laws to mitigate the traffic issue and the problem occurring on
private property and the responsibility of the owners.
Police Chief Faulkner addressed the Police Department's
ability to enforce traffic laws and cite any buses that park in
congested areas impeding traffic.
Discussion ensued regarding parking on private property.
Motion Motion by Sykes and seconded by Toma to bring back a report on
other cities ordinances dealing with private tour buses parking on
public streets including information from the West Covina Police
Department on this matter.
Motion carried by 3 — 2 (Spence, Warshaw — No).
11) Request from Mayor Pro Tem Sykes Requesting City Council's
Part -Time Code Enforcement Consideration to Instruct City Staff to Prepare a Report Examining
Officers Opportunities to Hire -Part -Time Code Enforcement Officers
Mayor Pro Tem Sykes expressed concern with the lack of code
enforcement staff requesting to look into hiring additional Code
Enforcement staff to enforce the City's codes and protect the
City's standards and image.
Councilmember Warshaw felt that this should be examined
during the budget process.
City Manager Chung addressed the issue as a priority
within the upcoming budget process.
Councilmembers discussed the need to incorporate this
matter into the budget process in order to prioritize the City's
needs and Council's goals.
By Council consensus, this matter will be considered during the
budget process.
Request from Mayor Pro Tem Fredrick Sykes for City Council's
12) Consideration to Instruct City Staff to Determine the Costs to
Mobile Phone Application for Develop a Mobile Phone Application for Residents to have access
City Services to City Services
Mayor Pro Tem Sykes would like to look into mobile applications
to assist residents in accessing City services.
Councilmember Spence suggested optimizing the website
for mobile access and councilmembers agreed the website would
be a good start for this application.
City Manager Chung said this is being included as part of
the web redesign.
Motion Motion by Sykes and seconded by Toma to move forward with
incorporating mobile access with the web site.
Motion carried by 5 — 0.
COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Toma reported on the March 121h school board
liaison subcommittee meeting he attended as a representative of
the City Council reporting the topics discussed. He also attended
on March 19t" a meeting with the Community Service Groups and
non -profits and reported on their discussions regarding a variety of
community programs, encouraging volunteerism and giving back
to the community.
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City Council Minutes of April 1, 2014
Councilmember Warshaw also reported on the school district
liaison meeting and joint participation.
Mayor Herfert addressed the recent earthquake and requested that
new councilmembers be briefed on the Operation Emergency
Center. He also encouraged everyone to prepare for any future
incidents.
City Manager Chung stated that staff is updating the
website and would be providing information to the residents on
preparedness and emergency contact numbers. The new
councilmembers will be scheduled for a briefing on procedures of
the Emergency Operation Command Center.
ADJOURNMENT Motion by Toma and seconded by Sykes to adjourn the meeting at
8:57 p.m. Motion carried by 5 — 0.
Submitted by:
Assistant'Citff le •k Susan Rush
Mayor Steve,+fel,,
Cel