08-09-2018 - Special Meeting - MinutesCITY OF WEST COVINA
CITY COUNCIL/SUCCESSOR AGENCY
THURSDAY AUGUST 09, 2018, 6:30 PM
SPECIAL MEETING
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
1444 W. GARVEY AVENUE SOUTH
WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA 91790
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER — Mayor Lloyd Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Led by Mayor Lloyd Johnson
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilman Mike Spence, Councilmember James Toma, Councilmember Corey
Warshaw, Mayor Pro Tern Tony Wu, Mayor Lloyd Johnson
Staff Present: City Manager Chris Freeland, Assistant City Manager/Community Services
Director Nikole Bresciani, City Attorney Kimberly Hall Barlow, Human Resources Director
Edward Macias, Assistant City Clerk Rosalia Butler, Police Chief Marc Taylor, Fire Chief Larry
Whithorn, Police Captain Richard Bell, Police Captain Doug Murray, Police Lieutenant Dennis
Patton, Police Lieutenant Pat Benschop
Mayor Johnson made an adjournment motion in memory of Linda Clifton, sister-in-law of West
Covina Police Department Officer Kyle Clifton.
REPORTING OUT FROM CLOSED SESSION
City Attorney Hall Barlow indicated that no reportable action was taken.
Thursday August 09, 2018
CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
City Manager Freeland indicated that there were no changes to the agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
John Shewmaker expressed concerns regarding the proposed parcel tax.
Elsie Messman spoke on her disapproval regarding the proposed tax as well as layoffs in the
Maintenance Department and expressed concerns regarding City expenditures.
Jerri Potras shared her concerns regarding the proposed tax measure and expressed concerns
related to the verbiage in the staff report for Item No. 1.
Bill Robinson expressed concerns regarding the proposed parcel tax and spoke on the high
election costs and the, high labor costs of the City. In addition, he also suggested for the City
Council to declare a fiscal emergency to address the budget issues.
J.D. spoke on Councilmember Warshaw's previous comments from the August 2, 2018, Special
Meeting pertaining to Mr. Warshaw's proposed sales tax increase easing the financial burden on
West Covina residents. J.D. also expressed concerns regarding the layoffs in the Maintenance
Department and spoke on the impact that this decision would have on the residents.
Chris Miller stated that he would be in favor of the sales tax increase if it went solely to pensions.
He also expressed his disapproval regarding the layoffs in the Maintenance Department and
indicated that the City needed to develop a detailed plan to completely resolve the budget crisis.
Teresa Cozad expressed concerns regarding the proposed tax measure.
Fredrick Sykes stated that the City needed to cut back to a minimum number of standards to stay
fiscally afloat. He also expressed concerns regarding the high turnover of businesses within the
City.
Alfred Williams expressed his disapproval regarding the proposed parcel tax.
Sarah Love shared her concerns regarding the proposed tax measure.
Ana Montane-Munoz expressed her concerns regarding the rapid decrease in safety within the
City and stated her disapproval concerning the layoffs in the Maintenance Department.
Gayle Mason spoke on the impact the proposed tax would inflict on seniors who live on a fixed
income.
The following people submitted an Agenda Item Position Slip in opposition of Item No. 1:
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Thursday August 09, 2018
Andy & Maria Lopez
Kim Potras
The following people submitted letters to the City Clerk's Office in opposition of Item No. 1:
Mike Garcia
Herb Redholtz
City Manager Freeland gave responses to speaker inquiries.
DEPARTMENTAL MATTERS
1) Public Safety Special Parcel Tax Measure for the November 2018 Ballot
It is recommended that the City Council give direction regarding the following
resolutions:
• RESOLUTION NO. 2018-109 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, ORDERING THE
SUBMISSION TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF THE
CITY OF A PUBLIC SAFETY PARCEL TAX MEASURE FOR THE
GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 6,2018
• RESOLUTION NO. 2018-110 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF WEST COVINA, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING
COUNCIL MEMBERS TO SUBMIT ARGUMENTS, SETTING PRIORITIES
FOR SELECTING ARGUMENTS TO PRINT, AND DIRECTING THE CITY
ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN IMPARTIAL ANALYSIS RELATING TO A
CITY MEASURE FOR A SPECIAL PARCEL TAX
Councilman Spence expressed his disapproval regarding the proposed tax measure.
Councilmember Warshaw shared his disapproval regarding the aforementioned tax
measure and stated that he would prefer a local sales tax increase. He also expressed
concerns regarding the future fiscal decline of the City and spoke on the increasing
California Public Employees' Retirement System (Cal PERS) costs and medical costs for
City employees.
Counciimember Toma stated his disapproval regarding the proposed parcel tax and
expressed that a general sales tax would be more beneficial for the City.
Mayor Johnson shared his disapproval regarding the proposed tax measure and stated that
he would be voting to receive and file Item No. 1.
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ROsalia A: BOA, MMC
Assistant City Clerk
Thursday August 09, 2018
A motion was made by Councilman Spence and seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Wu to
receive and file Departmental Matter Item No. 1. Motion was carried by a vote of 5-0.
AYES: Spence, Toma, Warshaw, Wu, Johnson
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Johnson adjourned the meeting at 7:24 p.m.
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