HomeMy WebLinkAboutFEBRUARY 21,1984_2
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
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INVOCATION
PL EDGE OF
ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
M I NUT E S
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA
and the
ARCADIA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 21, 1984
The City Council of the City of Arcadia and the Arcadia Redevelopment
Agency met in a regular session Tuesday, February 21,1984 at 7:30 p.m.
in the City Hall Council Chambers.
Rev. Alfred Carter, Christian Center of Arcadia
Christine Van Maanen, City Clerk of the City of Arcadia
PRESENT: Councilmen Drinq, Haltom, Hannah, Pellegrino, Lojeski
ABSENT: None
MINUTES Continued to March 6, 1984
ORD. & RES. It was MOVED by Councilman Hannah, seconded by Councilman Haltom and
READ BY TITLE carried that the resolutions and ordinances be read by title only.
HARBICHT
BRUNO
OATH OF
OFFICE
I
PRESENTATIONS
On behalf of the City Council Mayor Lojeski presented a plaque to
Robert Harbicht in appreciation of his efforts and accomplishments
while a member of the Planning Commission. Mr. Harbicht is a candi-
date for City Council and has rendered his resignation from said
Commission. His term would have expired June 30, 1986.
Later in these proceedinqs - Mayor Lojeski also presented a plaque
to Joanna Bruno in appreciation of her efforts and accomplishments
while a member of the Arcadia Beautiful Commission. Ms. Bruno is a
candidate for City Council and has rendered her resignation from said
Commission. Her term would have expired June 30, 1986.
The City Clerk administered the Oath of Office to the followino new
appointments:
John Greqory
Sherry Root
Dave Szany
Olympic Commission
Library Board
Planning Commission
Term to expire September 1984
Term to expire June 30, 1986
Term to expire June 30, 1986
The new appointees were welcomed to the City Family and presented with
credentials.
1.
HEARING The Planning Commission recommended approval of a zone change (Z-84-1)
ZONE CHANGE from M-l (Planned Industrial District) to C-M (Commercial Manufacturinq
APPROVED Zone) at 15 W. st. Joseph Street and 300, 312 and 318 Rolyn Place. It
~. was felt that the C-M zone would be appropriate for the subject area
U....) and would be consistent with the General Plan... it would also promote
an upgrading of the area.
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Mayor Lojeski declared the hearing OPEN and the applicant, Fred Bowden,
dba Bowden Construction Company, said in part that he would like to
convert an existing light manufacturing buildinq into a commercial
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2.
PUBLIC
HEARING
(Weed
Removal)
APPROVEJ
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3.
4.
ROLL CALL
4b.
MINUTES
(March 6)
4c.
RELOCATION
HOUSING PLAN
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APRIL 3, 1984
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office, and would comply with all zoning regulations.
No one else desiring to be heard the hearin9 was CLOSED on MOTION by
Councilman Dring, seconded by Councilman Haltom and carried. It was
further MOVED by Councilman Dring, seconded by Councilman Haltom and
carried on roll call vote as follows that the Negative Declaration
be approved and filed; find that the project wil' not have a signifi-
cant effect on the environment and that the City Attorney prepare the
appropriate ordinance to effect this change.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmen Dring, Haltom, Hannah, Pelleorino, Lojeski
None
None
Time and place to hear objections to the proposed removal of noxious
weeds, rubbish and refuse from certain properties as set forth on a
declaration list. Mayor Lojeski declared the hearing open and an
owner of property on Live Oak Avenue which is to be cleared by the
Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner, said in part that until
he knows the cost of such removal he will reserve his response as to
an objection. John Clarke of the Fire Department explained the pro-
cedure ... and advised that the costs are unknown until the work is
performed.
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No one else desirinq to be heard the hearing was CLOSED on MOTION by
Councilman Dring, seconded by Councilman Haltom and carried. It was
further MOVED by Councilman Dring, seconded by Councilman Pellegrino
and carried on roll call vote as follows that the County Agricultural
Commissioner be directed to abate the nuisance by having weeds, rub-
bish and refuse removed.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmen Dring, Haltom, Hannah, Pellegrino, Lojeski
None
None
Council recessed in order to act as the
ARCADIA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
PRESENT: Agency Members Dring, Haltom, Hannah, Pellegrino, Lojeski
ABSENT: None
The minutes will be carried over to the March 6, 1984 meeting.
The Agency
Relocation
contract.
out in the
relocation
member the
received a report summarlzlng the basic components of the
Housing Plan which has been prepared by Port & Flor per
It was noted that the requirements for this are spelled
California State Law alonq with the guidelines as to how
plans should be prepared. With the exception of one
Project Area Committee reviewed and approved the plan.
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Joan Flor, "17 - 11th Street, Manhatten Beach, said in part they
had made a complete survey of all of the tenants in the project area
to determine their rehousing needs, including any disabilities and
incomes. There are now 16 persons to be relocated. Benefits to
which they are entitled were enumerated.
Richard Marvin, 28 N. Third Avenue, PAC Member, said in part that the
Draft Relocation Plan is unacceptable.. it does not provide a viable
method to handle displaced households and does not satisfy the re-
quirements of the California Health & Safety Code. He felt that
services in other communities included in the Port & Flor survey do
not measure up to those in Arcadia with its outstanding schools, hos-
pital, police and fire protection, paramedic services, Dial-A-Ride
service and services for the senior citizens. He said the survey
indicates that for 12 households wanting to' relocate in Arcadia not a
single unit was available. A transcript of Mr. Marvin's remarks
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4d.
DEVELOPMENT
(TARGET)
Notice to
Owners and
Tenants
APPROVED
Cj1
f\'Y' tl
jD
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5.
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will be made available tu Mrs. Flor so she can respond to each concern.
Reference was made by Member Haltom to the use of the Naomi r,nrdp.n~
housing for other than senior housing... that the HUD money would be
used to benefit the relocation for redevelopment... that perhaps HUD
would withdraw its funding. It appeared to him that the Agency is
solving it's problems by taking housing away from the senior citizens
for whom the facility was intended.
In order for the Agency and the City Council to consider the matter at
one and the same time this will come up again on TUESDAY APRIL 3, 1984.
(Transcript attached)
Member Hannah was excused from participating on this item. Staff sub-
mitted a "Notice to Owners and Tenants within a specific area" for
Agency's consideration. It was noted in the report dated February 21
that it has been working with Beck and Associates on the preparation
of an Exclusive Right to Negotiate pursuant to the Agency's direction
of January 3, 1984. Beck has requested that the Agency consult with
the owners and tenants within the site prior to Beck's execution of
an ERN and its expenditure of significant monies.
Member Dring submitted in part that certain things come to mind, 1) is
the Target store the most appropriate for the subject location, 2) the
price Beck is willing to pay for the property is lower than the Agency
paid-for it and 3) Beck would like the Agency to go throuqh this process
before an Exclusive Right to Neqotiate agreement has been signed ...
Under these circumstances he could not support this.
Staff responded in the negative to Member Pellegrino's question as
to whether or not Beck & Associates have any other store in mind for
the location. r1ember Pelleqrino said he is not familiar with' the
quality of Target Stores but he does hear people ask if Arcadia is set-
tling for a Taroet Store rather than a high volume store.
Member Haltom said in part that he is primarily interested in a revenue
generating facility on the site and recalled that what is before the
Anency at this time is just to qive the owners and tenants in the area
an opportunity to participate. ~
It was MOVED by Member Haltom, seconded by Member Pellegrlno and carried
on roll call vote as follows that staff be AUTHORIZED to submit the
Notice to the owners and tenants of the Central Downtown Project area
and to publish same. (The Notice provides that proposals must be re-
ceived by the Agency no later than March 31, 1984.)
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Members Haltom, Pellegrino, Lojeski
Member Dring
Member Hannah
None
Reconvene City Council
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Herb Fletcher, 175 W. Lemon Avenue, felt that an in-depth study should
be made of the entire business district from, for instance, Foothill
Boulevard south to Duarte Road instead of the area which is now beinq
undertaken. He suggested Council spend a little more than the $55,060
and expand the area.
Mr. Fletcher also referred to the time a family in the Highlands area
wanted to make an addition to their home and their plans complied with
all city codes and yet they had to go throuqh the Homeowners' Associ-
ation which did not approve what they wanted to do. He noted that the
family had to pay for a hearing before Council to do something that was
within the law. He sug0ested Council review the powers the homeowners
association have... that perhaps the association should go to the ex-
pense and trouble to prove them wrong. During the consideration Council-
man Dring suggested that the City Attorney look into the matter and make
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some recommendations.... see what could be done to have the associations
be responsible for monies spent by the homeowner requesting the addi-
tion or modification. Councilman Haltom brought up the contents of
deed restrictions with which the homeowner locked themselves in with
when they purchased the property.. he agreed that the associations have
too much power but by the same token they do a lot of good.
The City Attorney will provide a leqal opinion with recommendations.
Mrs. Johanna Hofer, 875 Monte Verde Drive, said in part that she would
be writin9 Congressman Carlos Moorehead concerning the possibility of
obtaining federal funding for a municipal auditorium and/or a multi- I
purpose senior citizens' service center. She asked for some specific
dates as to when the City had a bond issue before the electorate. The
City Clerk will provide this data. Mayor Lojeski said he would also
submit a communication.
Mrs. Hofer then said in her view it would not be appropriate to refund
building permit fees as requested by the American Red Cross Arcadia
Chapter, not that she isn't grateful for what the organization does
for the community... but a line has to be drawn somewhere or the City
may find itself unaccountable down the road.
Mrs. Hofer referred to taping the Council meetings which she favored.
Mayor Lojeski agreed - and felt it a way to tune people in with what
is happening to City government... Councilman Dring felt it would be
costly.. the communication equipment and energy required to televise
the proceedinas.. he would welcome it if it served any real purpose..
on rare occasions the meetings are of real value... he also submitted
that the entire city does not have cable television and the only ones
to benefit would be less than half of the population.
Regarding her inquiry about the peacocks at the Arboretum Mrs. Hofer
was advised to contact Mr. Bocian in the City Manager's office. He has
a report of which she could obtain a copy.
/
Sam Falzone, 351 E. Foothill Boulevard, asked permission to remove the
For Sale and/Lease sign on city owned property at the northwest corner
of Huntington Drive and First Avenue. He would like to erect a sign
with a rendering of the building he proposed to build there; all of
the required names and sufficient space for the contractor and archi-
tect.. about 45 sq. ft. There is a code provision that a sign may not
be more than 32 sq. ft. Mayor Lojeski expressed concern that it might
set a tremendous precedent.
It was MOVED by Councilman Dring, seconded by Councilman Haltom and
carried on the following roll call vote that the provisions of the
code relative to the size of a sign be waived and that Mr. Falzone be
permitted to erect a 45 sq. ft. sign, the location on the site to be
at the approval of the Director of Public Works.
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AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Councilmen Dring, Haltom
Mayor Lojeski
Councilmen Hannah, Pelleqrino
None
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V'.7a. CUP
l Church
7b.TRACT NO.
G 33233
r (Final Map)
",,?c. TRACT NO.
"v 31743
I \ (Final Map)
7d.TRACT NO
31743
!0 (Time ext.
r to Aug.
10,1 984)
7e.TRACT NO.
32259
;J (Time ext.
~ to Sept.
2, 1984)
7f . ADVERT! SE
(FOR BIDS
(Waterl ine
& Fire Hyd.)
7q. AUDITS
D\Special
f.?
7h.DIA~-A-
RIDE STUDY
APPROVED
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8a. ITEM
WITHDRAWN
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CONSENT ITEMS
APPROVED conditional use permit to operate a church at 501 N.
Santa Anita Avenue (Mandarin Baptist Church of Pasadena) pursuant
to conditions spelled out in Planning Commission Resolution No. 1252.
APPROVED final map of Tract No. 33233' for a proposed 11 unit office
condominium at 554 Las Tunas Drive. The map has been found to be in
substantial compliance with the tentative map which was approved by
Council on July 20, 1982. Compliance with all requirements must be
met prior to recording the final map.
APPROVED final map of Tract No. 31743 for a proposed 19 unit
residential condominium at 801-807 Camino Real. The map has been
found to be in substantial compliance with the tentative map which
was approved by Council on February 16, 1982. Compliance with all
requirements must be met prior to the recording of the final map.
APPROVED six (6) month time extension of the tentative map of
Tract No. 31743 for a proposed residential condominium at 801-807
W. Camino Real. A recent inspection found the existing dwellings
inhabited and adequately maintained.
APPROVED six (6) month time extension for tentative map of Tract
No. 32259 for a proposed 7 unit residential condominium at 819 W.
Duarte Road. The tentative map was approved by Council on March
2, 1982 and will expire on March 2, 1984. The owner/developer
has requested a one year extension, however, on recommendation of
the Plannin9 Department a six month time extension was granted.
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APPROVED the plans and specifications and authorized advertising
for bids for the installation of approximately 570 lineal feet of
8" waterl ine and two fire hydrants at Haven and Lorena Avenues.
Funds in the General City Capital Outlay Fund.
APPROVED appropriation of approximately $750 from Revenue Sharing
Funds for the audit of selected hotels and motels of room tax
receipts for a period to be determined at a later time; also
$750 from Revenue Sharing Funds for a special audit of Tucker Bill
receipts from the Santa Anita Race Track.
APPROVED the issuance of Request for Proposals in connection with
a Fare, Budgeting and Efficiency Study for the Dial-A-Ride program
and AUTHORIZED staff to recommend the most qualified bidder. Staff
,to bring back the proposals for Council consideration.
ALL OF THE ABOVE CONSENT ITEMS, AS MODIFIED. WERE APPROVED ON
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN DRING, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN HANNAH AND
CARRIED ON ROLL CALL VOTE AS FOLLOWS:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmen Dring, Haltom, Hannah, Pellegrino, Lojeski
NONE
NONE
The request from "Focus on the Family" relative to the issuance
of tax-exempt bonds was withdrawn by the applicant.
8b.RED CROSS Council received the request from the Executive Director of the
REFUND American Red Cross Arcadia Chapter for a refund of $3,076.78 which
DENIED was paid for the building permit for the Red Cross facilities under
(To be construction on the grounds of the Methodist Hospital
brought back
at budget The City Attorney had rendered the opinion that there is no legal
review time) authority for such a refund and the rationale set forth by the Red
~~ cross in its communication does not mitigate the costs of required
() " City services (building inspectors, etc.) which the fees are designed
f I to cover on beha 1 f of all taxpayers.
During this consideration Councilman Pellegrino abstained from
participation inasmuch as he is a member of the Board/Directors.
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8c.AMERICAN
S &L
1761
9a. ORDINANCE
No. 1 788
INTRODUCED
/
9b. RESOLUTION
NO. 5165
ADOPTED
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25:0893
Councilman Dring MOVED to refund said fees. Motion seconded by
Mayor Lojeski for discussion purposes. Mr. Parker of Red Cross
explained in detail the services rendered 'by the organization and
how it is mandated by Charter for specific services. The facility
will be on city property, it is part of the disaster plan on a 24
hour basis.... all services are geared to Arcadia residents.... and
depends on community efforts and volunteers .., no one is turned
away who may be in need.
Councilman Hannah submitted that the current budget does not provide
for refunds of this nature and suggested that this be brought up at
the time of budget review for the next fiscal year.
ROLL CALL ON COUNCILMAN DRING'S MOTION WHICH DID NOT CARRY ON THE
FOLLOWING ROLL CALL VOTE.
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AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Councilman Dring
Councilmen Haltom, Hannah, Lojeski
Councilman Pellegrino
NONE
Mayor Lojeski commented that he would like to see a formal
presentation of this request by Mr. Parker to be considered
at budget time.
Council received information that the American Savings & Loan
has until March 5, 1984 to provide documentation of adequate
relocation (i.e. proof of ownership or lease) and sufficient
parking to accommodate its use.
Due to possible conflict of interests, both Councilmen Hannah
and Pellegrino were excused from participation. However, in the
discussion with John S. Peterson, attorney for the S & L, it was
determined that the matter be brought before Council on March 6
with all documentation including a signed lease.
The City Attorney presented, explained the. content and read the
title of Ordinance No. 1788 entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA AMENDING ARCADIA MUNICIPAL CODE
SECTION 9233.10 OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE RECLASSIFYING A PORTION OF
THE, PROPERTY AT 285 WEST HUNTINGTON DRIVE FROM R-1 AND S-l TO C-O
& H (PROFESSIONAL OFFICE WITH A HIGH RISE OVERLAY) WITH SPECIFIED
CONDITIONS AND STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS."
ADOPTED on MOTION by Councilman Hannah, seconded by Councilman
Pellegrino and carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmen Haltom, Hannah, Pellegrino, Lojeski
Councilman Dring
NONE
The City Attorney presented, explained the content and read the
title of Resolution No. 5165, entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA AMENDING THE GENERAL PLAN LAND USE
DESIGNATION FOR A PORTION OF THE PROPERTY AT 285 WEST HUNTINGTON
DRIVE FROM "HORSE RACING" TO "COMMERCIAL" WITH STATEMENT OF OVER-
RIDING CONSIDERATION RELATING TO MITIGATION MEASURES AND PROJECT
AL TERNATIVES FOR G. P. 83-1."
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ADOPTED on MOTION by Councilman Hannah, seconded by Councilman
Haltom and carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmen Haltom, Hannah, Pellegrino, Lojeski
Councilman Dring
NONE
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9c. RESOLUTION
NO. 5164
ADOPTED
6q
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11. DRING
RE FIRE
STATION
IN SOUTH
ARCADIA
/
IN MEMORY
of
CLl FFORD S.
LANCE
/
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The City Attorney presented, explained the content and read
the title of Resolution No. 5164, entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING
VOTING PRECINCTS AND POLLING PLACES, APPOINTING PRECINCT BOARD
MEMBERS AND FIXING COMPENSATION FOR THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION
OF SAID CITY ON TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 1984, HERETOFORE CALLED BY
RESOLUTION NO. 5147 OF THE CITY COUNC IL."
ADOPTED on MOTION by Councilman Dring. seconded by Councilman
Haltom and carried on roll call vote as follows:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmen Dring. Haltom, Hannah, Pellegrino. Lojeski
NONE
NONE
MATTERS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS
Councilman Dring said, in part that funds have been set aside
for a new City Hall and felt the money should be used for a fire
station in the southern part of the City for the protection of
those residents ... that it is long overdue. The City Manager
submitted the possibility of joining with E1 Monte for service
in the deficient area. Monrovia would also benefit with these
additional services. Details have not been worked out ... it would
save the expense of buildin9 a new station.
The Fire Chief said, in part, that it takes about 5 to 6 minutes to
respond to the Live Oak area, however. he will prepare some basic
data, which Councilman Dring felt Council should have before
entering into an agreement with El Monte.
Councilman Pellegrino recalled that this has been discussed for
about six years now and he would like to see the City go ahead.
Mayor Lojeski adjourned the meeting in menory of Clifford S.
Lance, co-founder and owner of A & A BU11ding Material Company in
Arcadia, who passed away February 12 at the age of 82. He was born
in Pittsburg, Kansas, in 1901. His family settled in the Pasadena -
A1tadena area in 1910. He met Dorothy Simpson whom he married in
1922. Over the years they were members of the First Methodist
Church of Pasadena. He was a Scout Master for Troop 27 sponsored
by the First Church for 10 years and contributed much to the Scout
program over a span of some 50 years. He also served on many
committees and was on the Board of Trustees of the Church. He
was honored in 1983 by having the Rotary-sponsored Monrovia Canyon
Trask Headquarters building dedicated in hlS name. During the period
of his business involvement in Arcadia. Cliff Lance was president of
Arcadia Rotary, twice president of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce,
president of California Building Material Dealers Association, president
of Western States Building Material Dealers, member of Elk's Club,
assisted in conception of Arcadia Youth Hut Program and was deeply in-
volved in legislative development of the building industry in Sacramento.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Simpson Lance, two sons, Clifford
S. Lance, Jr. and Dr. Wayne D. Lance, eight grandchildren and six great-
grandchildren. Services were held at the First Methodist Church of
Pasadena, Wednesday, conducted by the Rev. Tudor D. Lance of Mishawaka,
Ind., a grandson. A memorial trust is being established by the family
in conjunction with Fuller Heritage House to pursue studies of
Alzheimers disease.
12.ADJOURNMENT Mayor Lojeski adjourned the meeting at 9:20 p.m. to
at 7:00 p. m. in the Conference Room to conduct the
Council and Agency and any Closed Session necessary
litigation matters and evaluation of prpperties.
March 6, 1 984
business of the
to discuss personnel,
ATTEST, ~ "0'
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TRANSCRIPT
(insofar as decipherable) _
February 21, 1984
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AGENDA ITEM 4c - RELOCATION HOUSING PLAN
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Agency: You have before you the
staff report which summarizes the basic components of the Relocation
Housing Plan which has been prepared by Port & Flor under a contract.
The requirements for this document are laid out in California State
law and the guidelines, which are rather explicit, on how relocation
plans should be prepared. Basically, it involved extensive work by
the consultants in the fall of last year into early 1984" It involved
extensive interviews with all of the displacees and survey of all of
the housing stock in and around the 'immediate metropolitan area. The
,
document, in draft form, was presented to the project area committee
and was approved by the PAC a couple of weeks ago. The displacees of
the Agency - lB in number - were notified, not only of the prepara~ion
of the plan, they were notified of the PAC meeting at which the consultant
would make the report and they were invited to attend the PAC meeting
and answer any questions that they might have. They were also informed
of this meeting tonight and they were also informed that they may make
a presentation or ask questions to the Agency at this meeting. Present
tonight from Port & Flor is Aquita Rosenhouse and Joan Flor to
explain to you the details of the relocation plan. Following their
presentation, I would ask that you listen to any comments from displacees.
I would remind you that this plan needs to be adopted also by the City
Council. The legislative body requires notice to the displacees 30 days
before such Council meeting. With that, I would ask Ms. Flor if she
would give a brief presentation to the City Council.
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Tx 1, side 1 - February 21, 1984
Page 2 - Arcadia City Council
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My name is Joar F10r. My address is 1117- 11th Stre~t, Manhattan
Beach. Miss Rosenhouse is translating what I am saying to the tenants
who are in the project area, so I am going to go rather .slow. As Mr.
Kinnahan said, we did a complete survey of all of the tenants in the
project area to determine what their rehousing needs are, including
any disabilities that they mioht have and certainly the~r income.
We explained to them at that time what the relocation benefits would
be. Concurrent with that, incidentally, I should say that Aquita did
most of the interviewing, and so those who spoke Spanish were interviewed
in Spanish, concurrently, we did an extensive search for housing
within the area and in all located over 400 apartments and homes that
were for rent. We do have in this project area now only 16 people
remaining because a few people have voluntarily relocated. They have
all been notified that they may relocate any time that they want to
and that they will be eligible for full benefits and we offer the same
services now as we will when they are ultimately required to move. When
a disposition and development agreement is signed, they will be given
notice of the minimum that they can be given is ninety days and the
maximum is indefinitely. We are estimating that perhaps with the
DDA there would be about a six-month period. We have looked over the
resources and looked over the housing needs of the people who must
be relocated and determined at this time that it will be pOSSible to
relocate everybody because we anticipate that relocation will take
place on a gradual basis voluntarily so that perhaps by the time the
DDA is signed there will not be that many people remaining in the project
area. That briefly summarizes. I believe that you are all familiar
with the benefits that the people are entitled to. The tenants, very
briefly, if they qualify, if they've been there for ninety days prior
to initiation of negotiations would received up to $4000. and the
home owners/~2~~qve up to $15000. as well as their moving expenses.
In the budget/inpt~n, we have put in the maximum amount because it
appears from the housing resources that it will be necessary for people
to qualify for that amount. If there are questions, I would be glad
to answer them.
,
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Lojeski:
Dring
Flor
Dring
F10r
C Dring
Flor
Dring
Lojeski
Kinnahan
Lojeski
Kinnahan
Lojeski
Marvin
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Tx 1, side 1
City Counc il
- Februa ry
Meeting
21, 1984
pg_ 3
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Any questions of Ms. Flor?
Please - the distribution between - I'm sorry I don't have the
numbers available to me. Can you recall for me, please, the
distribution between owners and tenants?
There is one home owner and the balance are tenants.
O.K. the $149,500 over 18 people is better than $8000 per person average.
We had a couple of businesses in there as well who qualified for in
1 ieu payments.
What kind, please?
In lieu payments. Additionally, when we started working, we had 22
people in the site and there are some people who have moved off site
and not received their benefits yet. We are tracing them and they are
eligible for benefits if they come back for them.
Thank you.
Any other questions of Ms. Flor? Thank you very much.
I think it appropriate at this time - are there any other comments
from any disp1acees in the area! Mr. Marvin is coming. Just out
of curiosity, you indicated that the PAC voted on this and passed
this, I believe, as far as their agency took action on this. What
was the vote - was it unanimous feeling in the PAC?
In fact, the vote was 9 to 1, sir.
Thank you.. O.K. Who is the one?
Mr. Marvin is an eligible, elected PAC member and voted in the negative.
Thank you. Yes, Mr. Marvin.
My name is Richard Marvin and I live at 28 N. Third Avenue. The
Arcadia's Redevelopment Agency's draft relocation plan of January 23,
1984 'is unacceptable. The plan does not provide a viable method
to handle displaced households and does not satiSfy the requirements
of California Health & Safety codes. Port & Flor's survey of vacant
units is not particularly helpful. Apart from the number of bedrooms
and the amount of the rent, the survey gives no information to show
that the units would, in 'fact, meet the needs of the households to
be displaced. The survey does not indicate whether the units would
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Ma rv in
Tx 1, side 1 - February 21,1984
pg. 4 - Arcadi a Ci ty Counc i 1
,
be available to people of all races, whetber the units could be
rented by families with children, whether the units would be
available to households with pets, and whether the units are
accessible to handicapped persons. Without consideration of such
variables, the conclusion that "there are adequate numbers of
rental units" is premature. There is a shocking number of mistakes
in Table 3, page 12. In column 5, No. of households, it should be
noted that 1 + 1 + 2 + 1 + 1 = 6 and not 5. Column totals are also
wrong for Columns 6, 8 and 10. The question arises whether there are
other mistakes in this document. Clearly, the Agency's consultant
should be given time to check all figures again. The draft relocation
plan implies that many of the households will be assisted through
the Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments Program "persons who are
eligible for Section 8 Housing have been encouraged to apply for such
housing", page 17, and "tenants who qual ify for Section 8 Housing
will be encouraged to apply for it~ page 18, but the County Housing
Authority is not accepting applications due to the large number of
applications already on file. There is little chance that the Housing
Authority will again open for applications before relocation takes
place. The relocation plan should confine itself to a disc~ssion of
assistance which will be available to displaced households rather
than make vague statements about programs which will not be available
for at least the next two years. Another detail about the housing
assistance payments program which is not mentioned in the draft plan
is that Section 8 assistance can only be received when the cost of
the unit does not exceed fair market rent. Because of the high price
for housing in ,Arcadia, Section 8 assistance could not be provided
for many units. Furthermore, reliance on the Section 8 program to
solve a problem created by the Arcadia Redevelopment Agency is a
questionable practice. The budget of the County Housing Authority is
strictly limited by allocation of funds fro~ Washington. Therefore.
only a fraction of the eligible families in the county can be given
Section 8 assistance. Under these circumstances, if the County
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Marvin
c
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Tx 1, side 1 - February 21,1984
pg. 5 - Arcadia City Council
Housing Authority aids people displaced by redevelopment in Arcadia,
other needy famil ies will have to go without assistance.' Regarding
the availabil ity of housing for seniors, at Naomi Gardens, the draft
plan states that, "elegible tenants will be referred" and "they will
receive priori,ty status". Let us recall the construction of the senior
citizen building was voted on by Arcadia citizens in 1980. It was
understood that the purpose of the building was to provide additional
housing for Arcadia's seniors. It is a significant alteration of
direction on senior housing if the Redevelopment Agency wants to preempt
some of the units at Naomi Gardens to house seniors who are losing
their homes because of Redevelopment Agency demolition. The contention
that "people tend to deflate their income when answering survey
questions", page 18, is not a scientifically proven truth. Furthermore,
the statement is an insult to tenants who offered their time to answer
Port & Flor's questions. This unfortunate passage should be expunged
from the plan.
,
The figures presented in the draft plan themselves demonstrate that
orderly relocation will be impossible without the construction of re-
placement housing by the Arcadia Redevelopment Agency. Most of the
residents to be relocated wish to remain in Arcadia. The summary of
available housing, Table 5, is largely irrelevant since it includes
mostly vacant units in other communities. The California Health &
Safety code cites the need for people to be moved to areas which have
publiC services which are not less desirable than the area where they
are now living. The services in the other communities included in the
Port & Flor survey simply do not measure up to those in Arcadia.
Arcadia is well known for its outstanding schools, hospital, police
and fire protection, paramedic service, Oial-A-Ride service and senior
citizen's services. The table I am distributing combines information
from Tables 1, 2, 3, 4 and from Exhibits 0 and E. For simpl icity in
this table, ability to pay is 25% of income rather than the formula in
the draft plan. I used, i.e., the lower of 25% of income or present rent.
The $83. per month assistance from the Redevelopment Agency is not in-
cluded in my listinq of rent which displaced households are able to pay.
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Marvin
Lojeski
Dring
Lojeski
Dring
F10r
Dring
F10r
Dring
Lojeski
Haltom
Tx 1, side 1 - Feb. 21, 1984
Pg.6 - Arcadia City Council
,
Since such assistance will be available o~ly for a limited period of
time, it is improper to include this money when attempting to achieve
long-term resettlement. The table shows that for twelve households
wanting to relocate in Arcadia, not a single unit was available. The
statement that "there are adequate numbers of rental un'its", page 18, is
thus not correct. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Marvin. Any questions?
Yes, please
Councilman Dring
May I re-address Ms. Flor, please.
Without knowing a great deal about the validity o~ what Mr. Marvin has
said, he seems to make some very salient points. Would you like to
address those for us?
Yes, I really should have kept a list, but the one that ....
May I make a suggestion?
Yes
I imagine since Mr. Marvin has spoken very clearly into the microphone,
that we could create a copy of his synopsis for you from the minutes
at a later time and it would seem to me to be appropriate - I don't
know about you all - but at least from my standpoint - for you to
address the issues that he raised. If, indeed, they are true, they are
salient, pertinent to what is under discussion and would have certainly
a beari ng and impact on my approva 1. I don't know about the rest of
the Councilmen.
Councilman Haltom
I think that - I agree with you first of all - ] think a lot of the
things he said are probably valid. The one 'hing that struck me -
that] couldn't understand is how we can give preferential treatment to people
for the senior citizen's housing, the Naomi Gardens, when intended for
one purpose and we're using it for another. think I'd be a little
hesitant to do that because HUn might pull the financing right out from
under us.
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Dring
Haltom
Lojeski
:<innehan
Haltom
K;nn2han
Ha 1 tom
Kin~2ha,1
Tx 1, side 1 - Feb. 21, 1984
Pg.7 - Arcadia City Council
Yes, it's my understanding that we can n~t give preference to
,
It's my understanding, too. And what we're doing - we're taking
HUD money and using it to benefit the relocation for redevelcpMe~:
and there's no parallel. . . I'm not a lawyer, but I'd like to lay
money that that is illegal and that HUD would scream and probably
withdraw the funds or certainly penalize us for doing it.
Pete, have you got any comments on that?
Mr. Chairman, when H~D sponsors a project like a 221D2 or 202 and I
think this is a 202 project, they require that the management company
or the owner give priority to those people who are being displaced.
They don't have to give it to them, but they have to give priority
to those people. If a list is being drawn up by Mid-American
Management and they are notified that someone is being displaced
by City or government action, they have to give priority consideration
to that family or to that household if they qualify as senior citizens.
Don't you think that the intent of that law is that they give
priority to people being displaced by the creation of the senior citizen
housing not by the Redevelopment Agency? I think we are misusing the
law for our own intent.
HUD doesn't distinguish between
I didn't ask you what HUD distinguished. I said what do you think
the intent of it was instead of us trying to taylor it to serve us
because to me it looks like another good old government turning
something around which is intended for one purpose to benefit the
Redevelopment Agency. I can't read it any other way. I can't
see any connection between Naomi Gardens and people being displaced
over by the Redevelopment Agency.
To my knowledge there were only about three families displaced from
the Naomi Gardens site and I'm not sure any of them were even
eligible for this project. I auess it's first come. And the second
is the purpose of the senior citizen~ project is to benefit the
citizens of Arcadia and these people who will be displaced by
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Haltom
;~innehan
Haltom
Kinnehan
Haltom
Lojeski
Dring
Flor
Dring
Flor
Tx 1, side 1 - Feb. 21, 1983
pg. 8 - Arcadia City Council
Redevelopment are citizens of Arcadia who are elderly and have
low incomes.
They ha'l2 bee~ disclaced b~ the Redev!lopme~t Agency.
There probably would be no more than three or four as it appears...
But they would not have been displaced had not the Redevelopment Agency
in effect, evicted them.
That's true. On their own, had there been no Development they may
have on their own voluntarily sought application to that project, but
you're right the displacement is caused by the Agency. I
So the Agency is actually solving the Agency's problems by taking housing
away from senior citizens. That's exactly what they are doing -- they're
taking what I would consider spaces that were intended for senior citizens
and saying we will use these because we can work around the confines of
the law to serve us. Self-serving government that's all it is. That's
not a personal attack at all. It's just the stinking way things work.
I'm certainly not for it.
Councilman Dring
Ms. Flor,I didn't give you a chance.before - I was trying to make it
~
a little easier for you in saying that it would probably be easier for
you and much clearer to respond if you had the list that he outlined
available to you.
Well, thank you and I appreciate that.
Is there anything off the top that you would like to ....
Well, I was just going to mention that it is the practice in relocation
when we'find low income families who prefer, for instance, to get on
a subsidy program that's more ongoing than the four years that relocation
provides for th~m for us to refer them to local housing if they qualify
for senior citizen housing or for Sect,~n 8 housing and as a matter of
fact, people who are displaced from Redevelopment projects do have
preference with the county in getting into Section 8 housing. It's the
only time that somebody can go to the top of the list and that is because
they are being displaced. I will agree with you that may appear not to
be totally all right, however, HUD and a local community in putting their
statistics together, for the necessity of this housing, counts the number I
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Flor
c
1';"9
tx 1, side 1 - Feb. 21, 1984
pg. 9 - Arcadia City Council
of low and moderate income people within the community and so, in a sense,
they have been counted once in terms of gaining this funding from HUD. I
would like to address another issue, if I may, and that is that the guidelines
that we are directed by the state allow us to use 25% of a pers'on's income
or the present rent that they are paying whichever is lower and to add to that
$83. The $83 represents the $4000. divided by 48 months and works out to be
a little over $83. a month and that is what, in the field, is spoken of as
ability to pay. I would further state that we are very strongly assuming
that it will be necessary to amend this plan because perhaps of the delay
in signing a DDA or because of getting more people into the workload if more
property is acquired and if that is the case, and at that time and before people
are required to move and given notice, it has always been anticipated that this
plan would be amended and at that time we would have our resource study which'
we would have done at this time along with an updated resource study which would
give us the trend of the rental market. It is totally impractical and it would
be nice if we could do it but save having computers with the information on that
it would be totally impractical to go out and interview either the owner or the
prop~rty manaaer in each one of these vacant units. They will not spend the time
with us and it would be such a time-consuming program. Frequently, they judge
whether or not they will let people go in or not by an application and their
references and theywould be totally unable to tell us whether or not they would
accept a specific family at this time. This is all a voluntary proqram at this
time and this is the reason that we took this stance. We felt that it was really
premature to get into any specifics at this time. We do ultimately verify income
and we're very sorry if the comment offended anybody. We have been in business
14 years and we find that people frequently overstate or understate their income
and we never know that until ultimately we get verificaion of income and so this
is just a plan now with the best knowledge we have. We have always anticipated
that it would be updated. I might add that on page 19 we have made the
statement that no person of low or moderate income shall be displaced unless or
until there are suitable housing units available or comparable units ready
for occupancy at the time of displacement. And I really can't remember. I should
have kept the list. I can't remember the other comments.
That's all right. Would it be, in your opinion, pertinent to respond to those
because he seemed to raise a valid number of ...... and certainly at this stage
do a thorough survey. When no one is moving at this time, it becomes superfluous
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tx 1, side 1 - February 21, 1984
page 10 - Arcadia City Council
Flor
-
so your point is well taken there. Mr. Marvin did have a number of
what seemed to be valid points. Would it be appropriate to respond
to those?
Yes that would be fine.
If we could do that, perhaps, not at our next meeting, but the
meeting after when we'~ got a full council I think it would be more
effective. The second meeting in March.
Mr. Chairman, if I could suggest, so that we won't have to reconvene
the Agency and then hear the resolution and then set up a meeting for
the City Council to adopt it, can I ask if you would set the Agency
and the Council Meeting jointly about thirty days in the future, so
that the Agency and Council can consider the matter at one time and
make a decision at that time.
Dri'ig He's saying two Council meetings from now7
Kinnaham I think that will take us .. there will not be time to notify the tenants.
We have to,have thirty days notice time and I believe that time period ..
~ the clock will not fit until the first meeting in April. So I guess what
I'm asking is to put it off until the first meeting in April and have a
joint Agency - Council meeting.
LJjeski Fine. I don't see anybody.. that's fine. Any objections?
,
Dring
Lo~e5'<i
Kinnahan
:<il,nehan Acc2ptaule?
Lojes~i Fi~e. This matter will ~e ~ontinJed then.
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