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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJANUARY 20,1981_2
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
I
ROLL CALL
Meeting
Feb. 3
Labor
Negotia tions
INDEPENDENT
AUDITORS
RETAINED
\
4-0
~, (I
CLOSED
SESS ION
RECONVENED
and
ADJOURNED
I
25:0209
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA
and the
ARCADIA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 20, 1981
The City Council of the City of Arcadia and the Arcadia Redevelopment
Agency met in an adjourned regular session at 7:00 p.m, January 20,
1981 in the Conference Room.
PRESENT:
ABSENT
Councilmen Dring, Gilb, Ha'ltom, Saelid, Pellegrino
None
Agenda items explored.
Scheduled meeting for February 3, 1981 at 6:30 p.m. on labor negotia-
tions. Related material to be submitted to Council prior to the date
of the meeting.
It was MOVED by Councilman Saelid, seconded by Councilman Dring and
carried on roll call vote as follows that the firm of Lance, SolI
and Lunghard be retained as City Auditors and that efforts be made
toward obtaining a Certificate of Performance Award.
AYES
NOES
ABSENT:
Councilmen Dring, Gilb, Haltom, Saelid, Pellegrino
None
None
At 7:20 p.m. Council entered an executive session to discuss pending
litiga tion.
At 7:30 p.m. the meeting adjourned sine die.
a"&~
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Mayor
ATTEST:
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City Clerk
~.Al /'
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1-20-81
MEETING HELD ,A,T, ARCADIA HIGH SCHOOL
BOARD ROOM
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MINUTES O~~NT
January 21,
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MEETING ;:; ,'..,
1981 /!: t -i"~1\. .
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(UNADOPTED MINUTES)
I
Board of Education
Arcadia Unified School District
and
City Council
City of Arcadia
Call to Order
A Joint Meeting of the' Board of Education of the Arcadia Unified School District and
'the City Council of the City of Arcadia was called "0 order by the Board 'President
Donald E. Fickas at 7:35 p.m. in the Arcadia High S';hool Library.
Roll Call and Attendance
Roll Call indicated:
School Board Members present -
Donald E. Fickas
Gloria J. Horstman
Carol D. Papay
Lewis H. V. May (arr. 8:25 p.m.)
Paul Friedman
City Councilmen present -
Donald D. Pellegrino
Charles E. Gilb
Jack Saelid
Jeffrey A. Dring
Richard A. Haltom
The f~11owing were in attendance:
City personnel -
Lyle W. Alberg, City Manager
School District personnel -
Edward V. Ryan, Superintendent
Elbert E. Souders, Assoc. Supt.
John L. Nelson, Asst. Supt., Business
Mark Stephens, Student Rep. on Board
I
Secretary -
Rose Marie Papararo
Press Representatives -
Helen Schrader (Arcadia Tribune)
Mark Smith (San Gabriel Valley Tribune)
Visitors - approximately 95
Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Mr. Fickas.
Invocation
The Invocation was given by Mrs. Horstman.
Comments from Audience on Agenda Items Only
Board President Fickas called for members of the audience who wished to speak to
agenda items only.
Joint Board/City Council Meeting
-2-
January 21, 1981
I
Mr. Milton Inbody (239 W. Magna Vista, Arcadia) of the Arcadia Beautiful Commission,
representing Helen Feichtmann, Chairman, stated Holly Avenue School was one of several
landmarks in Arcadia being considered as a historical site and were requesting Lhe
City to submit it to the National Historical Regis~er as a matter of civic pride.
Mr. Gerald JackSon (170 Delta Lane, Arcadia) advised old structures were costly to
maintain and felt the subject of restoration should be carefully investigated.
h School Closures
Dr. Ryan briefly reviewed the purpose of the joint meetings between the City and the
School District. At present the prime concern is the financial status' of the District.
Although it is proposed to close two elementary schools, it will also be necessary to
reduce or eliminate certain types of programs and services because of lack of funding
from the State. It is hoped that meeting jointly with the City Council will provide
some solutions to the problem.
Councilmen Jack Saelid and Charles Gilb advised they had received numerous telephone
calls and letters frcm concerned members of the community and recognized the District's
plight. Discussion ensued on the possibility of holding a city election to provide a
special assessment for the District. Some of the questions raised were: Is it legal
for the City to' provide funds for the District? If so, would the City have any control
on how those funds are spent? How rnu~h money is needed? Is it needed on a one-time
basis? The City is committed to contractual obligations - wou~d it be making discretionary
funds available? Does the City have the right to make a long-term pledge? City Manager
Lyle Alberg stated these and other questions would have to be investigated before the
City could make any commitments. A possible disadvantage is the time element. The
District needs to prepare for its school opening in September; preparations for an
election might move a little slower.
Councilman Gilb suggested a committee composed of two Council members and two Board
members be formed to explore possible solutions to the problem at hand. Unanimous
agreement was expressed.
Members of both bodies agreed it was important'for everyone in the community to get I
involved in doing their utmost for education by writing to their State representatives
(Senator Richardscn and Assemblyman Mountjoy) to urge'financial support for school
districts in California. "
The Superintendent reported some school districts were receiving financial help from
locally-created foundations. Beverly Hills had the most successful one in operation;
La Canada, South Pasadena, and San Marino are others who have raised money through
donations or pledges.
Board President Donald Fickas informed the City Council members
could provide suggestions on areas where costs could be shared.
Board's appreciation for the opportunity to work as a team with
benefit of the community.
that the District
He expressed the
the City for the
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Joint Board/City Council Meeting -3-
January 21, 1981
Holly Avenue as a Hi'ltorical Landmark
City Manager Alberg 'ltated the City had received from the Arcadia Beautiful Commission
a recommendation tha~ Holly Avenue School be established as a historical landmark.
After a brief discussion, it was decided to hold this matter in abeyance.
Policeman on Campus Proqram
Dr. Ryan reported this program provides two policemen for the junior high schools and
.one for the high sch~ol, and stated the District was very pleased with the results.
After a brief discus$ion of the guidelines, Mr. Fickas disclosed that the program was
entirely funded by the City and expressed the District's appreciation.for this .orth-
while endeavor for the students of Arcadia.
Status of Teleprompter Cable TV
Board Member Carol P4pay inquired about the status of the Teleprompter. Councilman
Saelid replied it wa'l not yet known whether Pasadena City College would have tw,)
channels available for educational purposes.
Comments from the Audience
Dr. Bruce Ballard (509 Gloria Rd., Arcadia) expressed concern about educatio~ for
all the children of California. He felt foundations could help solve some of the
fund-raising problem'l of the District. Addressing the City Council, Dr. Ballard
said he was also concerned about housing costs for young marrieds, stating low-cost
housing for junior citizens was just as important as that for senior citizens.
Mr. Douglas Johnson (416 Genoa St., Arcadia) felt the school closure issue was one the
community should undertake. and asked the City to come to the District's assistance in
finding a solution to 'the problem.
I
Mrs. Carol Nehemia (148 El Dorado, Arcadia) st~ted l~ years had been spent on the
school.closure issue and that tonight's proceedings were the first positive aspect
she had seen. She also asked that all phases of the problem be carefully considered
before rendering a d~cision on whether or not to close any schools.
9:45 - Board President Fickas called a brief recess; the meeting was resumed at 10:53 p.m.
Mr. Bart Payne (1020 Singingwood, Arcadia) felt there was a spirit of cooperation
expressed at tonight's meeting; that the School Board was in an untenable position;
and felt the community would come to the aid of the District and Council because it
expects and demands ~xcellence in education. He suggested not rushing into the
decision to close schools until every alternative had been exhausted.
Mr. Basil Johnson (20 E. Pamela, Arcadia) encouraged the Board to put off the school
closure issue for on~ year; that in five years the enrollment trend might necessitate
building more school'l; that education not only included the three R's but other programs
such as music, art, and athletics which are very important in fulfilling a student's
life.
Joint Board/City Council Meeting
-4-
January 21, 1981
I
Mrs. Joe ~~na Jenkins (260 W. Wistaria, Arcadia)
thought the Distric~ was several years behind in approaching its financial problems
and felt some federal funds without any "strings attached" might be available.
Mr. Gerald Jacobson (170 Delta Lane, Arcadia) stated the current deficit should have
been predicted by the Administration.
Mrs. Jean Voznick (President, Arcadia Teachers Association) was pleased to see the
joint meeting of both groups and stated teachers were very anxious to conclude the
contract negotiationSe
Mrs. Rose Ma tie Sweet (1121 Lyndon Way, Arcadia) stated Dr. Robert Winter, author of
various books on architecture, had reviewed Holly Avenue School and thought it might
be of some historical value as mentioned in his letter to the Board. Mrs. Sweet also
felt Holly Avenue not only had an interesting historical past, but had served the
community well throughout the years.
Mr. Mike Sigal (2301 Sewanee Lane, Arcadia) stated schools should only be closed as
a last resort, and petitioned the Board and City Council to work with the community
in seeking a solution to the District's problems.
*. * *
Ma;or Pellegrino, speaking on behalf of the City Council, then thanked the School
Board for the opportunity of meeting, stating the Board's problems were also the
City's problems. He hoped the impending meetings would bring forth some equitable
solutions.
Board President Fickas stated it was very gratifying to witness the community pulling
together to seek a common solution. He then announced the Board meeting scheduled
for tomorrow at 8:00 p.m. would be on the continued deliberations on the proposed
school closures.
.. .. ..
Adjournment
Resp~ctfully submitted,
("
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Secretary to the Board
I
This Joint Meeting of the Board of Education and the City Council was adjourned at
10:28 p.m.
Adopted by Board Action
Secretary-Clerk
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