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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJULY 27,1972 CIT~ COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK I PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL 19:8119 MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING JULY 27, 1972 The City Council of the City of Arcadia, met in adjourned regular session on Thursday, July 27, 1972 at 7:30 p.m, in the Council Chamber of the Arcadia City Hall. Mayor Don W. Hage PRESENT: ABSENT: Councilmen Arth, Butterworth, Helms, Scott, Hage None CONSTRUCTION At the Council meeting of July 18 the contractor for the installation ~ARD SITE of a storm drain in Holly Avenue was requested to meet specific con- (Flood Control ditions before permission would be granted for him to use privately Project) owned property at the northeast corner of El Monte and Las Tunas as a 5 ,ffi-/471)constr~ction ~ard site for the storing of equipment during the con- . struct10n per1od. , t)tA~ 1l1,/J' IETIREMENT SYSTEM IREMEN .....- The City Attorney explained that the contractor ceased stockpiling dirt which was creating a dust problem in the residential neighborhood and that all dirt on the lot has now been removed. The contractor, Vladimir Popovich, stated in part that there must have been a misun- derstanding as he was under the impression that he had complied with all city requirements except in the stockpiling of dirt which he has now taken care of. He asked Council to reconsider some ~ the con- ditions imposed at the July 18 meeting. Council submitted its dissatisfaction and disappointment with the manner in which Mr. Popovich applied for permission to use the site and also that he proceeded to use the site and stockpile dirt without city approval. Following discussion on the extent to which the contractor is bonded with the Flood Control District and the owner of the yard site, and with the full assurance that the site will henceforth be maintained in a condition satisfactory to the City, it was MOVED by Councilman Helms, seconded by Councilman Arth and carried unanimously that the former minute motion adopted on July 18 be AMENDED to DELETE the requirement for a $1000 penalty and that the requirement for a $2500 cash bond be modified to require a $2500 corporate bond. Resolution of Intention to approve an amendment to the contract between the Board of Administration of the Public Employees' Retirement System and the City Council concerning a proposed change to provide upon the death of a fireman who has retired for service or disability for the continuation of one-half the retirement allowance to certain survivors. This is the first step in the procedure to effect the amendment. At a later date an ordinance approving the amendment will be considered by Council. It was MOVED by Councilman Arth, seconded by Councilman Scott and carried on roll call vote as follows that the Resolution of Intention be ADOPTED: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen Arth, Butterworth, Helms, Scott, Rage None None 7-27-72 - 1 - INSTALLATION OF HRE HYDRANT V PROPOSED ELECTION MEASURES +: 1J-ll 19:8120 The City Manager advised that the insurance carrier for the City has suggested the installation of a fire hydrant in front of the City Hall (opposite the race track) and recommended that if approved the work would be started and completed prior to the 'forthcoming resurfacing of the street. It was MOVED by Councilman Helms, seconded by Councilman Scott and carried on roll call vote as follows that the work proceed and that $1000 be appropriated for said purpose. Funds in the Water Department Budget. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen Arth, Butterworth, Helms, Scott, Hage None None Discussion ensued on the proposed Charter Amendments as submitted for consideration by Councilman Butterworth at the last regular meeting. It was suggested by said Councilman that a referendum ordinance also be considered for submission to the voters which would prohibit the distribution of so-called throw-away advertising matter. I Councilman Scott stated in part that in his opinion Charter changes should only be made after long and careful consideration and referred to the Charter revisions made in 1968 which received such consideration. He did not feel the two proposed amendments have received sufficient study to warrant placing them on the ballot; that no effort has been made to gain public reaction and that if the sequence of elected councilmen were changed there is no certainty that at some future date three new members would not be elected at the same time; that something is being asked to be placed before the electorate without having the method of implementation put forth, and that it is unknown how the rotation of membership on the Council would be affected in order to avoid having three new members come on. He questioned if the Charter amendment means that some of the three members who would come up for reelection at the next election would serve a longer term and if so then he thought this would be a breach of faith with the electors.... if the change is really needed it should grow somewhat from a feeling of the people. He said he has made an effort to talk with people and he has found no favorable attitude toward the proposed change. He expressed opposition to the amendment at this time as he does not believe there is sufficient time to study it before the election. In conclusion he stated in part that he would rather spend the cost of a special election and have it put before the people without anyone having the opportunity to feel they were being ramrodded. Councilman Butterworth responded stating in part that he did not agree it would be breaking faith with the community.... that it is not as if action is being taken on a matter upon which the community would not have a right to be heard on.. The community is being given the right to vote and it could hardly be breaking faith because if the voters do not like it they will vote it down. The propositions are not I complicated matters requiring many changes during the deliberations that would take a year or more of study.. they are relatively simple measures.. two terms against three terms ... and prohibiting any City Council from levying an income tax. He felt Council has made decisions on much more complicated matters in much less time. He continued that the testing of community sentiment is exactly what would be done. The people are being given an opportunity to vote on the issues and in his opinion to spend money to have a special election is the worst kind of way to amend the Charter because only about 20 percent of the voters turn out for a special election whereas in a Presidential election about 80 percent of the people go to the polls. He submitted further that the Charter itself was adopted at such an election where there was an overwhelming vote and that in his thinking it would be most unfortunate not to proceed at this time when it will 7-27-72 - 2 - MOTION (Income tax) ---- I MOTION (Council tenure) ~ MOTION (throw-aways) ORDINANCE NO. 1452 ADOPTED I TOWNE CENTER ~ 19:8121 be possible to get a maximum reaction of the community. Councilman Scott stated further in part that to call such an election when three members would be retiring at the same time would in effect be saying that the community cannot find three other persons competent to serve; that he did not want to take that position and could not vote in favor without the people in the community feeling he was in favor of the Charter change and he is not certain he is. He felt Council is obligated to seek out and get positions of the people and follow their will. Councilman Butterworth then MOVED that the City Council submit to the voters at the November General Election a Charter Amendment prohibiting any City Council from levying an income tax against any person in this community without that City Council first obtaining a majority vote of the citizens. Councilman Helms seconded the motion which was carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen Arth, Butterworth, Helms, Scott, Hage None None Councilmen Butterworth further MOVED that the City Council submit to the voters at the November General Election another Charter Amendment extending the maximum term of a City Councilman from two terms to three terms. Motion seconded by Councilman Helms which was carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen Arth, Butterworth, Helms, Hage Councilman Scott None Lastly Councilman Butterworth MOVED that the City Council submit to the voters at the November General Election as a referendum ordinance a proposition prohibiting throw-away material in this community similar at least in intent and purpose to the ordinance which has recently been declared unconstitutional. Councilman Helms seconded the motion which was carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen Arth, Butterworth Helms, Scott, Hage None None Due to a publication technicality the City Attorney presented for the second time, explained the content and purpose for this second adoption procedure, and read the title of Ordinance No. 1452, entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA ADDING CHAPTER 4 TO, ARTICLE IX OF THE ARCADIA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO PROPERTY MAINTENANCE REGULATIONS." It was MOVED by Councilman Helms, seconded by Councilman Arth and carried on roll call vote as follows that the reading of the full of Ordinance No. 1452 be WAIVED and that the same be ADOPTED. body AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen Arth, Butterworth, Helms, Scott, Rage None None The Assistant to the City Manager for Economic Development presented a plan for the improvement of the Towne Center area which had been prepared by members of the Parking Place District. It was estimated that the basic improvement cost would be about $310,000 including street work, planting, decorative concrete, irrigation and the like. This figure should cover everything except property acquisition. It was noted that the District Commissioners are contacting each property owner in the District explaining the benefits to be derived from such improvement which would be paid for by the property owners through a bond issue. 7-27-72 - 3 - -3-:/:rq1 SISTER CITY / ADJOURNMENT 19 :8122 Slides were reviewed depicting existing housing and businesses in the commercial and industrial areas north of California Street along First and Santa Anita Avenues. Eugene Jacobs, Los Angeles attorney inv?lved in community redevelopment agency programs since 1960, explored the complexities of the program which take a depressed area and restore it to its highest and best use so it will eventually generate a larger tax return to the city. He covered problems the City Council might face such as providing adequate housing in the relocation procedure. Mr. Jacobs submitted his qualifications and service. Council evinced interest and will hold discussions at a later date. Summary of Mr. Jacobs' presentation will be provided Council. George Thomas, 1100 W. Huntington Drive, spoke on behalf of Mr. -Jacobs and his expertise in the area of community development. I Kermit Hartzler and George Forman, downtown businessmen, expressed appreciation to Council for its foresight in considering such a project; that it could only benefit the city as a whole. It was MOVED by Councilman Helms, seconded by Councilman Scott and carried on roll call vote as follows that $150 be appropriated from Council Contingency Account to be used for gifts as a gesture from Arcadia in the forthcoming Sister City Good Will Trip. Mayor Protempore Arth will represent the city. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmen Arth, Butterworth, Helms, Scott, Hage None None The meeting was ADJOURNED SINE DIE at 10:35 p.m. ,~J~< Mayor '- ATTEST: ~h-~~~>>~~ City Clerk I 7-27-72 - 4 -