HomeMy WebLinkAboutJULY 24,1996
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ROLL CALL
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CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE
OF THE CITY CLERK
MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
JULY 24, 1996
The Arcadia City Council met in an Adjourned Regular Meeting with Los Angeles
County Supervisor Michael Antonovich to discuss City and regional issues on
Wednesday, July 24, 1996, at 7:45 a.m. in the Conference Room of the City Hall
Council Chambers.
PRESENT: Councilmembers Chang, Lojeski, Young, and Kuhn
ABSENT: Mayor Pro tern Harbicht
It was MOVED by Councilmember Lojeski, seconded by Councilmernber Young and
CARRIED to EXCUSE the absence of Mayor Pro tern Harbicht.
OTHERS IN ATIENDANCE:
Michael D. Anlonovich, Los Angeles County Supervisor, 5th District
Sarah Flores, Assistant Chief Deputy, 5th Supervisorial District
John Schmutz, Supervisor Antonovich' s office
Greg Kelly, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works
Tony Kimowitz, Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation
William R. Kelly, City Manager
Michael Miller, City Attorney
June D. Alford, City Clerk
Janet Sporleder, Assistant City Librarian
David Feinberg, Transportation Services Officer
Roberta White, Assistant Director of Recreation
Lynn Eodice, Sierra Madre News
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMA nON FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
None.
TIME RESERVED FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO
ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL
None.
DISCUSSION OF CITY AND REGIONAL ISSUES WITH LOS ANGELES COUNTY
SUPERVISOR MJCHAEL ANTONOVICH
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4a.
OPERA nONS With regard to the operations and funding for Arcadia County Park and Golf Course,
AND FUND- Tony Kimowitz of the County Department of Parks and Recreation staled that in the
ING FOR 1996-97 Los Angeles County budget proposal, the Chief Administrative Officer
ARCADIA recommended a $1.8 million cut to the Department's net County costs. With Board
COUNTY of Supervisors' approval, the Department is pursuing avenues for the transfer of
PARK AND regional parks to their local jurisdictions. Golf courses are not available for transfer;
GOLF they are important to the County in terms of cash flow and they support other County
COURSE recreation programs. The net County cost for the operation of the Arcadia Park is
approximalely $500,000 per year, after revenue collection.
Council asked questions of Mr. Kimowitz and discussed the matter of the County Park.
Councilmember Lojeski said he has had calls from residents who came across a
handwritten note at the tennis facility stating that a new fee is being imposed. Mr.
Kimowitz stated that a contract has been negotiated for operation of the tennis courts
with a private contractor, and one of the contractor's requirements was to impose a
reservation fee. The Board of Supervisors did not believe it was unreasonable, and
unanimously approved the fee for "prime time" use of the tennis courts. Council member
Lojeski explained that he received the calls because most Arcadia residents think the
park is owned and operated by the City. Mr. Kimowitz said he would mention the
situation to Fred Palmer at the County Park, and perhaps there could be a better means
of communicating to the public information regarding the reservation fee.
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Councilmember Lojeski noted that the City has just gone through a situation of budget
and personnel cuts, and does nol have $500,000 10 operale the County park. Perhaps the
City could run the park if it had the golf course 10 generate the income necessary to do
so. Mr, Kimowitz commented that the County is very sympathetic to budget cuts and is
commilled to producing the best programs possible at the park facilities with the
resources they have. However, the $1.8 million cut to the Parks and Recreation
Department budget is significant, and they are required to pursue any avenue that would
reduce net County costs at the parks. The goal is to transfer a minimum of four of
approximately ten County parks to their local jurisdictions. With regard to restrictions
on the County park property, Mr. Kimowitz commented that State law requires the
property to remain a park. Councilmember Lojeski noted that if the City were to take
over the park it would not be possible to utilize part of the property for a commercial
venture to generate revenue.
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The City Manager stated that in order to provide County with an answer by August 19,
Council must review this mailer at their August 6 meeting, which limits staff's
evaluation time. Perhaps there can be a coordination of services provided by the two
jurisdictions, including public safety, maintenance, and recreation, which will help
reduce the County's costs. The County would like to have some indication as to whether
or not the City would be interested in a limited partnership in terms of the facility, a
takeover of the facility, or some other combination. Councilmember Lojeski felt that a
cooperntive effort would be fine, but he cannot see the City taking over the park. The
Assistant Director of Recreation remarked that the park is not used by the City for any of
its recre;ltion programs. Mr. Kimowitz stated that although more programming in terms
of commercial use of the property would bring additional revenue to offset the $500,000
expense of running the park, there is some objection to the commercialization of County
parks. Councilmember Chang suggested that perhaps the Arcadia Police Department
could assume patrolling of the park, especially since they are SO closeby.
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4b. Supervisor Antonovich stated that State Assemblyman Bob Margett's bill with regard to
OPERATIONS the reorganization of the Metropolitan Transit Authority was amended into Polonco's
AND legislation. An attempt is being made to get the bill heard in this year's session.
POSSffiLE
REORGAN.
OFMTA
4c.
COUNTY
LffiRARY
SYSTEM
Discussion took place with regard to the County library system. The issue that the City
is involved with is, if the County were to close or curtail the library on Live Oak
Avenue, what would the impact be on the City Libnuy. County residents account for
about 15% of the City Library's circulation. County staff said that the County libnuy is
scheduled to be open five days a week for a total of forty hours, and no cuts in services
are anticipated. The City Manager commented staff is looking into the possibility of
charging non-residents a fee 10 use the City Libnuy.
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4d. Mr. Kimowitz explained that the Arboreta and Botanic Gardens consist of four
OPERATIONS facilities, which were consolidated with the County Parks Department in January 1993.
AND He reported on improvements lhal have been made by the County to the Arboretum
FUNDING location in Arcadia, including new signage. Paid attendance has increased 5.3% in the
FOR THE first six months of 1996. The Arboretum Foundation has approached the County to
L. A. COUNTY operate the facility on a management lease basis. Filming at the Arboretum has
ARBORETUM been a boon for the County in terms of filming fees and improvements made by film
production companies. Mr. Kimowitz stated that the County is committed to the
facility, and his goal, as resources allow, is 10 reimplementthe research area and to get
more studies done and more additions to the collection at the facility.
Considerable discussion took place regarding the operations of the Arboretum.
Councilmember Lojeski commenled thaI the City has been uying to get Caltrans to put
up a freeway sign advertising the Arboretum. The historical significance of the many
movies that have been filmed at the Arboretum ought to be an attraction which would
draw many visitors. Mr. Kimowitz stated that currently the County gets no benefit from
the operation of the cafe on lhe Arboretum grounds; all proceeds go to the Arboretum
Foundation. When the lease agreement expires next year, perhaps it can renegotiated so
that some proceeds will go toward offsetting County costs. The City Manager noted that
the City is attempling to get State Assemblyman Margett's help, through special
legislation, to get freeway signs for the Arboretum, the mall, and the Race Track. The
County's political support would be apprecialed in getting reader boards which could
advertise events at the Arboretum. Mr. Kimowitz commented that, if the City provides
police protection at Arcadia Park, perhaps the County might ask that the City also do the
same at the Arboretum in terms of responding.
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The City Manager expressed appreciation to Supervisor Antonovich for County money
provided to the City for the downtown area and for the improvement of Orange Grove
Avenue. Supervisor Antonovich commented that signal synchronizations on Baldwin
Avenue, Duarte Road, and Santa Anita Avenue will soon be operational. He noted,
however, that the subway conslruction has resulted in many cost overruns, which
subsequ~ntly are going to come out of the signal synchronization programs and other
traffic mitigation programs. There is also talk of taking the money from the Blue Line
and putting it into the subway for North Hollywood. That is why MT A reform is so
important. The City Manager staled that the City is pushing hard, with the County's
help, to get the Blue Line to come 10 Arcadia.
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ADJOURN-
MENT
(Aug. 6, 1996
5:30 p.m.)
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At 9:11 a.m. the meeting ADJOURNED to Tuesday, August 6, 1996, at 5:30 p.m.
in the City HaIl Council Chambers for an Adjourned Regular Meeting with the Arcadia
School Board, and any Closed Session necessary to discuss personnel, litigation matters,
or evaluation of properties.
ATIEST:
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Bartlara D. Kuhn, Mayor of the ity of Arcadia
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