HomeMy WebLinkAboutDECEMBER 14,1995
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CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OffiCE OF THE
CITY CLERK
1.
ROLL CALL
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2.
3.
Renovationl
Upgrade
Eisenhower
& Bonita
Parks -
Job 612
(REJECT
ALL BIDS)
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MINUTES
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA
and the
ARCADIA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
and the
ARCADIA SCHOOL BOARD
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 14. 1995
The Arcadia City Council and the Arcadia Redevelopment Agency mel in an Adjourned
Regular Meeting on Thursday, December 14.1995, al 6:04 p,m. in the Conference
Room of the Arcadia City Hall Council Chambers.'
PRESENT: Councill Agency Members Kuhn, Ulrich, Young, and Lojeski
ABSENT: CounciVAgency Member Chang (arrived aI6:06 p,m,)
II was MOVED by Member Kuhn, seconded by Member Young and CARRIED 10
EXCUSE the absence of Member Chang.
TIME RESERVED FOR TIIOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO
ADDRESS THE CITY COUNCIL
None.
The award of contract 10 Metro Builders and Engineering Group. LId,. for the
Renovation and Upgrade of Eisenhower and Bonita Parks, Job No, 612, scheduled for
the December 5. 1995, Council meeting, was continued 10 lonighl's meeting. The City
Attorney explained thai late in the day on December 5 the City received whal appeared
to be a bid protest. In the inlerest of making sure that everything was in legal order and
10 give the City Attorney an opponunity 10 look inlo the matter further. il was agreed 10
continue the item to 10night'S agenda. The difference in bid proposals between the
company which filed the prolest and the low bidder was a linIe over $23.000. The
protest was in regard to how the bid documents were assembled when they were
submitted. The City Attorney has delermined thai this is a minor irregularity which
may be waived as authorized by City statutes, and that the bid prolest is nOI valid and
Council may ignore il.
The City Manager staled that prior 10 advertising for bids for the renovation of
Eisenhower and Bonita Parl<s. there was discussion regarding the beginning of LinIe
League baseball practice at the parks. AI this time, staff is nOI convinced thai work will
be completed prior 10 the opening of baseball season. Staff has reviewed three
alternatives: (I) awarding the bid and hope thai the work will gel done before the start
of the baseball season; (2) awarding the bid and deleting the work al the baseball field;
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(3) rejecting all bids, After weighing the alternatives, staff's preference is to
recommend that all bids be rejected and the project be re-bid in the spring after all of the
baseball games are completed.
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After Council discussion, it was MOVED by Mayor Pro tern Kuhn, seconded by
Councilmember Ulrich, and CARRIED on roll call vote as follows to REJECT all bids
for the project, Renovation and Upgrade of Eisenhower and Bonita Parks - Job No, 612.
and AUTHORIZE staff 10 readvertise the entire project al a later date,
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmembers Chang, Kuhn, Ulrich, Young, and Lojeski
None
None
JOINT MEETING OF THE ARCADIA CITY COUNCll.J
ARCADIA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND THE ARCADIA SCHOOL BOARD
1.
ROLL CALL PRESENT: Councilmembers Chang, Kuhn, Loje5ki. Ulrich, and Young
ABSENT: None .'
PRESENT: Arcadia Schoo! Board Members Dougherty, Gibson. Lamb, McClain, and
Steinmeier
ABSENT: None
2.
SUPPLEMENT AL INFORMATION FROM CITY AND SCHOOL STAFF
REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
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None.
3.
QUESTIONS FROM CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY/
SCHOOL BOARD REGARDING CLARIFICATION OF AGENDA ITEMS
None.
4.
TIME RESERVED FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH
TO ADDRESS THE CITYCOUNCn. AND/OR SCHOOL BOARD
None.
s,
(EXCERPTS FROM AGENDA ITEMS S THROUGH 12 FOLLOW)
REPORT ON THE SCHOOL REFURBISHING PROJECT
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Dr. Terrence M. Towner, Arcadia School Superintendent, introduced Earl Davis.
Assistant Superintendent of Business Services. Mr. Davis distributed a report and
reviewed the modernization work being done at schools in the Arcadia Unified School
District. This work was made possible by passage of a local 528.000.000 general
obligation bond in April 1993. He noted that in December 1993, the Board of
Education, for educational reasons, elected to make Arcadia High School a four-year
school, grades nine through twelve, which created a need for more classrooms. The first
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major project was the reconfiguration of Arcadia High School in 1994. and the
construction of an additional building. Mr, Davis presented pictures of the project and
reconfiguration process, He reviewed the ongoing process of the modernization projects
taking place or completed at various school sites. Mr. Davis commented that it would be
appreciated if the community, and City officials especially, would be supportive of a
statewide school bond, as there is a desperate need in California for new classrooms and
for the modernization of classrooms. Arcadia would directly benefit from a statewide
general obligation bond, Funds provided by the local general obligation bond were not
intended to be sufficient for the entire modernization project, There is some level of
state participation, but without a statewide bond, that commitment may not be honored,
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Mr, Davis answered questions from Council regarding the renovation work at Arcadia
schools. In answer to a question from Councilmember Ulrich regarding a reponed
surplus of funds, Mr, Davis responded that there is no surplus, However. the final
SS.OOO,OOO of the local general obligation bond has not been let. If the State of
California comes through with its share,of funds, the SS.OOO,OOO may be held, and in
that way it is kept off the taxpayers rolls. It may then be used when the District has
another capital facility need at any time in the future, The District is cautiOUSly
optimistic that there will be a statewide school bond in 1996, The State has not sent the
District any money in three years, and currently. owes the District over $6,000,000,
When renovation work at Arcadia High School is completed, that amount will be
S 13.000.000, Board Member Dougheny commented that the Chamber of Commerce
Legislative Committee recommended to the full Chamber Board that the Chamber
support the placing of the statewide school bond issue on the March 1996 ballot. She
encourages the Mayor and City Council to join with the Chamber in sending a letter to
that effect to Assemblyman Marget!.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Young, seconded by Councilmemher Ulrich and
CARRIED on roll call vote as follows to SEND a letter jointly with the Arcadia
Chamber of Commerce. and a letter separately. to Assemblyman Margett expressing
support of putting a statewide school bond issue on the ballot at the March 1996
election.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmembers Chang, Kuhn, Lojeski, Ulrich, and Young
None
None
AYES:
School Board Members Dougheny, Gibson, Lamb, McClain, and
Sleinmeier
None
None
NOES:
ABSENT:
6,
REPORT ON BEGINNING OF SCHOOL YEAR OPERA nONS
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Board Member Lamb reported some highlights of school year events. The traffic
siluation at the High School has improved. Middle schools have had evaluations, which
have come back fairly positive. and they are adjusting their curriculum based on that.
Enrollment is up about 200 students over last year, totaling almost 8,900, High School
enrollment is 3,000. with an average of 72S students at each of three middle schools,
and 600 students at each of six elementary schools. Five schools have child~
programs. There is a new principal at the High School. The High School's music
production is taking place at the San Gabriel Civic Auditorium. The Theater
Department put on the best perfonnance in its history as far as finances and attendance,
In answer to a question from Mayor Lojeski. Board Member Lamb stated that sixth
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graders attending middle schools (consisting of sixth, seventh. and eighth grades) seem
to be handling the transition very well. Board Member Gibson added that the middle
schools are very different from junior high schools, The children are smaller, and thev
act more like elementary school students,
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Discussion continued with regard to future school enrollment. It is anticipated that
enrollment will peak in about three or four years and then even out.
7,
REPORT ON YEAR-ROUND CLASSES
Deputy School Superintendent. Dr. Hennessey, reported that in 1991 it was
recommended by the Facilities Task Force II that some schools establish a voluntary
year-round program as a pilot project. This year, Holly Avenue School has one class at
each grade level in which the teacher and the students have volunteered to be in the
year-round program. The year-round program is used in many school districts because
of space considerations. That is not the intention in Arcadia; rather the year-round
program would be implemented for programniatic reasons. It is believed that
instructional time is saved when teachers do nOt have to review lessons forgotten by
students during the three-month summer break..' Another time-saving process is a
concept called "looping." Teachers keep the same class of students from one grade to
the next. and they do not have to spend time getting to know these students and what
they can do. In reference to the year-round program, Councilmember Ulrich asked if
there were any problems created as far as the school facilities are concerned. Dr.
Hennessey stated that there is an additional expense in keeping the school facilities open
for more days, and the Board has approved funds to support the pilot project this year,
If one entire school in the District was on a year-round program and used as a magnet
for students from allover the District, it probably would not cost any more money
because all the students at that school would be on the same schedule. Discussion
continued with regard to the pilot year-round program, which is expected to be in place
for two years.
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8,
REPORT, DISCUSSION AND DIRECflON
REGARDING JOINT CRIME PREVENTION EFFORTS
The City Manager stated that when Ronnie Gamer became Police Chief, he met with the
Arcadia School Superintendent. Dr. Towner, and the District staff. The Police Chief
then met with his staff and developed a program called PAC.E. 2000 to dcal with
crime issues. The City Manager introduced Chief Gamer, who gave detailed
information about PAC.E. 2000. which stands for a Peaceful Arcadia through
Community Effort. Its goal is for the Police Department to establish a partnership with
all elements of the community-the School District, the business community, and all
other groups-to understand what problems confront the community and come up with
solutions to those problems. As part of P.A.C.E, 2000. a DARE, (Drug Abuse
Resistance Education) program has been established in Arcadia, currently educating
fifth graders as to the dangers of drugs. Another Police-School District partnership
effort is the Adopt-a-School program, whereby a police officer will visit the students,
principal, and teachers of a middle school. Plans for the future include a School
Resource Officer (S.RO,) on campus at the High School to interact with students and
gather infonnation in order to plan for any anticipated problems. Plans are also being
formulated for dealing with minor juvenile problems such as truancy and loitering,
before they become severe problems. Another program being developed is a citizens
academy, classes teaching what the police are doing to help the community and how
citizens can help contribute to those efforts, The Council and School District discussed
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the subject of joint crime prevention efforts; budget constrnints; and reallocation of
funds to support joint programs. School truancy was also considered, It was noted that
Arcadia does not have a truancy ordinance or much of a truancy problem. '
REPORT. DISCUSSION AND DIRECfION REGARDING TIiE SURVEY
ON AFI'ER-SCHooL ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS
A year ago, the City and School Board authorized their staffs to put together a SUIVey to
evaluate what is being done by the City and the School District with regard to after-
school activities. Needs and wants were analyzed, and there is a challenge now to the
City and the District to try to find ways to meet these requests. The City Manager
suggested that perhaps parents might be asked to help pay for some things requested,
such as having the Library open on weekends and the gymnasium open specific hours.
Dr, Towner stated that the School District will be reviewing what is currently being
done and what more can be done to provide opportunities and services for young people
to keep them involved in constructive activities and keep them out of trouble, The City
Manager commented that the City and School District do not have enough money to do
all that is required. They need the cooperation qf the community in solving jwenile
probletns before they become crime problems, Dr. Towner noted that the Arcadia
Education Foundation is going to be running summer schools and that opens up all
kinds of alternatives for study skills classes and other classes that could be offered.
These classes could run all year long not just in the sununer or during daytime hours.
Board Member Steinmeier stated that approximately five years ago the City of
Claremont created the Claremont Youth Master Plan, bringing together not only
government, but churches and the business community in an effort to solve jwenile
probletns, She noted that there are a lot of resources in this community which could
accomplish even more than govenunent could do. It may be worthwhile to review the
process used by the City of Claremont. Board Member Dougherty commented that she
attended a workshop to get information about the Claremont Youth Master Plan. The
City of Claremont's staff would be happy to get together with the City Council and the
School Board to present information about their process. The City Manager stated that
staff will follow up on the suggestion, He advised that staff may meet and work out a
plan for the Council and School Board to review and adopt independently. and they
could then get together for a meeting.
REPORT. DISCUSSION AND DIRECfION REGARDING JOINT USE
AND MAlNfENANCE OF CITY/SCHOOL DISTRICT FACILITIES
The City Manager stated that an objective of the City and School District is to negate the
separateness of City and School District property to maximize land opportunities and
dollar.;. A master agreement is nearly finished between the City and School District that
provides for joint maintenance of City and School District properties. Other agreements
betw~n both parties are being reviewed by City and School District staff. The City will
soon be negotiating a new refuse recycling contrlll:t. The service is currently free to the
City, and perhaps the service may be negotiated into the new contract to include the
School District. With regard to water rates, they will be reviewed to see if the City may
in some way help the School District. Other things which may be accomplished by
mutual agreement include tree trimming and parking lot sweeping. central stores and
central warehousing, and the parking and/or servicing of school buses with City
vehicles. All of these plans are being fonnulated with the intention of allowing the City
and the School District to perfonn more efficiently, Discussion ensued with regard to
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combining City and District warehouse and maintenance operations in one location, A
feasibility study was suggested, The City Manager commented that this possibility could
be explored, The question of maintenance of school facilities after the renovation is
completed was discussed, in particular the rest rooms at the high school. It was noted
that ihe District has its own maintenance employees,
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11.
REPORT ON TIffi GENERAL PLAN
The City is currently updating its General Plan, as required by law. The City Manager
noted that the City of Arcadia is a built-<lut community. The only potential change
might occur in the downtown area, where density may go up depending upon propeny
being sold and transitioning. No significant population increase is anticipated, and even
if there was a change to a higher density. there would be no substantial impact on any
City service or the School District Any regional plan changes of substance which
would affect the School District will be brought before the District prior to adoption,
The update of the General Plan is more of a cleanup. reformatting. and adjustments. not
a significant change in the pattern development of the City, Hearings are scheduled to
take place in FeblU3l)' and March. The only signmcant land use impact would be the
potential Race Track project.
12.
CONSIDERA nON OF FUTURE ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION.
INCLUDING SELECTION OF TIffi NEXT MEETING DATE
Mayor Lojeski brought up the subject of creating a program for high school students
whereby summer jobs would be made available to them, such as doing some painting or
landscape maintenance work. Board Member Steinmeier added that perhaps senior
citizens may have need for someone to do some physically challenging jobs, Mayor
Lojeski also suggested, as he has mentioned in the past, his idea of the coordination of a
program where students could paint residence and business address numbers on curbs,
It will take some supervision and monitoring of the work for uniformity and compliance
with City standards. Organizations might want to look into the painting of addresses on
curbs as a fund-raising type of program.
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With reference to the constnJction work at First Avenue School, Mayor Lojeski
expressed appreciation for the cooperation of School District personnel who directed
traffic and cautioned students as they left the school grounds. Dr, Towner added that
the new stop sign at California Street has slowed traffic and made it safer for children
going to and from school. Council member Young commented that another safety
improvement was adding a crossing guard at Foothills Middle School.
An item which Mayor Lojeski would like to have the City and School District discuss in
the future is the City's mandate for middle-to-lower-income type housing. The City
Manager explained that the City has a five-year window to begin developing a cenain
number of housing units. One benefit of potentially using District excess propeny is
that a revenue stream for the District could be created on a pennanent basis on a land
lease, and funnel it back through the District's Foundation, and this would not cause the
District economic problems with the State, Senior housing is a definite need in the City
and must be taken into consideration.
Mayor Lojeski also suggested future discussion regarding the status of use of the
Annory, which is currently being used by the District for storage purposes. At this time
the City does not have a contemplated use for the propeny. but it woull! be helpful for
the City to know the District's future plans and timelines for use of this site.
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Board Member Dougherty stated there may be an interest in discussion of the Claremont
Youth Master Plan, including Claremont staff in the meeting or not, as may be desired.
She noted that one of the things that came out in the presentation regarding the
Claremont Master Plan was that city councils have a different culture than school
boards. School boards' interests include children and people. and city councils have
land use concerns. police. fire, and so forth. There is a difference in the way the two
public bodies address issues, Years ago there was more of a territorial separation
between the two entities' problems; now thC thought is "what can we do together.., what
is going to be the most efficient way to do the job."
The City Manager stated that he and the Superintendent of Schools will take tonight' s
comments and develop work programs, milestones, and schedules. In reference to the
discussion of afternoon activities for young people, Board Member Gibson brought up
the subject of a technology center. which could be electronically tied to the Library and
accessible to the community. The School District estimated the cost at $6.000.000 over
the next five years for such technology...computers, and all that such a center could
mean...and it will be necessary for the community to raise the money,
13, ANNOUNCEMENTS. REPORTS. STATEMENTS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS
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ADJOURN-
MENT
ATTEST:
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Council member Ulrich reported that renovation is underway at the property on Baldwin
Avenue which used to be the Sizzler Restaurant
Al 8:02 p,m. the Adjourned Regular meeting ADJOURNED to Tuesday, December 19.
1995, at 6:00 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Council Chambers for an adjourned
regular meeting of the City Council and the Arcadia Redevelopment Agency.
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the City of Arcadia
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Alford,
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