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Home My WebLink AboutAPRIL 26,1994 36:0131 ollo..n:) ()'{':)/p If'" CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CA', CLERK 1 ROLL CALL 1. CLOSED SESSION () 110 vo 1 2. AWARD PRESENTED TO FINANCE DEPARTMENT CONFI - DENTIAL NEWS ITEMS COUNCIL PACKETS/ MISSED INFORMATION RECYCLING OF PAPER COUNCIL PACKETS/ MISSED INFORMATION REQUEST FROM JR. HIGH SCHOOL FOR CONTRI- BuTIoN OF MONEY MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA and the ARCADIA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING (STUDY SESSION) April 26, 1994 The City Council and the Arcadia Redevelopment Agency met in an Adjourned Regular Meeting (Study Session) on Tuesday, April 26, 1994, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers Conference Room. PRESENT: Councilmembers Chang, 'Kuhn, Lojeski, Margett, and Young The City Attorney announced that, "We're going to go into a Closed Session now as authorized by Government Code Section 54957.6 to confer with the City labor negotiator, Dan Cassidy, with regard to the Arcadia Police Relief Association, Arcadia Firefighters Association, and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Local 2264. So with that, we will adjourn to a Closed Session." At 5:35 p.m. the City Council ENTERED the CLOSED SESSION, ADJOURNED and RECONVENED the study session at 6: 15 p. m. to continue the agenda. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. Councilmember Lojeski congratulated Jim Dale, Finance Director, and his staff, who received a certificate for outstanding financial reporting for fiscal year 1992-93 from the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers. Councilmember Lojeski would like to have news of this sort placed in the City Newsletter. Councilmember Loj eski ques tioned why some items councilmembers receive, such as the one regarding AB 3505, sales tax distribution, are placed under the category of "confidential." The Acting City Manager explained that not everything so labeled' may be confidential; sometimes it is difficult to separate what is and what is no t . Councilmember Margett suggested that any mail sent to him may be opened and faxed to him. He would not want to miss important information- - or a meeting, as recently happened- -because he was unable to review the Council packet when it was delivered. Councilmember Lojeski suggested that, in an effort to save money, paperwork given to Councilmembers be recycled rather than thrown away. Councilmember Kuhn apologized for missing a recent meeting. Like Councilmember Margett, although the Council packet was received by her on Thursday, she went out of town on Friday and did not see the information before the meeting was held. Mayor Young reported on a request from one of the junior high schools for money for their graduation party. Since there are three junior high schools, and the others may also ask for such a contribution from the City, she feels there should be a Council policy regarding this matter. The City Attorney advised that if discussion of the subject is desired, it should be placed on an agenda. -1- 4/26/94 3. APPOINTMENT OF ALTER- NATE TO COUNTY SANITATION DISTRICTS !?J/'r),.}(J 4. AMERICANS WITH DIS- ABILITIES ACT C?7.1 () 'f() 5. ORIENTATION FOR NEW COUNCIL o 11& - Gr III 'I 36:0132 ; ~ " - -, , I t was MOVED by Counc ilmembe'i::Kuhn, seconded by Mayor Pro tem Chang, and CARRIED on roll call, vote as follows to appoint Mayor Pro tem Chang as alternate to the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts Board of Directors. The Mayor is automatically the delegate. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Councilmembers Chang, Kuhn, and Young Councilmembers Lojeski and Margett None The Americans with Disabil,ities Act (ADA) was adopted in 1990 to remove barriers which prevent the disabled from taking part in and gaining access to the activities and services most citizens take for granted. The City of Arcadia' is responsible for enforcing this law on City property. Staff presented an overview of the Draft Transition Plan and Self-Evalnation which was pre,ared for adoption by the Council at its next meeting. 1 The Plan proposes a total expenditure of $378,130 over a two-year period to comply with the ADA. The majority of this ($335,281) is allocated to re~<.'ofit and make changes in park facilities. The balance of the budget ($42,8,:'9) is for modifi<:ations to the remaining City facilities. Fund.ng sources to pay for implementing the Plan are: $200,000 from Pro\ osition A funds; $l~',OOO from CDBG funds; $1,450 f~om Parking Distri.ct funds; $6,440 from the Mounted Police Trust Fund; $155,240 from the Capital Improvement Fund. Staff reviewed the mandates of the Americans with Disabilities Aft, and explained so~e of the changes which will have to take place in order for the Clty to be in cot:lpliance with the Act. It- was pointed out that approximately "3 million people in the United States, or 17 pei'cent of the popu~ ltion, qualify as disabled under the ADA. Counci~member Lojeski as,<ed if any thought had '>een given to possibly utilizing ~he service, of groups such as Eagle Scouts to accomplish so"e of the work that would need to be done with regard to the ADA. He thought that service clubs in the City also may be interested in heJ.ping with certain projects. Another suggestion was that any or_ the programs in the City, such as the soccer program, - might cons.'.der the work as a project they could adop t . Councilmember Margett commented that it seems unrealistic to require that parks conform t." ADA requirements if they are not being used by people with di.labilities. He would rather that retrofitting projects be undert, ken only if there are complaints or suggestions that: such modifica::ions are needed. The Acting City , Manager clarified that all pubL c property must be made accessible to the disabled or the premise chat they have a right to use it, even if they have not done so in the past. If accessibility to public property' is not prov:.ded, it can be construed as discrimination against such use. Staff commented that once it becomes known that such accessibility 1 has been provided,. for instance at parks, it is anticipated there will be an increase in participation by people with disabilities. The Acting City Manager., William Kelly, stated that since there is a two-year implementation period, the changes will be made slowly during the first year. After changes are reviewed by the City and the public in the second year, alterations to the plan may be desired. The C~ty Attorney commented that if steps toward' compliance with the ADA were not taken now, then an individual claimant could bring an action, and the City could be assessed a penalty of up to $300,000 per claimant. A discussion ensued with regard to changes. to be made at City parks. Staff provided an orientation to aid the three new Councilmembers, and to review the City's goals- for the full Council. The City Attorney gave an overview of the Councilmembers' role, and their limitations as a governmental agency with relation to County, State and Federal jurisdictions. He reviewed changes in the Brown Act which became effective April 1, 1994, most importantly that any -2- 4/26/94 1 I ... 36:0133 matter the Council wishes to discuss at a meeting must be placed on the agenda. The City Attorney also briefly discussed conflict of interest "situations, the public hearing process, and his role in providing legal advice to the Council. The Acting City Manager commented on the City Mission Statement, the organizational structure, and Council meetings and agendas. He then called for department heads to briefly review their functions and ongoing projects. The City Attorney, Assistant to the City Manager, and heads of the Planning Division, Economic Development Division, and Finance, Fire, Human Resources, Library, Police, Public Works, and Recreation Departments gave brief reports. With regard to communications to and from the City Council, the Acting City Manager stated that the City Charter mandates that communications go through the City Manager's office. In that way, there is one point of contact through his office, and he can get information back to the Council in an efficient and organized manner. The Acting City Manager mentioned that if Councilmembers desired to tour City facilities or projects, he would contact them to arrange those tours. Councilmembers will also be contacted to confirm dates for a team-building, goal-setting session in July. ADJOURNMENT At 9:10 p.m. the Adjourned Regular Meeting (Study Session) ADJOURNED to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 3, 1994, in the City Hall Council Chambers, for a Regular City Council Meeting, to conduct the business of the Council and the Redevelopment Agency, and any Closed Session necessary to discuss personnel, litigation matters or evaluation of properties. Zl4.~1i~k>7r ATTEST: ;J) JuG/D. Alford, / - 3- 4/26/94 ,