HomeMy WebLinkAboutJUNE 14,1994
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CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY
CLERK
ROLL CALL
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M I NUT E S
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA
and the
ARCADIA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING (STUDY SESSION)
June 14, 1994
The City Council and the Arcadia Redevelopment Agency met in an
Adjourned Regular Meeting (Study Session) on Tuesday, June 14,
1994, at 5:35 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chamber.
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Councilmembers Chang, Kuhn, Lojeski, and Young
Councilmember Margett
It was MOVED by Councilmember Lojeski. seconded by Mayor Young,
and CARRIED to EXCUSE the absence of Councilmember Margett.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Councilmember Lojeski commented that two commission members have
resigned, effective immediately. due to their moving out of the
City.-Dean Horstman, Recreation Commissioner. and Homer Paulson,
Arcadia Beautiful Commissioner. It was MOVED by Councilmember
Lojeski, seconded by Mayor Young and CARRIED by general consent.
to DIRECT staff to place on the agenda that the Council accept the
resignations of Dean Horstman and Homer Paulson with regret, and
honor their longstanding service with a plaque to each.
Councilmember Kuhn brought up the matter of her possible need to
abstain from participation in any discussion with regard to
downtown revitalization. Her husband is part-owner of property in
the central redevelopment project area. The City Attorney stated
he will send a formal letter-request to the Fair Political
Practices Commission this week as to whether or not there is a
conflict of interest where Councilmember Kuhn is concerned. Under
law, the FPPC must respond within 21 days. The City Attorney will
ask that they expedite an answer. but he is anticipating a wait of
up to 30 days because of the FPPC's own rules and due to their
staffing limitations. With that in mind, Councilmember Kuhn asked
if the downtown redevelopment issue scheduled to be on the agenda
for the June 21 Council meeting could be postponed to a meeting in
July or August.
Considerable discussion ensued. Councilmember Lojeski objected to
the fact that this now causes a delay in the Council's being able
to conduct the business of the City in a timely manner. He feels
that Councilmember Kuhn, and all Councilmembers, should anticipate
conflicts of interest when running for office, and handle such
matters immediately after taking office. The City and the
community were scheduled to address this matter at the June 21
Council meeting. Councilmember Lojeski is concerned that delays
such as this cause the public to perceive the City Council as
"giving a lot of lip service to the community with no action."
The City Attorney explained that part of the delay was due to the
fact that the FPPC will not accept a request for a legal op~nlon
until pertinent information and data are received in a form
acceptable to that agency. Further, that even though
Councilmember Kuhn may not at this time participate in discussion
regarding downtown redevelopment. the other Councilmembers may do
so. or may postpone the matter to a later date. at their
discretion. Mayor Pro tem Chang thought it was not unreasonable
to wait for an answer from the FPPC with regard to Councilmember
Kuhn; the Council will gain from her real estate expertise if it
is found that she has no conflict of interest.
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2.
PROPOSED
IMPLEMENTA-
TION OF
VOLUNTARY
EMERGENCY
MEDICAL
SUBSCRIPTION
PROGRAM
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Mayor Young proposed going ahead with tonight's scheduled
presentation of property use and development opportunities in the
redevelopment area. She also proposed rescheduling the downtown
revitalization discussion to the July 19 meeting. It was
Councilmember Lojeski's concern that this now necessitates
notifying the public, the downtown business association, and
others who were informed that the matter would be heard at the
June 21 meeting. The Acting City Manager stated that information
regarding the date change will be sent out tomorrow morning. By
general consent, it was agreed to hear the presentation tonight
and reschedule the discussion to July 19.
Councilmember Lojeski asked Mayor Pro tem Chang why there was so
much paperwork done by staff and given to all Councilmembers with
regard to answering Dr. Chang's budget questions. He felt that
most of the information was already given to Councilor available
in the budget. Councilmember Lojeski suggested that. in the I
interest of saving staff time and effort, Dr. Chang might go to
staff with his questions and be given a direct answer. without the
need to distribute extra paperwork to the rest of the Council.
Fire Chief Gardner gave an overview of the Voluntary Emergency
Medical Subscription Program. The program provides a low-cost
method for residents and businesses in Arcadia to receive paramedic
ambulance service and transportation. In addition, it is proposed
that a non-resident fee be implemented- -$125 for basic life support
(BLS) and $225 for advanced life support (ALS)--to cover the cost
of paramedic response to non-residents. By paying a small annual
fee to join the Voluntary Emergency Medical Subscription Program,
City residents would not incur a possible $300 to $500 ambulance
charge.
This voluntary program would be made available to all residents
and businesses in the City who wish to subscribe. To cover the
cost of the paramedic program, a $42 annual fee to residents is
proposed, as well as the ALS and BLS fees for non-residents. The
$42 fee can be paid bi-monthly on a resident's water bill or paid
all at one time, or, if a resident does not receive a water bill,
the fee may be paid when submitting an application for the
program. Staff estimates that the program will generate
approximately $200,000 in additional revenue, depending upon the
number of subscribers, the actual cost of the program. and start-
up costs.
An Administrative Captain and a part-time clerk would be required
to manage the program. The Finance Department may require a half-
time position to aid in administering the program. It is
anticipated that when the Emergency Services Coordinator retires
in December, the Administrative Captain will take over the duties
of his position. for a more cost-effective use of personnel.
Revenue proj ections for the proposed emergency medical
subscription program are based upon a survey of ten cities which
have a similar program. The staff report presents a lower than
anticipated membership rate for Arcadia, so revenue projections
are very conservative. The Fire Chief believes that a Voluntary
Emergency Medical Subscription Program would be so beneficial to
Arcadia residents, especially senior citizens, that even if no
additional revenue were generated, he would recommend proceeding
with it. Members of the Senior Citizens Commission are very
supportive of the program and anxious for it to be implemented.
In answer to a question by Mayor Young, the Fire Chief explained
that if a subscriber to the program is on Medicare, there are no
additional costs. Medicare is billed and the payment received is
accepted as payment in full.
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In answer to a question from Mayor Pro tem Chang. the Fire Chief
explained that by paying the $42 annual fee, a subscriber would
not have to pay his insurance company's deductible for emergency
medical and ambulance services. The Fire Department would ask for
authority to bill the insurance company and receive reimbursement.
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3.
REQUEST FOR
INSTALLATION
OF WORLD CUP
BANNERS
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Regardless of how much the deductible might be, there would be no
other charge to the subscriber. The Fire Chief stated that he
would like to see this program begin on July 1; the educational
and informational phase may take two to three months. It is
desired that every resident be contacted at least twice before the
program goes into effect. There would be information in their
water bills and other mailings. The Administrative Captain will
contact all apartment and condominium owners, service clubs, and
maj or businesses to make everyone in the City aware of the
program.
Councilmember Lojeski hopes the public will be made aware that
this program will be of benefit not only to senior citizens. but
to everyone in the community. He asked how the fee would be
charged to someone who is a resident and also owns a business in
the City. The Fire Chief explained that that person would pay the
$42 fee to cover everyone in his residence, and would pay $42 to
cover all the employees in his business. He will look into the
details of the program as to whether a person and his family would
be covered if they are at his place of business. Councilmember
Lojeski suggested offering an incentive of perhaps a 10 percent
savings to those who pay in advance for the entire year.
Discussion continued with regard to the Voluntary Emergency
Medical Subscription Program. The Fire Chief stated that some
details must be fine-tuned, but he wanted to first present the
overall concept of the program to the Council for Council's
direction. By general consent, it was agreed to have this item
presented formally to Council at its July 5 meeting, for a public
hearing and adoption of the related ordinance and fee resolution.
Andrew Gold, representative of Gold Graphics Manufacturing Company,
was present to answer questions regarding a request to install
twenty (20) sets of World Cup U.S.A. 1994 banners on portions of
both Huntington Drive and Santa Anita Avenue. Photographs, sample
renderings, and a sample of the eight-foot-high banner were
presented. At the bottom of the banner is the name of one of many
sponsoring companies such as McDonald's, Fuj ifilm, Budweiser Beer,
etcetera. Councilmember Lojeski inquired as to whether it could
be requested that banners that advertise certain products not be
used. Mr. Gold explained that the World Cup offered various
cities to the sponsors, and the sponsors chose cities where they
would like to have their banners located. Anheuser-Busch was
interested in having their banner displayed in Arcadia.
Councilmember Lojeski is pleased with the way the banners look,
but would prefer that banners advertising Budweiser Beer not be
displayed close to Arcadia High School, or near Holy Angels School
or Bonita Park School. Mayor Young was also satisfied with the
banners except for the "Bud. King of Beers" advertising on each
banner. Councilmember Kuhn agreed. Mr. Gold explained that
Anheuser-Busch was the only sponsor who expressed interest in
displaying banners in the City of Arcadia. There are no banners
with other sponsors proposed to be located in Arcadia. Mr. Gold
stated that the banners could be placed on Huntington or Santa
Anita as the Council desired.
Councilmember Kuhn suggested placing some of the banners at
Baldwin Avenue and Duarte Road, due to the proximity to a major
shopping area. Mayor Pro tem Chang did not believe the location
of the banners to be a problem. If the children did not see
banners near the schools, they would see them in other areas of
the City. He feels the more important issue is the Budweiser
advertising in general and Council's feeling about it.
After further discussion, it was MOVED by Councilmember Lojeski.
seconded by Councilmember Kuhn, and CARRIED on roll call vote as
follows to APPROVE installation of temporary banners by Gold
Graphics Manufacturing Company. contractor for World Cup U.S.A.
1994, Inc., on Huntington Drive from City limit to City limit and
on Santa Anita from Duarte Road to Foothill Boulevard, with the
exception of locations near Arcadia High School, Bonita Park
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4.
ARCADIA
REDEVELOPMENT
AGENCY -
PROPERTY
USE/
DEVELOPMENT
OPPORTUNITIES
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5.
CLOSED
SESSION
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ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
36:0197
School, and Holy Angels School, and to put one or two banners on
Baldwin Avenue, subj ect to compliance with the provisions in
Ordinance No. 2004.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmembers Chang. Kuhn. Lojeski, and Young
None
Councilmember Margett
The Assistant Community Development Director/Economic Development.
Peter Kinnahan, presented a detailed review of the Arcadia
Redevelopment Agency's current financial condition and a summary
of possible Agency projects and programs. The details of said
report are set forth in the June 10, 1994 staff report. He stated,
in part, that some of the information is of a confidential nature
and must be discussed in closed session.
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Councilmember Lojeski commented that it does not seem to be a good
idea to reveal at a public meeting the figure of $13 per square
foot as an estimated land value for property on the southwest
corner of Huntington Drive and Second Avenue. He pointed out that
at one time the value had been placed at $18 per square foot. A
developer might be encouraged to make an offer. believing that the
land will be sold at that price without negotiation. Mr. Kinnahan
explained that every year a figure must be put in the budget as to
what the Agency's revenues are estimated to be. One of the
revenues is potential land sale proceeds, and so a realistic
figure must be provided. In the late '80's and early '90's land
value was higher and therefore the figure was higher than $13,
Another piece of land owned by the Agency on First Avenue. set
aside for a possible light rail site, was not included in the
estimated land sale proceeds. For clarification of land sale
proceeds, Councilmember Lojeski suggested that all of the
properties owned by the Agency and their land value should be
reflected on the report. Councilmember Lojeski and Mayor Young
suggested also adding the category of City-owned properties which
are in the Redevelopment area. Discussion continued regarding the
Agency's financial report.
The Assistant Community Development Director/Economic Development
then reviewed the Agency's list of 19 possible projects and
programs, and their estimated cost range. Councilmember Lojeski
pointed out that some of the projects on the list are old
interests, those of previous Councils' preference. The Acting
City Manager suggested that more time than is available tonight
should be set aside to discuss the projects and their priorities,
A study session is scheduled for June 28, if needed. to finalize
the budget. It was decided to continue discussion of the Agency's
projects and programs to that date.
A Closed Session was held pursuant to Government Code Section
54957.6 for conference with labor negotiators Dan Cassidy and/or
Gary Rogers, and the City Attorney regarding unrepresented
employees including City management officials. AFSCME Local 2264,
the Arcadia Firefighters Association, and the Arcadia Police
Relief Association.
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At 7:05 p.m. the City Council entered a CLOSED SESSION, ~
and ADJOURNED at 7:17 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday. June 21, 1994.
in the City Hall Council Chambers for a Regular 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.
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