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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAUGUST 9,1994
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36:0279
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY
CLERK
1.
2.
3.
CANDIDATE
INTERVIEWS
FOR PLANNING
COMMISSIbN
01.J.0-"-0
M I NUT E S
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 9, 1994
The Arcadia City Council met in an Adjourned Regular Meeting on
Tuesday, August 9, 1994, at 5:35 in the Conference Room of the
City Council Chambers.
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Councilmembers Chang, Kuhn, Lojeski, Margett and Young
None
AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
None
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS
None
On July 5, 1994, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2007
increasing the number of Planning Commissioners from five to
seven. The Council conducted interviews of the following three
candidates for the two additional positions on the Planning
Commission.
Eric Heikkila, Planning Commission candidate, was unable to be
present for an interview.
Hans Richter is presently Manager of Engineering and Construction
for the Southern California Edison Company. and has been with
them for twenty-three years. He is an engineer by training --
UCLA and USC. His experience includes work on small projects up
to and including the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. where
he was project engineer. His present position involves
modification of generating stations, as well as planning
resources for the future for the System Planning Division. He
perceives the role as Planning Commissioner as being a member of
a group of individuals who review land use issues. He hopes the
Planning Commission would be an objective body, reviewing the
data presented on an issue and leaving the political problems to
the Council. He perceives himself as a resource for the
Council. He does not entirely favor the downtown redevelopment
project, since he has not seen any strong evidence of factors
which will ultimately draw crowds to that area. He is not
particularly offended by the appearance of the downtown area; it
is clean and seems to be well maintained. He would not be
inclined to favor changing the present zoning since it seems to
be working very well. He does not feel appointment to the
Planning Commission would involve any conflict of interest since
the Southern California Edison Company encourages employees in
community involvement.
Ted Parker is self-employed so will have no problem arranging his
schedule for attendance at the Planning Commission meetings. He
has resided in Arcadia for thirty-five years. He is a mechanical
engineer; consultant, instructor and specialist in computerized
design. He is proud of Arcadia and thought perhaps he could do
something for the city. He appeared before the Planning
Commission and City Council on the occasions of hearings
regarding the Albertson's store. He had strong opinions against
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its construction because of the potential traffic problems. In
his opinion, the Planning Commission members should base their
judgments on the findings of the staff and what they observe.
The Commission should cooperate with the Council, but should not
necessarily be influenced or directed by the Council. It is his
opinion that the General Plan has been successful and that only
under extreme circumstances, should it be modified in any way.
He also thinks that the large houses add to the community if they
are not too extreme. He tends to believe that it would be good
for the neighborhood to be involved in its destiny, but does not
know how this could be implemented. The community should be
brought in on the large developments. He thinks downtown Arcadia
needs redevelopment. The area is not very attractive; vacant
lots are not attractive. Something is needed to encourage owners
to invest in improving their properties.
Carolvn Bell works for a landscape architect and attends Cal Poly
University, studying landscape architecture, and learning how
cities are planned. She cares a lot about what happens to
Arcadia, and has been following the Council discussions about the
library renovation as well as the downtown revitalization. It
is her opinion that the Planning Commissioners should be involved
with information finding and research to provide insight into
problems which could help Councilmembers understand matters which
perhaps they would not have time to research themselves. She
feels a great deal could and should be done to revitalize the
downtown area, and this would add a great deal to the City as a
whole. Old Town Pasadena and Monrovia have been extremely
successful with their endeavors. Downtown Arcadia is not
attractive, offers no reason for people to walk around the area;
nothing much is open at night. Shops such as book stores, ice
cream or coffee shops would bring people into the area. Nice
looking street trees make a good impression. Research has been
done on different kinds of trees for city streets, i.e. those
that are attractive; provide a lot of shade; have low
maintenance, etc. The trees or plants need not be the same on
every street. Mrs. Bell presented a copy of her business profile
to the Councilmembers.
Considerable discussion ensued among Councilmembers regarding the
qualifications of the candidates for appointment to the Planning
Commission.
It was MOVED by Councilmember Margett, seconded by Councilmember
Kuhn and CARRIED on roll call vote as follows to nominate Paul
Kalemkiarian for appointment to the Planning Commission for a
four year term to June 30, 1998.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmembers Chang, Kuhn, Lojeski, Margett and Young
None
None
I
It was MOVED by Councilmember Kuhn, seconded by Mayor Pro tem I
Chang and CARRIED on roll call vote as follows to nominate
Carolyn Bell for appointment to the Planning Commission for a
four year term to June 30. 1998.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
Councilmembers Chang, Kuhn, Lojeski, Margett and Young
None
None
Council directed staff to redesign the commission member
application form to provide more information.
4.
MATTERS FROM COUNCIL
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8/9/94
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LOJESKI
(Emergency
Medical
Care)
LOJESKI
(Library
Renovation!
Expansion)
CITY
MANAGER
YOUNG
(Library
Renovation!
Expansion)
LOJESKI
(Union
Negotia-
tions)
MARGETT
(Weed
Abatement
City Sts.)
CITY CLERK
(Weed
Abatement
Charges)
YOUNG
(AQMD Rep.
League!
CaliLCities)
5.
ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
e D. Alford,
36:0281
Councilmember Loj eski stated that he had left the previous
Council meeting to board a flight to Houston. While in Houston
his son collapsed in pain, and it was necessary to call for
emergency assistance. The ambulance arrived one hour and ten
minutes later; the ambulance attendants did not provide paramedic
care; they merely provided transport to the hospital. After
having a first hand experience with an emergency situation. he
wants to emphasize that the emergency paramedic care we have here
in Arcadia is superior, as well as the quality of response and
care at the Arcadia Methodist Hospital. Our citizens should be
very grateful for the quality of emergency care we have in
Arcadia.
Councilmember Lojeski referred to the scathing, nasty, unfair
letters that have been received regarding the library renovation.
He would like to remind the citizens who have criticized the City
Manager that the City Manager does not make policy; the City
Council makes policy. No policy has been set with regard to the
Library, and the citizens writing such letters should be made
aware of that. He does not like to see these letters. Mayor
Young said they bother her, and there seems to be a groundswell
growing.
The City Manager noted that the agenda for the August 16, 1994
meeting will provide a report and recommendation regarding the
library expansion/renovation. At that time funding can be
discussed, Council will have an opportunity to look at and
discuss funding and prioritize recommendations regarding the
library expansion/renovation. Mayor Young noted that when she
left the Council before, it had been determined that there was
money available in Sacramento for library funding. Preliminary
plans were drawn up and application for grant was made. Arcadia
did not receive the grant. People have forgotten this. Since
there was no grant money available, other funding was necessary.
But since that time. the budget situation has changed; the state
has taken funds from the City. It is a matter of having the
financial resources for the renovation.
In response to a question from Councilmember Lojeski. staff
responded that negotiations are still under way with AFSCME,
Arcadia Firefighters' Association and Arcadia Police Relief
Association. A closed session is scheduled following the August
16, 1994 council meeting.
Councilmember Margett called attention to necessity for weed
abatement in the parking lot across from the post office on
Wheeler; the curbs on downtown Huntington Drive, and the curbs
on South Baldwin Avenue.
The City Clerk noted that the charges for weed abatement on
various properties in the City which were considered at the last
Council meeting were charges for inspection. not for weed
clearance.
Mayor Young noted that the League of California Cities has still
not elected a representative to the AQMD.
MATTERS FROM STAFF
None
At 7:13 p. m. the Adjourned Regular Meeting ADJOURNED to Tuesday
August 16, 1994 at 7:00 p. m. for a Regular Meeting to conduct
the business of the Council and the Arcadia Redevelopment Agency
and any Closed Session necessary to discuss personnel, litigation
matters and evaluation of properties.
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Mary . un, M or
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