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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAUGUST 9,1994 I I (jf/t1-<;""O () ~o9'?Y CC- 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 1 8/9/94 36:0280 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 2 8/9/94 I I 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. ~;j,~;i Mary . un, M or ~ 3 8!9/94