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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEPTEMBER 9,1994 I I ]''''J ' 1':11"_") O..J __ ~ger1'1 'I CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK ROLL CALL YOUllG (AQMD appt.) ALFORD (l996 primary election) (i)",J .,' I-I.,f .. tv' , ~RGETT (Video game machines) &.3,........1..... N'" MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING (WORKSHOP) SEPTEMBER 9, 1994 The Arcadia City Council met in an adjourned regular meeting (workshop) at 9:00 a. m., Friday, September 9, 1994, Ln the conference room of the Recreation Department at the ArcadLa Community Center. The primary purpose of said meeting was to build Council consensus in establishing City goals and a work plan for the coming year. PRESENT: ABSENT: Councilmembers Kuhn, Margett and Young Councilmember Lojeski (arrived at 9:08 a.m.) and Mayor Pro tern Chang (arrived at 9:14 a.m.) It was MOVED by Councilmember Margett, seconded by ~ayor Young and CARRIED to EXCUSE the absence of Mayor Pro tem Chang and Councilmember Lojeski. Others present: William Lewis, Lewis Partners William Kelly, City Manager Michael Miller, City Attorney June Alford, City Clerk SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS None AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION None ANNOUNCEMENTS, REPORTS, STATEMENTS OF ELECTED OFFICIALS Mayor Young announced that Nell Soto had recently been elected to the Air Quality Management Board. City Clerk June Alford informed the City Council that the presidential primary and the state wide direct primary previously scheduled for June, 1996 had been changed to the fourth Tuesday Ln March, 1996. Said primary is two weeks prLor to the Arcadia General Municipal Election. Word is that many cities are changing their municipal elections to March, 1997 to avoid mass public confusion in holding a city elecr.ion two weeks after the primaries. Additional Lnformation will be provided :0 :he Council at a later date for consideration of whether or not a change in date of the municipal election is preferable or possible. Councilmember M~rgact ~~porre~~r~2t rPr~ons who own video game estab,lishments in two nearby cities at which there have been serious dis turbances, have requested a permi t and bus Lness license to establLsh a business Ln Arcadia for seven video game machines. Councilmember Hargett noted that several people can play at each machine resulting in quite a crowd for an establishment. These places do not open until school is out in the afternoon, however, he noted that Arcadia High School has an open campus which could lead to problems for the School District. The Arcadia ordinance allows more games per location than other cities. Staff recommends dropping the number of games allowed tn 1 9 19 / 9~ LOJESKI (Agenda - Arc. Beautiful Com.) (?I.:J.::J..'() N~r (Arc. Beaut. Comsnr. hand- book) (':II [). () ,(I (11.( I ' KUHN (Emp. suggest'n Awards Prog.) {) tJ '~.~-:l <~, \ f:)llc') ,/,,' 36::]J1] such establishments from seven to three. The School District informs that enforcement of the operational hours is difficult to regulate. Other video game machine operators in the City have complained about the new reques t for a permit, in particular, the hours and number of machines. Staff will schedule this matter for discussion at the September 20 Council meeting. Councilmember Lojeski suggested a change should be made to the agenda for the Arcadia Beautiful Commission to allow for discussion of certain items. Their current agenda, as prepared, is very limited as to what they may discuss. He suggests that broader categories could be added so that an item may be fully discussed and be in compliance with the Brown Act. Councilmemoer also reported Commissioners are concerned about budget charges. Councilmember Lojeski also noted that Grant Parsons, the new Arcadia Beautiful Commissioner, did not receive a commissioner's handbook or an announcement of the commission meeting at which he was to be sworn in. The other commissioners were not contacted either. The City Manager will follow. up this matter. I Councilmember Kuhn reported that the Human Resources Board feel that the process for the Employee Suggestion Awards be inadequate in that time does not allow for investigation of the employees' suggestions for and/or cost saving programs. Program may appropriate improvement PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION OF GOAL SETTING, TEAM BUILDING, CITY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, AND ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE Bill Lewis reported on the last workshop session, July 2, 1994, and his subsequent report to the City Council. At the July 22 workshop, Council discussed Council/City ~anager expectations and, in a Closed Session, the performance evaluation of Acting City Manager, William Kelly. Time did not permit discussion of the Council role in goal setting and the goal setting process, therefore Council requested that Acting City Manager Ke lly schedule another workshop after Labor Day. Mr. Lewis briefly reviewed the discussion at the July 22 meeting, and leadership, in particular, the appointment of a City ~anager. Also a discussion of issues related to individual positions and goals to advance the City on a variety of issues as listed in his July 31 report to Council such as; economic and f1nanc i ~l development; City facilities; relations with the Arcadia School District; and community services issues. Mr. Lewis recommended that the format this date would be inclusive of discussion of these subjects item by item for consensus and Council direction of goals and priorities for the coming year. The City Manager prefaced Council's discussion with remarks stating in part, that the economic development issues are I interrelated and do not stand alone. Redevelopment, area and goals, iill be covered in two informal work sessions specifically to discuss projects. Staff will prepare a presentation for . October II which will discuss the City from a "global" perspective as an economic development entity not just redevelopment, but all commercial cores; Live Oak, West Arcadia. downtown; the race track and the Mall. The future of Arcadia is tied to the sales tax not property r.~". n,.. Issue of redevelopment will focus on those projects that could be achieved, such as; the three theaters currently in negotiation, the City of Arcadia/City of Monrovia project, the Foulger Ford sites, SW and NW Corner sites (Huntington Drive at Second Avenue) . .. the need to focus on priorities ... also, the City/Agency must conform to AS 1290, the redevelopment format regarding low and moderate income housing. City ~anager Kelly to be redone also noted. that the City's general plan needs to be refocused on general plan goals and 2 9/9/94 ., jP'!" " ., , 36:0Jl~ ~ I objectives. Permit streamlining... the City could do better to make the process flow faster. The other issues of economic development such as downtown development and the rail 'Station will be considered at the October II study session. The issues of economic development are inter-locked to the issues of City financial deve lopment. Also, it has been suggested that he contact the community informally get in touch with the President of Von's to find out what is happening in that field City Manager Kelly noted that Von's have withdrawn membership from every Chamber of Commerce they have been affiliated with. They are refocusing their funds. He would like to also talk with the Hahn Corporation. .. they are reducing their corporate maste, plan ... how does Arcadia fit into their concept? He is also going to contact the utility companies Edison, what are they doing to capture businesses and retain them? The City Manager noted that he plans to contact Azusa Pacific University, they have the regional economic forecasting model, also UCLA, and find out what they are projecting. He will meet informally with executives from companies to find out what is happening, and see what the City may glean from this exchange to make Arcadia successful. All the commercial cores in the City need to be stabilized and promoted positively. A brief discussion centered on Santa Anita Race Track, their development plans, the future of Santa Anita and its impact on the economic development of the City. It may take five years to reach a new horizon for this property, the City Manager noted. The economic future of the City seems to rest on the direction Santa Anita may take, Council generally agreed that the Ci:y should not micro-manage anything the track is doing. The discussion turned to suggestions to encourage business people in the City to be business friendly on the staff level, espec ially. I The financial future of the City was outlined by the City Manager. It was noted that the financial position of the City was so good for so long ... now the City must become proactive rather than reactive to encourage business within the City. One of the problems we are having as a City, the Manager noted, is that of explaining to the residents as well as City employees that the City has budget problems. The sales tax revenues could change quickly, the City is vulnerable. State budget cuts to the City next year may be as much as $l million. We are one of the few cities in the valley that has never cut City employees ... we've increased, not cut. Other cities have cut services and employees. and a whole range of cuts while Arcadia is just entering into that kind of an era, and the word is not getting out to the citizens or the employees that we are entering a budget crisis. The five year projection of income and expenditure indicates that the City will be three years in the red without making any changes, i.e., no staff increases and no significant changes in the level of services. Council needs to look at all options; a two year budget; long term financial strategies: sharing/buying services with other cities and the school district; the Capital Construction Fund needs to be rethought In reference to the Library expansion. fire station, police department facility, water, sewer and storm drains, the City Manager commented... new means of financing must be considered. The public has to be educated about these "aged facilities and systems. Th~.c~ aLe !!I::!!~Y way::, u= [:'l6.1lCi:ig just as there are options for personal purchases. Financing could be cash, bonds election or revenue, there are alternatives to paying cash. The City needs a financial plan for physical facilities. The whole issue of a master plan for water, sewers and storm drains must be addressed. The City has $3 million in water reserves for replacement of these facilities against a potential cost of $100 million. These are all very aged facilities. Priorities must be defined for these facilities and the other construction projects. 3 9/9/94 J6:03lj ... In reference to improving business retention and expansion in the City, Mayor Pro tem Chang felt that a quasi'public committee could be established to discuss how to improve business in the City. Also, in reference to the City Manager's statement that sales tax is the future of the City and to get the sales tax more businesses have to come in, and established businesses have to be retained, staff should track the sales tax figures each year for businesses and if something goes wrong, go to that business and find out how the City can help them improve. A change in attitude within City government is needed. Councilmember Kuhn agreed that the City needs to reach out to the business community. Councilmember Lojeski noted that some of the restrictions on business needs to be changed to be more cooperative and helpful. Further discussion continued around I attracting and retaining businesses and the businesses in the City who were not able to remain because of current economic conditions or corporate decisions. Councilmember Margett pointed out that perhaps the City should be trying to attract more stable businesses such as a utility company or some business of that sort that will be around for many years rather than retail. Councilmember Margett noted that the Metropolitan Water District as well as the Edison Company are looking for sites to relocate. At one point in this discussion Councilmember Lojeski asked a visitor in the audience, Deni Clements, Santa Anita Escrow Company, why she had moved her business out of the City. ~s. Clements commented that the space she was leasing in the Gribble project, Gateway Center (322 East Huntington), had cost her company approximately $260,000 for a five year lease on a 2,140 square foot area. She cannot afford this. Ms. Clements has since merged with another escrow company and relocated to the City of Monrovia where they own the land on which their business is situated. At 10: 50 a. m. the City Council RECESSED for 10 minutes and RECONVENED at 11:00 a. m. Signage in the City was briefly discussed; such as, the City advertising the fact of an Arboretum and a race track within Arcadia; signage on City property along the 210 Freeway directing vehicles to turn off at certain offramps to City attractions. Council appreciated the new signs at Santa Anita Fashion Park Mall at the perimeter of the property listing stores, etcetera. Nordstrom's full page ads in the Pasadena Star News was mentioned, in particular, the various City landmarks which ale shown in these ads. Council considered how the City might capitalize on ads depicting City landmarks. Referring to the Arboretum, Councilmember Margett said he could envision a hotel and conference center located on the grounds of this site, and a way of tying City landmarks together for visitors to enjoy, including a light rail for servicing these sites or a bus service between the Arboretum, race track and the mall. The City Manager felt that, in his opinion, the ideal site for a hotel/conference I center would be the race track. Dr. Chang mentioned he would be in favor- of this type of development at the Arboretum. Some discussion ensued of the Arboretum Foundation and the ownership of the site... the City does not own this property, although the City could derive some income from certain types of activities and development. In summing up the discussion at this point, Bill Lewis said that it seems like Council would like to maintain an aggressive posture towards business, focus on commercial development and retention; streamline City services ... keeping them open and friendly ... 'Also that Council has talked about a number of other subjects which he will write up and 'crunch' for them. This will serve as a general philosophical guideline for City staff in carrying-out their activities in terms of business economic development. Councilrnember Kuhn felt that along with a commitment to business growth and retention. the City shOUld maintain traditional values and not go so heavy on pro-business 1. 9/9/'j6. ," ',I';'.;' 'Ii r" J6:0JL5a ~ that homeowners feel like they are being taken over by business there was consensus of the Council that they should also maintain the "City of Homes" concept for the City. The City Manager commented that one of the issues of an implementation strategy is that Council should be aware of everything else staff is doing ... he had requested that City department heads submit their significant internal projects and schedules for the next twelve to eighteen months. This project schedule was distributed to the Council. The report was briefly discussed, and the Ci ty Manager explained "cultural divers i ty training" listed on the report in particular. I In regard to the earlier discussion the City Manager pointed out that it is important to remember that all this change takes time . within an organization that hasn't moved beyond the '60s to a great extent. The City structural operation is 1950's or 1960's. The City Manager explained some staff changes which are important and needed for the daily operation of the City. In the budget process his old position of Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director and the position of Assistant to the City Manager were left vacant and there is a need at this time to fill those positions. A change in staff position in the Human Resourc~Department will not entail an increase in cost in this year's budget. A change in title from Community Development Department to Development Services and bring in a director, a Deputy City Manager/Director of Development Services. This could be funded primarily by the Redevelopment Agency, block grant funds and Proposition A funds, also $6,000 from the General Fund for that position to the end of this fiscal year.... He would like to have this person in place by December of this year. After some discussion Council agreed to the changes as presented. The City Manager noted that other City reorganizational changes will be introduced in Closed Session at the September 14th,5:30 p. m. meeting. Further, at the meeting on October II at 5:30 p. m. to discuss the "City-at-large", staff will provide some gross numbers on what the business areas are generating, Live Oak, West Arcadia and other areas; Redevelopment, tax increment, redevelopment legislation AB 1290 and individual projects the downtown area. The six priority projects will be presented for discussion; the Foulger Ford site, SW and NW Corner sites, Monrovia/Arcadia proj ec t; the fifteen acre site. The City Manager noted that eventually the City Councils of Monrovia and Arcadia will have to meet together, this in reference to the joint project. On October II housing will be discussed also. . . money for redevelopment low-income housing. Other minor issues will be presented to brainstorm, focus and create a plan ... a multi-year strategy and a financial strategy to pay for projects must be planned. Staff may recommend a revenue bond issue ... take the City's cash, invest it to get it back... Councilmember Lojeski said this plan was presented by another City Manager, the Council at that time did not make a commitment but the situation was blown out of proportion in the community. Councilmember Lojeski also suggested the City Manager provide the new councilmembers with a memo explaining the various financing options to bring them up to date before the presentation on Oc tober 11. I In general discussion Mayor Young commented that she has received complaints of the service at Robinson-May Company in the mall. Staff said that a letter would be prepa,=ed for the ~ayor' s signature apprising the General Manager of these complaints. AT 12:00 NOON THE MEETING ADJOURNED FOR ONE HOUR AND RECONVEllED AT 1:00 P. M. The discussion on finances, community development, overall expenses, long term expendi tures for economic deve lopment and capital construction continued. The City Manager noted staff is working on these issues, there will be a report on the projects 5 9/9/% 36:03,50 , and options of how to pay for them presented soon. Discussion centered on the proposed library expansion and the possibility of a bond issue to finance construction. Mayor Pro tern Chang felt that the Library was a top priority to the people. The formation of an ad hoc citizen committee to make the decision of financing for the library project was considered. Councilmember Lojeski felt that safety is the top priority of the citizens. In reference to other facility needs, the City Manager noted that a new police facility could cost as much as $20 million. He reiterated that a long term financial strategy is needed and there are all the other physical facilities and systems Council must create a plan and then determine how to pay for these facilities ... priorities must be established. Council briefly discussed the concept of sharing or buying I services with other cities and the School District, and the possible financial benefits of this type of cooperative arrangement. Buying and selling water between cities has been done for many years. Council also briefly discussed relations with the SchooL District and a joint City Council/School Board meeting which could be held soon. The School Board was approached, they would prefer to hold this meeting in the School Board meeting room at the District's offices. Some Councilmembers felt the meeting should take place in the City Council chambers and be cablecast to the residents of the community. The Council alse briefiy discusse.d the staff cultural diversity training which will help staff be aware of differences in the changing population trends within the City. In talking about youth services in the city, staff noted that the numbers of young people involved in the summer Recreation Department programs have been decreasing. The City Manager reported that he had met with the unrepresented miscellaneous employees to explain the City's budget probleffis. There are some employees concerned because AFSCME employees received pay raises and the general miscellaneous employees did not. Some miscellaneous employees would like to form an association for representation. At the conclusion of the meeting Council generally agreed that they are now working together mClre as a team ... they feel comfortable with each other. There could be more one-on'one dialogue between them. This in reply to a question from Bill Lewis. Also, they would like to have another workshop for a half day sometime after the Christmas holidays. ADJOURNMENT At 3:26 p. m. the meeting ADJOURNED to Wednesday, September 14, 1994 at 5:30 p. m. in the Council Chambers Conference Room for an adjourned regular meeting and to conduct the business of the Council and any closed session necessary to discuss personnel, litigation matters or evaluation of properties. I YJ70/04~/.< ,/ Mary B. oun, or ~ ATTEST: Q~:_u~~~S< J D. Alford, icy C~rk 6 9;9/94