HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEPTEMBER 9,1994
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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)
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tv' ,
~RGETT
(Video game
machines)
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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
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LOJESKI
(Agenda - Arc.
Beautiful Com.)
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N~r
(Arc. Beaut.
Comsnr. hand-
book)
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KUHN
(Emp. suggest'n
Awards Prog.)
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Mary B. oun, or ~
ATTEST:
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J D. Alford, icy C~rk
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