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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJUNE 29,1993 I I 35:0168 CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA and the ARCADIA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING (WORK SESSION) June 29, 1993 The City Council and the Arcadia Redevelopment Agency met in an Adjourned Regular Meeting (Work Session) on Tuesday, June 29, 1993, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers Conference Room. ROLL CALL PRESENT: ABSENT: Cou;cilmembers Fasching, Harbicht, Margett and Ciraulo Hayor Pro tem Lojeski (arrived at 5:36 p.m.) 1. CLOSED SESSION 2. HARGETT (Irish Fair) HARBICHT (Irish Fair) It was HOVED by Councilmember Harbicht, seconded by Councilmember Margett and CARRIED, to EXCUSE the absence of Hayor Pro tem Lojeski. ORAL COHHUNICATION None. See page no. 3. ITEMS FROH COUNCIU{EH]lERS Councilmember Hargett commented on the Irish Fair which was held at Santa Anita Race Track on June 19 and 20. He received calls from people who said there were booths soliciting money for the Irish Republican Army. Councilmember Hargett felt he would like to know more about who is putting on this Fair. He would not like the City of Arcadia to give money to a terrorist organization. The City Attorney stated that the Business License Officer is checking with the Department of Corporations to verify the incorporation status of the Irish Fair Foundation and to be sure they are eligible for exemption from admissions' tax. The City was sent some old documentation at the "eleventh hour." Councilmember Harbicht mentioned that he called the City Hanager because he had received a call from a citizen who was upset that the Irish Republican Army had a booth at the Fair. Councilmember Harbicht commented that this may be a non-profit organization, but it seems to be a "major league" operation. He also stated that our Business License Officer was at the Fair going from booth to booth, selling business licenses. The City Hanager stated that he called Cliff Goodrich of Santa Anita Race Track, who had someone on his staff check out the Irish Republican Army relationship. He was told that there is a political party that has members in both parliaments in Ireland and in England, called Sinn-Fein, and Sinn-Fein has given birth to a non- profit fund-raising foundation called Nor-Aid, which sends money indirectly to the IRA in the name of humanitarian efforts. The City Manager conveyed to Hr. Goodrich that the Fair coming in on short notice is not a good thing for the City, as it does not allow the City to go through the kind of due diligence that it needs to do. He also made the point with Hr. Goodrich that having an IRA booth at the Fair does not seem like a proper thing for the City of Arcadia to do. His recommendation is that with this kind of an -1- 6/29/93 FASCHING (Reorg. of Planning Dept. ) FASCHING ( Counc il decision re 1863 Oakwood) CIRAULO (Wilderness Park) 35:0l69 organization, and at an admission price of $12,50 each, the fee should not be waived next year. Councilmember Fasching asked if the reorganization of the Planning Department was underway. The City Manager explained that the process to create a Community Development Department is underway. Councilmember Fasching brought up the matter of the public hearing held at the Council meeting of June 15, 1993, with regard to a proposed two-story, single-family residence with a subterranean garage located at 1863 Oakwood Avenue. Councilmembers Ciraulo and Margett voted against having the house built; Councilmembers Lojeski, Harbicht, and Fasching voted to let the house be built. He stated that he objected to the fact that he did not receive the new rendering of the proposed house, which showed a softened approach, until the night of the meeting, and that the area homeowners did not see it either until the night of the meeting. He pointed out that the house was to be built to code, and the only concern was the tuck-under garage and the easterly facade. After seeing the new rendering, it influenced him to vote for the house because he thought it would be an asset to the neighborhood, and not as big an impact as the homeowners thought it would be. He was concerned about the split vote on this matter, since these things will no doubt come up in the future for Council decision, and wondered what was objectionable to Mayor Ciraulo and Councilmember Margett regarding the house. I Mayor Ciraulo explained that in this case he voted against the house being built because he thought it would set a precedent for this type of house with tuck-under garage, which he feels is not in keeping with the style of homes in the neighborhood. Councilmember Margett feels it is difficult to make a decision from renderings, and that there should be other considerations taken, such as the potential use of the particular piece of property, and that there should be some sort of a ratio between the size of the lot and the square footage of the building. He stated he voted against this house being built because it would throw the neighborhood out of balance. Kayor Ciraulo said he is getting calls from people regarding Wilderness Park, complaining that on weekends the park is crowded with people, cars are parked up and down the streets, driveways are blocked, children are playing in the stream down below, and that most of the people at the park are not Arcadia residents. Area residents would like to know if there is the possibility of closing the park on weekends, but still allowing access for Arcadia groups and organizations to use it. Councilmember Fasching commented that Jeff Howe would like to know how the Council feels about an admission charge to the park. Councilmember Fasching told Mr. Howe that the City Attorney expressed concern over the legality of charging admission fees, exempting Arcadia residents. I Mayor Ciraulo said that the suggestion of the residents who called him was to close the park to everyone on weekends, including Arcadia residents, and asked if this is something the Council wants to consider. Councilmember Harbicht commented that everyone who lives next to a park would like to see it closed because of the same complaints, but everybody wants parks. There has already been a study that determined it was going to cost far more to collect admission than would be received from it. The City Attorney explained that admission fees could be charged, but non-residents could not be prohibited from the park. There may be the possibility of a differential' fee between residents and non- residents. - 2- 6/29/93 I I LOJESKI (Library expan. ) l. CLOSED SESSION 35:0170 Councilman Lojeski suggested that the Police Chief be asked for any ~pdated information he has from the point of time that new regulations, signage, etc" have been installed at the park as to whether the crime level has gone down, increased, or stayed the same. The Recreation Director could'also be asked for information. It was decided that each Councilmember could informally take a look at the park, and if one of them wanted to bring it up at a future study session, they could. Councilman Lojeski reported that he and Councilmember Harbicht attended the meeting of the ad hoc Library Committee, where they heard a presentation by the architects. A study session has been scheduled for August 10, at which time the Council will be given all information and will make a decision whether or not to go ahead with the project. An estimate of $3,500,000 to $4,000,000 was originally given. Councilmember Harbicht feels that the report will say that to accomplish what needs to be accomplished, it couldn't be done for less than $4,500,000. He believes that Council must look at this in light of all the budgetary pressures there are and all of the things Council wants to accomplish, and decide if this is something they want to do. The City Manager thinks the cost may be even higher than $4,500,000. Councilman Loj eski commented that a big problem is the almost $2,000,000 for rehabilitation of the existing interior. Proposed Costco Project: Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 to instruct City negotiators regarding price and terms of payment for potential land acquisitions, sale, lease applicable to property at the northeast corner of Second and Santa Clara to the 210 Freeway. This concerns negotiations with representatives Hoey and McArthur of Costco, John Bell of Western Security Bank, R. Smith of Emkay Development Company, R. Johnson and ~: Nicholson of Los Angeles County Public Works. ADJOURNMENT At 6:07 p.m. the City Council entered the CLOSED SESSION, RECONVENED and ADJOURNED at 7:12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, July 6, 1993, in the Conference Room of the Council Chambers for an Adjourned Regular Meeting, and to conduct the business of the Council and Agency and any Closed Session necessary to discuss personnel, litigation gatters or evaluation of properties. ATTEST: J -3- 6/29/93