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
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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.
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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
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6/29/93