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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSEPTEMBER 28,1993 I I QI/O.S-O 35:02570lpFC?3 Ct CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK ROLL CALL 1. ARCADIA MISSION/ GOALS STATEMENT Olro -70 2. PILOT STREET LIGHTING PROJ ECTS 0930-30 "'~? M I NUT E S CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA and the ARCADIA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING (WORK SESSION) September 28, 1993 The City Council and the Arcadia Redevelopment Agency met in an Adjourned Regular Meeting (Work Session) on Tuesday, September 28, 1993, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers Conference Room. PRESENT: Councilmembers Fasching, Harbicht, Lojeski, Margett, and Ciraulo ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. The City of Arcadia Mission/Goals Statement was distributed for Council's review. The City Manager explained that this Statement may be used in many ways--as a foundation for the coming year's budget process; to be used by the department head management team; and to communicate what the City is all about and what the goals are of the City Council. Although Councilmember Margett thought that wording describing the educational system in Arcadia should be changed to "superb" rather than "second to none, II Council agreed that the Mission Statement as presented would be useful to both the community and staff in conveying Council's position as to the future direction of Arcadia. Staff was directed to move ahead with the plan to communicate the Mission Statement to the community. The Public Works Director presented two street lighting pilot projects to the Council. The first is located at Valencia Way and Hillcrest Boulevard, and could become a pilot project for decorative -"street lighting. The poles are very similar to the decorative-type poles that Council recently approved. The maintenance project was to convert 16 lights from series circuits to multiple circuits. Based on experience with other conversions, cost of this project was originally estimated at $14,300. Subsequent field investigations by staff determined that two of the sixteen poles are severely cracked and must be replaced, as well as the sixteen footings. It was also found that in some cases the conduits are so badly deteriorated that they are fused to the wiring, and the diameter does not allow new wire to be pulled through the conduit. To bring the series circuits to multiple circuits and do the additional work required brings the total cost to an estimated $69,000. For an additional $4,000 the current lighting can be brought up to IES standards, although this is not mandatory and is not being recommended at the present time. The Public Works Director explained there are three principal reasons for converting from series circuits to multiple circuits. One, in a series circuit when one light goes out they all go out. Two, the voltage is higher, 5400 volts compared to 110 volts in a multiple circuit. Three, power costs are less for 110 volts than 5400. Staff stated that in addition to a savings in energy costs, Southern California Edison Company has informed the City that it will not supply energy for inefficient systems in the future. The second pilot project is to install a new lighting system on Pamela Road. A petition for street lighting on Pamela Road previously came before Council but was withdrawn when property owners decided not to install the cobra-head-style street lights -1, 9/28/93 3. ARMORY PROPERTY 0).:20 -10 35:0258 which were recommended at the time. Now that Council has approved decorative street lights, it is suggested that property owners be contacted to see if they wish to go forward with this new project which is estimated at $175,000. Cost is split 75%, or $131,000, t~ the City, and 25%, or $44,000, to property owners. A lengthy discussion ens~ed regarding the City's ability to contribute financially to this and other street lighting programs now that the City's share will be considerably more due to the higher cost of decorative lights. The Public Works Director stated that there is $166,500 that has accumulated in the Capital Outlay Fund in the CIP that could be put toward the two pilot projects presented tonight, with an additional $59,000 appropriation being required. It was suggested that the cost split between City and property owners could be revised as desired by Council, or that property owners might assume the entire expense. It was the consensus of Council that due to economic conditions, I this is not an appropriate time to offer street lights to the property owners on Pamela Road, but that the item can be brought back before Council in about six months. The recommendation for a street lighting maintenance project on Valencia Way and Hillcrest Boulevard will be brought before Council at a regular meeting with the request to authorize an expenditure of $69,000 for the project. Staff presented a report to the Council for discussion on possible interim uses for the vacated Armory site. Alternatives include a commercial or industrial lease, public agency use, or the Police Department utilizing one of the buildings for storage and using the property for parking, or mixed private and public uses. Most leases would be incompatible with the civic centerjhospital/park/race track uses which surround the site, and could require a General Plan and Zoning Ordinance amendment. Staff has determined that the most feasible use is by the City, and the Police Department in particular. The Police Department could use the storage building for police vehicles, asset seizure vehicles, evidence, supplies, equipment, and as a work area for installing radio communications units in vehicles. A portion of the site could be used for parking by employees. This would entail an expenditure of $4,000 to $5,000 for putting in a fence, electric gate, and driveway. The annual cost of upkeep for the entire "'unoccupied Armory site is approximately $7,500. To utilize the building for storage by the Police Department would add $1,000 more, making a total cost of approximately $8,500 a year. Some costs may possibly be offset by rents. Other City departments have indicated a desire to use the buildings for office space or rooms for training or recreation activities. The Police Department is also in need of additional office space for the II-person detective bureau. Four options have been suggested by staff: (1) Continue to use the existing police station; (2) Construct a 960-square-foot modular building to the northwest of the existing police building; (3) Convert the Butler I building on the Armory site; or (4) Utilize two to four of the offices in the main Armory building. Staff has recommended that the most cost-effective option is to construct a modular building at an estimated cost of $40,000 adjacent to the existing Police Department building. It is also the most convenient. in that the detective bureau would be in close proximity to the police station. It was the consensus of Council that this item be placed on a regular meeting agenda. in particular, the Police Department's utilization of the storage building and a parking area at the Armory site; construction of a modular building for the detective bureau; and the potential of leasing the rest of the Armory buildings. Staff noted that it is possible that asset seizure funds could be used to pay for the modular building, as opposed to Capital Outlay Funds. Also, staff will bring back a contract with a broker with regard to the leasing of unused Armory buildings. .2- 9/28/93 I I 4. 35:0259 ITEMS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS LOJESKI Mayor Pro tem Lojeski reported on observing advertising literature (Advertise- which has been hung on metal poles in several locations along Santa ments on Anita Avenue, in violation of City ordinances. Metal Poles) LOJESKI (Tree Removal) LOJESKI (Letter from Resident) LOJESKI (Goss Constr.) LOJESKI (Video Game Arcade) () 1 ~-o:; - '1),- filS;> LOJESKI (California Cup Invitation) FASCHING (Enter- tainment Permits) 03 <';0..'13 "I$P FASCHING (Community Referral Program) a <f70-1.3 "'sP' FASCHING o If .n;,.~('Possible Sr'?HG Recycling wS p of Metal Clothes Hangers) ARMORY (Girl Scout- Halloween Haunt) () 7,),,0-10 ,vsr ARMORY (Leases) 07:J.O-HJ P/.s.p With regard to construction being done in the parking lot of the Towne Center building, staff will check into it and the removal of trees. Mayor Pro tem Lojeski inquired about a letter received from Arcadia resident Felicia Vileta in regard to the Michael Fortanasce property. Mayor Ciraulo explained that she sent a letter to all Councilmembers, and a response has been prepared. Regarding a letter from Goss Construction Company, the Police Chief responded that it is a legal matter and a court must answer the questions. However, he has prepared a letter in response and will see that Mayor Pro tem Lojeski gets a copy. A letter was received by the Mayor from Donna Wells, Business Development Southwest Arcadia, concerning a potential video game arcade on Santa Anita Avenue at Live Oak. Staff stated that a lecter has been sent to all residents who wrote to express opposition to having a video game arcade located in southwest Arcadia. The letter informed residents that the request was withdrawn by the applicant. and it was signed by the Acting Planning Director. Mayor Pro tem Lojeski referred to the invitation to the Santa Anita California Cup. However. Council will be in San Francisco at the League of California Cities meeting and will be unable to attend. Staff will handle the letter of regret. Councilmember Fasching commented on the entertainment/dance permit request from the Steerburger Restaurant. He suggested that rather than having the Business License and Permit Review Board issue these permits, perhaps a Conditional Use Permit could be issued for a restaurant requesting an entertainment/dance permit. and in that way the City would be afforded the safeguards provided by a CUP. Staff will prepare a report to present to Council at a future work session. The City recently agreed to accept the Court Referral Program, allowing people sentenced to community service to perform such work in Arcadia. Councilmember Fasching felt that the Council should have had the opportunity to comment on the program before it was accepted. Wi th reference to AB 939, which requires waste stream reduction efforts, Councilmember Fasching noted that dry cleaning establishments do not recycle metal clothes hangers. He offered the suggestion that perhaps staff could approach dry cleaners to see if they would be willing to post signs furnished by the City, asking customers to return hangers for recycling. Referring back to the Armory property, staff informed Council that the Girl Scouts have submitted a request to use the Armory from October 14 through 24 to prepare for the Halloween Haunt, a one- night event on Saturday, October 23. They have used the Armory for that purpose in the past and would like permission from the City to do so again this year. They have offered to pay $100 for the use. It will be fully handled through a lease, and the Girl Scouts organization will provide the proper insurance. Staff inquired if Council had any concerns regarding this use of the Armory property before the matter came before them for approval. No objections were expressed. In response to a question from staff regarding the length of the lease to be prepared by a broker for the Armory property, three years was agreed upon. It was noted that Arcadia Welfare and Thrift would like to use the Armory property in December for their .3- 9/28/93 35:0260 White Christmas program, and they will submit a request later in the year. Council acknowledged it could present a problem if a group desired to rent the property for a month or two, and the City had already committed to a short-term use. Council concurred that for short- term leases with community groups for nonprofit purposes, staff could handle these arrangements without bringing them before Council for approval. CLOSED SESSION () 110 . 'f 0 N':'r~ The City Attorney announced that, "The Chief of Police wanted to have a Closed Session, and I concur, to discuss the Brad Beck claim. He's the gentleman that appeared before the Council. This Closed Session is pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9a to discuss existing licigation aimed at a claim of Brad Beck." ADJOURNMENT At 7:03 p.m. the City Council entered the CLOSED SESSION, RECONVENED and ADJOURNED at 7: 45 p. m. to 5: 30 p. m. on Tuesday, October 5, 1993, in the Conference Room of the City Hall Council I Chambers, for an Adjourned Regular Meeting to conduct the business of the Council and the Redevelopment Agency, and any Closed Session necessary to discuss personnel. litigation matters or evaluation of properties. ATTEST: ~ Alford, J I -4- 9/28/93