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Home My WebLink AboutOCTOBER 12,1993 I I 0110.. \ 0 35: 0274'0/~'l.3 CC CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK ROLL CALL 1a. INHABITED MOTOR HOMES/ RECREA- TIONAL VEHICLES OS-GO Ie lb. PARKED CARS WITH "FOR SALE" SIGNS (J ~~'i"O- '/~ ",~p 2. CLOSED SESSION M I NUT E S CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA and the ARCADIA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING (WORK SESSION) October 12, 1993 The City Council and the Arcadia Redevelopment Agency met in an Adjourned Regular Meeting (Work Session) on Tuesday, October 12, 1993, at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers Conference Room. PRESENT: Counci1members Fasching, Harbicht, Margett, and Ciraulo Mayor Pro tem Lojeski (arrived at 5:37 p.m.) ABSENT: It was MOVED by Councilmember Margett, seconded by Councilmember Fasching, and CARRIED, to EXCUSE the absence of Mayor Pro tem Lojeski. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None. Staff presented a report to Council regarding the storage of recreational vehicles in front yards. The Arcadia Municipal Code does not prohibit the parking of recreational vehicles in front yard areas as long as they are on a paved surface. Staff explained if people are living in motor homes parked in front or back yards, that is a violation of Arcadia Municipal Code's single-family zoning regulations. It has been brought to Council's attention that a number of motor homes have been observed on blocks, with wires going from the residence to the motor home, indicating a possibility that they are being lived in. Staff suggested that such complaints be brought to their attention at City Hall or to the Police Department for follow-up. A discussion followed regarding the matter of whether or not recreational vehicles should be allowed in front yards. Council considered the possibility of their deciding the issue or bringing it before the voters for a decision. After further discussion on the matter, it was the consensus of Council that staff conduct a survey and bring back a report as to how other cities handle the problem. The City Attorney reported on the matter of cars with "for sale" signs parked on vacant property or in parking lots. In these cases, the owner of the property is informed that the property is not zoned for that type of use, and if he posts a sign provided by the City, police can have the vehicle removed. It is a violation of the Traffic Code to have a "for sale" sign on a car parked on a City street, and in that instance, police may issue a citation. There are no laws prohibiting a person from advertising a car for sale in his own driveway. In the discussion which ensued, the Police Chief answered questions from Councilmembers and clarified the instances under which the law would be violated. It was explained that police officers are usually able to tell when a car has been parked for the primary purpose of advertising it for sale, in which case it may be cited. See page 3. -1- 10/12/93 3. FASCHING (Rodeffer Proposed Landfill) OS/':,-- ~ ) N~I FASCHING (Consoli- dated Lighting District Tax Rate) FASCHING (Wilderness Park) 07"{0.10 rkp 35:0275 ITEMS FROM COUNCILMEMBERS Councilmember Fasching inquired as to the status of Rodeffer Investments' proposed inert landfill on the north side of Lower Azusa Road. The Planning Commission held-a public hearing on September 14. Staff explained that the issue will come before Council at the first meeting in December or the second meeting in January. Staff will arrange for Council to visit the site before the hearing date. Due to a typographical error on the part of the City, an incorrect tax rate figure was transmitted to the County Tax Collector, and about 6,100 property owners in the Zone B lighting district were sent tax bills with an incorrect tax assessment for the Consolidated Lighting District. The Finance Director has received about five calls questioning the billing. Corrected tax bills are being prepared by the County Tax Collector's office to replace the inaccurate ones and should be sent out in the next week or two. The Finance Director has written an explanatory insert to go with the new bills. It is not yet known how much the County will charge the City for preparing the additional bills. I Councilmember Fasching referred to the closure of Wilderness Park on weekends due to overcrowding and the subsequent parking problems encountered by nearby property owners. Many residents have expressed unhappiness with the fact that Wilderness Park is unavailable to them 'without reservations on weekends. Councilmember Fasching wondered if there could be some alternatives which would be of benefit to everyone, such as limiting parking within 1,000 feet of the park entrance to one hour on weekends, and perhap~ having someone at the gate to close it when the parking lot is full. He would like to find a way that Arcadia residents are not required to pay a fee or make a reservation on weekends, but a way that overcrowding will be prevented. Council discussed the matter. Mayor Pro tem Lojeski brought up the possibility of taking reservations on weekends in order to control the number of park visitors, but not charging residents a fee. The City Attorney clarified that a differential fee could be charged, with preference toward residents, as long as it is reasonable. Councilmember Fasching felt that it may be ,an inconvenience for residents to have to make reservations in advance. He suggested having a gate system and showing proof of residency. The Recreation Director proposed that if reservations were taken on the weekend, perhaps walk-in visitors could be allowed until the park became overcrowded, at which time it would be closed. Now that summer is over', there should not be a problem with overcrowding. The City Attorney cautioned that since the topic of Wilderness Park was not on tonight's agenda, discussion should be limited. Counci1member Fasching suggested that, until a long-range comprehensive plan for Wilderness Park is decided upon, the fee charged to Arcadia residents be eliminated. It was agreed to bring this before Council at its next meeting, and in the meantime to retain the reservation system. The City Manager anticipated that the comprehensive plan will take the form of some kind of a Nature Center program handled through the Pasadena Humane Society. The Society's first priority, however, is preparing a financial master ,plan with regard to their desire to request a fee increase for their animal control services in the City. I Councilmember Margett commented that a docent program at the park might be considered. The Recreation Director stated that a docent program has not been necessary now that weekend visitors to the park are limited and staff is able to handle current activities. Councilmember Harbicht expressed his opposition to the reservation system at Wilderness Park, and believes there are other ways to control the problem of overcrowding. With reference to the Pasadena Humane Society's desire to request a fee increase for animal control services, the City Manager has requested the Society to first present to Council a business plan -2 - 10/12/93 I p'i 10 - ?() FASCHING (Cable Television Franchise Fee) LOJESKI (Towne Center Parking Lot) o''if/{)..$ 0 Nfl' LOJESKI (Newco Waste Systems) LOJESKI (Charter Revisions) ID~() -I() LOJESKI (Community Disposal Company) I CIRAULO (November 9 Work Session Canceled) 2. CLOSED SESSION t!)1l O-~/O 35:0276 of their operation showing costs and the basis for the increase. Considerable discussion ensued, and 'Councilmember Harbicht stated in part that the Humane Society had not provided a cost analysis of their services and he had assumed tRe Society would provide services for the same costs as the County services, and in a more humane way. Further, Councilmember Harbicht asked if costs were discussed at the time the City recently contracted with the Humane Society? The City Manager responded that staff handled the details, but he discussed with staff his desire to cut the City's subsidy of $50,000 a year from the General Fund to zero. The City Attorney commented that the Humane Society has requested modification and updating of some of the City's codes to make them consistent with the Society's business practices. The request seems reasonable, and staff has more details on the matter. Council agreed these matters should be discussed further when placed on an agenda. Councilmember Fasching expressed displeasure at seeing the local cable television company charge customers a franchise fee to cover the five percent franchise fee imposed upon the cable company by the City. He has asked the City Attorney to look into the legality of their doing so. The Towne Center parking lot has been faced with the ongoing problem of advertising fliers strewn around the parking lot. Mayor Pro tern Lojeski asked Council how they would feel about asking the Chamber of Commerce to put something in their newsletter informing businesses that there is an ordinance against placing fliers on car windows. The City Newsletter might also print an article on the subject. The City Attorney will prepare a notice to send to the Chamber, and a warning letter will be sent to the restaurant whose advertising fliers have been found in the parking lot. It was clarified for Mayor Pro tem Lojeski that annotated information is placed on the blue copy of the Council agenda and it is distributed the morning after a Regular Council Meeting. The minutes will give detailed information regarding the Council's discussion and vote on the matter of Newco Waste Systems' two.year extension to their contract. Mayor Pro tem Lojeski inquired as to correspondence from the City Attorney regarding Charter revisions. About a year ago Council requested that the City Attorney review the Charter for any future updates. At the time of the Special Municipal Election Consoli- dated with the Arcadia Unified School District Bond Election on September 15, 1992, some minor Charter revisions were made. There are still some changes that need to be made, and so the City Attorney has provided information for Council's review and input. Mayor Pro tem Lojeski received an advertisement in the mail from Community Disposal Company. He was informed by staff that Community Disposal Company is another name for Athens Disposal Company, a commercial trash hauler which already does business in the City of Arcadia. There are currently five commercial trash disposal companies in the City. Two will be merging soon, and Council may elect to choose another or may continue with four. Mayor Ciraulo will be unable to attend the Council work session tentatively scheduled for November 9. No agenda has yet been set, and the Mayor asked if the Councilmembers would like to cancel that meeting. By consensus of Council, the November 9 work session was canceled. Closed Session per Government Code Section 54957.6 to review salaries and compensation of represented and unrepresented employees with the City's designated representatives. And, the City Attorney announced that, "In addition to this item that is scheduled for Closed Session, there are two other items I need to discuss in Closed Session before this item. One of them is under Government Code 54956.9a, it's the lawsuit of Matthews versus Arcadia. The other one under Government Code Section 54957 involves an employment contract. II - 3- 10/12/93 ADJOURNMENT ATTEST: "-- 35:0277 At 6:50 p.m. the City Council entered a CLOSED SESSION, RECONVENED and ADJOURNED at 7:45 p.m. to Tuesday, October 26, 1993, at 5:30 p.m. in the Conference Room of the City Hall Council Chambers, for an Adj ourned Regular Meeting (Work Sessien) to conduct the business of the Council and the Redevelopment Agenc1, and any Closed Session necessary to discuss personnel, litigation matters or evaluation of properties. 'o~;1). ~~~\ -4- 10/12/93 '1 j j 1 , , j ~ 1 'I' : t, ...~. h , r."'. 1 J 1 1 j ., , , i ,~ I , , j 1 1 I l . 'I"'~ .~ '. r , .' ~ OJ , i 1 _ ~_---........llo