HomeMy WebLinkAboutOCTOBER 13,1992
I
I
;;jl'/U -"'-0
/0/3 'M
CC 34: 0336
CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY
CLERK
ROLL CALL
l.
LIBRARY
EXPANSION
PROJECT
o 7.'J,() 0 70
M I NUT E S
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA
and the
.ARCADIA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING (WORK SESSION)
OCTOBER 13, 1992
The Arcadia City Council and the Arcadia Redevelopment Agency
met in an Adjourned Regular Meeting (Work Session) at 7:00
p.m., on Tuesday, October 13, 1992 in the Conference Room of
the City Hall Council Chambers.
PRESENT:
Councilmen Ciraulo, Harbicht, Loj eski, Margett and
Fasching
None
ABSENT:
The City Library building at the corner of Duarte Road and
Santa Anita Avenue was constructed in 1961. Since that time,
only minor paint and carpeting improvements have been made to
the building. In 1988 the State Library Construction Bond
Act was approved. In January of 1991 the City Council and
Library Board determined to employ a consultant to prepare the
City's application to the State for Bond Act funding. The
application was submitted in April, 1991 for "First Cycle
Funding" and was subsequently rej ected by the State. The
consultant re-submitted an application in July, 1991 for the
second cycle of consideration for these same funds. This
application was approved, however, Arcadia was not as highly
ranked as other proj ects and therefore was deemed not eligible
for funds. After a City Council/Library Board tour of the
Library facility, staff provided an estimate of
expansion/remodel construction costs to the Council in March,
1992. Later on in June, at the request of Council, Planning
Commissioner Daggett prepared and presented conceptual plans
to the Council for additions to the Library building. In July
staff sent out Requests for Proposals to forty architectural
firms. Fifteen firms responded. Staff recommended that
Council form an architectural review committee to review the
proposals, three or five of which to be selected to present
their proposals to the committee, after which the committee
would then present their recommendation of an architect to the
Council. Staff would draft an agreement for architectural
services which would be presented to the Council for approval,
and the project would then begin. Staff further recommended
that the Architectural_Review Committee could consist of two
Councilmembers, one Library Board Trustee, the City Manager,
Planning Director, City Librarian, one local architect and
others as determined by Council.
Staff further explained after discussion that the estimated
cost for adding 16,000 square feet to the Library building is
$2.4 million; $1.1 million to refurbish the existing building,
plus $156,000 for parking lot light improvements if the
Council should approve that part of the project in the future
or sooner, since parking lot lights are not a part of the
building and will not be the architect's responsibility.
1
10/13/92
2.
MEDFLY
PROGRAM
OtllO . S:-O
34:0337
Considerable discussion ensued, Mayor Fasching felt that it
was not necessary to form a committee to review the proposals
received from the fifteen architectural firms ... Further,
time to complete the process and construct the project was
too long and unnecessary. Councilmen Harbicht, Margett and
Lojeski and Mayor Pro tern Ciraulo supported the plan to form
a committee to review the proposals, also the plan for the
selection of an architect.
It was MOVED by Councilman Lojeski, seconded by Councilman
Margett and CARRIED on roll call vote as follows to proceed
with the Library expansion project as presented by Planning
Director Woolard, specifically formulating an Arcadia Library
Project Architectural Review Committee, to be composed of two
Councilmembers, one member of the Library Board, the City
Manager, Planning Director, City Librarian, a member of the
Planning Commission, and that a December 1, 1992, deadline be
imposed on the committee by which date their recommendation
to Council must be presented.
I
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
Councilmen Ciraulo, Harbicht, Lojeski and Margett
None
Mayor Fasching
By general consent Councilmen Harbicht and Lojeski were
appointed to serve on the committee to represent the Council,
and Commissioner Daggett to represent the Planning Commission.
It was also agreed that the Library Board have two members on
this board if they so desire.
Mr. Larry Hawkins, Public Affairs Officer for the Cooperative
Medfly Project of Los Angeles; Jim Ruttig, Project Manager,
California Department of Food and Agriculture; and Chester
Olson, Los Angeles County Department of Agriculture, reported
on the current Mediterranean fruit fly eradication program in
the Arcadia area. Three Medflies were found in Pasadena
during the regular year-round detection program. This
discovery triggered the present program and they immediately
increased Medfly trapping throughout the 81 square mile area.
The next step of the program following trapping, is ground
application of malathion bait within a 200 meter radium of
where the flies were found. After the second phase is
complete, the next step is the release of sterile Medflies.
This procedure has been followed since the three Medflies were
discovered on September 8, 1992. Since that date additional
Medflies have been found in Duarte, Griffith Park, Jefferson
Park and the City of Inglewood, for a total of 177. At this
time the entire quarantine area is 112 square miles with the
sterile fly release area of approximately 215 square miles.
Throughout the release area the Project will release
approximately one-million sterile fruit flies per week for a
total of approximately 250 million. Mr. Hawkins noted that
the program of trapping, baiting, and releasing sterile
Medflies will continue in this area possibly through late
spring or early summer of 1993. Also a quarantine will be
imposed restricting the movement of any agriculture products,
in particular, fruits and vegetables, within the quarantine
area. There are also regulations restricting commercial fruit
production or transportation of such. Mr. Hawkins also
reported there are no plans by Project Management at this time
for any aerial spraying of malathion bait in the Los Angeles
area.
I
In order to further educate Arcadia residents that Arcadia is
within the Medfly Project quarantine area, the information of
the eradication program will be included in the next edition
of the City Newsletter.
2
10/13/92
I
I
3.
WATER
BOARD
O/~O - 020
I-IS('
4.
IMPACT
GAS TAX
FUNDING
(Sound
Walls)
0><;')":0/)
34:0338
Mr. Linn McGoffin, Chairman of the Main San Gabriel
Watermaster Board, and a resident of the City for
approximately 37 years, was present to offer a report
regarding a current political situation. As background, Mr.
McGoff in stated in part, that the City of Arcadia has water
rights worth about $18,500,000 in the San Gabriel Basin.
Arcadia also holds water rights in the Raymond Basin as well
... if the City did not have these water rights then Arcadia
would have to purchase more water from the Metropolitan Water
District. Mr. McGoffin believes that there are certain people
who are trying to gain control of the water supply in the San
Gabriel Valley. At the November 3, 1992 General Election, a
seat on the Upper San Gabriel Water District Board is up for
election. Along with this is a recent bill, SB 1679, which
provides for cleanup of the water supply in the Basin. This
bill, according to Mr. McGoffin, will affect the City of
Arcadia and all of the cities in the Basin. SB 1679 provides
for members from three different water districts, i.e., the
Upper San Gabriel District, the San Gabriel District and Three
Valleys. The new board would be composed of one person from
each of these three districts, plus a city councilperson from
each city with water rights and a councilperson from each city
without water rights. In the November election he feels that
there is an effort to place El Monte people on each of the
boards mentioned. The new board, Upper San Gabriel Valley
Water Authority, will have the responsibility to cleanup the
pollution in the Basin. The new board will also have broad
assessment powers. Mr. McGoffirrwould like to see an Arcadia
Councilmember on the new board.
Councilman Harbicht, stated in part, that he is interested in
serving on the Water Quality Board that has been established
by SB 1679. This board will have five members, one of whom
will be from a city with pumping rights. This board member
will represent the twelve cities with water rights.
Councilman Margett expressed interest in serving on the new
board also. A brief discussion ensued and since the
nomination is not yet due, the question of the nominee will
be considered at a future date.
Staff presented a report and explained the impact of funding
soundwa11s along the 210 freeway with Gas Tax revenues. The
cost for constructing the walls on both sides of the freeway
is estimated to be $6,989,000. Gas tax revenues for 1992-97
are estimated at $9,023,046, Total Capital Improvement Proj ect
costs are estimated at $8,517 ,500. The cost to construct
walls from Second Avenue to Fifth Avenue on the northside of
the freeway is estimated at $657,000. One-third of the cost
for this plan for wall construction from Second to Fifth
Avenue would be $219,000, which is the amount that Ca1trans
would not reimburse to the City. Gas tax revenue and
expenditures are as described above for wall construction on
both sides of the freeway.
Staff reported that SB 511 (Priority and Local Funding of
Highway Soundwall Projacts) of 1991, amended Section 215.5 of,
and added Section 215-.6 to, the Streets and Highways Code.
Section 215.6 requires that any soundwall project (which is
on Caltrans soundwa11 priority list) included for the first
time in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)
in 1992 or in subsequent years, for which a City or County
contributes at least 33% of the estimated cost, be given
priority over all other soundwal1s projects included in that
STIP for the first time... If the City of Arcadia is willing
to contribute at least 33% of the estimated cost, the next
STIP for which Arcadia could submit a soundwa11 project for
consideration is 1994. Further, the amended Section 215.5
requires Ca1trans to reimburse any public agency using public
funds, in addition to a city or county, which constructs a
3
10/13/92
5.
LEGISLATIVE
REPORT
0:2::1.0- C)o
HARBICHT
(Revenue
Report)
MARGETT
(Work Sessions
5 : 30 p'. m. )
ClI..0 - It:JO
(Council
Expenses)
0110 _ 7t)
LOJESKI
(Property
Maintenance)
34:0339
freeway soundwall prior to its achieving priority for state
funding. Mayor Fasching stated that a meeting with Caltrans
has been arranged for Thursday the 15th of October, at which
time the question of reimbursement will be discussed. A
report on the meeting with Caltrans will be provided to the
Council at the October 20th Council meeting.
<,
Staff reported that Governor lIilson reconvened the Legislature
after budget proceedings were finished to discuss reforming
the worker's compensation program. There are two proposals
before the legislature at this time to discuss specifically
the ways in which workers compensation impacts cities. One
of the proposals is to increase the benefits levels for
permanent and temporary disability; the second proposal deals
with stress claims. The Conference Committee Plan would
increase benefits by 33% for a temporary disability; and a
15% increase in benefits for permanent disability. Governor
Wilson's plan has no specified increases as yet. Both the
Governor's plan and the Conference Committee Plan are
concerned with trying to control the number of stress claims
filed, in particular, the apportionment of stress that is
related to the workplace. The Governor's plan, staff noted,
provides peace officer exception from stress claim
limitations. Staff further reported on other legislative
issues such as the proposed extension of the Brown Act
provisions which Governor lIilsoR vetoed. This bill, staff
believes, will be back before the legislature at another time
for consideration in spite of the Governor's veto. Mayor Pro
tern Ciraulo suggested that Council send letters to Senator
Hill and Assemblyman Mountjoy and ask that they vote against
the new provisions to the Brown Act.
I
ITEMS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS
In answer to Councilman Harbicht's query, staff explained the
flow of revenues to the City, in particular, property tax
funds which are not received until December each year; also
Franchise Fees which are received in April. This accounts for
the fact that although 25% of the fiscal year has passed, only
20% of budgeted revenues have been received. Staff has
prepared some 10-year revenue forecasts which will be
discussed at a future Council work session, according to the
City Manager.
By consensus the Council determined to begin the work sessions
at 5:30 p. m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.
The question of reimbursement of Council expenses to attend
events as an elected representative of the City was discussed.
The difference between an invitation to a fund raiser event
and other affairs, such as an installation of club officers,
were explored. Mayol:.- Fasching felt that reimbursement for
these Council expenditures should be left to the discretion
of each Councilman. The City attorney will provide a
suggested policy statement to the Council since it could
involve an expenditure of public money.
I
Councilman Harbicht felt that fund raisers should not be
expense account items.
Staff explained City procedure involved in securing' the
cooperation of a property owner to cleanup and maintain
hisfher property. After receiving a complaint that a property
is not up to code or otherwise a public nuisance, verbal
warnings are made to the property owner. The verbal
4
10/13/92
I
I
34:0340
communication
progressively
is cleaned-up
is followed-up with as many as five
stronger letters or notices until the property
by the owner or abated by the City.
LOJESKI Staff informed Council that the hazardous waste barrels on a
(Hazardous certain redevelopment property should have been removed by
Waste Ba"rels) now. Mr. Kinnahan will follow-up to see that they are taken
off the site.
(2nd Ave. at
Santa Clara)
(Real Estate
Sign - Kiewit
Eas t)
Councilman Lojeski reminded staff that the ASL Engineering
sign is still mounted on the former Emkay Development site at
Second Avenue and Santa Clara. Also, the weed problem on this
property is getting real serious ... and the fence is in bad
shape also. Staff will follow-up on these situations.
Staff is unsure of which broker is representing the owner of
the Kiewit east property at this time. A Grubb-Ellis sign is
on the property... although Rick Smith of the Emkay Company
could still be involved since he is both a real estate broker
and a developer.
FASCHING In response to a communication received from Dr. Towner,
(Arc. Coffee Superintendent of the .Arcadia Unified School District,
Brewing Co.- regarding his daughter-in-law's coffee shop on First Avenue,
107 S.lst Av.) considerable discussion ensued. At the time the Towner's
applied for a Conditional Use Permit to open a coffee house
on First Avenue they maintain that they were told by staff
that if they wished to have tables as well as chairs for an
outdoor eating area they would be turned down, according to
Dr. Towner. Staff maintains the subj ect never came up at
that time. Mayor Fasching felt the Code is too restrictive
for small businesses trying to establish a business on First
Avenue or at downtown Huntington Drive, especially on the four
foot setback from the edge of the sidewalk which is not City
right-of-way. Staff noted also that other businesses on First
Avenue had, in the past, requested that they be allowed to
place other items in front of their businesses to attract
customers... such as; a carousel, a flower cart, or a dummy
sitting on a chair. A former Council had determined that this
type of advertising would not be suitable.
o ~llo -to
N.sP
(Flag Pole -
Community
Center)
ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
In reference to Ms. Towner's coffee business, staff commented
that if Ms. Towner paid the additional $300 plus fee for a
Conditional Use Permit public hearing, Council could waive
the fee and reimburse Ms. Towner, if the tables were approved
for outdoor coffee service at the First Avenue address.
The placement of the flag pole at the Community Center was
reconsidered. Mayor Fasching felt it should be placed
directly in front of the porte cochere, to really stand out.
Councilman Margett felt the pole should be placed "near the
sidewalk that enters between the recreation building and the
office... where they have to remove the one pine tree".
At 9:35 p. m. the City Council ADJOURNED to 6:30 p. m.,
Tuesday, October 20, i992, in the Conference Room of the
Council chambers to conduct the business of the Council and
Redevelopment Agency and any Closed Session necessary to
discuss personnel, litigation matte~s and evaluation of
properties.
5
10/13/92