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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