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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFEBRUARY 21,2002 I I I I' 'j / ,- (CI ,~ , , ~ 44:0033 ll- L- I ' > CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK 1. ROLL CALL 2, 3, VIti:; - j:J 4. PRESENTAllOO AYOO REGION II 5. YOUTH IW'STER PL.AN REVIS. OI2.0-'lS .. MINUTES CITY OF ARCADIA CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY And the ARCADIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF EDUCATION ADJOURNED REGULAR (JOINT) MEETING February 21, 2002 The Arcadia City Council/Redevelopment Agency and the Arcadia Unified School District, Board of Education met on Thursday February 21. 2002 at 6:00 p,m.. in an Adjourned Regular (Joint) Meeting in the Conference Room of the City Council Chamber. PRESENT: Council/Agency Members Chandler, Chang, Kovacic, Marshall and Segal School Board Members Gibson. McClain, Yuen and Romo ABSENT: Board Member Steinmeier It was MOVED by Council member Kovacic, seconded by Council member Chandler to EXCUSE the absence of Board Member Steinmeier. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS None, AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION Bob Hoherd, 475 West Wistaria, commented on the condition of the Baldwin Stocker Park, He would like to see the School District maintain the park and get it back in the condition it was in when the City was in charge of the maintenance. The play equipment and the grass are in bad condition; the drinking fountain and sprinkling system are not working, In response to Mr. Hoherd's comment, School Superintendent Hennessy, stated in part, that the School District made a number of improvements to the park, The drinking fountain has been repaired, the equipment has been assessed for safety, and the unsafe equipment has been removed or upgraded, Richard Barakat, Director, AYSO Region II, expressed appreciation to the Arcadia School District for allowing them to use the school fields for team practice and presented the AUSD with a check in the amount of $3.000, ' Arcadia School District Superintendent Hennessy explained in detail the proposed revisions to the Youth Master Pian, stating in part, that addressing the needs of the youth of this community and assuring students' safety in, around and outside of school is of mutual interest to the School District and the City. The City and the School District have initiated a number of programs to address the needs of youth beyond school hours, many in partnership and all with cooperation 1 2/21/02 0\2-0 -,\6 44:0034 and communication. In the last year, the City and School District jointly have undertaken an update to the Youth Master Plan to keep pace with the needs of Arcadia's youth. The focus of I the original Youth Master Plan was on middle school youth. The current survey indicated that the needs of elementary students appears to be largely met through a variety of school and City , sponsored after-school activities, From the data, the primary focus for needed new services appears to be at the high school level. The goal of the revised plan is to provide Arcadia High School students with supervised on-site after school choices, to include; an activity center. counseling support, expanded library services and tutoring, The proposed revisions include extended hours of the Arcadia High School Library, after-school access to library computers for study and research, access to computer games in the staff development center for students to play on-line and use of game software. A discussion ensued relative to computer arcades and their impact on high school youth as far as providing after school activity, City Manager Kelly noted currently many teens go to the City Library after school both for access to computers and to "hang ouf', This should relieve pressure of teens overwhelming the equipment and just "hanging ouf' at the City Library, while 'still providing a supervised place to go after school. In respect to the dollar amount, Mr. Kelly clarified that the Council allocated additional funds for library and recreation programs; therefore, this will not be an extra cost to the City, In response to a Council question staff noted, that the proposed Activity Center will be located at the Arcadia High School in Cafeteria 1, It will provide a more attractive coffeehouse atmosphere for breaks and relaxing with friends, Following discussion, City Manager Kelly suggested that the School Board and City Council endorse the proposed after school activities for high school level youth, and the estimated cost, I which the City and District will budget accordingly and come back and review it in the future, Member Yuen, would like to see the City Council approve the proposed program, She noted that this is a pilot program and can be adjusted later on as the year goes by, Ms, Yuen suggested an increase in Counseling Support hours, It was MOVED by Council member Chandler, seconded by Council member Kovacic and CARRIED on roll call vote as follows to ADOPT in principle the estimated cost for the Youth Services Plan for After School Activities up to $75,000,00. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Council members Chandler, Chang. Kovacic, Marshall and Segal None None In response to a Council question. City Librarian Sporleder noted that. at the moment the Library does not have a designated YouthlYoung Adult Librarian. They hope to fund the position in the future, The subject of an original recommendation in the 1997 Youth Master Plan with regard to acquiring Arcadia County Park and expanding facilities to include: a roller hockey rink, basketball courts, band shell an open/improved swimming pool was raised.... the City Manager noted that the County wanted to give this park to the City because County did not want the maintenance. The maintenance would be a significant loss for the City, The City Manager noted that County was not open to cooperative ,efforts. I 2 2/21/02 I I I 6. AUDITORIUM SURVEY o~. t,') 44:0035 The City and the Arcadia Unified School District entered into a joint effort to survey the community concerning an auditorium. Goodwin/Simon Strategic Research conducted a telephone survey of voters iiving in the school district. The purpose of the survey was to assess voter interest in and response to a proposed performing arts and community learning center to be located in front of Arcadia High School. Paul Goodwin from Goodwin/Simon Strategic Research presented an overview of the survey, stating in part, that the interview of 400 registered voters was conducted between February 6 and 11, 2002. Registered voters were chosen for sampling rather than the general population. The reason was that voters would be the relevant population should a bond measure be required to fund the proposed center. Interviews were conducted in Spanish, Mandarin, and Cantonese as weli as Engiish. The survey had two kinds of questions; "neutral" questions that are used early in the survey to assess current attitudes among the sample population, and "persuasion" questions which are designed to asses how best to build support for a center shouid the City and District decide to proceed with the project. In addition Mr. Goodwin noted that the survey shows that Arcadia voters are quite enthusiastic about the concept of a performing arts and community learning center, and some wouid donate money to help build it. If such a center can be built with a combination of existing City and School District funds, and private donations, most residents of Arcadia would be highly supportive. But if those donations, along with contributions from municipai and school agencies, fall short of what is needed to complete construction, passage of a bond to finance the project cannot be guaranteed. Obstacles to passage include far weaker support for a bond among the most frequent voters compared to occasional voters, and greater opposition among seniors. Placing the bond on a very high turnout election, such as a presidential election, might help address these concerns. The survey confirms that voters do recognize the importance of drama and music in providing a high-quaiity education; very positive job ratings for School District (76% - excellent or good) and City (67% " excellent or good); most interest was expressed for attending a piay, a symphony orchestra, a school performance, and a jazz concert; and, between 47%-57% expressed interest in potential activities at the center, including a youth center with after school classes for kinds (57%), a music school (54%), an art center with art classes (50%), an adult education program (49%), and adult dance and exercise classes (47%). With respect to a bond issue, School Superintendent Hennessy clarified most bonds do require a 2/3rd majority. There is a narrow provision for a school bond, which under certain circumstances requires only 55%. She felt both District and the City might potentially have some funds to put into this kind of a project, but now is not the time and it seems logical to wait until the economy is in a more positive place and stabilized. Considerable discussion ensued. By "general consensus the City Council and School District Board Members determined to wait before making any other decisions relative to an auditorium/cultural arts center. Mayor Kovacic announced that the groundbreaking ceremony for the Skateboard Park will be held on March 21, at 4:00 p.m. He expressed appreciation to Mimi Hennessy, Arcadia Unified School District Superintendent, and Janet Sporleder, the City Librarian for preparing the information for tonight's meeting. 3 2/21/02 44 :0036 ADJOURNMENT At 9:40 the Adjourned Regular (Joint) Meeting of the Arcadia City Council/Redevelopment (March 5, 2002) Agency and the Governing Board of the Arcadia Unified School District ADJOURNED. The City I Council to Tuesday, March 5, 2002, for a Regular Meeting at 6:00 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Council Chambers. ATTEST: I I 4 2/21/02