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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAPRIL 20,1999 I I I {)I/Oo S-o 02'JO/1 41 :0087"", CITY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS ARE AUDIO AND VIDEO TAPE RECORDED AND ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK MINUTES CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA REGULAR MEETING April 20, 1999 The Arcadia City Council met in a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, April 20. 1999 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, INVOCAllO\l Reverend Dr. Philip Wood, Church of the Good Shepherd PLEDGE OF Barbara Kovacic ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmembers Chandler, Harbicht. Roncelli and Kovacic ABSENT: Councilmember Marshall It was MOVED by Mayor Pro tem Chandler, seconded by Councilmember Roncelli and CARRIED to EXCUSE the ABSENCE of Councilmember Marshall. 1. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM STAFF REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS None, 2. QUESTIONS FROM CITY COUNCIL REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS None, 3. AUDIENCE PARTICIATION Drew Krvnicki, thanked the City Council for its hard work, He especially thanked Councilmember Gino Roncelli for standing up for issues that are important to citizens, Mr, Krynicki commented on the Arcadia Farmers Market, he feels the street fair could still be a success if it took place perhaps on Wednesday evenings and/or had some additional activities such as crafts and entertainment. Mr. Krynicki thanked the City Council for supporting the Youth Master Plan program. He also mentioned the importance of the Code Enforcement Officer's position, and urged Council to fill that position soon, Garland Roberson. Sullivan's Paint. 134 East Huntington Drive, stated, in part. that it is the job of a leader to set policy and goals, and turn those over to someone dedicated to getting the job done, A leader should be able to look at the overall picture. taking into consideration what is best for everybody not only for an individual. Mr. Roberson took exception to Council member Roncelli's remark at the March 161h Council meeting at which Mr, Roncelli commented that the Mayorai position is an honorary position, Further, Mr, Roberson commented on some members of the City Council not trusting the well knowledgeable City Manager to fill vacant budgeted positions without Council's approval. He asked the Citizens to pay close attention to the comments that are made by both Councilmember Roncelli and Marshall, more importantly to the value of those comments on issues that are important for the City, Mr. Roberson thanked Mayor Kovacic for doing a very professional job representing the City of Arcadia as Mayor. 1 4/20/99 4, RONCELLI (Easter Vac,) (Comments) (Liaison) (Foothills MidClle School Lighting) (Filling Vacant Budgeted Positions) 41 :0088 Torri McEntire Miller, representing the Longley Way Elementary School PTA, Ms. Miller mentioned achievements. awards and programs which have taken place at Longley Way I Elementary School in her "What's Right With Arcadia Kids" presentation, She Invited everybody to attend the Carnival on May 4, 1999 and also, visit Longley Way's award- winning garden, Robert Hoherd. thanked the City Council and City staff for the Arcadia Newsletter, hoping that this will be an ongoing publication, He felt the newsletter was well done, informative, interesting and productive, Mr. Hoherd felt the newsletter would be a good vehicle to discuss. and inform the residents of Arcadia, of the need for a new police facility in the City, He suggested printing the newsletter in other languages and making it available for non-English speaking residents, Mr. Hoherd thanked Mayor Kovacic for his leadership of the Arcadia Financial Advisory Committee, The Committee members found very positive things with the city and made good suggestions. He mentioned that he is still displeased with the Council's decision to not make the Committees recommendation on the budgeting proposal a policy, and hoped that the City will not step backwards, and will use the Financial Committee's suggestions as a stepping stone in the City's future, MATTERS FROM ELECTED OFFICIALS Councilmember Roncelli thanked the City Council for excusing his absence from the April 6, 1999 meeting, Mr. Roncelli noted that he had a wonderful Easter vacation. and was able to spend time with his family, Mr. Roncelli suggested any speaker who would like to make a comment and/or address a concern to an absent Councilmember be asked to wait for another meeting and express their comments when that member is present. I Later this evening the Mayor will appoint each Council member to different Boards and Commissions as liaison. Mr. Roncelli suggested, possibly for the future, liaisons should have something in writing that states what liaison's positions are and what is expected from a liaison. Councilmember Roncelli stated, he is pleased knowing the School District is not proceeding with any action regarding the lighting of the Foothills Middle School fields at this time, However, he felt that the neighbors should stay alert, because someone in the School District still wants the lighting, Mr. Roncelli commented, at the April 6,1999 Council meeting the City Council voted 3-1 for approval of the City Manager to fill vacant budgeted positions, Mr, Roncelli stated he is in favor of filling public safety positions without Council approval. In his opinion reviewing each position is a valuable tool to keep the Council informed, Mr. Roncelli felt it would be a good idea to receive a report once a month indicating the number of employees that were hired and/or left City employment. (City of Long- In response to Councilmember Roncelli's reference to an article in the Los Angeles Beach - Nudity Times with regard to the City of Long Beach passing an ordinance which banned nude Ordinance) dancing, and the subsequent lawsuit, the Cily Attorney stated. he will prepare a report for the May 4th Council meeting summarizing that case, (SA Race Track Councilmember Roncelli announced that he has been appointed to the Board of Board of Dir. Directors of Santa Anita Race Track. Mr. Roncelli noted that his commitment to I Appointment) improving the Santa Anita racing facility would not in any way interfere with his commitment to the community and the citizens of Arcadia, He felt having a citizen of Arcadia on the Santa Anita Board would also give some local representation. 2 4/20/99 I I I CHANDLER (Kovacic) 5, 41 :0089 Mayor Pro tem Chandler thanked Mayor Kovacic for recognizing good deeds and the efforts of the citizens of Arcadia, the City employees, and his 110% effort as a Mayor of Arcadia, PRESENTATIONS TO OUTGOING MAYOR GARY KOVACIC On behalf of the City Council Mayor Pro tem Chandler presented Mayor Kovacic with a plaque in recognition of his dedicated service as Mayor to the residents of Arcadia. He also presented Mayor Kovacic with a letter from Governor Gray Davis, on behalf of the State of Califomia. proclaiming April 20, 1999 as Gary A, Kovacic Day, In addition, from United States Senator Barbara Boxer, a letter extending congratulations to Mayor Kovacic on his term as Mayor, The following made presentations to Mayor Kovacic: Mark Harmsen on behalf of Congressman Dreier Pat Myers on behalf of Senator Mountjoy Corey Calaycay on behalf of Assemblyman Margett Jay Gomez on behalf of Supervisor Antonovich Monty Lindsey on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce REMARKS BY OUTGOING MAYOR GARY KOVACIC 'I want to thank you all for the kind words and mementoes of a very exciting year for me, As a life long Arcadian it has been an honor to represent my home town as Mayor, First of all, I'd like to introduce some special people, My wife, Barb. I kept a diary of my appearances, something that attorneys do all the time as far as keeping track of their time, by Barbs counting they numbered 352 through yesterday and Barb attended many of those with me. so I thank Barb for being there with me, Our son Casey tried to avoid most of those appearances, but he showed up at the really important ones like tonight, so I want to introduce my son Casey; he is a high school senior and he is going to attend SMU in Dallas next fall; our daughter, Kelly as always, is doing her homework at U. C, San Diego and sends her love; and of course my mom, Florence Kovacic, who attended almost as many events as Barb, She still lives in the house that I grew up in on Louise Avenue, 'I want to thank the many friends new and old who offered their support throughout the year. I also want to thank the excellent employees at City Hall, especially Bill, Linda, Jason, Ana, Cindy and June thank you very much for all of your hard work and dedication. 'I am very proud about the tone we set as a City Council. I sense a renewed optimism in Arcadia. As Mayor I've tried to set a tone that has been positive, not negative. it included a heallhy skepticism about government but not chronic cynicism. It emphasized consensus building rather than rigid ideologies and it recognized the tremendous contributions of our residents in the areas of youth, senior and community service, I am proud of some specific achievements this last year. We have two new hotels being built at the comer of Second Avenue and Huntington Drive; we have a balanced budget for fiscal year 98-99, the first balance budget in seven years. and an estimated seven hundred thousand dollar ($700,000,) fund balance this year; we reopened the library on Fridays; the recent opening of REI and several new and exciting restaurants has been great this year. We had two' well-attended community "Town Forums" that dealt with important issues facing Arcadia, , think we made a special effort to reach out to our large Asian community, We received the generous donation of $300,000.00 from the Gilb Foundation that is going to create the new Historical Museum 3 4/20/99 6, 6a. & 6b, o IIt'-... 0 6c, (J/I(J.t:~ 41:0090 in Arcadia, We had our first "Financial Advisory Committee", And there were things that you don't necessarily think about like the adoption of a twenty year sewer master plan; I amended zoning regulations; agreements with the bargaining units for the City of Arcadia; and a new lease and renovation of the Arcadia Par-3 Golf Course, And of course, we had a number of successful community events including, our summer concert series, the holiday tree lighting ceremony and the Mayor's prayer breakfast. " This next term, the last one of the 20th century and the first one of the 21st century will offer the City many new challenges, The proposed development at Santa Anita and it's synergy with the adjacent mall; a pursuit of compatible economic development elsewhere in town including the Foulger Ford site and especially Live Oak Avenue; a proposed consideration of residential standards and commercial standards for development; the proposed residential development at Anoakia; additional compensation for the cities exceptional employees; funding components of the Youth Master Plan; building a new Police Station, and the many requests for funding that will undoubtedly come before us as we debate this coming budget. And there is even my continuing dream to somehow have a community auditorium in Arcadia, and I won't let that dream die, "As I mentioned in my State of the City Address, I encourage my colleagues on the City Council to work hard, be positive, keep an open mind and be respectful of our City, its residents and each other, " I encourage each Arcadian to embrace our rich diversity, reach out to all Arcadians. Get involved and stay involved and make the connection with your neighbor, because we need each other to keep Arcadia great. As we approach the year 2000, it is comforting to know that I still live in a beautiful City; and as I end this term as Mayor, I I would like to repeat what I said at the beginning of this term, as every baseball fan knows. Lou Gehrig considered himself the luckiest man on the face of the earth, Well I consider myself lucky tonight; I have a great family, fantastic friends, and I live in Arcadia. Thank you very much: REORGANIZATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR 1999-2000 The City Clerk stated, "Consistent with Section 404 of the City Charter, in odd-numbered years at the second regular meeting held during the month of April. the City Council shall elect one of its members as Mayor and one of its members as Mayor Pro tempore for the ensuing year, April 20, 1999 to April 18, 2000, Therefore, this is the date and time so specified by the City Charter for the reorganization of the City Council: The City Clerk then declared that nominations for Mayor were OPEN. Mayor Kovacic placed in nomination the name of Mayor Pro tern Chandler to serve as Mayor for 1999-2000, No other nominations came forth; the City Clerk congratulated the new Mayor of the City of Arcadia, Roger Chandler, and Mayor Chandler assumed the Mayor's chair at the Council table. Mayor Chandler OPENED nominations for Mayor Pro tern, and placed in nomination Councilmember Harbicht as Mayor Pro tern for 1999-2000, Council member Roncelli nominated Councilmember Marshall as Mayor Pre tern for 1999-2000, Hearing no other nominations, the City Clerk polled the Council members for their vote, For Councilmember Harbicht as Mavor Pro tern I Councilmembers. Harbicht, Kovacic and Chandler 4 4/20/99 I I I 41:0091 For Council member Marshall as Mavor Pro tern Councilmember Roncelli By a majority vote, Council member Robert Harbicht was ejected Mayor Pro tern for the ensuing year, 7, REMARKS AND INTRODUCTIONS BY MAYOR CHANDLER "At this time I would like to make some introductions and a few comments. First I need to introduce my wonderful wife, Jane Chandler; with her is our youngest son, Jeff Chandler, that is a famous name, Our oldest son is in New York but he is returning to California, his name is Greg Chandler and hopefully he will be home soon. Like Gary I am fortunate enough to have my mother, both alive and here. and so please stand up,.. another famous name, Dorothy Chandler. Jane's sister Chris, my sister-in-law is here, Chris could you please stand up. And I must say to Pat and Jack Niedecken who are my mother and father-in-law, who are at home and they're watching on television. so I'll just say I am introducing you, and hello. "There are lot of'friends out there that I can see and some I can't see without putting my glasses on, but quickly I would like to thank a few of my friends Mike and Priscilla Shively; Pat and Mike Morel and their daughter Jill; Harvey Tyman, who helped me out many times; Ken and Mary Lindgren; Dick Irwin, Dick Tonkinson, these are all neighbors on our street; Ted and Mary Jo Helms; Catherine Krall and Mary and David Moraga, Catherine's daughter and son-in-law; Charles and Ruth Gilb, Charles was a four time Mayor of the City; Peter Ulrich was a Councilmernber. There are numerous Commissioners here, mainly because I invited them to a little party afterwards, and I notice there is at least four members of our Citizen Financial Advisory Committee: Bob Hohercf, who was up at the podium; Vince Foley; David Olson and Mickey Segal, I want to thank all of you, Mary Young, former three time Mayor, wished that she could be here tonight. "Exactly ten years ago today I was put into the office of Mayor for the City of Arcadia, by the City Council made up of Charles Gilb, Bob Harbicht, Mary Young and Dennis Lojeski. Of course Dennis is no longer with us, but it is nice to see a lot of those people still in the room, and Mary Young has given me her best wishes. 'As you can tell. it is no secret that we have some definite philosophical disagreements on this City Council. There is one thing however, that each and every member of this City Council agrees upon, and that is, something that was mentioned eartier and often, our need for new Police Station, Ten years ago when I was on the City Council we purchased the Armory site over here, for the distinct purpose of building a new and modern Police Station, and somehow in the interim we have gotten off course, we have been involved in lots of projects and quite frankly a new modern Police Station costs a significant amount of money, At this point in time it is very important, not only that we provide more space for our police officers but in the last ten years technology has given us so many advances that have the ability to make our law enforcement officers so much more efficient. Without the infrastructure and space and the computer wiring and the computer flooring, we just simply are not able to step in to this new generation in the biggest way possible, We have the minds for it, our police officers are well trained and capable, So, if there is one thing I would like to accomplish in this next year. and quite frankly as soon as possible, is to determine exactly how much a police station will cost and determine exactly how much it will cost each property owner and for how long? And, make it very clear and to the point and ask those who think it's as significant as I do, I feel that our property values and the value of our City maintains itself by: 1 - our excellent school district and; 2 - our safe streets, Those are two of the most significant 5 4/20/99 41 :0092 things we can maintain and it is time that we do step up to the plate. So in this term that I have and I am so thankful to have, I want to get that accomplished and I want to right I here and now. solicit all the help of all the residents who can share this significant feeling of importance, to keep our police department modern, Hopefully we can get a special election, a bond issue that the taxpayers can support, I would like to thank all of the police officers; most of those police officers (in the audience) are police reserves; we have a lot of regular police officers here also, please stand. 'With that. I think I've said what I think is real important for us, obviously there are a lot of important issues, but I want to get that one accomplished, and I want to do it with overwhelming support of the public." 8. REMARKS AND INTRODUCTIONS BY MAYOR PRO TEM HARBICHT '1 would like to start out by introducing my wife, Patsy. There is a lot of time spent out of the home serving at this job, we really do owe a debt of appreciation to our spouses for putting up with all the time that we are gone, I am assuming she sees that as a negative. I really am appreciative and I hope others are too, "Another thing that I would like to comment on briefly is the Mayor's effort, Gary's effort that he has put out this year, Three hundred and thirty some events or whatever the exact number was, a lot of people have seen Gary in action this year. But, almost no one except maybe Barb, can appreciate the totality of that commitment, because if you work out the math pretty quick. that is about once a day, Having served in that position, I can appreciate the effort that Gary put out and, I do appreciate the effort that you put out Gary, so I would like to just say, well done and thank you on behalf of the citizens of this community for your commitment, it has been wonderful. I "I was thinking about this evening, I remember back in 1986, as I was sworn-in at this podium, I remember the pride that I felt that the citizens of this community have selected me to help run their City. the excitement and the anticipation, Now as I enter my 12'" year on this City Council I want to assure you, I feel that same level of pride, excitement and anticipation of the upcoming year. I enjoy this job and I am excited about what's to come, "Frankly I am very honored to have the opportunity to be doing this. I have worked hard for you for the last eleven years; I pledge to work hard for you for the next year and I'm anxious to get into it. Thank you very much." 9, REMARKS AND INTRODUCTIONS BY COUNCILMEMBER RONCELLI "I don't have any introductions, I'd like to also thank Gary for the year we have had, I think he has done an excellent job, way beyond the call, three hundred fifty events is unbelievable, "Also, I'd like to congratulate Roger Chandler tonight on his Mayorship. and I hope you have a lot of good luck this year. I'll be happy to be working with you." Mayor Chandler congratulated Councilmember Roncelli for pecoming a Qirector for Santa Anita Race Track, Mayor Chandler mentioned also, that Council member Marshall is not feeling well, She is home sick this evening, I 6 4/20/99 I I I ADJOURNMENT (In Memory of Paul Derby) ADJOURNMENT (In Memory of Charles Whittingham) ADJOURNMENT (May 4, 1999) ATTEST: 41 :0093 REMARKS AND INTRODUCTIONS BY COUNCILMEMBER KOVACIC "Thank you again for all your kind words, it is especially nice to get it from my peers on the Council. I appreciate it, Gino and Bob, and Roger and Gail who said some nice things about me at the last meeting, so I really appreciate it. Gino, I want to congratulate you on your directorship. I have some concerns about it but I won't dampen tonights festivities with a discussion about those concerns, but I know, to people in the horse racing industry it is quite a coup and it is really a testament to your horse racing knowledge. 'Thank you again everybody, And, thank you City of Arcadia for having the faith to let me hang around for a year. Thank you! Councilmember Roncelli adjourned'the meeting in memory of Paul Derby, stating, "Paul Derby was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, grew up in Seattle and later moved to Arcadia, He was an executive with the California Ink Company for fifty-three years. He enjoyed traveling and was an avid golfer, He survived by his wife Remola; his two sons, Robert and his wife Lora; Paul Jr. and his wife Susan; his grandchildren; Robert, Jennifer, Johnathan, Timothy and Gregory; and his great grandchildren Jeremy and Cody, A memorial service was held for Paul Derby on Saturday, April 17th. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the San Gabriel Valley Medical Center Foundation. We will miss you." Mayor Pro tem Harbicht adjourned the meeting in memory of a real giant of the horse racing industry, Charlie Whittingham, stating, "To those of you that don't know, Charles was a trainer. who's horses have won virtually every major race that there is, and had an extremely successful career. Charlie celebrated his eighty-sixth birthday last Tuesday, He was a real legend around Santa Anita Race Track, or almost any race track, I happened to see him last Saturday; Charles Gilb and I were there; Charlie was a Marine as Charles was; and as he walked near us he waved to Charles. and said 'semper Ii', This is a real loss to the horse racing community and to our community. Thank you for the opportunity to close this meeting in memory of Charlie Whittingham." At 8:02 p,m. the City Council Regular Meeting ADJOURNED to May 4, 1999 at 5:00 p,m" in the Conference Room of the Council Chambers for a Regular Meeting to conduct the business of the City Council and Redevelopment Agency and any Closed Session necessary to discuss personnel, litigation matters or evaluatio of properties, R~'~C"'" A"";. 7 4/20/99