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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/16/2014 MINUTES OF THE ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2014 CALL TO ORDER — Mayor Wuo called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Council Member Beck, Chandler, Tay, Kovacic and Wuo ABSENT: None PUBLIC COMMENTS — No one appeared. STUDY SESSION a. Report, discussion, and direction concerning status of Walbern Development's proposal for a project in the City's downtown parking lot. City Manager Lazzaretto and Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director Kruckeberg provided the City Council with a brief update on the development of the City's downtown parking lot project. Matt Waken of Waken Development LLC appeared and requested a 90 day extension and explained the reason for the request. A motion was made by Council Member Chandler, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Kovacic to grant an extension to the exclusive negotiation period of 120 days. The Study Session ended at 6:20 p.m. CLOSED SESSION a. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) to confer with legal counsel regarding the initiation of litigation — one (1) potential case. The Closed Session ended at 6:50 p.m. CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Wuo called the meeting to order at INVOCATION - Reverend Thomas Shriver, Police Department Chaplain PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Council Member Beck, Chandler, Tay, Kovacic and Wuo ABSENT: None 1 REPORT FROM CITY ATTORNEY ON STUDY SESSION AND CLOSED SESSION ITEM City Attorney Deitsch reported that a Study Session was conducted to hear a report, discuss and provide direction regarding the status of the proposed Walbern Development project in the City's downtown parking lot; and that on motion by Council Member Chandler, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Kovacic, the City Council unanimously (5-0) voted to grant an extension to the exclusive negotiation period of 120 days to the Developer in order to produce a possible project for that area. City Attorney Deitsch also reported that a Closed Session was conducted to consider the one item listed on the posted agenda under Closed Session regarding potential litigation under Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4), no reportable action was taken. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM CITY MANAGER REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS City Manager Lazzaretto advised that Officer Ashby is out of the state and requested that the presentation be pulled from the agenda until Officer Ashby returns. MOTION TO READ ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS BY TITLE ONLY AND WAIVE THE READING IN FULL A motion was made by Council Member Chandler, seconded by Council Member Tay, to read all ordinances and resolutions by title only and waive the reading in full. 1. PUBLIC HEARINGS a. Appeal of the Planning Commission's decision to uphold the Highlands Homeowners' Association's Architectural Review Board denial of the design concept plans for a new residence at 211 Monte Place. Recommended Action: Deny Appeal Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director Kruckeberg and Community Development Administrator Kasama presented the staff report. Mayor Wuo opened the public hearing. Kurt Von Hatten, applicant and project designer of KVH Design Group appeared and addressed the existing retaining wall in the backyard, and the design concept plans for the proposed new residence at 211 Monte Place. Mr. Von Hatten also responded to various questions raised by Council Member Beck and Mayor Pro Tem Kovacic. April Verlato, Highlands Homeowners' Association Architectural Review Board Member, appeared and discussed the misrepresentations made to the City by the applicant on the project; she advised that she did not vote on this item but was present at ARB meeting; she discussed the criteria established by Resolution No. 6770 relating to size and compatibility and CEQA violations. Carl Sigalos, resident on Canyon Road, appeared and expressed his concerns regarding the traffic and impact on the neighborhood; and feels that a bad precedent will be set. 2 Susan Ligon, resident on Canyon Road, appeared and indicated that the home is a rebuild and not a tear down; that the developer will build maximum square footage so that it can be resold; she PIP expressed her opposition of the proposed new residence; and also feels that a precedent will be set. Dave Arvisu, Highlands Homeowners' Association Architectural Review Board Member, appeared and explained the reasons why size and mass matters and explained why the project was denied by the Architectural Review Board; and commended the Planning Commission for realizing that size and mass does matter. David Ligon, a resident on Canyon Road, appeared and explained why he is opposed to the design of the proposed new residence; he doesn't feel that the size and mass goes with the neighborhood; and hopes the City Council denies the project. John Frame, a resident on Monte Place, appeared and explained why the proposed new residence would not fit in the neighborhood, including privacy issues. John Uniack, Chair of the Highlands Homeowners' Association Architectural Review Board, appeared and explained that he met with the applicant and discussed size and mass; he further explained why the proposed new residence does not look like a contemporary ranch style home compared to others in the area; and advised the City Council that there were not looking at same drawing that was presented to the Architectural Review Board. Tim Birch, a resident in the Highlands Homeowners' Association, area appeared and explained that the new residence appears to be out of place for the neighborhood; and urged the City Council to respect the process, and if changes need to be made to the drawings he feels the City Council Ishould send back through the Architectural Review Board process. John Fick, a resident in the Highlands Homeowners' Association area, appeared and expressed his concerns with the process; and expressed concerns that the City Council looks at these matters as new and questioned the relationship between the City and the Architectural Review Board. Ms. Frame, a resident on Monte Place, appeared and explained that she has talked to some neighbors and they also do not agree with the size and mass of the new home being proposed. Kurt Von Hatten, applicant and project designer of KVH Design Group, confirmed that the drawing he provided the City Council was a sample of changes that can be made regarding size and mass. In response to a question raised by Council Member Chandler regarding the Sycamore tree, Mr. Von Hatten responded that the existing Sycamore tree will not be removed from the property. A motion to close the public hearing was made by Council Member Chandler, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Kovacic, and seeing no further objections, Mayor Wuo declared the public hearing closed. It was moved by Mayor Pro Tern Kovacic, seconded by Council Member Tay, and carried on roll call vote to deny the appeal and uphold the Planning Commission's decision to deny the proposed plans. AYES: Council Member Kovacic, Tay, Beck, Chandler and Wuo NOES: None ABSENT: None 1 � 3 b. Call up/appeal of the Planning Commission's conditional approval of Tentative Parcel Map No. TPM 14-07 (72892), Modification No. MC 14-04, and Architectural Design Review No. ADR 14-06 with a categorical exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for a new 3,995 square-foot, two-story, Art-Deco style office building at 130 S. First Avenue. Recommended Action: Affirm Planning Commission Decision Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director and Associate Planner Schwehr presented the staff report. Mayor Wuo opened the public hearing. Ben Woo, designer of the project, appeared and explained the architectural style of the proposed office building, and the concept of the Art Deco design. Ron Milich, owner of office building on First Avenue, appeared and discussed the common wall between his property and the property office building and addressed the parking problems on First Avenue. Ed Echert, Engineer on the project, appeared and explained that the common wall the previous speaker commented on will not be removed, but that a new wall will be built right next to it for the new building. Terry Zoelercross, owner of property at the corner of Alta and First Avenue, appeared and addressed the severe parking issues; she asked about redevelopment in the City and thought there was not going to be any other office building allowed in the downtown area. A motion to close the public hearing was made by Council Member Chandler, seconded by Council Member Tay, and seeing no further objections, Mayor Wuo declared the public hearing closed. It was moved by Mayor Pro Tern Kovacic, seconded by Council Member Chandler, and carried on roll call vote to affirm the Planning Commission decision to approve Tentative Parcel Map No. TPM 14-07 (72892), Modification No. MC 14-04, and Architectural Design Review No. ADR 14-06 with a Categorical Exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) for a new 3,995 square-foot, two-story, Art-Deco style office building at 130 S. First Avenue; and to return to staff to refine the design. AYES: Council Member Kovacic, Chandler, Beck, Tay and Wuo NOES: None ABSENT: None PUBLIC COMMENTS - No one appeared. REPORTS FROM MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND CITY CLERK (including reports from the City Council related to meetings attended at City expense[AB 1234]) Mayor Pro Kovacic wished everyone a Happy Hanukah, Merry Christmas, and Happy Holidays; and congratulated the Arcadia High School Constitution Team for winning the first round of competitions. Council Member Tay announced the various meetings he attended; he congratulated the City on receiving an energy efficient award; he announced the Holiday Market this weekend; he noted that he attended the holiday employee event and congratulated those employees who served the City 4 for 30 and 40 years, and thanked them for their years of service; and wished everyone Happy Holidays. Council Member Beck requested the support of two City Council Member votes that a policy regarding the naming of City facilities be brought back to the City for discussion and consideration at a future study session (Council Member Tay and Mayor Pro Tern Kovacic concurred); and wished everyone Happy Holidays and Happy New Year. Council Member Chandler reminded residents to be careful with packages being left at the front door and reminded everyone of the "See Something, Say Something" motto; and wished everyone Happy Holidays. City Clerk Glasco reminded residents that the VIPS (Volunteers In Patrol Services) are available for extra patrol and can be requested when on vacation; and wished everyone Happy Hanukah, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a prosperous Happy New Year. Mayor Wuo wished everyone a Happy Holidays. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Regular Meeting Minutes of December 2, 2014. Recommended Action: Approve b. Accept a gift of $3,000 from the Arcadia Museum Foundation for programs at the Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage. Recommended Action: Approve c. Final Tract Map No. 72434 for a 12-unit residential condominium subdivision at 919- 923 Fairview Avenue. Recommended Action: Approve d. Site License Agreement with Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS)for installation of a cell tower at the Arcadia Police Department. Recommended Action: Approve e. Purchase of computers, monitors, software, and related peripherals from Dell Computer Corporation in accordance with the City's Computer Replacement Program Recommended Action: Approve f. Contract with Ferreira Construction Co., Inc., dba Ferreira Coastal Construction Co. for the fiber optics project in the amount of $259,812. Recommended Action: Approve g. Contract with Mariposa Landscape, Inc. for Landscape Maintenance Services in an amount not to exceed $472,560. Recommended Action: Approve h. Contract with GMC Engineering, Inc. in the amount of$506,373 for Phase Two of the Huntington Drive Capacity Improvements project. Recommended Action: Approve 5 Professional Services Agreement with Cannon Corporation for the design of the Huntington Drive Sewer Capacity Improvement Project in the amount of$28,340. Recommended Action: Approve j. Professional Services Agreement with Tierra West Advisors, Inc. for Economic Development Consulting services in an amount not to exceed $30,000. Recommended Action: Approve k. Professional Services Agreement for on-call environmental consulting services with LSA Associates, Inc., BonTerra Psomas, and PMC. Recommended Action: Approve Council Member Beck requested Consent Calendar Item 2.j be pulled for further discussion and will abstain from voting on Consent Calendar Item 2.j because Mr. Noriega is an acquaintance of his and is his neighbor. It was moved by Council Member Tay, seconded by Council Member Chandler, and carried on roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar Items 2.a through 2.i and 2.k. AYES: Council Member Tay, Chandler, Beck, Kovacic and Wuo NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: Council Member Beck (Consent Calendar Item 2.g) In response to Council Member Beck's inquiry of waiting for the City to hire an Economic Development Manager before spending money on a development consulting services, City Manager Lazzaretto and Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director explained the reasons for moving forward with the economic development consulting services now. Council Member Beck indicated that he would like to wait until the City hires an Economic Development Manager to get input of an economic development consulting services. It was moved by Council Member Chandler, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Kovacic, and carried on roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar Items 2.j. AYES: NOES: Council Member Chandler, Kovacic, Tay and Wuo Council Member Beck ABSENT: None 3. CITY MANAGER a. Cancellation of the January 6, 2015, Regular City Council Meeting. Recommended Action: Approve City Manager Lazzaretto presented the staff report. 6 It was moved by Council Member Chandler, seconded by Council Member Tay, and carried on roll call vote to cancel the regular City Council meeting of January 6, 2015. AYES: Council Member Chandler, Tay, Beck, Kovacic and Wuo NOES: None ABSENT: None b. Donation of $12,500 to the Arcadia Unified School District for Arcadia High School Baseball Field improvements and equipment. Recommended Action: Approve City Manager Lazzaretto presented the staff report. It was moved by Council Member Chandler, seconded by Council Member Beck and carried on roll call vote to approve the donation of $12,500 to the Arcadia Unified School District for Arcadia High School Baseball field improvements and equipment. AYES: Council Member Chandler, Beck, Kovacic, Tay and Wuo NOES: None ABSENT: None ADJOURNMENT The City Council adjourned this meeting at 9:20 p.m. to Tuesday, January 20, 2015 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber Conference Room. drifp M. or of the City of Arcadia ATTEST: City 7 12-16-14