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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/01/2017 ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2017 CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Beck called the Special Meeting to order at 8:10 a.m. PUBLIC COMMENTS - No one appeared. City Manager Lazzaretto explained the purpose of the Special Meeting, and at his request, each Council Member provided their top issues for discussion as follows: Council Member Chandler— crime, labor negotiations, and housing standards Mayor Pro Tern Amundson — crime, budget, and One Arcadia Council Member Verlato — crime, transit, historic preservation, and reduction of the UUT Council Member Tay— crime, One Arcadia, and transit Mayor Beck — crime, One Arcadia, historic preservation, transit, and City Hall hours City Manager Lazzaretto noted that his definition of One Arcadia is that Arcadia be one cohesive community, and not divided. At the request of City Manager Lazzaretto, the City Council provided their thoughts on biggest changes they see coming to the City in the next 18 months. Council Member Chandler expressed concerns regarding Proposition 109 and Proposition 57, and crime. Mayor Beck expressed concerns regarding money not coming out of China to purchase residential homes which will have an effect on Arcadia. Council Member Verlato noted commercial development in Arcadia. Mayor Beck feels that there will be more development around the Gold Line Station. Mayor Pro Tern Amundson feels that Sacramento is more intrusion regarding to cities. Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director Kruckeberg noted a push on different housing types including transitional housing that addresses the homeless. Administrative Services Director Quach indicated that in the next year, 48 employees are able to retire, and in the next 5 years, 78 in total, or 25% of the workforce, can retire. Transit Options Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director Kruckeberg provided a report and PowerPoint presentation regarding Arcadia Transit (Dial-A-Ride) and the Fixed-Route service. Gail Marshall, Jolly Wu, Michelle Scatchard, and Rona Poli, appeared and expressed their concerns and frustrations with the fixed-route system and Dial-A-Ride. After discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to: (i) restrict Dial-A-Ride to Arcadia residents only following outreach and adequate notice; (ii) Dial-A-Ride to stay in the City limits; (iii) primary goal of Dial-A-Ride should be focused for seniors and the disabled; (iv) keep the Green Line; (v) service provider to provide high level of dispatch customer service, ensure safety of passengers and proper training of drivers; (vi) more advertisement of the Blue/Red Line; (vi) continue Red/Blue Line service until the summer, and evaluate options to reduce Red/Blue Line service or modify service after full year of operation; (vii) reduce limits of the Red/Blue Line to allow at least one bus to be removed from the system to be made available for additional Dial-A-Ride service; and (viii) hold off on the purchase of a smartphone app for the fixed-route until more is known about the long-term outlook of the system. The City Council recessed at 10:00 a.m., and reconvened at 10:06 a.m. Historical Preservation Options Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director Kruckeberg provided a report and PowerPoint presentation regarding the historic resources survey. Katie Horak of Architectural Resources Group, who worked on the historic survey, was present to address questions. After discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to: (i) proceed with a Historic Preservation ordinance; (ii) incorporate state, federal, and local criteria; (iii) participate in the Mills Act program; (iv) owner consent required for listing; (v) require 75% homeowner approval for district formation; (vi) the Planning Commission will act as the historic advisory review board; and (vii) use Architectural Resources Group to prepare the ordinance for City Council consideration. Closed Session At 11:10 a.m., the City Manager Lazzaretto announced that pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2), the City Council will go into Closed Session to confer with legal counsel regarding anticipated litigation regarding — one (1) case, and that the anticipated litigation is regarding district based elections. No reportable action was taken. Closed Session ended at 12:10 p.m. Budget/Financial Status Administrative Services Director Quach provided a report and PowerPoint presentation regarding a Mid-Year Budget review of the Fiscal Year 2016-17 budget; he explained the FY 2015-16 beginning and ending fund balances as well as FY 2015-16 expenditure and revenue variances, and provided a FY 2016-17 mid-year budget review of beginning fund balances, expenditure and revenue projections. He stated that no adjustments were necessary at this time. No action was taken or requested. Crime Police Chief Guthrie provided a report and PowerPoint presentation regarding crime statistics over the past 15 years; he reported on overall crimes and arrests, and felony arrests per year; he provided an overview of accomplishments which enhanced effectiveness and capabilities in the Police Department; and provided an overview of personnel and personnel budget. After discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to: (i) continue with public outreach regarding crime; and (ii) add an additional $100,000 to the Police Department Overtime Budget to keep an extra officer on the street on key days and bring back if necessary if additional money is needed. Closed Session At 2:05 p.m., the City Manager Lazzaretto announced that pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6, the City Council will go into Closed Session to confer with labor negotiators. City Negotiators: City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto, Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director Jason Kruckeberg, and Administrative Services Director Hue Quach. Employee Organizations: Arcadia Public Works Employees Association, Arcadia Employees Association, Arcadia Police Civilian Employees Association, Arcadia Police Officers' Association; Arcadia Firefighters' Association and unrepresented employees: Department Heads, Division Managers, Supervisors, and part-time employees. No reportable action was taken. Closed Session ended at 3:20 p.m. One Arcadia City Manager Lazzaretto introduced the item and asked the City Council for their ideas for engaging Chinese residents and ensuring a vibrant, multi-cultural community. After discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to: (i) reach out to the Chinese community to enhance voter participation; (ii) Police Department to reach out to the High School Chinese Booster Club regarding drug outreach; and (iii) award cash bonuses totaling $1,000 to the top three employees who come up with the best ideas on how to reach out to the Chinese community to get them more involved in the community. Tucker Bill Update Assistant to the City Manager Bruckner indicated that the City's lobbyist has submitted a spot Bill to the Office of Legislative Counsel; they have meet with legislators who represent Arcadia, and reported that they have received a call from Assemblyman Ed Chau's office indicating that they were 90-95% interested in being the author of the Bill. After discussion, City Manager Lazzaretto encouraged the City Council to feel free to reach out to state and local legislators who represent Arcadia to let them know that this is an issue facing Arcadia. No action was taken or requested. Legal Affairs Sub-Committee Update Mayor Beck advised the City Council that the Legal Affairs Sub-Committee solicited resumes and interviewed four attorney firms to possibly represent the City in litigation; he explained the reason and purpose of expanding the City's attorney list; and indicated that the City would continue to retain the law firm of Carpenter Rothans & Dumont, especially to handle police related cases, and the City Attorney's firm of Best Best & Krieger. No action was taken or requested. City Hall Hours Mayor Beck indicated that he would like to see City Hall open every Friday. After discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council that City Hall hours remain the same. Biannual Study Sessions with HOA's Council Member Verlato indicated that she would like to see biannual study session meetings with the five homeowner association presidents and architectural review board chairpersons to check in with them to see what issues they are experiencing and answer questions they may have regarding processes. After discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council that biannual study session meetings be scheduled jointly with the five homeowner association presidents and architectural review board chairpersons to address issues they may be experiencing and answer questions. UUT Council Member Verlato indicated that she would like to see the Utility Users Tax (UUT) reduced one-half percent (1/2%)every year or every other year until they are all reduced to 5%. It was the consensus of the City Council to keep the UUT at present levels. Future of Housing Standards Council Member Chandler commented on the impact of future housing standards in Arcadia and floor area ratio in non-homeowner association areas. No action was taken or requested. Resolution No. 6770 Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director Kruckeberg indicated that in this year's budget is the next phase of design review which will be updating the Design Guidelines and updating Resolution No. 6770; and that the RFP is in the process of being prepared. No further action was taken or requested. Baldwin Streetscape Project Update Assistant City Manager/Development Services Director Kruckeberg provided an update on the Baldwin Avenue Parkway Maintenance project; he reported that 59 mature ficus trees will be removed and replaced, damaged sidewalk will be removed and replaced, new sidewalk where none exists will be added, noncompliant corner ramps and ADA driveways will be replaced, and he provided a cost estimate summary of the project. After discussion, it was the consensus of the City Council to move forward with the project. Other Business Council Member Verlato briefly went over Roger Nemrava's email to the City Council. In response to a question raised in Roger Nemrava's email regarding having translators available at every City Council meeting, City Manager Lazzaretto responded that, in his opinion, it would be a waste of City resources to have a translator at every City Council meeting, as speakers generally bring their own translators when needed. No other discussion or action was taken. City Manager Lazzaretto indicated that the Recreation Master Plan item will be scheduled for a future City Council study session. Lobbyist for Water/NPDES Grant City Manager Lazzaretto indicated that the City has a $20 million federal grant earmark with the City of Sierra Madre for water improvement projects, and that the City will be using Best Best & Krieger's lobbyist to get the money released in order to do the Peck Park project. No action was taken or requested. There being no further business, the Special Meeting ended at 5:15 p.m. Mayor of the Ci of Arcadia ATTEST: I 11 Ai4 4l1._./L C ief •uty City Clerk/ Recore• Manager