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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 1a - Regular Meeting Minute of April 4, 2017 ARCADIA CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, APRIL 4, 2017 CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Beck called the regular meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Amundson, Chandler, Tay, Verlato, and Beck ABSENT: None PUBLIC COMMENTS - No one appeared. CLOSED SESSION a. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1) to confer with legal counsel regarding the matter of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, Inc., and Sarah Rosenberg v. City of Arcadia, et al., – Los Angeles County Superior Court (Central District) Case No.: BS168280. No reportable action was taken on the Closed Session item. The Closed Session ended at 6:45 p.m. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING 7:00 p.m. CALL TO ORDER – Mayor Beck called the regular meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. INVOCATION – Rabbi Sholom Stiefel, Chabad of Arcadia PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Leigh Chavez ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT: Amundson, Chandler, Tay, Verlato, and Beck ABSENT: None REPORT FROM CITY ATTORNEY REGARDING CLOSED/SESSION ITEMS City Attorney Deitsch announced that the City Council met in a Closed Session to consider the one item listed on the posted agenda under Closed Session, no reportable action was taken. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM CITY MANAGER REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS City Manager Lazzaretto stated there was no supplemental agenda information. MOTION TO READ ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS BY TITLE ONLY AND WAIVE THE READING IN FULL A motion was made by Council Member Tay and seconded by Council Member Chandler to read all ordinances and resolutions by title only and waive the reading in full. 1 04-04-2017 PRESENTATIONS a. Presentation of Mayor's Certificate of Commendation to the Arcadia High School Digital Communications Internship Program students for receiving the "Award of Excellence". b. Presentation of 2017 Mayor's Community Breakfast donation to Arcadia Assistance League's School Bell Program (President Barbara Parrott) and Foothill Unity Center, Inc. (Executive Director Betty McWilliams). PUBLIC COMMENTS Gail Marshal, an Arcadia resident, appeared and indicated that in the last year and a half in dealing with the ongoing concerns of Dial-A-Ride, she has not seen any improvement; she thanked Council Member Chandler for working on improving the program; and asked the City Council to make the Dial-A-Ride program a high priority. Jolly Wu, an Arcadia resident, appeared and expressed concerns about the restrooms in the Council Chambers not being in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”); and urged the City Council to modify the restrooms so that they comply with ADA regulations. Leigh Chavez, an Arcadia resident and candidate for the Arcadia Unified School Board, appeared and introduced herself to the City Council and provided her qualifications; and encouraged residents to vote on April 18, 2018. REPORTS FROM MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND CITY CLERK (including reports from the City Council related to meetings attended at City expense \[AB 1234\]) Council Member Verlato, announced that she attended the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce Installation Dinner; she congratulated City Clerk Glasco for receiving the Citizen of the Year Award; she also congratulated George Fasching for receiving the Business of the Year Award; she noted that Carol Libby would be recognized with the Women of Achievement Award by Congresswoman Judy Chu on Saturday, and that Law Day is April 29; she stated there was nothing to report from the Planning Commission meeting; and reminded everyone that tax returns are due April 18. Council Member Tay also announced that Law Day is April 29, 10:00 am, at the Arcadia Library, and encouraged everyone to attend. Mayor Pro Tem Amundson announced that he attended a press conference opposing Senate Bill 54, and stated that public safety is the number one obligation of city government; and commented on how Senate Bill 54 would affect the safety of the City; he also commented on a letter he received from an Arcadia resident regarding the coyote problem and safety concerns; he acknowledged and congratulated City Clerk Glasco as receiving the Citizen of the Year Award, and commented on what the award means to Vietnam Veterans; and wished everyone a meaningful Passover and blessed Easter. Council Member Chandler congratulated City Clerk Glasco for receiving the Citizen of the Year Award; he stated that the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) is the most abused law in California today; he provided examples of how this law has cost the City money, and stated that City Manager Item 2.a, regarding coyotes, has resulted in a lawsuit because of CEQA. 2 04-04-2017 City Clerk Glasco thanked the City Council, Mayor Beck, City Manager Lazzaretto, Assistant City Manager Kruckeberg, and all City attendees for their support at the Chamber of Commerce Installation Dinner; he announced that the City Clerk’s office is accepting ballots for the Arcadia Unified School District Board Election, and that applications are being accepted for City Boards th and Commissions; he recognized Margarete Davidson for her 100 birthday, and stated that he presented her with a Certificate of Recognition on behalf of Mayor Beck. Mayor Beck responded to Gail Marshal’s comments regarding Dial-A-Ride; he commented on the turnout of the Chamber of Commerce Installation Dinner; he recognized Carol Libby for the award she will be receiving on Saturday; he announced the Derby Day 5k is on Saturday; the Silver Circle Volunteer Dinner on Wednesday, and the Public School Luncheon on April 15; he thanked the City Council for their support throughout his role as Mayor; and shared pictures from students he read to at Hugo Reid Elementary. 1. CONSENT CALENDAR a. Special and Regular Meeting Minutes of March 21, 2017. Recommended Action: Approve b. Ordinance No. 2346 amending Chapter 4 of Article IX of the Arcadia Municipal Code, with an exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), to establish requirements and regulations for registration of responsible parties for unoccupied residences in the City of Arcadia and to reorganize and update the City’s property maintenance and nuisance abatement regulations. Recommended Action: Adopt c. Resolution No. 7164 ordering the summary vacation of an easement for street and highway purposes over land bounded on the Southwest by the Arcadia Par-3 Golf Course and on the Northwest by Daines Avenue in the unincorporated County of Los Angeles. (PULLED) Recommended Action: Adopt d. Contract with FS Contractors, Inc. for the Fiscal Year 2016-17 Annual Concrete Repairs Project in the amount of $148,162.50. Recommended Action: Approve e. Final Map No. 73334 with a categorical exemption under the California Environmental Act (“CEQA”) for a 13-unit residential condominium subdivision at 907-915 Arcadia Avenue. Recommended Action: Approve f. Landscape Maintenance Agreements with Caltrans and 7933 Ajay Drive L.P. to install and maintain landscaping in the State Highway Right-of-Way adjacent to 610 N. Santa Anita Avenue. Recommended Action: Approve City Manager Lazzaretto requested that Consent Calendar Item 2.c, be pulled for further research. It was moved by Council Member Chandler, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Amundson, and carried on roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar Item 1.a, 1.b, and 1.d through 1.f. 3 04-04-2017 AYES: Chandler, Amundson, Tay, Verlato and Beck NOES: None ABSENT: None 2. CITY MANAGER a. Rescind actions taken at the February 7, 2017, and February 21, 2017, City Council meetings pertaining to coyote trapping and related allocation of funds. Recommended Action: Rescind actions and direct the City Manager to prepare a Coyote Management Plan City Manager Lazzaretto presented the staff report. Elizabeth Richer Campo, Senior Vice President of the Pasadena Humane Society, appeared and discussed their involvement with the City of Arcadia; she stated that the Pasadena Humane Society is working with City Manager Lazzaretto to inform residents about coyotes, creating a safe environment for residents, and helping to support a good relationship with wildlife; she announced that on May 21, there will be a presentation at the Pasadena Humane Society in conjunction with Fish and Wildlife to discuss how to coexist with wildlife. Council Member Chandler suggested Pasadena Humane Society invite residents from other cities in the San Gabriel Valley to the meeting. Ms. Campo agreed with Council Member Chandler and indicated they will be reaching out to other cities. Ed Simpson appeared and thanked Mayor Beck and the City Council for its decision to educate residents on coyotes; he noted that the City of South Pasadena has a City Animal Commission for all animal related issues, and explained the purpose of the commission; he urged the City Council to start its own Animal Commission to provide information and education as a solution to the coyote problem. Tracy Reiman, Executive Vice President of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (“PETA”), appeared and expressed her concerns over the killing methods used on trapped coyotes; she stated that there are effective non-lethal methods of handling urban wildlife, and hopes that these methods will help residents coexist peacefully with coyotes. Lisa Lange, Senior Vice President of PETA, appeared and expressed their reasons why they believe that lethal killing methods do not work; she stated that coyotes are an important part of our ecosystem and suggested that the City Council encourage residents to learn how to live with coyotes and understand they are part of the community. Mayor Pro Tem Amundson commented on the success of the Coyote Trapping Program in 2010; he noted that coyotes have now intruded into areas of the City that they never had before; and that there is no scientific proof that hazing works. It was moved by Council Member Chandler, seconded by Council Member Tay, and carried on roll call vote to rescind the action related to the supplemental budget appropriation in the amount of $20,000 taken in open session at the February 7, 2017, City Council meeting. AYES: Chandler, Tay, Verlato, Amundson, and Beck NOES: None ABSENT: None 4 04-04-2017 It was moved by Council Member Tay, seconded by Council Member Chandler, and carried on roll call vote to rescind the action related to approval of a Professional Services Agreement with Animal Pest Management Services, Inc. in the amount of $15,000 taken in open session at the February 21, 2017, City Council Meeting. AYES: Tay, Chandler, Verlato, Amundson, and Beck NOES: None ABSENT: None It was moved by Council Member Chandler, seconded by Council Member Tay, and carried on roll call vote to authorize and direct the Mayor to send a letter to attorney Daniel W. Fox informing PETA of the City Council’s action. AYES: Chandler, Tay, Verlato, Amundson, and Beck NOES: None ABSENT: None It was moved by Council Member Chandler, seconded by Council Member Tay, and carried on roll call vote to direct the City Manager to develop a Coyote Management Plan and return to the City Council with a draft plan for review and consideration within 90 days. AYES: Chandler, Tay, Verlato, Amundson, and Beck NOES: None ABSENT: None City Manager Lazzaretto responded to Ms. Wu regarding her concerns with the Council Chamber restrooms; he indicated that, while the facility is “grandfathered”, there will be a proposal in next year’s budget to upgrade those restrooms to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards. In response to Mayor Beck’s comment regarding the cost to upgrade the restrooms in the Council Chamber, Assistant City Manager Kruckeberg estimated that it would cost about $100,000. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Beck adjourned this meeting at 8:18 p.m. to April 18, 2017, 6:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber Conference Room. 5 04-04-2017