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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 3, 200951:0036 ' CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 2009 CALL TO ORDER Mayor Harbicht called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENTRGENCY MEMBERS: PRESENT: Council/Agency Member Amundson, Chandler, Kovacic, Wuo and Harbicht ABSENT: None CLOSED SESSION PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 minutes per person) None CLOSED SESSION a. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) to confer with legal counsel regarding the workers' compensation case of Javier Fierro. ' b. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6 to confer with labor negotiators. Citv Negotiators: William W. Floyd, Hue Quach and Michael Casalou. Employee Organizations: Arcadia Public Employees Association, Arcadia City Employees, Arcadia Police Officers' Association, Arcadia Firefighters' Association and unrepresented employees: Department Heads, Division Managers, Supervisors, and Part-time employees. c. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) to meet with legal counsel regarding the case of Alice Ai v. the City of Arcadia and Peter Ulrich (Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 07C61732). d. Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956(a) to confer with legal counsel regarding the case of Ken Harper v. City of Arcadia, et al. (United States District Court Case No. CV08-02286 MANx). RECONVENE CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEETING TO OPEN SESSION Mayor Harbicht called the regular meeting to order in the Council Chamber at 7:00 p.m. INVOCATION Dr. Robert Nafie, First Church of Christ, Scientist PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ' Jason Kruckeberg, Development Services Director 03-03-2009 51:0037 ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEMBERS: , PRESENT: Council/Agency Member Amundson, Chandler, Kovacic, Wuo and Harbicht ABSENT: None REPORT FROM CITY ATTORNEY/AGENCY COUNSEL ON CLOSED SESSION ITEMS City Attorney Steve Deitsch reported that the City Council met in a closed session to consider the four (4) items listed under closed session on the posted agenda, no reportable action was taken. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM CITY MANAGER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS Mr. Penman reported that a letter from Scott Hettrick was distributed to the City Council regarding a fireworks show and parade which will- be discussed on the regular agenda under City Manager Reports and also a letter from Mr. Vince Vargas regarding the wireless communication facilities public hearing was distributed. MOTION TO READ ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS BY TITLE ONLY AND WAIVE THE READING IN FULL A motion was made by Council/Agency Member Amundson, seconded by Council/Agency Member Chandler and carried on roll call vote to read all ordinances and resolutions by title only ' and waive the reading in full. 1. PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL ITEMS: a. ADDrove the 2008-2009 Annual Weed Abatement Program and Drotest Dublic hearino• Recommended Action: Approve the 2008-2009 Weed Abatement Property List and direct the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner to abate nuisances upon those properties. City Clerk James Barrows reported that on February 17, 2009, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 6668 declaring its intent to authorize the abatement of noxious weeds, rubbish and refuse from various properties in the City of Arcadia by the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner and set a public hearing for March 3, 2009 in order to hear objections from the property owners of those affected properties. He advised that staff recommends the City Council approve the 2008-09 Weed Abatement Property List and direct the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner to abate nuisances on those properties. within the City of Arcadia. Mayor Harbicht opened the public hearing. No one appeared A motion to close the public hearing was made by Council Member Chandler, seconded by , Council Member Kovacic and seeing no further objection, Mayor Harbicht declared the public hearing closed. 03-03-2009 51:0038 A motion was made by Council Member Kovacic, seconded by Council Member Amundson and carried on roll call vote to approve the 2008-2009 Weed Abatement Property List and direct the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner to abate nuisances upon those properties. AYES: Council/Agency Member Kovacic, Amundson, Chandler, Wuo and Harbicht NOES: None ABSENT: None b. Introduce Ordinance No. 2247 amendino the City's Architectural Design Review regulations as set forth in sections 9295 et seg of the Arcadia Municipal Code and the related sinole-family design guidelines. Recommended Action: Introduce Lisa Flores, Senior Planner explained the single-family design review process and residential design guidelines and noted the purpose of design review and the guidelines are to preserve ' the character of Arcadia's single-family residential neighborhoods and to promote high quality architectural design throughout the City. She further explained the guidelines have been helpful in aiding staff in the design review process and staff believes the guidelines can be improved to more clearly express the City's current desire and expectation to the public. She provided a summary of the proposed changes to the design guidelines which include several new sections such as architectural style, additions and alterations, landscaping, fences and walls and other general changes. She further explained that design regulations currently have no administrative review procedures for multi-family, commercial and industrial projects and in order to expedite the review process of minor alterations, staff is proposing to add an administrative review process. She noted that the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing to review the proposed text amendment and related design guidelines with no opposition Steven Lee, Assistant Planner explained the existing Open Space Section was re-titled Landscape &Hardscape and Fences and Walls and divided into two separate sections. He noted the Landscape and Hardscape section includes a list of recommended plant and tree species which are drought tolerant or native to Southern California. He further noted that plan and tree species are suggestions not requirements and was reviewed and approved by Public Works Services. He advised that staff has added water conservation tips to coincide with the City's Voluntary Water Conservation Program which would provide residents with information on irrigation technologies that can help reduce water consumption. He noted that staff is proposing to make a landscape plan a requirement for new homes and rebuilds but not for additions or remodels. He explained that Fences & Walls guidelines encourage decorative rock materials for walls and columns for fences including simple open fence designs and the integration of landscaping to soften the appearance of fences and walls. He further summarized and ' explained new sections and other changes being proposed including grammatical corrections in order to improve the flow and clarity. 03-03-2009 51:0039 Mrs. Flores added that copies of the proposed amendments were sent to all five recognized ' Homeowner Associations in the City and they were pleased with the proposed guidelines. Mayor Harbicht opened the public hearing. A motion to close the public hearing was made by Council Member Chandler, seconded by Council Member Wuo and seeing no further objection, Mayor Harbicht declared the public hearing closed. A motion was made by Council Member Kovacic, seconded by Council Member Chandler and carried on roll call vote to Introduce Ordinance No. 2247 amending the City's Architectural Design Review regulations as set forth in sections 9295 et seq. of the Arcadia Municipal Code and the related single-family design guidelines. AYES: Council/Agency Member Kovacic, Chandler, Amundson, Wuo and Harbicht NOES: None ABSENT: None A motion was made by Council Member Kovacic, seconded by Council Member Chandler and carried on roll call vote to adopt Resolution No. 6665 amending the City's Architectural Design Review Guidelines for Single-Family Residential Projects pursuant to Section 9255.6 of the Arcadia Municipal Code. AYES: Council/Agency Member Kovacic, Chandler, Amundson, Wuo and Harbicht NOES: None ABSENT: None c. Consideration of Text Amendment No 09-01 relatino to wireless communications facilities. Introduce Ordinance No 2255 adding Division 8 to Part 8 of Chanter 2 of Article IX of the Arcadia Municipal Code pertaining to regulation of wireless communication facilities. Recommended Action: Introduce Community Development Administrator Jim Kasama explained that the proposed text amendment codifies the planning process and standards for cellular facilities on privately owned property, establishes standards for cellular facilities in the public rights-of-way and updates the City's regulations for satellite dish antennas. He explained the regulations provide definitions, development standards, design criteria, maintenance requirements and codifies the current application review practices and provides requirements and processes for installations within the public rights-of-way. He noted that proposed right-of-way regulations require compliance with design criteria and height limitations as required for proposals located on private property and the only requirement for right-of-way locations would be by obtaining an encroachment permit. He further noted that there is no review for aesthetic considerations or specific development limitations. He advised that satellite dish antenna regulations were adopted in 1985 and must be updated to clarify the types of antennas that can be regulated by the City. He noted that large direct broadcast satellite antennas are subject to an architectural design review , process and small direct broadcast satellite antennas that are building-mounted and are less than two feet in diameter are federally exempted from local governmental review and approval. 03-03-2009 4 51:0040 Mayor Harbicht opened the public hearing. Vince Vargas appeared and discussed his concerns and suggestions regarding the proposed Ordinance relating to wireless communication facilities as addressed in his letter distributed to the City Council on March 3, 2009. A motion to close the public hearing was made by Council Member Chandler, seconded by Council Member Amundson and seeing no further objection, Mayor Harbicht declared the public hearing closed. City Attorney Deitsch discussed and provided comments in response to points made by Mr. Vargas in his letter distributed to the City Council regarding wireless communication facilities. A motion was made by Council Member Chandler, seconded by Council Member Kovacic and carried on roll call vote to Introduce Ordinance No. 2255 adding Division 8 to Part 8 of Chapter 2 of Article IX to the Arcadia Municipal Code pertaining to regulation of wireless communication facilities. AYES: Council/Agency Member Chandler, Kovacic, Amundson, Wuo and Harbicht NOES: None ABSENT: None PUBLIC COMMENTS ' None REPORTS FROM THE MAYOR. CITY COUNCIL AND CITY CLERK Council Member Kovacic announced the City Council will be meeting with Senator Huff on March 5th. Council Member Amundson commented on the current economy and budget situation; he noted a letter has been sent out by a company to all property owners regarding lower property taxes and reminded everyone that residents do not have to respond since the County Assessors office will be reassessing over 500,000 homes and reminded everyone that this Sunday is daylight savings. Mayor Pro Tem Wuo announced that February 22 was the groundbreaking for the new facilities at Methodist Hospital; he attended Arcadia High School 15th Annual Orchestra event and commented on the little league opening day ceremonies he attended at Hugo Reid Park. Council member Chandler thanked Mr. Chillingsworth and the Oak Tree Racing Association for their donation of $7,500 to the Arcadia Mounted Police Unit in appreciation for their efforts and assistance during the Breeders Cup event last October. City Clerk Barrows congratulated the Arcadia High School Orchestra for their great performance. Mayor Harbicht announced that he attended various Little League opening day ceremonies and also attended the Hospital's groundbreaking ceremony. He commented that at the Hospital 03-03-2009 51:0041 event it was announced that a $4 million dollar gift was made by one family. He announced the rise in burglaries and invited Police Chief Sanderson to provide tips. Police Chief Sanderson reported that in 2008 burglaries were down 12% and January this year burglaries increased 68% and in February a 138% increase from last year. He further reported this is occurring all over the San Gabriel Valley, not just in Arcadia and provided safety tips to avoid burglaries and encouraged residents to call the police if suspicious activity is observed in and around the neighborhood. He also reported on a series of burglaries that occurred in the southeast portion of Arcadia and provided an update on arrests made in conjunction with surrounding police agencies. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR CITY COUNCIL ITEMS: a. b. c. election requirements as Drovided by law. Recommended Action: Adopt Recommended Action: Approve Recommended Action: Approve d. improve Final Mao No. 70231 for an eioht (8) unit condominium Droiect at 724 West Fairview Avenue. Recommended Action: Approve e. Approve a License Agreement with Methodist Hospital of Southern California reoarding parking spaces Recommended Action: Approve A motion was made by Council Member Kovacic, seconded by Council Member Amundson and carried on roll call vote to approve items 2.a through 2.f on the City Council/Agency Consent Calendar. AYES: Council/Agency Member Kovacic, Amundson, Chandler, Wuo and Harbicht NOES: None ABSENT: None L_ ~ 03-03-2009 Recommended Action: Approve 51:0042 3. CITY MANAGER a. Report, discussion and direction reoardino Fireworks show and Parade in Downtown Arcadia. Recommended Action: Provide direction Mr. Penman noted that the proposed July 4th Fireworks Show was cancelled and resulted in a cost savings to the City of $49,000. He further noted the City Council asked if a similar event could be done by private funding and sponsors. Mr. Penman reported that he met with Scott Hettrick of Arcadia's Best who expressed an interest in putting something together and noted that the funding sources that the City had indentified had shifted their monies to other City programs as directed by the City Council which left Arcadia's Best with no funding for such an event. Mr. Penman noted that Waste Management agreed to donate $4,000 to the Meals on Wheels Program, $3,000 to the Snow Fest and $3,000 toward summer concerts. Mr. Hettrick thanked the City Council for the opportunity which didn't work out as planned. He reiterated what Mr. Penman previously mentioned and commented on a parade and street fair along First Avenue between Huntington Drive and Duarte Road themed "Arcadia's Best American Spirit" which he has already received calls of support from local groups. He noted that the concept would showcase the downtown businesses, local groups and schools who represent Arcadia that could set up booths and participate in a parade. Mayor Harbicht commented that he would like to see this type of community event put on by the community. ADJOURNMENT The City Council/Redevelopment Agency adjourned this meeting at 9:20 p.m. in memory of Phyllis Jeanne Brewster to Thursday March 5, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber Conference Room located at 240 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia in order to meet with State Senator Bob Huff. ~~~~~~~ Robert C. Harbicht, Mayor ATTEST: ,~'~C~ ames H. BaBarrows, City Clerk ~1 ~ _~ 03-03-2009 7