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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNovember 16, 2010 52:0181 CITY COUNCIL /REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY REGULAR MEETING MINUTES TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2010 CALL TO ORDER Mayor /Agency Chair Amundson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. INVOCATION — Reverend Terry Keenan, The Santa Anita Church PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE — Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager /Development Services Director ROLL CALL OF CITY COUNCIL /REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MEMBERS: PRESENT: Council /Agency Member Chandler, Harbicht, Kovacic, Segal and Amundson ABSENT: None SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FROM CITY MANAGER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS - None MOTION TO READ ALL ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS BY TITLE ONLY AND WAIVE THE READING IN FULL A motion was made by Council /Agency Member Chandler, seconded by Council Member Segal and carried on roll call vote to read all ordinances and resolutions by title only and waive the reading in full. PRESENTATIONS a. Proclamation honoring Arcadia Festival of Bands Month. b. Presentation by Dr. Russell Maatz of Arcadia Methodist Hospital regarding the Arcadia Fire Department Paramedic Program. 1. PUBLIC HEARING a. Adoption of the General Plan Update, Final Environmental Impact Report, Proposed Zoning Code Amendments and New Official Zoning Map for the City of Arcadia. Adopt Resolution No. 6715 certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report (SCH #2009081034) adopting Environmental Findings pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, adopting a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, adopting a Statement of Overriding Considerations and adopting the proposed General Plan Update. Recommended Action: Adopt Introduce Ordinance No. 2272 repealing and replacing various Sections of Article IX of the Arcadia Municipal Code to enact the 2010 General Plan Update Project and establish new zoning designations for Downtown Mixed Use (DMU), Mixed Use (MU), and Restricted Multi - Family (R -3 -R). Recommended Action: Introduce 11 -16 -10 1 52:0182 Introduce Ordinance No. 2273 amending various Sections of Article IX of the Arcadia Municipal Code to enact the 2010 General Plan Update Project and address new local and state regulations and standards. Recommended Action: Introduce Introduce Ordinance No. 2274 certifying the 2010 Zoning Map as the Official Zoning Map of the City of Arcadia. Recommended Action: Introduce Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager /Development Services Director introduced the consultants, City staff and the General Plan Advisory Committee who were crucial in the General Plan Update process and thanked everyone for their hard work and dedication. Lisa Flores, Senior Planner presented a power point presentation explaining what is a General Plan; she further explained that the proposed General Plan Update is a long term plan that defines how the City should look and function in the next 25 years; she noted that the proposed General Plan contains eight elements, seven elements are required by the state and one optional element. She explained that the zoning code amendments are organized into two sections which consist of three text amendments which are new zoning regulations and designations and thirteen text amendments amending the existing regulations and the zoning map which will be updated to be parcel specific and to ensure that it correspond with the draft General Plan. She commented and explained the different levels of community and public outreach and participation; and noted that the proposed General Plan Update reflects the collective vision of residents, business owners, stakeholders, community groups, City staff and leaders and was developed by considering balanced growth, development, connectivity, neighborhood character, schools, cultural diversity, environmental sustainability, City services, changing housing needs, economic health and preservation of special assets. Mr. Kruckeberg commented on each of the eight components of the proposed General Plan Update project which included Land Use and Community Design, Economic Development (Optional), Circulation and Infrastructure, Housing, Resource Sustainability, Parks, Recreation and Community Resources, Safety and Noise, and the Implementation Plan. He discussed the Draft Environmental Impact Report and the impacts and the Mitigation and Monitoring Program. Mayor Amundson opened the public hearing. Henry Nunez, 128 E. Huntington Drive, appeared and thanked staff and the General Plan Advisory Committee for their hard work on the proposed General Plan Update; and discussed his concerns regarding the proposed General Plan not addressing the growth of the City in the next 25 years. A motion to close the public hearing was made by Council Member Chandler, seconded by Council Member Harbicht and seeing no further objection, Mayor Amundson declared the public hearing closed. Mayor Pro Tem Kovacic thanked Mr. Nunez for his comments and concems and also his role in the General Plan Update; and shared his comments regarding the proposed General Plan update; he added that staff and the GPAC has done an excellent job and feels that this is a great step in the right direction. 11 -16 -10 2 52:0183 In response to comments made by Mr. Nunez, Council Member Chandler responded that he is not involved in SCAG and he is not the Chairman; and stated that he is the Chairman of the Foothill Transit Authority. In response to an inquiry by Mayor Amundson regarding Live Oak, Mr. Kruckeberg that staff has spoken to many property owners along Live Oak and they were excited about the potential for some of the additional development incentives. In response to an inquiry made by Mayor Amundson regarding policies limiting the size of a home, Mrs. Flores responded that the City has policies and guidelines in effect that regulate the size of a home and is also in the proposed General Plan Update. Council Member Segal noted that he was not involved in the proposed General Plan Update until he was reelected and feels it is a step forward in the right direction; and he commended staff on their work and feels that the end product makes big strides in trying to deal with the future. Council Member Harbicht stated that he is very happy with what has been done with the General Plan; he commended staff and the citizens who donated their time to get this project accomplished; and commented on the 30% growth a speaker suggested and noted that he does not want to see another 20,000 people living in Arcadia. Mr. Kruckeberg noted that for the record, the City received a no comment letter, although 2 %2 months late, from the California Energy Commission dated November 9, 2010; and also commented that regarding growth, if Arcadia was totally built out over that 30 year period, it would be 12 %. It was moved by Council Member Harbicht, seconded by Council Member Chandler and carried on roll call vote to adopt Resolution No. 6715 certifying the Final Environmental Impact Report (SCH #2009081034), adopting Environmental Findings pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act, adopting a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program, adopting a Statement of Overriding Considerations and adopting the proposed General Plan Update. AYES: Council Member Harbicht, Chandler, Kovacic, Segal and Amundson NOES: None ABSENT: None It was moved by Council Member Segal, seconded by Council Member Harbicht and carried on roll call vote to introduce Ordinance No. 2272 repealing and replacing various Sections of Article IX of the Arcadia Municipal Code to enact the 2010 General Plan Update Project and establish new zoning designations for Downtown Mixed Use (DMU), Mixed Use (MU), and Restricted Multi- Family (R -3 -R). AYES: Council Member Segal, Harbicht, Chandler, Kovacic, and Amundson NOES: None ABSENT: None It was moved by Council Member Chandler, seconded by Council Member Segal and carried on roll call vote to introduce Ordinance No. 2273 amending various Sections of Article IX of the Arcadia Municipal Code to enact the 2010 General Plan Update Project and address new local and state regulations and standards. 11 -16 -10 3 52:0184 AYES: Council Member Chandler, Segal, Harbicht, Kovacic and Amundson NOES: None ABSENT: None It was moved by Council Member Kovacic, seconded by Council Member Segal and carried on roll call vote to introduce Ordinance No. 2274 certifying the 2010 Zoning Map as the Official Zoning Map of the City of Arcadia. AYES: Council Member Kovacic, Segal, Chandler, Harbicht and Amundson NOES: None ABSENT: None It was moved by Council Member Harbicht, seconded by Council Member Segal and carried on roll call vote to incorporate the edits and modifications to the General Plan documents as shown in Exhibits Al through A4 in the staff report dated November 16, 2010. AYES: Council Member Harbicht, Segal, Chandler, Kovacic and Amundson NOES: None ABSENT: None Mayor Amundson thanked the GPAC and staff for all their hours of hard work and dedication over the past 2 1/2 year on the General Plan Update. PUBLIC COMMENTS John MacDonnell, an Arcadia resident appeared and thanked the City Council Members who approved the Christmas tree lot; he announced that Uncle Buck's Christmas tree lot will be opening at the corner of Second Avenue and Duarte Road; he asked if the Gold Line parking structure is limited to a two -story structure or is there options to add additional stories. Mr. Kruckeberg responded that there are options to add additional parking levels; that 800 parking spaces are approved in the EIR which would make it a four -story structure with a deck for a total of five levels. Mr. MacDonnell noted that at the intersection of Foothill Boulevard and Santa Anita Avenue where there are now two turning lanes in each direction, he would like to request that consideration be given to paint directional signs on the street so that drivers know where they need to turn from. Mr. Penman responded that staff is currently looking into putting directional stripping at that intersection. Bonnie Barron appeared and invited everyone to attend the Los Angeles County Arboretum on November 30th for a free community educational presentation regarding "Coyotes in our Midst" and how communities can co -exist with wildlife; and commented on the program and speakers. Caleb Choi, Sarah Lee, Thomas Kil and Julie Kim appeared and introduced themselves as the United Nation Global Debate Group which consists of 5 young students who are visiting major cities interviewing businesses and residents regarding migration and diversity issues. 11 -16 -10 4 52:0185 REPORTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL AND CITY CLERK Council Member Harbicht commented on receiving a letter from Reverend Philip Wood, Church of the Good Shepherd regarding a letter send to all faith community leaders in Arcadia by Mayor Amundson urging the ministers to encourage their congregations to vote a certain way on two ballot measures on the November ballot; he felt that advocating on any election matter using taxpayer funds is inappropriate; he also felt that the City should not be taking a stance on state issues that do not affect the City; and also noted that he and Mayor Pro Tem Kovacic were against the City supporting a resolution regarding Proposition 19 when brought before the City Council. He congratulated Mickey and Lee Segal for receiving the Spirit of Philanthropy Inspiration Award and Tina and Rick Caruso for receiving the Philanthropist of the Year Award; he echoed Dr. Maatz comments on public officers' safety and firefighters and paramedics in Arcadia; and he complimented Development Services staff on a great job on the General Plan. Mayor Pro Tem Kovacic also congratulated Mickey and Lee Segal for receiving the Spirit of Philanthropy Inspiration Award; he thanked the UN Global Debate Team for appearing and addressing the City Council and wished them good luck; he thanked Mr. MacDonnell for his comments and also felt the two left turning lanes on Huntington Drive and Holly Avenue are very confusing; he announced that on November 22nd the Interfaith Action Group will be having their annual community Thanksgiving Service at the Church of the Good Shepherd and he wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Council Member Segal thanked Dr. Maatz and all the Methodist Hospital physicians and employees for supporting and raising funds during the hospital's building campaign; he noted that $1 million dollars was raised by the employees and $2 million was raised by the doctors; he reminded and encouraged everyone to attend the Festival of Bands on Saturday; he wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving; he thanked Council Member Harbicht and Mayor Pro Tem Kovacic for acknowledging the award he and Lee received which was a surprise; he thanked Mr. Penman for attending and wished Mayor Pro Tem Kovacic a Happy Birthday. Council Member Chandler also wished Mayor Pro Tem Kovacic a Happy Birthday; he congratulated Mickey and Lee Segal for the Philanthropist Award they received; he thanked Dr. Maatz for his presentation and good words about Arcadia police and fire personnel; he reminded everyone if they have old paint or cans of oil, they should contact the City for information on how to safely dispose of the hazardous waste; he also commented on the letter sent out by Mayor Amundson; and wished everyone a Happy and safe Thanksgiving. Mayor Amundson announced that he has discussed the matter with Mr. Penman and he will personally be paying for any costs incurred by the City and apologized if his efforts were misunderstood; he noted a residential burglary report in the police blog and encouraged everyone to be extra careful during the holiday season and to report any suspicious activities in their community; he invited everyone to attend the "Senior Fraud Workshop" at the Community Center on December 7th; he announced that Council Member Segal will join him in a meeting with the auditors regarding the City's recent audit; and requested support of the City Council for a future study session regarding the formation of an Arcadia Downtown Business District, Council Member Segal and Council Member Harbicht concurred. Mr. Penman announced that the study session will be scheduled in January; that information will be gathered from other downtown associations and presented to the City Council; including whether redevelopment monies can be used and how assistance can be provided. 11 -16 -10 5 52:0186 City Clerk Barrows commented on the accomplishments and achievements of the Arcadia High School Band and provided some history of the Festival of Band Review which has been around 57 years; and invited everyone to attend the Arcadia High School Football game on Friday night. 2. CONSENT CALENDAR REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY ITEMS: a. Approve the Meeting Minutes of September 21, 2010, October 5, 2010, October 19, 2010 and Special Meeting of October 27, 2010. Recommended Action: Approve b. Approve a one -year extension in the amount of $65,000 to the Professional Services Agreement between the City of Arcadia and The Ferguson Group for Federal Legislative Advocacy Services. Recommended Action: Approve c. Authorize the Executive Director to appropriate $30,000 from Arcadia Redevelopment Agency affordable housing reserves to fund tenant relocation, asbestos and lead paint removal, demolition and site clearance related to 19 Lucile Street. Recommended Action: Approve CITY COUNCIL ITEMS: d. Approve the Meeting Minutes of September 21, 2010, October 5, 2010, October 19, 2010 and Special Meeting of October 27, 2010. Recommended Action: Approve e. Approve a one -year extension in the amount of $65,000 to the Professional Services Agreement between the City of Arcadia and The Ferguson Group for Federal Legislative Advocacy Services. Recommended Action: Approve f. Award a purchase order contract to Park West Landscape, Inc. to install synthetic turf at the Civic Center Athletic Field in the amount of $433,920.13. Recommended Action: Approve g. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with Stetson Engineers, Inc. to prepare the 2010 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP) Update in the amount of $21,500. Recommended Action: Approve h. Authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with American Micro Imaging, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $42,127.00 for Laserfiche software and hardware support, maintenance and additional licenses; and appropriate additional funds in the amount of $11,000 from the General Fund. Recommended Action: Approve 11 -16 -10 6 52:0187 Council Member Harbicht pulled Consent Calendar item 2.f for separate discussion. It was moved by Council /Agency Member Chandler, seconded by Council /Agency Member Kovacic and carried on roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar items 2.a through 2.e and 2.g and 2.h. AYES: Council /Agency Member Chandler, Kovacic, Harbicht, Segal and Amundson NOES: None ABSENT: None In response to an inquiry by Council Member Harbicht regarding Consent Item 2.f, Mr. Penman responded that the original estimate was close to $1.5 million, that the total is now about $1 million with a savings of about $500,000; that a majority of the funds for the installation of the synthetic turf at the Civic Center Athletic Field project are provided from grants including $88,000 from the Upper District due to water savings. It was moved by Council /Agency Member Harbicht, seconded by Council /Agency Member Kovacic and carried on roll call vote to approve Consent Calendar item 2.f. AYES: Council /Agency Member Harbicht, Kovacic, Chandler, Segal and Amundson NOES: None ABSENT: None 3. CITY MANAGER/AGENCY DIRECTOR ITEMS: a. Report, discussion and direction regarding the installation of left turn lanes and the removal of on- street parking on Second Avenue at Foothill Boulevard. Recommended Action: Provide Direction Philip Wray, Deputy Director of Development Services /City Engineer discussed the recommendation of the City's Traffic Advisory Committee (TAC) regarding traffic safety improvements to the intersection of Second Avenue and Foothill Boulevard that had generated property owner opposition; he discussed the concerns of the neighboring businesses and their objections; he provided four recommendations to pursue to improve the traffic flow and pedestrian safety in that area. Mr. Wray commented on an accident in January involving a vehicle making a left hand turn and three middle school aged pedestrians; that staff was asked to reevaluate options and make recommendations to include additional measures for consideration; he advised that eleven measures were considered by the TAC and are recommending the top four which would give the greatest impact on both pedestrian and traffic movement with minimal cost to the City. Mr. Wray noted that various traffic control guidelines were reviewed and he met with the property owners; and briefly discussed staff's proposal to (1) paint the area inside the crosswalk lines with a contrasting pattern (completed); (2) install new pedestrian crossing warning signs; (3) install pedestrian countdown timers; and (4) paint the crosswalks yellow to indicate a school area crossing. He also noted that the four recommended measures are included in this year's budget and there would be no additional fiscal impact to the City. Larry Metz, an Arcadia resident appeared and feels that the left lane turn pocket will not help the traffic problem on Second Avenue and Foothill Boulevard; and expressed his concern regarding the elimination of the parking spaces which will cause parking in front of his property. 11 -16 -10 7 52:0188 Christina Karacias, owner of Pacos Restaurant in Arcadia appeared and suggested the City Council focus on the safety of pedestrians by adding a flashing yellow light at the Second Avenue and Foothill Boulevard intersection before removing parking; and asked that the City Council consider other options first because they rely on the parking on Second Avenue. Ronalyn Raymundo, owner of Dental office on West Foothill Boulevard appeared and expressed her concerns regarding the elimination of the parking spaces on Second Avenue and asked the City Council to utilize all measures before removing the parking spaces. She suggested a crossing guard, pedestrian countdown timers and change traffic signal to split phasing on Second Avenue. Dr. Tom Segura appeared and expressed concern with regard to child safety; he asked staff to first consider other options such as yellow lights and crossing guards before removing parking spaces on Second Avenue; and suggested installing a no left turn sign during the school peak hours, school zone signs and thanked Mr. Wray for spending time with them and listening to their concerns. John Mac Donnell appeared and explained why there are accidents in the areas of First and Fifth Avenue; he noted that all the accidents occurred in the early morning when the sunlight was reflecting on dirty windshields; he felt this was important for City Council to know all the facts before making any decision. It was moved by Council /Agency Member Segal, seconded by Council /Agency Member Chandler and carried on roll call vote to approve staff recommendations Nos. 1 through 4 and further study the impacts of No. 8 to change the traffic signal phasing to split the phasing on Second Avenue and bring back for City Council discussion at a future meeting. AYES: Council /Agency Member Chandler, Harbicht, Kovacic, Segal and Amundson NOES: None ABSENT: None b. Request for direction regarding City funding improvements to the Colorado Boulevard Railroad Bridge as part of the Gold Line Foothill Extension. Recommended Action: Provide Direction Philip Wray, Deputy Director of Development Services /City Engineer reported that since staff came before the City Council with recommendations for betterments there have been some changes to the Gold Line that are significant for Arcadia; the Gold Line Foothill Extension through Arcadia was originally planned to reuse the existing Colorado Boulevard Railroad Bridge for one set of tracks and construct a second bridge adjacent to it to accommodate the second set of tracks; that since then, it has been determined that the existing bridge and abutments need to be removed due to poor condition and one new bridge be constructed to accommodate both tracks; that the Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority (Authority) has prepared a Supplemental Environmental Impact Report to address the bridge replacement and is currently making plans to change the bid documents. Mr. Wray explained that the Authority offered the City the opportunity to request upgrades or improvements to the bridge above the baseline design; that staff has identified two upgrades worthy of consideration and staff recommends that the City Council consider: 1) widening of the abutments to allow sidewalk under the bridge, which in that case the bridge would need to be lengthened by approximately seven (7) feet and the cost to lengthen the bridge by seven feet and construct sidewalk is $100,000; and 2) add a concrete decorative feature to the bridge to give it a more attractive appearance and it's own identity with the estimated cost of $200,000. 11 -16 -10 8 52:0189 Mr. Wray further noted that the total cost of the proposed two upgrades is $300,000 which could be paid for out of the savings on the Santa Anita Avenue Grade Separation; that staff is still working with the Authority to determine a final cost for the grade separation; that the latest estimate indicates a total cost to the City of just over $12 million leaving almost a $2 million savings. He added that the only other commitment to date on the grade separation savings is the $120,000 authorize by the City Council for upgrades to the Station; that these funds may also be needed for improvements or upgrades to the parking structure and transit plaza; that at this point, no costs have been discussed for these elements. It was moved by Council /Agency Member Segal, seconded by Council /Agency Member Chandler and carried on roll call vote to approve the lengthening of the bridge and moving the abutments further apart to allow for sidewalks between the abutments and the street (and not to proceed with a decorative railroad barrier). AYES: Council /Agency Member Segal, Chandler, Kovacic and Amundson NOES: Council /Agency Member Harbicht ABSENT: None ADJOURNMENT The City Council /Redevelopment Agency adjourned in memory of long time Arcadia residents Robert Allen Meldahl and Shirley Golliher at 10:15 p.m. to Tuesday, December 7, 2010, 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chamber located at 240 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia. Peter Amundson, Mayor ATTEST: James H. Barrows, City Clerk 11 -16 -10 9 J J J