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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - April 7, 2014 - OBCITY OF AZUSA MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2014 — 6:30 P.M. The City Council of the City of Azusa met in regular session at the above date and time in the Azusa Auditorium located at 213 E. Foothill Boulevard, Azusa, CA 91702. CEREMONIAL/CLOSED SESSION Mayor Rocha called the meeting to order. Call to Order ROLL CALL: Roll call was taken by City Clerk Comejo: Roll Call PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, CARRILLO, MACIAS ALVAREZ, ROCHA Present ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ALSO PRESENT Also Present Elected Officials: City Clerk Comejo. Staff Members: City Manager Makshanoff, City Attorney Martinez, Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager Haes, Police Chief Gonzalez , Acting Human Resources Director St. Peters, Information ' Officer Quiroz, Assistant/Deputy City Clerk Hernandez. Mayor Pro -tem Gonzales addressed the meeting stating that for the past 8 years, together with Ceremonial Councilmember Macias, they have raised funds to help fund youth sports organizations in Azusa; this Present of year they were able to raise $1,200 for each of the 3 leagues; checks were presented as follows: Checks to Councilmember Carrillo presented a check to the President of the Azusa American Little League; Leagues Councilmember Macias presented a check to representatives of the Azusa Jr. All American Raiders; the Azusa National Little League was not present at the meeting to receive their check; it will be presented at a later time. The City Council Recessed to closed session at 6:40 P.M. to discuss the following: Closed Sess ].PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE/DISMISSAL/RELEASE - Gov. Code Sec. 54957.6. Empl Disc 2. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — EXISTING LITIGATION - Government Litigation Code, Section 54956.9(d)(2). Rivera Rivera vs. City of Azusa, Court Case No. Case No 2:13-cv-01510-DMG-VBK (USDC, C.D. Cal.). 3.CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - ANTICIPATED LITIGATION INITIATION Anticipated OF LITIGATION PURSUANT TO - Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4). Litigation One case. ALSO PRESENT Elected Officials: City Clerk Comejo, City Treasurer Vasquez. Staff Members: City Manager Makshanoff, City Attorney Martinez, Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager Haes, Police Chief Gonzalez, City Engineer Bobadilla, Finance Director Paragas, Utilities Director Morrow, Economic and Community Development Director Christiansen, Information Officer Quiroz, Assistant/Deputy City Clerk Hernandez. Pledge to the flag was led by Mr. Tony Ramirez. Invocation was given by Pastor Rick McDonald from Azusa House of Prayer I PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Also Present Flag Salute Invocation Pub Part Misses Stacey Kim and Lauren Ramirez from Azusa Reads and Azusa Counts, addressed the Council S. Kim & L. to announce the year-end celebration of the program on April 17, 2014, 4:15 P.M. at the Azusa Library, Ramirez and gave information on the program, which served over 300 elementary students this year. Comments Mr. Joe Guarrem addressed the meeting regarding Agenda Item C-1, the Request for Proposal (RFP), J. Guarrera stating that the transportation program was set up to provide services to the disabled and seniors; Comments several years ago this program was transferred to a 3rd party but it was unsuccessful; City staff has always managed the program successfully, and expressed concern on a statement in the staff report suggesting that Seniors find other means of transportation. Mr. Jorge V. Rosales Sister City Committee President, addressed the Council to give a history of the J. Rosales creation of the Committee and its current activities, which include student and adult exchange Comments programs with Zacatecas, Mexico; he invited all to their Meeting, Monday April 14, 2014, 795 N. Dalton Ave.; and to visit their web page www.azusasistercity.org; he introduced the Committee Members; he expressed concern on agenda item C-1 and requested that the RFP not be approved. Mr. Rick MacDonald Representing the Azusa Ministerial Association, addressed the Council to announce the National Day of Prayer, May 1, 2014, 7:00 A.M. at Foothill Community Church, and the R. Mac Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, May 21, 2014, 7:30 A.M. at the Upper Turner Campus Center, Azusa Donald Pacific University (APU). Comments 'Ms. Nancy Bryant addressed Council regarding the bus services for seniors, and expressed concern on the potential of losing this service. N. Bryant Comments Mr. Ed Heinlein addressed the Council to thank everyone for their support and assistance in saving his home during the recent Colby Fire and the storm; his home, located on Ridge View Dr., was the most E. Heinlein affected by these events; he further spoke of the storm's origin and the damage it caused to his Comments property, which he is currently working on repairing. Mr. Richard Rodriguez addressed the Council expressing concern for the recent crime at the Citrus Crossing Shopping Center as it has had an impact on the neighborhood adjacent to the shopping center R. Rodriguez and all of Azusa; he suggested a command post be placed at the Shopping Center as well as additional Comments patrolling. Misses Alisa Matjara & Lizette Ayala representing University of Southern California (USC) Social A. Matjara & Work, addressed the Council regarding the City's bicycle infrastructure that is proposed to be L. Ayala developed as part of the GoldLine; they suggesting to increase the number of bike lanes and signage Comment near schools and mountains, as well as heavy traffic areas; and for Council to join other organizations to sponsor a community bike day in Azusa. City Manager Makshanoff responded to public comments: Police Chief will contact Mr. Rodriguez to City Manager address his concerns on Citrus Crossing; staff will contact Ms. Matjara to discuss their suggestions on Comments bicycle safety, currently staff is working with Bike SGV and has been reviewing some programs. except that the Colby Fire started in Glendora and moved to Azusa; fire fighting resources and how they were deployed was done differently; a memorial cross sits on top of the mountain as a reminder that 8 fire fighters lost their lives; as a result of that tragedy, the way wild life fires are fought was re- shaped, and fire fighters now have a high respect for these mountains after knowing what can happen; fire fighters have been working on a different approach based on past experiences with these mountains, the shape and what it contains, what resources can be available, and new technology; on January 16, 2014, the plan that was in place, was put to practice; all resources were available to fight the Colby Fire, as there were no other wild fires in Southern California at that time; a command post manned by the U.S. Forest Service was set up; there was a two prong approach to the fire, but the mission was to keep anyone from losing, their lives or being injured, and avoid property loss; 27 agencies and 4 levels of government participated, within the first few hours there were 2,000 service personnel available manning the fire engines, patrols, aircraft, bulldozers and hand crew; the fire originated east of Glendora, by the Colby Trail, hence the name Colby Fire, and moved quickly into the backyards of homes; it was a 2,000 acre fire that extended within the first 6 hours, and 5 structures were lost in Glendora within the fust two hours; before the needed resources arrived, it was guesstimated that at least 200 homes would burn; he depicted a map (enclosed herewith) outlining the area that was burnt and how it moved west to Azusa. A Fire is 100% contained once there is a complete line around that fire that takes the burnt fuel away from the un -burnt fuel; the south side of the fire was put out by the evening of the 16th, allowing fire fighters to work on the lines; access through the front was done with bulldozers, fire engines, and by hand crews who worked with tools to create that line along the homes; helicopters do not put out fires, but can slow it down to allow fire fighters to follow on foot and contain it; there were concerns that if the fire was to reach Highway 39, it would move into the communities of Bradbury, Duarte, Monrovia, and potentially reaching Pasadena; the 1968 Stable Fire moved to those cities and burnt 77 homes in Bradbury and damaged 200 in both Bradbury and Duarte. Air operations: water bomber planes flew 203 hours, dropped 62,783 gallons of retardant and 571,850 gallons of water; retardant is used to stop the fire from going into the forest, but in this fire it was dropped behind homes, this operation is rarely done as it posses great risks for the pilots, but they did that in order to save the homes; the fire moved west to the canyon, where there is a different mountain scope made of cliffs of solid rock; the aircrafts were able to stop the fire at the top of the mountain just before it reached to Highway 39; in that area brush has intermixed and grown on the sides, which rolled down the cliffs as they caught on fire, creating severe burning conditions; efforts were made to try to reach the top of the fire by aircraft, and on foot carrying water hoses uphill; fire fighters that were 'climbing up the hill faced great danger from rolling boulders, it was decided to withdraw from the foot operation in that area, and only -one fire fighter was injured in Azusa; above Ridge View Dr. and adjacent to the water treatment plant, which was being monitored due to its importance, bulldozers or hand crews could not access the steep mountains; aircraft could not continue to drop water as it does not penetrate this type of brush that continues to burn inside for up to several weeks, as it was evident the day prior to the recent storm a fire started under some of that same brush; in addition the weight of the water could create movement of rocks and mudslides endangering homes below as well as wiping out the road; the only option was to let the hill burn for the safety of the firemen and all those below; as part of the Burnt Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team, consisting of The L. A. County Fire and the Forestry Division, an assessment of the area was conducted to help give the homeowners information about the hillside; inevitably the next few rains will cause mudslides, and efforts will be made to minimize and mitigate the impact; the rain will also help the mountain restore itself with new growth, which will make it stronger and better; many portions of the Garcia Trail were wiped out, it was for the best interest of the public's safety not to allow hiking in that area at this time. Financial effects: the cost to the L. A. Co. Fire Department to fight the Colby Fire was approximately $7,000,000; the Fire Department will continue to respond to residents needs on any emergency that may arise; the Fire Department considers the Colby Fire to be one of its most successful missions from previous fires in recent memory considering that that there were;no lives or homes lost in Azusa, it is the Department's priority to take care of citizens, emergency personnel, and protect homes as best possible; The L.A. Co. Fire Department proudly serves its residents. Councilmember Carrillo thanked Assistant Chief Martin for giving the presentation for the residents, as Council's it is a valuable message that needed to get to the community; he also thanked him, and the teams Comments handled by the Azusa Police Department, annual permits would be issued up to two per resident with additional 5 for guests; restricted parking will include: MacNeal Street, Crape Mork Drive, Griffith Street and Phelps Ridge Way; parking at the two parks adjacent to the area would be open and available for parking; Juniper Ridge and McKeller Court north of Sierra Madre, will also be added to the restrictions, they are currently being developed and are expected to be done in 2 years; once the hillside stabilizes, the Garcia Trail will be re-evaluated, and determined if it can be re -opened for public use, the ordinance will come before Council for its consideration; the Azusa Police and Public Works Departments would do a 6 month study on its effectiveness and make changes if needed; violations and fees associated with this ordinance would go to the Police Department to pay for its enforcement. Councilmember Macias stated that currently the Garcia Trail is out of use and the impact on the U. Macias parking cannot be perceived, but during good weather multiple cars are visible on both sides of the Comments 'streets; doing nothing to resolve this problem is not an option, after the 6 month evaluation, a long term solution similar to the Fish Canyon Trail can be studied, to alleviate some of the congestion. Moved by Mayor Pro -tem Gonzales, seconded by Councilmember Alvarez, to approve a request for Certs Women certificates for: Azusa residents Misses Gloria Romero, Shana Sanchez and Janet Wickersham who of the Year were named Women of the Year by Congresswoman Grace Napolitano, to be presented April 11, 2014, 11:00 A.M., at the Azusa Woman's Club, by the following vote of the Council: YES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, CARRILLO, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, ROCHA NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE Moved by Councilmember Alvarez, seconded by Councilmember Carrillo to approve a request for a Proclo DMV/ proclamation declaring the Month of April as DMV/Donate Life Month in Azusa, by the following Donate Life vote of the Council: YES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, CARRILLO, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, ROCHA NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE Mayor Pro -tem Gonzales addressed the meeting to announce the Azusa Unified School Dance Team R. Gonzales Show, April 12, 2014, 7:00 P.M., Gladstone High School; he congratulated the Azusa Cheerleading Comments Squad for their performance at the Clipper's Game, on April 4, 2014; he thanked all those who participated in the compost and mulch giveaway on April 5, 2014; and wished everyone a Happy Easter. 'Councilmember Alvarez addressed the meeting to thank all the volunteers who assisted at the compost E. Alvarez and mulch giveaway day, and wished everyone a Happy Easter. Comments Councilmember Macias addressed the meeting to invite everyone to the Azusa High School Benefit U. Macias Golf Tournament, April 13, 2014, 7:00 A:M., Azusa Greens, the proceeds will benefit Azusa High Comments School students' activities and sports; he wished everyone a Happy Easter, and a Happy Birthday to his son who turned one year old. Councilmember Carrillo addressed the meeting stating that due to a family emergency, he was not A. Carrillo present at the last Council Meeting to cast his vote to select the Mayor Pro -tem, and congratulated Comments Mayor Pro -tem Gonzales for being selected; he thanked his colleagues for their continued support and wish everyone a Happy Easter. Mayor Rocha addressed the meeting stating that it was to be adjourned in memory of Ms. Aurelia J. Rocha Ortuno Stenmo, lifelong Azusa resident, and Mr. Robert Ramos, Vietnam War Veteran and lifelong Comments Azusa resident; he announced: April as Clean and Green Month; Families on the Move, April 12, 2014, 8:00 A.M., Pioneer Park; Azusa Cares and Azusa Prepares, April 12, 2014, 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M., Azusa Library; Easter Egg Hunt, April 17, 2014, 6:00-8:00 P.M., Memorial Park; he wished everyone a Happy Easter, and asked to keep service Men and Women in daily prayers. SCHEDULED ITEMS Sched Items things have changed since then and the industry has become more specialized; most of the neighboring cities that operate dial a ride or curb -to -curb service, contract with private entities that specialize in that field; claims to the City regarding transportation issues have become more common and the liability would go to the contractor, staff is looking to save money, specialized service and do away with the liability risk associated with operating a transit; he addressed statements made during public participation: Azusa Transit is designed for Seniors and Disabled to use within City boundaries, medical trips or shopping opportunities that are not available in Azusa, staff does recommend in the staff report to use Foothill Transit as it serves regionally and it is less expensive than using the City's transportation, Azusa Transit is not a money making operation, but it does cost money to operate and the goal is to keep these services available for those who need it locally; the City has not contracted Transportation services in the past. 'Councilmember Macias requested to include on the RFP analysis: statistics on travel time, locations U. Macias and travel frequencies and to include Saturday services on the RFP; and in addition to do a study on the Questions factors considered to contract for other services i.e. the Fire Department and Police Department vehicle maintenance. Staff responded to questions posed by Mayor Rocha: scope of services will be included in the analysis to remain at .50 cents for all rides within designated boundaries of Azusa, Covina, Duarte and Glendora, and $1.50 to Monrovia, Baldwin Park, San Dimas and West Covina; the contractor will be required to offer employment to all qualified part-time drivers and dispatchers that are employed with the City of Azusa, if a City staff member is not qualified or exhibits performance of interpersonal deficiencies, a recommendation for a refusal to hire or termination of the employee explaining why that individual could not perform the job for the contractor would need to be provided to the Public Works Director; the City can facilitate vehicles to the contractor and they would remain City property but maintained and operated by the contractor; the contractor has the option to use the City's facilities to wash the buses and a fee can be charged to them, staff feels that it is in the best interest of the City for the buses to be in good shape aesthetically and mechanically; the space being offered to the contractor for its use as a dispatch center, including existing office furniture, is meant to possibly get a better price, and does not fall under the category of gift of public funds as it is meant to be used to service the public; it would be cheaper for the City to provide its own gas as the contractor adds gas charges to the administrative charges. City Manager Makshanoff stated that the purpose of the RFP is not to eliminate or reduce services, but to find out if the cost to provide this service can be reduced, and use those savings for other programs, this RFP was prepared by reviewing other cities' proposals, most of the information is standard of 'those samples and can be tailored to meet the City's needs, the goal is to try and save 25% to 30% of the current transit service cost. Staff responded to questions posed by Councilmember Alvarez: the reason why other cities are saving, is due to one contractor serving several cities with one dispatch center, and Cities not dealing with liability issues; the City does not have experts, the most senior operations personnel have retired and with them they took a lot of institutional knowledge; currently contractors provide transportation consulting services, but a full-time transit supervisor has not been hired; it would be to Council's discretion to hire a consultant to assist with the program; the RFP would eliminate liability that would still remain with the City should a consultant be hired. Councilmember Carrillo stated that staff has presented this item before, and there have been concerns from Council on the subject, which may be due to the uncertainty in making changes; those concerns may be cleared once the RFPs have been studied; this operation has been in service since 1978, and it would be beneficial to do a study to see if the services can be improved at cost savings and it is not meant to take services away; based on current revenues and current status, the program can possibly be in jeopardy; as stated on Section 1.2.5 of the RFP, the City reserves the right to negotiate all elements that comprise the proposal to ensure the best possible consideration for all concerned; he thanked staff for bringing this forward. Moved by Councilmember Macias, seconded by Councilmember Carrillo, to authorize staff to formally solicit a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the contractual outsourcing of Azusa Transit operations and fleet maintenance services, to provide the City Council at a later date with further analysis and potential J. Rocha Questions J. Makshanoff Comments E. Alvarez Questions A. Carrillo Comments 1. The minutes of the regular meeting of March 17, 2014, were approved as written. 2. Resolution No. 14-C20, was adopted and entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AND SPECIFYING THE FUNDS OUT OF WHICH THE SAME ARE TO BE PAID. 3. The Human Resources Action Items were approved in accordance with the City of Azusa Civil Service Rules and applicable Memorandum of Understanding(s): Merit Increase and/or Regular Appointment: B. Saenz. Flexible Staffing Promotion: E. Cardoso ' 4. SPECIAL CALL ITEM 5. The City Treasurer's Report for the City of Azusa for the month of February, 2014 was received, reviewed, and filed. Minutes Reso 14-C20 Warrants H.R. Action Item SPEC CALL Treas Rprt 6. Staff was authorized to submit an application for the Helen Putnam award for the "English Lessons Helen for a Healthy Life" program at the Azusa City Library. Putnam Appl 7. The Notice of Completion for the Sewer Master Plan Improvements Project No. 66513A, NOC Sewer $2,917,568.89, Southwest Pipeline & Trenchless Corporation was approved, and staff was Plan Impr authorized to file the Notice of Completion with the Los Angeles County Clerk. f 8. The Notice of Completion for the Azusa Gateway Project- $584,409.45, KASA Construction was NOC Azusa approved and was authorized to file the Notice of Completion with the Los Angeles County Clerk. Gateway Prej 9. The request to increase the Building Division's Plan Check budget and Purchase Order for CSG Budget Consultants, Inc. ("CSG") by $60,000, to a total of $140,000, was approved Amend SPECIAL CALL ITEMS Spec Call POLICY FOR MARQUEE DISPLAYS. City Hall 'Marquee Mayor Rocha addressed the item stating that section 3.5 should be removed in its entirety from the Policy policy. City Manager Makshanoff addressed the item stating that the current policy that was adopted in 1999, ,since then a new marquee has been acquired and the policy needed to be updated to be in consistency with the new electronic marquee. Moved by Mayor Rocha, seconded by Councilmember Alvarez to approve the Policy for Marquee Display located in front of City Hall, with the amendment to remove Section 3.5 in its entirety, by the following vote of the Council: YES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, CARRILLO, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, ROCHA NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE SUCCESSORAGENCY RELATED BUSINESS. Secr Agency RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PAYMENT OF WARRANTS BY THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY. Reso 14-R3 Warrant Mayor Pro -tem Gonzales introduced a Resolution entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY OF THE FORMER REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF AZUSA ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS TO BE n A m l T= l U OTTnnUOCln An XTnv VT�O A RESOLUTION OF THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE DISSOLVED REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, APPROVING AND ADOPTING A LONG-RANGE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT PLAN PURSUANT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 34191.5. , Moved by Mayor Pro -tem Gonzales, seconded by Councilmember Carrillo, to waive further reading and adopt Resolution No. 14-R4, by the following vote of the Council: YES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, CARRILLO, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, ROCHA NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ORDINANCE/SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS Second reading and adoption of an ordinance approving and authorizing execution of an amendment to the Development Agreement by and between the City of Azusa and Rosedale Landpartners II, LLC. Mayor Pro -tem Gonzales offered an ordinance entitled: Ord/Resos Ord 14-01 Amend DA/ Rosedale Landpartners Monrovia AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, CALIFORNIA, Nursery APPROVING AND AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE CITY OF AZUSA AND ROSEDALE LAND PARTNERS II, LLC. Moved by Mayor Pro -tem Gonzales, seconded by Councilmember Carrillo, to waive further reading and adopt Ordinance No. 14-01, by the following vote of the Council: YES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, CARRILLO, MACIAS, ALVAREZ, ROCHA NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ADJOURNMENT: It was the consensus of the Council to adjourn the meeting in memory of Ms. Aurelia Ortuno Stenmo, lifelong resident of Azusa, and Mr. Robert Ramos, Vietnam War Veteran and lifelong resident of Azusa. 1. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 9:38 P.M. I C NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2014-C21. (City) . NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 2014-02. NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2014-R5 (Former Redevelopment Agency) UPCOMING MEETINGS: April 21, 2014, City Council Regular Meeting; April 28, 2014, Utility Board Regular Meeting; May 5, 2014, City Council Regular Meeting. Enclosures as noted. a *IRE Message: i f O�.P4RTME� " The Los Angeles County Fire Department, as a part of a Unified Command Team combating the fiercely wind -driven Colby Fire on the morning ofjanuary 16, 2014, fought the fire aggressively and safely using all available resources. The objective to protect lives and property using strategies that. O provided the least risk to >irefighting personnel were paramount to the success of this effort as, validated by the fact that over 51.1 billion of property was saved during this mission. Our Department is proud of the joint effort of our personnel along with those cooperating agencies that, in the face of extreme danger and potential loss, did not experience a single serious injury to safety personnel or the citizens we . t roudly serve. The Los Angles Coiunry, %ire' '' Colby Fire MAP