HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - June 1, 2004 - UB •
AZUSA
CITY OF AZUSA
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL
MEETING OF THE AZUSA
UTILITY BOARD
TUESDAY, JUNE I, 2004 - 6:30 P.M.
The Utility Board Members of the City of Azusa met in Special session, at the above date and time
in the Azusa Light and Water Department Conference Room, located at 729 N. Azusa Avenue,
Azusa, California.
Chairperson Chagnon called the meeting to order. Call to Order
ROLL CALL Roll Call
PRESENT: BOARD MEMBERS: HARDISON, ROCHA, CHAGNON, MADRID
ABSENT: BOARD MEMBERS: STANFORD
ALSO PRESENT: Also Present
City Attorney Powers of Best, Best, and Krieger, Interim City Manager Person, Director of Utilities
Hsu, Chief of Police Davis, Captain Gonzales, Community Improvement Manager Rudisel, Director
of Park Planning and Development Noriega, River Consultant Avila, City Clerk Mendoza, Deputy
City Clerk Toscano.
Public Participation Pub Part
None. None
Interim City Manager Person addressed the Board Members providing background information City Mgr
regarding the San Gabriel River restoration projects and advised that the Director of Utilities Hsu Person
provided funding to hire the consultant and didn't know if there was a specific time limit, but that Introduction
now they are in the third year of funding Consultant Suzanne Avila. He cited and detailed the
projects as follows: Rio San Gabriel Bike Path Extension, Forest Gateway Interpretive Center,
San Gabriel Canyon Spreading Basins, and Azusa Canyon River Wilderness Park and asked the
following questions: Do we continue funding the River Consultant, and if we do,what sources do
Jve use? He stated that in the past it's been the Water Fund, due to the nexus. He stated that
Representation of the Rivers and Mountains Conservancy Belinda Celistino, has offered to use
—part of the grant money that the city has been awarded to fund the consultant for the coming
year, but also he asked if Council would like to continue doing this as a city operation.
He asked if they should find Suzanne Avila a model of where she can work and continue her City Mgr
progress within an organization that has more experience with an open space acquisition. He Continued
advised that Director of Park Planning and Development Noriega will be doing the construction
management of the Bike Path, and Project Manager of the U.S. Forest Gateway Interpretive
Center; further, that there is no activity on the Spreading Basins, and should they continue
acquisition of Open Space?
Anela of Congresswoman Hilda Solis' office addressed the issue stating that Ms. Avila has Rep of
invaluable knowledge regarding the San Gabriel River. Hilda Solis'
Mr. Chris Smith of Coldwater Way, addressed Board Members stating that he is a part of a non- C. Smith
profit group that is attempting to purchase the Canyon Inn property; he described the project. Comments
Ms. Melissa Martin of the Army Corp of Engineers, addressed Board Members stating that she is M. Martin
interested in what is going on in the Canyon. Comments
Dr. Ann Croissant, President of the Board of Directors of the San Gabriel Mountains Regional A. Croissant
Conservancy, addressed Council detailing information regarding the Conservancy and answered Comments
questions posed by Board Members. She expressed her appreciation to Suzanne Avila for her
help in working with the Conservancy on Azusa Projects. She presented options for the
establishment of and/or partnership of conservancy for the City of Azusa.
Lengthy discussion was held regarding the feasibility of forming a conservancy, the appropriate Discussion
place for a expert skilled knowledgeable person as Suzanne Avila, how to fund the position,what
are the details, what support environment should she be in,what would best serve the City, how
long would it take, and what would be needed.
Ms. Belinda Celistino of the San Gabriel Valley River and Mountains Conservancy, suggested that B. Celistino
the position be funded by existing grant funding, possible changing the scope of work, which Comments
would encompass amendments to the existing grants.
After additional discussion, it was moved by Chairperson Chagnon, seconded by Board Member Motion to
Rocha and unanimously* carried that Suzanne Avila begin the job as River Consultant,again,as of Re-hire S.
Wednesday, June 2, 2004, with the same terms and conditions as are in her existing contract. Avila as
River Consult.
It was consensus of Councilmembers to adjourn. Adjourn
TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 8:26 P.M.
SECRETARY
NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 04-C39.
*Indicates Stanford absent.
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