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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - November 7, 1988 - CC (2)1 CITY OF AZUSA MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING NOVEMBER 7, 1988 - 7:30 P.M. The City Council of the City of Azusa met in regular session at the above date and time in the Civic Auditorium. Mayor Moses called the meeting to order and led in the salute to the Flag. INVOCATION was given by Monsignor Robert Stein of the St Frances of Rome Church. ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA, STEMRICH, NARANJO, LATTA, MOSES ABSENT COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ALSO PRESENT City Attorney Thorson, City Administrator Fuentes, Assistant 'City Administrator Diaz, Director of Finance Craig, Director of Community Development Bruckner, Utilities Director Hsu, Director of Community Services Guarrera, City Librarian Alaniz, Assistant Director for Engineering and Public Works DeLoach, Redevelopment Manager Steel, Economic Project Analyst Katchen-Gall, Police Captain Broderick, Code Enforcement Officer Rudisel, City Treasurer Talley City Clerk Solis, Deputy City Clerk Lara. The Mayor welcomed Ms. Laura Mancini's Adult Education Class, Beginning English as a Second Language, to the meeting. Call to Order Invocation Roll Call Also Present Ceremonial Welcome to Az Adult class The CONSENT CALENDAR consisting of Items 1 through 9 was Cons Cal approved by motion of Councilman Stemrich, seconded by appvd, Stem - Councilman Naranjo, and unanimously carried by roll call rich abstain vote. Councilman Stemrich abstaining on Item F-2. on F-2 1. The Minutes of the regular meeting of October 24, 1988, were approved as written. ' 2. The McNaughton Book Service, a division of Brodart Company, is a book lease plan used by the Library since 1979, providing high interest materials and best seller books. Only two companies provide this service, Brodart and Baker and Taylor. Of the two, Brodart has demonstrated a lower cost for the service, and has maintained the same cost for the past four years. Formal bidding procedures were waived pursuant to the Municipal Code and authorization given to award payment for this service to the Brodart Company, at a cost of $5,812.73 per year. Min appvd Bidding waived for purch books frm Brodart 3. Bid opening was held in the City Clerk's Office on October 24th, for Project No. 744B-88, Installation of parking lot lighting at Slauson Park. Two bids were received from M. Wilson Electric and O'Shea Electric. The contract was awarded to O'Shea Electric, low bidder, in the amount of $15,800 and its execution authorized. The City Clerk was directed to return the unsuccessful bidder's guarantee. 4. Bid opening was held in the City Clerk's Office on October 24th, for Project No. 744C-88, Construction of concrete volleyball and basketball courts. Three bids were received from White Construction Co., Joe Hale Construction and Kalban, Inc. The contract was awarded to White Construction, low bidder, in the amount of $18,400 and its execution authorized. The City Clerk was directed to return unsuccessful bidders' guarantees. Contract fr Proj. 744B-88 O'Shea Elect. Contract fr Proj. 744C-88 White Const. 5. Employee step increase and permanent status Step inc./ recommendations were approved for the following: perm status NAME STATUS D. Paez Step 4 10/07/88 P. MacKay PermStat 10/04/88 G. Brown Step 5 11/06/88 A. D'Antin Step 5 10/09/88 A. Foley Step 5 11/06/88 T. Golding Step 3 11/03/88 T. Smith Step 2 11/03/88 S. Spahr Step 5 11/06/88 J. Sullivan Step 4 11/04/88 The City presently has a Power Sales Agreement with the Power Sales California Department of Water Resources (CDWR), which Agmt w/CDWR will expire on December 31, 1988. An agreement extending the existing contract was approved and its execution authorized. The agreement had minor revisions to capacity available for summer months, capacity increase from $5.00 to $5.90 per kilowatt, and energy charge increase from 23.5 mills to 26.5 mills. 7. The Police Department has requested that Civil Service Rule 5.8.2, which deals with probationary periods, be revised to be consistent with POST (Peace Officers' Standards and Training) and the Department of Corrections requirements. All Police Department positions require a probationary period of one year. The following resolution was adopted. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA REVISING CIVIL SERVICE RULE 5.8.2. 8. For several years the City has attempted to have Caltrans improve the concrete freeway structure and existing landscaping adjacent to the 210 Freeway and Azusa Avenue. The intersection is a major entrance point to the City and beautification of this area would help to improve the City's image. Due to funding limitations, the State will not allow additional effort at this location. A Cooperative Agreement with the State was approved, and its execution authorized, which would allow the City to do the work. The estimate for these improvements is $50,000.00, and a budget transfer was authorized to secure these funds from the Light Fund Reserve Account; to be repaid by the General Fund for future Capital Improvements as they are made available. Staff was further directed to prepare the necessary plans and specifications for construction purposes. 11/07/88 PAGE TWO Civil Svc rule change re: proba- tion for PD employees Res. #8534 appvng change Coop Agmt w/Caltrans fwy beauti- fication Azusa & 210 & Budget transfer 9. Two separate resolutions authorizing payment of warrants by the City were 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. Moved by Councilman Latta, seconded by Mayor Moses and 'unanimously carried by roll call that a letter of appreciation from the Council be forwarded to Assemblyman Richard Mountjoy for his intervention and assistance with the City and Caltrans in expediting the Cooperative Agreement with the State for the freeway beautification at the 210 Freeway and Azusa Avenue. THE CITY COUNCIL CONVENED JOINTLY WITH THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AT 7:40 P.M. CONTINUED JOINT PUBLIC HEARING - on the proposed sale of certain real property in the Central Business District Redevelopment Project Area to Pacific Union Asset Management, for the rehabilitation and disposition of approximately twelve (12) condominium units within the project known as the Rainbow Angling Club Condominiums. Real property includes: Units 9, 22, 25, 29, 30, 32, 39, 40, 45, 46, 51 and 54 Lakeview Terrace. The Mayor/Chairman declared the Hearing re -opened. Res. #'s 8535, 8536 Warrants Ltr of thanks to Mountjoy Cncl & CRA convnd jntly Cont Pub Hrg Pacific Union Asset Hrg reopene6 The Mayor/Chairman made a motion prior to receiving any Motion to 'input on this hearing with regard to contacting prior owners contact prior of these condominiums, and ascertaining if they would be owners to interested in repurchasing them. purch units City Attorney/General Counsel apprised that such a motion would be proper, however, testimony should be received first. He further apprised that there were many issues that would be explained by staff and that one problem was that most banks were not amenable to lending money on individual units being sold where the majority of the units were owned by one company, and that company rented out the units. It was, further, determined that none of the banks or savings and loan companies would lend money on that basis. Motion was deferred to such time, after all testimony had been heard. Redevelopment Manager Steel addressed this item stating that the proposed agreement with Pacific Union Properties was for the purchase of the units that were foreclosed and now owned by the Agency. PUP owns 44 of the units and has converted them into rental property. The Agency put these condominiums on the open real estate market, but received minimal interest, due to the state of disrepair of the condominiums as well as the fact that PUP owned the bulk of the homes and that they were rental properties. Consequently, the Agency contacted PUP, and after appraisal had negotiated the sale of the units, as a package, at a cost of $1.2 million. The Agency, however, must bear the full cost to rehabilitate the interior of the units, at approximately $25,370 per unit. This amount will be deducted from the sales price through escrow. The rehabilitation of the common areas and exterior will be done through the Homeowners' Association, with the Agency paying a pro -rata share. 11/08/88 PAGE THREE Testimony to be recd prior to motion Testimony Red. Mngr 1 1 General discussion ensued regarding contacting previous Gen'l disc. owners who had once paid in excess of $185,000.00 for the units, and would probably like to repurchase now for $100.000.00; if they did repurchase would their cost to rehabilitate the units be more than our quoted costs, etc. Redevelopment Manager advised that if previous owners repurchased they would not only have to rehabilitate the interiors, but be assessed by the Homeowners' Association for exterior and common area improvements for approximately $22,000.00. He stated that when they vacated their units, all of the appliances, and, literally, everything that was not tied down was taken and some instances damages made to walls, etc. Therefore, interior improvements were many and costly. Councilwoman/Director Avila stated that she would second the Avila 2nd motion made by the Mayor/Chairman to contact the previous Moses' motion owners on the grounds of good faith and public relations. Further discussion ensued as to length of time to give the Gen'l disc. previous owners to respond as to whether or not they would want to purchase the units, and cost of the units. Notices can be sent to the attorney representing them. City Attorney/General Counsel apprised the Council that the problem of financing the units isn't that it would be one unit out of 56 that is being financed; �he problem is that there is one owner for 44 units and !:hat one owner is renting out the units. The bank's concern is the loaning of money to a one fee ownership within essentially an apartment complex. The financing is a major stumbling block for anyone wanting to purchase the units. Further, the Agency has a contractual obligation under the Bond Act to comply with certain procedures set out in the Bond Act, and that is that the units be sold at a fair market value following the foreclosure sales. There is very little room for the Agency to alter any of the provisions as to what is in the agreement with Pacific Union Properties. Mrs. Gayle Avakian addressed this item stating that what has been heard this evening is a stacked deck, saying all the terrible things that the previous owners had torn their units apart. She felt that the home owners should have a chance to get their money back. The firm of Burke, Williams and Sorensen were involved when this project was approved; the builder of this project has been involved in four other projects where he went bankrupt; the Homeowners' Association was removed from them; that inspections were approved and that this was a rotten situation and that the City/Agency robbed those people and they should have a chance to get their money back; further that if we have no compassion or responsibility, only power, what kind of a government are we? City Attorney/General Counsel advised Mrs. Avakian that his firm was not counsel to the Agency at the time this project was approved or when the bond issue was proposed. The Homeowners did have a law suit pending against the City and 'the Agency, the servicers of the bonds and the developers, and they have chosen not to pursue that. Comments Cty Atty Comments G. Avakian Response Cty Atty Mr. Art Morales addressed this item and stated that the Comments public should be reminded that the majority of this Council A. Morales were not here when this project was approved. There being no further testimony, it was moved by Hrg closed Councilman/Director Stemrich, seconded by Councilman/Director Latta and unanimously carried by roll call to close the hearing. 11/07/88 PAGE FOUR There was a motion and second pending which was amended as follows: Moved by Mayor/Chairman Moses, seconded by Councilwoman/Director Avila and unanimously carried by roll call to refer this matter to staff to work out the proper wording and details and that the previous owners be contacted and given 30 days time in which to respond whether or not they wished to repurchase their units. Appvl on motion as amended THE CITY COUNCIL RECESSED AND THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY Cncl recessed CONTINUED AT 8:07 P.M. CRA cont. THE CITY COUNCIL DID NOT CONVENE AS THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AS NO BUSINESS WAS NECESSARY TO BE TRANSACTED. THE CITY COUNCIL RECONVENED AT 8:22 P.M. ORDINANCES/SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS Councilman Latta offered an Ordinance entitled: No bus IDA Reconvened Ord., pec.Res AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA Ord. #2382 MERGING THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT REDEVELOPMENT PLAN AND merging CBD THE WEST END REDEVELOPMENT PLAN, BOTH OF WHICH ARE PLANS OF & West End THE AZUSA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY. projects Moved by Councilman Latta, seconded by Councilman Naranjo to waive further reading and adopt. Ordinance passed and adopted by the following vote of the Council: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA, STEMRICH, NARANJO, LATTA, MOSES NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE Prior to taking action on proposed Ordinance regarding zone Ord re: change for property located at 702 West Gladstone Street zone change from M1 to Ria the Council had some questions for the discussion Community Development Director. Mr. Bruckner addressed the Council and discussion ensued Comments regarding which zoning was more profitable, M1 or R3a, of Comm Dev which consensus was R3a; if any new developments were going Dir. into the area, of which there were none. The reason for the zone change was to make that area consistent with the General Plan. There is a mobile home park on one side and some single family residences on the other side. Question arose about the amortization period of 20 years for the automotive repair business and method that this would be acted upon in the future. Mr. Bruckner advised that there would be a memo to the file under this address and it would be taken care of. Discussion held regarding the well near the automotive repair business and existing noise which also needed to be taken care of. Further conversation was held regarding the possibility of zoning the property single family residential rather than multi -family residential. It was then moved by Mayor Moses, seconded by Councilman Cont to Latta and unanimously carried by roll call to table this 11/21 mtg item for two weeks in order that Councilmembers could view the site to make a proper determination regarding zoning. Councilman Naranjo offered an Ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA Ord. # 2383 APPROVING A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF AZUSA appvng DDA AND COASTFED PROPERTIES, A CALIFORNIA GENERAL PARTNERSHIP. w/CoastFed 11/07/88 PAGE FIVE Moved by Councilman Naranjo, seconded by Councilwoman Avila Further rdg and carried by roll call to waive further reading. waived Councilman Stemrich abstaining. Moved by Councilman Naranjo, seconded by Councilwoman Avila Ordinance to adopt the Ordinance. Ordinance passed and adopted by the adopted following vote, to wit: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA, NARANJO, LATTA NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: MOSES ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: STEMRICH ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE Councilman Naranjo offered an Ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA Ord. #2384 APPROVING A ZONE CHANGE FROM CBD (CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT) appvng Z-88-4 TO R3c (MULTIPLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) TO COASTFED PROPERTIES CoastFed FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF FOOTHILL BOULEVARD AND SAN GABRIEL AVENUE (CASE NO. Z-88-4). Moved by Councilman Naranjo, seconded by Councilwoman Avila Further rdg and carried by roll call to waive further reading. waived Councilman Stemrich abstaining. Moved by Councilman Naranjo, seconded by Councilwoman Avila Ordinance to adopt the Ordinance. ordinance passed and adopted by the adopted following vote, to wit: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA, NARANJO, LATTA MOSES STEMRICH NONE Councilman Stemrich offered a resolution entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA Res. #85: DENYING THE PUBLIC NUISANCE APPEAL OF RONALD HRITZ AND denying pi.0 AFFIRMING THE FINDING OF A PUBLIC NUISANCE AND ORDER TO nuis app': ABATE THE NUISANCE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 850 WEST FOOTHILL R. Hritz BOULEVARD (CASE NO. 88-421). Moved by Councilman Stemrich, seconded by Councilman Naranjo to waive further reading and adopt. Resolution passed and adopted by the following vote, to wit: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: AVILA, STEMRICH, NARANJO, LATTA NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSTAIN: COUNCILMEMBERS: MOSES ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE SCHEDULED ITEMS PUBLIC NUISANCE APPEAL - of Antonio and Olga Alvarez for property declared a nuisance at 515 N. Azusa Avenue. The property owners illegally converted four commercial offices into residential apartments in violation of the central business district zoning requirements. The property has not been maintained and is over crowded. Applicant, Mr. Alvarez, addressed the Council requesting that the appeal be rescheduled, as his father had passed away and he would have to go to Argentina and would not be back until January 16th, 1989. Thus, the continuance would be for 3 months or the first meeting in February. The Mayor asked the City Attorney what our options were and was advised that Council could either grant the continuance, as requested, or hear the matter this evening. Mr. Alvarez stated that he was not fully prepared to do so this evening. 11/07/88 PAGE SIX Sched. Items Pub Nuis Appl Alvarez 515 N. Azusa Applicant req. 90 day continuance Code Enforcement Officer Rudisel then addressed the Council and was given the oath by the City Clerk prior to giving his testimony regarding this appeal. He then stated that Mr. Alvarez converted the commercial units to apartments almost immediately after they were built. What prompted the investigation was a narcotics raid at the location as well as numerous complaints received by the Police Department. The CBD zone prohibits apartments on the ground floor, irrespective that they were converted illegally. He felt 'that a 90 day continuance on this matter was not warranted and recommended denial of the appeal. Mr. Art Morales addressed this item stating that this particular condition has existed for too long. It is an intolerable and unbelievable situation, and the neighbors have suffered much abuse because of it. He did not feel that there should be an extension, because the property owner had ample time to take care of the problem. He felt sorry for Mr. Alvarez that he could not make any money by keeping the building commercial, but apartments there are against the law. Mr. Alvarez again addressed the Council stating that he has complied with all conditions except for the conversion of the apartment units. He did not want to go into any further details, as he did not have the necessary paperwork to do so and requested continuance. The Mayor replied that he would be willing to continue the matter for 30 days, but not 90 days. Testimony Code Enf Off Comments A. Morales Testimony A. Alvarez It was then moved by Councilman Stemrich, seconded by Appl to je Councilmann Naranjo and unanimously carried by roll call that heard tonite the heaing be held and heard this evening. 'Mr. Alvarez then stated that nine years ago he converted the Testimony building and he hired a contractor to do the work, but the A. Alvarez contractor did not get building permits to do so. Therefore, he had been operating that building thinking that he was within the law and now he found out that it was illegal. He further stated that the problem is not his building, but the bars surrounding it. Discussion with Council ensued regarding yard space and Gen'l disc. parking problems. Mr. Alvarez stated that the people congregating in front of his building are not his tenants. He was also told that his apartments have an "open door" policy for people from the bars to enter and visit. City Attorney advised that the Code prohibits apartments on Comments the ground floor within that zone, and that the other units Cty Atty in -that area that have apartments are allowed because they were built prior to the zone being changed. Code Enforcement Officer stated that the zone was changed in Comments 1964 and that the other apartment owners have an Code Enf Off amortization period. Mr. Alvarez stated that if they were allowed he should also Comments be allowed to have residential units. A. Alvarez 'Councilwoman Avila interjected that directly across the Comments street from Mr. Alvarez' property was a do-it-yourself car Avila wash and single family residences, no apartments were across the street from his building. City Attorney advised that the case in point tonight was the Comments illegal conversion of a commercial building to residential Cty Atty apartments, not the other apartments in the vicinity. 11/07/88 PAGE SEVEN Mr. Alvarez stated that there is no potential for commercial Comments use in the area and if he could not maintain apartments, A. Alvarez then he would have to board up the units and there would be more potential for vagrants and narcotic users to vandalize the building. Mr. Rudisel addressed the Council and responded to questions from Council regarding the apartment units. He stated that they were a little more than 400 square feet in area; the units have 3 king size beds in them and are occupied by 6 or 8 people. There are rest room facilities and showers. There is a sun deck which is used for laundry purposes. They are, generally, dirty inside and the outside is always littered. General rental is $350.00 to $375.00 per month. He further stated that the apartments upstairs are, also, too small and the parking requirements are not in confor- mance with the Code. He advised that since the first of the year, the Police have had over 600 complaint calls for the 500 block of Azusa Avenue. Police Captain Broderick was requested to report on the number of complaint calls received. He was given the oath by the City Clerk prior to responding. He stated that particular RD, (Reporting District) is one of the highest if not the highest in the entire City. He could not specifically state that it was all due to that particular apartment complex, however, the entire block with all the bars and apartments account for many calls for police service. Criminal activity in the area occurs at night. He, further stated that there is a lot of pedestrian traffic from the bars to those particular apartments. Comments Code Enf Off Comments Pol Captain Mr. Alvarez addressed the matter and advised that only one Commeni-4 apartment has three beds. He rented it to a couple with a A. Alvarez child, and then other people moved in. The other apartments have one person only. The bars are causing all of the problems. City Attorney, again, apprised Council that the only issue Comments before the Council tonight is that the Zoning Code does not Cty Atty allow ground floor apartments in that area. Mr. Ronald Legault addressed this item stating that the Comments alleys are always congested with vehicles parked there. R. Legault The litter problem, especially, beer bottles strewn throughout the street, is deplorable. He was in favor of denying the appeal. Mrs. Wanda House addressed this item stating that when people purchase commercial properties they, generally, have some idea what they are going to use the property for. She wondered what Mr. Alvarez' intention was when he purchased the property, and why he changed it to residential without permission. More discussion with Mr. Alvarez and the Council ensued. There being no further testimony, it was moved by Councilman Naranjo, seconded by Councilman Stemrich and unanimously 'carried by roll call that the appeal be denied and that the order of abatement issued October 18th be confirmed, and the City Attorney be directed to prepare the necessary document. Further, that the City Attorney be authorized to proceed with a civil suit to obtain a permanent injunction against the owners should the owners fail to comply with the abatement order, and charge all costs to the owners. Comments W. House Appeal denied City Administrator apprised Council that agenda item Az Land Re - dealing with presentation by Azusa Land Reclamation for clamation expanding their operations was requested to be postponed cont to 12/5 until the first meeting in December. mtg 11/07/88 PAGE EIGHT Mr. Richard Boyle addressed the Council stating that he was Moved by Councilman Stemrich, seconded by Councilman Latta Prclo for Demo nominee and unanimously carried by roll call that a proclamation be VFW - Voice Mountjoy, which stated that Willie Brown is running his prepared for the Veterans of Foreign Wars in honor of Voice of Democracy Their of Democracy Week. Week untrue. He asked that the Council disavow this letter SPECIAL CALL ITEMS Spec Call frm Duarte NONE None ' PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Pub.Prtc. Mountjoy Mrs. Carol Montano, representative from the Committee to C. Montano Al Soper addressed the Council and requested an update on Save the Foothills, addressed Council regarding the Azusa Concerns re: info re: Rock issue. The committee was concerned with Council's Azusa Rock Assistant Director of Public Works/Engineering De Loach reversal of their October 3rd decision to hire consultants quarry prmit & response to evaluate the Azusa Rock quarry operations. The decision by Asst.Dir The signal at 9th and Azusa is in the conceptual stages and of Council at their October 24th meeting to begin that Caltrans has not given their approval as yet. mitigation sessions was a side-step to the real issue, that of revocation of their permit. She advised that she was the representative of the committe and was sitting in on these sessions, and stated that mitigation was not the answer. The health and welfare of the citizens was at issue, as well as the destruction of the mountain. She urged all residents to attend the meeting of November 21st, when this issue would be considered again. Mr. Richard Boyle addressed the Council stating that he was R. Boyle the Democratic nominee for the State Assembly and was here Demo nominee to respond to a letter mailed out by Democrats for Richard fr Assembly Mountjoy, which stated that Willie Brown is running his L. Stahl -Smit (Boyle's) campaign and asked him to move to Sierra Madre to Their run against Richard Mountjoy. He stated these comments are re: funds untrue. He asked that the Council disavow this letter uarte to 'all and this type of mud slinging. frm Duarte Mayor Moses responded that Richard Mountjoy has done a lot Comments for the City of Azusa and that the Council, as a whole, was Moses re: in support of him. He further stated that if he had Mountjoy offended Mr. Boyle in any way he apologized. Al Soper addressed the Council and requested an update on A. Soper the status of the traffic signal at 9th and Azusa Aveanue. info re: signal @ Assistant Director of Public Works/Engineering De Loach Az & 9th responded to Mr. Soper stating that the signal at 9th and & response San Gabriel is in funding process and should start soon. by Asst.Dir The signal at 9th and Azusa is in the conceptual stages and Eng/PW that Caltrans has not given their approval as yet. Council discussed the possibility of the Mayor and a Gen'l disc. Councilperson visiting our legislators and advising them of the problems encountered and asking for their assistance. The Mayor requested that this item be placed on the agenda for the next Council meeting. Mr. Ronald Legault addressed the Council stating that it Comments didn't matter if the person was a Democrat or a Republican, R. Legault 'but what that legislator did for Azusa. Mrs. Linda Stahl -Smith addressed the Coun state that the Committee to Save the Fo receive any funds from the City of Duarte. did work in cooperation with the City of D quarrying at Azusa Rock. She wanted the C them and not look for innuendos. 11/07/88 PAGE NINE cil and wanted to Comments othills did not L. Stahl -Smit Their committee re: funds uarte to stop the frm Duarte ouncil to support Mrs. Gayle Avakian addressed the Council and stated that the Comments behavior of the Council, City Manager and the Planning G. Avakian Director are that they are taking Azusa Rock's side. That re: Azusa the citizens are against the continuation of the quarrying. Rock It should have stopped months ago. She wanted to know why the people who worked for the City did not live here. They are not trying to help the citizens. She further stated that the rock quarrying area is a water shed area and the quarrying should stop. There is no reason for it to continue, unless there is some strange relationship that Azusa Rock has with members of the community that are either employed by the community or elected by the community. She said further that it is sad that the citizens who try to speak up for a just cause are accosted by some Councilmembers. The Rock quarry should be closed down, it is unhealthy. She said there is an attempt going on to fool the citizens; that Azusa Rock has no legal footing, but, somehow they are able to influence the people who should be representing the citizens. Councilman Naranjo responded that the Council does work for Comments the people but that there is also a fiscal responsibility. Naranjo The Council is working with the Committee to Save the Foothills, a representative from that group is involved in the negotiations with Azusa Rock and hopefully the matter can be reconciled. No decisions have been made. Everything will be evaluated. He stated that her statement was untrue regarding the Council not working for the people. The problem is that this is an emotional issue and someone is bound to be unhappy. He stated that the Council is trying to do the best for the interests of all the citizens of the City. City Administrator Fuentes also responded to Mrs. Avakian Comments 'and stated that a Public Hearing on this issue will be held Cty Admin on the 21st of November. The Council has three options to consider: mitigation, revocation or do nothing. Staff was directed to review and compile information relative to mitigation and that is one option that will be considered. The comment that was made that the Council and he were siding with Azusa Rock was slanderous, to say the least. It is a total fabrication of the truth and he demanded that Mrs. Avakian apologize for her statement, as staff and Council were trying to reach a solution to the problem, which as Councilman Naranjo stated is an emotional one. Mrs. Liz Kennedy addressed the Council and stated that for Comments her the issue is not emotional. Her problem was the dust, L. Kennedy and that there should be a mountainscape picture showing the people of Azusa what that mountain is going to look like after all the quarrying. There won't be a mountain. She said that all the residents in Crystal Canyon are paying a lot of taxes to get dusted on. She further stated that Code Enforcement is always "getting down" on the little people, yet Azusa Rock has never been cited for any violations of their conditional use permit, of which there have been many. Mr. Art Morales addressed the Council stating that at the Comments time the homes at Crystal Canyon were being built, the A. Morales builder never told prospective residents of the dust problems. Azusa Rock has been there for over 30 years and as far as it contributing to water problems, Azusa has been rated as having the best water in the valley. He felt that the Council was following the democratic process and listening to all sides. He went on to say that he has seen portable traffic lights and wondered why we couldn't use these at 9th and Azusa Avenue until permanent lights could be installed. Mrs. Avakian was requested to leave the podium as the time G. Avakian allotted for public participation had exceeded the 30 minute not allowed rule. to speak 11/07/88 PAGE TEN OTHER BUSINESS/CITY COUNCIL 0th Bus/Cncl Moved by Councilman Stemrich, seconded by Mayor Moses and Quarterly mtg unanimously carried by roll call that quarterly meetings be w/ various scheduled with the Council and the Azusa School Board, comm., School Chamber of Commerce, Planning Commission and Parks and Bd & Chamber Recreation Commission. Staff was directed to finalize dates and times for said meetings. `loved by Councilwoman Avila, seconded by Councilman Ste:,.rich .Rpt on truck and unanimously carried by roll call that staff be directed stop to investigate the possibility of creating a "truck stop" for large trucks, and 18 wheelers, possibly in the freeway zone area. Moved by Councilman Latta, seconded by Mayor I -loses and unanimously carried by roll call that staff be directed to set up guidelines, dates, times and locations for monthly town hall meetings, where citizens could come in and express their feelings to the Council. Different locations in the community were suggested, in order to get away from the "business type" setting of the auditorium. Moved by Councilman Stemrich, seconded by Councilman Latta and unanimously carried to adjourn. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 9:55 A.M. CITY NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 8538 NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 2385 11/07/88 PAGE ELEVEN Monthly Town Hall mtgs Adjourn