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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - January 17, 1995 - CCCITY OF AZUSA MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 17, 1995 - 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 Alexander called the meeting to order, and led in the salute to the Flag. Call to Order INVOCATION was given by Reverend Jose Flores of the Ebenezer Spanish Invocation Assembly. ROLL CALL Roll Call PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: HARDISON, NARANJO, BEEBE, ALEXANDER ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: MADRID Moved by Mayor Alexander, seconded by Councilmember Hardison and Madrid excused unanimously* carried by roll call that Councilmember Cristina Madrid be excused from the Council Meeting. Interim City Attorney Barbosa, City Administrator Garcia, Chief of Police Nelson, Police Captain Broderick, Director of Finance Craig, Community Development Director Bruckner, Utilities Director Hsu, Director of Community Services Guarrera, Superintendent of Public Works Pedroza, City Engineer Abbaszadeh, City Librarian Maghsoudi, Redevelopment Director Cervantes, Economic Development Specialist Hall, City Treasurer Talley, City Clerk Solis, Deputy City Clerk Toscano. The entire Council and audience wished a Happy Birthday to City Clerk, Adolph A. Solis. Also Present Ceremonial Happy Birthday City Clerk Cncl/Staff rpts Councilmember Beebe expressed thanks to the Azusa Unified School District with Beebe regard to the success of a meeting held with them earlier in the day. comments Mayor Alexander announced the arrival of his new daughter born on January 11, Alexander 1995. comments Councilmember Hardison expressed thanks to the Jr. All American Football team for Hardison inviting him to its awards ceremony which he enjoyed thoroughly. He requested that comments he be excused from the meeting of February 6, 1995 and that a scheduled Public Hearing for that meeting regarding Highway 39 be re -scheduled to the following Council Moved by Mayor Alexander, seconded by Councilmember Naranjo and unanimously* Hardison exc carried by roll call that Councilmember Hardison be excused from the meeting of 2/6/95 mtg. February 6, 1995. Moved by Mayor Alexander, seconded by Councilmember Naranjo and unanimously* Motion to con - carried by roll call that the Public Hearing regarding the deletion of Route 39 (Azusa tinue Pub Hrg and San Gabriel Avenues) as State Highway in the City of Azusa, be continued to the to 2/21/95 February 21, 1995 Council Meeting. Mr. Michael Holiday, Chairman of the Planning Commission addressed Council and M. Holiday audience presenting a report highlighting Planning Commission matters that were Planning acted upon during the past year, such as, Ralph Covell, paint ranch, projects, Commission Rpt Bowden, Blewett, Harlan Lee, the Azusa Landfill recycling plant, alcohol over concentration study, and Azusa Rock Annual Review. Mr. Jose Torres, Chairman of the Park and Recreation Commission addressed Council J. Torres and audience introduced members of the Commission and explained the functions of Park & Rec the Commission. He noted completed activities such as the Aquatic Center at Slauson Commission Park, new handicapped accessible playground equipment at Slauson, Northside, Report Pioneer, Zacatecas, and Gladstone Parks. He noted the success of the Haunted House each year, the meal participation for the aged, metrolink shuttle from Covina to Azusa, summer after school programs, clearing of the Sanitation District property adjacent to Zacatecas park, improvements on project for new Transit Site, holiday boutique, Azusa Youth Program, and the new Christmas shopping program just for kids sponsored by BFI. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Pub Part. Mr. Ron Legault addressed Council expressing his opinion that Azusa is not being R. Legault treated fairly in Sacramento and also commented on the conditions on Sierra Madre comments between San Gabriel and Nob Hill. He was advised that the San Gabriel Municipal Water District is conducting the extension of the pipeline in that area. Ms. Terry Hawell, Service Coordinator for the Center for Independent Living T. Hawell addressed Council providing an update of services offered at the facility. She stated Center for that the program is for individuals with disabilities and that they provide assistance Independent with housing, sign up for section 8, information and referrals for equipment, Living employment, aid to negotiate for social security, social services, and deaf service by comments providing interpreters. She advised that the center is looking forward to working closely with the Architectural Barriers Committee and that they are recipients of the CDBG funds. She also provided the following phone numbers to contact the center: 909-621-6722 and 818-967-0995. The CONSENT CALENDAR consisting of Items 1 through 18 was approved by Consent Cal. motion of Councilmember Beebe, seconded by Councilmember Naranjo and appvd, G-11, unanimously* carried by roll call vote, with the exception of item G-11, G-14, G-15, G-14, G-15 & and G-17, which were considered under the Special Call portion of the Agenda. G-17, Spec Call Mayor Alexander recognized employees listed under Human Resource Action Items. 1. The Minutes of the regular meeting of January 3, 1995 and the regular Min appvd adjourned meeting of January 9, 1995 were approved as written. 2. Mobassaly Engineering, Inc., the contractor for Fifth Street Improvements Notice of Comp. completed the project in accordance with the plans and specifications on 5th Street December 14, 1994. During the course of the project additional concrete and Improvements asphalt work was nr_ded. The project was accepted as complete; the extras and Gas tax transfer of $42,127.65 were approved and authorization was given to execute and record the Notice of Completion. 3. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, Res. 95-C4 APPROVING APPROPRIATION AMENDMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR Bdgt trnfrs 1994-95 PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-450 OF THE AZUSA MUNICIPAL CODE. 01/17/95 PAGE TWO 4. Superintendent of Public Works, Louie H. Pedroza was re -appointed as trustee L. Pedroza/appt. for the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito Abatement District for a term of four to SGB Mosquito years. Abatement Dist. 5. Each year the cities in Los Angeles County are allocated funds from S.B. 821, the Transportation Development Act, for bicycle and/or pedestrian facilities. This year's allocation to the City of Azusa is $16,845. The following Resolution was adopted: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA Res. 95-05 APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR BICYCLE AND/OR PEDESTRIAN Application FUNDS UNDER SB 821 AND APPROVING THE ADOPTION OF ITS Bicycle/Ped. BICYCLE AND/OR PEDESTRIAN PLAN, Funds SB821 6. Plans and specifications for furnishing color plotter and digitizers to be used in Plans & specs producing the drawings in conjunction with the recently acquired personal color plotter computers for computer aided drafting, were approved and the City Clerk was & digitizers authorized to advertise for bids. 7. The Light Division requires 10,000 feet of 15-kv copper UD cable for upcoming projects. Due to the upwardly -fluctuating cost of copper, waiving of formal bidding procedures was requested. The following Resolution was adopted: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA WAIVING FORMAL SEALED BIDDING AND AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASING OFFICER TO SOLICIT WRITTEN QUOTES ON A TURN- AROUND BASIS AND TO ACCEPT THE MOST FAVORABLE TO THE CITY. 8. Human Resources Action Items were Approved as follows: EMPLOYEE STEP INCREASE AND PERMANENT STATUS RECOMMENDATIONS: NAME STATUS EFFECTIVE N. Narvaez, Acct Spec 11 Step 4 01/04/95 M. Medina, Sr. Acct Perm/Stat/2 01/06/95 D. Wallace, Psnl Analyst Step 4 12/08/94 M. Torres, St Maint Wkr Perm/Stat 01104/95 M. Parks, Util Cnsv Off NEW APPOINTMENT Step 5 01/08/95 None. PROMOTIONS None. SEPA ATIONS None. REQUESTS LEAVE None. 01/17/95 PAGE THREE Res. 95-C6 Waive formal bidding/ copper cable Human Res. Action items 9. The Public Works Superintendent and Administrative Analyst applied for a "Used Oil Recycling Block Grant" to establish a used oil recycling program in Azusa. This "no match" grant of $13,470.00 will provide a certified collection center in Azusa where residents may dispose of used oil at no cost. This grant is a prerequisite in order to apply for the "Local Government Used Oil Opportunity Grant." Staff has been analyzing the feasibility of applying for the "no match" maximum of $300,000 and concludes that the chances for award are greater by applying under a regional program. Therefore, staff has brought together four neighboring cities (Covina, Irwindale, Duarte and Bradbury to create a regional program with Azusa as the lead agency. Approval was given to staff to pursue the grant application process as the regional leading city and the City Administrator was authorized to draft and execute a letter of intent to enter into the grant program under the regional program. 10. Pursuant to the City of Azusa Rules of the Civil Service System, on January 10, 1995, the Personnel Board reviewed the request from department heads to reclassify various employees to classifications that would more appropriately identify the duties being performed by the incumbents. The following Resolution was adopted: Local Government used oil oppor- tunity Grant Program A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA Res. 95-C7 APPROVING THE CLASSIFICATIONS OF BUILDING TECHNICIAN, approving class/ SENIOR OFFICE SPECIALIST, AND WATER UTILITY MAINTENANCE salary/Bldg Tech, MECHANIC AND SALARY THEREFOR; AND RECLASSIFYING Sr. Ofs Spec./ CERTAIN EMPLOYEES. Wtr Util Maint 11. SPECIAL CALL ITEM. Spec Call 12. The Agreement between the City of Azusa and Platte River Power Authority Enabling Agmt will facilitate any future short-term transactions between the parties. Said City & Platte Agreement will enable Azusa to enter into short-term selling and purchasing of River Power firm and non firm energy, firm capacity, and transmission services to/from Authority Platte River Power Authority, and thereby provide the opportunity for Azusa to utilize its electric power resources more effectively and efficiently. The Agreement was approved and its execution was authorized. Further, the Director of Utilities was authorized to enter into future transactions that arise under the Agreement. 13. The Agreement between the City of Azusa and Enron Power Marketing, Inc. Enabling Agmt will facilitate any future short-term transactions between the parties. Said City & Enron Agreement will enable Azusa to enter into short-term selling and purchasing of Power Marketing firm and non firm energy, and capacity to/from Enron Power Marketing, Inc., Inc. and therefore provide the opportunity for Azusa to utilize its existing electric power resources more effectively and efficiently. The Agreement was approved and its execution was authorized. Further, the Director of Utilities was authorized to enter into future transactions that arise under the Agreement. 14. SPECIAL CALL ITEM. Spec Call 15. SPECIAL CALL ITEM. Spec Call 16. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY CO:.NCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA Res. 95-C8 AUTHORIZING THE CITY ADMINISTRATOR AND THE DIRECTOR OF Revolving Credit FINANCE TO CLOSE THE CITY'S REVOLVING CREDIT ACCOUNTS Accounts/First WITH BANK OF AMERICA AND TO REOPEN THEM WITIi FIRST Interstate of INTERSTATE BANK OF CALIFORNIA. California 17. SPECIAL CALL ITEM. 01/17/95 PAGE FOUR Spec Call 18. Resolution authorizing payment of warrants by the City was adopted and entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA Res. 95-C9 ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AND SPECIFYING THE Warrants FUNDS OUT OF WHICH THE SAME ARE TO BE PAID. SPECIAL CAS Special Call Items Councilmember Beebe addressed item regarding Business Development Agreement Agmt w/Excel with Excel Bindery, welcoming them into the City and congratulating staff for a very Bindery, successful project. It was then moved by Councilmember Beebe, seconded by appvd. Councilmember Naranjo and unanimously* carried by roll call to approve Agreement with Excel Bindery and authorize its execution. Councilmember Hardison addressed item regarding lease -purchase of Utility Pool car, Purchase of requesting that in the future when leasing vehicles local vendors such as Mission Utility Pool Car Chrysler, be considered. It was then moved by Councilmember Hardison, seconded Richard Hibbard by Councilmember Beebe and unanimously* carried by roll call to accept the lease- Chevrolet Co. purchase terms offered by General Motors Acceptance Corporation, through Richard Hibbard Chevrolet Co., Inc., and authorize execution of the necessary paperwork. Councilmember Hardison addressed item regarding acquisition of vacant lot at 335 Purchase 335 East Foothill Boulevard requesting clarification on the item. Finance Director Craig East Foothill responded stating that the lot will be used for City parking and with acquired 50 Boulevard parking spaces the City will be able to apply for a grant for to help pay the cost of improving and maintaining the City Library and other possibilities. Moved by Councilmember Hardison, seconded by Councilmember Beebe and Mayor auth to unanimously* carried by roll call to authorize the Mayor to sign the offer to purchase sign offer to the vacant lot at 335 East Foothill Boulevard for $86,250, plus escrow expenses and purchase/pro- the promissory note. missory note Mayor Alexander addressed item regarding the Final approval of Tract Map No. Final Tract Map 46762, stating that he pulled the item from the Consent Calendar to vote no on it. It No. 46762, was then moved by Councihnember Beebe, seconded by Councilmember Hardison and appvd carried* by roll call to approve Final Map No. 46762 and authorize its recordation. Mayor Alexander dissenting. Item M-2, brought Moved by Mayor Alexander, seconded by Councilmember Hardison and forward unanimously* carried by roll call that item M-2 be brought forward for handling at this time. PUBLIC HEARING - on appeal of Conditional Use Permit No. C-94-9 and Precise Pub Hrg Plan of Design No. P-94-120, by Progressive Buddhist Association on a request to Appeal by Pro - allow expansion of an existing retreat center on the property located at 1830 North gressive Buddhist Azusa and San Gabriel Canyon Road. Association The Mayor declared the Hearing open. The City Clerk road the affidavit Of proof of Ir a;r.n publication of notice of said Hearing published in the Azusa Herald on January 5, 1995, further advising that forty-one letters had been received in support of the expansion and five letters had been received in opposition. 01/17/95 PAGE FIVE Community Development Director Bruckner addressed the issue stating that this is an appeal by the Progressive Buddhist Association, of the Planning Commission decision denying the expansion of the Retreat Center by 9,200 square feet. He advised that the existing home consists of 2000 sq. ft. has a Conditional Use Permit approved in 1986 to operate the retreat in an RA zoned parcel, and that in 1991 additional conditions were imposed limiting gathering of adults on the site to 50, and requiring that all vehicle parking be contained on the property on improved parking lots, due to neighborhood complaints. He stated that the land uses in the area are primarily low density in a rural type atmosphere. He advised that the issue is one of compatibility, due to intense activity that would accompany the expansion of the center. He stated that the Planning Commission had denied the request by the Progressive Buddhist Association to expand the existing retreat center based on the following facts: 1) The expansion of the retreat would be inconsistent with the objectives of the Azusa General Plan for Rural Residential uses. 2) Increased traffic levels could create safety problems on the narrow street serving the property. 3) The level of construction is not compatible with the lower intensity of development which occurs on most other rural properties in the area. and 4) The amount of traffic which could arrive at or depart from the proposed multi-purpose hall at any one time could create serious congestion along the only road serving the site. Com Dev Dir comments Discussion was held between Councilmembers and staff regarding violations of the Discussion existing Conditional Use Permit, parking spaces required, land use, and the impact on the waterway. Mr. Tin Htoon, representative of the Progressive Buddhist Association, addressed the T. Htoon hearing presented charts and a written appeal relating to the expansion of the temple. comments He addressed the findings of the Planning Commission stating reasons why he disagreed with them, he advised that the expansion would not necessarily mean that more people would be attending the temple, it would be used mainly for meditation, that gatherings would be limited to once a month, that they are being deprived from the freedom of practicing their religion and also to utilize their property as they wish. Discussion was held between Councilmember Naranjo and Mr. Htoon regarding Discussion conditions imposed in 1986 and 1989 relating to installing a paved area and limiting T. Htoon & groups of persons to 50. Mr. Htoon advised that the consecration ceremony held at Naranjo the temple, which drew neighbor complaints due to numerous amount of people attending, was a once in a lifetime event and that due to a series of unfortunate events, the temple was going to close, so the parking area was never installed. Discussion was held between Councilmember Beebe and Mr. Htoon regarding the Discussion mechanics that will be utilized to construct the expansion such as grading plans, how Htoon & equipment will be get to the location of construction, the impact on the water channel, Beebe the impact on the land use in the area, a proposed retaining wall, cost of the entire project and the future marketability of the property for possible sale. Additional discussion was held between Councilmembers and Mr. Htoon regarding setbacks from the water channel, zoning requirements, possible consideration of alternatives, such as adding on to the existing dwelling, future sale of the property and time frame for construction of the parking lot. Testimony was received in favor of the expansion from the following persons: Steven Testimony Ramirez, Denise Reedy, Suvi Nelson, and Henry Nelson. Mr. Ron Legault expressed received in his concerns regarding the expansion, but announced that he is neut-al. Testimony favor/oppose was received in opposition of the expansion from the following persons: Tony Ksrckhoff, of the Committee of Nine, Peter Bromley, Harry Stemrich, Karen Tveita, Heidi Severen, Ivan Mull, Jackie Foley, Dave Castaneda, and Darren Hashom. 01/17/05 PAGE SIX Mr. Htoon re -addressed the Hearing advising that the devotees do not utilize street T. Htoon parking all the time as testified to by persons opposing the expansion. He advised that re -addressed many things said were not true and requested that Councilmembers read the written appeal that he submitted, before making a final decision. Moved by Councilmember Beebe, seconded by Councilmember Hardison and Hrg clsd. unanimously carried by roll call to close the Hearing. Moved by Councilmember Beebe, seconded by Councilmember Hardison and unanimously carried by roll call to deny the appeal and uphold the denial of Conditional Use Permit No. C-94-9 and Precise Plan of Design No. P-94-120, as found by the Planning Commission. Further, to direct staff to review existing CUP; meet with the applicant in order for them to come into compliance, submit to Planning Commission for review or possible modification, with six month reviews. THE CITY COUNCIL RECESSED AND THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CONVENED AT 10:31 P.M. THE CITY COUNCIL RECONVENED AT 11:08 P.M. Appeal denied/ staff to review existing CUP Convene as CRA Reconvened THE CITY COUNCIL DID NOT CONVENE AS THE MMU_ STRIAi IDA No Bus DEVELOP NT AUTHORITY AS NO BUSINESS WAS NECESSARY TO BE TRANSACTED. THE CITY COUNCIL DID NOT CONVENE AS THE AZUSA PUBLIC APFA No Bus FINANCEXG. AUTHORITY AS NO BUSINESS WAS NECESSARY TO BE TRANSACTED. ORDINANCESISPECIAL RESOLITTIONS Ord/Spec Resos None. None. Sched Items CONTINUED PUBLIC If HEARINf - on proposed Statement of Community Cont Pub Hrg Development Objectives and Projected Use of Funds. CDBG The City has been allocated approximately $616,646 in Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for the 21st Year Program (1995-96 fiscal year). Approximately $373,561 is available for programming into new projects. Moved by Mayor Alexander, seconded by Councilmember Hardison to continue the Motion to matter to the meeting of February 6, 1995. Motion failed, Councilmembers Naranjo continue and Beebe dissenting. (failed) Moved by Councilmember Beebe, seconded by Councilmember Naranjo to accept existing items as submitted with amendments for setting aside funds of $30,000 for youth programs. Motion failed, Mayor Alexander and Councilmember Hardison dissenting. Moved by Councilmember Beebe, seconded by Mayor Alexander and unanimously* carried by roll call to continue the Public Hearing to the meeting of February 6, 1995. None. Motion to approve (failed) Continued to 2/6/95 mtg. Oth Bus/Cncl None. THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CONVENED Cncl/CRA JOINTLY TO RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION AT 11:16 P.M. convene jointly 01/17/95 PAGE SEVEN Moved by Councilmember/Director Beebe, seconded by Mayor/Chairman Alexander Closed Session and unanimously carried by roll call to recess to Closed Session to discuss the following: Real Property Negotiations (Gov. Code Sec. 54956.8), AZ -BP Associates, Limited, c/o Alan Radford Company, 237 South Azusa Avenue, Azusa. IPersonnel matter (Gov. Code Sec. 64957) TIME OF RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION: 11:17 P.M. Recess THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY RECONVENED Reconvened AT 12:07 A.M. Moved by Councilmember/Director Beebe, seconded by Councilmember/Director AZ -BP Associates Naranjo and unanimously* carried by roll call that action on matter relating to Real Limited/appvd Property Negotiation item, AZ -BP Associates, Limited, c/o Alan Radford Company, be approved as outlined in the staff report. Moved by Councilmember/Director Beebe, seconded by Councilmember/Director Personnel matter Hardison and unanimously* carried by roll call to continue personnel matter to the cont 2/6/95 meeting of February 6, 1995. Moved by Councilmember/Director Beebe, seconded by Mayor/Chairman Alexander Adjourn and unanimously* carried by roll call to adjourn. ITIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 12:09 A.M. NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 95-C10. NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 95-01. * Indicates Councilmember/Director Madrid absent. 01/17/95 PAGE EIGHT