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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - October 15, 2001 - CC' CITY OF AZUSA MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2001 - 7:30 P.M. The City Council of the City of Azusa met in regular session at the above date and time in the Azusa Auditorium. Mayor Madrid called the meeting to order and led in the Salute to the Flag. INVOCATION was given by Reverend Angel De Rosas of the First Filipino Presbyterian Church ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS ALSO PRESENT: HARDISON, STANFORD, ROCHA, MADRID CHAGNON City Attorney Carvalho, City Manager Cole, Assistant City Manager Person, Chief of Police -Davis, Community Development Director Bruckner, Assistant Community Development Director Onaga, Planning Secretary Rocha, Downtown Project Manager Paz, Transportation Manager Mackay, Public Information Officer Quiroz, Associate Director Recreation and Parks Jacobs, Treasurer Macias, Deputy City Clerk Toscano, City Clerk Mendoza. Call to Order Invocation Roll Call Also Present It was consensus of Councilmembers that Mayor Pro -Tem Chagnon be excused from the Chagnon exc meeting. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION Pub Part Ms. Bonnie Jimenez of Assemblyman Edward Chavez's office presented a proclamation to the B. Jimenez City Light and Water Department, in recognition of energy conservation. Ed Chavez Ofs Mr. Bill Baca, Field Representative of Senator Gloria Romero's office, addressed Council B. Baca introducing himself to Council and audience. G. Romero Ofs Mr. Bill Driever, representative of the Arrow Pines Mobile Home Park, addressed Council to B. Driever thank all who aided him and mobilehome park residents through hearings held regarding a rent comments dispute with park owners and possible rent increase. A special thanks went to Community Improvement Manager Rudisel, who helped the park owners with many issues. He advised that the landlord/owner asked for a rent increase of $1 13 per month, but were awarded $20.24, per month, per space. r. Mark Ades, Co -Chair of Los Angeles County Human Relations Mutual Assistance M. Ades VZonsortium, addressed Council and announced there will be an Issues Forum, "Our National comments risis, Communities Responding to Hate", on November 3, 2001, and invited all to attend. Ms. Peggy Martinez, representing the Committee for Yes on Measure L, addressed Council and P. Martinez audience and invited all to participate in a rally to support a new Library, on Saturday, October comments 20, 2001 , at 9 a.m. All will meet at the VFW Hall at 231 East First Street and march up Azusa Avenue to City Hall. Mr. Art Morales addressed Council regarding the Blue Line, suggesting that a sky train be A. Morales considered. He expressed his opinion on how he thought results of measures that adopted comments at the March 6`" election have negatively affected low income families people, and people on a fixed income. He advised that this may happen if a new Library is built. REPORTS. UPDATES COUNCIL BUSINESS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS -STAFF Updates/Rpts Item regarding - Councilmember Rocha - Presentation of $100 sponsorship to Azusa High Scholarship AH School Wrestling Boosters, was postponed to the November 5, 2001, Council meeting. Wrestling -1 1/5 Mr. Paul Taylor of Kaku and Associates provided a presentation of the Light Rail Blue line, Phase 11. Summary: Construction has begun on 13.7 miles of light rail from Los Angeles to Pasadena, adding to the county's 40 -mile light rail network. Phase 11 of that "Blue Line" (another 24 miles) is proposed but not funded. Past planning on Phase 11 needs to be updated to qualify for federal funding assistance, required to enable light rail to proceed east of Pasadena. The Metro Blue Line Construction Authority and the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments are partners in pursuing federal, state and local funds. Light rail will have land use and environmental benefits; it will also have noise and traffic impacts on cities it serves. Foothill cities between Pasadena and Claremont are encouraged to lead public outreach efforts and decisions on locating light rail stations. Federally -required planning is underway. If Congress approves funding in 2002, construction could begin as early as 2004; construction would take at least 4 years, subject to funding availability. City Manager Cole expressed congratulations to the Azusa Golden Days Committee on the huge success of the celebration this year. He announced there will be a community meeting on October 24, 2001, 7-8:30 p.m. to discuss activities that are taking place in the area north of Sierra Madre, such as, development of new homes, bike trail, potential Forest Gateway. On October 27`h there will be a Citizens Congress workshop on the future of Monrovia Nursery. On October 16, 2001, Captain Karen Pihlak of the Azusa Police Department will be receiving the John Anson Ford Award, for her individual commitment for eradicating hate crimes, and for the leadership she's given to the Azusa Police Department. P. Taylor Presentation Light Rail Blue Line Phase II City Mgr comments Items of subsequent need arose regarding resolutions to apply for grants for proposition 12, Items of sub - park money and application for LA County Regional Park Discretionary funds. Moved by sequent need. Councilmember Stanford, seconded by Councilmember Rocha and unanimously carried to Two resos agendize the items as consent calendar items H and 1 respectively. grants Councilmember Stanford noted several different functions where the American Flag is Flown Stanford and reminded all of its significance. comments Councilmember Rocha invited all who wished to help with the monthly tree planting event, to Rocha meet on Saturday, November 3`d, at 8 a.m. , at the Slauson Park parking lot and thanked the comments Golden Days Committee for the beautiful event. He wished prayers and positive thoughts to Carmen Pedroza and her family as she will be undergoing surgery in the near future. He quoted Reverend Angel De Rosas, "not to mistake power for justice", and stated that that is something he lives by. He announced the 4`h Annual Food Drive in conjunction with the AUSD from November 5`h through December 21" . He thanked Jodi Hardison for being one of the drivers to pick up and delivery food and asked that interested volunteers call City Clerk's Office for more information. Councilmember Hardison also announced the importance of the Annual Food Drive and Hardison congratulated all who volunteered for the Golden Days events this year; inviting all to get comments involved. Mayor Madrid expressed her congratulations to the success of the Golden Days events this year and thanked all who volunteered. SCHEDULED ITEMS PUBLIC HEARING - on an appeal by Vincent Margolis, on C-2001, Praise Chapel, 521 N. Azusa Avenue, Azusa. On a request for Conditional Use Permit to allow a church use in an existing commercial building within the C-2 (Restricted Commercial) zone. The Mayor declared the Hearing open. City Clerk read the affidavit of proof of publication of notice of said hearing published in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune on October 5, 2001. Assistant Community Development Director Onaga addressed the issue stating that this is a request to allow a church in the downtown area which the Planning Commission denied. He stated that most properties in the downtown area are zoned CBD (Central Business District), but that property is zoned C-2 and churches are allowed there with a Conditional Use Permit. He stated that the applicants moved in without applying for a CUP; when they did, Planning Commission denied it and the applicant is now appealing the decision to the City Council. 10/15/01 PAGE TWO Madrid comments Sched Items Pub Hrg Praise Chapel CUP Hrg open Asst Com Dev Dir Onaga comments Planning Commission used certain criteria for findings of facts and one was that the size and shape of the property is not adequacy for the proposed use. They found it was too small and that it may have adverse impacts on the surrounding area. At the Planning Commission meeting testimony was received for and against. Several people spoke in favor and talked about the activities that take place in the church, but Planning Commission had to focus on the impacts of the land use at this particular location. Comment against focused on the negative impacts of the land use not the work of the church. Azusa Downtown Business Association, noted the incompatible use in the downtown area. Based on Planning Commissions findings, staff recommended denial of the request. Pastor Vince Margolis of Praise Chapel, addressed the Hearing stating that there was a church 'in the building next door when he moved in there and was told that it was under a grandfather clause; he didn't know there was a need for a Conditional Use Permit. He detailed why and how he came to move into the building and talked about how the building was in the past and how they have improved it as well as the area by placing the church at that location. He asked that Council consider a temporary CUP, which will give them time to generate more revenue and move to a bigger and better place within a minimum of three years. He advised that since they have been there they have created foot traffic and revenue for the downtown area. Church service is on Wednesday evening, Friday evening and on Sunday, and there is appropriate parking as businesses are closed at that time and Ebenezer Church, across the street, has offered their parking lot in the event of an overflow. Onaga comments continued V. Margolis comments Pastor Margolis responded to questions posed by Councilmembers regarding previous V. Margolis locations of church services, type of congregation, and parking. response The following persons spoke in favor of the appeal by Vincent Margolis, on C-2001, Praise Person in favor Chapel, 521 N. Azusa Avenue, Azusa, and a request for Conditional Use Permit to allow a of CUP/Praise church use in an existing commercial building within the C-2 (Restricted Commercial) zone. Chapel Pastor Phil Hernandez, Pastor Raymond Figueroa, Ernest Arriola, Richard O'Donnell, Frank Testimony Hernandez, Steve Santos, Art Morales, Joe Rojas, Pastor Dale Nelson, and Pastor Rick MacDonald. Mrs. Carol Montano and Ms. Peggy Martinez addressed the issue stating that they are not C. Montano against the church and its practices, but, against the location of the church. & P. Martinez Discussion was held regarding possible mediation between both parties, Pastor Margolis, and Discussion Ms. Peggy Martinez. City Manager Cole advised that there is a need to find a better place mediation for the church within the City and City Attorney Carvalho advised that she would like to explore the Religious Freedom Land Use Act. It was consensus of Councilmembers* to continue Public Hearing to the meetingof December PH Continued 3, 2001, in order to look into the possibility of mediation and/or other avenues of resolution. 12/3/01 PUBLIC HEARING - to consider valid requests with regard to the use of approximately Pub Hrg $55,161 from the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) for Fiscal Year 2001-02. LLEBG The Mayor declared the Hearing open. City Clerk read the affidavit of proof of publication of Hrg open notice of said hearing published in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune on October 5, 2001. Chief of Police Davis addressed the Hearing stating that year the funds for the Local Law COP comments Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) are $55,161, including 10% City match, and these fund have very strict standards and are to be used only to supplement what the city budget allows. The expenditures recommended are as follows: $10,000 for Detective Bureau Special Detail Overtime, $13,161 for Vehicle Retrofits, $8,600 for SWAT equipment upgrades, $16,400 to purchase Undercover vehicle, and $7,000 for Community policing meetings. 'Mr. Art Morales addressed the hearing suggesting that the police department think about the A. Morales need for part-time Spanish speaking interpreters, that Chief Davis get involved with the Soap comments Box Derby, and consider free swim program. Moved by Councilmember Rocha, seconded by Mayor Madrid and unanimously* carried to Hrg Clsd close the Public Hearing. Moved by Councilmember Stanford, seconded by Councilmember Hardison and unanimously* Amend 2001 - carried to amend the 2001-02 City budget to include appropriations of funds to be received 2002 budget to from the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) program, and approve proposed include LLEBG expenditure plan and purchases. and expenditures 10/15/01 PAGE THREE Capital Improvement Protects Budget FY 2002-2006. Staff has prepared the Five Year Capital Capital Improvements Project Budget for FY2002-2006 for Council review and adoption. Moved by Improvement Councilmember Stanford, seconded by Councilmember Hardison and unanimously carried to Projects 02-06 approved the CIP budget as presented. It was consensus of Councilmembers that the Work Plan for 2002, 1" Quarter Update, be Work Plan continued to November in order to hold a workshop regarding the work plan. Mayor Madrid continued to stated that she would like to add bus stop renovations to the plan. November The CONSENT CALENDAR consisting of Items V-A through V-1, were approved by motion of Consent Cal. Councilmember Rocha, seconded by Mayor Madrid and unanimously carried. V-A - V-1. A. The minutes of the regular meeting of October 1, 2001, were approved as written. Min approved B. Bid opening was held in the Office of the City Clerk on October 9, 2001 for City -Wide Concrete Imp. Concrete Improvements Project; eleven bids were received. The contract was awarded Perry Maness to Perry Maness Industry, Inc., low bidder, in the amount of $142,406.00. Industry, Inc. C. City Manager Cole and Director of Utilities Hsu were authorized to enter into an Agmt Valencia, agreement with Valencia, Perez and Echeveste (VPE), Public Relations to retain VPE on Perez & behalf of both Azusa Light and Water and the Redevelopment Agency to assist in Echeveste, Pub implementing marketing/communications program, with continuing emphasis on the Relations "Azusa Advantage" for business investment and home ownership. Consultants D. The City Treasurer's Report as of July, 2001, was received and filed. City Treas Rpt E. Human Resources Action Items were approved as follows: Hum Res Action Merit Increase and/or regular appointments: S. Willison, L. Wofford, and T. Avila. Items New Appointments: D. Tremblay, Police Officer and G. Footdale, Police Administrative Service Manager. Separations: P. Olivarez, Facilities Maintenance Worker III, effective 8/23/01. D. Aszman, Meter Reader, effective 10/25/01. F. Authorization was given to the Transportation Division to piggyback off a City of Irvine Purchase CNG bid for the purchase of a 20 -passenger compressed natural gas paratransit bus Paratransit bus manufactured by Goshen Coach and serviced by AZ Bus Sales. They have applied for and received a grant offered by the Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee (MSRC) Subvention Fund Match Program. G. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA ALLOWING CERTAIN Res. 01-C117 CLAIMS AND DEMANDS AND SPECIFYING THE FUNDS OUT OF WHICH THE SAME ARE Warrants TO BE PAID. H. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, APPROVING THE Res. 01-C1 18 APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM PROPOSITION 12, URBAN FORESTRY GRANT Prop 12 Grant PROGRAM. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA APPROVING THE APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS FROM THE LOSANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL PARK AND OPEN SPACE DISTRICT SAN GABRIEL RIVER DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAM FOR LANDSCAPING THE PERIMETER OF THE SAN GABRIEL SPREADING BASINS, INCLUDING CONSTRUCTION OF A BIKE PATH CIRCLING THE BASINS AND CONNECTING THEM TO THE SAN GABRIEL RIVER BIKE PATH. THE CITY COUNCIL RECESSED AND THE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CONVENED AT 9:25 P.M. THE CITY COUNCIL RECONVENED AT 9:26 P.M. ORDINANCES/SPECIAL RESOLUTIONS Councilmember Stanford offered an Ordinance entitled: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 74 SECTION 74-460 and 74-461 OF THE AZUSA MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO VEHICLE TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT AND DISABLED PARKING ENFORCEMENT ON PRIVATELY OWNED OFFSTREET PARKING FACILITIES. 10/15/01 PAGE FOUR Res. 01 -Cl 19 Application Grant Funds Bike Path Cncl recess/CRA convene Cncl reconvened Ord/Spec Resos Ord 01-08 Vehicle traffic enforcement & disabled parking Moved by Councilmember Stanford, seconded Mayor Madrid to waive further reading and adopt. Ordinance passed and adopted by the following vote of the Council: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: HARDISON, STANFORD, ROCHA, MADRID NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: CHAGNON It was consensus of Councilmembers to adjourn with prayers and positive thoughts of Mrs. Adjourn Carmen Pedroza and her family, due to her current illness. Prayers to C. Pedroza and her family TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 9:27 P.M. NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2001-C120. NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 2001-09. *Indicates Chagnon absent. 10/15/01 PAGE FIVE