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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - November 7, 2013 - CC, Special MeetingCITY OF AZUSA MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING CITY COUNCIL AND SENATOR ED HERNANDEZ THRUSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 201.3 — 3:00 P.M. The City Council of the City of Azusa and Senator Ed Hernandez, met in special session at the above date and time in Azusa Light and Water Conference Room located at 729 N. Azusa Avenue, Azusa, California. Mayor Rocha called the meeting to order ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: GONZALES, CARRILLO, ALVAREZ, ROCHA ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: MACIAS ALSO PRESENT Senator Ed Hernandez representing Senate District 24, and Field Representatives Ms. Laura Jimenez and Mr. Rob Charles. CITY OF AZUSA STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT City Manager Makshanoff, Director of Public Works/Assistant City Manager Flaes, Utilities Director Morrow, Police Chief Gonzalez, Finance Director Paragas, Information Services/Library Director Graf, City Treasurer Vasquez, Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer Hassel, Assistant Director Economic and Community Development McNamara, City Clerk Cornejo, Assistant/Deputy City Clerk Hernandez. Pledge to the flag as led by Senator Ed Hernandez. Mayor Rocha introduced Senator Ed Hernandez, and welcomed him to the meeting. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION No public comment was given. Senator Hernandez thanked everyone for assembling this meeting; he explained that he makes it a point to meet with the Mayor and Councilmembers of the cities that he represents, to have open forum meetings with staff and the public to address the issues that concern the city, and how he can address those concerns in Sacramento. DISCUSSION ITEMS Storm Water Senator Hernandez stated that the runoff water from the various cities has been a concern due to the pollution that contaminates the main water channels that go down to the ocean; the US Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") makes each city be responsible for the material levels found, but it has been difficult to determine if and when the cities are polluting, and how to measure the contamination; the goal of the Regional Water Board, is to protect the coast and deal with all the water issues; due to these tough economic times, he found that their policies have been heavy handed, because they want to protect the coast at the expense of the cities; his staff has been working close by with the regional Water Board to try and figure out how to address this concern; the L.A. County tried to issue a ballot measure to have a county wide assessment; he believes in a regional approach and shared expenses, and that this is the best way to resolve and to deal with this issue. Call to Order Roll Call Also Present Staff Present Flag Salute Introduction Pub Part E. Hernandez Opening Comments Discuss Items Storm Water E. Hernandez Comments Public Works Director/Assistant City Manager Haes stated that the L.A. County permit is relatively new T. Haes and cities have been trying to figure out how to meet the requirements of this permit as they continue to Comments change. City Engineer Hassel stated that recently there was an open panel discussion in Sacramento regarding the C. Hassel MS4 permit for Los Angeles and one of the concerns is how the cities have contamination going to Comments rivers; EPA is currently having discussions with the State Board on the way the permit is set up; cities are allowed to do enhancement regional water plans, for which Azusa has joined with the cities of Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Bradbury and Sierra Madre, to work together; these cities are working on when to put these plans in place; measurements will be made to check for clean water, and to ensure that we are not in violation; these cities are allowed to move forward with the plan, but if the limitations set by the EPA are not met, the cities will be in violation creating a greater burden due to having to pay potential fines; the goal is to have everyone involved work towards the same objective. Discussion was held regarding other cities having to bear the burden of the cost from their general fund, Discussion regional collaboration, working with the office of the EPA on this issue to ensure that one city is not more impacted than the others, the lack of knowledge and understanding of the MS4 permit, the fines that can be attributed to the cities per violation, how contaminations are measured, making the public aware of this issue and the cost that may be involved, funding, the potential water bond that legislators are not sure to place on the ballot due to its high cost, and discussions in Sacramento to change the constitution to lower the threshold on certain bonds in order for them to pass. Utility Re ug latory Issues Utility Regulat Senator Hernandez stated that utility regulations have been a concern for cities and businesses, the E. Hernandez California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") reform is a tough issue to resolve; he works locally Comments with Chambers of Commerce and businesses on the regulatory process. Utilities Director Morrow stated that a recent meeting was held with all the publicly owned electric and G. Morrow water in the state, where they looked at next year's legislation regarding regulatory issues; concerns are: Comments renewable portfolio standards, currently at 20% and will climb up to 33% by 2020; green house gases have to go down to 1990 levels by 2020, Azusa staff is involved in cap and trades, free allowances, diversifying recent portfolios, disposing of coal; moving the administration of the drinking water program from the Department of Public Health to the State Water Resources Control Board, thanks to Senator Hernandez it was shut down in legislation, but the governor is considering passing it; Chromium 6, federal standard is 100 parts per billion of drinking water, the state has been 50 parts per billion, the Department of Public Health is proposing 10 parts per billion, and some environmental communities are proposing .05, this would be a negative impact on cities, the 10 parts per million is low, but it can be achieved. Regarding the Delta Conveyance Project, tunnels to move water through the sensitive ecology of the San Joaquin -Sacramento Delta, Azusa is in support and has water rights through the California aqueduct, staff wants to ensure that water is available, but it will be a tough battle to move the project forward. Senator Hernandez stated the importance of working on renewable energy conservatively and the need to E. Hernandez maintain infrastructure, these are costs that will eventually be passed down to consumers; if renewable Comments energy is increased, some of the population may not be able to afford it; he will ensure that he can intercept the governors decision to move the drinking water from the Department of Public Health and away from legislative discussion; if Chromium 6 levels keep going down, it will be at a cost to the consumer, he feels comfortable in keeping safe levels; the Deltas will be a difficult political discussion. Highway 39 Highway 39 Senator Hernandez stated that Caltrans and Fish and Games announced that extending Highway 39 to E. Hernandez Highway 2, was out of their control; the National Registry of Endangered Species have taken this to the Comments federal level, and in order to continue with the route, it either has to bypass it or, create a commence to it, which could increase the cost significantly. 'City Manager Makshanoof stated that this project is still being considered by Council, and if the J. Makshanoff proposed National Recreational area goes through, it is important to have Highway 39 extended to Comments Highway 2 as another outlet to the city for all those visitors coming to that area. Discussion was held regarding the limitations due to endangered species and the cost, the beautification Discussion and upkeep of Highways by Caltrans. Impacts on the Dissolution of Redevelooment/Economic Development to the City of Azusa Redevelopment Senator Hernandez stated that due to the Redevelopment Agency no longer being an entity, there has been outstanding issues regarding the Successor Agencies, he has tried to interact with several cities that E. Hernandez 11/07/2013 PAGE TWO Continents i have issues with the State and the Department of Finance ("DOF") to ensure that outstanding funds are allowed to the cities; there has been a slew of legislation since the dissolution of Redevelopment, but it is still uncertain that if the Governor will approve sign any proposed legislation. City Manager Makshanoff expressed concerns stating that Azusa has one of the best projects in the San Gabriel Valley, and is one of the few cities trying to build quality housing for low income buyers; Atlantic Gardens was purchased with plans to build a 220 unit housing project; staff is looking for assistance on how to re-establish housing; there is vacant property along the GoldLine that can be transformed and linked into the community, and for this the City received a $60,000 grant from Metro, to do a trans -boarding design. Impacts of AB 109/Realignments on the city of Azusa Senator Hernandez stated that legislation passed AB 109 during the worst economic recession, the Governor believes money from Proposition 30 can be allocated to the county jails to move low level offenders, or inmates can be released; this has caused concern as there has been an increase in petty crime, which could potentially lead to a bigger problem; the federal government will be mandating that the states release an additional 10,000 prisoners as a result of the lawsuit regarding capacity and overcrowding prisons in the state of California; legislation has indicated that if needed, they will take from the general fund to build more prisons and/or ship inmates out of state, but they will not consider their release; legislation requested a three year extension to figure out how to reduce overpopulation, but only three months were granted; this will be an issue in January 2014, when they are due to be released. Chief Gonzalez agreed that there are more serious problems ahead as a result of the release of those inmates; he understands the State's situation in having to reduce the prison population, but the low level offenders is not a true statement; low level offenders are categorized with the three Ns: Non -serious, Non-violent and Non -serious -sexual, they take a look at the most recent committed offense, or if there is multiple committed offenses, they will find one that fits that category; the public is not aware that the post release supervised person ("PSP") can potentially be dangerous; he further stated that since he has been with the department 31 years, crime rate is half of what it used to be; in 2011 Azusa had a 10 year low in crime rate, but in 2012 it increased by 10%, that is approximately 150 more people that are victims of a crime; the Azusa Police Department is part of the San Gabriel Valley AB 109 Task Force, it consists of municipal law enforcement, there is money available to help deal with this population and do the job that used to be handled by the United States Parole; since 2012 the arrest rate of the AB 109 PSP has gone up, making an impact on the crime rate; there are 89 active PSPs in the city to supervise; he requested funding to assist local law enforcement to deal with this population. J. Makshanoff Comments AB 109/ Realignments E. Hernandez Comments S. Gonzalez Comments Mayor Rocha pointed out the impact of homeless people who are being released and are not trained to J. Rocha work; they sleep on the outskirts of churches and City Hall, along the Sierra Madre ditch, at the City Continents Park; Azusa is homeless friendly and assists them to try and find food banks and available winter shelter programs, but many choose not to go there; he expressed concerns on how to deal with that population, and what resources are available to assist thein and give them job training. Discussion was held regarding AB 109 and realignment, the money that has been going to the states as the economy picks up, recidivism, homelessness, mental health issues, ensuring that they don't re- Discussion offend, obtaining funds that will benefit the offender and society, current programs by L.A. Works on job training that are available for Azusa, the importance of teaching them to focus on training as it is difficult to change their path, and to make them aware that they are being supervised. FINAL COMMENTS Final Comments Councilmember Alvarez stated that all these suggestions sound good, but he is concerned about the current economic times, these are expenses for tax payers, and believes that it may not be a good time to E. Alvarez pass all this legislation. Comments Senator Hernandez responded that legislation is a reflection of those who they represent; the ideas for new legislation comes from the communities seeking to improve quality of life, in addition there are also E. Hernandez ' checks and balances to use funding where it is most needed. Responds Councilmember Carrillo indicated the need to invest where needed, stating that the water bond will be a big investment for the region; he further thanked Senator Hernandez for this meeting and his willingness A. Carrillo to work with the Azusa Community and looks forward to continuing this relationship. Comments Mayor Rocha, Councilmember Gonzales and the entire staff, thanked Senator Hernandez for representing Azusa and its Veterans, and for the benefit of meeting in order to hold discussions regarding Thanks to concerns of the community. Senator 11/07/2013 PAGE THREE n ADJOURNMENT It was consensus of the City Council and Senator Hernandez to adjourn the meeting. TIME OF ADJOURNMENT: 4:00 P.M. NEXT RESOLUTION NO. 2013-C84 (City) NEXT ORDINANCE NO. 2013-04. * Indicates Mayor Pro -tem Macias Absent. 11/07/2013 PAGE FOUR Adjourn