12/13/2001 CITY OF GRAND TERRACE
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING-DECEMBER 13, 2001
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace was called to order in the Council
Chambers, Grand Terrace Civic Center, 22795 Barton Road, Grand Terrace, California, on
December 13, 2001, at 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Dan Buchanan, Mayor
Lee Ann Garcia, Mayor Pro Tem
Herman Hilkey, Councilmember
Don Larkin, Councilmember
Maryetta Ferr6, Councilmember
Tom Schwab, City Manager
Steve Berry,Assistant City Manager
Brenda Stanfill, City Clerk
Patrizia Materassi, Community and Economic Development Director
Larry Ronnow, Finance Director
Jerry Glander, Building & Safety Director
Lt. Hector Guerra, Sheriff s Department
John Harper, City Attorney
ABSENT: None
The meeting was opened with invocation by Mayor Pro Tem Lee Ann Garcia, followed by the
Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilman Don Larkin.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
2A. Adelphia-Melinda Bitney, General Manager
Melinda Bitney, General Manager Adelphia, gave a brief presentation on the status of high
speed data for residential service and that it is their plan to launch it no later than the first
quarter of 2002.
CONSENT CALENDAR
CC-2001-106 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HILKEY, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM
GARCIA, CARRIED 5-0,to approve the following consent calendar items with the
removal of 3F:
3A. Approval of Check Register C0122 AND C0123
3B. Ratify 12-13-01 CRA Action
Council Minutes
December 13,2001
Page 2
3C. Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda
3D. Approval of 11-08-2001 Minutes
3E. Combined Cash and Investments Treasury Report for Quarter Ended
September 30, 2001
ITEM REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
3F. Resolution Supporting a Metrolink Station in Highgrove
Barnev Barnett,474 Prospect Avenue,encourage the Council to approve the Resolution and
requested that the City of Grand Terrace work with them on getting a Metrolink stop in
Highgrove.
CC-2001-107 MOTION BYCOUNCILMEMBERHILKEY,SECOND BYCOUNCILMEMBER
LARKIN,CARRIED 5-0,to approve a Resolution Recommending that the Riverside
County Transportation Commission Grant a Metrolink Station at Highgrove.
'PUBLIC COMMENT
Dick Rollins,.22797 Barton Road,reminded everyone that the cable line up will be changing
on the 28`h of December and indicated that all cable boxes should be shut off by midnight
that evening.
Jerry Hill, resident, encouraged the City to take a proactive stance and get involved on the
new High School, the sludge dumping in Colton and the Billboards along the freeway.
JoAnn Johnson, 12723 Mt.Vernon Avenue,commended Steve Berry and Gary Gerhard for
all of the improvements at City Hall;the Senior Center and throughout town. She encourage
Council to try and budget Mr. Gerhard's position once again for the next fiscal year.
ORAL REPORTS
5A. Committee Reports
1. Historical and Cultural Activities Committee
a. Minutes of October 22, 2001 and November 5, 2001
CC-2001-108 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HILKEY,SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
FERRE, CARRIED 5-0, to accept the October 22, 2001 and November 5, 2001
Minutes of the Historical and Cultural Activities Committee.
2. Emergency Operations Committee
Council Minutes
December 13,2001
Page 3
a. Minutes of October 1, 2001
CC-2001-109 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER LARKIN,SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
FERRE, CARRIED 5-0, to accept the October 1, 2001 Minutes of the Emergency
Operations Committee.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Mavor Pro Tem Garcia, commended Assistant City Manager Berry on all of the wonderful
improvements he has made throughout the City. She reported that she along with
Councilmembers Hilkey and Ferre,read a list of individuals that are being recommended to
be part of the Oversight Committee that will watch over the disbursement of the 102 million
dollar school bond that was passed which included: Ray Abril, Kelly Chastain, Maryetta
Ferre,Herman Hilkey,Bea Cortez, Carlos Monroy,Dr. Albert Atkins, Joanne Ruskin, and
Jenny Blakensaw. The League Legislative Task Force has been busy and they have plans to
get out into the..community how serious some of the issues the State is going to raise. She
thanked the Historical and Cultural Activities Committee for another outstanding City
Birthday Party. She wished everyone Happy Holidays.
_ . Councilmember Hilkev,indicated that Redlands has indicated that they are opposed to new
billboard signs and he had heard the City of Riverside is not opposed to billboard signs in
San Bernardino County. He questioned the position of the City with regards to the signs.
The sludge situation in Colton has potential to affect the location of the proposed high
school. The Natural Gas Fueling Station that Omnitrans is being challenged on, was paid
for,suggested by,and forced upon them by AQMD. Now AQMD is fining them because the
technology that is available is not adequate. This location has become the heartbeat of the
entire Omnitrans system. They are very active in natural gas busses to help clean up the
atmosphere. If they are forced to close this facility, all riders will be forced to pay higher
prices. He reported that SANBAG has approved SEMAC Money to sequence all of the
signal lights through town. He indicated that Dennis Hannsberger, County Supervisor, is
very supportive of Grand Terrace and was instrumental in getting a time table and cost
estimates of the 215 South and a commitment has been made by SANBAG to begin
construction on the 215 South sometime between 2008 -2009. He reported that the County
of San Bernardino put together a map of all of the bicycle routes in the County and the
proposed routes. He thanked staff for all of their efforts with the bicycle routes in Grand
Terrace. SANBAG is a Measure I recipient and RCTC is a recipient of Measure A monies,
both agencies are discussing the renewal of the measures. SANBAG has prepared a flyer that
will be mailed to all residents in Grand Terrace informing them of all of the benefits of the
Measure I money. He thanked Mayor Pro Tem Garcia and Councilmember Ferre for their
sponsorship of soccer teams.
Councilmember Larkin,thanked the Historical and Cultural Activities Committee for hosting
Council Minutes
December 13,2001
Page 4
the City Birthday Party. He commended Assistant City Manager Berry for doing an
outstanding job. He reported that Manuel Ortiz passed away. Mr. Ortiz did a lot for the
community and was very active in Seniors and Lion's Club and requested that the meeting
be adjourned is his memory. He wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year.
Councilmember Ferre,commended Assistant City Manager Berry for all of his efforts. She
indicated that Sunbridge Care Center is doing the Toys for Tots program. This center not
only cares for their residents but for the entire community. She expressed her appreciation
for the Birthday party and'thanked the Historical and Cultural Activities Committee. She
reported that it has been a year since she was sworn in as a Councilmember and that she has
throughly enjoyed working with her fellow councilmembers and is thankful to the
community for allowing her to serve in this capacity. She wished everyone a Merry
Christmas.
Mavor Buchanan, indicated that the City of Grand Terrace is opposed to the Billlboards in
Colton and that the City would support their efforts in the removal of them. He thanked the
Historical and Cultural Activities 'Committee for putting together the Birthday Party. He
indicated that the meeting will be adjourned in memory and honor of Manuel Ortiz, a very
valuable member of the community that will be sorely missed. He indicated that the City is
watching to see what the State of California will do as a solution to the budget shortfall that
they will be facing the next fiscal year. Cities voice their opposition to the State taking away
the constitutionally protected Vehicle License Fees Revenue stream and looked skeptically
at their promises that it would never be touched and that there will be backfill provided. This
is not just an issue that Councilmembers and City Administrators need to worry about.
These are the types of cuts that all cities will be affected by. This is our city's largest single
source of tax type revenue.
PUBLIC HEARING-None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
7A. Vehicle Parking on Newport Avenue
CC-2001-110 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HILKEY, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM
GARCIA, CARRIED 5-0, to accept the report done by the San Bernardino County
Sheriff's Department with regards to Parking on Newport Avenue deny any further
restriction of Parking on Newport Avenue.
7B. Grand Terrace Consolidated Capital Improvement Plan-Priority List
It was the consensus of the Council to continue the Grand Terrace Consolidate Capital
Council Minutes
December 13,2001
Page 5
Improvement Plan-Priority List to January 24, 2002 at a workshop beginning at 5:00 p.m.
NEW BUSINESS
8A. Grand Terrace Community Pride Program
Assistant City Manager Berry gave a presentation on the Community Pride Program and
outlined his goals of the program.
8B. Resolution Approving a Circulation Fee CIP
It was the consensus of the Council to continue the Resolution Approving a Circulation Fee
CIP to January 24, 2002 at a workshop beginning at 5:00 p.m.
8C. Request for Appeal of Building Permit Fees (Circulation Improvement Fee)
GC-2001-111 .MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HILKEY, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM
GARCIA,CARRIED 3-2-0-0(MAYOR BUCHANAN AND COUNCILMEMBER
='a FERRE VOTED NO),to waive and refund the Circulation Improvement Fees for the
5,600 square foot proposed metal building located at 21506 Main Street in the
amount of$41,150.00 to Mr. Tony Harris,Harris Transfer, Inc.
8D. Billboard Proposal
CC-2001-112 MOTION BY MAYOR BUCHANAN, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM
GARCIA,CARRIED 5-0,to reaffirm Council's commitment and priority to the 1215
South Project and the expectation that local government transportation agencies will
honor their commitment to that project and hold them to it; and direct staff to,
investigate and report to Council on effective methods on communicating the
responsibility for the failure to honor that commitment to the occupants of the 215
freeway and anyone else that could be affected.
8E. Relocation and Expansion of Composting Facility in Colton
City Manager Schwab indicated that staff met with the City of Colton with regards to recent
articles in the newspapers on the relocation and expansion of a composting facility that
would host sewer sludge in Colton and that currently no application has been filed. In the
event that an application is filed it will have to go through the process and at that time the
City of Grand Terrace will have an opportunity to be involved in the process. He stated that
staff will monitor the situation and send a letter indicating that we would like to be included
in the process.
Council Minutes
December 13,2001
Page 6
Mavor Pro Tem Garcia,requested that a letter be sent to the School Board requesting a status
report with regards to the new High School and whether or not the expansion or relocation
of this composting facility will compromise the building of the school. She also requested
that she would like a letter sent to the City of Colton indicating that a new high school is a
priority for Grand Terrace.
Councilmember Hilkev, questioned whether or not the City Manager of Colton explained
that the current permit for the Sullivan Composting Facility does allow sludge to be
imported.
Citv Manager Schwab, indicated that they did not discuss that issue.
Councilmember Hilkev, indicated that their permit does allow them to import sludge
currently. He feels that it could pose a problem for Grand Terrace and he expressed his
concern. He questioned whether or not the City of Colton will inform Grand Terrace if and
when they will begin importing the sludge at their current location.
Councilmember Ferr6, questioned whether or not the importing of sludge at their current
location will compromise the building of the new high school.
Councilmember Hilkev, indicated that he has heard that there is a possibility and that the
proposed site would have less of an impact on the proposed high school site.
It was the consensus of the Council to direct staff to compile all of the information and facts
with regards to the Relocation and Expansion of the Composting Facility in Colton.
CLOSED SESSION -None
ORDER OF ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Buchanan adjourned the City Council Meeting at 10:47 p.m. in memory of Manual Ortiz,
until the next CRA/City Council Meeting which is scheduled to be held on Thursday, January 10,
2002 at 6:00 p.m.
CITY CLERK of the City Grand Terrace
MAYOR of the City of Grand Terrace