Loading...
09/25/2003 CITY OF GRAND TERRACE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING- SEPTEMBER 25. 2003 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 September 25, 2003, at 6:30 p.m. PRESENT: Lee Ann Garcia, Mayor Maryetta Ferr&,Mayor Pro Tem Herman Hilkey, Councilmember Don Larkin, Councilmember Bea Cortes, Councilmember Brenda Stanfill, City Clerk Steve Berry, Assistant City Manager Larry Ronnow, Finance Director Jerry Glander,Building& Safety Director John Harper, City Attorney Lt. Lee Watkins, Sheriffs Department ABSENT: Tom Schwab, City Manager Gary Koontz, Community Development Director The meeting was opened with invocation by Councilmember Don Larkin, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Pro Tern Ferr6. ITEMS TO ADD CC-2003-109 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBERHILKEY,SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER LARKIN, CARRIED 5-0, to add a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace,California,Approving the Applicant to Apply for Grant Funds for the Roberti-Z'Berg-Harris Block Grant Program Under the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002 CC-2003-110 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES,SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER LARKIN, CARRIED 5-0, to approve a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace,California,Approving the Applicant to Apply for Grant Funds for the Roberti-Z'Berg-Harris Block Grant Program Under the California Clean Water, Clean Air, Safe Neighborhood Parks, and Coastal Protection Act of 2002 and authorize staff to submit the necessary forms. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS A. Proclamation- Grand Terrace Lions Club Council Minutes September 25,2003 Page 2 Councilmember Larkin read a Proclamation commending the Grand Terrace Lions Club on their 30' Anniversary and for their efforts and contribution to the Community of Grand Terrace. Mayor Garcia presented the proclamation to Don Smith, President of the Lions Club. Don Smith,President of the Grand Terrace Lion's Club thanked the Council for the Proclamation. He reported that the Lions Club will be holding a pancake breakfast on October 12,2003 at the Community Center and that all of the proceeds will go to the Grand Terrace Branch Library. CONSENT CALENDAR CC-2003-111 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HILKEY, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM FERRE, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the following consent calendar items: 3A. Approval of Check Register Dated September 25, 2003 3B. Ratify 09-25-2003 CRA Action 3C. Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda 3D. Approval of 09-11-2003 Minutes 3E. Authorization for the City Clerk to Attend the League of California Cities New Law and Election Seminar in Monterey, December 10-12, 2003 3F. Resolution Supporting a State-Wide Ballot Initiative to Require Voter Approval Before State Government May Take Local Tax Funds PUBLIC COMMENT Thelma Beach, thanked Assistant City Manager Berry for improving the sound in the Council Chambers. ORAL REPORTS 5A. Committee Reports 1. Emergency Operations Committee a. Minutes of 08-05-2003 CC-2003-112 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER LARKIN, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM FERRE, CARRIED 5-0, to accept the August 5, 2003 Minutes of the Emergency Operations Committee. 2. Crime Prevention Committee Council Minutes September 25,2003 Page 3 a. Minutes of 08-11-2003 CC-2003-113 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM FERRE, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES, CARRIED 5-0, to accept the August 11; 2003 Minutes of the Crime Prevention Committee. COUNCIL REPORTS Mavor Pro Tern Ferr6,reported that she was notified that there will not be a Friends of the Library Book Sale,which was advertised in the Blue Mountain News for September 26'h and 27', it has been canceled. Councilmember Hilkev,reminded everyone that the Blood Bank is in desperate need of O+ Blood and if you have O+blood type please contact the San Bernardino CountyBlood Bank. He expressed continued condolences to Councilmember Cortes in the loss of her father and that he appreciates the staff and council coming out and helping to keep her family fed. Councilmember Larkin, reported that the Foundation held another meeting and they are going to be holding some events in the near future to promote it and the benefit that it will have for everyone in the Community. He feels that it is an excellent opportunity for individuals who wish to donate to a particular cause. This will be an organization that will be separate from the City.It is done through the Community Foundation which is a separate non-profit organization. He requested that a report be given at the next Council Meeting. The James Irvine Foundation has agreed that they will match dollar for dollar up to$20,000 for donations that are made by December 11, 2003. He expressed his appreciation to the Grand Terrace Lions Club. He expressed his condolences to Councilmember Cortes for the loss of her father and requested that the meeting be adjourned in the memory of her father, Rafael Hernandez. Councilmember Cortes, reported that she attended, along with Mayor Garcia, SANBAG's 9ih Annual Employee Partnership. She expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the staff and Council for their support, cards, and flowers. She thanked Councilmember Hilkey for his immediate support and kindness and she is very grateful for his support. Mavor Garcia. expressed her sorrow for the loss of Councilmember Cortes'Father and that her prayers are with her and her family. She reported that the Celebrating Seniors event that was held on September 18`h was an outstanding event. There were over 1200 seniors that attended. She is very excited about the opportunity that they have been given through the Community Foundation,that the James Irvine Foundation will match the donation through December 1 Vh. It is her goal that perhaps they can get$25,000 by our City Birthday Party. She encouraged anyone that is interested and/or a good cook to enter the Country Fair Cooking Contest. The Ride-share program that she attended with Councilmember Cortes Council Minutes September 25,2003 Page 4 is to celebrate employers that participate in ride-sharing. She felt that one of the things Grand Terrace can do as a City is to bring all of the businesses in the community together and do our part in ride-sharing. Ride-share week is coming up October 6—10. It is a way to protect our air and reduce congestion. On Saturday,October 4t',the Fire Department will be having an open house from 9 am to 1 pm. On Thursday, October 9"'the Library will be having their Sidewalk Chalk Art program which is being put together by an Eagle Scout. On Sunday,October 12`'',the Lions Club will be holding their Pancake Breakfast and encouraged everyone to come out and support the Lions Club and the Grand Terrace Branch Library. Tickets can be purchase at the Library or in the City Manager's Office and from any member of the Lions Club. On October 29',the Library will hold a Halloween event in the Library and the Halloween Haunt will be held on October 31". The Country Fair will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2003. The Lion's Club will be having their Pot of Gold event on November 15t''. On Wednesday,October 29t'there will be a meeting for all elected officials to attend where,SCAG will be giving a presentation on the Regional Transportation Plan. She reported that individuals can purchase tiles that will be placed at Richard Rollins Park for the Community Pride Walk. Tiles can be purchased until mid December. PUBLIC HEARING-None UNFINISHED BUSINESS -None NEW BUSINESS 8A. Consider Direct Election of Mayoral Position Thelma Beach. 12570 Mt. Vernon Avenue, questioned what the population was in Grand Terrace twenty five years ago. She feels that with the growth that the City has had over the past 25 years the residents of Grand Terrace deserve the right to an elected Mayor and that they should have an opportunity to decide who that Mayor would be. She feels that there have been some good Mayors over the years,however,they were appointed by 4 or 5 people. The Mayor's position is an important position and should have more voices saying who should have this position. Bettv Guzman,23202 Glendora Drive,thanked the Mayor for the opportunity to clarify what the intention is of the citizens of Grand Terrace. She feels that she made it clear that their intentions are to make a permanent solution. They are not here to remove the current Mayor and then go back to same old business of not having a voice. They would like the Mayor and Council to give Grand Terrace citizens a voice through their vote. They would like the right and respect from the Council to allow them to vote. They do not want to force the issue upon the Council by doing a petition,however,they are able to do that if they have to. They would like to know that the Council is listening to the residents and respecting their wishes to allow Council Minutes September 25,2003 Page 5 them to be heard in City Hall through their vote. She feels that costs should not be an issue. If Council will allow $1,000 to be spent on the purchase of a Court Jester, which really doesn't do much for a City, she is sure that to make a big change and allow the residents of the City a voice, the costs would really be just a drop in bucket. She feels that a directly elected Mayor is important for the future and the direction of the City. Wavne Newman,22574 Van Buren Street,feels that residents need to get more involved in the political actions at the local level and state level. He stated that he doesn't have any political ambitions,however,he does have some underlying concerns about the way things are being done without the individual citizens having a choice on the ones that they elect. They are simply asking to allow the citizens to have a choice and voice on who the Mayor is. He indicated that he has suggested in the past that the City hold informal Town Meetings. Councilmember Larkin, questioned if the group has an opinion on the number of years the Mayor's term would be. Frank Guzman, 23202 Glendora,responded that they don't have the details at this point. Councilmember Larkin, questioned what the group feels the main advantage is on directly electing the Mayor. Frank Guzman,responded that each citizen of Grand Terrace would be given the power to elect whoever they feel can do a good job. It gives the elected official more clout to go into other communities and say that I was elected by the people. It will give some credence to the Mayorship because at this point what we see is that three individuals will decide who is going to be Mayor. We as citizens have a right as a voice to come to you and say this is who we want and that is the voice we are seeking. Councilmember Larkin, questioned if they feel like there is anything other than the fact the citizens aren't directly electing the Mayor that is wrong with the current system. Frank Guzman,responded that the current system is flawed. We are a City that has just had a Birthday of 25 years and has a citizenship that has grown. The problems are different and the solutions that we are seeking are different than those of 25 years ago. Councilmember Larkin, questioned if there are any other positions that they would like to see elected. Frank Guzman,responded that Councilmember Larkin is going outside of the issue. All they are asking is if the City Council will place electing the Mayor on the ballot. Councilmember Hilkev,questioned ifMayor Pro Tern is also something they are considering Council Minutes September 25,2003 Page 6 as part of this measure. Frank Guzman, responded that all they want is for the Mayor to be an elected position. Councilmember Hilkev, stated that he is unsure where they would go into the details on whether they would be elected for a two year term or a four year term or if the Mayor has anymore power than the Council. Citv Attornev Hamer,responded whenever staff is directed to do so. The Council will have to adopt a formal Resolution calling an Election and establishing what the question is. This can't be done tonight. Councilmember Cortes, questioned when it would be determined whether the term would be for two years or for four years. Citv Attornev Hamer, indicated that it would have to be determined at the time the Resolution was formally adopted calling the Election. Mavor Pro Tem Ferre, questioned if the position of Mayor in a general law City is an honorary position. Citv Attornev Hamer,responded in the affirmative in the sense that the Mayor has no other legal voting power that is different than any of the other Councilmembers. Mavor Pro Tem Ferre, stated that if the Mayor is elected directly they will have no more power than if the City did not directly elect the Mayor. Citv Attornev Hamer, concurred. Mavor Pro Tem Ferre, stated that the issue of who is Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem and who will serve on what committee has taken a lot of this Council's time and effort and has caused some strain in the Council. So in her opinion there are much bigger issues and challenges facing this City. If we can take this issue and have the voters decide if they want to directly elect a Mayor and elect one of the five Councilmembers to become Mayor perhaps this is something that Council should consider. Citv Attornev Hamer, stated that assuming that this goes on the ballot and the choice is to have an elected Mayor it is not necessarily one of the current Councilmembers that would be the Mayor. Mavor Pro Tem Ferre,indicated that what she meant was of a Council of five one would be an elected Mayor. Council Minutes September 25,2003 Page 7 Citv Attornev Hamer.responded in the affirmative. He indicated that the Mayor is not a full time position nor is it a paid position. Mavor Garcia,indicated that she agrees whole heartedly on the comments the speakers have made. She thanked the residents for their time and efforts. Councilmember Larkin. feels that it is very important that the Council engages in citizenry. The residents do elect their representatives. He did have some questions and he sees some significant disadvantages in having a directly elected Mayor position. He feels that Grand Terrace has very informal Council Meetings and feels that anyone at anytime can have a direct voice. If he could see one advantage to directly voting to elect a Mayor then he would be inclined to support it. It is not a point of saying that it shouldn't be the citizens making the choice. Every time they go to elect a City Council Member they are making a choice. Councilmember Hilkev.questioned if we approve this and it comes back to the Council with the details worked out about who replaces the councilmember that runs successfully for Mayor,is it a two year term is it a four year term, and does it include Mayor Pro Tem. Will the Council be able to reconsider. He is not excited about directly electing the Mayor, however,he is very much in favor of a change. I would like to bring it back at a time when we know all of the details with the understanding that we can cast it aside at that time. Citv Attornev Hamer.indicated that there is really only two details,one do you want to elect the Mayor or not and two what the term is. These are the only two questions that should go on the ballot. City's do not have to have a Mayor Pro Tem that is strictly up to the Council and will be appointed by the Council. The statute tells you what to do in the event that a Councilmember successfully runs for Mayor creating a vacancy on the Council. CC-2003-114 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HILKEY, SECOND BY MAYOR GARCIA, CARRIED 3-2-0-0(COUNCILMEMBERS LARKIN AND CORTES VOTED NO), to approve placing on the ballot the issue of directly electing the Mayor on the March 2004 ballot and direct staff to prepare a resolution calling the election. Mayor Garcia indicated that she would like the Council to work towards working together in a positive manner. CLOSED SESSION 9A. Real Estate Negotiations - 22874 Arliss Drive Mayor Garcia announced that the Council met in Closed Session to discuss Real Estate Negotiations at 22874 Arliss Drive and that there was no reportable action taken. Council Minutes September 25,2003 Page 8 ORDER.OF ADJOURNMENT Mayor Garcia adjourned the City Council Meeting at 7:55 p.m.,in Memory of Councilmember Bea Cortes' Father Rafael Hernandez,until the next CRA/City Council Meeting which is scheduled to be held on Thursday, October 9, 2003 at 5:30 p.m. CITY CLERK of the City e f Grand Terrace �j �f 'z& MAYOR of the City of Grand Terrace