10/09/2003 CITY OF GRAND TERRACE
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING- OCTOBER 9, 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 October
9, 2003, at 6:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Lee Ann Garcia, Mayor
Maryetta Ferr6, Mayor Pro Tem
Herman Hilkey, Councilmember
Don Larkin, Councilmember
Bea Cortes, Councilmember
Tom Schwab, City Manager
Brenda Stanfill, City Clerk
Larry Ronnow,Finance Director
Jerry Glander,Building& Safety Director
Gary Koontz, Community Development Director
Lt. Hector Guerra, Sheriff's Department
ABSENT: Bea Cortes, Councilmember
Steve Berry, Assistant City Manager
John Harper, City Attorney
The meeting was opened with invocation by Mayor Pro Tem Maryetta Ferr6,followed by the Pledge
of Allegiance led by Councilmember Don Larkin.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
a. Proclamation-Ride Share Week- October 6-10, 2003
Mayor Garciaread a Proclamation proclaiming October 6-10,2003 as"CaliforniaRideshare
Week" in the City of Grand Terrace and presented it to Denise Van Straton, SANBAG
Commuter Assistance Program.
Denise Van Straton. SANBAG representative, thanked the Council for the Proclamation.
She reported on some of the programs that SANBAG offers through the Commuter
Assistance Program.
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October 9,2003
Page 2
CONSENT CALENDAR
CC-2003-115 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER LARKIN, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM
FERRE, CARRIED 4-0-1-0 (COUNCILMEMBER CORTES WAS ABSENT), to
approve the following consent calendar items:
3A. Approval of Check Register Dated October 9, 2003
3B. Ratify 10-09-2003 CRA Action
3C. Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda
3D. Approval of 09-25-2003 Minutes
3E. Award Contract - Traffic Signal - De Berry Street & Mt. Vernon Avenue
(DBX Inc.)
PUBLIC COMMENT -None
ORAL REPORTS
5A. Committee Reports
1. Historical & Cultural Activities Committee
a. Minutes of 09-08-2003
CC-2003-116 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM FERRE, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
LARKIN,CARRIED 4-0-1-0(COUNCILMEMBER CORTES WAS ABSENT),to
accept the September 8, 2003 Minutes of the Historical and Cultural Activities
Committee.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Mavor Pro Tem. Ferr6, reported that the grand daughter of a long time teacher of Terrace
View Elementary School that retired a couple of years ago, Jesus Gonzales, was murdered
in Redlands. Our thoughts are with him and his family during this difficult time.
Councilmember Hilkev, reported that in the August 2003 issue of the Inland Empire
Magazine Demetri's was listed as having one of the best burgers in the Inland Empire. He
reported that La Pasta Italia sells spaghetti for lunch, which is very good.
Councilmember Larkin,reminded everyone ofthe Lion's Club Pancake Breakfast on Sunday
which will benefit the Grand Terrace Branch Library. He congratulated the New Governor
of California and feels that it will be very interesting to see what happens. He reminded
everyone that most of the Vehicle Licensing Fees that we pay go to local governments so it
will be the cities and counties that will be hurt by lowering those fees. Hopefully if they take
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October 9,2003
Page 3
action to lower those fees they will also consider the impact that it will have on the local
cities and counties and do something to back fill the loss.
Mavor Garcia, reported on the League of California Cities ballot initiative. The City
Selection group will be voting on the LAFCO representatives and the AQMD representatives
on December 6t''. She received a memo from Chris McKenzie, Executive Director of the
League of California Cities regarding the repeal of the VLF. She reported that the Child Care
Center is holding an open house on Friday from 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm. She reported that
November 8t'is World Town Planning Day which is a special day to recognize and promote
the role of planning and creating livable communities.
Councilmember Larkin, reported that he met with Supervisor Ashley and some
representatives from the Highgrove area with regards to a new Metrolink Station. It is in the
preliminary stage at this point.
Mavor Garcia, complemented staff on the work that they did for the workshop. She gave a
brief update on the update that was given at the workshop by Ty Schuiling of SANBAG.
PUBLIC HEARING
6A. An Ordinance of the City of Grand Terrace, California Approving General Plan
Amendment GPA-03-01, E-03-05 Adding the Noise Element and Respective
Negative Declaration
Gary Koontz. Community & Economic Development Director, indicated that the Noise
Element is a State Mandated Element for the General Plan.
John Lampe, Associate Planner, indicated that the Nosie Element has been written and
prepared to comply with the State's Guidelines and contains a detailed discussion on the
existing and future noise environments in the City of Grand Terrace. He recommended that
the Council approve the Noise Element as recommended by the Planning Commission,
approve the Negative Declaration as required by the California Environmental Quality Act,
and adopt the said Noise Element by Ordinance.
Councilmember Larkin, indicated that some of the policies are vague will staff be bringing
back more specific guidance as far as the policies are concerned.
Communitv&Economic Development Director Koontz.responded that we have the ability
to implement these policies through an actual Noise Ordinance. If the Council would like
to see these policies included in a Noise Ordinance staff can do that.
Councilmember Larkin,he realizes that noise needs to be taken into consideration,however,
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October 9,2003
Page 4
he would like staff to consider the added costs when we add to the development of a location.
When we say development should be non-noise producing when they are located near
residential area,etc.is fine as long as we don't have the problem of encroaching onto a place
that was there beforehand.
Communitv & Economic Development Director Koontz, responded that a lot of this is
dealing with proposed development. Whenever they look at a land use permit they are
required to evaluate that permit relative to all of the elements of the general plan so this is
basically putting into words what is pretty much done already. If there is a high noise
generator anywhere near sensitive land use they would definitely be looking at that and
asking for the additional studies. This element is basically backing up what staff would
currently be doing in proper planning.
Mayor Garcia opened discussion to the public.
Bettv Guzman. 23202 Glendora Drive, questioned what policies would be voted on.
Communitv&Economic Development Director Koontz,responded that the policies on the
Element focus on assuring that sensitive noise receptors are protected from high noise levels.
It really doesn't talk about specific programs like putting up noise walls along the freeways.
It does relate to that if there is a noise issue of sensitive land use. Consideration should be
made toward imposing some type of mitigation program. This Element is really looking at
how the City protects sensitive noise generators, where high noise generators would be
located, and what type of mitigation measures we would be looking at.
Mavor Garcia. indicated that staff report includes all of the background information.
Mayor Garcia returned discussion to the Council.
Councilmember Hilkev, stated that he realizes that adopting this Noise Element is a
procedural matter. He questioned if our policies affect the design standards of the freeway.
Communitv&Economic Development Director Koontz,responded that he may need to get
another opinion on this,however,he believes that you are dealing at a local level,then at the
State Level, then at the Federal Level and each one of those levels has a certain amount of
responsibility and leeway. He feels that it is a matter of working with Caltrans to accomplish
what is good for everyone,with regards to freeway design.
Councilmember Hilkev. feels that since we know that we are going to get a freeway within
the next twenty years this would be a good opportunity for the community to say what type
of sound walls we would like along the freeway and detail the specifics.
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October 9,2003
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Communitv&Economic Development Director Koontz. indicated that he doesn't feel that
it is appropriate to put that level of detail in a general plan element. This is basic guidelines
toward implementation. Caltrans and SANBAG have started their planning and
environmental processes and he believes that the City will have ample opportunity during
that initial planning phase to work with them and make sure that any special needs are
addressed at that time.
CC-2003-117 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM FERRE, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
LARKIN,CARRIED 4-0-1-0(COUNCILMEMBER CORTES WAS ABSENT),to
approve the Noise Element as recommended by the Planning Commission, approve
the Negative Declaration as required by the California Environmental Quality Act
and approve the first reading of an Ordinance of the City of Grand Terrace,California
Approving General Plan Amendment GPA-03-01, E-03-05 Adding the Noise
Element and Respective Negative Declaration.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS -None
NEW BUSINESS -None
CLOSED SESSION-None
ORDER OF ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Garcia adjourned the City Council Meeting at 7:20 p.m., until the next CRA/City Council
Meeting which is scheduled to be held on Thursday, October 23, 2003 at 6:30 p.m.
CITY CLERK of the dy of Grand.Terrace
MXYOR of the City of Grand Terrace - .