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07/22/2004 f CITY OF GRAND TERRACE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING-JULY 22, 2004 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 July 22, 2004, at 6:30 p.m. PRESENT: Herman Hilkey,Mayor Maryetta Ferr6,Mayor Pro Tem Lee Ann Garcia, Councilmember Don Larkin, Councilmember Bea Cortes, Councilmember Tom Schwab, City Manager Brenda Stanfill, City Clerk Larry Ronnow,Finance Director Jerry Glander,Building& Safety Director John Harper, City Attorney Lt. Hector Guerra, Sheriff's Department ABSENT: Steve Berry,Assistant City Manager Gary Koontz, Community Development Director The City Council meeting was opened with invocation by Kim Hathaway, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilwoman Garcia. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS-None CONSENT CALENDAR CC-2004-74 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM FERRE, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the following consent calendar items: 3A. Approval of Check Registers Dated July 22, 2004 3B. Ratify 07-22-2004 CRA Action 3C. Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda 3D. Approval of 07-08-2004 Minutes 3E. Resolution to Direct Collection of Delinquent Sewer User Fees on San Bernardino County Tax Roll 2004-2005 PUBLIC COMMENT Mavor Hilkev,indicated that he received feedback from members of the community after the Council Minutes July 22,2004 Page 2 outburst at the last Council Meeting. He indicated that the podium is where the right of speech and the right of the City takes place. If someone desecrate that by acting out then other people that have a legitimate sensible word to say are hesitant to come forward and talk in public. Because of that,if there is an outburst like the last meeting the microphones will be cut and the Council will take a recess. Ed O'Neal,22608 Minona Drive,indicated that he served as the field representative with the Third District Supervisor for over 20 years. At the Supervisor level they came to realize that public comment didn't need to take more than 30 seconds. Sid Bailev. 11815 Arliss Lane,indicated that he watches the Council Meetings on television. He stated that it is nice to see residents interested in what is going on in the community and getting involved,however,he would like to see the Council stop outbursts at the meetings. Jeffrev McConnell. 21758 Walnut, stated that he would like to try to restore order to City Council Meetings and Planning Commission Meetings. The outburst that Mr. Bailey referred to was directed.at him. He indicated that he is a resident and Volunteer to Grand Terrace and volunteers over 30 hours a month taking pictures and writing articles for the Chamber of Commerce and the people of Grand Terrace. Two weeks ago the Council was looking for a volunteer to write the argument against the Directly Electing the Mayor by vote Measure. He feels that Mrs. Guzman is frequently uncontrollable at the podium and has gotten away with it on a regular basis and will continue to do so. He feels that the podium is the ultimate symbol of democracy in Grand Terrace and Mrs. Guzman has repeatedly violated and disrespected it. He encouraged the City Council and Planning Commission to follow the rules and procedures with regards to public meetings and indicated that he will not be volunteering anything to benefit the City Council until he sees order and respect restored to the meetings. Bob Best.23045 Jensen Court,indicated that he moved to Grand Terrace 18 years ago. Over the years he has observed the increase of both legal and illegal fireworks. He leaves the community on the 4"'of July. He feels that there must be a more positive way to celebrate our countries independence. He expressed his interest in doing something different and maybe working our way out of the fireworks sales. JoAnn Johnson. 12723 Mt. Vernon, indicated that the Seniors as a group are in favor of senior housing. Senior housing is important to Grand Terrace. She is in favor of the study. The seniors are willing to help in anyway possible. Virginia Harford, 11825 Arliss Way, indicated that she agrees with JoAnn Johnson with regards to the senior housing. She apologized sincerely if she in any way resembled what Mr.McConnell is talking about. She feels that the Outdoor Adventure Center is a good idea and she feels that the housing for seniors is a good idea. Council Minutes July 22,2004 Page 3 Don Smith, 12029 Mt. Vernon Avenue, feels that there needs to be responsibility in democracy and feels that the Blue Mountain Outlook is done in very good taste. Jim King, 22928 Palm Avenue, indicated that he is the Chairman of the Foundation for Grand Terrace also Public Affairs Manager for the Gas Company. He reported that the Foundation has a website www.foundationofprandterrace.orR. The foundation has raised $57,906.00. He thanked Councilman Don Larkin for donating his stipend to the Foundation. He reported that July 31 is graffiti day where they will paint the south side of the wall near the Terrace Assisted Living Facility. He encouraged everyone to come out and help at 8 am outside of the Gage Canal. Jaci Hamill,23034 Peacock Court,indicated that she is making her comments as a concerned citizen of Grand Terrace and should not be in anyway construed as a statement for any organization or another person. She stated that while it is the right of every citizen to voice their opinion it is wrong.to slander and make false statements. Over the last few months the citizens of Grand Terrace have been exposed to many untruths and slanderous statements via newspapers,city council meetings and by gossip. With the intent of hurting individuals,our city and our organizations within the City. Citizens do not know what or who to believe. She feels that this is detrimental to the integrity of our society and our city. She indicated that she,after resigning from the Grand Terrace Republican Women,she has been a recipient of these untrue statements. We must all come together and resolve our issues. We must recognize that we can't always get what we want and must respect what others want too. She challenged the citizens of Grand Terrace who are unhappy with the City and/or any business or organization to go directly to the source and sit down and discuss their issues with them and remember that there are two sides to every story. She challenged the City Council of Grand Terrace to represent the citizens in a professional and authorative manner. David Sadler, 12233 Michigan Street,indicated that when residents attend Council Meetings they are intimidated and may not get up and give their comments because of the reaction of those in the audience. He urged the Council to take into account what has been heard this evening and move forward and implement the policy in all of the future meetings. Tom Comstock, 12395 Vivienda Avenue, indicated that he is one of the Planning Commissioners for Grand Terrace. He applauded the Mayor for standing up and taking control back from residents. He has sat through lengthy Planning Commission Meetings when there are some residents who feel that they have the right to say outbursts in the middle of the meeting and cutting people off as well as criticizing them. He expressed his concern with literature that is being passed around the community as factual. He indicated that there are residents that will not come and state their comments due to the intimidation of those making comments during the meetings. He feels that the community is moving forward and he is pleased with how things are going. Council Minutes July 22,2004 Page 4 Jillian Hendrix, 11978 La Cross Avenue, indicated that those in her age group do not have a high regard for those in authority,however,they want to be heard and know that what they say matters. They are turned off on the whole notion of politics. She would like to appeal to not only the Council but to the community,if you want the youth,the ones that are going to be taking over and sitting in those seats one day to be interested in democracy and the system you must lead by example and show proper respect and order. Janelle Neill. 22620 Main Street, indicated that she was at a recent Planning Commission meeting and after that meeting she was appalled at the response of the community. She feels that everyone should keep an open mind and stop spreading lies. She feels that the Council and the Planning Commission is doing a great job. Patricia Farlev. 12513 Michigan Street, indicated that she wants to make a comment regarding the meeting on July 8, 2004 for the record. At one part in the first part of the meeting, she spoke to the Council about the community awareness group. Later in the meeting she suggested that Frank Guzman should write the pros of electing our own Mayor since he was a major force on getting it on the November ballot. If we are going to hear both sides you want to hear the most extreme opinions. She was not convinced that they would get that. She was personally embarrassed after the meeting when she realized that some people in Grand Terrace assumed that Betty Guzman's personal attack on Jeff McConnell was the reflection of the views and opinions of the Community Awareness Group and of her personally. She and other participants of the Community Awareness Group including Frank Guzman, if he attends, will need to be careful to identify when they are speaking their individual opinions and when they are speaking publicly for the group as a whole. Jeff McConnell made an error in saying that Betty Guzman was a part of the Community Awareness Group,she has never attended a meeting. She personally feels that the personal attack on Jeff McConnell at the last meeting was unfortunate and it was unrelated to the issue that was being discussed,however,she feels that it is very important for people to understand that while it is nice to have a paper with information in it, the Blue Mountain Outlook is published by the Chamber of Commerce in an effort to promote the City and make it look good. People need to seek out conflicting input about City issues from additional sources in order to totally understand the issues. She appreciates Jeff s efforts to try to print some of the opinions in the Blue Mountain Outlook of those who disagree with City proj ects. The Community Awareness Group is a group of people that do not all agree. Their effort is to communicate and try and help solve the issues by having complete and accurate information and talking about it and making suggestions. She expressed her concern with allowing fireworks in the City. Barnev Karaer, 11668 Bernardo Way, expressed his concern with the location of the proposed Senior Housing Project. He feels that the property on the other side of the Senior Center would be abetter location for the project. He indicated that it is the Mayor's job to control the meetings, however, it is also his job to let people blow off steam and feels that Council Minutes July 22,2004 Page 5 the current Mayor does a good job at that. He stated for all the people that are afraid to stand up and make comments at Council meetings "A Brave Man dies but once a coward dies many times." Hank Ramev, 21845 Grand Terrace Road#23, feels that the City as a whole has not been ' open to the public and a lot of people feel that the City is pulling a fast one with the Outdoor Adventure Center. He feels that the City does not need a Outdoor Adventure Center. He suggested that the Council table the Outdoor Adventure Center. He feels that the City needs people on the Council that actually represents them and to be a part of the community. He feels that the City needs to get back to the people and all things should be planned out thoroughly. Bobbie Kav Forbes, 11850 Burns Avenue,indicated that statements have been made about members of the Chamber of Commerce, the board and the Blue Mountain Outlook. She feels that Betty Guzman has been the most vocal, she feels that she has the right to her opinion, however, she feels that she should get her facts straight. The Chamber of Commerce consists of approximately 15 volunteers including herself. She volunteers her time because she cares about the community. The Chamber of Commerce does not make a profit on the Blue Mountain Outlook, it is strictly produced for information purposes only. The Chamber wants to promote businesses in the community as well as positive things, however there may be some negative items that will be published as well. The Chamber of Commerce would like the support of the City Council and the Chamber would like to support the Council. The Chamber is here to support the community businesses in town and they would like them to understand that they are there for that purpose. She feels that the Senior Housing Project is needed as long as it is not rental property. She reported that her neighborhood got hit really hard with graffiti. She reported that she spent fifty dollars to sedate her dog because of the fireworks this year. She realizes that it is a big fundraiser, however, she would like to see them controlled better. ORAL REPORTS 5A. Committee Reports 1. Emergency Operations Committee A. Minutes of 06-01-2004 CC-2004-75 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER LARKIN, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM FERRE, CARRIED 5-0, to accept the June 1, 2004 Minutes of the Emergency Operations Committee. 2. Crime Prevention Committee A. Minutes of 06-14-2004 Council Minutes July 22,2004 Page 6 CC-2004-76 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM FERRB, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER GARCIA, CARRIED 5-0, to accept the June 14, 2004 Minutes of the Crime Prevention Committee. COUNCIL REPORTS Councilmember Larkin. reminded everyone about the graffiti clean up day on July 31. He feels that one of the things that makes Grand Terrace great is all of volunteers that help out the community. He refers to Grand Terrace as the front porch community,residents are out and getting involved and working together. He indicated that he has heard statements that the Council is not open. He stated that he has been on the Council for five years and of those five years,he has probably got five phone calls and maybe five e-mails about one subject or another. His City number and home phone number is available and doesn't know how much more open he can be. He feels that the City Council has tried to be true representatives of the people of Grand Terrace and all input is welcomed. There is freedom of speech and everyone has that right to it. He feels that Grand Terrace is a great community and will continue to be because all of those people who help make it that way. Mavor Pro Tern Ferr6. stated that the Webster property is almost cleared. That property being cleared is a real asset and it looks great. She indicated that she appreciates all of the comments that have been made tonight and that she listened carefully to each of them. Councilmember Garcia.reported that she attended the SANBAG Commuter Rail Committee meeting. She attended,with Councilmember Cortes,the League of California Cities Dinner where Measure I was presented. She went to the retirement of Michelle Townsend of Riverside County. She asked that everyone be respectful of each other no matter what your feelings or opinion is. She requested that an item be placed on the next agenda to discuss public hearing procedures. She feels that rules should be applied fairly to everyone. Councilmember Cortes.thanked those who decorated the City trees with the yellow ribbons in support of our troops oversees. She thanked JoAnn Johnson for donating the funds for the ribbons. She asked Mr. McConnell to reconsider his decision not to volunteer on the different organizations. Mavor Hilkev_ .reported that he attended the meeting of the Community Awareness Group. He feels that ICTN News is an important part of this community and encouraged everyone to check it out. He asked City Attorney Harper to explain what a City that he represents did in an effort to control the public speaking process. Citv Attornev Hamer. responded that one of the City's that he represents, decided that the best way to conduct business and not having people intimidated was to adopt a no applause and no cheering rule and in lieu of that they have those in the audience that agree with the Council Minutes July 22,2004 Page 7 speakers to raise their hands. The Council's view is that instead of hearing a lot of noise they get to see how many people in the audience actually agree with what the speaker is saying and at the same time it does not intimidate those who would like to stand up and speak. That system has been in effect in that City for approximately ten years. Mavor Hilkev, stated that there are unintended consequences on proposition 13, there are unintended consequences of term limits,there are unintended consequences in a lot of things that we do. If we adopt strict rules for Council Meetings there will be unintended consequences. You have to follow all of the rules or none of them or go as we have been going. PUBLIC HEARING 6A. Second Reading of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace Eliminating the Time Limit on Establishment of Loans,Advances and Indebtedness, Extending the Time Limit of the Effectiveness of the Redevelopment Plan,Extending the Time Limit for Payment of Indebtedness and Receipt of Taxes Under Authority of the Redevelopment Plan for the Grand Terrace Community Redevelopment Project Mayor Hilkey opened the Public Hearing for discussion, there being none he returned discussion to the Council. CC-2004-77 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES,SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER LARKIN, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the Second Reading of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace Eliminating the Time Limit on Establishment of Loans, Advances and Indebtedness, Extending the Time Limit of the Effectiveness of the Redevelopment Plan,Extending the Time Limit for Payment of Indebtedness and Receipt of Taxes Under Authority of the Redevelopment Plan for the Grand Terrace Community Redevelopment Project UNFINISHED BUSINESS 7A. Second Reading of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace Authorizing an Amendment to the Contract Between the City Council and the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees' Retirement System CC-2004-78 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM FERRE, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the second reading of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace Authorizing an Amendment to the Contract Between the City Council and the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees' Retirement System Council Minutes July 22,2004 Page 8 NEW BUSINESS 8A. Resolution - Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Grand Terrace Community Redevelopment Project Area Refunding Tax Allocation Bonds Series 2004 "A", Series 2004 `B" and Series 2004 "C" Patricia Farlev. 12513 Michigan Street, expressed her concern with how money moves between accounts between the redevelopment and re-hab and the debt that is being incurred. She is also concerned with the City purchasing property and having an interest in how that is developed and the money they get from it and wanting to control that when there is some private home owner that is nearby that is being affected. She feels that the finances need to be looked at closely and to know where we are and not to get in any more debt until things are cleaned up. CC-2004-79 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM FERRE, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES, CARRIED 5-0, to approve a Resolution of the City of Grand Terrace, California, Approving the Sale of Tax Allocation Bonds. 8B. Schedule Outdoor Adventure Center Specific Plan Public Hearing Patricia Farlev. 12513 Michigan Street, indicated that she feels that the level of frustration within the community regarding the Outdoor Adventure Center is because they did not have timely access or complete access of information. She feels that it is important that all of the members of the Council are able to hear all of the comments that the residents may have. She feels that it is very important that the hearing be published or a city-wide flyer be done so that everyone is aware of the hearing. She requested that a Notice in bold be placed in the Blue Mountain Outlook on the front page advertising the Outdoor Adventure Center Public Hearing. Jeffrev McConnell, indicated that there will be an announcement in the August Blue Mountain Outlook regarding the date of the Public Hearing on the Outdoor Adventure Center. CC-2004-80 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER LARKIN,SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER GARCIA, CARRIED 5-0,to schedule the Outdoor Adventure Center Specific Plan Public Hearing for September 9, 2004 and to place discussion on Rules for Public Hearing Procedures on the Agenda for the August 26th City Council Meeting Agenda. CLOSED SESSION -None ORDER OF ADJOURNMENT Council Minutes July 22,2004 Page 9 Mayor Hilkey adjourned the City Council Meeting at 9:19 p.m., until the next CRA/City Council Meeting which is scheduled to be held on Thursday,August 12, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. CITY CLERK of the.City 006rand.Terrace IL I MAYOR of the CVt?of Grad Terrace