Loading...
10/12/2010CITY OF GRAND TERRACE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - OCTOBER 12, 2010 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 12, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. PRESENT: Maryetta Ferrd, Mayor Lee Ann Garcia, Mayor Pro Tern Bea Cortes, Councilmember Walt Stanckiewitz, Councilmember Betsy M. Adams, City Manager Brenda Mesa, City Clerk Bernard Simon, Finance Director Joyce Powers, Community & Economic Development Director Richard Shields, Building & Safety Director John Harper, City Attorney Sgt. Joe Palamino, San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department Rick McClintock, San Bernardino County Fire Department ABSENT: None The City Council meeting was opened with Invocation by Kevin Woodbridge, Calvary the Brook Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Pro Tern Lee Ann Garcia. ITEMS TO DELETE - None SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 2B. Recognition of Lion's Club and Boy Scouts for Flag Ceremony Mayor Ferrd, read a Commendation commending the Grand Terrace Lions Club for their contribution to the community by donating a flag to be flown at Rollins Park and for their participation in the ceremony held in Rollins Park on September 11, 2010 and presented it to the President of the Lion's Club, Lois Cook. Lois Cook, President, Grand Terrace Lion's Club, thanked the City of Grand Terrace for the Commendation. She recognized the members of the Lion's Club that were in the audience. She thanked Burt and Deborah for their efforts and also the Boy Scouts for their participation and work. Mayor Ferre, read a Commendation commending Boy Scout Troop 40 for their contribution Council Minutes 10.12l2010 Page 2 to the Community of Grand Terrace and for their participation in the Flag Ceremony on September 11, 2010 in Rollins Park. Brian Roberts. Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, thanked the City Council and the Mayor for all of their support over the past few years. He also thanked the Lion's Club for their support. CONSENT CALENDAR CC-2010-83 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES, CARRIED 4-0, to approve the following Consent Calendar Items with the removal of item 3A.: 3B. Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda 3C. Approval of 09-28-2010 Minutes 3D. Purchase of Hybrid Vehicle with AQMD AB 2766 Funds 3E. Historical and Cultural Activities Committee Minutes of 09-13-2010 ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR 3A. Check Register Dated 10-12-2010 Debra Hurst, 22950 Orangewood Court, requested an explanation of services for the following voucher number: #65878 - Albert Webb Associates for August Professional Services in the amount of $23,806.80. CC-2010-84 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER STANCKIEWITZ, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, CARRIED 4-0, to approve Check Register Dated October 12, 2010. PUBLIC COMMENT Sally McGuire, President of the Grand Terrace Chamber of Commerce, 12480 Nightingale Way, indicated that she was speaking on behalf of the Grand Terrace Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors to clarify comments that were made in an article in the October 7, 2010 issue of the City News. The Chamber of Commerce received a letter from the FPPC with regard to a complaint filed by Sylvia Robles. The letter states only that Mrs. Robles has filed a complaint. To date they have not been advised by the FPPC that an investigation is warranted. She stated that first the Grand Terrace Chamber of Commerce is a 501 C6 Professional Trade Organization which allows them to engage in political election campaign activity. Councilman Stanckiewitz states that the Chamber is mailing the BMO Newsletter using the City's mass mailing permit, this is not accurate. The Chamber has had Council Minutes 10.1212010 Page 3 its own bulk mail permit since October 2003. Last month Councilman Stanckiewitz called and went directly to the Redlands Post Office to speak to a supervisor regarding the City's bulk mail permit. She believes that the confusion stems from the fact that the post office has been allowing the Chamber of Commerce to use simplified mailing to mail the BMO Newsletter. Simplified mailing is a way for the postal service to deliver each newsletter to residents without the Chamber volunteers having to place a label on each one. There is no cost associated with simplified mailing. Last October they were notified that this type of services are currently only given to government agencies, however, since the postal service had allowed them to use simplified mailing, they stated they may be able to grandfather their status and would advise them in writing of their decision. Immediately after Councilman Stanckiewitz' visit to the post office they were advised that they could no Ionger use simplified mailing. Another issue brought up by Mrs. Robles and Councilman Stanckiewitz is that the BMO Newsletter is currently being funded by the City of Grand Terrace and that they are violating FPPC Code Section 18901 with regards to using public funds for mass mailings with pictures or statements of elected officials. It is her understanding that at Mr. Stanckiewitz suggestion earlier this year, the City contacted them to restructure their current marketing agreement. They negotiated a professional service agreement, which includes specific responsibilities and a detailed scope of work, none of which include payment for the BMO Newsletter. Mr. Stanckiewitz stated that this agreement is not tied to any specific services, again this is not accurate. This new agreement between the Redevelopment Agency and the Grand Terrace Chamber of Commerce was reviewed by Staff and the City Attorney. A motion was made by Councilwoman Bea Cortes to accept the agreement and seconded by Councilman Stanckiewitz and approved by the City Council on July 13, 2010. In closing, if Councilman Stanckiewitz still has FPPC concerns with this agreement why did he approve it and if Councilman Stanckiewitz and Mrs. Robles had concerns afterwards why not deal directly with Staff or the Chamber Board to resolve this issue without involving the FPPC. Was timing an issue here. She hopes that the Grand Terrace Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and its members are not being used for political gain. Tom Roberts, 22111 Newport Avenue #148, stated that he and his wife moved to Grand Terrace in 2003 and they chose Grand Terrace because it had an honestly quiet homey feel to it and for the most part it has fulfilled those expectations for them. Over the past year and a half he has become more involved in what goes on in the City including a period as a Board Member of the Chamber of Commerce and more often attending City Council meetings. There are a great many issues that are brought before the City Council most, if not all of them, affect the 13,000 residents of Grand Terrace in some fashion. During the past sessions that he has attended he has heard several interested residents ask questions of the Council that included questions about millions of dollars in fees, alledged inappropriate conduct and un-clear incomplete negotiations. Yet even though many, if not all of the issues impact life for all of Grand Terrace residents, only the people that ask the questions receive a response from the Council. This would suggest that all 13,000 plus residents would need to ask the questions to get the answers. He indicated that the City has a website, there are two separate Council Minutes I0/12/2010 Page 4 printed publications and a TV Station that offers ways to reach out to the residents. He requested that in the interest of honest transparency, he challenged the Council to find ways to allow the residents of Grand Terrace access to the answers regarding the issues that are posed to the Council. COUNCIL REPORTS Mayor Pro Tern Garcia, reported that on Saturday, October 9, 2010 the dedication of the Grand Terrace High School was held. She was very pleased to learn that their school colors are black and turquoise and titans is the mascot. She felt that it was a very nice affair. They also got to meet the new Principal, Angela Disenger. She is looking forward to a lot of excitement with the new high school and she is looking forward to the staff identifying the critical needs with the introduction of the new high school coming to town, especially in the neighborhood that will be directly impacted by it. The school is moving along and encouraged residents to go out and take a look. She met Mr. Hernandez, who is the band teacher for Terrace Hills Middle School. She reported that the band will be having a performance on October 27, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. She is encouraging them to have those information meeting when the principals come to a Council Meeting to let everyone know what is happening on their campus. She reported that Lloyd Dodd on Citizen Patrol is still selling water containers for Citizen Patrol uniforms. The Halloween Haunt will be held on Sunday, October 31, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. She reported that the Country Fair will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2010. Councilmember Cartes, reported that she attended the ground breaking ceremony for the New High School and felt that it was a very nice event that was emotional and positive. She agrees with Mr. Roberts answers to questions that are asked at Council Meeting should be posted on the website, depending on what the questions are. Councilmember Walt Stanckiewitz, reported that the water bottles that are being sold by the Citizen's on Patrol are being distributed at La Pasta Italia. Stated that in reference to Mrs. McGuire's comments, it needs to be understood that there is a mass mailing issue and a conflict of interest issue for those who are elected officials. They have requested through the City Attorney a legal determination from the FPPC regarding the mass mailing issue. What it comes down to is anything that is sent out and it is acknowledged that it is being sent out by using the grand -fathered clause of the City's mass mailing permit represents a mass mailing and any elected official who appears in the BMO or is quoted faces a potential conflict of interest because they have access to that paper that a normal citizen who might choose to run for an office wouldn't have. That is the issue and that is what they are trying to determine from the FPPC. Mayor Ferrd, reported that she attended the Dedication Ceremony for the new High School. She felt that it was very well done. She feels that the high school is here and is on its way. Council Minutes 10,' 12r'2010 Page 5 They have a principal, they have the mascot, they have the school colors and they have the buildings just about up. She feels that it is very impressive and it is a real positive for the community of Grand Terrace. She announced that on October 21, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. there will be a ground breaking for the new Stater Bros. Markets store. She feels that the new store will be a real benefit and plus for the City. Grand Terrace is a very nice City and have some very good things going on contrary to the way you may feel during this election time. She feels that Grand Terrace is a great place to live and good things are happening. She feels that people are doing things with the best intentions. She stated that the flag ceremony was terrific and thanked the Lion's Club and Boy Scout Troop 40 for being at the Council Meeting. PUBLIC HEARINGS 6A. An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace California, Amending Title 15, of the City of Grand Terrace Municipal Code by Repealing and Replacing Chapters 15.08,15.12,15.16,15.20, and Adding Chapters 15.10 and 15.I 7, Deleting Chapter 15.09, Adopting the California Code of Regulations to Include the Referenced Standards, Title 24, Part 2, and 12, Volumes 1 and 2, Based on the 2009 International Building Code, Part 2.5 Based on the 2009International Residential Code, Part 3, Based on the 2008 National Electrical Code, Part 4, Based on the 2009Uniform Mechanical Code, Part 5, Based on the Uniform Plumbing Code, Part 11, Green Building Standards Richard Shields. Director of Building and Safety/Public Works and Housing, gave an overview of the proposed Ordinance and indicated that it will repeal existing chapters of the Grand Terrace Municipal Code in Title 15, adding new chapters to those repealed and adding two new additional chapters for adoption of the California Residential Code and the California Green Standards Code. Councilmember Stanckiewitz, questioned if the Planning Commission reviewed the Ordinance. Director of Building and Safety/Public Works and Housing Shields, responded that the Planning Commission has not reviewed the Ordinance. Councilmember Stanckiewitz, questioned if this is something that they should do before it becomes a public hearing. Director of Building and Safet 2ublic Works and Housing Shields, responded that this is a mandatory requirement by the Building Standards Commission. Councilmember Stanckiewitz, requested that this information be available on-line. Council Minutes 10;'12/2010 Page 6 Mayor Ferre opened the Public Hearing for discussion, there being none, she returned the discussion to Council. CC-2010-85 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER STANCKIEWITZ, CARRIED 4-0, to introduce an Ordinance ofthe City Council of the City of Grand Terrace California, Amending Title 15, of the City of Grand Terrace Municipal Code by Repealing and Replacing Chapters 15.08, 15.12, 15.16, 15.20, and Adding Chapters 15.10 and 15.17, Deleting Chapter 15.09, Adopting the California Code of Regulations to Include the Referenced Standards, Title 24, Part 2, and 12, Volumes 1 and 2, Based on the 2009 International Building Code, Part 2.5 Based on the 2009International Residential Code, Part 3, Based on the 2008 National Electrical Code, Part 4, Based on the 2009Uniform Mechanical Code, Part 5, Based on the Uniform Plumbing Code, Part 11, Green Building Standards and set a second reading for November 9, 2010. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 7A. Second Reading of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace, County of San Bernardino, State of California Repealing Chapter 17.04 (School Facilities Dedication and Fee) ofTitle 17 and Establishing the Subdivision Ordinance of the City of Grand Terrace Consisting of Title 17, Chapter 17.04 Through Chapter Cl 17.64 CC-2010-86 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, CARRIED 4-0, to approve the Second Reading of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace, County of San Bernardino, State of California Repealing Chapter 17.04 (School Facilities Dedication and Fee) of Title 17 and Establishing the Subdivision Ordinance of the City of Grand Terrace Consisting of Title 17, Chapter 17.04 Through Chapter 17.64. NEW BUSINESS 8A. City Council Meeting Schedule CC-2010-87 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES, CARRIED 4-0, to schedule one regular meeting in the months of October, November and December, 2010. Those meetings would be as follows: October 12, 2010 November 9, 2010 December 14, 2010 Council Minutes 10/12/2010 Page 7 CLOSED SESSION - None Mayor Ferre adjourned the meeting at 6:39 p.m., until the next City Council Meeting which is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. x f 4MAYO f the City of Grand Terrace k L 2= '-/� � --� CITY CLERK of the City of Grand Terrace