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01/13/2011CITY OF GRAND TERRACE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING - JANUARY 13, 2011 A special 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 January 13, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. PRESENT: Walt Stanckiewitz, Mayor Lee Ann Garcia, Mayor Pro Tem Darcy McNaboe, Councilmember Bernardo Sandoval, Councilmember Gene Hays, 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 ABSENT: John Harper, City Attorney Sgt. Carlos Espinoza, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Rick McClintock, San Bernardino County Fire Department The City Council Workshop was opened with Invocation by Mayor Pro Tem Lee Ann Garcia, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilwoman Darcy McNaboe. City Clerk Brenda Mesa, administered the Oath of Office to Gene Hays who was appointed at the January 11, 2011 City Council Meeting to fill the unexpired term on the City Council. Councilmember Gene Hates, thanked the Mayor and the City Council for affording him this opportunity to serve a City that he loves. He introduced his mother and brother who were in the audience. PUBLIC COMMENT Charles Hornsby, 22656 Brentwood Street, stated that the City is in the position that we are because we don't know who we are. He feels that we are a small town, not Beverly Hills. He stated that we are a middle class community that has been spending too much money. Ann Hornsby, 22656 Brentwood Street, expressed her concern about the Red Light enforcement cameras. She feels that the fines are excessive and the City should consider the financial benefit versus safety. She would like signs to be placed that say "stop before turning right". Council Minutes 01113/2011 Page 2 Harry Roussos, 22051 Grand Terrace Road, feels that the City should not enforce red light violations. Jeffrey Mc Connellsuggested that the City look into re -calibrating the signals. Public Workshop on the State Department of Parks and Recreation Grant for a New Park Community and Economic Development Director Joyce Powers, made a presentation indicating that the City Council authorized staff to apply for a State Park Grant to develop a new park in the neighborhood west of I-215 and north of Barton Road, which qualified as an underserved community. The council approval authorized the City Manager to conduct all negotiations, sign and submit all documents, including, but not limited to applications, agreements, amendments, and payment requests necessary for the completion of the grant scope. In November 2010, the State notified the City that the application was selected for funding in the amount of $2,130,636. She indicated that Staff notified the residents in the area surrounding the proposed park site of the workshop and requested that they provide their comments to assist Staff and the Council in determining the next steps. She stated that before staff proceeds with the implementation, they are requesting additional comments from the community and for Council to provide further direction. The City Council and community members discussed amenities included in the plan as well as maintenance issues and cost. A majority of the community members present indicated that they support having a park built in their neighborhood. Some residents indicated that they would be willing to help reduce costs to the city by helping with opening and closing the park and possibly pay a small fee associated with the park. Mayor Pro Tern Lee Ann Garcia, requested that staff keep the residents informed and let them know what they can expect throughout the process. She also asked for Staff s recommendation related to the fiscal viability of accepting the park grant. City Manager Betsy M. Adams, responded that staff will have more specific information as the park plan is finalized. Based on staff's reduction of maintenance to $10,200, due to requested elimination of restrooms to the park, plus the neighborhood's willingness to assist with opening and closing the park among other items, staff believes based on knowledge today, the City can maintain the park, even with the dire budgets options coming from the State currently. It was the consensus of the Council (5-0) to authorize the City Manager to sign the contract and return it to the State in order to proceed with the State Park Grant. Mayor Stanckiewitz adjourned the pubic workshop at 8:05 p.m., until the next City Council Meeting Council Minutes 0111312011 Page 3 which is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. MAYOR of the City of Grand Terrace D C CITY CLERK of the City of Grand Terrace