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03/08/2011CITY OF GRAND TERRACE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - MARCH 8, 2011 PRESENT: Walt Stanckiewitz, Mayor Lee Ann Garcia, Mayor Pro Tern 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 John Harper, City Attorney Sgt. Ed Finneran, San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department Rick McClintock, San Bernardino County Fire Department ABSENT: None 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 March 8, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. The City Council meeting was opened with Invocation by Kevin Woodbridge, Calvary, the Brook Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilwoman Darcy McNaboe. ITEMS TO DELETE - None SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS - None CONSENT CALENDAR CC-2011-21 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER SANDOVAL, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the following Consent Calendar Items with the removal of Items 3A.: 3B. Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda 3C. Approval of Minutes of 02/22i2011 3D. Transfer of City -Owned Property at 12569 Michigan Street to the Agency's Housing Fund ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR 3A. Approve Check Register No. 03-08-2011 Council Minutes 03 '08/2011 Page 2 Debra Hurst, 22950 Orangewood Court, thanked staff for the responses that she received regarding prior questions and appreciates the answers. The questions that she had regarding the check register that is on the Agenda were answered because of the report that was including on the non -routine items. She would like to have the citizens kept informed on how the reimbursement process will be done for the storm damage and how the determination of the City versus private property is coming along in regards to the debris flow from Blue Mountain and the possible cost allocation. She thanked Finance Director Simon for his efforts. CC-2011-22 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER SANDOVAL, CARRIED 5-0, to approve Check Register No. 03-08-2011. PUBLIC COMMENT R.A. Barney Barnett, 474 Prospect Avenue, Highgrove, reported that RCTC will be holding a meeting where they will be discussing the Perris Valley line and the location of the Metrolink stops. It has been 91/2 years that this community and surrounding region has supported a Highgrove stop. The meeting will be held at 4080 Lemon Street in Riverside. He invited everyone to attend the Highgrove Library Grand Opening on March 19, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the corner of Michigan and Center Street. He announced that Highgrove Day will be held on May 7, 2011. 0 Doug Wilson, 12168 Observation Drive, stated that the boundaries on the fireworks map don't reflect the forestry map. He feels that the boundaries were drawn for convenience. They do dis-include a couple of important streets and would support a re -draw. He has already recommended a couple of corrections to staff. In order for the City to provide the necessary infrastructure for the citizen's of Grand Terrace, Council needs to reconsider the issue of eminent domain. The authority for eminent domain was originally instituted to service a specific purpose and it is still a good tool when it is used properly. If use of eminent domain could be classified as interfering with private negotiations to clear the way for private development on private property; for example, forcing someone to sell their home for development could be construed as abuse but the proper use of eminent domain would be to condemn property and reimburse the property owner on a fair market value based on an appraisal for a road like the Michigan Street widening. This use has already been recognized for a need for the infrastructure improvement by the City Council. Please consider reinstating the authority subject to specific restraints, so there isn't abuse. It is an important tool and the public works department can not accomplish the Council objectives without it. City Attorney John Harper, stated that the City of Grand Terrace has the power of eminent domain for the purpose of a street widening, etc. they just haven't done it before. 0 Council Minutes 03108r'2011 Page 3 COUNCIL REPORTS Councilmember Darcy McNaboe, attended the performance Willy Wonka that was put on by Terrace View Elementary School and enjoyed watching the students. She reported that unfortunately cars were broken into at the performance on Thursday evening , however Colton Police Department caught them the following evening when they once again attempted to break into vehicles. For those who would like to support keeping redevelopment as something that exists in California they can go to myvotecountsca.org and sign a petition to urge to legislators to remember what the voice of the people was when they passed proposition 22. The end of an era comes to Grand Terrace in that the Sister's of St. Benedict, who have been in the region for 45 years have decided that it is time for them to leave our community. She feels that we have been very fortunate to have their presence here. They have been teachers, principles, ministered to the sick and provided a really nice labyrinth that is a spiritual meditative walk that they virtually left open to anyone anytime of the day. They have been a really nice calming, peaceful influence here in the community and she will be sorry to see them go. The Grand Terrace Republican Woman's Federation is hosting a speaker who will be talking about the constitution of the United States. They will be meeting at City Hall on March 14, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the community room and is open to all who are interested in the discussion. Mayor Walt Stanckiewitz, echoed Councilmember McNaboe's discussion about myvotecountsca.org. This is the public's opportunity to speak and let the legislator know that redevelopment is important to Grand Terrace and they did vote last November to protect local funding. They need to be reminded and it takes less than a minute to go on the website and register. Mayor Pro Tern Lee Ann Garcia, gave praise to the Sheriffs Department and referred to an article that was in the San Bernardino Sun reporting that Sheriff s Deputies arrested a 17 year old tagger on Wednesday in Grand Terrace. She requested that Sgt. Finneran give a general outline of what happens to those who get caught doing graffiti. Set. Finneran, San Bernardino County, responded that they could get probation and fines for restitution and court costs and if they are a minor their parents will be responsible. Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, reported that Sheriffs Deputies will be patrolling Grand Terrace and Loma Linda on Thursday in search of motorists driving under the influence. She commended the Sheriffs Department on all of the work that they are doing. She expressed that the Sister's of St Benedict will be greatly missed. She would like to know more about the Serra House. She reported that the SCAG District 6 Representative is Councilmember Jon Harrison from Redlands. She reported that there are scholarships available through Southern California Edison and the information is available on their website. Council Minutes 03108/2011 Page 4 Councilmember Bernardo Sandoval, commended the Colton Joint Unified School District School Board who recently made some changes with their Special Education and Personnel. He questioned if it is possible to add two members to the Planning Commission. City Attorney John Harper, responded that the statute provides for General Law Cities, however he will look into whether it is possible or not. Councilmember McNaboe, stated that at one time there were seven members on the Commission. City Attorney Harper, stated that he will look into it and report back to the Council. Councilmember Sandoval, commended the Little League parents that went out and cleaned up the fields on Saturday in preparation for opening ceremonies. He reported that there was a RDA Audit that was done by the State and the headline is 40 million dollars have been stolen from education through the abuse of Redevelopment Agency. He stated that those cities were targeted by the State. They knew that they were going to find abuses in those particular cities and the method that was used to select those cities is in question. This was a targeted report on a targeted campaign to take RDA from cities and move it to the State. He questioned those who are opposed to the Redevelopment Agency asking if you say that you don't trust municipalities because of abuses do we really trust the County and the State to do abetter job than the local municipalities. When you look at what is going on in San Bernardino County and the waste in Sacramento do you really trust them with those dollars. He feels that it is an important question that needs to be asked. He questioned if the website myvotecountsca.org can be placed on the City's website. Citv Manager Betsy M. Adams, responded that she will check with the League of California Cities to be sure that there aren't any legal issues. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None NEW BUSINESS 8A. Resolution in Support of the Southern California Association of Governments' "Business Friendly Principles" CC-2011-23 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER MCNABOE, CARRIED 5-0, to adopt a Resolution in Support of"Business Friendly Principles" as Part of SCAG's Development of Southern Califomia Economic Growth Strategy. Council Minutes 03r'08, 011 Page 5 CLOSED SESSION - None Mayor Stanciciewitz adjourned the meeting at 7:11 p.m., until the next City Council Meeting which is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. CITY CLERK of the City of Grand Terrace MAYOR of e City of Grand Terrace