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11/09/2006CITY OF GRAND TERRACE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - NOVEMBER 9, 2006 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 November 9, 2006, at 6:00 p.m. PRESENT: Bea Cortes, Mayor Pro Tern Herman Hilkey, Councilmember Lee Ann Garcia, Councilmember Jim Miller, Councilmember Tom Schwab, City Manager Brenda Mesa, City Clerk Steve Berry, Assistant City Manager Larry Ronnow, Finance Director John Harper, City Attorney ABSENT: Maryetta Ferre, Mayor Richard Shields, Building & Safety Director Gary Koontz, Community Development Director Lt. Hector Guerra, Sheriff s Department The City Council meeting was opened with Invocation by Councilmember Lee Ann Garcia, followed by the Presentation of the Flags by the San Bernardino County Fire Department Honor Guard. CONVENE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ITEMS TO DELETE - None SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS - None CONSENT CALENDAR CC-2006-116 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MILLER, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER GARCIA, CARRIED 4-0-1-0 (MAYOR FERRE WAS ABSENT), to approve the following Consent Calendar Items: 3A Approve Check Register Dated November 9, 2006 3B, Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda 3C. Approval of 10-26-2006 Minutes Council Minutes November 9, 2006 Page 2 PUBLIC COMMENT Charles Hornsby, 22656 Brentwood Street, read a quote from Maryetta Ferre that was in the November 2, 2006 issue of the Grand Terrace City News: "I support business development that complies with all zoning, planning, and environmental requirements." He questioned where the Mayor was when City Management didn't even call for an Environmental Study for the apartments just north of Brentwood Street and where was she when the developer of these apartments did not comply with zoning laws but rather conjoled, browbeat or bribed City Fathers with redevelopment money into changing the zoning in a monumental fashion. This same developer also had City Government literally throw out the Code Book for how the complex would be built in general, in relation to the size of the units, the presence of garages and a number of other issues. He also wanted to ask her where she was when the residents on Kingfisher Street simply asked for current zoning laws to be enforced for the development above them and simply saw the developer get his way. He would also ask where she was when the same developer who asked for and received a zone change above Kingfisher Street talked the Council into approving fifteen homes along DeBerry Street where there is really only room for twelve and where they are so crowded that a plan was hatched to stagger their distance from the curb so they would appear not to be so sandwiched in. He also wanted to ask her where she has been while the residents ofMichigan Street have been bringing Council their legitimate complaints about the numerous code violations of the Trucking firm down there. He was going to ask her where she was a couple of meetings ago when the City Manager came before Council and understated the on -going expense of the Senior Apartments by two million dollars. It took the actions of an alert citizen named Sharon and his wife to bring it to the City's attention. He was also going to ask the Mayor where she was when the City Council was allowed to go back on their word and stated policy to leave any negotiations between Jo Stringfield and Jacobsen Family Holdings up to just the two of them with the City keeping its hands -off. At every point he can remember during the last year when land use has been concerned she has either sided with the developer and against the citizens or has firmly remained neutral. Since her stated position is clear in this paper in words two things would help towards reaching her goal as stated. She can move toward the original plan of fifteen homes on the plot of land above Kingfisher Street and also move the senior apartments to land that was appropriately zoned when they were conceived. Patricia Farley,12513 Michigan Street, stated that she was very enraged that we do not have citizens in this City that pay attention to what is going on and vote accordingly. There were many people that did not vote. If Mrs. Ferre is going to claim she has followed the Iaw, even though the court says otherwise, she does not know her homework. Someone that does their homework would know the right questions to ask, which she feels she does not. She respectfully requested that this Council, if she manages after they have cleaned up all of the mistakes in the voting is actually named Mayor of this City, hold a special election for whoever is to fill her seat. Many people may not want to serve on the Council because it is dominated by things that don't follow the law. Intelligent people are not going to waste their Council Minutes November 9, 2006 Page 3 time when all they care at looking at is what is loaded down by a little click and not making sure that everyone's rights are protected. The laws are not followed in this City. She stated that if people want money to buy special things for our city, they need to stop wasting money by making us have to force you to follow the law. The most important thing to her is that people know the information in order to be able to intelligently discuss it. She could care less about the Halloween Haunts and all the show. The bottom line and first obligation is following the law and encouraged them not to vote if they don't know the facts. We need people in this City to wake up. The Mayor was elected by less than what it would take for us to recall her. Anne Wade -Hornsby, 22656 Brentwood Street, stated that she is speaking because she has a concern with the decisions that the Council has been making. She feels that the communication between the City Council and the citizens of Grand Terrace seems to be clouded. Two weeks ago she asked the Council some questions and was told that they can't answer them, which she can understand that it would take more than three minutes. She was told that she would have to write the questions down and have them placed on the Agenda and have them addressed during a City Council Meeting. She made a request and received a letter back that she wasn't allowed to ask questions. The problem is that there is a lack of communication and she hates to think it is because the Council purposely doesn't want the residents to know things. She feels that people can get together and try to make changes. She encourages communication with the citizen's so that they know what is going to be built in their backyard. She still doesn't know what the character of the development behind her home is going to be. They have seen it and it has been explained but it has been changed. She is unsure if anyone knows what is going to be built behind them. She would like to know what is going on in her backyard and if it is lawful and if it is following the zoning and the master plan. If it's not it's illegal. Bill Hays, 22114 De Berry Street, congratulated the two ladies on their win. In politics a win is a win. He chastised the over 3600 registered voters of Grand Terrace who did not come out and vote. He stated that at the last Council Meeting, Councilmember Hilkey requested to Mr. Schwab that someone from Corporation for Better Housing come out and explain what is going on with the Senior Housing Project. Instead of having someone come out from CBH, perhaps it would be better if someone from HUD would come out and explain it, instead of someone who has a vested interest in the project. He will remain to stay involved in his local government. City Manager Schwab, stated that Corporation for Better Housing has been asked to come and explain the eligibility and the rules for the proposed senior housing project. Staff is scheduling that to happen in the near future. He indicated that this is not a HUD project, therefore there would be no purpose to have them at the meeting. This project is being funded by Federal Tax Credits, 9 million dollars of housing money and also with a bond issue that is privately issued. He doesn't see a need to have HUD out but if Council decides Council Minutes November 9, 2006 Page 4 after listening to CBH he will be glad to do that. REPORTS 5A. Committee Reports - None 5B. Council Reports Councilmember Miller, questioned when Corporation for Better Housing was going to come out to answer some of these questions. He took some of the information from some residents and has done some homework on what the income levels are for low income and low -low income. He is going to wait until Corporation for Better Housing comes and hear what they have to say and how they derived their figures. He thanked the residents for expressing their concern. He reported that he met, along with others, with RCTC to discuss the possibility of putting a Metrolink Station in Highgrove. Barney Barnett has been a catalyst in trying to move this project forward over the last 3 plus years. There was a good turn -out and several people spoke. He stated that by the end of the meeting they were able to consider Highgrove for a station. They are taking it and putting it to a committee. The Committee is going to be made up at the Real Estate Department for the City and the County of Riverside and they will look into the land and see if it is available. This is a regional issue and theywant to join in with all the other communities that will be utilizing the Metrolink. He feels that it was a positive meeting and should have an answer quickly. He reported that the Transportation Committee will be coming before the Council to make their report for what is going to happen in Grand Terrace. He stated that we need to be sure to keep the pressure on to be sure that we get the funds for the 1215 widening project. He stated that two to three weeks ago he brought up the Soccer Team Corinthian's that were wanting to use the fields and questioned the status of that request. Assistant City Manager Steve Berm, responded that he just e-mailed the contract to them for their review and it will be brought to the Council on December 10. Councilmember Miller, questioned if there is a possibility that they could use the field. Assistant City Manager Berry, responded that staff has worked it out with the Soccer Club and the Corinthians will start February I' and be able to use Rollins Park through June I". Councilmember Miller, thanked Assistant City Manager Berry. He congratulated Bea Cortes and Maryetta Ferre on their successful elections. Councilmember Garcia, thanked Mrs. Hornsby on her comments regarding communication. She has been talking to City Management regarding the website development that is going to be happening and there will be some excellent features that will allow people to be more Council Minutes November 9, 2006 Page 5 engaged and knowledgeable about what is happening. This will take place some time next year. She requested that the City Manager write a letter answering the specific questions with regards to the Senior Housing Project to Mrs. Hornsby and give a copy to the Council so that everyone is on the same page. She agreed wholeheartedly about keeping the 1215 in the forefront. From a Regional perspective, inter -county projects are always like the step child. It is going to take getting good with RCTC and SANBAG and working with both of them. They are getting prepared to do the 2008 Regional Transportation Plan, which is the six counties, and they are going to look for Regional cooperation. They also brought a consultant in that is going to be doing an analysis. She questioned what the tall pole is with what looks like a camera on the 1215 freeway just before the Barton Road exit. She was recently in a meeting where she learned that a lot of our freeways do not have detection systems, which is a concern, because when they do an analysis on what is working effectively, they will not have that analysis because we don't have the detection grid under the freeway system. She reported that there is a Grand Terrace 4-H and they offer projects in aerospace and rocketry where the children can make rockets. They have arts and crafts, clothing and textiles, gardening, photography, sheep and wildlife. She reported that one of the parents was telling her that they took a group of children and parents up to Blue Mountain after the fire and talked about what the result was, the vegetation growth and the impact of the fire. She is happy to see both papers covering the story of Kyle Robert Garcia Bacon. She indicated that Julie Moyers is spearheading the effort and applaud her. She reminded everyone about the Chamber of Commerce Christmas Lighting contest for residents, homes, businesses and blocks. She reported that the spark of love toy program will be held again this year. The toy boxes will be at the Fire Department and CVS. The City will be celebrating 28 years on December 141". She stated that the Halloween Haunt was wonderful and it was good to see all of the children come out to the event. She thanked everyone for running a good clean campaign. It is sad that the voter turn -out is not what it should be. Herman Hilkev, thanked JoAnn Johnson for the card. He congratulated the Mayor and Bea Cortes on their victory. There was some inconsistencies in the ballot counting at both sites, however, it was relatively small. He stated that it is the fear that keeps the Mayor from responding to the residents. He stated that is why the timer and the cop was brought in. He feeIs that Mrs. Hornsby's letter needs to be responded to. He questioned if there was any plans to replace the seat that was held by Councilmember Ferre. It is his position and he encouraged that the Council be independent on picking who they feel has acceptance by the community. He stated that the 1215 is the stepchild and neither organization wants to build the strip between San Bernardino and Riverside. They would rather build a road between Riverside and Moreno Valley. Both Counties have tremendous pressure to build someplace else and not to connect the two counties. Whoever you appoint or continue to appoint to SANBAG needs to be ferocious and fight for Grand Terrace and Colton. Every time he opens the paper or gets a mailer from SANBAG they are starting new projects other places and it is disheartening when he sees them widening freeways every place else. They say the Council Minutes November 9, 2006 Page 6 1215 gets pushed back because it is too expensive. It was the lead project when Measure I was initiated, it was the lead project when Measure I was renewed and it is getting pushed back because of the political positioning ofboth counties. The SANBAG Representative has to be on top of that. In regards to High School #3, he feels that it is disheartening to have an election and have posters of High School #3 in the lobby. They don't have the money, the money is gone, we are totally dependant on the State to come in an build a High School. The Bond that was passed is gone. They have some money left but they fixed all the other schools. The intent of the Bond was to build a High School first. They were going to build the High School with cash and apply for a 50150 rebate from the State and it was violated. We are now dependant on the State of California. They are talking about High School #4 now and he feels that High School # 4 will be built in Bloomington before High School # 3 is built in Grand Terrace. He mentioned this to the Mayor while they were both on the Committee and she stated that "the staff says it is on schedule." He stated that City Manager Schwab agreed to bring Corporation For Better Housing in to explain the project. He feels that there is a level of distrust that would be well served if we had someone that wasn't part of the contractor who is doing the project, a third party if possible. There has to be a level of trust. He stated that there will be a meeting in Grand Terrace with regards to the peeker plant, which will last past 3:00 p.m. and feels that it is reassuring. He stated that Council approved a commission for Gene Carlstrom to rent the Dodson Property. As far as he can see that check has never shown up on the check register and wanted to find out what is going on with that. Mayor Pro Tem Cortes, introduced Jennifer Franco, Mass Communication Specialist, Navy Petty Officer 2na and SANBAG Director of Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs. She concurred with Bill Hays, that it is a shame that not everyone voted at the last election. She agreed with Councilmember Garcia and appreciates that the campaign was clean. She reminded everyone in the audience that they have their time to speak and asked them not to speak out so that the meeting is kept professional. PUBLIC HEARING - None UNFINISHED BUSINESS 7A. Contract with Pope and Associates as the Landscape Architect for the Passive Park on Mt. Vernon and DeBerry CC-2006-117 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM CORTES, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER MILLER, CARRIED 4-0-1-0 (MAYOR FERRE WAS ABSENT), to approve the Contract with Pope and Associates as the Landscape Architect for the Passive Park on Mt. Vernon and DeBerry and that any Councilmember and Citizens are invited to attend the first of the three agreed upon meetings for public information. Council Minutes November 9, 2006 Page 7 NEW BUSINESS - None CLOSED SESSION - None Mayor Ferre adjourned the meeting at 7:23 p.m., until the next CR.A/City Council Meeting which is scheduled to be held on Thursday, December 14, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. MAYO . f the City of Grand Terrace 0 CITY CLERK of the City of Grand Terrace