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10/23/2007CITY OF GRAND TERRACE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - OCTOBER 23, 2007 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 23, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. PRESENT: Maryetta Ferr6, Mayor Lee Ann Garcia, Mayor Pro Tem Bea Cones, Councilmember Jim Miller, Councilmember Dan Buchanan, Councilmember Tom Schwab, City Manager Brenda Mesa, City Clerk Steve Berry, Assistant City Manager Larry Ronnow, Finance Director Richard Shields, Building & Safety Director Gary Koontz, Community Development Director John Harper, City Attorney Lt. Hector Guerra, Sheriff's Department ABSENT: None The City Council meeting was opened with Invocation by Pastor Salim Elias, Azure Hills Seventh- Day Adventist Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilwoman Bea Cortes. CONVENE CITY COUNCIL MEETING AT 6:00 P.M. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS A. Presentations to Retiring Citizen Patrol Members Captain Valerie Tanguay, San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department, recognizing four Citizens Patrol members that are retiring after a combined total of 71 years of service to the City of Grand Terrace. Two of the members are unable to be at the meeting. She introduced JoAnn Johnson and presented her with a letter from Sheriff Penrod and a plaque with her badge mounted on it. JoAnn Johnson, indicated that Citizen Patrol was some of the best years of her life. She thanked the Department. Captain Valerie Tanguay, introduced Jim Hurlburt and mentioned the many Council Minutes October 23, 2007 Page 2 accomplishments over the years. She presented him with a letter from Sheriff Penrod and a plaque with his badge mounted on it. The Automotive Department also presented him with a card. Jim Hurlburt, thanked the Council and the Sheriff's Department, Captain Valerie Tanguav, mentioned that the two Citizen Patrol Members that were unable to be at the meeting are Manny Rodriquez and Dottie Raborn. Mayor Ferre, indicated that the City is eternally grateful to them for being a part of Grand Terrace and for volunteerism. There aren't words enough to express our appreciation. Councilmember Miller, thanked them for all of their service hours given to the City, The City will miss them. Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, stated that it is hard to see change happen and that it will be hard to imagine not seeing JoAnn and Jim in uniform. The number of hours that the volunteers give is a tremendous service to the community and it is with great sadness that she sees them retiring. Councilmember Cortes, expressed sadness with their retirement. She appreciates all of the hours that they have served the City of Grand Terrace and thanked them. Councilmember Buchanan, thanked them and stated that he feels Grand Terrace is a better place because of them. City -Manager Schwab, always enjoyed talking with Jim and knows that he will be around and knows that we will see JoAnn around and promises her they will finish the senior center. B. Induction of New CERT Members Deborah Hurst, introduced the new CERT Members Dragos Barbu, Oscar Santana, Barbara Smeltzer, Jim Stamm, Susan Taylor, and Adele Urrea. All members have completed 21 hours of training. They are planning another class beginning in January. Assistant City Manager Derry, stated that the CERT group are the most enthusiastic group that want to help in the event of an emergency. City Clerk Mesa swore in each of the new members of the CERT. CONSENT CALENDAR Council Minutes October 23, 2007 Page 3 't CC-2007-98 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MILLER, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the following Consent Calendar Items: 3A. Approve Check Register Dated October 23, 2007 3B. Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda 3C. Approval of 10-09-2007 Minutes 3D. Public Dedication and Improvement Deferral Agreement (Hugo Cortez & Areli Sanchez) PUBLIC COMMENT Barney Barnett, 474 Prospect Avenue, Highgrove, wanted to remind everyone that there is a public hearing that is coming up on November 8, 2007 at the Riverside City Hall in regards to the Metrolink location that they have been fighting for, for the last six years. This particular property is within the City limits surrounded by Highgrove on three sides. The Planning Commissioners, he believes, are aware of the work and plans that have been made on the hopes and promises that have been made regarding this property. Their intention is to get people to give input. The meeting will be held at 3900 Main Street in Riverside. He referred to the Highgrove Happenings and encouraged people to check out their website at www.hghgrovehappenings.net. Virginia Harford, 111825 ArIiss Way, agrees with Barney and feels that a metrolink station would be good. She sincerely hopes that the Council doesn't let people waste time with the interference of the construction of the Senior Center and villas. She feels that JoAnn Johnson deserves everything she got tonight and more. REPORTS 5A. Committee Reports - None 5B. Council Reports Mayor Ferre, requested that Assistant City Manager Berry give a report on the tree planting program and the upcoming Halloween Haunt. Assistant City Manager Berry, indicated that there is a lot going on in the City. The Plant a Tree project is funded through a grant that was received to purchase trees for Mt. Vernon and Main Street. Staff is working with the Sorenson family who is helping to coordinate the program. Everyone is invited to come out with their shovel and gloves. He thanked the AQMD for the funding. Free dump day will be happening the same day just a different location. The Halloween Haunt will be held on October 31, 2007. It will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Pico Park. Council Minutes October 23, 2007 Page 4 Mayor Ferre, thanked Assistant City Manager Berry. Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, reported that the dragon fly yoga studio will be having their ribbon cutting. She went down to see Angela and feels that she is doing a wonderful job with the studio. She has heard a rumor that Gary Bush may be getting transferred and if so will be greatly missed. On October 27, 2007 the City will be getting a new SSSO officer Nina Mendoza. She questioned if the Assistant City Manager could report on the juvenile that got caught doing graffiti in Grand Terrace and about the $500.00 in restitution. Assistant City Manager Be , reported that staff worked with the Sheriff's Department and were able to convict and receive $500.00 in restitution for some of the graffifi that has occurred around the City. Mayor Pro Tern Garcia, reported that on November 16, 2007, Mothers Against Drunk Driving is awarding Deputy Sandoval with the Law Enforcement Award for his DUI arrests. She feels that the local newspapers have wonderful articles. in them. She reported that the Country Fair will be held on November 3, 2007 and encouraged everyone to attend. She reported that the library is gathering items for servicemen for anyone that is interested in donating items. She wished everyone a safe holiday. Councilmember Miller, questioned the status of the graffiti on Union Pacific Rail. Assistant City Manager Bg=, responded that anyone can go to the Grand Terrace Website and check out the link regarding the graffiti on the Union Pacific Rail. PUBLIC HEARING - None UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None NEW BUSINESS 8A_ Petta Park Landscape Plan Gark Koontz Community & Economic Development Director, indicated that on September 11, 2007, the City Council held a Public Hearing on the proposed Blue Mountain Villas Senior Project. The proposed project included a landscape plan for Petta Park. As part of the Council's approval action on the project, they directed staff to send the park landscape plan back to the Planning Commission for further consideration. City Staff met with the developer and his landscape architect in an effort to incorporate more of the park features of the previously approved plan including additional trees around park benches and garden areas instead of open turf. On October 4, 2007 the Planning Commission reviewed the revised landscape plan and approved it as submitted by staff. As part of their approval, the Council Minutes October 23, 2007 Page 5 Commission requested that staff consider including a low maintenance water feature, if feasible. He indicated that staff would like Council input regarding the plan. Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, questioned what type of lighting will be at the park. Community&_Economic Development Director Koontz, responded that they have not yet refined the lighting. The lighting will be part of the final plans. Right now they are looking at the concept of the plan not the final design. Justin Hardt, Corporation for Better Housing, stated that the park will be open from dusk to dawn. Mayor Pro Tern Garcia, wants to make sure that the lighting is addressed for special events and questioned if they have given much thought to the number of people that can gather in the park for special events. Community & Economic Development Director Koontz, responded that there will either be gardens or open areas for people to stand, they can't have both. He feels that they have found a happy medium. There is definately going to be lighting they just aren't sure where. Mayor Pro Terri -Garcia, questioned where the entries are going to be. Community & Economic Development Director Koontz, explained where the entries are. Mayor Pro Tern Garcia, questioned where the restrooms will be. Community & Eoonomic Development Director Koontz, responded that at this point that are no restrooms planned for in the park. The Senior Center will have restrooms. Mayor Ferre, stated that this park is small that is in conjunction with the senior center that is open, however, large events will be held at Richard Rollins Park. Mayor Pro Tern Garcia, stated that when the park was envisioned they would have some events there. Community & Economic_ Development Director Koontz, stated that it would be up to the Council however, they aren't going to want to have hundreds of people at this park. Councilmember Miller, questioned if there was going to be drinking faucets. Community & Economic Development Director Koontz, responded in the affirmative. Council Minutes October 23, 2007 Page 6 Councilmember Cortes, stated that she is pleased with the conceptual landscape plan. Councilmember Buchanan, stated that lie likes the concept and envisions this park as being a quiet very moderately used type park. He feels that we need to be careful with the lighting All of the Council supports a low maintenance, low water usage water feature. 8B. Schedule November and December Council Meetings CC-2007-99 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BUCHANAN, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES, CARRIED 5-0, to schedule one meeting in November to be held on November 13, 2007 and one meeting to be held in December to be held on December 11, 2007 beginning at 7:30 p.m. following the City Birthday Celebration. 8C. Wage and Salary Resolution CC-2007-100 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER MILLER, CARRIED 5-0, to approve a Resolution rescinding Resolution 2007-06 & 2007-07 adjusting the salary ranges for the employees of the City of Grand Terrace CLOSED SESSION 9A. Personnel Negotiations (GC54957.6) Conference with Labor Negotiator - Tom Schwab Representing Unrepresented Employees 9B. Conference with Legal Counsel - Existing Litigation GC54956.9(a) 1) Citizens for Responsible and Open Government vs. City of Grand Terrace, et al. (Case No. CIVSS70633) 2) Citizens for Responsible and Open Government vs. City of Grand Terrace, et al. (Case No. SCVSS131530) 3) Citizens for Responsible and Open Government vs. City of Grand Terrace, et al. (Case No. SCVSS144406) Mayor Ferre announced that the Council met in closed session to discuss Personnel Negotiations and held a Conference with Legal Counsel regarding existing Litigation and that there was no reportable action taken. Mayor Ferre adjourned the meeting at 8:08 p.m., until the next CRAICity Council Meeting which is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at 6:00 p.m. Council Minutes October 23, 2007 Page 7 CITY CLERK of the City of Grand Terrace MAYOR the City of Grand Terrace