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09/23/2008CITY OF GRAND TERRACE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - SEPTEMBER 23, 2008 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 September 23, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. PRESENT: Maryetta Ferrd, Mayor Lee Ann Garcia, Mayor Pro Tern Bea Cortes, Councilmember Jim Miller, Councilmember Dan Buchanan, Councilmember Brenda Mesa, City Clerk Steve Berry, Acting City Manager Bernard Simon, Finance Director Richard Shields, Building & Safety Director Gary Koontz, Community Development Director John Harper, City Attorney Lt. Mike Newcombe, San Bernardino County Sheriff s Department John Salvate, San Bernardino County Fire Department ABSENT: Tom Schwab, City Manager The City Council meeting was opened with Invocation by Mayor Pro Tern Lee Ann Garcia, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilwoman Bea Cortes. ITEMS TO DELETE Acting City Manager Steve Berry, indicated that item 2B. AT& T Services Update and item 2D. Recognition of Sheriffs Department Deputies (July 23`d Investigation) need to be deleted from the Agenda. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 2A. Grand Terrace Little League All Star Softball Teams. Mayor Ferrd, announced that we have two softball teams at the Council Meeting this evening who deserve great recognition and honor. She feels that Grand Terrace has some of the best girl softball teams ever. She stated that the City is very proud of the girls. She presented the 10-11 All Star -Team with certificates recognizing them for being the District 21 Champions, Section 8 Champions, and for Finishing 2"' in Southern California Division and presented the Junior All -Star Team with certificates recognizing them for being District 21 Champions, Section 8 Champions, and Southern California Division III Participants. Council Minutes 09.23 2008 Page 2 2C. 30" Anniversary Presentation - EOC/C.E.R.T. Mayor Ferrd, indicated that as everyone is aware, the City of Grand Terrace is celebrating its 30" Anniversary year. By the end of this year the City will have held over 17 events bringing together thousands of Grand Terrace residents and friends. On Saturday, October 4, 2008 the community is invited to Grand Terrace Night at the San Bernardino Symphony with Maestro Carlo Pontijr. Our first Gala Dinner will be held in Grand Terrace at Christ the Redeemer Church Robinson Hall on Friday October 17, 2008. She hopes that everyone will attend these events. Each month the City Council has been spotlighting individuals and groups that have made extraordinary contributions to the City. This month the 30`h Anniversary Committee has chosen to commend two groups that are really essential to the safety and security of our 12,500 residents. The first volunteer group is the Emergency Operations Committee. Councilmember Dan Buchanan, stated that the Emergency Operations Committee is receiving one of the 30" Anniversary Commemorative PIaques that says the following "For your thousands of volunteer hours donated to keep our community safe, for the disaster preparedness exercises, and maintaining our emergency communications systems the Grand Terrace City Council would like to recognize the Emergency Operations Committee as an integral part of the preservation of life and property in the City." Vic Pfennighausen, Chairman, Emergency perations Committee, thanked the City Council, City Staff and the volunteers. They have come a long way in the years that he has been connected with the committee. He thanked Steve Berry, Acting City Manager, for the guidance and cooperation he has given the City and Emergency Operations Committee. He thanked the Council for the recognition, the Grand Terrace EOC will be very happy to receive this plaque. Mayor Ferrel, announced that this second group is an enthusiastic group of growing volunteers that are also critical to the safety of our City, the Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.). She introduced Randy Halseth, Commander of C.E.R.T. Councilmember Buchanan, stated that they too are receiving a 30'" Anniversary Plaque and that it states the following: "Presented to the Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) with special recognition for C.E.R.T.'s leadership and spearheading the training of a dedicated group of volunteers to help the City respond to threats of disasters, terrorism, crime and public health issues for the many and growing number of C.E.R.T. volunteers who take these responsibilities seriously and protect our community with grateful appreciation the 2008 Grand Terrace City Council." Randy Halseth. Commander, thanked the City Council for their support. He also thanked the Lions Club, the Woman's Club and the Foundation for their support and donations. He also Council Minutes 09 23 2008 Page 3 thanked the Fire Department and Vic Pfennighausen for all of their help. They are striving to gain more people into the C.E.R.T., they need 100 to really be considered a force in Grand Terrace. They have 35 right now and hopefully will have more by the first of the year. 2E. Proclamation - Fire Prevention Week October 5-11, 2008 Mayor Pro Tern Garcia, read the Proclamation, proclaiming October 5-11, 2008 as Fire Prevention Week in the City of Grand Terrace urging all people of Grand Terrace to protect their homes and families by heeding the important safety messages of Fire Prevention Week 2008 and to support the many public safety activities and efforts of San Bernardino County Fire and emergency services. She presented the proclamation to Chief Feldman. John Salvate San Bernardino County Fire, thanked the Council for the proclamation. The Station will hold their traditional open house on Saturday, October 4, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 2F. Outgoing Finance Director - Larry Ronnow Mayor Ferre, stated that on behalf of the Council and herself, she would like to recognize Larry Ronnow, the outgoing Finance Director, who is retiring after 31 years of combined service to the public sector. She read a commendation for Mr. Ronnow commending him for the exemplary professional performance that he has provided to the City of Grand Terrace and extend their warmest wishes and sincere thanks for a job well done. Larry Ronnow, stated that when Tom Schwab hired him eight years ago, after having made his rounds with a half dozen cities, he wanted to be sure that Grand Terrace was the City that he retired from and tonight he gets his wish. It has been a very positive experience working for the City. He honestly thinks that this is his favorite City of all the cities he has worked for and will say that all of the Councils that have been through his eight years has been the most responsive Council to staff that he has seen in 31 years. The staff has been excellent and he really has nothing negative to say about Grand Terrace and he will miss everyone. Acting City Manager Berry, stated that Mr. Ronnow was one of the hardest working individuals in City Hall. He worked late nights and weekends and he would like to thank him for keeping the City on course. Larry is very well liked and will be missed. Councilmember Buchanan, stated that it has been a pleasure working with Larry and he wished him the best of luck in his retirement. It has always been very comforting to know that someone as calm, cool, collective, efficient and responsible as you were handling the finances of the City. He thanked him personally for the eight years that he has given to the City and thanked him on behalf fo the citizens. Council Minutes 09::23,:2008 Page 4 Councilmember Cartes, stated that she will miss Larry very much. She expressed her appreciation for all of his hard work and time that he gave to the City. Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, thanked Larry for all of his creativity when it came to preparing the budgets and for how responsive he was with every question that the Council had. She thanked him for taking the time to keep the Council informed. She wished him and his family a wonderful retirement. Councilmember Miller, wished him luck on his retirement. Mayor Ferre, stated that she will miss Larry and thanked him for everything that he has done and expressed her confidence with him at the helm. Acting City Manager Berry introduced Bernie Simon, the new Finance Director. Bernie Simon. Finance_Director, stated that it is an honor and a pleasure to be back in Grand Terrace. When Tom Schwab hired Mr. Ronnow he was the outgoing guy. He has worked for other organizations throughout the Inland Empire. He feels that it is a great opportunity to be back where he got his start in municipal government. He feels that Larry has done a great job and is making it very easy for him to come back. The City is still very beautiful and has a great staff and he is glad to be here. 0 CONSENT CALENDAR CC-2008-78 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBERCORTES, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER MILLER, CARIED 5-0, to approve the following Consent Calendar Items: 3B. Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda 3D. Travel Authorization for the Senior Code Enforcement Officer to Attend the 2008 CACE Conference 3E. Request to Approve an Increase in the Agency Disbursement Amount and an Implementation Memorandum, Blue Mountain Senior Villas ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR 3A. Approve Check Register Dated September 9 & 23, 2008 CC-2008-79 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES, CARRIED 4-0-0-1 (COUNCILMEMBER MILLER ABSTAINED), to approve Check Register Dated September 9 & 23, 2008. 3C. Approval of 08-26-2008 Minutes Council Minutes 09123/2008 Page 5 CC-2008-80 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER BUCHANAN, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the corrected Minutes, with the inclusion of Mr. Berliner's comments during public comment being done verbatim, of the City Council Meeting dated August 26, 2008. PUBLIC COMMENT Denis Kidd, 22874 Pico Street, stated that Mt. Vernon Avenue in Highgrove closed several years ago so that it could be relocated in the new development. The road was relocated a couple of years ago but it wasn't opened because part of it needed to be widened and improved. A couple of months ago Palmaretto was widened up to Mt. Vernon so Highgrove Municipal Advisory Council passed a Resolution requesting that Riverside County open Mt. Vernon and he would like to see the Grand Terrace City Council pass a Resolution supporting Highgrove's Resolution for Riverside County to open Mt. Vernon in Highgrove. Acting City Manager Berry, indicated that he will look into what Mr. Kidd is talking about and follow-up with it. REPORTS 5A. Committee Reports Emergency Operations Committee a. Minutes of August 5, 2008 CC-2008-81 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BUCHANAN, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES, CARRIED 5-0, to accept the August 5, 2008 Minutes of the Emergency Operations Committee. 2. Historical and Cultural Activities Committee a. Minutes of July 7, 2008 CC-2008-82 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, CARRIED 5-0, to accept the July 7, 2008 Minutes of the Historical and Cultural Activities Committee. 5B. Council Reports Mayor Pro Tern Lee Ann Garcia, budgets are important and being good stewards of the public funds and trust is important as well. She would like staff to bring to Council the 0 impacts of the State Budget. She would also like to possibly start tracking the revenues and Council Minutes 09;'23.:2008 Page 6 expenditures quarterly so that if there are problems they can be addressed and taken care of. The two things that really make a difference in Grand Terrace is the tremendous volunteer hours and the Foundation of Grand Terrace and the amount of money that we get from them. She feels that as we move forward we can start tracking that and show our appreciation to those who do that. She also thought about having a fiscal analysis on all of the Staff Reports that shows what the impact is on the different funds. She questioned if there is anything being done for the businesses owners that lost their businesses in the fire. Acting City Manager Be , responded that as everyone may know there was a fire last Wednesday that took out the E-Z Mart, Nail Salon, and A-1 Cleaners. He indicated that Building & Safety/Public Works Director Richard Shields has some information on that location. Building & Safe/Public Works Director Richard Shields, stated that he spoke to Demetri and the Insurance Company and indicated to them that the City will expedite any plans for the new building and also expedite any tenant improvements for any of the new tenants coming in. By expediting it means less than two weeks, which is the normal time frame. He stated that the Planning Department is on board with him as well. For those people that may have had clothing or other items at the cleaners, there is a sign up on the fence with a telephone number for assistance. He stated that he is working with Demetri. It can be a long process when dealing with insurance companies. There are investigations that need to take place and as soon as these happen it will get rebuilt right away. He thanked Demetri for acting so quickly and for the temporary fences to protect the public. Mayor Pro Tern Garcia, reported that the Healing Touch, Medical Massage Therapy is new to Grand Terrace and they have done a wonderful job with their new business. The business of the Month will be City News. Council member Oftes, stated that they received a phone call from our State Assembly Member Bill Emmerson regarding the Barton Road bridge and he is helping Grand Terrace by speaking to Union Pacific Railroad and wanted to thank him. Building and Safety/Public Works Director Shields, thanked Councilmember Cortes for her assistance in this matter. He feels that having her there in the drivers seat we are able to negotiate around this whole situation. He received an e-mail from Mr. Freddie Chung, who is the UPR Representative in our area, and was told that they were going to accept our design. They added a few conditions to the existing design which means that we are going to have to do some minor detailed worked, but the UP asked the City to have the consultant submit 100% plans which means that they are ready to approve it and go into the necessary agreements that are required by Caltrans. We are going to move forward and get the bridge built and Colton is going to help us. He thanked the Mayor for the letter that she wrote to the Union Pacific and also the City of Colton for their Mayor's letter. Council Minutes 09/23/2008 Page 7 Councilmember Cortes, she agrees with Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Grand Terrace is unique because of the people that spend so much time volunteering. She thanked Lawrence Halvin for all of the time that he volunteers to the City. She wished the Mayor a happy birthday. Councilmember Miller, attended the Republican Woman's Ice Cream Social on Friday and he was approached by a resident, Sharon Kerry, regarding graffiti that is on Finch on some rock and has been told that staff is working on removing it. He questioned Lt. Newcombe if the individuals doing the graffiti along the freeway were caught. Lt. Newcombe, responded in the negative. He stated that all of the officers are aware of the problem and that they continue to work on it. PUBLIC HEARING A. An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace, California, Amending Chapter 12.28 of the Grand Terrace Municipal Code and Amending the Lost of Approved Street and Parkway Trees Acting City Manager Bg=, stated that in 1979 the City Council adopted a list of approved trees that may be planted either by developers, contractors, or individuals home owners. Over the years some of those trees have become detrimental to streets and sidewalks. Currently, the City is looking at four major projects coming to town and we want to make sure that standards are in place to protect our streets and sidewalks in the future. Staff has reviewed the list and is recommending the following list of trees to be approved: Ginko Biloba (Fastigiate Male) Maidenhair Tree Koelreuteria Biponnata Goldenrain Tree Lagerstroemia Indica Crape Myrtle Magnolia Grandiflora Cv. Southern Magnolia Pistacia Chinensis Chinese Pistachio Eriobotarya Deflexa Bronze Loguat Chitalpa Tashkentensis Chitalpa Cercis Canadensis Eastern Red Bud Cercis Occidentalis Western Red Bud Trachycarpus Fortunei (Excelsa) Windmill Palm Washington Filitera California Fan Palm Washington Robusta Mexican Fan Palm Mayor Ferre, opened the public hearing for discussion, there being none she returned discussion to Council. CC-2008-83 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER Council Minutes 09:21,2008 Page 8 CORTES, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the first reading of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace, California, Amending Chapter 12.28 of the Grand Terrace Municipal Code and Amending the List of Approved Street and Parkway Trees B. An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace, California, Amending Grand Terrace Municipal Code, Chapter 10, Section 10.08, Establishing Speed Limits for Various Streets in the City of Grand Terrace Craig Neustaedter, stated that California State Statues require each local agency to perform speed zone studies at least every five years in order to be able to enforce speed limits through the use of radar, or other electronic means. The Grand Terrace Municipal Code, Chapter 10, Section 10.08 addresses the topic of speed zones and posted speed limits. The City traffic engineering consultant recently conducted speed zone studies of nine locations with the City. Based on these studies, it is recommended that the City Council certify the posted speed zones for the following locations: Barton Road - Preston Street to East City Limits - 45 DeBerry Street - Michigan Street to Mi. Vernon Avenue - 30 DeBerry Street - Mt. Vernon Avenue 1/4 mile east of Observation Drive- 30 Main Street - Iowa Avenue to Michigan Street - 40 Main Street - Michigan Street to Mt. Vernon Avenue - 45 Michigan Street - Van Buren Avenue to Main Street - 35 Mt. Vernon Avenue - Van Buren Avenue to Main Street - 40 Palm Avenue - Barton Road to Honey Hills Drive - 35 Van Buren Avenue - Mt. Vernon Avenue to Observation Drive - 30 Mayor Ferre, opened the public hearing for discussion, there being none she returned discussion to Council. CC-2008-84 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the first reading of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace, California, Amending Grand Terrace Municipal Code, Chapter 10, Section 10.08, Establishing Speed Limits for Various Streets in the City of Grand Terrace UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None NEW BUSINESS 8A. Designating 33 Feet of Red Curb at the Southeast Corner of Preston Street and Barton Road 0 U 11 Council Minutes 09:23 2008 Page 9 CC-2008-85 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BUCHANAN, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES, CARRIED 5-0, to designate 33 feet of Red Curb at the Southeast Corner of Preston Street and Barton Road. 8B. Designating Red Curb at 22822 Palm Avenue CC-2008-86 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER MILLER, CARRIED 5-0, to designate a red curb at 22822 Palm Avenue. 8C. Schedule November and December City Council Meetings CC-2008-87 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BUCHANAN, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, CARRIED 5-0, schedule a meeting on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 and Tuesday, December 9, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. following the City Birthday Party. CLOSED SESSION 9A. Conference with Real Property Negotiator Pursuant to Government Code GC54956.8 12723 Mt. Vernon & 12713 Mt. Vernon Agency Negotiator: Steve Berry Negotiating Parties: Marty Cooper and JoAnn Johnson Mayor Ferre announced that the Council met in Closed Session for a Conference with Real Property Negotiator Pursuant to Government Code GC54956.8 and that there was no reportable action taken. Mayor Ferrd adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m., until the next CRA/City Council Meeting which is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. MAY of the City of Grand Terrace &L/"'Vq WA-J'2 CITY CLERK of the City of Grand Terrace