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04/14/2009CITY OF GRAND TERRACE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - APRIL 14, 2009 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 April 14, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. PRESENT: Maryetta Ferre, Mayor Lee Ann Garcia, Mayor Pro Tern Jim Miller, Councilmember Bea Cortes, Councilmember Walt Stanckiewitz, Councilmember Brenda Mesa, City Clerk Steve Berry, Acting City Manager Bernard Simon, Finance Director Joyce Powers, Community & Economic Development Director Richard Shields, Building & Safety Director John Harper, City Attorney Sgt. Hector Gomez, San Bernardino County Sheriff s Department John Salvate, San Bernardino County Fire Department ABSENT: None The City Council meeting was opened with Invocation by Pastor Rick Doucette, Calvary, the Brook Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilman Jim Miller. CONVENE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ITEMS TO DELETE - None SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 2A. Highlands Apartments Jeanne Ruvolo. Code Enforcement Department - Rental Inspection Program, indicated that the purpose of her presentation is to publicly recognize and reward the members of the Grand Terrace Community at the Highlands Apartments. Through the achievements and contributions made by the owners and staff at Sequoia Equities, a quality living environment has been created and most importantly maintained after twenty years. Housing approximately 80,o ofthe City's population on I I acres is not a venture that is undertaken by the faint of heart. In the last year, improvements at the Highlands have included extensive landscaping improvements, including over 12,000 square feet of new sod, the removal, stump grinding and replacement of dozens of dead or diseased trees and the trimming of live Council Minutes 04r 14r2o09 Page 2 trees. In accordance with the Virginia Graham Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, the owners have upgraded the on -site pools and spas by installing anti entrapment drain covers. Another extensive upgrade made this past year was the re -roofing of 90 garages and carports in this large complex. Not only did this markedly improve the buildings aesthetics and integrity but also provided revenue for the City through the permits obtained by them. This re -roofing included the replacement and painting of the facia board and wood trim, as well. The Highlands Apartment may be considered a green environment considering the application of a roof restoration system applied to the fifty-five dwellings roof tops. This white reflective coating is capable of reducing roof temperatures while extending roof life and reducing the cooling costs of each apartment. Water conservation is a priority of the Highlands as they have been replacing the existing the landscaping irrigation with water saving sprinkler heads, controllers, and more efficient designs. Staff at the Highlands has also improved many of the apartments on site by upgrading and remodeling the interior of the apartments. Community Service in an integral part of working at the Highlands, not only has Sequoia Equities formed an American Cancer Society Relay for Life Team at the Highlands but they recently joined forces with the San Bernardino County Sheriff by implementing the neighborhood watch program on the premises. She welcomed the Manager for the Highlands Apartments, Elisha Boldizar, Carrie Caudill, Regional Manager for Sequoia Equities, and Di Angelo Basham, Customer Service Manager. Elisha Boldizar, stated that Jeanne Ruvolo has been instrumental in the achievements at the Highlands over the past two years. She has been partnered with them to help guide them in the right direction for any issues and concerns that the City may have. There are a few things that they are in the process of doing. In an effort to be proactive they are relocating the exterior mailboxes to an interior location. They participate in the PAWS Program, where they will waive any SPAC fees, they participate in blood drives, and during the disasters last year they took in many fire displaced victims with no deposit and no pet rent. She stated that they would not be able to do any of these things if it wasn't for the support of the owners and her Regional Manager and the fact that they pride themselves on preserving the most upstanding asset possible. Jeanne Ruvolo, presented all three of them with certificates of appreciation which stated, In appreciation of your continued efforts in maintaining the Highlands Apartments by the high standards that are admired and appreciated by all. 2B. Introduction of New C.E.R.T. Members/Oath Debra Hurst, Secretary C.E.R.T., announced that they have just completed another C.E.R.T. Training class. They now have a total of 45 members. She introduced each of the new members. City Clerk Brenda Mesa administered the Oath of Office. Council Minutes 04.14.2009 Page 3 2C. Proclamation - Earthquake Preparedness Month, April 2009 Councilmember Bea Cortes, read a proclamation, proclaiming April 2009 as Earthquake Preparedness Month in the City of Grand Terrace. 2D. Proclamation - Blue Ribbon Week - May 10 - 16, 2009 Councilmember Walt Stanckiewitz, read a proclamation, proclaiming the week of May 10, 2009 as Blue Ribbon Week in Grand Terrace recognizing and supporting all peace officers and Iaw enforcement agencies. CONSENT CALENDAR CC-2009-45 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the following Consent Calendar Items: 3A. Approve Check Register Dated April 14, 2009 3B. Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda 3C. Approval of 03-24-2009 Minutes 3D. Resolution Supporting the "One Water One Watershed" Santa Ana River Watershed Integrated Regional Water Management PIan 3E. Public Convenience or Necessity for Issuance of an Off -Sale Beer and Wine License for Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market 3G. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program for Fiscal Years 2009-10, 2010-11, 2011-12 Delegate Agency Agreement ITEM REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR 3F. Award Contract - GTB-2009-01 Renovation of Fire Station No. 23 in Grand Terrace (Hamel Contracting, Inc.) CC-2009-46 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MILLER, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES, CARRIED 5-0, to award the Contract for the Renovation of Fire Station 23, in the amount of $439, 818 to Hamel Contracting Inc. and appropriate $65,769 from the unreserved General Fund Balance. PUBLIC COMMENT Lori Williams. 22291 Franklin Street, indicated that she is the Executive Director of the newly formed theater group "Grand Terrace Community Players." Their mission is simple, to bring quality, affordable theatrical performances to Grand Terrace. There are many talented residents in the Grand Terrace, South Colton and Reche Canyon areas. Their goal Council Minutes 04.1412009 Page 4 is simple, to find and showcase these talents. They are planning to debut their first production this summer. Their needs as a new organization are more complex, to find an affordable venue to house the productions, to raise the funds needed to equip and sustain their organization and to produce quality theatrical performances. She is currently negotiating with the Lion's CIub and the Principal of Terrace Hills Middle School regarding the use of the community center and the auditorium for their productions. The total costs and availabilities will dictate which facility they will use. Their organization will be requesting donations from the businesses in and near Grand Terrace to help offset the production costs once they receive their non-profit status. They will also be pursuing grants from various sources for their funding needs. Donations are always welcome. Their dreams for the future are ambitious, a full season of performances year after year, annual Summer Shakespear Festivals and perhaps even a Blues or Jazz Music Festival in the park. They believe that this endeavor will enrich our community as well as help boost Grand Terrace's businesses and City revenues. Amanda Betten, 22733 Palm Avenue 4F, stated that they are with the Grand Terrace High School Renaming Committee. Grand Terrace residents can make a difference and she encourages everyone to listen with an open mind. Research had been done proving that California Education Code 60615 allows parents to opt their children out of STAR Testing, it is not mandatory. She thanked the members of the City Council for their continued support. The residents and the City of Grand Terrace have done so much to make the new high school a reality. They have the same goal and would like to continue to work together towards a goal of having a high school in the community named after the town in which it is located. This high school would bring community identification and exposure to the City based on high school events such as sports and academic performances. The Committee has currently collected over 2000 signatures to present to the Colton Joint Unified School District Board supporting the change of the high school name. They are currently passing out letters to inform the parents and the residents of the Colton School District with the information on how they can help influence the Colton's School Boards decision. They continue to encourage residents to write letters to their local school board members as well as members of local government and media outlets. They need your help to fight back and make them listen. State Education Code 60615 allows parents to waive their kids from taking the STAR Test. The District needs Grand Terrace's scores. They are asking parents to sign a waiver opting out their child as a form of protest. STAR Test results do not affect your child, the STAR Test is used to measured the District's academic progress. The School Board Meeting is set for March 23, 2009 and the STAR Testing starts in approximately 3 weeks. The School Board has time to re -name the high school Grand Terrace High School and the children would then participate in the testing. She encourages everyone to actively participate in showing the Colton Joint Unified School District Board what your opinion reflects by joining in their efforts. Cynthia Bidnev,12219 Pascal, wanted to bring the attention of the Council to an article that Council Minutes 04.14/?009 Page 5 disturbs her. She read it as follows, "Grand Terrace Assistant City Manager moonlighted as Development Consultant in Loma Linda. Grand Terrace Assistant City Manager Steve Berry moonlighted as a consultant to a developer in the adjoining City of Loma Linda in 2006, the Sentinnel has Iearned. Without the knowledge or blessing of Grand Terrace City Council, Berry was retained by Glenn Ellsman, one of the principals in Mission Development at a rate of $3,000.00 per month. Berry designed for Ellsman a website entitled "Save the Hills" which advocated against Measure V and on behalf of Measure U. He also engaged in voter contact within some Loma Linda neighborhoods to advocate on behalf of Measure U. Berry approached home owners who had posted Measure V campaign signs in their yards and attempted to convince them to take the signs down. When one of the homeowners asked whom he was working for, Berry told him that he was working with and on behalf of the Loma Linda Mayor, Floyd Peterson, who was opposed to Measure V. Ultimately Measure V was passed by Loma Linda. Berry did not inform the Grand Terrace City Council or his boss, City Manager Tom Schwab, that he was serving as a consultant on the political issue in the neighboring City. Schwab said that "he learned about Berry's moonlighting after the fact and only as a consequence of an employee evaluation, in which the subject of his pay level became an issue." During that evaluation, Berry requested a pay raise to make up for the expiration of his contract with Ellsman. "He asked me for a raise," Schwab recollected. "He said that he had been working as a consultant with Glenn Ellsman against the Measure V issue in Loma Linda but that the Election was over and now he was down 3,000 per month." Schwab said that he would not have approved of Berry working with Ellsman in Loma Linda. "It took me by surprise," Schwab said "I would not been happy about this and I don't believe that the City Council is knowledgeable of it." It is known in some quarters that after going to work as Assistant City Manager in Grand Terrace Bent' was operating an enterprise called Trash.com. Notably in his Statement of Economic Interest filed on February 28, 2007, for the calendar year 2006, Berry did not disclose his work on behalf of Ellsman and Mission Development. He did not include the information relating to Ellsman payments to him in the document. I would like to know what else he is not telling us. Jeff Allen, 22549 Brentwood Street, indicated that Azure Hills Adventist Church willingly, on short notice, allowed the C.E.R.T. Training Program to use their facilities for the entire $ weeks that they conducted the training at no cost with no restrictions and they would Iike to publicly acknowledge their cooperation and thank them. REPORTS 5A. Committee Reports 1. Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) a. Minutes of January 6, 2009 and February 2, 2009 CC-2009-47 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER STANCKIEWITZ, CARRIED 5-0, to accept the January 6, 2009 and February 2, Council Minutes 04:14/2009 Page 6 2009 Minutes of the Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T.) 2. Historical and Cultural Activities Committee a. Minutes of March 2, 2009 CC-2009-48 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, CARRIED 5-0, to accept the March 2, 2009 Minutes of the Historical and Cultural Activities Committee. 3. Emergency Operations Committee a. Minutes of March 3, 2009 CC-2009-49 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER STANCKIEWITZ, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES, CAIUUED 5-0, to accept the March 3, 2009 Minutes of the Emergency Operations Committee. 5B. Council Reports Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, shared a letter that the Council received from the School Board regarding the request to hold a joint meeting. The School Board indicated that they are no( able to schedule a joint meeting during the current school year. It is their hope that they would be able to look at the 2009-10 school year when the budget concerns and the work load of preparing for the new high has decreased. She expressed her deep disappointment of the Colton Joint Unified School District Board Members inability to meet with one of the cities in their jurisdiction when we know that there is an issue that is deeply important to us. She thanked the efforts of the community. We are small but incredibly mighty and the people of our community are engaged, knowledgeable and should not be underestimated. She spoke to Lori Williams about the Grand Terrace Community Players and she also feels that there are a lot of theatrical/drama type people in the community and she is looking forward to their productions. Easter Sunrise service, as always, was a great event. Along with the local Churches many community groups and businesses were involved. The Blue Mountain Senior Villas are still accepting applications. On Saturday, April 11, 2009 the Free Dump Day/Community Clean-up event was held. 600 yards of materials were collected and 30 yards of e-waste. She thanked Burrtec for their support and Barrie Owens. The Woman's Club held their program on Women in History. She reported that Market Night will be held on April 20" and that the San Bernardino Symphony will be in Grand Terrace on May 1, 2009 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. On May 3' the 25`h Annual Art Show hosted by the Historical & Cultural Activities Committee will be held. Councilmember Bea Cortes, reported that she attended SANBAG's Board Meeting and that Grand Terrace will be receiving $200,000.00 from the Federal Stimulus to go toward road repairs. The new Measure I will be coming in the next couple of years and that should be Council Minutes 04:' 1412009 Page 7 $184,000.00. The gas tax funds should also be coming. She thanked Craig Neustaedter for his efforts on behalf of the City of Grand Terrace. She attended the ground breaking for the new high school. It was bitter sweet. She thanked the Mayor for doing an outstanding job. She gave special thanks to Acting City Manager Steve Berry for his efforts in talking to Mr. Abril. The Sunrise Easter Event was wonderful. Councilmember Jim Miller, reported that the Boys Scouts of America held their Scout Master Award Program for Distinguished Citizens of the Year. For the last couple of years Grand Terrace has had distinguished people recognized. Last year was Mayor Maryetta Ferrd and this year it was Patricia Nix. He thanked those people who attended the event. Councilmember Stanckiewitz, he thanked the Rename Grand Terrace High School Committee for their efforts and stated that he is available for whatever they may need. The RED Team has been meeting and they are working on coming up with a proposal to bring to Council on new signage in the City. Mayor Maryetta Ferrd, thanked Amanda Betten and Wendy for their efforts and that Council is behind them 100%. She stated that it was an honor to attend the ground breaking ceremony for the high school and that she had the opportunity to speak. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None UNFINISHED BUSINESS 7A. Review the Updated Reports from the City's Traffic Engineer and the New Reports from the San Bernardino County Sheriff on Speed Controls for Palm Avenue CC-2009-50 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER STANCKIEWITZ, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES, CARRIED 5-0, to approve Staff s recommendation not to install any stop signs on Palm and to review the vegetation trimming recommendations from both the Sheriff and the Traffic Engineer and utilize City Staff to complete the work notifying property owners of any work on city -owned right-of-ways. NEW BUSINESS 8A. Property Lease Agreement American Promotional Events, Inc. Dba Freedom Fireworks/Red Devil Fireworks/TNT Fireworks CC-2009-51 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER MILLER, CARRIED 5-0, to table the Property Lease Agreement American Promotional Events, Inc. Dba Freedom Fireworks/Red Devil Fireworks/TNT Council Minutes 04/14/2009 Page 8 Fireworks and to direct staff to work with Grand Terrace Little League and Grand Terrace Community Soccer Club to come up with an agreement regarding fees, etc. and bring this item back to the next Council Meeting. CLOSED SESSION - None Mayor Ferrd adjourned the meeting at 7:10 p.m., until the next City Council Meeting which is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. CITY CLERK of the City of Grand Terrace r MAYO of the City o Grand Terrace I