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09/08/2009I CITY OF GRAND TERRACE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - SEPTEMBER 8, 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 September 8, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. PRESENT: Maryetta Ferre, Mayor Lee Ann Garcia, Mayor Pro Tern Bea Cortes, Councilmember Jim Miller, Councilmember Walt Stanckiewitz, Councilmember Brenda Mesa, City Clerk Bernard Simon, Finance Director/Acting City Manager Joyce Powers, Community & Economic Development Director Richard Shields, Building & Safety Director John Harper, City Attorney Lt. Tony Allen, San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department ABSENT: John Salvate, San Bernardino County Fire Department The City Council meeting was opened with Invocation by Pastor Pat Bower, Calvary the Brook Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilwoman Bea Cortes. CONVENE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ITEMS TO DELETE - None SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS - None CONSENT CALENDAR CC-2009-116 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, SECOND BY MAYOR FERRE, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the following Consent Calendar Items with the Removal of Item 3A. and 3C. 3B. Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda 3D. Approval of an Amended Professional Services Consultant Agreement Between the City and Chambers Group, Inc. to complete needed technical studies for the General Plan and Redevelopment Plan Amendment Environmental Impact Report 3E. Notice of Completion, Orange Grove Parkway (EZ Sunnyday Landscape) Council Minutes 09l08;:2009 Page 2 ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR 3A. Annrove Check Register Dated 09-08-2009 CC-2009-I 17 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the Check Register Dated 09-08-2009. 3C. A2groval of 08-25-2009 Minutes CC-2009-118 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER STANCKIEWITZ, CARRIED 4-0-0-1 (COUNCILMEMBER CORTES ABSTAINED), to approve the 08-25-2009 Minutes. PUBLIC COMMENT Shad Boal, 12632 Mirado Avenue, gave an update on the Grand Terrace Community Day. He stated that the community is looking out for the community. They have pulled together and done some amazing things. The events team has been a true blessing to work with. The signs that are advertising the event were made in Grand Terrace by Cal Skate. They stepped up and did an awesome job. They are looking forward to seeing everyone out there. JoAnn Johnson,12723 Mt. Vernon Avenue, stated that there was an article that appeared in the Highgrove Happenings regarding the Senior Center kitchen and felt that she needed to offer some corrections and clarification. She stated that it has been known that there were major problems with the kitchen prior to them opening the center. She has talked at length to those who have a say in what can be done. She has also addressed the City Council with her concerns. Unfortunately casting blame does not solve the problems. While it is quite true that they are not allowed to use the kitchen for food preparation it is in fact a totally functioning kitchen in all ways. Both dishwashers are connected to the plumbing just like in an ordinary kitchen and are working very well. The problem is far more complicated than can be explained briefly. The Health Department says that there can not be a direct connection to the plumbing but rather a special indirect one that prevents any possible backup transfer. The fact that this was not discovered until after the fact presents a huge problem. The lunches are delivered to the kitchen, kept hot in the steam table and served from the kitchen. They are pre -packaged and certainly not as attractive as they have become use to but the food is the same. To say that they are all disappointed would be an understatement. While she is hopeful that this situation will be corrected she doesn't believe that her ranting and name calling would be in anyone's best interest. Barney Karger, 11668 Bernardo Way, he stated that Grand Terrace is a contract City, an efficient way to govern and the way the City started. Due to the lack of leadership he feels that the City has moved away from that idea which will cost the City money. A contract city Council Minutes 09."08 2009 Page 3 contracts nearly all of the services it wants. He feels that City Manager's try to build an empire and look big. He feels that the Council should be checking and supervising all employees especially the City Manager and Finance Director. It was past time for Tom Schwab to retire. He feels that he did nothing wrong in not reporting Steve's problem to the DA however he should have told the Mayor. He feels that it was a good thing that the Council let Steve Berry go. He feels that it is past time that the City Mayor and the City Council admit that they are guilty before and after the fact of whatever. He would like to see the City write a letter of support to the DA on behalf of Jim Miller. REPORTS 5A. Committee Reports 1. Emergency Operations Committee a. Minutes of August 4, 2009 CC-2009-119 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CORTES, CARRIED 5-0, to accept the August 4, 2009 Minutes of the Emergency Operations Committee 0 SB. Council Reports Mayor Pro Tern Lee Ann Garcia, reported that she had the opportunity to have lunch at the Senior Center and it was lovely. She encouraged everyone to attend the Fireman's Breakfast on September 12, 2009 from 7:00 a.m. to 12 noon prior to the Community Event. Councilmember Cartes, gave a special thanks Larry who helped her with collecting bottles for the Community Event. Councilmember Miller, thanked Barney for his support. He gave kudos to the Community Day Team that put the event together. He realizes how much time and effort they have put into the event and knows that it will be a great event. Councilmember Stanckiewitz, encouraged everyone to support Market Night on the third Monday of every month. He feels that it will only be a success if the residents support it. He reported that the Community Emergency Response Team is looking to start another training class in October. If anyone is interested they should get in touch with Debra Hurst. Council received a letter regarding trash cans not being removed from the streets and requested an update on this issue. He questioned how old the ordinance is and does it need to be updated. Building and SafetyTublic Works Director Shields, responded that they are currently working on reviewing the trash ordinance. Staff plans on bringing this to Council in the near Council Minutes 09;`08/2009 Page 4 future and could possibly be a workshop item. Cily Attorne HgMer, mentioned that the current ordinance is not that old. Councilmember Stanckiewitz, stated that the ordinance is 12 years old and that we don't require that cans be out of sight just that they be removed within 12 hours. He questioned if we are enforcing something that is not in the ordinance. Communily and Economic Development Director Powers, responded that she has looked at Grand Terrace's Code with regards to the storage of trash cans. She stated that the Code says now that the cans can only be put out 24 hours prior and need to be picked up within 12 hours of the trash collection. Council may want to look at whether or not they want to add a section that keeps them completely out of public view. Her best assessment of what is occurring is that since residents were given multiple larger trash cans it has been more difficult to store them out of public view. Technically they are doing what the code says if they pull them back away from the street but they still may be in public view which generates complaints. Councilmember Stanckiewitz clarified that staff is not citing people for the trash cans being in view only those who are not taking them off the streets. 0 Communi1y and Economic Development Director Powers, responded that they are asking them that if there is a way to store them out of public view to do so. Councilmember Stanckiewitz, stated that he would support a workshop to discuss this issue. He stated that it has come to his attention that the temporary Finance Director without a contract has access to City Hall. He has a problem with it and felt it best that he bring it to Council. He already has a concern with confidential information being leaked to the public about certain things and the fact that we have someone who is not an employee having access to City Hall in an unattended capacity concerns him. He feels that it is time for this City to grow up and not run itself like a family. We need to run the City like a business and no business would ever allow a temporary employee complete access to their facilities. He would like to have this agendized because he has a concern about security in City Hall. Councilmember Miller, stated that he would support this item being agendized. Acting Ci1y Manager Simon, stated that Larry Ronnow is working 3 days a week. Generally he is here Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He stated that Mr. Ronnow was here for seven years and trusts him and feels that security was not an issue. He only has access to the exterior door and Finance Department. Council Minutes 09 08.2009 Page 5 Mayor Ferrd questioned if Larry Ronnow could only work during regular business hours. It would be her choice to have him do that. Ma or Pro Tem Garcia, concurred. Acting City Manager Simon, stated that he would talk to him and take care of the issue. Mayor Ferrel, stated that she is very impressed and proud of the Brithany Building on Barton Road, which is a dance studio and welcomed them. There is a neighborhood meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at 21850 Grand Terrace Road at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the landscaping project surrounding the mobile home park and the general reconstruction of Grand Terrace Road. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None UNFINISHED BUSINESS 7A. Redflex Financial Update CC-2009-120 MOTION BY MAYOR FERRE, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, CARRIED 4-1-0-0 (COUNCILMEMBER STANCKIEWITZ VOTED NO), to approve the payment to Redflex Traffic Systems in the amount of $29,000 from the available fund balance from the Traffic Safety Fund. NEW BUSINESS 8A. Senior Center Community Gardens CC-2009-121 MOTION BY MAYOR FERRE, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, CARRIED 5-0, to table this item to allow it to go back to the Senior Board and also review the budget to look at donations and receive Council input and bring it back to the Council at their meeting of October 13, 2009. 8B. Uniform Reimbursement Request New COP Graduates Robert Stewart, 3578 Timothy Way, Riverside, stated that he is the commander of the COP's and that he has been in the unit almost fifteen years. This is the largest group that is going through the academy. He realizes that money is tight. The COP's donate over 2000 hours per year for the City. There are many things that these volunteers do for the community. CC-2009-122 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER STANCKIEWITZ, CARRIED 4-0-0-1 (COUNCILMEMBER Council Minutes o9/o8noo9 Page 6 MILLER ABSTAINED), to approve the reimbursement to new COP Members and appropriate $880.00 from the Available Undesignated, Unreserved General Fund Balance Reserve with the understanding that the Commander will make a request to the Lion's Club to pay for 50% of the cost of the uniforms. 8B. FY 2009 EMPG (Emergency Management Performance Grant) Application CC-2009-123 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GARCIA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER N-1ILLER, CARRIED 5-0, to table this item and direct staff to confer with C.E.R.T. Commander Randy Halseth and his group as well as the Battalion Chief John Salvate to get help with the matching component of the FY 2009 EMPG (Emergency Management Performance Grant). CLOSED SESSION 9A. Selection of City Manager Mayor Ferrd announced that the Council met in Closed Session to discuss the Selection of City Manager and that there was no reportable action taken. Mayor Ferrd adjourned the meeting at 8:22 p.m., until the next City Council Meeting which is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. CITY CLERK of the City of Grand Terrace r M YO f the City of Grand Terrace