Loading...
08/13/1992CITY OF GRAND TERRACE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING - AUGUST 13, 1992 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 August 13, 1992 at 6:30 P.M. PRESENT: Byron Matteson, Mayor Gene Carlstrom, Councilmember Ronald Christianson, Councilmember Herman Hilkey, Councilmember Thomas J. Schwab, City Manager Phil Bush, Finance Director Brenda Stanfill, City Clerk Maria Muett, Associate Planner Joe Kicak, City Engineer ABSENT: Hugh J. Grant, Mayor Pro Tem Randall Anstine, Assistant City Manager Patrizia Materassi, Planning Director John Harper, City Attorney The meeting was opened with invocation by Pastor Rich Dubose, Azure Hills Seventh-Day Adventist Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Carlstrom. Mayor Matteson convened City Council meeting at 6:30 P.M. Mayor Matteson reconvened City Council meeting at 6:40 P.M. ITEMS TO DELETE 2C. Local Emergency Communication Update SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 2A. Mayor Matteson presented Associate Planner, Maria Muett with a Five-year Service Award. 2B. Mayor Matteson announced that Mr. and Mrs. Earl Woodring of 11805 Arliss Lane received the July 1992 Recycling Family of the Month award. Mayor Matteson read a letter from the June 1992 Recycling award recipients, the Sisters of St. 0 Benedict, which expresses appreciation for receipt Council Minutes - 08/13/92 Page 2 of the Recycling Family of the Month award and the accompanying merchant gift certificates. CONSENT CALENDAR CC-92-140 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CARLSTROM, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER HILKEY, CARRIED 4-0-1-0 (MAYOR PRO TEM GRANT WAS ABSENT), to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar with the removal of the July 14, 1992 City Council Minutes from Item 3D. A. APPROVE CHECK REGISTER NO. 081392 B. RATIFY 08/13/92 CRA ACTION C. WAIVE FULL READING OF ORDINANCES ON AGENDA D. APPROVE 7/23/92 AND 7/29/92 MINUTES E. AWARD INFRASTRUCTURE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT F. RELEASE CASH DEPOSIT (LEE) ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR 3D. APPROVE 7/14/92 MINUTES Councilmember Hilkey requested that the July 14, 1992 City Council Minutes be amended to indicate that the meeting was a joint meeting between the City of Colton and the City of Grand Terrace which featured a presentation on the proposed renovation of the Colton tertiary wastewater treatment plant. PUBLIC COMMENTS Debra Mueller, 22608 La Paix, Grand Terrace; expressed concern regarding a state operated home on Mt. Vernon Avenue. She stated that some residents in the area have complained that the group home occupants have engaged in indecent exposure and trespass. She revealed that law enforcement officers have been called to the vicinity twice regarding the behavior of the group home residents but indicated her belief that the City has no jurisdiction regarding state operated group homes. She remarked that four homes are for sale in the area and attributed that fact to the activities of the group home residents. Council Minutes -- 08/13/92 Page 3 City Manager Schwab, explained that the City requires that a group home apply for a Conditional Use Permit but added that legislation prohibits the City from discriminating against the location of a group home, with six or fewer occupants, within the municipality. He revealed, however, that the City can regulate illegal activities perpetrated by persons living in a group home, adding that the homeowners in the vicinity of a group home on Cardinal persistently reported the crimes of its occupants until the state relinquished the site. He stressed that criminal activity should be reported to the Sheriff's Department so that the state can be notified that the home in question is not being operated according to state guidelines thus ensuring that the permit for such a home will be withdrawn. He added that the status of individuals in a group home is confidential and unavailable to the City. Debra Mueller, 22608 La Paix, Grand Terrace; inquired whether the City Manager had ascertained the number of residents at the site in question. City Manager Schwab, revealed that he is unfamiliar with the group home on Mt. Vernon. Debra Mueller, 22608 La Paix, Grand Terrace; indicating her participation in the closure of the group home on Cardinal, disclosed her intention to meet with the residents on Mt. Vernon to close that group home. She expressed her belief that the City Manager had been informed of the Mt. Vernon group home. City Manager Schwab, requested that the residents contact him regarding the Mt. Vernon situation, adding that he is aware of a group home on Holly. Barbara Pfennighausen, 22111 Ladera St., Grand Terrace; inquired as to whether any changes were made in the preliminary budget during the budget hearings. City Manager Schwab, affirmed that the budget was amended. Barbara Pfennighausen, 22111 Ladera St., Grand Terrace; questioned when the adopted budget will be available for public review. City Manager Schwab, asserting that the State's actions may have a significant fiscal impact on Grand Terrace, remarked that the City will not adopt its budget until Council Minutes - 08/13/92 Page 4 the State budget is finalized. Commenting that adjustments to the preliminary budget were minor, he offered to make the changes available to the public. Barbara Pfenni hausen, 22111 Ladera St., Grand Terrace; indicating dissatisfaction with the State's failure to produce a timely budget, challenged the soundness of the City's decision to await the outcome of the State"s budgetary action prior to adopting its own budget. She stated her opinion that an amended budget should be presented to Council and discussed in public. Mayor Matteson, directed City Manager Schwab to attach a list of the budgetary corrections to the preliminary budget that is located in the Grand Terrace public library. City Manager Schwab, remarked that any questions regarding the changes in the preliminary budget can be directed to him or to the Finance Director, Phil Bush. Dick Rollins, 22700 De Berry St., Grand Terrace; expressed discontent with the appearance of the flag at City Hall and donated a new flag to the City. J. R. Taylor, 22843 Vista Grande Way, Grand Terrace; inquired as to the progress of the City entry monument sign project and indicated his desire to activate the Barton Road "adopt -a -tree" program. He questioned whether the abandoned vehicle and equipment removal program was still in effect in the City and inquired as to the status of the $700,000 investment loss the City recently incurred. He also mentioned his wish to establish anti -graffiti legislation in the City. Mayor Matteson, directed Staff to respond to Mr. Taylor's concerns at a later date. ORAL REPORTS 5A. Committee Reports 1. Crime Prevention Committee (a) Conference/Training Request CC-92-141 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CHRISTIANSON, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER HILKEY, CARRIED 4-0-1-0 (MAYOR PRO TEM GRANT WAS ABSENT), to approve the attendance of citizen patrol volunteers Howard Panek and Mary Schmidtgal and Council Minutes - 08/13/92 Page 5 Community Services Officer Sharon Korgan at the CCPOA Conference in Modesto, California on September 15-18, 1992. 5B. Council Reports Mayor Matteson, commented that the Grand Terrace Senior's group produces a newsletter each month. He reported that the last issue featured information about the Mature Driving Test, explaining that the $8.00 test can save seniors up to 5% on their vehicle insurance costs. Remarking that the information in the newsletter is valuable to the elderly, he voiced his concern that all senior citizens in the City may not be on the newsletter mailing list. He recommended that seniors contact Marsha Johansen or Jo Ann Johnson for more information regarding the Grand Terrace Senior's group. Councilmember Hilkey, announced that he attended the monthly Caltrans meeting on behalf of vacationing Councilmember Carlstrom and reported that Caltrans has formed a committee comprised of local City and County officials and Caltrans employees for the purpose of streamlining the process by which Caltrans approves City and County projects. He stated that Caltrans plans to assign small projects such as the installation of traffic signals and stop signs to a Director in order to expedite those types of activities. He requested a status report on the proposed City entry wall monument. City Manager Schwab, reported that the wall project has been approved by the City and the Colton Joint Unified School District. He indicated that the two entities have agreed that the wall will be 5' 11 1/2" in height and that the School District will be held harmless for any liability that may arise from the construction or existence of the wall, adding that the City will soon solicit bids for the construction of the wall. Councilmember Hilkey, expressing his objection to graffiti on public and utility company property, questioned whether the City can obtain access to those sites in order to remove the graffiti. Council Minutes - 08/13/92 Page 6 City Manager Schwab, explaining that the process would be similar to the process utilized for the removal of graffiti on private property, commented that the City would require that those public entities sign a release form to allow City personnel access to the property in question. He added that the City would need to obtain keys from the State Water Resources Department in order to secure access to water canal property, indicating that the City is willing to pursue the matter. He remarked that the City has the proper paint colors to cover graffiti on public utility equipment that is accessible and complimented Riverside Highland Water Company for the prompt removal of graffiti on their property. Councilmember Hilkey, queried whether the City can require the business owners to upgrade the property or landscaping of the structures that were damaged in the recent fire at the shopping center located at Mt. Vernon and Barton Road. City Manacrer Schwab, responded that the City does not have jurisdiction to compel those businesses to comply with the City's Specific Plan but added that the City can require that the structures be rebuilt in compliance with current fire safety standards. Councilmember Hiles, inquired whether the business owners in question could be enticed to conform to the Specific Plan through the waiver of building permit fees. City Manager Schwab, remarked that the City can negotiate for compliance with the Specific Plan but admitted that the required permit fees are nominal in relation to the requirements for conformation to the Plan. He reported that a demolition permit was obtained for the damaged property on Thursday, August 13, 1992 and added that the City did streamline the permit process. He conveyed that the property owners intend to rebuild the structure adhering to pre -fire architecture with an upgrade to current fire safety standards but expressed doubt that the building owner can finance the improvements necessary to comply with the Specific Plan. 11 Council Minutes - 08/13/92 Page 7 Councilmember Hilke , inquired as to when the Chamber of Commerce will publish the next issue of the newsletter. City Manager Schwab, responded that he has no knowledge of the Chamber's plans but reminded Council of his previous statement that the City will publish a newsletter if the Chamber does not reinstate that publication. He reported that the City Clerk's Department is currently in the process of producing a newsletter and he projected that the first issue will be available September 1, 1992. Revealing that the City newsletter will cover a broad range of local issues and activities, he solicited the community for articles for publication and indicated that the newsletter will be issued quarterly. Councilmember Hilkev, inquired as to whether there will be advertising or editorials in the newsletter. City Manager Schwab, commented that there will be no editorials in the newsletter but surmised that future editions of the newsletter may contain advertisements. Councilmember Hilkev, questioned whether the City newsletter will be combined with other newsletters produced by City organizations. City Manager Schwab, expressed his opinion that blending the newsletter with the Recreation Department's quarterly brochure is the most viable option among all of the possible combinations with other City publications. He remarked that the Senior's newsletter has a limited audience but added that the City newsletter may contain a column that will focus upon the activities of the Sheriff's Department. Councilmember Carlstrom, reported that the Southern California Commuter Rail System (Metro Rail) will begin operation on Friday, August 21, 1992. He related that the train will be in Montclair between 9:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. and will proceed to Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Rialto and San Bernardino before returning to Montclair. He remarked further that the train will be available for tours at 1:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the San Council Minutes - 08/13/92 Page 8 Bernardino Depot. He announced that VIP passes are available for Councilmembers. Stating his concern regarding the businesses that were damaged in the recent fire, he expressed his belief that the Council, as public officials, have a responsibility to assist the business owners. He also indicated his desire that the structures be upgraded to comply with the regulations outlined in current ordinances. Mayor Matteson, expressed appreciation to the management and staff of Stater Brother's market for serving refreshments to the firefighters during the fire. Councilmember Christianson, questioned the legitimacy of rumors that Stater Brothers will expand into the Sprouse -Reitz location. City Manager Schwab, affirmed the possibility that the company will expand into the Sprouse -Reitz site but asserted that the company has not formally submitted any expansion plans to the City. Councilmember Christianson, mentioned a letter he received from Mike Dean, President of Little League, which volunteers that organization to assist in the design of Pico Park. He recommended that the letter be referred to the Parks & Recreation Committee in order to coordinate the efforts of all volunteers with the consultant in the development of that park. Mayor Matteson, indicated that he has corresponded with Mr. Dean and conveyed that the park's development will become a priority in the City once the escrow closes on the purchase of the property. Councilmember Christianson, expressing his desire that Mayor Pro Tem Grant be contacted regarding Mr. Grant's request to alter the meeting time to 6:30 p.m., advocated for a return to the 6:00 p.m. Council meeting time. He recommended that the matter be agendized for the upcoming Council meeting. PUBLIC HEARINGS - 6:30 P.M. 6A. FY 1992-93 Annual Assessment LandscaRing District 89-1 Council Minutes - 08/13/92 Page 9 Mayor Matteson opened discussion to the public, there being none, he returned discussion to Council. CC-92-142 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CHRISTIANSON, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CARLSTROM, CARRIED 4-0-1-0 (MAYOR PRO TEM GRANT WAS ABSENT), to adopt the Resolution levying the annual assessments for Landscaping and Lighting District 89-1. 6B. Negative Declaration for Source Reduction Recycling/Household Hazardous Waste Element Mayor Matteson opened discussion to the public, there being none, he returned discussion to Council. Mike Perry, EMCON Southwest; gave a brief presentation. CC-92-143 MOTION BY MAYOR MATTESON, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CARLSTROM, CARRIED 4-0-1-0 (MAYOR PRO TEM GRANT WAS ABSENT), to approve the Resolution that adopts the Source Reduction and Recycling Element, the Household Hazardous Waste Element, the mitigated Negative Declarations, and the initial studies for the above two elements. NEW BUSINESS 8A. Measure "I" Capital Improvement Program Resolution CC-92-144 MOTION BY MAYOR MATTESON, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CARLSTROM, CARRIED 4-0-1-0 (MAYOR PRO TEM GRANT WAS ABSENT), to approve the Resolution adopting the Five-year Capital Improvement Program and Twenty-year Transportation Plan. 8B. Vehicle Theft Fee Resolution CC-92-145 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CARLSTROM, SECOND BY MAYOR MATTESON, CARRIED 4-0-1-0 (MAYOR PRO TEM GRANT WAS ABSENT), to take no action regarding the Vehicle Theft Fee Resolution. CLOSED SESSION 9A. Real Estate Negotiations (Pico Park) Mayor Matteson announced that Council went into Closed Session to discuss real estate negotiations regarding Pico Park. He reported that no decisions were made. Council Minutes - 08/13/92 Page 10 ORDER OF ADJOURNMENT Mayor Matteson adjourned the City Council Meeting at 8:00 p.m., until the next regular CRA/City Council Meeting, which is scheduled to be held on Thursday, August 27, 1992. CITY CLERK of the City of Grand Terrace R of the City of Grand Terrace