09/24/1992CITY OF GRAND TERRACE
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 24 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 September
24, 1992 at 6:00 P.M.
PRESENT: Byron Matteson, Mayor
Gene Carlstrom, Councilmember
Ronald Christianson, Councilmember
Herman Hilkey, Councilmember
Thomas J. Schwab, City Manager
Randall Anstine, Assistant City Manager
Patrizia Materassi, Planning Director
Phil Bush, Finance Director
Brenda Stanfill, City Clerk
John Harper, City Attorney
Joe Kicak, City Engineer
ABSENT: Hugh J. Grant, Mayor Pro Tem
The meeting was opened with invocation by Pastor Tom Comstock,
Assembly of God, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by
Councilmember Hilkey.
Mayor Matteson convened City Council meeting at
6:00 P.M.
Mayor Matteson reconvened City Council meeting at
6:10 P.M.
CONSENT CALENDAR
CC-92-151 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HILKEY, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
CHRISTIANSON, CARRIED 4-0-1-0 (MAYOR PRO TEM GRANT WAS
ABSENT), to approve the Consent Calendar.
A. APPROVE CHECK REGISTER NO. 092492
B. RATIFY 09/24/92 CRA ACTION
C. WAIVE FULL READING OF ORDINANCES ON AGENDA
D. APPROVE 9/10/92 MINUTES
E. EAST VALLEY COALITION WASTE CHARACTERIZATION
FUND RESOLUTION
Council Minutes - 09/24/92
Page 2
F. RESOLUTION - TEMPORARY INSTALLATION OF SPECIAL
EVENT BALLOONS AND OUTDOOR DISPLAY OF
MERCHANDISE
ORAL REPORTS
5B. Council Reports
Mayor Matteson, complimented the f irst edition of
the City's Community Newsletter and announced that
the Grand Terrace Branch Library will hold a Book
Sale on Saturday, September 26, 1992 and Sunday,
September 27, 1992. He questioned the status of
the purchase of the Southern California Edison
property for the park site.
City Manager Schwab, indicated that the City
entered escrow approximately twelve days prior to
the meeting and added that the City requested that
the holders of the guaranteed investment contract
allow the City access to the $410,000 which is
necessary for the purchase of the property. He
commented that escrow will close in approximately
one week, mentioning that the City then will
initiate the Design Services Contract for the
proposed park.
Mayor Matteson, reported that he and Councilmember
Carlstrom attended the San Bernardino County
Sheriff's Search and Rescue Demonstration that was
held in Big Bear on September 12-13. He commented
further that local City Managers and Mayors met
with the Sheriff to discuss the possible resolution
of the Booking Fee dilemma, and he expressed
optimism regarding the outcome of the discussion.
He remarked that he also attended a program hosted
by the Grand Terrace Seniors entitled "Alive 55,"
which is a driving course for seniors that allows
those who attend the class to qualify for a
discount on their auto insurance. He indicated
that seniors who are interested in registering for
the driving class should contact Jo Ann Johnson at
the Senior Center. He also announced that cancer
screening tests will be available for citizens at
the Senior Center on Wednesday, October 21, 1992
and added that those who are interested in the
tests can call (800)660-7731 for more information.
He disclosed that October 10, 1992 will be Free
Dump Day and advised that the area code for the
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Council Minutes - 09/24/92
Page 3
Inland Empire will change from 714 to 909 on
November 14, 1992.
Councilmember Carlstrom, praised the Search and
Rescue Demonstrations and encouraged those with
invitations to attend the demonstrations in the
upcoming year. He remarked that he attended the
San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District
meeting in Redlands on September 23, 1992,
commenting that California is in its 6th
consecutive year of drought. He revealed that the
State has allocated 12,000 acre feet of water to
the local district for the years 1992 and 1993 and
added that the Water District plans to store 3,000
acre feet of water in the Colton/Rialto/Linden
percolation ponds and 3,000 acre feet of water in
percolation basins in the Yucaipa area. He defined
acre feet as the amount of water that will cover
one acre to a depth of one foot. He emphasized the
value of water, commenting that the water table has
declined but remarking that the State is supplying
the water at no additional charge to the local
water district.
Councilmember Hilkey, reiterated that the Library
will be holding a Book Sale and added that cassette
tapes of books will also be available at the sale.
Mayor Matteson, encouraged the public to contact
the Library at 783-1047 for more information about
the Book Sale.
Councilmember Hilkey, concurred with the Mayor's
positive response to the City's first Community
Newsletter. He expressed the opinion that the City
needs an informative bulletin and revealed that the
City is working with Comcast Cable to develop a
community bulletin. He inquired as to the status
of the new equipment that Comcast is to supply to
the City by October 1992.
City Manager Schwab, replied that the equipment has
been ordered and asserted that the City selected
the most appropriate equipment for the community,
adding that he will provide Council with an update
of the matter in his monthly report.
Mayor Matteson, questioned whether the broadcast of
the City Council meetings will be changed from
Channel 48 to Channel 3.
Council Minutes - 09/24/92
Page 4
City Manager Schwab, clarified that Comcast must
provide the cable subscribers with proper
notification before the channel change can be
implemented.
Councilmember Hilke , complimented the Planning
Department for producing the Resolution that allows
City business owners to advertise with banners and
balloons. He added that City Staff simplified the
balloon advertisement permit process but expressed
his belief that local retailers may need to acquire
the permit more often than twice a year.
Indicating concern regarding the traffic hazard at
the intersection of Mt. Vernon and Grand Terrace
Road, he requested that Staff develop a plan to
resolve the situation, declaring that traffic from
Terrace View Elementary School and the Senior
Center converge at that location. He asserted that
the recently installed Botts Dots have not
alleviated the traffic danger inherent at that
intersection.
Mayor Matteson, concurring with Councilmember
Hilkey's assessment of the situation, indicated
that the City addressed the matter previously
without arriving at an equitable solution.
City Engineer K'cak, commented that he recently met
with Bob Wirtz, the Traffic Engineer for the City
of Colton, and discussed the situation. He
indicated that the roadway needs to be widened but
revealed that the project will be excessively
expensive. Furthermore, revealing a discrepancy in
the traffic regulations of both cities, he remarked
that the uphill speed limit on Mt. Vernon between
Washington Street and Grand Terrace Road is 40 mph
within the City of Colton but is 25 mph at the
boundary of the City of Grand Terrace. He added
that the roadway in question is part of the
Congestion Management Plan but revealed that the
City of Colton has indicated an unwillingness to
participate in the CMP. He stated that the sight
distance for vehicles approaching the top of the
hill is meager and emphasized the danger of the
location.
Councilmember Carlstrom, questioned how to decrease
the speed of vehicles traveling on that portion of
Mt. Vernon.
Council Minutes - 09/24/92
Page 5
City Engineer Kicak, reiterated that the speed
limit is 25 mph on that section of the roadway.
Commenting that the City's General Plan indicates
that the street has an 88' right-of-way and is 54'
curb to curb within the City limits, he speculated
that the widening of the roadway may justify the
installation of a traffic signal at the site in
question. He concluded, however, that the grade of
the slope on Mt. Vernon and the line -of -sight
distance in the area must be modified.
Councilmember Hilkev, inquired as to the City of
Colton's intentions regarding that area of Mt.
Vernon.
City Engineer Kicak, responded that the City of
Colton does not have any plans regarding traffic
improvements for that portion of Mt. Vernon. He
indicated that Colton is currently examining a
slippage problem on the slope.
Councilmember Hilkev, questioned whether the City
should hire a consultant to resolve the matter.
City Engineer Kicak, remarked that certain warrants
that pertain to traffic signals should be met
before a traffic signal is installed at the site
under discussion. He indicated that the City can
take a traffic count at the intersection to
determine the feasibility of installing a signal at
that venue, but he expressed doubt as to whether
that intersection will qualify for a legal traffic
signal.
Councilmember Christianson, noted that the City
held its first sobriety checkpoint on August 27,
1992 and expressed satisfaction that no arrests
were made for driving under the influence although
nearly 900 cars passed through the checkpoint. He
inquired as to whether the Sobriety Checkpoints
will occur on a monthly basis.
City Manager Schwab, responded in the affirmative
and indicated that the next checkpoint is planned
for September 25, 1992.
Councilmember Christianson, announced that the Tour
de Terrace is scheduled for October 4, 1992, adding
that cyclists who are interested in participating
in the Tour can pre -register at City Hall prior to
Council Minutes - 09/24/92
Page 6
October 4, 1992 or register at De Berry park on the
day of the event at 6:30 a.m. He stated that the
Tour begins at 8:00 a.m.
Mayor Matteson, reported that the City was recently
awarded a $13,000 grant from the California Office
of Traffic Safety, which the City utilized to
purchase the sobriety checkpoint trailer.
ORDER OF ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Matteson adjourned the City Council Meeting at 6:20
p.m., until the next regular CRA/City Council Meeting,
which is scheduled to be held on Thursday, October 8,
1992.
CITY CLERK of the dity of Grand
Terrace
of the City of Grand Terrace