Loading...
09/08/1994CITY OF GRAND TERRACE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING - SEPTEMBER 8 1994 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, 1994 at 6:00 P.M. PRESENT: Byron Matteson, Mayor Gene Carlstrom, Mayor Pro Tempore Herman Hilkey, Councilmember Jim Singley, Councilmember Dan Buchanan, Councilmember Thomas J. Schwab, City Manager Brenda Stanfill, City Clerk John Donlevy, Assistant City Manager Patrizia Materassi, Community Development Director Bernard Simon, Finance Director Joe Kicak, City Engineer Cpt. Tom Denham, Sheriff's Department ABSENT: John Harper, City Attorney The meeting was opened with invocation by Pastor Roger Greenwalt, First Baptist Church of Grand Terrace, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Pro Tem Carlstrom. 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-94-129 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER SINGLEY, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM CARLSTROM, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the Consent Calendar. A. APPROVE CHECK REGISTER NO. 090894 B. RATIFY 09/08/94 CRA ACTION C. WAIVE FULL READING OF ORDINANCES ON AGENDA D. APPROVE 08/25/94 MINUTES E. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND TERRACE, COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING A REPORT OF DELINQUENT SEWER USERS FEE AND DIRECTING THAT Council Minutes - 09/08/94 Page 2 SUCH DELINQUENT FEES BE COLLECTED ON THE TAX _ ROLL AND BE IMPOSED AS A LIEN UPON PROPERTY WITHIN THE CITY OF GRAND TERRACE F. DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM PUBLIC COMMENT Mayor Matteson opened discussion to the public, there being none, he returned discussion to Council. ORAL REPORTS 5A. Committee Reports 1. Emergency Operations Committee (a) Appoint New Members CC-94-130 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BUCHANAN, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM CARLSTROM, CARRIED 5-0 to appoint James Monroe, Darla Wertz, and Frank Wilson as regular voting members of the Emergency Operations Committee with two terms to expire June 30, 1996 and one term to expire June 30, 1998. 5B. CouncilReports Mayor Matteson, announced the Historical and Cultural Committee's 13th Annual Country Fair will be November 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. He stated Planning Commissioner Lee Ann Garcia attended a workshop and prepared a report on the workshop and the Brown Act. Recommending Council review the report, he commended Ms. Garcia for bringing the information to the Planning Commission and making the report available to Council. Councilmember Hilkev, reported he attended an Omnitrans meeting with City Manager Schwab, Community Development Director Materassi, and Assistant City Manager Donlevy. He related that the shuttle project is ahead of schedule and indicated Omnitrans expects to begin the shuttle operation before November 1994. He stated the route has been established and the Grand Opening will be held in the latter part of October. He reported Omnitrans is renovating and painting two vans for the shuttle but admitted that no decisions have been made regarding the exterior logo and graphics. Council Minutes - 09/08/94 Page 3 Mayor Matteson, questioned whether a route map could be included in the newsletter. City Manager Schwab, responded that the latest edition of the newsletter has been published but indicated the City plans to distribute route maps through the schools and the Senior Center. He added a route map will be included in the next edition of the newsletter. Councilmember Hilkev, emphasized that advertising is included in the cost of the route and should be paid by Omnitrans. Remarking that Omnitrans is federally funded, he stated his belief that Omnitrans should supply Grand Terrace with route maps and encouraged the City to request shuttle service materials from Omnitrans. Mayor Matteson, questioned whether the service will be permanent or dependent on ridership. Councilmember Hilke , replied the intent is for permanence but commented if ridership is insufficient after six months, the City may need to reexamine the service. He indicated further that if the shuttle is successful in Grand Terrace, the cities of Upland and Chino Hills will implement a similar service. He related that the shuttle is a pilot program to serve communities that need public transit but not large buses. He asserted that the shuttle will be more effective if it reflects the identity of Grand Terrace, adding that the type and size of the exterior graphics is in contention. Referring to misunderstandings regarding control of and fees for lighting on the park ballfields, he requested staff report on charges for lighting and use of Pico and DeBerry Parks. Assistant City Manager Donlevy, summarized that the opening of Pico Park initiated numerous requests for reservations for exclusive use of the park, adding the department has found it necessary to propose policies to assist in the administration of the park and establish potential fees. He stressed that local leagues will not be charged to use the Grand Terrace fields or park snack bars and reported that the only fees pertaining to the local leagues would be the cost of ballfield lighting. He stated Southern California Edison (SCE) estimates the cost of ballfield lighting at $16 per Council Minutes - 09/08/94 Page 4 hour if the cost of lighting all bal.lfields is L averaged. He reported he has discussed the lighting issue with the soccer Club and Little League President Mike O'Connell. He commented his proposal includes a reservation fee for private companies. Explaining that the City incurs expenses when groups use the field, he remarked that the proposed park use fees are reasonable. He indicated he will meet with the Parks and Recreation Committee again and will report their recommendations to Council at the October 13 meeting. Councilmember Hilkey, questioned the length of time required to turn on the lights at Pico Park. Assistant city Manger donlev , responded the lights can be operated manually or by calling SCE in advance. Councilmember Hilkey, questioned the length of advance notice needed. City Manager Schwab, responded the afternoon prior to the desired use of the field will be sufficient. He explained that no activity is allowed on the park after 10 p.m., commenting that the lights will be programmed to shut off at that time. Assistant City Manager Donleyy, indicated he has requested a calendar of event from the groups so that the lighting can be pre-programmed in advance. Mayor Matteson, inquired whether there is some field lighting at the park all night. Assistant city Manger Donle , replied in the affirmative, stressing that there is security lighting on the fields and in the parking lot. He remarked, however, that the main ballfield lights will shut off at the scheduled time. Councilmember Hilkgy, questioned whether the teams will be charged for the light use. Assistant Cit Mana er Donle , affirmed that the teams will be charged for lighting, indicating that he provided information to the Recreation Committee regarding the charges. He emphasized the charges are for cost recovery. Council Minutes - 09/08/94 Page 5 Councilmember Hilke , explained that while driving an old pickup truck through the City, he was followed closely by Sheriff's Deputy Terry McCaffrey. He thanked Deputy McCaffrey for his diligence, adding the Deputy made him feel protected. He stated further he is assured the deputies assigned to the City are doing their job. Councilmember Carlstrom, reporting on his attendance at the monthly SANBAG meeting, remarked that the organization voted to offer $8 million for the purchase of 772 acres of land owned by the Resolution Trust Corporation. He indicated that the land was tentatively approved for the development of tract homes entitled New Horizons. He explained the property is located north of Highland Avenue up to Etiwanda Canyon. Commenting that there are over 30 species of endangered wildlife on the property, he asserted that the SANBAG purchase will mitigate the construction restrictions and allow for the continued development of the freeway. He expressed optimism SANBAG will be awarded the bid. Councilmember Buchanan, announced the publication of the Autumn issue of the City's newsletter, Terrace View and complimented the quality of the writing. He announced the Friends of the Library October 1 Book Sale and the October 2 annual Tour de Terrace bike ride. Mayor Matteson, announced that September 12 will be the opening day for the Senior's nutrition lunch program. Indicating that the lunches will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. daily, he commented that Mayor Pro Tem Carlstrom will attend on opening day. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 7A. Mobilehome Conversion Study Mayor Matteson, stated the results of the study conducted by the London Group concluded the cost of the mobilehome park conversion will be $6 million or approximately $36,000 per lot with dues of $100 per month and completion of deferred maintenance. He added the study also revealed the Grand Terrace Mobile Home Park is the only park in the City that could conceivably convert to private ownership. He indicated the park tenants must Council Minutes - 09/08/94 Page 6 decide whether to convert, adding that a participation of 8o-9o% is needed. He suggested the group spearheading the proposed mobilehome park conversion conduct a survey to determine the desires of the residents and indicated the City will proceed to assist in the conversion following receipt of the survey results. Councilmember Carlstrom, asserted his belief that the cost is prohibitive. Councilmember Singh, questioned whether the CRA would subsidize the purchase by $2.1 million. Mayor Matteson, indicated the City cannot afford to subsidize the conversion. Rex Edmundson, 22111 Newport, Space 164, Grand Terrace; indicated the conversion committee will survey the park tenants to determine the percentage of tenants in favor of the conversion. Mayor Pro Tem Carlstrom, inquired about the percentage of occupancy in the Grand Terrace Mobile Home Park. Rex Edmundson, stated 30 of the 184 spaces are empty. He added that some of the mobilehomes are single -wide and others are double -wide, suggesting the cost be prorated according to the square footage of the lots. Mayor Matteson, indicated the $36,000 is an average assessment and inquired about the ratio of renting tenants to homeowners in the park. Rex Edmundson, replied that all of the mobilehomes are owner occupied, adding that ownership is a condition of residency and the mobilehomes cannot be sublet. Louis Diitz, 22111 Newport, space 56, Grand Terrace; reported that his rent was $39 per month in 1968 but has risen to $600 per month. He requested a copy of the London Group report. Mayor Matteson, directed City Manager Schwab to prepare a copy of the conversion study report for Mr. Dietz. Councilmember Buchanan, questioned whether the conversion w process would be entirely private if the City does not participate through a subsidy. Council Minutes -- 09/08/94 Page 7 City_. Manager Schwab, indicated the City initially examined whether the conversion would be a redevelopment agency bond issue, a 5013C private corporation, or a condominium conversion. He commented the London Group examined all types of conversions and explained this conversion will be a private venture. He speculated that without some City assistance even if limited to organization or payment of the overhead costs, the project will fail, adding his opinion that the 30 empty lots will preclude the conversion. He questioned the logic of pursuing the issue any further. Mayor Matteson, stated the empty lots could be purchased and rented if the conversion is successful. Councilmember Buchanan, advised the park residents to consider the possibility of mobilehome renters once the conversion is complete. Mayor Matteson, remarked that the City is attempting to determine if there is sufficient interest to pursue the conversion, stressing that the tenants will need the City's participation even if limited to guidance. Councilmember Buchanan, summarized that the tenants will be invited to apply to the CRA for assistance once they are prepared to convert. Council concurred to postpone discussion of the issue until the conversion interest survey is complete. Mayor Matteson, requested the status of the City's housing rehabilitation program. City manager Schwab, reporting rehabilitation of the home on Mirado is nearly complete, invited the public to attend the open house on September 29. He explained the City has also purchased a private foreclosure property on Preston and is in the process of writing specifications for the rehabilitation of that home. He remarked the City is considering purchasing three or four other properties in the City. He indicated the City is seeking candidates who cannot buy a home without subsidized assistance to apply to purchase the rehabilitated homes. Disclosing the City has invested $127,000 in the purchase and rehabilitation of the Mirado home, he surmised the City may recover $115,000 from the sale of the property. He reported the City is proceeding with the acquisition of future properties that qualify under the program. Council Minutes - 09/08/94 Page 8 Mayor Matteson, expressed support for the program. Councilmember Buchanan, inquired about the quality and quantity of candidates applying to purchase the rehabilitated homes. _City Manager Schwab, replied that two individuals have begun the application process to purchase the Mirado home but admitted he has no information regarding the quality of the applicants' finances. Expressing optimism, however, he explained applicants must qualify for conventional or FHA financing, must have sufficient credit to obtain the loans, and must have sufficient income to make the payments. He indicated the qualifying annual income scale ascends to $60,000 dependent on the number of the applicants' dependents. Councilmember Buchanan, questioned who an individual interested in applying to purchase one of the homes should contact. City Manager Schwab, invited those interested in rehabilitated homes to attend the open house on September 29. He added they should contact the City Manager's office to obtain the name and phone number of the underwriter so they can begin the pre -qualifying process. Mayor Pro Tem Carlstrom, questioned whether the City will participate in a mortgage assistance program to help the applicant make the down payment, adding that if the individual refinances or sells the property the loan would be immediately due and payable. City Manager Schwab, disclosed that the City is investigating several types of mortgage assistance but asserted the City desires to leverage as much of the housing set -aside funds as possible. He stressed the importance of the potential homeowners displaying a commitment to the purchase by providing some level of down payment. Council Minutes - 09/08/94 Page 9 ORDER OF ADJOURNMENT Mayor Matteson adjourned the City Council Meeting at 6:55 p.m., until the next Regular CRA/City Council Meeting, which is scheduled to be held on Thursday, September 22, 1994. CITY CLERK of the Ci y of Grand Terrace MAYOR/�of the City of Grand Terrace I- f J