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12/14/1995CITY OF GRAND TERRACE CITY COUNCEL MINUTES REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING - DECEMBER 14, 1995 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 December 14, 1995 at 7:00 p.m. PRESENT: Byron R. Matteson, Mayor Gene Carlstrom, Mayor Pro Tem Herman Hilkey, Councilmember Jim Singley, Councilmember Dan Buchanan, Councilmember Thomas J. Schwab, City Manager John Donlevy, Assistant City Manager Brenda Stanfill, City Clerk Patrizia Materassi, Community Development Director Bernard Simon, Finance Director Lt. Kyritsis, Sheriffs Department John Harper, City Attorney ABSENT: Virgil Barham, Building and Safety Director The meeting was opened with invocation by Pastor Salim Elias, Azure Hills Seventh-Day Adventist Church of Grand Terrace, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilman Jim Singley. Mayor Matteson convened City Council meeting at 7:00 P.M. Mayor Matteson reconvened City Council meeting at 7:10 P.M. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 2A. Recycling Family of the Month - October and November 1995 Mayor Matteson announced that Mr. Tom Carrier and Family are the recipients of the recycling family of the month award for the month of October 1995 and of the local merchants gift certificates from La Pasta Italia, Sub Depot, Demetri's Restaurant, and Grand Heritage Cleaners. Mayor Matteson announced that Mr. Cecil Hewitt and Family are the recipients of the recycling family of the month award for the month of November 1995 and of the local merchants gift certificates from the Food Connection Restaurant, K's Council Minutes 12/14/95 Page 2 Beauty Supply and Salon, Grand Terrace Cleaners and Tuxedo Rental, and Verlee's Fancy Pets, Fish and Grooming. 2B. Presentation to Summer Youth Participants Mayor Matteson and Program Coordinator Larry Mainez presented certificates to the Summer Youth Participants and to the County of San Bernardino Jobs and Employment Services for their help with the contract and paper work for the program. CONSENT CALENDAR CC-95-146 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HILKEY, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER SINGLEY, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the Consent Calendar. A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H. I. J. PUBLIC COMMENT Approve Check Register No. 112295 and 121495 Ratify 12/ 14/95 CRA Action Waive Full Reading of Ordinances on Agenda Approve 11/09/95 Minutes Grant Deed of Easement - 22038 Van Buren (Wilden Pump) Resolution Adopting the Annual Measure I 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan and 20-Year Transportation Plan Code Enforcement Workshop Progress Report Accept Financial Statement for the City of Grand Terrace Fiscal Year Ended 06-30-95 Resolution Adopting a Multi -Hazard Preparedness Plan Resolution Amending Personnel Rules and Regulations Barbara Pfenni hag_usen, 22111 Ladera Street, Grand Terrace; expressed her displeasure that separate political issues are being discussed quid feels that Council Meetings are an inappropriate time to discuss these matters. She requested that either public comment be moved until after the Council reports or include an additional public comment period toward the end of the meeting so that the public has an opportunity to speak on issues that Council has discussed. Mayor Matteson, stated that Council Meetings will not at any time be a forum for discussion on the proposed School District. He further stated that the Council is elected by residents of the City and he will not stifle council on comments that they make, however, he will stop discussion. Council Minutes 12/14/95 Page 3 ORAL REPORTS 5A. Committee Reports 1. Crime Prevention Committee (a) Minutes of 10-09-95 CC-95-147 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BUCHANAN, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM CARLSTROM, CARRIED 5-0, to accept the Crime Prevention Committee Minutes of October 9, 1995. Councilmember Hilkey, commended Community Services Officer Nelson for re implementing the neighborhood watch program. 2. Historical and Cultural Activities Committee (a) Minutes of 11-06-95 CC-95-148 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM CARLSTROM, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER SINGLEY, CARRIED 5-0, to accept the Historical and Cultural Activities Committee minutes of November 6, 1995. 3. Parks and Recreation Committee (a) Minutes of 06-05-95, 10-02-95, & 11-06-95 CC-95-149 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BUCHANAN, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM CARLSTROM, CARRIED 5-0, to accept the Parks and Recreation Committee minutes of June 5, 1995, October 2, 1995 and November 6, 1995. Mayor Matteson, questioned the location and the effectiveness of the radar trailer and questioned the status of it. City Manager Schwab, stated that the City has taken over the placement of the radar trailer from the Sheriff's Department. The inconsistency of the placement of the speed trailer is a concern that staff is aware of. The maintenance worker place and retrieve the trailer, their work schedule starts earlier in the day and ends earlier, therefore, the residents won't see it on their way home. Mayor Matteson, questioned what could be done to make it more visible to the residents. Council Minutes 12/14/95 Page 4 City Manager, stated that there is a weekend crew that can put the trailer out on weekends, which would result in the radar trailer being out seven days a week. It was the consensus of the Council to implement the seven day schedule for the radar trailer. 5B. Council Reports Mayor Pro Tem Carlstrom, reported that he attended the League of California Cities Executive Committee Meeting. The Inland Empire division has made a division, Riverside County has split from the Valley. This division has left fifteen cities in the Inland Empire League. There has been a task of going over the bi-laws. There will be representation from the East and West ends of the Valley in the executive area. He also reported that he drove by the parking lot that Wilden Pump is installing, which is almost completed and looks very nice. Councilmember Buchanan, complemented the Historical and Cultural Activities Committee for the City Birthday Party that was held prior to the Council Meeting. He also complemented Butter Cup Bakery for the beautiful cake that they donated to the City Birthday Party. lie also reported that he along with the City Manager and Council attended the annual City County conference put on by the County of San Bernardino. There are some positive things going on that are very interesting and exciting. They also discussed some negative issues that are going on. It was a very worthwhile opportunity to exchange ideas and information between Cities and Counties. He wished everyone Happy Holidays. Councilmember Singlev, reported that $400,000.00 was obtained from SANBAG for bike and pedestrian access lanes. He also attended the City County conference, there was a briefing on the Proposition 62 issue and it doesn't look good. City Attorney Harper, stated that on December 24, 1995 the Supreme Court will make a decision on whether or not they are going to hear the Proposition 62 issue. It is his expectation that it will be based on the response of the cities statewide. Mayor Matteson, stated that the outcome won't affect the City of Grand Terrace. Councilmember Hilkey, reported that he has received a lot of calls concerning the long delays for gymnastics and ballet and dance sign up. He is told that there is a year to a year and a half wait to get enrolled. He requested that staff come back to Council with a solution to the situation. There are a lot of children and parents that would like to be involved in the parks and recreation programs. Council Minutes 12/14/95 Page 5 Mayor Matteson, questioned whether the programs could be expanded. City Manager Schwab, stated that the primary problem is that the City does not have the facilities to expand the program. The Community Meeting room is used every night for a different program. The biggest obstacle is finding a location and getting the equipment there as well. Staff will look into how the gymnastics program can be expanded, there are some time opportunities on the weekend. Ultimately, if funding wasn't an issue a gymnasium would be something that could be utilized to further expand the recreation program into a lot of things. Staff will bring a report back to Council explaining the options and why this is a problem. Mayor Matteson, questioned whether the program had to be in doors. City Manager Schwab, responded that generally it should be inside, in the summer it is too hot and there are mats and a lot of equipment involved which would make it an indoor activity. Councilmember Hikey, he also reported that all of the Council attended the City County Meeting, and feels that out of all the meetings he attends this one is the most beneficial. One of the most promising items that came up was the proposal of moving the rail loading of the sea containers away from the docks and moving them inland, this would be a fifteen to twenty year program, Eric Hailey stated that this could be the biggest capital investment this Nation has ever seen, and the Inland areas would benefit the most from the expansion of the Alameda corridor into the Inland Empire. Another item that came up was tipping fees, he stated that he doesn't understand the County's ability to increase tipping fees at the dump sites to bring competition in from other counties or to prevent competition. There was a lot of discussion on the County's fees being too high therefore, the county is losing trash business to other counties and that dumping fees should be lowered so that the County is more competitive. He received notice that he has been appointed to the League of California Cities Taxation and Revenue Commission to represent the Inland area and would like to place that on the next agenda for approval. Mayor Matteson, reported that the City Selection Committee will meet on January 3, 1996 to appoint a new member for the South Coast Air Basin to represent the Cities of San Bernardino County. There are two candidates, David Overhelming from the City of San Bernardino and Leonard Politz from the City of Montclair. His recommendation is to vote for Leonard Politz he is more active and progressive, and would be the most beneficial to the City of Grand Terrace. It was the consensus of the City Council to let Mayor Matteson vote for Leonard Council Minutes 12/14/95 Page 6 Politz at the January 3, 1996 City Selection Committee Meeting as the South Coast Air Basin representative for San Bernardino County. Mayor Matteson, commended Community Development Director Materassi for getting the Grant for the bike and pedestrian lanes for the City. PUBLIC HEARINGS None UNFINISHED BUSINESS 7A. Second Reading - An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace Authorizing the City Manager to perform Emergency Public Project Work CC-95-150 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER BUCHANAN, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER SINGLEY, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the second reading of an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace Authorizing the City Manager to perform Emergency Public Project Work. 7B. General Plan Task Force Remaining Preliminary ScMina Issues Community Development Director Materassi, reported that the City Council has evaluated twelve elements which consist of the Housing, Conservation, Land Use, Open Space, Noise Safety, Air Quality, Urban Design, Socio-Economic, Parks and Recreation, and Strategic Implementation Elements. There are four issues remaining that the General Plan Task Force would like input on. The four issues are Development of Industrial Area, Grand Terrace as a Bed Room Community within a sustainable village, Drainage Plan and Children's Safety Plan. Development of Industrial Area: Proposed General Plan changes recommend a Business Park Specific Plan to be developed for the industrial area, generally south of Barton/West of Michigan. The Specific Plan would address the following: Access the freeway with in depth evaluation of alternatives such as: Stub out at Iowa interchange connection to Commerce Way; - DeBerry split diamond with Barton Road; Van Buren connection; Double off ramp at Barton connecting to Commerce Way directly; and/or Changing classification of Michigan Avenue from Local Collector Council Minutes 12/14/95 Page 7 to Secondary Highway of split traffic with Commerce Way in the future. A more precise alignment of Commerce Way and other related infrastructure needs. - Development standards and buffer zone between industrial, commercial and residential. Perhaps different type housing. - Establish parameters for City/private sector possible partnerships or other type development incentives. The ultimate goal of the Business Park Specific Plan is to facilitate development in the industrial area. The type of development the City will promote will need to provide jobs for local residents, will increase demand for local business and will not have negative impact on our neighborhoods. An active business park area will provide the foundation for a sustainable village. A Bedroom Community within a Sustainable Village: In an effort to address potential inconsistencies of Guiding Principles selected, such as 1) to "develop a multi -modal system", 2) "maintain a low density village atmosphere", and , 3) the incorporation of "Liveable Communities Principles", a few clarifications are needed. The proposed multi -modal transportation system does not refer to a 8 dwelling unit/acre ratio as to support Rapid Transit, and fixed Rail. It refers to a 1.9 dwelling unit/acre ratio which is our current ratio, consisting mostly of pedestrian and bike paths, few possible local shuttles and future bus lines to connect downtown to surrounding communities and Metrolink. The desire of the General Plan Task Force is to incorporate what is consistent with a bedroom community with low density residential, however to alter downtown to economically support the City. An example would be the City of Clarement. The term sustainable village was chosen to reflect an overall goal - a new dream. A sustainable village would be very peaceful, clean and beautiful neighborhoods connected by landscaped pedestrian walks and bicycle trails. Some small local shuttles would transport children from school to parks in the evenings and transport those who attend church regularly to reduce street parking on weekends. A sustainable village must have a dynamic downtown with something special about it. Something that first suits and meets the needs of residents and makes Grand Terrace a children/family town. A town square with small scale commercial focussing on children and surrounded by attached single family Council Minutes 12/14/95 Page 8 houses for the children's grandparents. The town square would house music events and theater plays. It will be a place to enjoy and celebrate the heritage of the community. Our sustainable village is to promote business which would support the medical field and other fields to be identified. These businesses are to provide specialized services likely to survive despite large department stores in the Cooley Ranch area. Opportunities to invest in town should be made attractive to local residents and developers. Downtown should be sufficiently dense to support some type of transit to connect Grand Terrace to Metrolink stations, for the benefit of commuters, and also to other surrounding cities to facilitate people to come to Grand Terrace to eat, shop and entertain themselves here rather than elsewhere. A sustainable village needs to market its best assets and have a strong identity - more than one of a bedroom community. Drainage Plan: Should the General Plan address the implementation of a Master Drainage Plan as designed and strategized some type of funding? Existing plans show inlets, culverts and drainage pipes to underground existing surface drainage. A few open channels are proposed. Total project cost is estimated at approximately $4.5 million dollars. Children's Safety Plan: This consists of: Requesting the school district to provide their recommended safest route to local schools. Evaluating the route for existence of sidewalks, crosswalks, speed of streets, crossing guards, rest spots, etc. All to facilitate children to walk safely and enjoy our town. Please note that: - Most General plan goals or guiding Principles will be 20 years, long term; the policies will be of 10 year terms and objectives and actions of 5 year terms. Issues being discussed in this phase of the General Plan process should focus on the 20 year, long term goals. Those issues the City Council requested further study on will be brought back at a later date. City Council input on these issues will complete the "Preliminary Scoping" phase of the General Plan process. The next phase will be the Outreach Program. Council Minutes 12/14/95 Page 9 Outreach Program Everyone in Grand Terrace is encouraged to participate, request information and provide their personal or group input into this process. The General Plan and its goals will be reached if it reflects community values. Mayor Matteson, agreed with every element of the General Plan and feels that the Drainage Plan should be included and commended the Task Force for doing an outstanding job. Councilmember Buchanan, expressed his concern that General Plans often become a litigation tool that people opposing various City endeavors or projects within the City as a road block challenging the consistency of the General Plan. He questioned whether it is a wise decision to include optional items in the General Plan that might be more effective handled outside of the plan. The concept of a Bedroom Community within a Sustainable Village is an appropriate concept to incorporate within the General Plan, however he is unsure that a specific plan for the Development of Industrial Area or a Drainage Plan or a Children's Safety Plan are appropriate General Plan items. They are all items that could be included in a General Plan, but they are also items that could be effectively implemented without specific inclusion in the General Plan. The one item of great concern is the Children's Safety Plan, any development project in the City has the potential of being challenged on in a legal sense with respect to its consistency or insufficiency with aspect to the general Plan. Community Development Director, responded that there is an implementation plan and that is where those actions are intended to be placed. City Attorney Harper, advised, essentially limit the General Plan to the mandatory elements. General Plans have the tendency to be interpreted negatively in ways to those that drafted them did not intend them to be and used as road blocks and levers to get what they want. Community Development Director, questioned whether this was two issues, what is a mandatory and optional elements and Councilmember Buchanan questioned that some of the goals are very specific and questions those goals being included in the General Plan and why not a separate document. Councilmember Buchanan, responded that those are both issues however, he is unsure that they are different. He would be very concerned with the creation of a Children's Safety Element in the General Plan. Community Development Director, responded that Children's Safety Plan is not an element it is one of the goals. These are just remaining issues part of the implementation plan not an element. Council Minutes 12/14/95 Page 10 Councilmember Buchanan, stated that he has no objection to what staff has presented in terms of goals or concepts that should be explored. He recommends that they exercise caution on how these goals are included into the General Plan, vague goals and policy statements are not a problem and are appropriate, he would recommend the specifics be kept to a minimum. Community Development Director, stated that Children's Safety Plan is one of the goals of the Safety Element, which includes the Emergency Plan and incorporates many things, Children's Safety is just one of the goals it will include policies and objectives and would not be part of the General Plan. Councilmember Hilkey, stated that he agrees with Councilmember Buchanan, and stated that it does go beyond the original direction of a General Plan, but feels that it is important for the community not to loose some things that are coming out of the program which are very interesting and dynamic items. There needs to be a policy that will include these dynamic items but will keep the City within legal guidelines and liabilities. 7C. Nuisance Abatement and Lien of Property - 22237 Barton Road (Nissenson) Councilmember Buchanan, questioned whether or not the Old Timers Foundation could be used under these circumstances. 0 City Manager Schwab, stated that the Oldtimers Foundation will do minor things but are unable to do major demolition. Mayor Matteson, questioned whether the fire department could use the structures for training. City Manager Schwab, stated that part of the issue is that should those structures ignite there is a health threat to the occupants of the home. It becomes a liability issue. Mayor Pro Tem Carlstrom, stated that it would be beneficial to the City to go in and clean up the property. Councilmember Singley, stated that the lien in the amount of $1,785.00 is a reasonable amount and it should be done. Mayor Matteson, stated that he would support item b the creation of a separate Redevelopment Agency account to be used to help senior citizens/physically challenged individuals with few financial resources to abate nuisances such as property maintenance, fire hazard, etc. in order to bring the balance down. Or Council Minutes 12/14/95 Page 11 item c to put this on hold for thirty days to allow him to get some private support to bring the buildings down. Councilmember Singley, stated that he doesn't have a problem with item b or c but expressed his concern with doing this for one and having to do it for everyone. But is unsure how legal it would be to set up a separate fund under the Redevelopment Agency. City Attorney Harper, stated that the only one that would benefit from not liening the property are her heirs. Councilmember Buchanan, stated that he agrees with City Attorney Harper and feels that they are doing a dis-service to the property owner if this is delayed any longer. Councilmember Singley, suggested that the demolition take place and lien the property and once the grant is available give her the opportunity to apply for it. Mayor Matteson, stated that he feels that the property is not an immediate fire hazard due to the rains and asked that Council give him thirty days to rectify the problem. CC-95-151 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER SINGLEY, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM CARLSTROM, CARRIED 4-1 (COUNCILMEMBER BUCHANAN VOTED NO), to continue Nuisance Abatement and Lien of Property - 22237 Barton Road (Nissenson) until January 25, 1996. NEW BUSINESS None CLOSED SESSION 9A. Potential Litigation - Governmental Claim Filed by Crystal Duvall Against the City of Grand Terrace Mayor Matteson announced that Council met in closed session to discuss potential litigation - Governmental claim filed by Crystall Duvall against the City of Grand Terrace. ORDER OF ADJOURNMENT Mayor Matteson adjourned the City Council Meeting at 8:55 p.m., until the next Regular Council Minutes 12/14/95 Page 12 CRA/City Council Meeting which is scheduled to be held on Thursday, January 11, 1996. CITY CLERK of the Cit of Grand Terrace U 11