09/22/1988CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - SEPTEMBER 22, 1988
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 22, 1988, at 6:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Byron Matteson, Mayor
Barbara Pfennighausen, Mayor Pro Tem
Hugh J. Grant, Councilmember
Dennis Evans, Councilmember
ABSENT:
The meeting was
Fellowship Church,
Pfennighausen.
ITEMS TO DELETE
Thomas J. Schwab, City Manager/Finance Director
Randy Anstine, Assistant City Manager
David Sawyer, Community Development Director
Juanita Brown, Deputy City Clerk
John Harper, City Attorney
Joe Kicak, City Engineer
None
opened with invocation by Pastor Larry Wilson, Praise
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Pro Tem
SPECIAL PRESENTATION
Mayor Matteson convened City Council at 6:15 p.m.
Mayor Matteson read Councilmember Shirley's letter of
resignation, which becomes effective September 19, 1988,
and requested that a proclamation be sent to her. He
requested the vacant seat be placed on the next Agenda.
City Attorney Harper pointed out that there are two ways
to go about filling the vacant seat. (1) majority of
Council appoint someone within 30 days, (2) special
election, which would be held around March, 1989.
None.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen read a Proclamation and
proclaimed "Red Ribbon Week," October 23-30, 1988.
Mayor Matteson read and presented a Proclamation to
Edith Evans and Arthena Cox, proclaiming
September 17-23, 1988 as "Constitution Week."
CONSENT CALENDAR
CC-88-184 MOTION BY MAYOR MATTESON, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM PFENNIGHAUSEN,
CARRIED 4-0, to accept the following Consent Calendar.
A. APPROVE CHECK REGISTER NO. 092288
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
B. RATIFY 9/22/88 CRA ACTION
C. WAIVE FULL READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS ON
AGENDA
D. APPROVE AUGUST 25, 1988 AND SEPTEMBER 8, 1988
MINUTES
Dick Rollins, 22700 DeBerry Street, G.T., gave an
update on what was happening with the Crime Prevention
Committee and shared his views regarding the abatement
Ordinance.
Ed St. Germain, 12600 Warbler Avenue, G.T., asked City
Attorney Harper if the City Council authorized someone
to go out and do something in the name of the City and
they went out and did something entirely different, was
the City bound by what they did? He reported an
incident that had taken place in August regarding the
signing of entirely different documents by Mayor
Matteson after the Council had already approved the
purchase of a piece of real estate. He listed the
approved real estate price, down payment and monthly
payment and questioned if the Mayor had the authority
to do that.
City Attorney Harper replied that under some
circumstances the City would be bound and in some
they would not be bound. Regarding the type of
negotiation of signing something different from what
the City Council has approved, an agent or Mayor does
not have the ability to agree to something different
from what's been approved.
Mr. Germain, asked City Manager Schwab if he or anyone
else from the City dealt directly with the seller and
had face to face negotiations?
City Manager Schwab replied there was no face to face
negotiations and that it was dealt through the City's
representative, Mr. Petta, who was assigned this parcel
by the committee and he took care of all of the
communications back and forth.
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 2
Mr. Germain, stated that after looking through the
escrow files, he did not find any Agency Disclosure
Statement of Listing Agreements from Mr. Petta.
City Manager Schwab stated that he had spoken to the
individual who held the escrow, indicated that in this
case, if it wasn't listed with any broker there was no
agent.
Mr. Germain, had lengthy discussions and questions with
City Attorney Harper regarding Miller & Seller, real
estate law, middleman in the sense of real estate,
feeling that Mr. Petta acted as an agent rather than a
middleman.
City Attorney Harper felt Mr. Germain misunderstood
what City Manager Schwab had said or that he did. He
then explained the Code and what was permissible for a
representative of a public body, feeling to his
knowledge, Mr Petta did act as a middleman who only
passed information between the parties.
Mr. Germain, asked City Attorney Harper if he had
reviewed the past Minutes?
City Attorney Harper replied, he had not, but did know
that the City did not enter into a brokerage agreement
with a licensed real estate agent, with Mr. Petta or
otherwise.
Mr. Germain, discussed, questioned and shared his
feelings regarding the City Manager's Monthly Status
Report to the Mayor and City Council regarding the
difference in the percentage (7.92 percent interest
vs. 8.15 percent interest) and questioned the reason
for the justification in the interest rate by the City
Manager.
City Manager Schwab explained that his monthly reports
were to keep Council updated on Staff's activities. He
stated that this particular authorization came from
Council came in three parts. To make that offer, put
down $40,000.00, and to carry it at $3,000.00 per month
for about 12 years. The Municipal Leasing was for five
years which made the payment about $80,000.00 a year
for five years. The obligation for the structure of
the Municipal Leasing Financing Agreement regarding a
tax exempt lease would be Mr. Roberts', not the City's,
and would not cost the City one cent.
Mayor Matteson expressed his feelings regarding Mayor
Pro Tem Pfennighausen and Councilmember Evans stating
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 3
that they have always been against this parkland
purchase and are constantly trying to sabotage Mr.
Petta. He shared his feelings regarding Mr. St.
Germain's article about Councilmember Grant's feeling
about apartments in last week's newspaper. He pointed
out that Councilmember Grant was and has been against
apartments ever since he (Mayor Matteson) had been a
member of the Council.
Councilmember Evans took objection to Mayor Matteson's
comments, explaining that Councilmember Grant laid the
foundation prior to his (Evans) being seated on Council
by voting for the General Plan, the land use, an
Inducement Resolution for the apartments, the Master
Conceptual Plan for the whole area. He (Grant) voted
for bonding and voted for all the projects.
Ed St. Germain, explained that he has never come out
or or against this particular park site, but was
against City Government acting far beyond their
authority in agreeing to terms that cost the City
money.
Mayor Matteson explained that the transaction he signed
was not costing the City any more money than what was
approved by Council.
Ed St. Germain, questioned City Manager Schwab about
his September 21, 1988 Memo, regarding the tax exempt
status portion and financing.
City Manager Schwab explained that the amount of
financing is $2,000.00 more by going with Mr. Roberts,
but we did have to pay $2,000.00 in expenses for
issuing an issue, so it's exactly even.
Councilmember Grant shared his feelings regarding Mayor
Pro Tem Pfennighausen, Councilmember Evans and Mr. St.
Germain.
Councilmember Evans shared his feelings regarding this
particular site, the offer of Mr. Petta to become an
agent for this particular park site, matter regarding
one Councilmember moving out of the area. He explained
that Council did authorize Staff to enter into a
Municipal Lease Agreement, that was not done and terms
were renegotiated. He questioned who negotiated it and
why.
Mayor Matteson explained that the land was appraised by
a professional appraiser who came in with an exact
price.
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 4
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen questioned the haste to
purchase Roberts' parcel, indicating there was no one
else interested in that piece of land, feeling Council
should have taken time to negotiate and allow necessary
changes, if any. She questioned to whom the checks
would be made out to for Roberts' property.
City Manager Schwab replied that they would be made out
to Mr. Roberts.
Mayor Matteson stated that Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen
addressed the rush issue, we've been working on this
for almost four years, I don't see any rush issue. He
explained that it was the Parks & Recreation Committee
who kept pushing Council, asking when are we going to
get some land.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen questioned the 30-day
escrow.
Mayor Matteson explained that one was not needed. He
asked City Attorney Harper for his opinion after
hearing the discussion tonight.
City Attorney Harper felt that since the terms were the
same and the authorization was to either sell or
purchase directly from Mr. Roberts or purchase through
the Municipal Leasing Plan, it appeared that the final
arrangement was within the authority provided by
Council.
Ed St. Germain, felt they had missed his main point
which was that Mayor Matteson had signed a legal
document in the middle of escrow changing the terms to
terms that have never been approved by Council. He
wondered if the City has purchased or owned anything at
this point.
Dick Rollins, 22700 DeBerry Street, G.T., shared his
and the Parks & Recreation Committee feelings and
desires regarding potential parks and questioned the
amount of this new acquired City owned land.
City Manager Schwab replied that 4.6 acres for
$345,000.00.
Mr. Rollins, questioned the use of the City owned
triangle piece of property across the street from this
land. He share some of the residents feelings
regarding parks.
City Manager Schwab felt it was up to the committee, as
far as, what would be done with the land.
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Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 5
ORAL REPORTS
Linda Idsten, 11893 Mt. Vernon Avenue, G.T., explained
that she was one who spoke to Councilmember Grant
regarding the speed bumps in the alley and shared her
concerns and fears of possible accidents to children
and asked Council to reconsider the issue.
Stan Har rave, had questions regarding this leasing
agreement feeling to protect the City and City Council
from a risk management standpoint, that the City
Attorney or a representative of the City should write a
letter to Mr. Roberts explaining that it is not the
intent of the City for this to be a tax exempt
transaction.
City Manager Schwab felt that if it did get structured
as a tax exempt issue, there would probably be a
trustee, but felt it was a good idea to write the
letter to Mr. Roberts. He explained that the first
interest payment goes out October 2, 1988.
City Attorney Harper concurred with Mr. Hargrave.
Tony Petta, 11875 Eton Drive, G.T., explained that he
made no commitment to Mr. Roberts of any kind and he
felt no need to give him tax advice. He stated that
the City has made no commitment what -so -ever to this.
5A. Committee Reports
1. Introduction of Citizen Patrol Members
Harold Lord, 22855 Minona Drive, introduced the
following new members of the Citizen Patrol:
Lynn Duke, Bea Todd & Mike Todd.
Mayor Matteson explained that the car the Citizen Patrol
was driving was donated by L.J. Ford.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen stated that the Citizen
Patrol has really made an impact on the community asking
for more volunteers to come out and join the Citizen
Patrol.
Mayor Matteson stated that the City appreciated their
services.
2. Historical & Cultural Activities Committee
Council accepted the Minutes of August 1, 1988.
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 6
3. Appointment of Harold Lord & Mark Walters to the
Crime Prevention Committee
CC-88-185 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER GRANT, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM
PFENNIGHAUSEN, CARRIED 4-0, to appoint Harold Lord & Mark Walters
to the Crime Prevention Committee.
PUBLIC HEARING
6A. Second Reading of the City Council of the City of
Grand errace Repealing Existing Chapter 8.04 and
Re-enacting Chapter 8.04 of the Grand Terrace
Municipal Code Pertaining to Nuisance Abatement.
Community Development Director Sawyer explained
that this is the second reading of the Nuisance
Abatement Ordinance, Staff recommends that Council
hold the scheduled public hearing and approve this
ordinance with its second reading.
Dick Rollins, 22700 DeBerry St., G.T., had the
following questions regarding the Nuisance
Ordinance: if this Ordinance will be re-enacted
and be in effect; how Council felt about
enforcement; was there any way the Ordinance could
be published and sent out to make the public aware
of this Ordinance; where the hearing would be held,
and does the resident have to send in a written
letter to get complaints taken care of.
City Manager Schwab explained the difference
between the two Ordinances stating that this
Ordinance will replace the old Nuisance Ordinance
and if it is adopted by Council tonight it will be
enforced in 30 days. He explained that the
complaint did not have to be in writing, they can
be phoned in.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen explained what the
Nuisance Ordinance meant, indicating having some
very serious problems within the City and needed
the rules that can be enforced.
Bob Buffin, 22838 Minona Drive, G.T., stated that
within the last year he has called in about three
complaints regarding abandoned cars in the front
yard, RV parked almost on the street at that same
location for approximately 3 1/2 years and nothing
has been done about it.
Councilmember Evans felt this Ordinance was not
necessary to take care of this problem because it
sounds as if it's a health hazard.
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 7
Mayor Matteson requested the City Manager to
contact Mr. Buffin tomorrow, September 23, 1988.
Bernard Verwiel, 22837 Minona, G.T., concurred with
Mr. Buffin, stating that he has called in several
times about this same location, adding that a
trailer have been there for 30 years on City
property.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen explained that the lady
who lives at the mentioned location is ill and
unable to take care of her property, feeling that
those making the complaints should band together
and see if they can be of help to her.
Mr. Verwiel, explained that he would very happy to
go over and offer his help, but from experience,
felt it might offend the neighbor(s). He stated
that he found it is better to go to the proper
authorities, questioning if she has been ill for
the past 30 years that the trailer has been there.
Mayor Matteson concurred that the property owner
should take care of their own property. He
inquired if there was anymore public participation,
being none, he turned it back to Council.
Councilmember Evans stated for clarification, after
reading Item 4 on Page 3, felt it meant you didn't
have to have a dilapidated type condition. He
questioned if someone had something that complied
with the zoning Ordinance previous to the City's
incorporation, would they have to come back and
comply with these standards.
City Attorney Harper replied, "no," they have
certain rights under the law, they are basically
non-conformance uses. He felt that Councilmember
Evans was correct, it's not dilapidated, it means
if someone builds a building without a permit and
did not put the plumbing or electricity in
correctly, this gives the City the ability to cite
them. He felt a need to insert "the intention of
the City is not to go out and cite people
criminally or otherwise" in the Ordinance.
Councilmember Evans questioned the parking of a RV
vehicle or fifth -wheel trailer in the driveway or
side yard.
Community Development Director Sawyer explained
the current Code vs. the new Code.
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 8
CC-88-186 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER EVANS, SECOND BY MAYOR MATTESON, carried
4-0, to approve the Second Reading of the City Council of the City
of Grand Terrace repealing existing Chapter 8.04 and re-enacting
Chapter 8.04 of the Grand Terrace Municipal Code pertaining to
Nuisance Abatement.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen and Mr. Verwiel shared
their feelings regarding reaching out and helping
neighbors.
B. Revision of Sections A B, and C of Item 13
Ordinance No. 108 Planning, Engineering and
Building & Safety Fees Second Reading).
Community Development Director Sawyer read his
Staff Report and recommended that the City Council
conduct the second reading of the revision to
Sections A, B, & C of Item 13, Ordinance No. 108.
Mayor Matteson opened this discussion up for public
hearing, being none, he turned it back to Council.
CC-88-187 MOTION BY MAYOR MATTESON, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER GRANT, CARRIED
4-0, to approve the second reading Sections A, B, & C of Item 13,
Ordinance No. 108.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Recessed at 7:37 p.m.
Reconvened at 7:52 p.m.
7A. Additional Analysis of the City's General Plan by
Wildan & Associates.
For the record, comments regarding the circulation
element have been received by Council from the
Colton Joint Unified School District.
Community Development Director Sawyer read his
Staff Report and then introduced Mr. Ross Geller.
Ross Geller, Wildan & Associates, reported that at
the last Council meeting he attended, land use
alternatives were selected, particularly for the
southwest area. The question was asked whether the
environmental information that was contained in the
MEA and EIR was still relevant based on the changes
in the land use pattern. He explained that the
traffic analysis provides supplemental information
to the EIR and provides Council with the
information required by California Environmental
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 9
Quality Agency (CEQA) to make a determination as to
whether or not this is a feasible alternative in
that area. He introduced Mr. Barry Dee who
prepared the traffic study.
Barry Dee, Wildan & Associates, gave a presentation
of his traffic study and summarized the five
following alternatives: (1) Designating Barton
Road as the major highway instead of the dividing
major highway, (2) Commerce Way terminating at
Pico, Van Buren or De Berry instead of having a
continuous arterial running south to Main Street,
(3) Circulation analysis - Make Commerce Way a
continuous road, (4) Do not make Commerce Way a
continuous roadway and (5) Adopt a fifth Master
Plan Designation (6-lane roadway section with
left-hand signalization) which would provide 78
ft. curb to curb within 100 ft. right-of-way with a
reduced parkway area.
Mayor Matteson asked why he was projecting that it
should go all the way to Main Street as a
continuous roadway?
Mr. Dee, explained that their traffic analysis
showed, in order to provide both access to Commerce
and to accommodate the traffic volume associated
with the commercial uses and be able to access to
and from the City, it would need to be a continuous
roadway. If not, that traffic would be diverted to
Michigan Street and would add additional traffic
volume to Michigan. He indicated there were two
options, (1) put the traffic on Michigan or (2)
have a continuous roadway on Commerce that would
take the traffic associated with the Land Use
Designation.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Dan Green, 745 S. Oak Knoll, Pasadena, had
questions regarding how the traffic volume numbers
were determined and when would they become
relevant. He expressed his objection to the
extension of Commerce Way because it would go
through his property that presently is up for sale.
Councilmember Evans questioned Mr. Geller on the
following: if Staff was still going with what was
originally proposed, running through Mr. Green's
property; Mr. Geller's professional opinion on
alignment of Commerce Way; if Mr. Geller was going
with what's on this Land Use before Council and
7
A
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 10
what he proposed on the General Plan earlier this
year; if he was leaving the decision up to the
Council.
i
Mr. Geller, stated that at the last meeting when
the land use was put together, one of Council's
actions was relative to a specific alignment study
being done showing exactly where that road would
go. He explained that this is a conceptual design,
Commerce Way needs to be somewhat extended from
Michigan southerly. He felt that Council will have
to make the final decision. He stated that they
have not pinpointed the exact center line of that
road on that very small scale map.
I
Councilmember Evans again asked Mr. Geller for his
professional opinion, as to how far that street
should run.
Mr. Geller, pointed out that they recently prepared
a study that has three options and they did not
even know how far that street is going to run at
this point. That is one of the decisions that
Council needs to make.
Community Development Director Sawyer explained
that at the last meeting, much of the area that
Edison now owns was previously recommended by
Staff and the Consultant to be a business park
concept and it's now industrial. He explained the
reason for Staff's original recommendation for
Commerce Way to come all the way down Main Street,
feeling that Commerce Way still needs to swing down
into the alignment, as originally recommended, to
Van Buren Street. He stated that the Consultant
was presenting the alternatives of bringing it down
further. Council should consider the land use
changes that Staff recommended. Bringing Commerce
Way in further would affect the other roads in that
area.
Mr. Green, stated it was his understanding at the
last meeting on this subject, that Council approved
Commerce Way to come to DeBerry and no further and
that it was up to the Consultant then to bring
Council additional input as to traffic. He felt
Council should look into the traffic count.
Mayor Matteson asked how they came up with the
traffic count figure?
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 11
Mr. Dee, explained that the trip generations come
from transportation engineers who have done
extensive research on the amount of vehicle trips
that are generated by different types of land
uses. What we are looking at is the ultimate
buildout of the City, indicating not saying when
these traffic volumes would occur, approximately
twenty years from now, depending on how much the
City has built out.
Mayor Matteson questioned the noted traffic count
of 27,435 vehicles traveling in the northerly
direction on Commerce Way each day. He questioned
the proposed 6-lane roadway on Barton, feeling it
was not necessary to have so many lanes.
Mr. Dee, explained that the figures are daily
two-way traffic volumes when you have commercial
uses, you will draw a significant amount of traffic
off the freeway. He stated that Barton Road has
freeway access and will get some through traffic,
feeling Barton Road has the ability to carry
traffic from outside of the City.
Councilmember Evans asked if another Consultant
firm was brought in, would they come up with the
same figures. The response was, "yes."
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen felt Grand Terrace
would never have use for that type of volume. She
felt nothing was going to be developed between Van
Buren and Pico because Edison has a specific reason
for having that property in there.
Mayor Matteson informed Mr. Green that if the City
were to put a street through his property, he would
be compensated for it at the fair market value.
Mr. Green, explained why he was unable to sell his
property to three different parties, feeling if the
City was going to develop Commerce Way, do it, if
not, then clear the air.
Councilmember Evans asked City Attorney Harper, in
light of some of the recent decisions that has been
coming down from the courts and what Mr. Green has
shared with us this evening, if we were to accept
this designation, would the City be opening
itself up for possibly taking and would have to
compensate to this gentleman immediately upon this
adoption?
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 12
City Attorney Harper stated that, "no," there are a
lot of cases that say that mere planning is a form
of the General Plan or Traffic Circulation Plan.
Since it's required that the City do it, it doesn't
constitute inverse condemnation.
Councilmember Evans asked if Mr. Green were to
submit a project to planning and if this was to be
adopted for approval, would he be granted approval
and allowed to build?
City Attorney Harper stated probably not, it
depends on the circumstances.
Councilmember Evans stated, so Mr. Green can't do
anything with his property but let it sit there.
City Attorney Harper replied, you are right, but
it's not inverse condemnation.
Mayor Matteson asked what affect would it have if
the alignment was moved further west?
Mr. Dee, stated there is a need to do a precise
alignment study and in doing so, you can do a lot
to avoid pieces of property, explaining ways to do
this.
Mayor Matteson stated as far as the Consultant's
study was concerned, it makes no difference whether
the street is moved east or west.
Mr. Dee, replied it makes no difference, it just
needs to be a secondary roadway that is continuous.
Councilmember Evans asked Mr. Dee why didn't he
give Council some alternatives that would have the
least impact for everyone in the surrounding areas,
that is what was asked of them earlier.
Mr. Dee, stated that you have two choices as they
are outlined in their report. (1) If you do not
build Commerce Way continuously from Michigan to
Main Street, you are going to have the traffic
impact. (2) You should upgrade Michigan to a
secondary from a collector. The study did not get
into particular alignment or where the street
should go exactly, only that there is a necessity
for it. It could be aligned as much as 200 ft.
east and west of what is graphically shown in this
figure.
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 13
Mayor Matteson asked if he was saying, we should
have that street running through there, but they
did not care where it is? The response was,
"that's right."
Mr. Green, felt that the traffic study and traffic
count are unrealistic based on the present
ownership in the area and the lack of proposed
development.
Councilmember Evans question the need to designate
all of that to Main Street instead of to DeBerry,
indicating that when development came into the area
they would show what the configuration of that
street should be. He questioned the best
configuration if we were to go east or west.
Community Development Director Sawyer stated they
indicated in their recommendation that the general
alignment of Commerce Way does go through to Main
Street and that a precise alignment study be done.
He stated that has not been done to date and the
Consultants were not directed to do it.
Councilmember Evans questioned why they didn't show
the street over more toward the railroad tracks?
Community Development Director Sawyer replied,
because of the General Land Use decisions that were
made, they looked at those existing ones and ....
Councilmember Evans stated so land use didn't play
a part, they tried to utilized the land in the
circulation element.
Community Development Director Sawyer stated that
this alignment was established with the land use
pattern that was recommended by the Consultant.
When those land use patterns were changed, the
Consultants were directed to come back with how
those land uses would affect the distance that
Commerce Way would be brought down. They are
saying that the precise alignment which could vary
from 100 to 200 ft. should be looked at in a
precise study.
Councilmember Evans stated that in 1984, the
Consultants said the streets west of Michigan would
have to be widened to four lanes. The Plan before
us with the old General Plan said it can go down to
a collector which is two lanes, are you saying that 0
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 14
you disagree with the 1984 Plan and that they don't
have to be widened to 4 lanes, that they can stay
at two lanes.
Mr. Geller, stated that Mr. Hauss voiced his
concerns relative to the traffic study that was
done in 1984 and that the numbers were
significantly lower and he had some real problems
with those numbers. He believed that was the first
statement that he made relative to this area.
Councilmember Evans, asked for clarification, if
the same manual was being used, why the
differences? He indicated being back to the
general Commerce designation over on that side of
town.
Mr. Dee, explained that traffic would increase
significantly on some of those east west streets
and the volume will not rise, in their opinion, to
a level to necessitate four lanes. He explained it
would have level of services less than Level
Services A & B, some of it would go down to level
service D, the recommended minimum level services
in the City by the General Plan. He reported on
the significant changes between 1984 and 1988 in
the reissued updated Transportation, Engineering
Trip Manual. They also have a traffic study done
by SANBAG, indicating that these things can change
and can affect the final results of the traffic
analysis that was done four or five years ago.
Councilmember Evans stated, if he understood the
reason, in 1984, the trip generation factors that
were before that traffic engineer have since been
changed and decreased. Therefore, the amount of
traffic is not as severe as what they took a look
at, it is going down instead of up.
Mr. Dee, stated the he has not reviewed the
previous traffic study, but felt they hadn't
changed that much. He felt what influenced traffic
volume on some of these roadways are two things:
(1) Regional distribution of the traffic as we took
it from the SANBAG Regional Model. (2) The most
attractive roadway, in their opinion was Barton,
feeling people would choose to get on Barton as
soon as they can to use it to travel the City east
and west. He indicated not knowing if that's the
same assumption that the previous traffic engineer
and traffic study put forth.
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 15
Mayor Matteson asked City Engineer Kicak his
opinion on alignment of Commerce Way.
City Engineer Kicak felt that when there's a
proposed development in an area, the General Plan
would probably, in the absence of a Specific Plan,
dictate the location of the center line of that
roadway, especially when it is shown on a property
line. He felt when there are parcels in the area
where you've indicated the center line is going to
be, a Specific Plan should be adopted through a
public hearing process involving all of the
property owners that are affected by that
alignment. He felt that the Consultant had
addressed that issue by saying, you need a Specific
Plan to determine where that location should be.
He pointed out that this is an important issue that
needs to be clear, explaining his reason for this
statement.
City Attorney Harper stated that under normal
circumstances the General Plan will show alignments
without specific alignments along traffic lines,
because it's anticipated that when roads are
developed, property owners on either side
contribute equally to the development of the road.
He stated the general way of doing it differently,
is as the Consultant suggested, doing a study of
the specific alignment.
Mr. Dee, stated that once this decision has been
made, it would require updating the General Plan
and the EIR that goes along with the General Plan.
One mitigation measure that could be included in
the EIR is the fact of the requirement to do some
kind of specific alignment study.
Tom Thompson, Inland Lumber Company, shared his
views regarding stopping this project on DeBerry.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen felt there was no way
to widen Taylor Street all the way to the west. On
the west side is Highgrove's Generating Station,
just to the east of Taylor Street is the railroad
tracks that services the Edison Company. She
stated that Taylor Street was the alternative in
the 1984 Plan, it was a bad idea then and it is
still a bad idea. She shared her ideas regarding
extension of Commerce Way to Main Street, feeling
it should stop at DeBerry.
Mayor Matteson asked for suggestions.
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 16
Councilmember Evans suggested giving it back to the
Consultants. He referenced Mr. Geller's comments
on June 23, 1988, after the decision had been made
to change the land use. Mr. Geller indicated that
he needed to take another look at the Environmental
Impact Report with the major changes before he knew
whether or not Commerce Way needed to go past
DeBerry at this point. A little further on, Mr.
Geller said he did not even know if a road was
needed there. He asked Mr. Geller if he felt a
road was needed there and to tell Council what they
should do.
Mr. Geller, explained they prepared the traffic
analysis based on those land uses in that area.
He listed the following alternatives: Commerce Way
to continue to Main Street; to impact all the
residents that are currently along Main Street;
widen Main Street to show that as a collector
street from Main Street all the way up to Commerce
Way and then arterial past that. He felt there is
a need for the road, but if Council chooses not to
build the road and to terminate it at DeBerry,
there will be a significant impact of traffic
along Michigan. He stated they prepared the
analysis CEQA set up to provide the decision makers
with the proper tools to make the proper
decisions. Council can disregard the information
in terms of impaction on Michigan or choose not to
widen Michigan, then what is known as a Statement
of Overriding the Consideration can be done. It
means that Council had information that showed that
if we terminate Commerce Way at DeBerry, or
terminated it any where else along the line,
there's going to be an offsetting impact on
Michigan and Council have listened to the
discussion, understands the discussion. However,
Council still does not see a need or you find some
other compelling reason not to mitigate that
significant impact in terms of amending the
circulation element to show Michigan now as a
secondary highway, that's where we can go with it.
If you decide to use a scenario, what you would do
is not show Commerce Way south of DeBerry, we'll
take it off the map, we have this information
included in the EIR, we'll call out the traffic
impacts as the significant impact that can't be
mitigated.
Councilmember Evans shared his ideas regarding the
alignment.
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 17
Councilmember Grant shared his ideas regarding the
alignment.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen stated that she is
opposed to the alignment.
Mayor Matteson asked City Manager Schwab to look
into Specific Alignment and come back to Council
with recommendations.
City Manager Schwab indicated having City Engineer
Kicak to take a look at it.
City Engineer Kicak stated approximately a year and
a half ago, Staff did about nine different
alternatives of that whole area. He stated Staff
would pull them for Council to review.
Mayor Matteson asked if Staff had pictures such as
Mr. Thompson had to give Council an aerial view of
the land?
City Engineer Kicak explained that they are the
same pictures that Council was reviewing, except
they can be reproduced in the form of a blue line.
He indicated also having contour maps with the
property lines drawn to give a general idea of how
the individual properties are impacted by any
alignments that were considered in the past or
could be considered in the future. He felt before
going into a precise alignment, he would like to
get the feeling of Council and the general terms as
to which way Council wanted that precise
alignment. He informed that prior to the
incorporation of this City, San Bernardino prepared
a precise alignment, which he had a copy of, that
were computed to a thousandth of a foot. He
suggested having a workshop to go over the
alignment.
Community Development Director Sawyer suggested not
holding up the entire General Plan on this
particular area of the City, explaining the way to
do it is to bring Commerce Way down to DeBerry and
end there. Council can then direct Staff to
prepare the Specific Plan that's necessary to come
up with the alignment for Commerce Way. If Council
adopts the Statement of Overriding Consideration,
that would wrap up the General Plan. Staff could
come back with another amendment to the General
Plan to adopt the circulation of Commerce Way as a
separate element.
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 18
11
Mayor Matteson questioned the status of the General
Plan?
Community Development Director Sawyer reported that
Council has made decisions regarding land uses and
covered all of the different areas with the
exception of the circulation element. He felt what
was needed now, was the determination regarding
Commerce Way. Council should direct Staff as a
mitigation measure, to either prepare the Specific
Plan or adopt a Statement Overriding of
Consideration. He explained what the traffic
element was going to do to Michigan and that a
study will be done and addressed at a separate time
so that it does not hold up the General Plan.
Councilmember Grant stated he wanted to make it
understood to everyone that Council is in no way
going to conclude this thing at DeBerry Street.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen made reference to the
statement under the Impact of Commerce Way
Circulation Alternatives (Michigan being north of
Barton Road), explaining that Michigan stops on the
southside.
Gene Carlstrom, 22833 Palm, suggested stopping
Commerce Way a little bit further and draw in as it
now exists and leave it until it is decided exactly
what will be done there.
Councilmember Evans asked if he felt this way
because of his plans with Mr. Snow and their
project?
Mr. Carlstrom, replied yes, that had some bearing
on it. However, there are no concrete plans
submitted on that, but it has been indicated there
might be a need to realign Commerce Way at that
point.
Mayor Matteson indicated hearing the completion in
two weeks.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen felt a deadline should
be set for Council to act on the General Plan. If
indeed Council cannot resolve this deadlock over
whats going to happen with Commerce Way, it should
be set aside and dealt with at some later date so
that the General Plan can be firmed up and voted on
at the next meeting.
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 19
Mayor Matteson requested this item to be put on the
next Agenda.
Councilmember Grant pointed out that was the date
City Engineer Kicak will bring in his information.
City Manager Schwab asked the Mayor if he wanted
that in two parts. The response was, "yes."
City Engineer Kicak, for clarification, explained
Staff did some alignment studies for the street
system and that with Commerce Way coming through,
he would like to bring the alternatives to Council
that were presented previously for Councils' review
and see if they have any modifications as to what
they wanted.
Mayor Matteson suggested Council should try to work
it out from that, if not, adopt what they have and
postpone the balance of it.
Councilmember Evans, for point of clarification,
asked City Engineer Kicak if he was saying he was
going to bring back to Council the nine
alternatives. The response was, "that's correct."
Councilmember Grant asked if he was going to
provide Council with alignments block by block?
City Engineer Kicak replied, "yes."
City Attorney Harper stated that he may have
misunderstood the discussion since he was not
involved in the initial things related to the
adoption of the General Plan, but it sounds as if
Council will have to make some decisions, or give
some directions to the engineering staff in order
to correctly draft the environmental document, at
least. They either need to bring you something
which will show Commerce Way as it's proposed
presently or if it's going to stop short of DeBerry
or anyplace else. That and the requisite impact on
the environmental document. You have to give some
directions even if you plan on changing that
sometime in the future.
Mayor Matteson asked if they needed it now?
Mr. Geller, replied, they needed a decision.
City Attorney Harper explained there wasn't a
problem when this was going to be continued for two
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 20
weeks, but as soon as you put something that you
can adopt on the Agenda in two weeks as well, it's
going to have to be based upon something. Council
needs to make their decision tonight, because it
has to be noticed and drafted in the EIR.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen asked if it was needed
so that Wildan can go ahead and do the MEA EIR? If
Council could vote on the General Plan and set this
aside and act as an amendment.
City Attorney Harper replied, "yes," explaining
that the alternative is to continue it two weeks,
and based upon the input Council received in two
weeks, make a final decision that isn't going to
require an amendment, then two weeks later, bring
back the General Plan ....
Mr. Geller, stated there was no way they could have
City Engineer Kicak's information next week, make a
decision and adopt a plan unless they are going to
adopt the Minutes of all of the hearings. The
technical change hasn't been made either, so they
need sometime in between to adopt it.
City Attorney Harper explained Council could either
make a decision tonight about what Council wanted
the General Plan to reflect, recognizing it might
be temporary or alternatively. To just continue
the whole thing and make a decision two weeks from
now regarding what would be in the General Plan.
Community Development Director Sawyer felt it may
be beneficial for Council to allow Staff to come
back in two weeks. Staff can present to Council a
presentation with exactly what has been discussed
to this date; the land use decision and where we
are at in the process; City Engineer's input on the
width and alignment and then Council can make a
decision as to where to draw the line. That will
give Wildan the information they need to prepare
the environmental document and bring it before
Council at the following meeting.
Mayor Matteson asked the Consultants what they
needed tonight?
Mr. Geller, replied for Council to make a decision
at the next meeting.
City Attorney Harper explained that the first
action, Council continued to reach without any
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 21
NEW BUSINESS
decision tonight, that was the effect, you would
just come back and go through the scenario basis.
It was when Council said to put the General Plan on
the Agenda in two weeks as well, to vote on it, is
when it became a problem.
8A. Correspondence from Terrace Pines Apartments
regarding occupancy permits.
City Manager Schwab reported that Staff has been
working with Terrace Pines and, as outlined in
their letter, specifically all of the conditions
have been met and they have also complied with
several items that were negotiated. One item that
was brought to Staff's attention after the initial
certificate of occupancy, was that the CC&R should
have been approved by the City Attorney as
condition in the original project. That now has
been done and reviewed by Council. He indicated
that Mr. Mauerhan was present wishing to discuss
this with the Council and to request that Lot 10-13
also be released for Certificate of Occupancy.
City Attorney Harper stated that he has been in
constant communication with Mr. Mauerhan's attorney
over the past couple of weeks drafting language
which meets the Council and Planning Commissions
desires with regard to the issues that are
presented and in addition the maintenance of Gage
Canal. He stated they decided that the most
effective way of doing that, although, presently
the CC&R's were conditioned, was the formation of a
landscaping district just covering that single
project, and giving Mr. Mauerhan a petition to
begin that process. Hopefully, it will be back two
weeks, or at the most, two meetings from now. That
will enable us to levy the actual cost of doing the
maintenance on those properties or doing it
ourselves. In addition, although we haven't
discussed it with them, probably include the
Highland Project, as well as, roughly 40 ft. of
Gage Canal, which is not today planning on being
developed. We can develop and maintain it and
spread the assessments over the two properties,
feeling it is a better approch than what's been
discussed up to this point.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen explained that she was
the one who put a stop to Mr. Mauerhan's project
because she had some concerns with the project,
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 22
regarding the conditions being met that was set by
the Planning Commission and City Council. She
stated if all conditions have been met, based on
her stand with the project, she would have no
reason to hold the Occupancy Permit up. She stated
�- since the project does not have recreational
facilities and the children will have no place to
play except the streets, she would like to see both
sides of Britton Way going through that project
posted as "No Parking".
Bill Mauerhan, 1601 Dove Street, Newport Beach,
indicated having approximately 60 percent of their
3-bedroom units leased to date. They have six
children in the entire project, three of which are
infants.
Mayor Matteson asked for the issuing of
"No Parking" on both sides of the street on Britton
through Mr. Mauerhans' project.
8B. Correspondence from Mr. Bob Keeney regarding
CUP-87-7 RV Parking and Commercial Center
City Manager Schwab stated that a condition was
placed on the developer to install a signal head
that would sequent with the light that is at Barton
and LaCrosse. He explained that one of the primary
concerns at the time that was placed was due to the
fact of having an RV Park there, that light would
allow some protection for the RV's to get onto
Barton Road in order to turn into the RV Park. He
explained that the project that is coming in now is
strictly for the retail, which is up front. He
reported receiving a letter from Caltrans, met with
them on the site and they indicated not caring if
there was a signal head there or not. Mr. Keeney
has requested that requirement be waived and was
told that it was a requirement placed by the City
Council and Staff does not have any authority to
waive any requirements placed by the City Council.
Therefore, this issue was placed on the Agenda
tonight for Council to take input from Mr. Keeney
and make a decision.
Bob Keeney, 12139 Mt. Vernon, G.T., stated Caltrans
became involved in this project because they were
notified something was happening there. He stated
they received a letter from Caltrans indicating
they did not like our entry way, but was later
recinded. However, to mitigate that with Caltrans,
it was decided to put a stop light in there. He
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 23
stated CG Engineering felt a stop sign would be
adequate there instead of a signal light. Caltrans
pointed out that their main concern was that the
island coming south on the freeway, getting off of
LaCrosse, continuing south on LaCrosse across
Barton Road, those islands in the center line of
LaCrosse on the southside of Barton Road did not
line up. Caltrans suggested to make the right
turn; widen Barton Road so that the through traffic
from Barton Road did not conflict with the people
turning right; put a stop sign there; and move the
island over to the left, if you are facing south.
Dennis, CG Engineering, pointed out the diagrams on
Mr. Keeney's proposal on the board.
Mayor Matteson asked City Engineer Kicak if he had
seen this proposal?
City Engineer Kicak explained, this was the first
time he had seen the proposal just presented,
indicating having some concerns and questions
regarding Mr. Keeney's proposal of handling the
southerly bound traffic on LaCrosse and across
Barton Road and the prevention of blockage of
traffic on Barton Road.
Dennis, CG Engineering, explained that the new
alignment would be a straight shot across and it
would lineup with the traffic. 0
Mayor Matteson questioned the value of the
right -hand -turn lane, heading south, and why didn't
they allow a right -hand -turn lane onto Barton Road?
Dennis, CG Engineering, replied he did not recall
the reasons why.
Councilmember Evans, stated if he understands the
existing island there will be cut in half and the
left side of the island will be moved east. He
questioned why the island could not be moved south
and then back north and align it with the curb
line.
Dennis, CG Engineering, replied if you take this
now and move it back, you're going to have to move
the signal back and put in a longer arm.
Mayor Matteson asked City Engineer Kicak for his
opinion.
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 24
City Engineer Kicak stated he will have to see
where those existing facilities are, indicating
that not only a new relocated traffic signal with a
longer mast arm, but even a controller may need to
be relocated at that point. He questioned with the
L present configurations if it was possible to stop
the traffic that's traveling easterly on Barton
Road before it gets to the northbound intersection
of LaCrosse; if it was possible to stop the traffic
on the westerly side of LaCrosse as it comes in
from the south so that the intersection is not
blocked.
Dennis, CG Engineering, felt in doing that,
distance would have to be looked at from the
existing signal now. If that distance exceeds what
is generally an accepted factor, it may require
another signal mast arm at this point in order to
accomplish that. He also felt to clear that
intersection, a longer yellow timing pattern might
be needed.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen asked City Engineer
Kicak if he would like a couple of weeks to take a
look at this proposal.
City Engineer Kicak indicated that he did not want
to be the one to hold up the project, but felt a
need to see some dimensions; see how this lines up;
what the impacts are that we are discussing
regarding the location of the existing traffic
signal on the northerly side of Barton Road that
controls the traffic; the practicality of putting a
stop bar on the westerly side of LaCrosse and
maintain the same traffic signals that we have.
After lengthy discussion, Council directed Staff to
review this proposal and bring their recomendations
back to Council.
CC-88-188 MOTION BY MAYOR MATTESON, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM PFENNIGHAUSEN,
CARRIED 4-0, to make this proposal a Staff approved item.
5B. Council Report
Councilmember Grant, reported on his attendance to
the Local Agency Formation Commission meeting on
September 21, 1988 where they discussed annexation
and attachment from Bloomington Park District.
Mayor Pro Tem Pfennighausen, gave a report on her
attendance to the September meeting of the
I
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 25
CLOSED SESSION
Emergency Operations Committee, stating she was
requested to bring the following requests back to
Council: (1) The Committee is having difficulty in
getting emergency frequency information for their
communication section; request assistance in
getting needed assistant from the County EOC in
getting the emergency operating frequent.
(2) Council to review Ordinance 10 (Ordinance what
our procedures would be in the event of a disaster)
for possible revision. (4) City Manager Schwabs'
support and regular attendance at their meetings
now through the completion of the plan since he
will have to implement the plan. (4) Committee has
two vacancies to fill. (5) Appointment of standby
officers, they need that in their emergency plan.
She stated that the Committee is sending out
letters (resource survey) to the community and then
explained what the letter meant and that responses
were needed back from the community. She also
commented on the statement made regarding campaign
ethics and the voting records on apartments.
Mayor Matteson , indicating having three letters,
one from Mr. Steve Kaicz objecting to the
residential parking of the disel trucks. A letter
from Mr. & Mrs. Stromwell opposing any widening of
Michigan Street; a call from Mrs. Mendez on
Michigan regarding being in favor of widening
Michigan Street; and a letter from Mr. & Mrs.
Stanley Macklin expressing opposition to any auto
dealership coming into Grand Terrace.
City Attorney Harper stated they are going into
closed session to discuss T.J. Austyn vs. the City
of Grand Terrace.
Mayor Matteson adjourned the City Council meeting
at 11:00 p.m. until the next regular City Council
meeting which is scheduled to be held on Thursday,
October 13, 1988 at 6:00 p.m.
P Y CITY L o t e City
Grand Terrace
MAYO of the City o Grand errace
Council Minutes - 09/22/88
Page 26