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03/08/1990CITY OF GRAND TERRACE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - MARCH 8, 1990 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 March 8, 1990, at 6:00 p.m. PRESENT: Byron Matteson, Mayor Hugh J. Grant, Mayor Pro Tem Barbara Pfennighausen, Councilmember Jim Singley, Councilmember Gene Carlstrom, Councilmember ABSENT: Thomas J. Schwab, City Manager/Finance Director Randall Anstine, Assistant City Manager Juanita Brown, City Clerk David Sawyer, Community Development Director Joe Kicak, City Engineer John Harper, City Attorney None The meeting was opened with invocation by Pastor Salim Elias, Azure Hills Seventh-Day Adventist Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Pfennighausen. ITEMS TO DELETE Mayor Matteson convened City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Matteson reconvened City Council meeting at 6:05 p.m. None. SPECIAL PRESENTATION Mayor Pro Tem Grant read a Proclamation proclaiming the week of April 7-14, 1990 as "National Community Development Week '90." CONSENT CALENDAR CC-90-19 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER SINGLEY, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER PFENNIGHAUSEN, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the Consent Calendar. A. APPROVAL OF CHECK REGISTER NUMBER 030890 B. RATIFY 3/08/90 CRA ACTION C. WAIVE FULL READING OF ORDINANCES ON AGENDA Council Minutes - 3/08/90 Page 2 PUBLIC COMMENT ORAL REPORTS D. APPROVE 2/22/90 MINUTES E. SOLICITING PERMIT - TEEN CHALLENGE F. CITY CLERK'S ATTENDANCE AT IIMC ANNUAL CONFERENCE, LITTLE ROCK ARKANSAS, MAY 19-25, 1990. Kathryn Harmon, 11834 Kingston St., Grand Terrace; gave a report on the activities of the Economic Development Committee and invited the public to attend the next meeting on Monday, March 19th at 7:00 a.m. David Terbest, 21900 Barton Rd., Grand Terrace; requested Council to direct staff to take action on a recent letter sent to the Planning Department regarding signage. He stated that he is willing to work with the City and do whatever is necessary to get approval for a sign, indicating that without a sign he will have to close his business. Mayor Pro Tem Grant, indicated that Mr. Terbest's next step should be to make an appeal to the Planning Commission and then if he is not satisfied the next step would be to bring it to the City Council. 5A. Committee Reports 1. Parks & Recreation Committee CC-90-20 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GRANT, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER PFENNIGHAUSEN, CARRIED 5-0, to accept the Parks & Recreation Committee Minutes of February 5, 1990. 2. Crime Prevention Committee Dick Rollins, Crime Prevention Committee; announced the acceptances the Crime Prevention Officer, Sharon Korgan, to the San Bernardino County Juvenile Justice Delinquent Prevention Commission for a four-year term. Frank Wilson, Grand Terrace Fire & Rescue Association; reported that the 1989 Christmas tree sale was a successful fund raiser; reported that the heavy rescue unit is on schedule and they hope to have it a little ahead of time to show it at the Grand Terrace safety fair. He presented the City with a check in the amount of $8,500 to assist in purchasing the heavy rescue unit. He indicated that a check in the amount of $1,500 will be issued by the County Fire Warden Department to fulfill the commitment made to the City for $10,000. Council Minutes - 3/08/90 Page 3 r 5B. Council Reports Councilmember Singley, commended the Citizens Patrol for following through with their promise to patrol the junior high school, indicating the he has received comments from the teachers. Councilmember Carlstrom, thanked Captain Reynosa for his complete report on the activity at the junior high school. Councilmember Pfenni hausen, read a letter from a resident expressing displeasure with the school survey recently sent out. She announced that the basketball team that the City Council and the City Attorney sponsored finished in first place. She expressed concern about large trees being cut down in the City. She stated that there is no Ordinance that requires one to pull a permit before cutting down the older trees and stated that she would like to see this issue put on a near -future agenda. Mayor Pro Tem Grant, reported that he represented the City at the Omnitrans Transportation meeting on March 7, 1990 as well as the San Bernardino Associated Government meeting. He indicated that one of the things that was brought to their attention was that the City Select Committee will conduct a hearing on Monday, April 30th for the purpose of selecting its own Chairman and Vice -Chairman as well as selecting the representatives to the Hazardous Waste Advisory Committee and to the LAFCO member for the forthcoming four years and that person's alternate. He indicated that Mayor Matteson will be representing the City at this meeting. He agreed with Councilmember Pfennighausen that we need to legislate some kind of policy relative to cutting trees. Mayor Matteson, stated that the Sun Telegram put out a publication called Cities, which was designed to promote development. He indicated that the publication was distributed to new developers coming into the Inland Empire and it is unfortunate that some members of the Chamber of Commerce took that time to make discouraging remarks. He stated that he appreciated the work that is being done to establish dialogue with the school district and he requested that Council look at the specifications for the senior citizen's module before going out to bid. PUBLIC HEARING 6A. Appeal of Planning Commission's Decision- CUP-89-07 (Blaisdell) Community Development Director Sawyer, reported that the application was for a Conditioinal Use Permit for the operation of a general assembly room located in the Town and Country shopping and office center. He indicated that the facility will consist of two meeting rooms containing 2,227 square feet Council Minutes - 3/08/90 Page 4 NEW BUSINESS of area and the remaining 4,227 square feet consisting of office space, restrooms, storage and food preparation areas for a total of 6,454 square feet. He reported that the Planning Commission denied the application based on inadequate parking per the Grand Terrace Municipal Parking Code and recommended that Council uphold the denial of CUP-89-07. Larry Vesely, Architect, 22400 Barton Rd. #15; indicated that in response to the Planning Commission's action, the applicant has further pursued some parking area and have been able to acquire a lease that will incorporate approximately 45 to 50 vehicles to the east of the subject property. He indicated that several residents have signed a petition supporting the proposed use of the property. He indicated that the applicant and the owner of the property have agreed to limit the hours of operation to non -peak times of the center to reduce the parking problems and to allow the facility to be used by the residents in the apartments to the north. Councilmember Singley, recommended that Council refer this back to the Planning Commission for consideration with the changes. Community Development Director Sawyer, indicated that when additional information is brought in that has not been considered by the Planning Commission it is appropriate to have it referred back to the Planning Commission. City Attorney Harper, stated that the appropriate avenue would be to have the Planning Commission and staff address some of the things that have been suggested by the applicant which may solve the problem. Mayor Matteson referred CUP-89-07 back to the Planning Commission. Councilmember Pfenni hausen, suggested that something be prepared for the Planning Commission regarding signage for Mr. Terbest. 7A. Citizen request for additional disabled parking spaces at the park and Community enter. City Manager Schwab, indicated that in the past the Parks & Recreation Committee conducted a study on this issue and recommended that the standard be lowered. He recommended that this be referred back to the Parks & Recreation Committee and Planning Department for recommendation to Council, indicating that the park and Community Center currently exceed the state requirements. He indicated that in the past the City has increased the number of handicapped spaces when necessary. Fl� -11 Council Minutes - 3/08/90 Page 5 Councilmember Carlstrom, indicated that he has talked to some seniors who would like more handicapped parking at the Community Center. He indicated that they would like a total of five spaces. Mayor Matteson, directed staff to gather information from the Parks & Recreation Committee and Planning Department and bring it back to Council. Councilmember Pfennighausen, suggested that temporary extra handicapped spaced be designated during special functions. 7B. Sale of City Surplus Property - Parcel No. 276-371-11 City Manager Schwab, reported that the City has received a request to purchase a small piece of property owned by the City located on the west side of Barton Road just south of Hilltop Drive. He indicated that the property is a narrow, triangular lot of approximately 15,000 square feet and the individual requesting to purchase the lot is the adjacent property owner. The owner is willing to purchase the property, subject to an easement over the Hilltop parcel, for any improvements the City wishes to install in the future. He recommended that Council authorize staff to enter into escrow the sale of purplus City property, to Mrs. Ronald Winters, for the purchase price of $4,500 subject to City easements on the entire parcel. CC-90-21 MOTION BY MAYOR MATTESON, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER SINGLEY, CARRIED 5-0, to authorize staff to enter into escrow the sale of surplus City property, Parcel #276-371-11, to Mrs. Ronald Winters, 23246 Barton Road, for the purchase price of $4,500 subject to City easements on the entire parcel. 7C. Guidelines for retaining walls and/or fencing adjacent to retaining walls. City Manager Schwab, reported that at the City Council meeting of February 22nd, Council had a discussion regarding City guidelines on retaining walls and/or fencing adjacent to retaining walls. Staff is currently in the process of reviewing the Zoning Ordinances for the newly -created commercial zones. At this time, we could also review the residential zoning to include any policy direction Council might have on this matter. Prior to preparation of a draft for Council, staff requests clarification from Council regarding the area of concern and how they would like staff to potentially address those issues. Councilmember Pfennighausen, felt that the Ordinance should state that any time we have a masonry retaining wall fronting onto a public street that a masonry or masonry and rot iron fence be required above it. Council Minutes - 3/08/90 Page 6 Councilmember Carlstrom, felt that there are some attractive wood fences and that we should not require masonry fences. Councilmember Singley, felt that in order to continue to be a quality City, an Ordinance is needed. He felt that the Ordinance should further state that if a wood fence is in disrepair and needs to be replaced that it be replaced with a block wall fence. Mayor Matteson, indicated that since some wood fences out -live others, the Trdinance could restrict what type of material is used. Councilmember Pfenni hausen, stated that collapsing fences along main streets are very unattractive and the property owners should be ordered to repair their fences properly. She felt that we need to come up with some guidelines that say that at least along areas that front our streets that we have to have something that looks good. City Manager Schwab, indicated that it was his understanding that the concern was with retaining walls with wood fences on top of them. He asked Council to clarify whether or not we are talking about requiring a permit for the replacement of a wood fence. He indicated that a permit is not required to replace a wood fence, but it is required to replace a block wall. Mayor Pro Tem Grant, expressed concern about graffiti on block walls. Mayor Matteson, indicated that he has reservations in telliing people how to take care of their homes. Councilmember Singley, indicated that he has no problem with requiring block walls above retaining walls. 7D. Appropriation for Community Center Improvements City Manager Schwab, indicated that recently Council allocated all of our Block Grant Funding for the acquisition of a seniors facility. At the time that decision was made it was indicated that funds from other sources could be utilized to upgrade and maintain the Community Center as necessary. He indicated that the Lion's Club and the Women's Club have utilized their own funding to maintaiin and improve the Community Center. However, one large item that is in critical need of repair is the wood flooring in the auditorium area. The Lion's Club has solicited a price quote for this improvement and is requesting City Council to appropriate $12,760 for the purpose of reimbursing the Lion's Club for the cost of renevating the wood flooring. Council Minutes - 3/08/90 Page 7 Councilmember Pfennighausen, asked if the floor has been determined to be unsafe. City Manager Schwab, indicated that there has been a termite inspection and there are some areas where they are going to have to do some subfloor reconstruction, but the auditorium is not one of those areas. Bill Darwin, Lion's Club Vice -President; stated that the floor is structurally unsound. He indicated that it has been patched in a number of places. CC-90-22 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GRANT, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CARLSTROM, CARRIED 5-0, to appropriate $12,760 from the Unappropriated General Fund balance for upgrading of the wood flooring in the Community Center's auditorium. 7E. Appropriation of $500 for sponsorship of Miss Grand Terrace Pageant City Manager Schwab, reported that the City Council has received a request for financial sponsorship for the 1990 Miss Grand Terrace Pageant by assisting and offsetting the expense of renting the junior high auditorium. He indicated that the 1990 Miss Grand Terrace will represent the City in order to compete for the title of the National Orange Show Queen. CC-90-23 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER PFENNIGHAUSEN, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CARLSTROM, CARRIED 5-0, to appropriate $500 for the 1990 Miss Grand Terrace Pageant from the Unappropriated General Fund balance, to be used wherever necessary. ORDER OF ADJOURNMENT Mayor Matteson adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:15 p.m., until the next regular City Council/CRA meeting, which is scheduled to be held Thursday, March 22, 1990. MAYOR f the City o Grand Terrace.