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07/25/19911 CITY OF GRAND TERRACE CITY COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING - JULY 25, 1991 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 July 25, 1991 at 6:00 p.m. PRESENT: Byron Matteson, Mayor Hugh J. Grant, Mayor Pro Tem Gene Carlstrom, Councilmember Ronald Christianson, Councilmember Herman Hilkey, Councilmember Thomas J. Schwab, City Manager/Finance Director Randall Anstine, Assistant City Manager Phil Bush, Assistant Finance Director Patrizia Materassi, Planning Director Brenda Stanfill, Deputy City Clerk Alan Burns, Deputy City Attorney Joe Kicak, City Engineer ABSENT: John Harper, City Attorney The meeting was opened with invocation by Pastor Tom Comstock, Assembly of God, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Councilmember Hilkey. Mayor Matteson convened City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. Mayor Matteson reconvened City Council meeting at 6:10 p.m. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS 2A. Mayor Matteson presented Detective Cliff Nash with a Certificate of Commendation for his assignment to the West Valley Detention Center with the new rank of Sergeant and for his three years of service to the City as a Detective with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. Mayor Matteson read a Proclamation designating the week of July 27-August 2, 1991 as "Senior Citizens Week." CONSENT CALENDAR r CC-91-123 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GRANT, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CHRISTIANSON, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the remainder of the Consent Calendar with removal of Item D. Council Minutes - 7/25/91 Page 2 A. APPROVE CHECK REGISTER NO. 072591 B. RATIFY 07/25/91 CRA ACTION C. WAIVE FULL READING OF ORDINANCES ON AGENDA E. RECYCLING EXEMPTIONS F. AWARD ANNUAL STREET & STORM DRAIN MAINTENANCE CONTRACT G. ACCEPT GRANT DEED (KRONMILLER) H. NOTICE OF COMPLETION (ROADWAY CONSTRUCTION) I. NOTICE OF COMPLETION (CAL MOBILE) ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR 3D. Approve 7/16/91 Minutes Councilmember Hilkey requested that Item 7A. of the July 16, 1991 Special City Council Meeting be rendered verbatim. PUBLIC COMMENT Ron Wright, Grand Terrace; stated that conditions regarding his occupation precluded him from revealing his address to the public but indicated that anyone who wished to do so could contact him through the City Hall. He voiced his dissatisfaction with Council's decision, at the July 16, 1991 Council meeting, to table the school district issue. He indicated that he and others believed that the matter had been settled at the June 27, 1991 City Council meeting with Council's action to request bids from various vendors for the school district feasibility study. He expressed dismay that the untelevised Special Meeting of July 16, 1991 focused upon the validity of the issue, emphasizing that that had already been debated, rather than the merits of the vendors who had submitted bids to the City. He aired his belief that many people were unaware of the Council's action until recently when articles regarding the issue appeared in local newspapers. He read an article from the Press Enterprise that detailed the events of the July 16, 1991 City Council meeting. He disagreed with Councilmember Carlstrom's assertion, at the July 16, 1991 meeting, that the City was hearing from 'the silent majority' who opposed the study, adding that he believes many people who were dissatisfied with the Colton Joint Unified School District have already left the City. He expressed doubts as to whether the new Superintendent would be able to effect the necessary changes and proffered his belief that it was time for a change in the School Board, suggesting that people with children in the district would be more appropriate members for the Board. Council Minutes - 7/25/91 Page 3 Ed O'Neal, 22608 Minona Dr., Grand Terrace; emphatically expressed his support of the Colton School District. He inquired whether anyone had viewed a television program entitled "Berkeley in the Sixties," and implied a correlation between the program and the City's handling of the school district issue, speculating that the City establishment is no longer representing the community. He expressed his belief that the school issue, if mishandled, could cause serious dissension in the City. He emphasized his opinion that Council should adequately fund any study that Council may authorize. He indicated his conviction that an unbiased, statistically defensible study, although expensive, would provide the Council with a document from which to make a decision and educate the citizens. He suggested that the study address whether the school district would be politically possible, technically feasible, and financially sound, adding that a negative at any point would halt any further action on the issue. He concluded that with the successful completion of all three steps, the proponents could present the document to the citizens and begin the political process to establish a new school district. Matthew Addington, Board of Directors, Grand Terrace Chamber of Commerce; announced that the Grand Terrace Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Spirit baseball game at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, 1991 and stated that the event tickets are free and available at the Chamber office. He commented that the Chamber has been assisting the Senior President with the Grand Opening of the new Senior Center, which will be held on July 27, 1991. He indicated that the Chamber will be judging, along with Miss Grand Terrace and her Court, the Little Miss Colton Pageant, which also will be held on July 27, 1991. He stated that the Chamber is planning a joint Golf Tournament with the Colton Chamber of Commerce on September 7, 1991 and added that the Chamber is in the process of planning the Little Miss Grand Terrace Pageant and the Chamber's Annual Installation Dinner, which will be held in October. ORAL REPORTS 5A. Committee Reports 1. Historical & Cultural Committee (a) Minutes of 7/1/91 CC-91-124 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GRANT, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CHRISTIANSON, CARRIED 5-0, to accept the Historical & Cultural _ Committee Minutes of July 1, 1991. 2. Crime Prevention Committee t (a) Minutes 6/17/91 CC-91-125 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GRANT, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CHRISTIANSON, CARRIED 5-0, to accept the Crime Prevention Committee Minutes of June 17, 1991. Council Minutes - 7/25/91 Page 4 (b) Change Status of Committee Members CC-91-126 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CHRISTIANSON, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER HILKEY, CARRIED 5-0, to accept the resignation of Earl N. Litts as a regular member and appoint him as a non -voting, alternate member of the Crime Prevention Committee and to re-classify alternate member Mike Fasenmyer as a regular, voting member of the Committee. 3. Emergency Operations Committee (a) Minutes of 3/18/91, 5/20/91 & 6/17/91 CC-91-127 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CHRISTIANSON, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM GRANT, CARRIED 5-0, to accept the Emergency Operations Committee Minutes of March 18, 1991, May 20, 1991, and June 17, 1991. 5B. Council Reports Mayor Matteson, stated that information that appeared in the Senior newsletter which indicates that seniors can receive a discount for their sewer bills was erroneous and clarified that seniors 60 years of age or older are entitled to a 10% reduction in the base rate of their trash collection bill. He commented further that he has received calls from many citizens who have expressed their concerns about vehicles speeding on De Berry Street and have cited the traffic hazards at the intersection of Grand Terrace Road and Mt. Vernon Avenue. He indicated that the City approved radar surveillance on De Berry previously and stated that the City will increase control at that site once again. He acknowledged the dangers at the junction of Grand Terrace Road and Mt. Vernon Avenue, commenting that something does need to be done about that situation. He requested that the City Engineer look into the issue and report back to Council with a solution. He announced that he received an invitation to participate with other area Mayors in a legal Bungee jumping event. He mentioned that Council received a letter from the Grand Terrace Convalescent Hospital requesting permission for 30-minute parking for loading and unloading at that site, and he asked the City Manager to respond on behalf of the City Council, detailing the safety hazards inherent in the situation. He reminded the public that the dedication of the new Senior Center on Grand Terrace Road will be on Saturday, July 27, 1991 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.. Mayor Pro Tem Grant, concurred with the Mayor regarding the intersection of Grand Terrace Road and Mt. Vernon Avenue and suggested that installing a yellow, flashing light at that location might be the most effective device to reduce the danger. City Manager Schwab, indicated that Staff would respond to the Convalescent Hospital and examine and present alternatives to them that would ensure a safe solution to the parking request. Council Minutes - 7/25/91 Page 5 Mayor Pro Tem Grant, indicated his satisfaction with the new Senior Center and invited the community to the dedication, commenting that the Senior Center was built in a good location and will be compatible with the park in that area. He expressed delight that the graffiti at the old GTI location was removed. Councilmember Hilkey, expressed displeasure with the media coverage of the school district issue, indicating his belief that letters to the editor that were printed in The Sun newspaper and were pro -establishment received priority in the publication. He referred to an anonymous letter which he received regarding accusations about the high school and requested that the author contact him so that he can act on the matter. He stated that he needs clarification of the City's graffiti policy. Regarding the school issue, he explained that the City does not need to buy school buildings since those building will belong to the State and added that 80-85% of school financing comes from the State and funds the students. He commented that 60 school district reorganizations are attempted every year but indicated that he believes that few of them are successful, citing the success of Upland and Etiwanda, and the failure of Desert Center. He added that the mini study would answer the three criteria mentioned by Mr. Ed O'Neal. Mayor Matteson, requested that all of the Councilmembers be given a written document of the City's graffiti policy with the Graffiti Hotline number included. City Mana er Schwab, indicated that the City established the 48 hour graffiti removal deadline but explained that most graffiti appears on private property, and the City needs the owners' permission to enter onto the property to remove the graffiti. He added that many owners do not want their- property sandblasted or painted; therefore, the City must resort to the Abatement process to eradicate the graffiti. He commented that the owner of the old GTI market purchased the paint which was used to cover the graffiti on that property. Mayor Pro Tem Grant, queried the City Manager as to whether any action has been taken to update the population on the City's Cal -trans signs. Assistant City Manager Anstine, reported that the City has ordered the construction of a special overlay which will be affixed to the signs and will reflect the current population. Councilmember Christianson, commended the two anonymous citizens who painted over the graffiti on the canal on Mt. Vernon Avenue. He inquired whether the City has developed an Ordinance to outlaw the pilfering of recyclables in Grand Terrace. City manager Schwab, assured Councilmember Christianson that the City Clerk's i ce is researching the matter and will draft the Ordinance, which then will be brought before Council. Council Minutes - 7/25/91 Page 6 Councilmember Carlstrom, expressed his desire that the parking problem be resolved or the Grand Terrace Convalescent Hospital and concurred that a flashing warning light at the junction of Grand Terrace Road and Mt. Vernon Avenue would benefit the City. Mayor Matteson, commented that there are warning bumps in the road on the approach to Colton and suggested that as a possible alternative to a warning light at the intersection of Mt. Vernon Avenue and Grand Terrace Road. He commended the Sheriff's Department on their prompt capture of a suspect in a robbery that recently occurred in the City. CLOSED SESSION Mayor Matteson announced that Council went into Closed Session to discuss the potential acquisition of the Southern California Edison parkland. No decisions were made. ORDER OF ADJOURNMENT Mayor Matteson adjourned the City Council meeting at 7:20 p.m., until the next regular CRA/City Council meeting, which is scheduled to be held on Thursday, August 8, 1991. 0 alClerk tf'e City P Y Y Grand Terrace - zt� MAYO the City of Gra�Te