12/12/1991CITY OF GRAND TERRACE
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING - DECEMBER 12, 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 December 12, 1991 at 6:30 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
Patrizia Materassi, Planning Director
John Harper, City Attorney
ABSENT: Randall Anstine, Assistant City Manager
Brenda Stanfill, Deputy City Clerk
Joe Kicak, City Engineer
The meeting was opened with invocation by Pastor Tom Comstock, Assembly of God,
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Pro Tem Grant.
Mayor Matteson convened City Council meeting at 6:30 p.m.
Mayor Matteson reconvened City Council meeting at 6:40 p.m.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Mayor Matteson presented the City of Grand Terrace with the League
of California Cities, Inland Empire Division, plaque and trophy for
the Innovative City of the Year Award.
CONSENT CALENDAR
CC-91-171 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HILKEY, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CARLSTROM,
CARRIED 5-0, to approve the Remainder of the Consent Calendar with
Removal of Item F.
A. APPROVE CHECK REGISTER NOS. 121291 & 112791
B. RATIFY 12/12/91 CRA ACTION
C. WAIVE FULL READING OF ORDINANCES ON AGENDA
D. APPROVE 11/14/91 MINUTES
Council Minutes - 12/12/91
Page 2
E. ADOPT RESOLUTION AMENDING PERSONNEL RULES & REGULATIONS
G. REJECT LIABILITY CLAIM 91-03 (EVANS)
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
3F. Appropriation for Tree Replacement at Terrace Pines
CC-91-172 MOTION BY MAYOR MATTESON, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CARLSTROM,
CARRIED 5-0, to approve an appropriation of $4,480 for tree
replacement in the Terrace Pines Assessment District.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Barbara Pfennighausen, 22111 Ladera, Grand Terrace; assured Council
that the rumors regarding dissension within the Citizen's Patrol are
unfounded.
Tony Petta, 11875 Eton Drive, Grand Terrace; indicated his
belief that Grand Terrace is the only City that holds an official,
Annual Birthday Party, adding that the tradition reveals that the
citizens are proud to be members of the City. He commented that the
City began operations at what is now the Community Center and revealed
that the City borrowed furniture from the local branch of Security
Pacific Bank. He remarked that after one year the City relocated to
the Baptist Church on Mt. Vernon to escape legal difficulties inherent
in the close juxtaposition of school and government. He commented
further that due to tax laws the City moved its operations again and
relocated to Terrace View Elementary School and from that location,
moved to a number of houses which were located on property that the
City purchased. He indicated that City Hall was built shortly
thereafter. He complimented the City's financial status and the newly
opened Child Care Center, congratulated Council and Staff, and wished
the City a Happy Birthday.
Ron Wright, 22914 De Berry, Grand Terrace; remarked that Comcast Cable
was co-operative in airing the Candidate's Forum, which was sponsored
by the League of Women Voters, but expressed objection to the addition
of a franchise fee on the cable bill. Referring to the 1984 Cable
Communications Act, he stated that Comcast Cable has deregulated and
can raise its fees. He asserted, however, that the initial proposal
for the adoption of a cable television system in Grand Terrace
contained certain provisions for equipment and staffing that were
incorporated by reference into the franchise agreement that was given
to Group W Cable and then to Comcast. He suggested that the City
investigate the matter to ensure that the City is receiving the full
benefits of the franchise agreement with the cable company. He
reported that Cal -Trans sponsored a public meeting at the UCR campus on
Monday, December 9, 1991 with regard to the implementation of Measures
A & I for the widening of I-215. He stated that the City will be
impacted by the ultimate, long-range plan for the freeway and added
that Cal -trans is currently in the process of conducting an
Council Minutes - 12/12/91
Page 3
Environmental Impact Report, expressing his belief that Cal -trans
should study the levels of particulate pollutants beyond the area of
the fencing along the Cal -trans right-of-way.
Mayor Matteson, commented that the City Manager will meet with Comcast
to discuss the rate increase and issues of the franchise agreement that
have not been fulfilled, and he added that the City Manager will report
back to Council regarding the matter at the upcoming Council meeting.
ORAL REPORTS
5A. Committee Reports
1. Historical & Cultural Committee
(a) Minutes of 10/30/91 & 11/4/91
CC-91-173 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CHRISTIANSON, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
CARLSTROM, CARRIED 5-0, to accept the Historical & Cultural
Committee Minutes of October 30, 1991 and November 4, 1991.
2. Crime Prevention Committee
` (a) Minutes of 10/14/91
CC-91-174 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GRANT, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER HILKEY,
CARRIED 5-0, to accept the Crime Prevention Committee Minutes of
October 14, 1991.
3. Parks & Recreation Committee
(a) Purchase of new picnic shelter
CC-91-175 MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM GRANT, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
CHRISTIANSON, CARRIED 5-0, to appropriate .$9,000 from the Park
Construction Fund for the purchase of a permanent picnic shelter to
be located adjacent to the shelter that is currently in place at
Terrace Hills Community Park.
5B. Council Reports
Mayor Matteson, inquired as to whether Staff has addressed the
complaints the City has received regarding derelict vehicles and
debris at a house on Canal Street.
CitX Manager Schwab, assured Council that the City has begun the
zoning and vehicle abatement process for that residence.
Mayor Matteson, reported that he recently toured Colton High School
with the school's principal and Dr. Fischer, the Superintendent of
the Colton Joint Unified School District, adding that he was
Council Minutes - 12/12/91
Page 4
impressed with the conduct of the students and the school staff.
He announced that Richard Dowell, a businessman of long-standing in
the community, passed away recently, and he extended condolences to
Mr. Dowell's family. He commented further that he accompanied the
Citizen's Patrol on their duties and expressed delight with the
thoroughness of the patrol and the positive reactions of citizens
to the group. He added that the Grand Terrace Fire Station will
accept Christmas trees for recycling 24-hours per day between
December 28 and January 5, 1991.
Mayor Pro Tem Grant, praised the Merry Mulch Project for recycling
Christmas trees and inquired as to whether any Staff members
attended the Cal -trans meeting, which was held at UCR.
City Manager Schwab, responded that he and a member of the Planning
Staff attended the Cal -trans meeting, and he expressed his belief
that the 20-year, ultimate build -out plan will encroach an
additional two acres onto the school playground, effectively
condemning the school. He indicated his concern for locating any
10 acre site in the future in the City upon which to re -locate the
school but stated his intention to discuss the matter with the
School District and to include the City's concerns in the Cal -trans
Environmental Impact Report. Expressing dismay, he commented that
the 5-year plan involves the construction of a $100,000 sound
attenuation wall that will be demolished with the implementation of
the 20-year plan. He added that he has ordered a full set of the
Cal -trans 5-year and 20-year plans that relate to the Grand Terrace
corridor, indicating that he will show them to Council.
Ma or Pro Tem Grant, concurred that the plans will affect the
school in the uture but emphasized that the junction of Barton
Road and the I-215 will be immediately affected and stressed
the importance of understanding the Cal -trans plans. He mentioned
that Jerry Nolan, the owner of the Union 76 Station at the corner
of Mt. Vernon and Barton Road, has relocated to another area in the
City due to the corporate policy of Union 76; however, he
questioned whether another service station should be developed at
that location, citing that a service station does not conform to
the requirements of the Barton Road Specific Plan. He expressed
his opposition to locating a service station in the center of the
City and inquired whether any of the commercial center owners have
obtained any tenants for their developments.
City Manager Schwab, commented that the development on the corner
of Barton Road and Mt. Vernon has signed a lease for a gourmet
delicatessen and liquor store and a video store but added that
several of the units are still vacant. He stated that the complex
that contains the Child Care Center has leased all but two units
and mentioned that the development at Canal has signed leases with
True Value Hardware, a market, and a sandwich shop. He remarked
that the development on Michigan has no applications on file for
any tenants but added that the developer is negotiating with Chief
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Page 5
Auto Parts to re -locate to that site. He expressed disappointment
that the Food Connection restaurant has not yet opened but
indicated that it will open in early January and added that the pet
store at that location opened in November 1991.
Mayor Pro Tem Grant, encouraged the community to support local
ri
businesses and inquired as to the progress of the installation of
the Botts Dots adjacent to the elementary school on Barton Road.
City Manager Schwab, responded that the City has completed most of
the work that Council authorized for the elementary school area and
has contacted the street striping company, adding that the Botts
Dots will be installed prior to the January 9, 1991 City Council
meeting. He commented that the Nolans have 180 days to
re-establish the service station or they will lose that use option
for the site and must then conform to the requirements of the
Specific Plan; however, he revealed that Mr. Nolan indicated that
he is not in a position to develop that location. He indicated
further that Mr. Nolan may develop the site as a retail concern in
partnership with the adjacent property owners. He asserted that he
would prefer that the site be developed as a gas station rather
than remain vacant but requested that Council indicate its wishes
for the development of that location.
Mayor Pro Tem Grant, indicated concern that the site may remain
vacant for a time but admitted that he did not envision a service
station at that location when he voted for the Specific Plan. He
expressed optimism that any development at the Union 76 location
will find tenants and expressed the wish that the site of the old
GTI Market be developed.
Mayor Matteson, remarked that the site of the station is small and
indicated his belief that the cost of environmental cleanup will be
prohibitive for any developer.
Mayor Pro Tem Grant, commented that the combination of the station
and the defunct card shop and cleaners as a retail business would
eliminate the concern for the development of the site. He
admitted, however, that the environmental cleanup of the site will
be expensive but reiterated his opposition to a service station at
that location.
Mayor Matteson, recommended that Council await the decision of Mr.
Nolan regar ing the property. He stressed his concern that the
site may remain vacant, citing the prohibitive cost for demolition
of the old GTI market which he attributes as a reason for that
location to remain undeveloped and indicated his aversion to having
two undeveloped corners in the center of Grand Terrace.
City Manager Schwab, asserted that it is Mr. Nolan's contention
that Union 76 should be responsible for the cleanup of the
site but remarked that if an excessive amount of time elapses
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Page 6
before the site is developed, Union 76 might not perform the
cleanup. He stated that he will work with Mr. Nolan and will keep
Council apprised of the situation.
Councilmember Carlstrom, commented that citizens have indicated
that the intersection of Westwood and Honey Hill Drive is dangerous
and stated that some of the property owners on Westwood have
requested that the City study the possibility of installing a
"Stop" sign from the northbound direction of Honey Hill Drive where
it intersects Westwood. He expressed opposition to the proposed
gangboxes for the Town and Country Center and objected to the
reduction in the mail pick-up for the Center merchants. He
encouraged business owners to file complaints with the Postmaster
in Colton to re-establish service to the businesses in the plaza.
Mayor Pro Tem Grant, stated his belief that in the past the Council
had successfully opposed gangboxes in a development in the City.
City Manager Schwab, responded that the Planning Commission
instituted a condition of approval for residential developments
whereby each home must have its own mailbox. He indicated that the
City is investigating the development of a commercial policy to
prohibit the installation of gangboxes in commercial projects and
suggested that the City lobby the Postmaster against gangboxes.
Councilmember Carlstrom, expressing concern for the potentially
prohibitive expense of the cleanup of the Union 76 site, related
that he read a newspaper article which indicated that the cost of
the cleanup of the Santa Fe railroad yards will exceed the value of
the property.
Mayor Pro Tem Grant, expressed disbelief that Union 76 may not be
responsible for t e environmental cleanup of the gas station.
City Attorne Harper, asserted that the entity that installed the
gasoline tanks is responsible for those tanks under Federal law,
provided that the tanks are leaking and pose an environmental
hazard.
Barbara Pfenni hausen, 22111 Ladera, Grand Terrace; warned that
recent y at the Hope development at the Van Buren Business Park the
steel plate backing on the gangboxes was pried open with a crowbar,
leaving all of the mail for the multi -unit complex accessible to
the culprits.
Councilmember Christianson, stated that Council received a letter
of thanks from the Grand Terrace Elementary School Site Council for
providing the additional crossing guard which they had requested.
He thanked the Historical and Cultural Committee for their efforts
in making the City's Annual Birthday Party a success and expressed
delight that the City won the Innovative City of the Year Award.
Council Minutes - 12/12/91
Page 7
Councilmember Hilkey, reported that he attended the Cal -trans
meeting at UCR an indicated that Cal -trans has an A/I plan that
includes the widening of the freeway, the re -surfacing of the on
and off -ramps, and the re -location of the Washington Street exit.
He remarked further that the City of Colton plans to widen the
Washington Street bridge by one lane in both directions. He also
indicated that the Barton Road bridge will be widened. He stated
that the 20-year plan will traverse most of the playground of Grand
Terrace Elementary School and will include a new bridge overpass
and a major improvement of the Washington Street intersection,
which will entail the removal of the Bluff's and Denny's
restaurants and the Mobil Station. He recommended that Staff
contact Cal -trans to propose re -locating the elementary school. He
expressed his objection to the cable company's 5% fee increase. He
stated his opinion that the cable equipment used in Grand Terrace
is archaic and emphasized his belief that Comcast should meet all
of the conditions of the franchise agreement. He commented that
the freeway plans have not been finalized and stated that Cal -trans
is open to discussion.
Mayor Pro Tem Grant, expressed his opinion that the City should
seize the present opportunity to provide Cal -trans with input in
order to obtain improvements on the south portion of Barton Road.
Councilmember Hilkey, announced that the Final Project Report and
the Environments Impact Report will be completed in December 1992
and added that public input meetings will continue through August
1992.
Mayor Matteson, requested that the City Manager obtain the color
project yawing from Cal -trans and bring it to Council.
City Manager Schwab, indicated that he would also distribute a
a -trans information packet to Council.
Councilmember Carlstrom, requested that the City Engineer conduct a
study regarding the possible placement of a "Stop" sign on
Honey Hill Drive.
Councilmember Hilkey, emphatically requested that Staff promptly
meet with Cal -trans regarding the issue of the re -location of Grand
Terrace Elementary School.
Mayor Pro Tem Grant, concurred that the City should proceed with
discussions with Cal -trans.
Councilmember Carlstrom, airing his concern regarding the
school, commented that the school site was reduced from 10 to 7
acres with the construction of the freeway and added that the
implementation of the 20-year plan will reduce the campus to
one-half the necessary acreage.
Council Minutes - 12/12/91
Page 8
Councilmember Hilke , identified Don Weaver as the individual
to contact regar ing the scheduling of a meeting between Cal -trans,
the Colton Joint Unified School District, and the City. He
added that Wes McDaniel is the Cal -trans liaison for the San
Bernardino area.
Councilmember Carlstrom, questioned whether Cal -trans, as the
entity that will be responsible for the condemnation of the school,
will purchase the site and fund the re -location of the school.
City Manager Schwab, confirmed that Cal -trans will purchase the
site but stressed the importance of addressing the school
re -location issue immediately.
Councilmember Hilkey, commented that Cal -trans can condemn and
purchase homes to obtain acreage, adding that the School District
can also condemn property.
Mayor Matteson, commented that the School District may close the
school and disburse the students to other schools which will be
expanded, remarking that all of the issues need to be discussed
with Cal -trans.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
7A. SECOND READING - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GRAND TERRACE
SERVICEESTABLISHING FIRE
SERVICE
CC-91-176 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CHRISTIANSON, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER
CARLSTROM, CARRIED 3-2 (MAYOR MATTESON AND COUNCILMEMBER HILKEY
VOTED NO), to adopt the Ordinance relating to the establishment of
fire service fees for fire prevention and planning services.
7B. Review Proposed Block Wall (Along School on Barton Road)
CC-91-177 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CHRISTAINSON, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM
GRANT, CARRIED 5-0, to adopt Option #3 for the design of the block
wall (a wrought iron panel where street tree pop -outs occur with a
straight half wall with radiused corners below the wrought iron),
with the inclusion of two additional brown brick columns between
the tree pop -outs and to approve Option #1 for the City of Grand
Terrace entry monument.
11
Council Minutes - 12/12/91
Page 9
ORDER OF ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Matteson adjourned the City Council meeting at 8:26 p.m., until
the next regular CRA/City Council meeting, which is scheduled to be
held on Thursday, January 9, 1992.
��A L4Qd" f AW! le--U
Deputy City Clerk ot the Cites
Grand Terrace