HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Min 2003-03-10
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and the attorney and get the issues settled. Mayor Larson
announced that Boeing is sponsoring a community meeting in
Leisure World to discuss their proposed land use plan for
their site adjacent to Seal Beach Boulevard on Monday, March
3rd in Clubhouse 3 at 2:00 p.m.
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ADJOURNMENT
By unanimous consent, the meeting was adjourned until Monday,
March 10th at 6:30 p.m. to meet in Closed Session if
necessary. It was the order of the Chair, with consent of
the Council, to adjourn the meeting at 9:04 p.m.
clerk
Approved:
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Attest:
I
Seal Beach, California
March 10, 2003
The City Council of the City of Seal Beach met in regular
adjourned session at 6:30 p.m. with Mayor Larson calling the
meeting to order with the Salute to the Flag.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Mayor Larson
Councilmembers Antos, Campbell, Doane, Yost
Absent:
None
Also present: Mr. Bahorski, City Manager
Mr. Barrow, City Attorney
Ms. Yeo, City Clerk
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CLOSED SESSION
The City Attorney announced that the Council would meet in
Closed Session to confer with legal counsel relating to the
item identified on the agenda, Wiles versus City, pursuant to
Government Code Section 54956.9(a). The Council adjourned to
Closed Session at 6:32 p.m. and reconvened at 7:11 with Mayor
Larson calling the meeting to order. The City Attorney
reported that the Council had discussed the item identified
on the agenda, gave direction to the City Attorney, no other
action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT
By unanimous consent, the meeting was adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
3-10-03
clerk
Approved:
~--1hL~
94u:ia iJ
City Clerk /
I
Attest:
Seal Beach, California
March 10, 2003
The City Council of the City of Seal Beach met in regular
session at 7:13 p.m. with Mayor Larson calling the meeting to
order with the Salute to the Flag.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Mayor Larson
Councilmembers Antos, Campbell, Doane, Yost
Absent:
None
Also present: Mr. Bahorski, City Manager
Mr. Barrow, City Attorney
Mr. Whittenberg, Director of Development
Services
Mr. Dancs, Director of Public works/City
Engineer
Chief Sellers, Police Department
Ms. Arends-King, Director of Administrative
Services
Mr. Vukojevic, Deputy City Engineer
Lt. Pounds, Lifeguard Department
Ms. Yeo, City Clerk
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APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Yost moved, second by Campbell, to approve the order of the
agenda as presented.
Mayor Larson noted a request that the "Public Safety
Dispatcher Week" proclamation be held over to a future
meeting.
AYES:
NOES:
Antos, Campbell, Doane, Larson, Yost
None Motion carried
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PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Larson declared the Public Comment period open and
requested that those wishing to speak to matters in general
do so under the regular Comment period, those wishing to
speak to the tennis club item can do so at the time that item
is considered.
Ms. Carla Watson, Catalina Avenue, requested to speak to the
tennis club item at this time as she was not well and could
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not wait for its consideration. The Mayor granted her
request. Ms. Watson said as a resident of this community for
forty years she has been involved in many recreation
activities including serving on the Recreation Commission, in
addition, co-director of the Rough Water Swim, the Save Our
Pool Committee, Selection Committee for the original Tot Lot
at Marina Park, Founders Day, etc. Ms. Watson expressed her
care for all recreation sports and leisure activities for all
people in Seal Beach, she was a strong proponent for a park
at College Park West which some in government opposed, in
addition, even though she and her family are not tennis
players, she cares deeply about the fate of that wonderful
facility, it is important to applaud the effective, capable,
and patient leadership of Ms. Sustarsic and the many hours
spent by the Bixby Recreation Committee, unfortunately that
Committee was laboring with false information in.that the
money gifted to the City could only be used on the tennis
site, if correct information had been given the City could
now hold title to the property, the tennis center would be up
and running, and the remainder of the money would be banked
and gaining interest while the Committee determined how to
create fun areas for College Park East citizens. She
suggested it be kept in mind that the gift of the tennis park
is just that and not open space, to destroy any part of this
facility would be a waste of money, would compromise an
outstanding facility that will need quality courts to succeed
as a business, would remove courts that could be used for
public play, will lengthen the time that the tennis facility
could be operating and paying for itself, digging up quality
tennis courts would not be right, if the City had to replace
or rebuild these courts it would cost hundreds of thousands
of dollars. She said keeping these courts for all of the
citizens of Seal Beach is just putting back into recreation
what was taken away or not built, two courts that were
maintained by the Seal Beach Tennis Club were removed from
Zoeter School and two that were promised at Marina Park were
never built, bulldozing courts would also compromise the
ability of a private tennis club to maintain financial
viability while allowing the public to play on quality
courts, additionally, if the courts are torn up this will
lengthen the time that the tennis club can be up and running,
too much time has been taken already and members have left
the club or not joined because they were not sure of the
future, fortunately the City does not have to remove courts
to satisfy the citizens of College Park East and Seal Beach.
She offered that a new committee can be formed and at least
three fourths or more of the $1 million plus interest can be
spent on parks inside College Park East. She noted that
there was no choice with the skateboard park but to locate it
where it would fit in Old Town, if College Park East
residents want this too they will find a place for it, tot
lots are placed where they are most needed and accessible, in
those cases there was space on the beach and at Marina Park
yet it was determined to not put one on the greenbelt where
it might be unsafe. Ms. Watson mentioned that many people in
Old Town and Bridgeport do not have backyards so committees
were formed and money raised to build a facility through
donations, a community center, why not, a second story surely
would be feasible if that is what CPE wants, that area of the
community can have everything but just not on the tennis
park, tennis is a lifetime sport for ages five to eighty-
five, this is an opportunity to offer quality play and
instruction on quality courts, however once the tennis courts
are gone they are gone, using money to tear down existing
recreation facilities that could be enjoyed by future
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generations is wrong, College Park East should choose what
amenities they want and where they should be placed. Ms.
Watson concluded that the gift of this $4 million facility
provides recreation for the entire City and money should not
be used to tear down courts that could be spent in College
Park East. Mr. Bill Ayres, President of the Seal Beach 10K
nonprofit corporation, stated they were present to talk about
the upcoming 29th annual 10K, 5K runs, and 5K walk. Mr.
Ayres mentioned the benefit to the City in the area of
recreation from the proceeds of the race, noted that over the
past five years there has been in excess of $40,000 for
recreational purposes in and around the City, $10,000 for
rehabilitation of the pool, $23,000 for rehabilitation of the
Marina Community Center which included interior painting, new
doors, commercial kitchen range and sink, $10,000 was donated
to the resurfacing of the tennis courts at the Marina Center,
and they look forward to making more contributions for
recreational improvements. Mr. Ayres introduced Ms.
Elizabeth Kane, Los Angeles Marathon finisher, promotional
chairman, and Janie Tulcamp, the Kids Race chair, half
marathon finisher. Ms. Kane, Seal Beach, urged as much
community participation as possible in the 10K and SK races,
she too mentioned that all of the profit from the Race comes
back to the City in the form of health and recreation
programs which benefits all, and encouraged the members of
the Council as well as their constituents to participate.
Ms. Kane said as a result of 911 the Race is again off of the
Navy base and back on the old course which she described as
through Old Town, up Seal Beach Boulevard to Westminster,
down the riverbed into Old Town and finishing at the pier,
also, this year the 1K Kids Fun Run has been changed to start
ahead of the 5K and 10K events to allow parents to watch
their kids run, and then day care will be provided. Ms. Kane
noted that registration is currently going on, entry forms
are available at City Hall and at many of the local
merchants, there is also a new website to obtain an entry
form, course information, etc., and invited all to come to
the Marina Center on Friday the 4th where pre-registration
will be taking place and race packets can be picked up. Ms.
Kane urged all interested persons to volunteer and support
this 29th Race event. Ms. Jane Tulcamp, Seal Beach, said she
is in charge of the Kids 1K Run, third year committee member,
this race is basically for kids thirteen years and under who
want to participate yet the 5K or 10K is too long, this race
will start at 7:45 a.m., fifteen minutes earlier than the
adult start time, thirty-five high school dancers have been
enlisted to be at the finish line in. a gated area where the
children will be cared for to allow their parents to run,
this Race Day can be a fun event for everyone in the family.
She noted also that $2 of the children's registrations will
go back to their school, fliers relating to the Race have
been distributed to 'all of the schools in the Seal Beach
area, the schools are using this as a form of fund raiser,
the City and schools will benefit from the Race.
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Mr. Mike Joseph, Bridgeport, stated he just came from the
Marine Scholarship Foundation Gold Tournament Committee
meeting of which he is a member, therefor will likely be
addressing the Council again relating to that Tournament in
the near future. Mr. Joseph said he wished to rise to
present a good gentleman's'story, this past Monday he left
for the gym at 6:30 a.m., stopped at Marina and 5th Street to
deposit some mail yet while doing so his wallet evidently
fell out of his pocket, when he returned home he then
realized his wallet was missing, he retraced his steps to no
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avail, returned home to make calls to the card companies,
called the Police Department to report his loss, specifically
due to losing his drivers license, when he went to his door
to allow entry of the what he thought to be an officer to
take a report a City employee by the name of Charles Feenstra
was there, inquired as to his name, advised him that he was a
lucky man and stated he had found his wallet as someone was
picking it up from the gutter, he had taken the wallet from
the person, found that the picture did not match the person,
noted the home address from the drivers license and returned
the wallet to him at his home. Mr. Joseph said he offered to
do something for Mr. Feenstra, he would take nothing,
therefore he wanted to do something in a gesture of
appreciation to make certain that Mr. Feenstra was recognized
and commended for his effort. Ms. Penny peddicord, Trailer
Park, presented a history of the redevelopment zone, in part
said it is a one block area from Pacific Coast Highway to
Marina Drive, the original residents on First Street were the
families of the Seal Beach Trailer Park which was established
in 1930, controlled by the Naples Land Company under a one
hundred year lease, the original Park ran from its current
location to Marina Drive, address was 11 Marina Driv&, in
1967 Oakwood Apartments became their first neighbors, in 1970
Bridgeport was developed and became the second group of
neighbors, in 1979 the Trailer Park was redeveloped for
moderate to low income housing, half of the people received
money and moved, the Park was cut in half, one half was
redeveloped as the Riverbeach Condos, the other half is the
current Trailer Park, Riverbeach Condos received control and
ownership of their half of the land, the new Trailer Park got
paved streets, rent control until 2043, and there were rules
between the City and the Park owner to protect the low/
moderate housing, some residents added cabanas, some built
little houses around their trailers, took pride in their
homes and new Park, the City, State and federal government
all provided money for this redevelopment project for
moderate to low income families, in the 1980's new homes were
built on the site of the old city yard, another new group of
neighbors, in the 1990's the townhouses became the newest
neighbors, just across the street from the oldest, original
residence on First Street, all in the redevelopment zone, the
Street has a park, oilfield, Department of Water and Power
property, townhouses, homes, apartments, condos, and trailer
homes. Ms. Peddicord said historically speaking the only
people living on this Street before the Trailer Park
residents were perhaps the Indians, they did not need a deed,
life was different then, they lived, worked and played in
Seal Beach before land cost money, in 1930 no one wanted this
land, it was only good enough for trailers, storage,
oilfields, gas lines, and a power plant, no one wanted to
live there, it was the wrong side of town, the Trailer Park
residents deserve the same future as the Riverbeach condos
and all the other neighbors, control of the land/ownership.
Ms. Dorothy Whyte, College Park East, told of attending a CPE
Neighborhood Association meeting at the North Seal Beach
Community Center a couple of months ago, arriving a bit early
the only person present was her Council representative who,
upon seeing her went outside, was then observed on her cell
phone, shortly after the meeting started a police officer was
observed in the back of the room and upon inquiry as to why
he was present the response was that the Department had
received a call to have someone present to monitor the
meeting in that a large turnout was expected, to that Ms.
Whyte stated that there were six persons at the meeting, also
that the following day she verified with the Police
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Department that her Council representative had called for an
officer. Ms. Whyte claimed that that occurred as a result of
her presence, for a citizen to not feel free to attend a
meeting because the Councilperson is going to call the police
is untenable, it is a waste of tax dollars and the time of a
police officer, to her that is harassment by a public
official of a resident and should never happen again. Ms.
Joyce Parque, 6th Street, expressed thanks to the families
who have relatives in the military, she appreciates what they
are doing for this country, God bless America and the
President. She recalled that at the last meeting the City
Attorney said he had nothing to do with the Trailer Park
Covenants to that she said, even though he did not write them
the firm has been representing the City since the 1972, in
the attorney contract, included under additional services is
the Redevelopment Agency, bond counsel services, and claimed
that even though he did not write the Covenants to protect
the people in the Trailer Park, her feeling is that he is
responsible for the actions of the people in his firm. Ms.
parque said she is waiting to receive requested checks
numbered 029604 in the amount of $91,981, 029939 for $6,252,
030363 for $58,650, and 030925 in the amount of $56,260.
Again in reference to the last meeting she recalled comments
relating to tax bills, agreed that the Trailer Park spaces
receive a tax bill if they have improved the property as well
as a registration fee for a mobile home, however she has the
grant deed that shows Linc owning six lots, three are listed
as 313 Welcome Lane, that is the Trailer Park, there are two
located in Los Angeles County for which she has not as yet
obtained the records, he owns the land and the trailers, she
is happy that the people are paying their fair share for this
deal. Ms. Parque displayed a document which showed a sum of
$6,750,000, $1 million from the City for the MPROP loan, and
$960,000 Agency grant for rent subsidies for twelve years.
In reference to tax figures to which the Manager had once
spoken, $3,100,000, the citizens were not told about the $1.1
million that came to the Agency from Bridgeport, Oakwood,
etc., also not told that the utility tax is now $4,200,000,
between the utility tax and the property tax that only pays
for the Police Department.
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Ms. patricia Clark, Trailer Park, recalled a comment from the
last meeting that the City spent $9.1 million to obtain the
Park yet the land is not even owned, that dollar amount was
wrong, there were many layers of financing to put the Park
purchase together, the major portion of the money,
$6,750,000, came from low interest, tax free municipal bonds
issued by the Agency and purchased by bond investors, CD and
Company, New York, $6.4 million of those monies were paid to
Richard Hall, the $350,000 was to pay the bond insurance
premium for the Series A bonds and other costs for the bond
issuance, these bonds are subject to the rules and
regulations of the Security and Exchange Commission of the
United States, only a duly registered public benefit 501C3
nonprofit corporation, registered with the Internal Revenue
Service, can receive this type of bond financing, this loan
is to be paid back from a portion of the space rents paid by
residents of the Park. Ms. Clark stated that Hall had asked
$8 million for the purchase of the Park but only if the Park
was purchased by a 501C3 public benefit, nonprofit
corporation such as Linc otherwise he wanted the appraised
market value of $11 million. Another layer of financing was
the $1 million MPROP loan, that loan was arranged to bring
the offer closer to the Richard Hall negotiated asking price
of $8 million, after further negotiations Hall agreed to sell
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the Park for approximately $7.4 million, it was indicated
that the $1 million MPROP loan would take some time to
process, to that the City offered to provide a $1 million
Bridge Loan that was to be paid back when the $1 million
MPROP loan was funded, the terms of the Bridge Loan are that
if the monies are not received from the MPROP then the $1
Bridge Loan will stay in effect and thus protect the City, if
the MPROP loan is not funded the monies will be repaid over
the next thirty to thirty-five years to the City instead of
to the State, therefore the City will not lose its million
dollars. Neither the City or the Redevelopment Agency are
responsible for holding up the MPROP loan, it is being held
up by Park residents, which they may not realize, in order to
finalize the $1 million MPROP loan at least eighty or more
Park residents must sign a letter to MPROP stating that they
approve of the purchase by Linc, if the Park residents sign
the letter the $1 million Bridge Loan will be repaid to the
City immediately, but there is an element in the Park that
are holding the MPROP loan as hostage by encouraging many of
the residents to not sign the letter that is needed to
finalize the $1 million loan, to that they have said that if
their demands are met then they will get the MPROP letters
signed. Ms. Clark mentioned that $7.750 million has been
spent yet no Seal Beach taxpayer money spent for the
purchase, that leaves $1.4 million, the City decided to use
Agency funds to pay for the cost of the various experts that
were brought in to pull the transaction together, the City
also decided to put monies into a fund to extend the
necessary increases in rent to all Park residents over a
three year period, the $1.4 million was a legitimate
expenditure as it was used for low to moderate housing, if it
had not been spent for a use like this it would have been
returned to the State. She offered that it has been stated
at Council meetings and in letters to the editor that
spending Agency money for the Trailer Park was a waste of
taxpayer money, she would differ with that statement, she
does not feel that saving one hundred twenty-five homes in
the Trailer Park was a waste of taxpayer money, to her
knowledge the Park is still located in Seal Beach, the Park
residents are taxpayers too, the residents tax dollars are
working for them literally, it was also said that taxpayer
money did not go for affordable housing, another requirement
of this purchase is that there must be twenty percent low
income which is twenty-five homes, sixty percent moderate
which is seventy-five homes for a total of one hundred low to
moderate income housing, there are approximately twenty-five
higher income residents in the Park that were living there
before the purchase. Ms. Sue Corbin, Seal Beach, offered her
belief that it would only take experts to make such a mess
with the Trailer park, a lot of money has been spent. The
City being a corporation it has not voted on the City
Attorney firm therefore is a problem. With regard to the
freedom of information comment, copies of the checks should
be produced to show legal costs. She spoke too about freedom
of speech. Ms. Corbin said she too wants to preserve the
Trailer Park, tactics is the problem, the tactics of the Park
residents have to change if they want to be helped, the low
income housing is needed, it is understood that people are
afraid of losing their homes, yet the threats and
intimidation will not help to preserve the Trailer Park. She
said the $600,000 fine for not producing new affordable
housing could have been spent to help the people in the
Trailer Park, there needs to be new low income housing on-
site, people do not realize either that the City gave away
the front portion of Zoeter. Mr. Mike Berry, Trailer Park,
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mentioned that a few days ago he received something at his
door that he felt was worthy. Mr. Berry said the piece began
with the words 'there by the grace of God go the residents of
the Seal Beach Trailer, Park, please give some time to give
thanks, especially to the City Council members who helped
save our homes, after reading the article just remember that
this could have easily been us.' Mr. Berry identified the
article as from the Dana Point News of February 20th, it
states that the residents of Dana Point are rallying around
others facing eviction, ready to form a human chain to try to
stop authorities from removing a resident from a mobilehome
owned in the Park, this resident supporting herself by
working fast food jobs such as that at Jack In The Box, yet
the resident stopped paying rent on the space she occupies
when the fee was raised in July from $826 per month to $1200.
According to the property supervisor and spokesman for the
owner of the Park, Richard Hall, the rents were raised to
bring them closer to market value for mobilehome rents close
to the beach, however it was claimed they are still
considerably below other Parks with similar proximity to the
beach, stated also that it is not believed that Hall would
raise the rents as drastically again, rather five to six
percent per year. The spokesperson also said that despite
numerous eviction notices since the rent has fallen into
arrears Hall is willing to accept back payment from the
resident and allow the resident to stay in her home, however
if that does not happen the resident could soon face a court
date and removal from her home, the resident has been
receiving some guidance from her caregiver, the caregiver too
is facing eviction from the Park for not paying rent after it
was raised last summer, the residents of the Park have been
hoping since last summer that the Park would be purchased by
a nonprofit group call Millennium Housing, according to a
representative of Millennium the company would stabilize the
rents and in some cases the rent would be rolled back to
under $1,000, after ten years the residents would have the
opportunity to purchase the Park for slightly more than
Millennium would have paid for it, the Park sale was
contingent upon the Dana Point City Council approving the
sale of bonds to secure the financing for the purchase, yet
last November the Council shelved the issue, residents have
lobbied the Council ever since to no avail to have the issue
brought back for reconsideration, accordingly the lives of
the Park residents have been in limbo, as of Wednesday it was
reported to the newspaper that Richard Hall is no longer in
negotiation with Millennium regarding the sale, it was said
that that decision was based on the fact that the City did
not seem to be interested in being involved in the project,
it was said that the residents were angry in that they were
led to believe that the City was negotiating in good faith,
it was noted too that the City would have had no financial
responsibility for the bonds, only would have had to approve
them, a comment of a member of the Council stated that he did
not think that tying up the property at the City's busiest
intersection for the next thirty-five years as a mobilehome
park was necessarily the best thing for the entire community.
Mr. Berry thanked the Seal Beach City Council for going the
extra mile.
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MS. Cabnetto, a resident of the Trailer Park, said when
someone is told that they are going to own something and then
finds out that someone else is going to own it after you have
paid for it, that is fraud. She thanked the City for letting
the residents remain there, yet the Park situation needs to
be looked into, agreed that the tactics on both sides of the
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issue need to stop, the people should own the Park since that
was what the people were told, and asked that the City get
more involved. Mr. Glen Clark, Trailer Park, said he was
astounded at the last meeting when a speaker told him what he
was allegedly thinking when they were putting together the
Trailer Park Resident Owners Association, he said there was a
plan to ask the MPROP to give the Park some money, to that
Mr. Clark stated that as of March of that year they knew
nothing about the MPROP, information regarding the MPROP was
not learned until about the 10th of August, it was March when
the application to become a nonprofit corporation was
submitted, submitted as a mutual benefit corporation, not a
public corporation, no where in the By Laws or Articles of
Association does it say that the residents wanted to become
the owners or operators of the Park, yet that is what the
speaker was alleging, there was no language that would have
allowed the residents to do that. Mr. Clark mentioned that a
few years ago, when things were coming down to the wire, he
thanked the Council for what was happening at that time,
because of the actions of the City and thought given the Park
residents the Park was able to get out from under an
individual who had nothing in his mind but making a large
fortune off of the Trailer Park, he did make a fortune but
not a large fortune, the first figure quoted to the people
was about $11 million, the people could not raise that kind
of money, that is when the people went to the nonprofit
50lC3, which was the only means to do something, with the
mention of the 50lC3 Mr. Hall said possibly he could get a
little tax benefit from that himself, he would sell it for $8
million and make up the remainder in tax money, thereafter
the people got him down to $7.4 million, the open market
appraisal at the time was $ll million, the appraisal to
purchase it under the nonprofit 50lC3 was $7.75 million. Mr.
Clark thanked the City for making a good decision at that
time, and expressed his belief that Linc is a good company
for the Park to be with. Mr. Ray Molinex, Trailer Park,
expressed his affection for the Trailer Park and thanked Seal
Beach citizens for the City Council that saved their homes,
the State and everyone involved. Mr. Molinex said there are
people who still believe that the Covenants were going to
save them. He read excerpts from a recent Residents
Association newsletter, reporting that Councilman Yost had
said that Mr. Johnson of Linc was eager to work with the
residents and that there is now a window of opportunity to
work out a solution, that Councilman Yost would do his best
to resolve the issues and asked that the people work
together, the newsletter stated further that working together
could turn the Park into a community where all would show
pride in ownership, to that Mr. Molinex countered that there
is pride in ownership, the Park purchase was wonderful. He
said that when he learned that Mr. Hall bought the Park he
knew the residents would lose their homes, then the City
stepped in to help and the residents started working together
to save the homes, when there was a change in the membership
of the Residents Board that is when the confusion began, the
newsletter stated also that the residents can repair the
sidewalks and paint the clubhouse themselves, yet the
residents did not have an opportunity to vote on that, people
doing those kinds of things need to be licensed, members of
the former Board were invited to a meetings yet both times
those meetings were canceled, the newsletter also assures the
residents that there never has been nor is there now an
attempt to subdivide the Park into two separate lots, any
previous discussion of that is merely a fear tactic or rumor.
Mr. Molinex read an excerpt from a letter in another news
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publication authored by the acting Board secretary stating
that the first thing that needs to be done is request an
opinion of bond counsel as to the use of long term leases in
the Park, this should include a request for an opinion
regarding subdividing the Park or turning it into
condominiums, townhouses, a stock cooperative, etc.
Mr. Ken Williams, Riversea Road, said the author of the
referenced letter is a human being that has a right to
express an opinion, what was said was to just research what
could be done, there were many options, one was subdivision,
no one on the current Board has ever asked to subdivide the
Park, other options were to look at a co-op, stock option,
etc. Mr. Williams offered his services to fix up the Park.
He disagreed with the previous comments with regard to the
sale price of the Park, claiming it was initially $5.4
million and the attempt was to get it down to $5.1 million,
it is not known why ,it went up to $7.4 million. The people
sitting on the Residents Board were elected legally and
properly, it was not a coup, it was not a takeover, it was a
properly run vote, and countered comments of a prior speaker
as to what took place, that it was said the Park would be
bought, try to get it as a stock option, share, or whatever
means, the previous Board was voted off of the Board legally
and properly according to State law, there was a
parliamentarian, the Police Chief oversaw the election, the
paperwork was passed out in accordance with State codes. Mr.
Williams said for comments to be made that things were so bad
but it is okay now is just not acceptable, the Park issues
could be resolved if the people would communicate, the prior
Board refuses to share records as is required by State law
and the By-Laws. Mr. Mike Narz, mentioned that he is a
thirty year Park resident, said he has no trouble
communicating with Linc if he has a concern, yet he was
supposed to have a Board to do that for him, the new Board
has filed lawsuits of which he had no knowledge, which leaves
the Board option unqvailable to him, that is where the
problem lies, claim~ng to represent him and they do not, the
communication is not there because it has been taken away.
There being no further comments, Mayor Larson declared Public
Comments to be closed.
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COUNCIL ITEMS
APPOINTMENT - ENVIRONMENTAL OUALITY CONTROL BOARD
Mayor Larson moved to appoint Mr. Phil O'Malley as the
District Two representative to the Environmental Quality
Control Board for the unexpired term ending July, 2003.
Councilman Yost seconded the motion'.
AYES:
NOES:
Antos, Campbell, Doane, Larson, Yost
None Motion carried
CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEMS "c" thru "N"
Councilman Antos requested that Item "I" be removed from the
Consent Calendar. Yost moved, second by Doane, to approve
the recommended action for items on the Consent Calendar as
presented, except for Item "I", removed for separate
consideration. Councilman Yost requested that Item "H" be
removed as well.
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As to procedure, the City Attorney noted that the Council had
approved the order of the agenda, that is the appropriate
time to remove items from the Consent Calendar, therefore if
the desire is to now remove items it would require a four
3-10-03
fifths vote. The motion was amended to remove Items "I" and
"H" for separate consideration.
AYES:
NOES:
Antos, Campbell, Larson, Yost
Doane Motion carried
I
C.
Approved the waiver of reading in full of
all ordinances and resolutions and that
consent to the waiver of reading shall be
deemed to be given by all Councilmembers
after the reading of the title unless
specific request is made at that time for
the reading of such ordinance or resolution.
D. Approved the minutes of the regular adjourned
and regular meetings of February 24, 2003.
E. Approved regular demands numbered 41001
through 41050, 41052 through 41212 in the
amount of $590,906.35, ADP checks numbered
2346377 through 2346482 in the amount of
$111,017.46, and authorized warrants to be
drawn on the Treasury for same. It was noted
that checks numbered 41000 and 41051 were not
used as they were damaged and voided.
F.
Adopted Resolution Number 5111 entitled "A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEAL BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ADVOCATING SUPPORT
OF THE MILITARY CONSTRUCTION UTILITY DELIVERY
SYSTEMS UPGRADE PROJECT AT THE JOINT FORCES
TRAINING BASE IN LOS ALAMITOS, CALIFORNIA."
By unanimous consent, full reading of
Resolution Number 5111 was waived.
I
G. Bids were received until February 12, 2003
at 10:00 a.m. for the Street Tree Maintenance
Annual Contract as follows:
Great Scott Tree Service
West Coast Arborists, Inc.
United Pacific Services
Mariposa Horticultural
TruGreen Land Care
Trimming Land Co., Inc.
$ 82,860.00
91,220.00
103,747.50
107,590.00
116,473.86
131,874.60
Awarded the unit price/maintenance services
contract for street tree trimming to Great
Scott Tree Services, Inc. in the amount of
$82,860.00, and authorized the City Manager
to execute the contract.
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J.
Approved the cancellation of City Council
meetings of June 23rd, November 24th, and
December 22nd, 2003.
K. Accepted the resignation of Ms. Ruth Harrison
as the District Two appointee to the General
Plan/Local Coastal Plan Citizens Advisory
Committee.
L. Approved support of Senate Joint Resolution
6 (SOTO) and authorized the Mayor to sign the
letter of support on behalf of the City
3-10-03
(funding for first responder training as part
of the previously identified homeland security
funding) .
M.
Adopted Resolution Number S112 entitled "A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SEAL BEACH APPROVING LOT LINE ADJUSTMENT NO.
LL-03-02 FOR PARCEL 2, ALSO KNOWN AS I
ANDERSON STREET." By unanimous consent, full
reading of Resolution Number 5112 was waived.
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N.
Approved renewal of the existing Lifeguard Vehicle
Sponsorship Agreement for an additional year with a
three year option the with Beaches of Southern
California Coalition and '
the Chevrolet Motor Division, and authorized
the City Manager to execute said Agreement.
AYES:
NOES:
Antos, Campbell, Doane, Larson, Yost
None Motion carried
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
ITEM "H" - CITY MANAGER CONTRACT AMENDMENT
Councilman Yost noted that a member of the public had
requested that this item be removed. There being no
comments, Councilman Yost moved to approve the City Manager
Contract Amendment relating to an increase of vacation hours
and vacation accrual. Mayor Larson seconded the motion.
AYES:
NOES:
Antos, Campbell, Doane, Larson, Yost
None Motion carried
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ITEM "I" - IN-LIEU PARKING PROGRAM - 132 MAIN STREET
Councilman Antos stated he was unaware that the Council had
adopted an In-Lieu Parking Program. The Director of
Development Services explained that the Program was adopted
at the time the Main Street Specific Plan zoning provisions
were adopted. Yost moved, second by Campbell, to receive and
file the Notice of Intent to approve participation in the in-
lieu parking program for 132 Main Street.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
Campbell, Doane, Larson, Yost
None
Antos Motion carried
It was the order of the Chair,
declare a recess at 8:17 p.m.
p.m. with Mayor Larson calling
with consent of the Council to
The Council reconvened at 8:27
the meeting to order.
OLD RANCH TENNIS CLUB CONCEPTUAL PLAN - RECREATION COMMISSION
RECOMMENDATION
The Deputy City Engineer presented the staff report relating
to the Recreation Commission recommendation to retain the Old
Ranch Tennis Facility in its existing configuration, the
recommendation also requests that the staff be directed to
obtain proposals for a tennis'facility operator, and
direction relating to facility upgrades and expenditure of
funds for College Park East. The Deputy Engineer explained
that as part of the Bixby development the Old Ranch Tennis
Facility was to be dedicated to the City at no cost and $1
million was to be given to the City along with the facility,
the offer of dedication is to expire in September, 2004. He
noted that in March, 1999 an eighteen member ad hoc committee
was formed to review the site and determine the best use of
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3-10-03
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the facility, the group held several meetings and developed a
recreational wish list and site plan with the assistance of
Purkiss-Rose, a landscape architectural firm, at that time
the site plan included the demolition of five courts,
expansion of the clubhouse, an outdoor stage/performance
area, basketball courts, tot lot, skate parks, a splash pool,
twenty new parking spaces, and a picnic area, in October of
2000 the site plan was presented to the City Council for
approval, at that time the cost was estimated at $1.4 million
yet a $1 million budget, and it was assumed that the City
could use proposition 12 funds or Bixby revenue to offset the
costs, however the Council directed staff to bring forth
additional information. In November 2001 the project was
assigned to the Public Works Department where the costs were
analyzed between $1.4 and $1.8 million, in January 2002 the
City contracted with an inspection company to determine if
the facility needed repairs, what the costs would be, and the
necessary ADA upgrades, the estimate was $250,000 for that
facility. Based upon this information the Tennis Club Site
Committee met several more times, developed another plan,
approved the new plan in September of 2002 which included
repairs and upgrades of the facility, demolition of four
courts, construction of a skate park, a small tot lot, and
some landscaping. The Deputy Engineer noted that in January,
2003 the Recreation Commission was presented with this option
and four other alternatives including demolishing everything
except the clubhouse, spending the $750,000 for various
improvements in College Park East, or rejecting the project
and dedication of the property, approximately one hundred
people attended the Commission meeting, about twenty-two made
public comments, the Commission then recommended that the
City Council accept the site as it exists and that staff be
directed to obtain proposals from facility operators. The
Engineer stated there are three basic options for operation,
a full private membership club, a public/private hybrid, or a
fully public tennis facility. If directed by the Council
staff will prepare requests for proposals to analyze the
different costs and scenarios, from the firm costs the
Council would be able to determine what type of facility and
operation they would prefer. The Engineer noted that if the
City accepted the facility now without an operational plan
the City would assume the liability and responsibility to pay
the tennis facility operational costs, utilities,
landscaping, etc., therefore it is not recommended that the
facility be accepted until a tennis club operator is chosen.
He mentioned that another discussion point for the Council to
provide direction on is the $250,000 of upgrades that are
required at the site, the Public Works Department can
construct the upgrades with the available funding or may
direct the operator of the facility to make the improvements,
a situation similar to that of Ruby's, yet with a low
operating profit that may not be feasible, staff is also
requesting direction on the expenditure of funds in College
Park East, those monies are designated specifically for use
in the College Park East neighborhood, possible projects
would include parks, landscaping, concrete repairs, street
repairs. The Deputy Engineer reiterated the staff
recommendations to Council.
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Councilmember Campbell noted that this process began four
years ago, it has been a long road, if it had been known then
that the money could be spent elsewhere this matter would not
be before the Council for consideration now, things would
have been done sooner. To the question as to why removal of
any of the courts was looked at initially was because the
3-10-03
courts were unutilized, there is an impaction rate with the
courts, about thirty players per court, with a membership
averaging about two hundred to two hundred ten that would
indicate a need for only seven courts, removal of only four
courts was being looked at. Councilmember Campbell mentioned
that there are approximately fifty to fifty-five people from
College Park East that belong to the Old Ranch Tennis Club,
that is three percent of College Park East, there are three
to four from Old Ranch and the Hill, with two hundred to two
hundred ten members that means that approximately three
quarters of the membership does not live in Seal Beach. She
said she can understand the members of the Tennis Club
wanting to keep and protect their facility, they have been
there for a long time and love it, the fact is however that
they make up only three percent of College Park East and a
mere fraction of the City overall. Councilmember Campbell
noted someone saying get the money and put it in the bank to
earn interest, with today's rates of two to two and a half
percent of $1 million that is only $20,000 to 25,000 a year,
maintenance on the facility is from $60,000 to $90,000 per
year, it is important to know what this is before getting
into it, she must look out for everyone in College Park East,
not just the three percent that use the facility, her goal
was to get something that was for the majority of the CPE
residents, that is why they continued to press for some usage
of the courts even when it was realized that some of the
money could be spent elsewhere, it was not desirable to put
amenities in other parks because parkland is so important,
the desire was to not diminish that, some feel that the
tennis facility is an asset and should not have any courts
removed, some feel it adds prestige to the community, she
understands that but again she needs to work for all of
College Park East, there is no question that this facility is
an asset but is it an asset that can pay for itself, is it an
asset that the whole community will use or just can use, that
remains to be seen. with that in mind, Councilmember
Campbell said she is willing to support going out to bid for
an operator but with some caveats, there must be some
provision for public use and special availability for Seal
Beach residents, there must be provision for the Los Al High
School tennis team which is ranked nationally, there must be
some provision for use of the clubhouse by the community as a
community center as that was high on the list for CPE, as
much as the Tennis Club members would like to keep this a
private facility there is no way that public monies can be
put into a private facility. She noted having received a
number of comments from CPE residents this past weekend, she
also hung signs to inform the people of the consideration of
this issue at this meeting, a comment she heard a number of
times was to not spend any of the million dollars on the
tennis facility because not that many people in the community
use it, they wanted that money spent on parks and other
improvements in College Park East, therefore she could not
support putting $250,000 into a facility that is used by so
few CPE and City people, especially since there is no
assurance that the facility will make it, it is felt that the
tennis facility should take the cost of improvements out of
its revenues, if $250,000 were spent and it is not a success
then that money is lost, Bixby is not making a sufficient
return on their investment, that is why they are willing to
part with it, and if it is not a success the City does not
have the money to fund an operation that can not pay for
itself. Councilmember Campbell suggested ways to look at a
request for proposals, in the first the operator would make
the capital improvements and would be provided a three to
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,
,
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3-10-03
I
five year lease, after that time the City would earn a
certain percentage of the net profit, assuming there are any,
the second would be to go out for a one year lease with no
cash infusion and the operator would need to prove that they
can increase the membership and that it is a viable business,
the capital improvements would be taken out of revenues or if
the facility showed a profit after the first year the City
could lend the operator the money for the improvements to be
paid back out of revenues, the tennis facility is an asset
that needs to be managed properly and one that needs to make
a return, and given the financial condition of the City it
can not afford to waste any money. Councilmember Campbell
noted that she has received some good suggestions as to the
use of the $l million, some play equipment for Bluebell Park,
a new shade cover there as well, possibly another survey
could be done to see how the residents want the money spent
within College Park East, the whole purpose of dedicating the
tennis facility to the City was because of the impacts of the
shopping center on College Park East such as two thousand
more vehicles a day on Lampson, by owning this property there
would be no future worries of Bixby using it as leverage to
obtain approval for something they want from the City.
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Councilman Doane noted that he has had a discussion with Mr.
Barrett, the Golden Rain president, as is known there are no
tennis courts in Leisure world, there was a proposal a number
of years ago to construct tennis courts yet that did not meet
with favor, and in this case his preference would be the
private/public hybrid Tennis Club, and if there were a senior
citizen discount there are many younger persons residing in
Leisure World that would like to play tennis. Mr. Barrett
was enthused with this proposal in that he feels there are
enough Leisure World residents that would be interested and
make up the deficit that Councilmember Campbell has
mentioned, it is believed all of the courts could be utilized
not only by Leisure Worlders but by persons throughout the
City, he would be supportive of retaining the bleachers which
would open up tournament play, and he agrees with those who
have spoken in favor of upgrading the clubhouse which in turn
could be utilized for the different community events for a
fee as is the case with the other community centers.
Councilman Doane said he would ask the Council to support the
request of Mr. Barrett to make the facility affordable so
that Leisure World players would have a facility on which to
play close at hand. Councilmember Campbell noted that when
enlarging the clubhouse was looked into it was determined
that in order to do that center court would need to be taken
out, it was felt that was too important to the facility.
Councilman Yost expressed his opinion that this is a
wonderful asset, it is used by the community, to him it would
be a crime to demolish tennis courts and take away an asset
of the City, yet there are some provisions that he would
prefer, having gone through this a few times in recent years,
that the $1 million stay in College Park East for whatever
improvements those residents choose, the use of the clubhouse
as a community center, renaming the facility as the Seal
Beach Tennis and Community Center and make it a jewel of the
community, at this point he would tend to support a private/
public hybrid use so that the public can also use the
facility, and that the Los Alamitos High School boys and
girls tennis teams are able to use the facility. Councilman
Antos noted that he had attended the meeting at the North
Seal Beach Community Center where the Recreation and Parks
Commission met with regard to this issue, a number of
correspondence has come in, all in favor of keeping the
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3-10-03
facility. Councilman Antos mentioned also that the City has
a noise element in its General Plan which provides
information about policies and the noise that ought to be
associated with outside activities such as in a park, with
that in mind he reported that on Sunday between 12:30 and
1:30 p.m., with no wind, he was on Bluebell Street taking
noise readings, one site was near the soundwall and the
transmission towers where the tennis courts are closest to
the street and then in two places at Arbor park, the
readings, based upon certain proposals to tear down tennis
courts and construct other outdoor childrens activities such
as skateboard facilities, etc., the ambient noise readings
near the freeway were about seventy-five decibels, the
Council would have a great liability if they tore out tennis
courts and constructed outdoor facilities for children,
ambient noise is without any cars, trucks, or whatever on the
street, a little further down the street the reading was
above sixty-five, the readings in Arbor Park were below
fifty. Councilman Antos said in good conscious he could not
support tearing out tennis courts under any circumstances to
be replaced by youth facilities under the presumption that
they would be safe, from what he has heard at the meetings, a
report he had from his Parks and Recreation Commissioner,
everything in writing, his belief is that the facility should
be maintained as it exists, public and private use would be
fine, there has also been a recent experience of requiring an
operator to upgrade a City facility at their expense, that
being the Ruby's lease, that could be explored with this
operator to upgrade the facility, and the $1 million should
remain in College Park East for improvements.
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Although not a public hearing, Mayor Larson invited members
of the public to make comments to this item if desired, the
speaking time allowed is five minutes, and noted that the
recommendation is to retain the tennis facility as it
presently exists. Mr. Ray Ybaden College Park East, chairman
of the Committee to Preserve Our Neighborhood, noted that he
needs to revise his comments after the statements that have
been made. Mr. Ybaden said this committee was formed because
there was fear that there would be irreparable damage done to
the tennis facility, the facility has been a wonderful
neighbor for thirty years, when word came out that there was
consideration of bike parks and skateboard parks there was
not much support for that kind of direction, there was
concern also that once damage was done to the tennis facility
and once the bike parks were there and then proved to be
unsuccessful then where would the money come from to restore
the asset that currently exists. The members of the
committee started talking to people and hundreds of
signatures were secured on a letter addressed to the Council
advising the Council to not adopt that type of a plan, as it
turns out the Recreation Commission had the wisdom to adopt a
different plan and at this point it sounds as if the Council
is in agreement with that direction, those present are in
support of the Recreation Commission recommendation that the
tennis club remain as it exists, they would support selection
of an operator, they favor a mixed use plan. Mr. Ybaden
pointed out however that those persons who are members of the
tennis club now pay over a thousand dollars a year to play
tennis at that facility and enjoy what comes with that
membership, many people who use the facility are not looked
at as outsiders rather assets as they are contributing sums
of money to enable this City to keep and maintain and develop
that facility, he would not want the membership to go down
because they do not live in Seal Beach rather would like it
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to go up, the more members that are attracted and the better
facility that is there, the better it will be for any
operator and for the City, this will enable things to be done
for the community. As was mentioned by Councilman Doane,
they did contact Mr. Barrett and inquired if the facility
would attract people from Leisure World to the tennis
facility so they could sample what the experience is like, at
this point there have been about a dozen and a half people
who have come to the facility, have started playing tennis
there, a couple of days a month have been set aside for the
Leisure World players to come, they are being assisted with
forming a club, and it is understood that somewhere in the
neighborhood of fifty to one hundred people are going to
start playing tennis at the facility, they feel the same
thing will happen in College Park East when people understand
that this is a facility that is available to them, there are
tennis programs for children, people from the Hill and Old
Town will be invited, the facility will be busy. Mr. Ybaden
expressed his opinion that this is going to be a viable
activity, a resource for the City, he believes everyone is
prepared to get behind this plan and make it a success. A
great majority of those in the audience raised their hand in
agreement with the comments. Mr. Robert Tumelty, President
of the Old Ranch Townhome Association, said there are sixty
home sites, the homes are directly opposite the Tennis Club,
he too agrees that the Club has been a good neighbor for over
thirty years, yet noted their concern upon hearing of plans
to modify the Club, they were delighted to think that this
would be an expanded facility that would offer services not
only to College Park East but to the entire City as well as
the entire area, and identified others in the audience from
their complex. Mr. Tumelty said they see this as an
opportunity and a challenge in terms of what can be done to
develop a regional tennis center, one must start with a dream
of such a center, how this comes out lies with the policy
direction that the Council must set, at the Recreation
Commission meeting a dream was seen as beginning to form
because this is planning into the future, every planning
effort is futuristic where not everything will turn out just
as planned, the recommendation is the start of a dream. Mr.
Tumelty said he has no concern if there is only ten people
from CPE that use the facility, he does care that there are
tens and tens and tens that would utilize the Club but does
not care where they are from, if there is need to expand the
Club and reach out to other organizations and agencies to
develop this regional tennis center he believes that there is
a focus for that. There was a comment from Council that he
had had concern, that with the economic viability of the
Club, everyone shares that, yet his concern was more with the
proposal to remove four courts, that would be twenty-five
percent of the possible revenue base of the Club, he believes
that was within the context of the comment. Mr. Tumelty
stated that the people are all for some good planning, they
will be delighted to work with the City, the framework that
has been presented seems to be a good starting point, that is
when the hard work starts. A member of the audience who had
addressed the Council at the first Public Comment period was
denied a second opportunity to speak on a two to three vote
of the Council. Mr. Marty Mahrer, College Park East, said he
agreed with most of the positive comments regarding the
Tennis Club, however with regard to Alternative 5, a request
for direction on the expenditure of funds for College Park
East projects, his question would be who is going to be the
overseer and what projects are going to be brought forth that
the public does not know of at this point, of concern is that
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3-10-03
since the City is in a shortfall for money the $1 million
could,be used for many things. The City Manager explained
that the Development Agreement states that the money has to
be used for the benefit of the College Park East
neighborhood, therefore the money can not be used in another
area, once there is direction from the Council any capital
improvement project proposal would be voted, upon by the
Council, as has been heard preference as to projects may be
done by a survey, improvements have been mentioned at this
meeting, at this point it is an open issue that is yet to be
fully discussed.
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Councilman Yost expressed appreciation to the Neighborhood
and Tennis Club Preservation Committee for the work they have
done, a group a people who were not supportive of a proposal
and in turn brought forth positive, constructive changes and
did so with respect, dignity, and professionalism, suggesting
that might be an example for others to take a similar lead
who are unhappy with situations, the group deserves a hand
for changing something into a positive. Councilman Yost said
his hope is that this facility will be a jewel in the City as
the Seal Beach Tennis and Community Center, there seems to be
a great deal of division in the community that stops at the
405 Freeway, there are a number of people from District Three
that travel to this facility to play tennis, it is hoped this
can heal some of the division and this can be the meeting
point between Seal Beach north and south of the freeway, also
that the money be kept in College Park East to do with
whatever is desired.
Yost moved, second by Antos, to approve the recommendation.
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Councilmember Campbell stated that she would like to split
the recommendations, she would have no problem retaining the
tennis facility in its existing configuration, provide
direction to complete the facility upgrades by the City or
the operator, her feeling is that that needs to be addressed
in the RFP rather than make that decision at this time.
Councilman Yost said he would accept that as a friendly
amendment to the RFP however would want some flexibility
should it be problematic. Councilmember Campbell questioned
whether $250,000 would go towards the tennis facility or the
entire $1 million go to improvements in College Park East,
she has a concern putting $250,000 into a facility where it
is not known whether or not it can be successful, she would
prefer to go out to bid for a year proposal to see if the
membership can be built up, at that point either take the
capital improvements out of revenue, possibly the City could
lend the money, or the operator could put the money into the
facility then provide the operator with a three to five year
lease.
Councilman Antos clarified his understanding of the motion,
to retain the Old Ranch Tennis Facility in its existing
configuration, direct the City Manager to obtain proposals
from private facility operators, specifically to have the
private facility operator pay for the cost of improvements,
including ADA, in the same manner as the City did with the
Ruby's lease, then the $1 million stays in College Park East,
and as part of the RFP indicate that this is a combination
private/public tennis facility, include language to allow the
public to use the clubhouse as a community center at some
point and amount, and a provision for the Los Alamitos High
School tennis teams to use the facility. Councilmember
Campbell included special availability for Seal Beach
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residents, including those who are retired, noted again that
at such time as the City seeks an operator no money would be
put into the facility at that point in that it has not been
proven that it can succeed, it will need to be seen if the
operator can provide the capital improvements or have a year
to determine the success of the facility, there will be no
money from the City for operational expenses. Mayor Larson
suggested that alternate bids be requested because it must
come out economically feasible for the operator, if the
operator puts $250,000 into the center then there will be a
greater charge to play tennis, the bids could reflect the
charge to play if they put that amount of money into the
facility or if they do not. Councilman Yost noted that the
community as a whole will get some benefit by using the
clubhouse as a community center, for classes, etc., it will
not be solely for tennis but to the benefit of the residents
of the community, he could support the suggestion of putting
that into the RFP then the City can have a choice. Mayor
Larson noted that the tennis facility in Long Beach has an
operator, it is similar to how golf courses are run.
Councilman Yost mentioned that there is a beautiful public/
private hybrid facility in Santa Monica that ,functions very
well. Councilman Doane said he would be interested in
knowing if anyone has made any kind of inquiry as to
operators, would they be interested. Councilmember Campbell
confirmed that there have been inquiries, however the policy
of the City is to go out for bids. In response to a comment
from the public, Mayor Larson pointed out that the
expenditure of funds is generally left to the determination
of the Councilmember, whether it is fixing streets or
whatever. Councilmember Campbell said what she would like to
do, with the approval of Council, is send a survey to all
College Park East residents seeking suggestions as to how
they feel the $1 million should be spent, one suggestion was
play equipment and a new overhang cover at, Bluebell, with
this pending action the money from Bixby will not be required
to be spent on just the tennis courts, it can be spent in
College Park East in general. Councilman Antos inquired if
City staff can prepare the survey form, to that Councilmember
Campbell stated she would work with them, there is a format,
Councilman Yost too agreed that staff should be involved.
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with regard to a procedural issue, the City Attorney noted
that the maker of the motion was Councilman Yost, the
recommendations on'the last page of the staff report can be
used as a guideline, except that the word 'alternative'
should be added to read 'alternative proposals', the first
was to retain the Old Ranch Tennis Facility in its existing
configuration, obtain alternative proposals from private
tennis facility operators for a public/private hybrid
facility, it is presumed that staff will be directed to
obtain the money from Bixby, that being after a tennis
facility operator is selected, the community center use and
Los Alamitos High School tennis team(s) use, that being the
motion. Councilmember Campbell mentioned senior citizen
use of the facility. Councilman Yost suggested that a survey
generated by City staff of the College Park East residents
with regard to their suggested improvements for the area be
included. Councilman Antos reiterated his second to the
motion.
AYES:
NOES:
Antos, Campbell, Doane, Larson, Yost
None Motion carried
3-10-03
Councilman Doane thanked everyone for their participation in
the discussion, and mentioned the efforts of Mr. Saunders of
the Leisure World News.
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
No report was presented.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
No report was presented.
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COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilman Antos extended greetings to Ms. Olson for her
birthday the following day. Councilman Antos requested
Council concurrence to submit an issue to the City Attorney.
He noted that the Council was provided some general
information on new laws relative to conflict of interest, he
downloaded Sections 87100 through 87105 of the Government
Code, has a concern with Section 87103 as it relates to the
Trailer Park and elected officials on the Board, 87103 states
that 'a public official has a financial interest in a
decision within the meaning of Section 87100 if it is
reasonably foreseeable that the decision will have a material
financial effect distinguishable from its effect on the
public generally', what follows are some lists, subsection
"d" says 'any business entity in which the public official is
a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, or holds any
position of management.' Councilman Antos offered that he
does not see how an elected public official can sit as a
director, officer, trustee, board member on a nonprofit
entity wherein decisions that they might make sitting as a
member of either the City Councilor Redevelopment Agency
could have a direct impact on that entity even if they have
no financial interest themselves, even if it is a non-paid,
totally volunteer position, his concern is whether this is a
problem because he would not like to see the two
Councilmembers who are sitting as public members on the
Trailer Park Board fall under this and be unable to make
decisions as Councilor Redevelopment Agency members because
they are serving voluntarily as public members. Reading
further, it would also preclude anyone who files a conflict
of interest statement, which means the City Manager or
Planning Commissioners because they make land use decisions,
so if he is reading the Sections correctly he would think
that the members would need to be totally public. Councilman
Antos again requested a consensus to have the City Attorney
review these Sections. Mayor Larson suggested that those
persons write to the Fair Political Practices Commission
individually and their inquiry will be answered, the opinion
of the City Attorney will not help them. The City Attorney
concurred that that would be the best approach, that is the
opinion they always give to seek a written opinion. In
response to Councilman Yost, the City Attorney agreed to
assist the members of the Council in that regard. Mayor
Larson noted that the Attorney has to state to the FPPC that
he has the permission of the members of the Council to write
on behalf of.
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I
CLOSED SESSION
No Closed Session was held.
ADJOURNMENT
It was the order of the Chair, with consent of the Council to
adjourn the meeting until March 24th at 6:30 p.m. By
unanimous consent, the meeting was adjourned at 9:22 p.m.
3-10-03 / 3-24-03
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I
Approved:
Seal Beach, California
March 24, 2003
The City Council of the City of Seal Beach met in regular
adjourned session at 6:30 p.m. with Mayor Larson calling the
meeting to order with the Salute to the Flag.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Mayor Larson
Councilmembers Campbell, Doane, Yost
Absent:
Councilmember Antos
I
Councilman Antos joined the Council in Closed Session at 6:35
p.m.
Also present: Mr. Bahorski, City Manager
Mr. Barrow, City Attorney
Ms. Yeo, City Clerk
CLOSED SESSION
The City Attorney announced that the Council would meet in
Closed Session to discuss Item A (a), Peddicord versus Linc
Housing, pursuant to Government Code Section S49S6.9(a), that
Item A-2 (b), Wiles versus City of Seal Beach, and Item B, a
conference with legal counsel relating to anticipated
litigation, would not be discussed and held over to a future
meeting. The Council adjourned to Closed Session at 6:31
p.m. and reconvened at 7:10 p.m. with Mayor Larson calling
the meeting to order. The City Attorney reported that the
Council had discussed Item A (a), gave direction, no other
reportable action was taken.
I
ADJOURNMENT
It was the order of the Chair,
to adjourn the meeting at 7:11
consent of the Council,
Approved:
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