HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Min 1999-06-14
6-7-99 / 6-14-99
I
in Surfside, yet if the under grounding project of the beach
lots is to be included, the suggestion of the Edison Company
should possibly be kept in mind in terms of hold off for now.
Mr. Ribal mentioned that there is always considerable
discussion in District One with regarding to whose alley has
been done, whose street is worse, and it may be worthwhile to
create some community interest to have the utilities
undergrounded so that the alleys are not concreted and then
dug up to place cables, etc., possibly have a community study
to work up a priority system. He again urged a final
accounting of the sand replenishment project, consideration
for future reserves, as there may be problems still
forthcoming. Mr. Ribal said he believes that the community
has a great deal of respect for the energy, time, expertise,
and good nature of the Council, noting that the last time he
attended a budget workshop was about eight to ten years ago
where each district was doing battle for what was thought to
be what their residents needed. Councilman Snow read a
memorandum from the City Manager to the Mayor, Council, and
Department Heads offering congratulations to Elizabeth
Stoddard, Finance Officer, and her Department, upon receiving
an award for outstanding financial reporting for the second
year. There being no further input, Mayor Yost declared
Public Comments closed.
ADJOURNMENT
By unanimous consent, the meeting was adjourned at 11:50 p.m.
I
C'
Approved:
~
Attest:
Seal Beach, California
June 14, 1999
I
The City Council of the City of Seal Beach met in regular
session at 7:00 p.m. with Mayor Yost calling the meeting to
order.
The Girl Scout recipients of the Gold and Silver Awards were
present and led the Salute to the Flag.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Mayor Yost
Councilmembers Boyd, Campbell, Doane, Snow
Absent:
None
6-14-99
Also present: Mr. Till, City Manager
Mr. Barrow, City Attorney
Mr. Whittenberg, Director of Development
Services
Mr. Badum, Director of Public Works/City
Engineer
Chief Sellers, Police Department
Ms. Stoddard, Director of Administrative
Services
Ms. Beard, Director of Recreation and Parks
Ms. Yeo, City Clerk
I
By unanimous consent, the agenda was rearranged to make the
Girl Scout presentations first.
RESOLUTION NUMBER 4713 - HONORING and COMMENDING CHRISTINA
RYAN - GIRL SCOUT GOLD AWARD
Resolution Number 4713 was read in full by Councilmember
Campbell entitled "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SEAL BEACH, CALIFORNIA, HONORING AND COMMENDING
CHRISTINA RYAN FOR ACHIEVING THE GIRL SCOUTS OF AMERICA GOLD
AWARD." Doane moved, second by Boyd, to adopt Resolution
Number 4713 as presented. Councilmember Campbell noted that
only about two percent of Girl Scouts earn this Award, then
presented Miss Ryan with the Resolution and a commemorative
City pin, extended congratulations for her Community Service
Project and achievements. Miss Ryan accepted with
appreciation.
AYES:
NOES:
Boyd, Campbell, Doane, Snow, Yost
None Motion carried
I
Councilmember Campbell welcomed those present from Boy Scout
Troop 642, attending as a requirement of the Citizenship in
the Community patch.
GIRL SCOUT SILVER AWARD RECOGNITIONS
Councilmember Campbell presented Certificates of Recognition
to Jessica pummel, Alexandra Gornik, Lauren McKinney, Erica
Lundblad, and Jackie Jensen, all having achieved the Cadette
Girl Scout Silver Award, and acknowledged the community
service projects of each. Congratulations was conveyed to
each of the young ladies for their accomplishments.
RESOLUTION NUMBER 4715 - HONORING MICHAEL MILLER - SCHOOL
DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT
Resolution Number 4715 was reading in full by Mayor Yost
entitled "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SEAL BEACH, HONORING AND RECOGNIZING SUPERINTENDENT MICHAEL
MILLER OF THE LOS ALAMITOS UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT" for his
twenty-five years of service. Yost moved, second by Boyd, to
adopt Resolution Number 4715 as presented, noting that Mr.
Miller was unable to be in attendance at this meeting.
AYES:
NOES:
Boyd, Campbell, Doane, Snow, Yost
None Motion carried
I
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Councilman Boyd requested that item "G", demands on the
treasury, be removed from the Consent Calendar for separate
consideration. The item of interest to Councilman Snow was
noted to be under the category of new business. Doane moved,
second by Campbell, to approve the order of the agenda as
revised.
6-14-99
AYES:
NOES:
Boyd, Campbell, Doane, Snow, Yost
None Motion carried
I
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Yost declared Public Comments to be open. Ms. Dorothy
Whyte, College Park East, made reference to issues from the
last meeting, first, real estate signs prohibited from public
property, to which she claimed that the Councilperson placed
her signs in the referenced locations during the last
election, stating if such regulations are to apply to
businesses it should apply to all. Mention was made of the
harassment telephone call reported by Mrs. Yost at the last
meeting, that incident was unfortunate, a comment from a
Councilman was that elected officials should not be subjected
to that, Ms. Whyte said that should apply to the citizens as
well as she has been harassed by a public official for years.
Ms. Whyte mentioned a Council comment that his professional
clients had been harassed, indicating in public that it was
her, which she claimed has never occurred, the allegation
should have at least been investigated, possibly someone used
her name or made this up. Ms. Whyte said she would await
information as to who and when she allegedly called someone,
also a public apology during this meeting. Ms. Jane McCloud,
Balboa Drive, co-chair of the Gum Grove Nature Park Group,
announced the second annual Concert in the Park on June 27th
from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., the Concert to feature Holly Robinson
and three jazz musicians and sponsored by Cameron Records, a
$5 donation would be appreciated to benefit the Gum Grove,
children will be free. Ms. Donna McGuire directed attention
to the members of Boy Scout Troop 642 present at this
meeting, and noted that a requirement of the Citizenship in
the Community badge is to identify a community problem and a
resolution for it. Scott Grant, Troop 642 member, read a
letter prepared by the Troop at their last meeting to the
Seal Beach community, identifying the problem of
skateboarding in the Rossmoor Center, suggesting that the
skaters be informed of the problems they cause, attend a
class for community service, tell them when and where it is
appropriate to skate, have more police officers or explorers,
or build a skate park similar to the one in Old Town,
possibly in Rossmoor Park for skating away from the Center.
Mayor Yost requested that a copy of the Scout's letter be
left with the Clerk to allow a future response to the Troop.
Mr. Reg Clewley, Catalina Avenue, objected to the approval of
the agenda, there are items that should be public hearings,
items "0" and "E" are Council items to which the public can
not remove or comment, item "M" is on the Consent, should be
pulled, items "Q" and "R" are not subject to public
participation, the urgency building code ordinance too,
stating that five minutes is not enough time to address a
thick agenda, public comment is being forbidden because of
the arrangement of the agenda. Mr. Clewley said his survey
shows that about twenty percent of the metered parking lots
are empty during business hours, about forty percent of the
patrons are exempted from paying parking meter fees, and made
the comment that seventy percent of the Leisure World
constituency utilize handicapped placards that exempts them
from paying for metered parking. Lifeguard Captain Steve
Cushman introduced the newly appointed Lifeguard Lieutenant,
Ross Pounds, a nine year summer and three year winter season
guard. Lieutenant Pounds noted his anticipation of a long
career in Seal Beach. Co~ncilman Boyd made reference to the
public mention of discussion to item "0", parking meters in
Old Town, suggesting that three to five minutes be allowed,
to that Councilman Doane objected, stating he would suggest a
I
I
6-14-99
public hearing at a later date. In response to Mr. Gene
Vesely, Trailer Park resident, it was confirmed that
Councilman Doane had indicated his intent to schedule a
public input session relating to parking meters at a future
date. Mr. Vesely noted discussion of this issue in his
household, most of the meters seem to be in dark locations,
they can not be read at night unless one has a flashlight,
also, it was thought that the meters would be operational
until 6:00 p.m. rather than 10:00 p.m. and persons
participating in evening activities or functions have
therefore received citations, to that he requested that this
be kept in mind when the meters are being discussed. There
being no further communications, Mayor Yost declared Public
Comments to be closed.
I
COUNCIL ITEMS
SB 1785 - REIMBURSEMENT - ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Councilman Boyd explained that SB 1785 specifies that
counties and municipalities that provide animal care services
are required by mandate to provide additional services,
therefore in accordance with SB 90 the City could be eligible
for reimbursement for those mandated services. Councilman
Boyd noted the request is that staff look into additional
costs incurred by Animal Control or the Animal Care Center
since the implementation of SB 1785, that a letter be
composed to the City's legislative representatives seeking
reimbursement of those costs.
Mayor Yost moved the request, Councilman Boyd seconded. To
question from Councilman Snow, it was explained that there
has likely been an increase of costs due to the additional
services required by SB 1785, that determination is yet to be
researched.
I
AYES:
NOES:
Boyd, Campbell, Doane, Snow, Yost
None Motion carried
PARKING METERS - OLD TOWN
Councilman Doane stated this is a two part item, future
meters and the three lots that are now metered on Main Street
and off Electric, suggesting that this discussion be
separated, that Councilman Boyd address the existing meters
first, he would then address future meters. Councilman Boyd
recalled that when the meters were installed in the Main and
Electric lots, approval was given as to the fee of $1 per
hour or $.25 per fifteen minutes as well as the operational
hours until 10:00 p.m., that fairly consistent with other
surrounding cities, Huntington Beach as an example is $1 per
hour from 6:00 a.m. until midnight. He noted however that in
Seal Beach there are other issues that should be considered
given the local and difficulty for some businesses in dealing
with the meter issue. Councilman Boyd proposed an amendment
to change the operational hours to 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 pm.
daily and the rate from $1 to $.50 per hour, said he would be
open to comments as to whether that should be for the off
season only, six or seven months, and pointed out the
difficulty to go out to dinner or a movie and have to return
to add money to the meter during that period of time. He
mentioned again that he does favor metering of the lots, they
belong to the taxpayers and this is a return on their
investment for the purchase of that land some years ago.
Councilman Boyd requested that staff be directed to return
with an amendment to reflect the proposed hours of 9:00 a.m.
I
6-14~99
I
to 6:00 p.m. and a reduced rate of $.50 per hour. Councilman
Doane mentioned that he made the same recommendation to the
City Manager, however was given a somewhat valid reason for
the Main/10th Street lot closing hour, in that there appears
to have been a problem with the apartment dwellers taking up
that parking since they have no parking of their own, that
was likely the reason for the 10:00 p.m. hour, that may be
too long so 8:00 p.m. may be a consideration. Suggestion was
that both 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. be options for consideration.
Councilman Doane seconded the motion. Councilman Snow
inquired if a public hearing is to be held, it was indicated
there would.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
Boyd, Campbell, Doane, Yost
None
Snow
Motion carried
I
Councilman Doane referred to his interest in parking meters
as a revenue source and cure of the parking problems, in all
of the studies that have been done of Main Street there has
always been a recognition of a parking problem, the solution
to that being better parking management. He noted that there
are two individuals present that have met with him with
regard to parking, one being Mr. Stan Anderson who has been
doing a survey of the businesses on Main Street with regard
to how they would address the parking problem, as shown on
his survey, the only reference to meters is with regard to
the presently metered lots, it is likely the solutions to the
parking problem may be found to be interesting, the other
person is Mr. Ron Bennett, and it may be recalled that some
time back there was a panel discussion on the Rick Paap Show
with regard to parking meters on Main Street, inasmuch as
there was once meters on the Street, Mr. Bennett, who is in
favor of meters, provided good reasoning as to why they
should be there. Councilman Doane invited Mr. Bennett to
share his views of meters on Main Street and possibly
portions of Ocean and Central Avenues. Mr. Bennett,
Crestview Avenue, reported that in 1994 the Business
Association formed a committee that consisted of Jill Ferris,
Stan Anderson, and himself, Ms. Ferris provided information
from her association with the Belmont Shore program, in that
area the fee has always been $.50 per hour. Mr. Bennett
agreed with the proposal of Councilman Boyd except with the
evening hour, suggesting an 8:00 p.m. meter closing instead
of 6:00 p.m., the reason is that some of the merchants asked
why they were being discriminated against, they close their
business at 6:00 p.m., the street is full until 9:00 p.m., it
is restaurant business, yet everyone parks free under the
original scenario. Mr. Bennett stated also that the prior
speaker was correct in that the meters can not be seen, 10:00
p.m. is too late and $1 is too much, and the lots are only
twenty-five percent full at best the majority of time. Mr.
Bennett said the reason this issue came up with the Business
Association is that there were beachgoers parking all day on
Main Street and on residential streets, the Zucker study
showed that on a sunny Saturday, July 2nd, at 1:00 p.m. the
beach lots were fifty-four percent occupied but the streets
were ninety-four percent occupied, in reality that would be
one hundred percent because the few street parking spaces
only existed for seconds. It was found that Belmont Shore,
at $.50 per hour, earned $852.25 per meter per year adjusted
for a seven day week as they only charge for six days, in
Seal Beach the busiest day is Sunday. He said some will
claim this is a tax, which it is, but it is the most
democratic tax there is, you use the product, you pay,
I
6-14-99
according to the Business Association projections only thirty
percent of the money collected will come from people in Seal
Beach, the majority of money comes from out of town from
people who use Seal Beach services and facilities, to him it
seems reasonable that if the people are paying one hundred
percent of the utility tax it seems that thirty percent of
this tax is a better deal. The projection on two hundred I
fifty-seven meters on Main Street, Ocean from 8th to 10th,
Electric and Central from the first alley to Main, was
$220,000 per year at the rate of Belmont Shore. He noted
that most of the parking in Belmont Shore is off 2nd Street
behind the alley, pointing out that they purchased all of
that property with parking meter income, also, they did a
$2.7 million improvement all with parking meter money. From
a historical standpoint when parking meters were initiated in
1938 in the mid-West it was said they were for parking
regulations, yet it has been said time and time again that
parking meters provide two things, income and parking
management. Again in Belmont Shore, look at the streets and
they are usually full, Main Street is full, if one drives
down the alleys in the Shore they are usually a quarter to
half full unless it is the Christmas season, therefore an
honest projection should be a hundred fifty percent of what
Belmont Shore collects, at a hundred twenty percent the two
hundred fifty-seven meters would bring in $328,523. Mr.
Bennett concluded that utilization of the lots now with the
meters is not effective, too much too late, his real interest
is trees on Main Street, there have been nineteen missing
trees for five years, there has been a $7,500 contribution
from the Business Association and the Car Show to have them
replaced, if the meter money would stay on Main Street that I
would replace general fund money for sidewalks, curbs, and
trees, the money is needed. Councilman Doane noted that Mr.
Bennett and Mr. Anderson have been assisting him on this
issue, the topic should not be opened to general discussion
at this time, this is merely speculation from which staff can
formulate a plan, also pointed out that he had provided the
Council with a copy of a snapshot of parking revenue
generated in Huntington Beach for the period of two months
only, it shows that the revenue is there. Councilman Doane
agreed that any revenue derived should stay in the downtown,
he had brought that out at the priority setting meeting,
after the car show he also mentioned how obvious the poor
condition of Main Street sidewalks is when the street is
vacant of cars in the early morning hours, to that he noted
that the Public Works Director is working on a repair
program. His recommendation for consideration at a later
date would be that any money derived would stay downtown, and
as the meters are put in the sidewalks be repaired at the
same time, that will likely reimbursement the sidewalk
improvement fund and take care of other necessary
improvements, his desire is that the downtown area pay a
larger percent of its upkeep, that because about sixty
percent of expenditures is in District One, very little is I
spent in Districts Two and Five, College Park East, West, and
the Hill have needs as well. Mr. Stan Anderson, Balboa
Drive, said he believed the survey started about three to
four months ago. In 1994 the Business Association realized
there was a parking problem on Main Street, a number of
members came together in an attempt to find a solution to
maximizing the parking, the beach parking lots were less than
half full, people were using Main Street and residential
parking, it was felt important to obtain input from other
cities with similar problems, and the group came up with
answers to questions that was felt the City should work
6-14-99
I
towards accomplishing, then there was the Zucker study, some
things were changed around but it could still be seen that as
the parking charges increased the lots were being used less.
Questions he had posed to the people were how is the City
handling the parking, the majority response was that the City
needs to do a better job, how is parking affecting
businesses, the lack of parking reduces business, people were
asked if they were aware of the Main Street Specific Plan,
about fifty percent of the Business Association members on
Main Street were aware of it. He noted that the survey is
not complete, when it is it will be provided to each Council
person. There were three suggestions that the Zucker study
made, to utilize available parking, maximize, the beach lots
were under utilized, maximize, there is no parking problem,
it is a management problem, maximize, when such a study is
done at considerable cost it is important. This City is a
destination point, whatever is done should be fair to the
businesses and the residents as well as visitors, the Zucker
plan emphasized that people need to park in the beach lots,
most businesses on Main Street agree, the City needs to work
within that Study. Mr. Anderson said he posed questions
relating to the metered lots, agreed that there needs to be a
reduction of hours to about 6:00 p.m. and the fees, let some
businesses park there by permit, the parking situation needs
to be managed, the businesses will help, but meters should
not be in just some random lots, the meters are needed, if
not meters then maximize the parking and utilize excess money
for improvements. Councilman Doane noted that the beach lot
rates have been reduced, it is understood that meters do not
fair well in that environment, it should cost no more to park
in the beach lots than on Main Street, at present it costs to
park at the beach where it does not on Main Street, in that
case the beachgoers will park on Main Street, if meters are
installed they will cause problems yet there are solutions to
the problems.
I
Councilman Doane moved that staff prepare an ordinance with
regard to parking meters on Main Street, invite the business
people and citizens to discuss this issue at a public forum,
it is an issue, also a revenue producer. He noted that this
has been the only thing recommended at budget time as a new
source of revenue. Mayor Yost said he did not realize that
members of the public were going to be part of this
presentation, therefore requested that a resident present in
the audience be allowed to address the Council. No objection
was made.
I
Mr. Barry Hartwyk, Crestview Avenue, recalled some months
back hearing a previous speaker refer to things being done in
Huntington Beach, he personally did not believe that Seal
Beach wants to be Huntington Beach, and the location of his
employment does not have meters and is doing fine. Mr.
Hartwyk said Seal Beach is trying to be a small community for
the people, the reason meters were installed in the lots was
for the merchants, thus far there has been no study as to
whether that has been effective, now there is a different
issue, the issue is not if this is the best source of
revenue, he mentioned that the merchants do not want meters,
he has talked to them, ask the eating establishments if they
want meters until midnight, why should they be handicapped by
people who can not come in and park where other businesses
are not. The issue is not necessarily the meters, it is if
parking is going to be controlled, there are people who can
walk Main Street, write citations, and move the traffic, it
is not felt that parking on Main Street is any better than
6-14-99
before meters were installed in the off-Main lots, Seal Beach
interests need to be looked at first, the town, the
community, and the type of community it is. Mr. Hartwyk
noted that there have been several different Councils that
have looked at this issue, they have all rejected meters,
possibly the reason should be looked at, a comment was made
that a past mayor regretted removing meters from Main Street,
that was many years ago, and no Council since has supported
meters, that has not been because of rust and corrosion, it
is about quality of life, every decision should not be made
on a financial basis. The motivation of the people
supporting this needs to be looked at, the motivation of the
people is to have a small town atmosphere where they can
drive to a Main Street business without concern if they have
a quarter for a parking meter, this money so the property
owners do not have to come up with money, as they do in a
number of cities, to improve the Main Street, the area in
front of those businesses is their property, if a tree needs
to be put in the Business Association should do that, this
has nothing to do with parking, the utility tax was raised
because he believes there was a water or sewer or deficit
problem, that no longer exists. Mr. Hartwyk requested that
this be kept a small town.
I
Councilman Snow expressed his op~n~on that a public hearing
should be held on this matter before staff is involved.
Councilman Doane explained that his motion had been to have
staff draft an ordinance on this issue to be voted upon after
a public hearing where all can express their views, and
offered to work with staff and the District One Council
representative. Councilman Snow seconded the motion.
Councilman Boyd commended Councilman Doane, Mr. Bennett, and
Mr. Anderson for the background and argument in favor of this
issue, however stated his opposition. He noted comment that
the majority of money is spent in Old Town, which he said is
incorrect, rather, the largest General Fund expenditure in
the City is for public safety, Police and Fire services,
nearly $3 million for fire and paramedic services, District
Two and Five are the recipients of eighty percent of those
services, but that is not an issue, each district shares. He
said his belief is that there are two issues, is this
proposal to merely put more money in the coffers, and it is
believed there are other ways to do that, or is this to
manage the parking better, that is thought to be true, the
City took the wrong road by getting into the in-lieu parking
program, in that case parking can be bought but it does not
create more parking, there are no more spaces on Main Street
than there were twenty years ago, so if one wants to build a
business on the Street one had better buy some land, scale
down the business to accommodate the parking requirements, or
utilize the parking that exists, that is the policy issue
that needs to be addressed which will start the City on the
right path. Councilman Boyd noted that reducing the rates
and hours have been talked about, it will take some time to
get that ordinance in place, meanwhile, given the trade area,
Main Street patronage shrinks every day, yet the revenue
available from the trade area, given the median income, is
fairly high, yet it is difficult for a Main Street business
to generate a lot of revenue given the competition with
shopping centers, etc., Second Street in Belmont Shore can
not be compared to Main Street, Main Street is three blocks,
the Shore is probably a mile or more. There are a lot of
things that have to be taken into perspective if the desire
is to make Main Street a better place, it is not felt that
I
I
6-14-99
I
meters do it, this needs to be looked at from a larger policy
standpoint and tell people that if they want to open a
business on Main Street they need to have the parking, and
further, the business needs to stay open when there are
potential customers, in his opinion the businesses are
affected by the parking rates and hours. What he has heard
in the past is that there is not enough parking on Main
Street, but there is parking, at the present time the metered
lots are about fifty percent occupied, that is about $3,000
per week revenue, which in turn means there is fifty percent
of the spaces available for someone to park and patronize the
businesses, in the past those lots were predominately used
for merchant and employee parking, not customers. His
feeling is that the $1 per hour fee is too high, yet the lots
are owned by the taxpayers and are due a return on their
investment when the land was purchased, that is why meters
have been installed, there are alternatives, none of which he
would support, such as a parking structure or sale of the
land for someone to manage or build upon, a rate of $.50 per
hour would seem to be reasonable and not deter visitors and
patronage, it is felt this may increase usage of the metered
lots, it is felt that the beach lots should be metered and at
the same rate and hours as Main Street. Councilman Boyd said
many people in District One have said they do not want meters
and some businesses have expressed opinion that it should not
be done. Mayor Yost expressed his belief that there are many
people who know of this issue, it has been discussed and
debated for years, said he is personally opposed to meters on
Main Street, that would tend to change the quality of the
community, agreed that the off-Main lots are acceptable and
offer a return to the taxpayer dollar, agreed too with the
reduction of the rates which may increase utilization. Said
he is considering the question of holding a public hearing,
nonetheless he will vote no on the issue. Councilman Snow
asked if the motion could be revised to address the question
of public hearing only. Councilman Doane said there appears
to be no support for an ordinance, yet all of the issues will
need to be addressed at the public hearing, and said some
time back he spent considerable time watching people go down
Main Street with beach paraphernalia because they had
utilized the free parking on the Street rather than pay the
fee in the beach lots, that an issue that will not go away.
Councilman Doane agreed to amend his motion to call for the
scheduling of a public hearing on the issue of parking meters
for Main Street. In response to the Mayor, the City Attorney
offered that it could be titled a public forum or public
comments specific to metered parking on Main Street. Mayor
Yost said he is not in favor of doing things in rapid
succession, the lots have been metered barely six months, the
rates are going to be reduced, his preference would be to see
what happens with that, his preference too would be a public
forum concept with five minutes available to each interested
person. Councilmember Campbell proposed two sessions to
attract as many persons as possible, also due to the upcoming
vacation season. Councilman Boyd asked if this issue could
be delayed until after the summer months in order to gather
more statistics. In response to a member of the audience who
had spoken earlier in the meeting, Councilman Doane stated
there are assuredly less than five percent of Leisure World
residents that have handicapped placards, and expressed
objection to the remarks previously made. Councilman Snow
concurred.
I
I
6-14-99
Vote on the motion to schedule a public forum for the next
meeting relating to parking meters on Main Street:
AYES:
NOES:
Boyd, Campbell, Doane, Snow, Yost
None Motion carried
FUNDING REQUEST - LOS ANGELES BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - BEACH
CLEANUP
Councilman Boyd recalled his previous report to the Council
with regard to on-going discussions with the Chairman of the
Board of Supervisors, Don Knabe, and his staff who have been
assisting with a request from Seal Beach for financial
assistance relating to beach cleaning, that in the form of an
agreement or contract for a period of years and fixed amount
not to exceed $150,000, this in direct relation to the debris
that flows down the San Gabriel River. Councilman Boyd moved
to authorize the Mayor to sign the letter seeking
supplemental funding for beach cleanup operations and that
same be forwarded to the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors.
Mayor Yost noted that he had a meeting with the Los Angeles
Director of Public Works as well, and seconded the motion.
I
AYES:
NOES:
Boyd, Campbell, Doane, Snow, Yost
None Motion carried
CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEMS "F" thru "M"
Doane moved, second by Boyd, to approve the recommended
action for items on the Consent Calendar as presented, except
Item "G", removed for separate consideration.
F.
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 reading of the
title unless specific request is made
at that time for the reading of such
ordinance or resolution.
I
H. Authorized the purchase of one (1)
Kawasaki motorcycle and emergency
equipment per the bid from VIP
Kawasaki at a cost of $10,411.02, and
radio communications equipment per the
bid from Metro Mobile Communications
at a cost of $1,216.83.
1.
Received and filed the staff report
relating to the Draft Project Work Plan,
Removal Action Installation Restoration
Site 1, Wastewater Settling Pond, Naval
Weapons Station Seal Beach, authorized
the Mayor to sign the comment letter on
behalf of the City, and instructed staff to
forward same to the Environmental Quality
Control Board and Archaeological Advisory
Committee for information purposes.
I
J. Adopted Ordinance Number 1447 entitled "AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH
CHAPTER 23 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SEAL
BEACH, ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 23 THERETO,
AND REVISING REGULATIONS APPLICABLE TO THE
OPERATION OF TAXICABS." By unanimous
consent, full reading of Ordinance Number
6-14-99
1447 was waived.
K.
Adopted Ordinance Number 1446 entitled "AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH
AMENDING CHAPTER 28 (ZONING) OF THE CODE
OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH REGARDING HEIGHT
PROVISIONS OF ALL COMMERCIAL ZONES WITHIN
THE CITY TO SPECIFY A MAXIMUM NUMBER OF
STORIES (ZONE TEXT AMENDMENT 99-1)." By
unanimous consent, full reading of Ordinance
Number 1446 was waived.
I
L.
Approved the minutes of the May 17th regular
adjourned meeting and the May 24th, 1999
regular meeting.
Approved the new advertising, Mountain Dew,
on the beach trash receptacles through the
Adopt A Highway program, as recommended by
the Council review committee.
M.
AYES:
NOES:
Boyd, Campbell, Doane, Snow, Yost
None Motion carried
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
I
ITEM "G" - DEMANDS ON THE TREASURY
Councilman Boyd mentioned that at the last meeting he had
questioned the predating of checks on the warrant list, and
as yet he has not had the opportunity to meet with the
Treasurer or City Manager to discuss this matter, this merely
an extension of time for himself to do so. Yost moved,
second by Doane, to approve regular demands numbered 23556
through 23851 in the amount of $738,026.78, payroll demands
numbered 3736 through 3895 in the amount of $144,259.16, and
authorized warrants to be drawn on the Treasury for same.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
Campbell, Doane, Snow, Yost
None
Boyd
Motion carried
I
PINNACLE PETROLEUM - SALES TAX REBATE
The City Manager stated this is a request of Council to
implement the sales tax rebate provisions of the Pinnacle
Petroleum agreement, the State Y2K computer conversion has
caused a delay in the City receiving the income from this
business however it has been verified that their point of
sale has been established as Seal Beach. He noted that as a
good faith effort the rebate, dating back to October, 1998,
under this situation is expected to be one time only.
Councilmember Campbell made mention that there had been
verbal assurance that Pinnacle has reported and is current in
its reporting of sales, to which she said reporting and
paying are different, in the oil industry what is reported
and what is remitted are often different, it is a business
that is always in arrears. She inquired when Pinnacle
officially established themselves in Seal Beach, which was
reported to have been November, the comment was then that
typically one does not pay until received, she would not be
in favor of granting this request. The City Manager stated
that Pinnacle has actually paid, to which Councilmember
Campbell asked if that is in writing, the response was
eventually. Councilman Boyd asked if the agreement states
that the City is to get quarterly written reports, are their
submittals reporting numbers or actual payments, what is the
6-14-99
amount. The Director of Administrative Services responded
that she has received copies of the Pinnacle reporting forms,
there is a line that delineates the amount the City is to
receive, the one percent, the State is working on their Y2K
problems continuously, it is understood the reports will be
received by August, the amount under consideration is about
$7,000. The Manager said this is an effort to keep a
cooperative relationship with Pinnacle, and confirmed this
was an offer by staff based on the frustration of Pinnacle
with the lag time. To a question as to what would happen if
there is an over payment, the Director explained it would be
adjusted on the next rebate payment, and confirmed that
future rebates will be made only after the City has been
paid. It was pointed out that there is actually more owing
Pinnacle than would be paid. Councilman Boyd indicated his
intent to move approval of this request on a one time basis,
and inquired if this is the only business affected, the
response of the Director was that there are problems
throughout the State, the assurance has been that by the time
that the reporting period for the fiscal year is over, which
is August, that all sales tax will be received that was due
and possibly withheld because of the Y2K problems.
Councilman Boyd asked if a problem is foreseen for the City
from a liability or economic damage standpoint, for example,
should pinnacle go out of business in the interim are those
losses recoverable. The City Attorney mentioned that the
motion to authorize this procedure just once is appropriate,
also, if they were to go out of business and not pay their
sales tax the State would seek them out and that money would
then be forthcoming eventually.
I
Boyd moved, second by Doane, to authorize the advance rebate
payment to Pinnacle Petroleum for sales tax reported from
October through December, 1998 on a one time basis only.
Mayor Yost noted there may be other benefits to the City by
having such a large sales tax generating business, an example
would be if the City were to purchase petroleum from them at
some point it would be less expensive plus the sales tax.
Councilman Snow asked if there is any indication that
Pinnacle may go out of business in the next year, the
response was not that there is an awareness of.
I
AYES:
NOES:
Boyd, Doane, Snow, Yost
Campbell
Motion carried
COMCAST - COMMERCIAL ON-LINE
The City Manager reported this is a two year agreement with
Comcast for internet and outside e-mail service, this would
upgrade the internet service, making it faster, more
reliable, increase the number of work stations, etc., the
cost a very small increase over what is currently being paid,
and there has been negotiation of certain fees including the
$7,000 installation cost, of benefit also is the ability to
link with the Police Station. Boyd moved, second by Yost to
authorize the two year agreement with Comcast for internet
and outside e-mail service at a cost of $800 per month.
Compliments were extended to the system administrator, Mr.
Magaldi, for negotiating this package.
I
AYES:
NOES:
Boyd, Campbell, Doane, Snow, Yost
None Motion carried
COMMENT LETTER - ROSSMOOR RETARDING BASIN/CHANNEL
IMPROVEMENTS
The Director of Development Services explained this is a
6-14-99
I
comment letter on Public Notice/Application No. 970033900-
JYC, for the Rossmoor Retarding Basin/Channel Improvements,
U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District, the
project proposes to increase the retention in the Rossmoor
Basin to accept the flow from a one hundred year storm,
retain the water in that Basin, and pump the water directly
into the San Gabriel River rather than allowing the water to
flow south and into the Los Alamitos Retarding Basin adjacent
to Leisure World. This is seen as a positive impact to the
drainage in the area, will reduce the event of future flood
in Leisure World as the Los Alamitos Basin would not be as
over extended as to its capacity. He noted this item has not
been before the EQCB as their meeting is not until June 30th,
the comments must be to the Army Corps of Engineers by June
17th. Councilman Snow cited the importance of this item to
Leisure World, noted that after the January 4th, 1995 storm
there were nine hundred plus Leisure World apartments
affected, in the following weeks and months there were
several discussions with Orange County Flood Control and
members of the community regarding issues that would take
care of the occurrence of a hundred year flood in the future,
that was six years ago and nothing has been done with regard
to that project, and inquired how long it will be before
started. The Director of Development Services reported the
project is proposed to start this year, information is that
they are ready to award contracts in June, it is uncertain as
to when construction will start, the project anticipated to
take about a year.
I
Boyd moved, second by Yost, to receive and file the staff
report relating to this item, authorize the Mayor to sign the
response letter on behalf of the City, and that staff be
instructed to provide a copy of this item to the Planning
Commission and Environmental Quality Control Board for
information purposes. Councilmember Campbell recalled there
being four pumps at that Station, two more were to have been
installed. To that, the Director explained this project is
not the Los Alamitos Pump Station, this is the Rossmoor Basin
near Katella, to that Councilmember Campbell inquired if
there are plans to improve the Los Alamitos Station, the
response was that there has been no information relating to
that. The Director said he believed the basic concept in
this case is to put more water into the San Gabriel River
before it reaches the Los Alamitos Channel. Councilmember
Campbell expressed her understanding that a great deal of the
water in 1995 came from College Park East, suggesting that
the pumps at the Los Alamitos Basin should be looked into.
The Public Works Director explained that at present the Los
Alamitos Basin serves both Rossmoor and College Park East and
flows through Leisure World, the problem in 1995 was because
the system is not designed to handle that kind of rainfall
event, with the diverting of water coming from Rossmoor that
increases the capacity of the Los Alamitos Retention Basin,
that means there will be one hundred year protection from the
Los Alamitos Basin without doing much to it, initially there
were plans to add pumps however when looked at it was
determined the real problem was when the two channels come
together, not necessarily the water in the Basin rather
getting the water to the Basin, by removing water further
upstream that should alleviate the potential for flooding in
Leisure World. There has been assurance from the County that
the Rossmoor Basin is a superior project. Councilman Snow
said he was in a position at the time to participate in
several discussion relating to the pumps at the Los Alamitos
Basin, also the proposal for the Rossmoor Basin, and he
I
6-14-99
concurred with the Director, this flow will be to the San
Gabriel River, his concern is with the time frame for
completion of the project.
AYES:
NOES:
Boyd, Campbell, Doane, Snow, Yost
None Motion carried
ORDINANCE NUMBER 1448 - ADOPTING BUILDING CODES - URGENCY
Ordinance Number 1448 was presented to Council entitled "AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING BY
REFERENCE THE 1998 CALIFORNIA BUILDING CODE, INCORPORATING
THE UNIFORM BUILDING CODE VOLUMES 1, 2, AND 3, 1997 EDITION,
INCLUDING ~L APPENDICES THERETO; THE 1998 CALIFORNIA
PLUMBING CODE, INCORPORATING THE UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE, 1997
EDITION, INCLUDING ALL APPENDICES THEE; THE 1998 CALIFORNIA
MECHANICAL CODE, INCORPORATION THE UNIFORM MECHANICAL CODE,
1997 EDITION, INCLUDING ALL APPENDICES THERETO; THE 1998
CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE, INCORPORATING THE UNIFORM FIRE CODE,
1997 EDITION, INCLUDING ALL APPENDICES THERETO; THE 1998
CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE, INCORPORATING THE NATIONAL
ELECTRICAL CODE, 1996 EDITION, INCLUDING ALL APPENDICES
THERETO, AND INCLUDING THE UNIFORM ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
PROVISIONS FOR THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, 1996 EDITION;
THE UNIFORM HOUSING CODE, 1997 EDITION; THE UNIFORM
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, 1997 EDITION; THE UNIFORM SIGN CODE,
1997 EDITION; THE UNIFORM SOLAR ENERGY CODE, 1997 EDITION;
THE UNIFORM BUILDING SECURITY CODE, 1997 EDITION; THE UNIFORM
CODE FOR THE ABATEMENT OF DANGEROUS BUILDINGS, 1997 EDITION;
THE UNIFORM SWIMMING POOL, SPA AND HOT TUB CODE, 1997
EDITION, AND APPENDIX CHAPTER 1 OF THE UNIFORM CODE FOR
BUILDING CONSERVATION, 1997 EDITION, MAKING AMENDMENTS
THERETO, AND AMENDING PORTIONS OF CHAPTER 5 OF THE CODE OF
THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH AND DECLARING THE URGENCY THEREOF."
By unanimous consent, full reading of Ordinance Number 1448
was waived. The Director of Development Services explained
that adoption of Building Codes is part of a three year
revision process that takes place throughout the State, they
govern and impact how buildings are constructed and approved
within the City, the proposed ordinance also adopts
amendments that reflect certain conditions within Seal Beach,
such amendments have been adopted locally for a number of
years, some repeated from as far back as 1985, there are a
couple of minor amendments being proposed, the local
amendments relate to soil conditions, earth quake faults,
fire suppression due to narrow setbacks in the downtown and
Surfside areas, emergency access and egress requirements for
some of the restricted building areas again with particular
regard to Surfside and Old Town, a general set of amendments
that the City has adopted in 1991 and 1994. with regards to
corrections, reference was to sprinkler systems, Section
1003.2.2(6) to read "...when the gross square footage thereof
exceeds 6,000 square feet..." and to Section 1003.2.9.1, the
language is incorrect, should be the same as it is in the
Building Code Section that relates to fire sprinklers,
Section 904.2.9, this requires automatic fire sprinklers for
all residential new construction between Pacific Coast
Highway and Ocean Avenue. It was explained that the 6,000
square feet is an existing requirement. To a question of
Mayor Yost, the City Attorney explained that a public hearing
for the non-urgency ordinance will be noticed for the meeting
of two weeks, again pointing out that the public can speak on
any item on the agenda at the time of public comments.
Question posed by Councilman Boyd was why the urgency
ordinance, to that the City Attorney explained again that
this issue comes forward every three years, the County adopts
I
I
I
6-14-99
I
a model ordinance, the Fire Authority does the same, then the
cities have the opportunity to make amendments for local
conditions, the urgency is the result of the lateness of
those agencies as the deadline for adoption is July 1st.
Boyd moved, second by Yost, to adopt Ordinance Number 1448 as
presented and corrected.
AYES:
NOES:
Boyd, Campbell, Doane, Snow, Yost
None Motion carried
I
ORDINANCE NUMBER 1449 - ADOPTING BUILDING CODES
Ordinance Number 1449 was presented to Council for first
reading entitled "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH,
CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE 1998 CALIFORNIA
BUILDING CODE, INCORPORATING THE UNIFORM BUILDING CODE
VOLUMES 1, 2, AND 3, 1997 EDITION, INCLUDING ALL APPENDICES
THERETO; THE 1998 CALIFORNIA PLUMBING CODE, INCORPORATING THE
UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE, 1997 EDITION, INCLUDING ALL APPENDICES
THERETO; THE 1998 CALIFORNIA MECHANICAL CODE, INCORPORATING
THE UNIFORM MECHANICAL CODE, 1997 EDITION, INCLUDING ALL
APPENDICES THERETO; THE 1998 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE,
INCORPORATING THE UNIFORM FIRE CODE, 1997 EDITION, INCLUDING
ALL APPENDICES THERETO; THE 1998 CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE,
INCORPORATING THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, 1996 EDITION,
INCLUDING ALL APPENDICES THERETO, AND INCLUDING THE UNIFORM
ADMINISTRATIVE CODE PROVISIONS FOR THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL
CODE, 1996 EDITION; THE UNIFORM HOUSING CODE, 1997 EDITION;
THE UNIFORM ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, 1997 EDITION; THE UNIFORM
SIGN CODE, 1997 EDITION; THE UNIFORM SOLAR ENERGY CODE, 1997
EDITION; THE UNIFORM BUILDING SECURITY CODE, 1997 EDITION;
THE UNIFORM CODE FOR THE ABATEMENT OF DANGEROUS BUILDINGS,
1997 EDITION; THE UNIFORM SWIMMING POOL, SPA AND HOT TUB
CODE, 1997 EDITION, AND APPENDIX CHAPTER 1 OF THE CALIFORNIA
CODE FOR BUILDING CONSERVATION, INCORPORATING APPENDIX
CHAPTER 1 OF THE UNIFORM CODE FOR BUILDING CONSERVATION, 1997
EDITION, MAKING AMENDMENTS THERETO, AND AMENDING PORTIONS OF
CHAPTER 5 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH." By
unanimous consent full reading of Ordinance Number 1449 was
waived. Boyd moved, second by Yost, to approve the
introduction and first reading of Ordinance Number 1449 as
presented and corrected.
AYES:
NOES:
Boyd, Campbell, Doane, Snow, Yost
None Motion carried
It was again mentioned that a public hearing will be held on
June 28th relating to the adoption of Building Codes by
Ordinance Number 1449.
I
PUBLIC HEARING / RESOLUTION NUMBER 4714 - STREET LIGHTING
ASSESSMENT DISTRICT - FISCAL YEAR 1999/2000
Mayor Yost read in full the text of proposed Resolution
Number 4714 and declared the public hearing open to consider
Street Lighting Assessment District No. 1 for fiscal year
1999/2000. The City Clerk certified that notice of the
public hearing had been advertised as required, and reported
no communications received relating to this matter. The City
Manager noted that this is the annual renewal of the Street
Lighting Assessment District and reported no increase of
assessments.
Mayor Yost invited members of the audience wishing to speak
to this item to come to the microphone and state their name
and address for the record. Mr. Stephen Reg Clewley,
6-14-99
Catalina Avenue, was duly sworn by the Clerk as requested.
Mr. Clewley asked what exactly is Street Lighting Assessment
District No.1, stated there is no one present speaking in
favor or opposed to the matter, therefore the Council is
doing no one a service by passing the ordinance as written,
his belief is that the Street Lighting assessment should be
increased by five hundred percent and let those persons pay
for the reduction of the utility tax assessment that is being
proposed by the installation of parking meters on Main
Street, since no one cares about a continued levy let them
bear an increased levy for their silence. There being no
further comments, Mayor Yost declared the public hearing
closed.
I
Boyd moved, second by Campbell, to adopt Resolution Number
4714 entitled "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEAL BEACH CONFIRMING THE DIAGRAM AND ASSESSMENT AND
LEVYING ASSESSMENTS FOR STREET LIGHTING DISTRICT NO. 1 FOR
FISCAL YEAR 1999/00." By unanimous consent, full reading of
Resolution Number 4714 was waived.
AYES:
NOES:
Boyd, Campbell, Doane, Snow, Yost
None Motion carried
CITY ATTORNEY REPORT
No report was presented.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
The City Manager mentioned the recent profile of Seal Beach
published in the Orange County Division of the League of
California Cities newsletter, a nicely done historical
profile prepared by Mr. Dan Dorsey. He noted that the
Director of Public Works learned as of this date that the Los
Angeles County Flood Control has agreed to fund a slurry seal
of the San Gabriel River bike trail. The Manager announced
that it was learned last week that the City has received an
award for financial reporting achievement from the Government
Finance Association headquartered in Chicago and commended
Mrs. Stoddard, the Director of Administrative Services, and
her staff for this achievement. He announced also that Mr.
Badum, Director of Public Works has been selected by his
peers as vice chairman-elect of the Technical Advisory
Committee to the Orange County Transit Authority, that
Committee prioritizes projects for funding countywide, next
year it is hoped the City will be favorably considered for
funding of transit projects, in fact the City has been
successful in receiving its fair share by just having
knowledge of how the system works. With regard to the
question of warrant preparation, the Manage explained that
the checks are predated, the date shown is the date of the
run, however are not released until Council approval.
I
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mayor Yost declared Public Comments to be open. Ms. Jane
McCloud, Balboa Drive, 'said if consideration is to be given
to parking meters, the proposal to hold a hearing and without
an accompanying ordinance is appreciated, suggested that it
would be preferable to notice the public through the
newspaper. She said from the discussion this evening it
appears that the issue is more than just meters on Main
Street, at present the lots are metered, there is not a great
deal of use, yet the desire is to have persons who come to
the community for a portion of a day park there rather than
on the Street. The question is a definition of the real
issue, are there questions to which the public may have
I
6-14-99
I
input, possibly eight to ten items that could be brought to
the hearing, also, if there is a survey of the businesses it
should not be a verbal survey done by a business owner, a
questionnaire needs to be in writing, needs to be current
rather than several years ago as there are different
businesses and problems, it should either be yes or no or a
rating system with comments. Mayor Yost clarified that there
are two issues, the reduction of rates and operational hours
for meters that currently exist will come back to the
Council, the issue of meters on Main Street will be a public
forum matter. Councilman Boyd commended Ms. McCloud and Ms.
Carla Watson for their weekend efforts of removing trash from
the beach. Mr. Stan Anderson, Balboa Drive, said he
understood the suggestions of the previous speaker, stated a
survey of the businesses is in progress, it is not a written
form, the information relayed to Council is merely opinions
thus far, the main thrust is to manage the parking, that has
been the concern of the businesses, residents, and visitors,
signage regarding the meters is inadequate, as is the
lighting in the lots, the meters should be operational only
until 6:00 p.m., his primary interest is not in having meters
rather it is maximizing parking through a parking management
program, the concern of businesses is that the metered lots
are only partially used yet there is a stream of traffic
looking for free street parking, question then, should a
couple of hours be offered in the beach lots to steer traffic
away from the streets. The only intent on his part and that
of others is to help the community, in this case there needs
to be a parking management program that works, that means
utilizing the parking. The Mayor extended appreciation for
the information being gathered by Mr. Anderson which was
actually requested by the Council, and agreed that the public
generally has the interest of the community at heart.
Councilman Snow read a statement that 'finally between 1960
and 1968 Seal Beach had parking meters, the money collected
was used to purchase the Main and 8th Street parking lots,
when the lots were paid off the meters were removed', a
statement of then Mayor Stan Anderson, Sr. was that the
biggest mistake was removing those meters. Mr. Anderson
offered that the opinion of his father had been that more
could have been accomplished for Main Street with the revenue
from those meters. Mr. Glen Clark, Cottonwood Lane, stated
that the residents of the Trailer Park are finally getting
organized, there is now a Park Association, there will be
persons attending the various meetings, activities are being
organized, they are part of and want to help the community,
the Park is vital to the community. Mr. Reg Clewley,
Catalina Avenue, responded to a comment directed to his
previous remarks. The Council 'objected to his comments as
out of order. Ms. Dorothy Whyte, College Park East, made
reference to a statement that according to the arborist the
windrow of eucalyptus trees is infected with a pest, her
question would be if the windrow is coming down. The
Director of Development Services advised that there is a
noticed public hearing scheduled for June 23rd before the
Planning Commission relating to the eucalyptus trees along
Seal Beach Boulevard. Ms. Whyte said her recollection was
that the EIR said the trees were not infected, now it is said
they are, her memory is of the eucalyptus trees in the Gum
Grove, they too had a pest, thought would die, however they
only needed water. Ms. Whyte made reference also to the
reproduction of Councilmember newsletters, assumed copied at
City Hall, and made reference to statements and opinions made
in a recent newsletter. She offered that other projects for
the Bixby land were sought but the people received no help,
I
I
6-14-99
the quality of life has gone down, the people of College Park
feel betrayed, the bulldozers were not supposed to come,
without a project of some descript the tennis club could have
been lost, even with the public hearings CPE did not have its
day in court. Councilman Boyd posed a question as to
privileges and rights of a Councilperson as that relates to
speech and reproduction of a report to ones constituents. I
The City Attorney advised that there is a Fair Political
Practices rule as to the amount of money that can be spent on
putting out newsletters, it is believed to be $50 per year
for the use of copy machines, paper, etc., there are
different regulations that govern mass mailings. It was
mentioned that the understanding was that a newsletter could
be prepared every four weeks, to that it was recommended that
an estimate be sought from staff. Mr. Gene Vesely, Trailer
Park, noted that it appears there is a letter being sent to
the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors, inquired if that is for
money, has it been done in the past, and is it likely to be
answered in a favorable manner. The response was that the
request is consistent with an agreement of the City of Long
Beach, this is tailored to their request, it is hoped the
request will be looked at favorably. Ms. Fran Johnson, said
she too feels that the quality of life is going down, when
the bridge is being worked on people may not even come to
Seal Beach. Ms. Johnson asked why money is going to be given
to Long Beach to collect Seal Beach animals, asked who
thought that would be good, where is that money going to come
from, the understanding is that one animal control position
is being cut and then Long Beach will collect the animals on
certain days. The City Manager responded that that is being I
done through redeployment with one and a half positions so
that Seal Beach can be covered each day of the week. Mention
was made that this had been discussed with some members of
the Care Center board. Ms. Johnson suggested this be given
considerable thought. There being no further comments, Mayor
Yost declared Public Comments closed.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Councilman Doane mentioned having been a guest at an activity
of the recently formed organization in the Trailer Park, it
was very nice, offered that it is good to see those residents
become an integral part of the community, neighborhood
associations seem to be of benefit to other areas of the City
as will this organization. with reference to the Bixby
project, Councilmember Campbell mentioned that a College Park
resident was pleased to read in the newspaper that California
Pizza Kitchen was coming to the new Center, by a telephone
call to that company it was found they have no plans to come
to this location, the demographics are not what they want and
they do not like big box centers, her concern is then why are
names of establishments being given to the press that are in
fact not coming here. She mentioned the zoning for the Bixby
residential and shopping center, stating that as far back as
1991 Bixby was told they could not build south of St. Cloud, I
thus when they presented a plan for development south of St.
Cloud they were told again, then when the development was
moved north by about one hundred fifty feet it seems as if
they led people to believe they were moving just the building
pads however what was done was to rearrange the commercial
zoning configuration to the north and wrap the housing around
the Center, to which she claimed that that configuration was
not in the EIR, rather, there was a rectangular parcel for
the church. Councilmember Campbell said because Bixby did
something they were told not to do does that mean that the
City must give it to them, too, it does not make sense to put
I
I
I
6-14-99
housing in back of loading docks of shopping centers, it also
is against the wishes of members of the Council who do not
want houses along the air station boundaries and close to the
end of the runway. Councilmember Campbell claimed that there
was such a rush to approve the Bixby project that things were
missed. She said Bixby is supposed to do dust suppression,
last week it was necessary to call to have the site
monitored, the next day there were water trucks, now the
trees, the pest they are infected with is something all red
gum eucalyptus trees in Southern California have, sometimes
mild, sometimes severe infestation, it is said there are no
known enemies, although it is understood in one community
lady bugs were released, this should be looked into. She
mentioned that the report of the arborist called for an
eighteen foot buffer zone east of the windrow, fenced for the
protection of the trees, that however is too late as the
graders have cut a deep trench up to the forty foot setback
the complete length of the windrow, the trees now effectively
on an island and everything that the buffer was to protect
has been destroyed, the trees are starting to look brown as
if they are dying, to which she suggested that they be
watered regularly by means of water trucks. Councilmember
Campbell reported receiving a letter this past weekend from a
College Park resident that cited the current political
environment in the area as coming to a determination that
College Park East would be better off politically and
communitywise to secede from the City and join with Los
Alamitos and Rossmoor to establish a unified city with common
interests, the current Council districts are so fractioned
demographically they appear to lack community interest, etc.,
to the communication she noted that the last time relations
were this low was about twenty years ago, that when the
Council determined to remove College Park East from the city,
before that was done a study was requested to determine the
effects on the remainder of the City, it was found the level
of services could not be maintained without CPE property tax
dollars, at this point the only thing that keeps College Park
East in this City is the word Beach in the address.
Councilmember Campbell displayed a piece of Camelia, a piece
of the street, some residents are considering banding
together to sue the City to have their streets paved. From
the League meeting last week Councilmember Campbell reported
that a letter was handed out by Ken Emanuals, the League
representative in Sacramento, relating to tentative
conference committee proposals for local government fiscal
relief, there are items that should be of interest to the
City, a local infrastructure grant, a $100 million one time
grant to cities and counties for local capital improvements,
awarded on a per capita basis, another is a $50 million one
time grant for local street repair and maintenance, there
needs to be follow up on these. Again with regard to the
trees and watering of them, the Manager said that the
arborist has made recommendations that are being implemented
for care of the trees to assure that as many survive as
possible, they include water and several other things to
treat them throughout this process. Councilmember Campbell
said she would urge regular watering, more than once a week
as the area is very dry. Mayor Yost made reference to
comments relating to the Bixby project, with regard to the
location of the homes, said his recollection is seeing the
layout as an "L" shape, that layout was displayed and heard
at a public hearing and was voted upon, also, he too is not
pleased with the looks of the Bixby property at present
however the plans are that the plantings will be on a four to
one ratio. With regard to the repair of College Park East
6-14-99
streets, Mayor Yost stated there is no way to do that at
present, this is a sales tax poor community, sales tax is one
of the few ways to get money into the City, it is ironic that
the one thing that is so abhorrent to many of the people is
the same thing that might actually improve the quality of
service and improve streets, that being the sales tax
generated by the Bixby project. Mayor Yost mentioned having
attended the League meeting and receiving the same report as
Councilmember Campbell, his desire is to go further than just
request the grants on a one time basis, the opinion of the
Governor is that the surplus is a one time situation, his
intent would be to request that the monies be returned to the
cities permanently, to which he requested that staff seek the
one time grants and then move towards permanent return, and
asked that the citizens too communicate with the Governor and
State representatives seeking that action. Mayor Yost noted
that the Hellman plan still remains up in the air, the
decision that came out of a San Diego court essentially makes
the golf course extremely unlikely, alternatives to that use
are being looked at, one would be to deed restrict the entire
lowlands as wetlands with the exception of the State Lands
property, there would still be seventy homes, and the mineral
production area would be a larger percentage, stated he
generally has two rules about these issues, his desire would
be to get a total disposition for the entire property, also
some improvements in the short term to make the property look
better, further information will be forthcoming as it is
known. He expressed pleasure a~ hea~ing the bi~e trail will
be slurry sealed, with regard to water quality, there is
thought of doing something referred to as 'first flush', that
is taking the first rainfall and amount of dirtiest water and
run it though a sanitation system, this may prove to be a way
to improve the cleanliness of the water. As to the Trailer
park, Mayor Yost also commended their recent organizational
efforts, citing the Park as always having been a valuable
part of the community, it is not just low income housing, it
is a special place, and he too enjoyed the recent gathering.
I
I
CLOSED SESSION
The City Attorney announced that the City Council would meet
in Closed Session to discuss the items identified on the
agenda, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a), a
conference with legal counsel relating to existing
litigation, Seal Beach Anglers vs. City of Seal Beach and
League for Coastal Protection vs. Coastal Commission,
pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6, a conference
with the labor negotiator with regard to the Orange County
Employees Association, Confidential, Supervisorial,
Professional and Technical Employees, Management Employees,
Mid-Management Employees, and Seal Beach Police Management
Employees, pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(b), a
conference with legal counsel relating to anticipated
litigation, and pursuant to Government Code Section 54957,
personnel matters. By unanimous consent, the Council
adjourned to Closed Session at 9:47 p.m. and reconvened at
11:08 p.m. with Mayor Yost calling the meeting to order. The
City Attorney reported the Council had discussed the items
previously announced, the Council gave direction, and no
other action was taken.
I
The Mayor inquired as to the desire of the Council to hold
another budget workshop or continue discussion until the next
regular meeting. Councilmembers Campbell and Doane indicated
their preference for another workshop. Councilman Boyd
indicated his desire to meet with the City Manager at 2:30
6-14-99 / 6-28-99
I
p.m. the following day. Councilmember Campbell mentioned
previously budgeted monies for improvements to Lampson
Avenue, there was to have been another $20,000 this year for
a total of $60,000, those funds are not shown in the budget,
there was also $16,000 for improvements to Bluebell Park, her
desire is to use those monies for CPE street repaving this
year, next year use the engineering monies for Lampson for
Bluebell, and she too spoke for meeting with the City Manager
the following day. Brief discussion continued with regard
the hours spent thus far with budget review.
ADJOURNMENT
It was the order of the Chair, with unanimous consent of the
Council, to adjourn the meeting at 11:10 p.m.
clerk
Approved:
"I:ayor
Attest:
I
Seal Beach, California.
June 28, 1999
The City Council of the City of Seal Beach met in regular
session at 7:02 p.m. with Mayor Yost calling the meeting to
order with the Salute to the Flag.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Mayor Yost
Councilmembers Boyd, Campbell, Doane, Snow
Absent:
None
I
Also present: Mr. Till, City Manager
Mr. Barrow, City Attorney
Mr. Whittenberg, Director of Development
Services
Ms. Stoddard, Director of Administrative
Services
Chief Sellers, Police Department
Captain Schaefer, Police Department
Mr. Danes, Assistant City Engineer
Ms. Beard, Director of Recreation and Parks
Mr. Dorsey, Assistant to the City Manager
Ms. Yeo, City Clerk
PRESENTATION
A video from the Orange County Airport Alliance was shown
entitled Creating A Vision For Orange County Into The Next
Century, an informational presentation in support of airport