HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC Min 1995-08-28
8-28-95
Seal Beach, California
August 28, 1995
The City Council of the City of Seal Beach met in regular
adjourned session at 6:30 p.m. with Mayor Hastings calling the
meeting to order with the Salute to the Flag.
ROLL CALL
Present:
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Mayor Hastings
Councilmembers Brown, Doane, Forsythe, Laszlo
Absent:
None
Also present: Mr. Shelver, Interim City Manager
Mr. Barrow, city Attorney
Mrs. Yeo, city Clerk
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Brown moved, second by Laszlo, to approve the order of the
agenda as presented.
AYES:
NOES:
Brown, Doane, Forsythe, Hastings, Laszlo
None Motion carried
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
There were no Oral Communications.
CLOSED SESSION
The City Attorney announced that the city Council would meet in I
Closed Session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(a) to
discuss the items listed on the agenda, Lupash versus city of
Seal Beach and Ingram versus City of Seal Beach. The Council
adjourned to Closed Session at 6:32 p.m. and reconvened at 6:44
p.m. with Mayor Hastings calling the meeting to order. The City
Attorney reported the Council had met in Closed session to
discuss the two items identified on the agenda, authorized
settlement of one case and gave direction to the City'S attorney
with regard to the other.
CLOSED SESSION
It was the order of the Chair, with consent of the Council, to
adjourn the meeting at 6:45 p.m.
Attest:
of the
Approved:
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8-28-95
Seal Beach, California
Auqust 28, 1995
The city council of the City of Seal Beach met in reqular
session at 7:30 p.m. with Mayor Hastings calling the meeting to
order with the Salute to the Flag.
ROLL CALL
Present:
Mayor Hastings
Councilmembers Brown, Doane, Forsythe, Laszlo
Absent: None
Also present: Mr. Shelver, Interim City Manager
Mr. Barrow, City Attorney
Mr. Whittenberg, Director of Development
Services
Mr. Badum, Director of Public Works/City
Engineer
Mr. Seymour, Director of Community Services
Mrs. Yeo, City Clerk
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Mayor Hastings requested that Items "G" and "H" be removed from
the Consent Calendar for separate consideration, Councilmember
Forsythe requested "H" and "K" removed, and Councilman Doane
requested removal of Item "J". Brown moved, second by Laszlo,
to approve the order of the agenda as revised.
AYES:
NOES:
Brown, Doane, Forsythe, Hastings, Laszlo
None Motion carried
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Hastings declared Oral Communications open. Mr. Bruce
Stark, Seal Beach, noted that a Circuit City is coming to the
Los Altos Shopping Center and Bellflower is getting a Home
Depot, and said those types of businesses avoid Seal Beach in
that there has not been a revenue producing business come to
Seal Beach in several years. He stated he had been assured that
such a business would come into town yet they have not. He made
mention of an announcement that major promoters are looking to
bring a prominent football team to Los Angeles to replace the
two teams that have gone elsewhere, the only thing needed is a
new football stadium, and inquired if anyone has given thought
to developing the Hellman property into major pro football site.
In reference to the upcoming street resurfacing project, Mr.
Stark stated 12th Street between Ocean and Electric and Ocean
Avenue are likely the streets in the worst condition with grass
growing between the cracks and rain water seeping into
basements, yet the resurfacing is for streets in good condition,
Electric Avenue, Main Street and 12th Street between Electric
and Pacific Coast Highway, 5th Street between Marina and PCH, to
which he inquired as to who prepared that list of streets and
cited the project as a waste of money. There being no other
comments, Mayor Hastings declared Oral Communications closed.
COUNCIL ITEMS - APPOINTMENTS - BOARDS and COMMISSIONS
Environmental Oualitv Control Board
Councilman Brown reported that his potential nominee has
declined appointment to the Environmental Quality Control Board,
therefore asked that the District Two appointment be held over.
Pro;ect Area Committee
Mayor Hastings appointed Mr. Sam Roberts as the District One
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business representative to the Project Area Committee for the
two year term expiring July, 1997.
civil service Board
Mayor Hastings requested that the District One appointment to
fill the vacancy on the civil service Board be held over until
next meeting to allow confirmation of the appointee.
Mayor Hastings announced as well that the District One member of
the Environmental Quality Control Board has moved from the City
creating a vacancy on that Board.
Brown moved, second by Doane, to accept the District One
appointment to the Project Area Commission as proposed by Mayor
Hastings.
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AYES:
NOES:
Brown, Doane, Forsythe, Hastings, Laszlo
None Motion carried
ORANGE COUNTY BANKRUPTCY I COUNTY REORGANIZATION
As to Seal Beach having not yet taken a position on the County's
offer for acceptance of their Bankruptcy Recovery Plan,
Councilmember Forsythe suggested it may be prudent to postpone
this item because as of this time it is debateable as to whether
anyone knows what the County is proposing, there are numerous
scenarios, and if the City chose a plan now it may not be clear
what it is. She suggested that at some point in time she would
like to communicate a message to the County that Seal Beach is
not pleased with the way the County level of government is being
run and there is a definite need for change in the near future.
Councilman Brown noted that at the last League meeting thirty of I
the thirty-one cities endorsed the Recovery Plan, some revisions
since then have resulted in a consensus Plan, and a meeting is
scheduled tomorrow at which it is anticipated the Consensus Plan
will be backed. He did explain that the Consensus Plan does
stop Seal Beach from being hit on sales tax and property tax,
also not totally bad is that Seal Beach will be in line with all
other investors to receive money back from Merrill Lynch and
firms involved in the legal action, that equalling twenty cents
on the dollar, the remaining ten cents will be forthcoming
whenever the County has the money to pay, which may be a very
long time. He said the first approximate $324,000 will come to
the cities and the schools, the remainder to be shared on a
sixty-five, thirty-five basis, and the County is placed last to
collect from that legal action. He stated the Consensus Plan
appears to be fairly equitable, that Plan will be presented to
the bankruptcy judge who will in turn make it a condition of
settlement. He pointed out that Assemblyman Pringle and others
in Sacramento were set to take monies from the Sanitation
Districts and Transportation Districts, then hit the cities with
a takeaway of sales and property taxes. Councilman Doane
inquired as to what degree the Sanitation Districts may be hit,
and reported that the County Harbors, Beaches and Parks were
informed at their last meeting that $4 million would be taken
from their operations, and he claimed in that event that agency
could no longer operate. He noted also that he has resigned his I
position on that agency and it is understood another member will
as well. Councilman Brown concurred with Councilmember Forsythe
that the County is in serious trouble and needs input from all
sources, they continue to operate on a business as usual basis,
have not reduced the number of employees, they settled the Joint
Powers Agreement with the Fire District for $14.5 million then
found they had not included the overhead which amounted to
another approximate $2 million, also pointed out that the County
probably gets four hundred percent more gasoline tax than they
can spend where the cities receipt of gas tax is down to a
minimum, these examples of things that need to be corrected.
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Councilmember Forsythe concurred that the County has not even
attempted to reduce their expenditures. Councilman Laszlo said
his information is that the County submitted their Plan to the
state legislature. To that Councilman Brown explained that the
Business Council along with various other people, including the
City Managers, presented their Plan to the County, and because
it was the only plan that came close to solving the problem,
creating a $70 million income stream every year so that the
County can borrow $500 million to pay everyone except the County
government, and noted that the County could not get out from
under this concept therefore they agreed to the Plan under
protest. Councilman Laszlo offered that it was the issue of the
state appointing a trustee to run the County that eventually
brought everyone together on a plan, and inquired as to an exact
amount that this city may lose. Councilman Brown responded that
that depends on the amount of the Merrill Lynch settlement, the
city has received eighty cents on the dollar, the ten cents that
was to have come from the County is tentative as they do not
have the money, and it is the consensus of most people involved
in this that the Merrill Lynch settlement will produce a minimum
of ten cents on the dollar, more likely fifteen cents.
Councilman Brown requested Council authority to support the
Consensus Plan at the League meeting the following day.
Councilmember Forsythe indicated concurrence as long as Seal
Beach does not forgive any debt of the County, to which the
other members of the Council also concurred. Brown moved,
second by Doane, to continue discussion and report on this
matter until the adjourned meeting of the following day, August
29th.
AYES:
NOES:
Brown, Doane, Forsythe, Hastings, Laszlo
None Motion carried
CONSENT CALENDAR - ITEMS "C" thru "M"
Brown moved, second by Hastings, to approve the recommended
action for items on the Consent Calendar as presented, except
Items "G, H, J, and K" that were removed for separate
consideration.
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
unless specific request is made at that
time for the reading of such ordinance or
resolution.
D. Approved regular demands numbered 9879
through 10049 in the amount of $1,405,411.41
and payroll demands numbered 13068 through
13284 in the amount of $294,492.46, and
authorized warrants to be drawn on the
Treasury for same.
E.
Approved the minutes of the August 14th,
1995 regular adjourned and regular meetings.
Proclaimed the month of October, 1995 as
"Escrow Month."
F.
I. Certified Negative Declaration 95-3, Beach
Nourishment Project - Anaheim Bay Dredge,
instructed staff to file appropriate
documentation with the County of Orange, and
to proceed with further investigations and
negotiations with the Naval Weapons Station,
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the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other
appropriate agencies.
L.
Adopted Resolution Number 4409 entitled "A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEAL BEACH AUTHORIZING BUDGETARY
AMENDMENTS FOR THE 1995/96 FISCAL YEAR
(LIFEGUARD TOWER REFURBISHING)." By
unanimous consent, full reading of Resolution
Number 4409 was waived.
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M. Received and filed the staff report from the
City Manager regarding the Surfside Sand
Replenishment Project.
AYES:
NOES:
Brown, Doane, Forsythe, Hastings, Laszlo
None Motion carried
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
!TEM "G" - V-J DAY - 50th ANNIVERSARY
Councilman Brown read in full the Proclamation, as proclaimed by
Mayor Hastings, designating September 2nd, 1995 as "V-J Day",
the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, commending,
honoring and recognizing the valor and sacrifices of America's
World War II veterans for defending and protecting our country,
our freedom and our way of life.
ITEM "H" - CALIFORNIA'S OCEAN RESOURCES REPORT
Mayor Hastings commended the Environmental Quality Control Board
for the addition of comments relating to "Habitats and Living I
Resources", which she read for information of the public, in the
response letter to the Draft California's Ocean Resources, An
Agenda for the Future document, also commended the Development
Services Director for the well written staff report and
response. There was an indicated consensus of the Council to
approve the recommended action to receive and file the staff
report and instruct the Mayor to sign the response letter.
ITEM "J" - PROPOSED RESOLUTION - LOS CABOS RESTAURANT -
550 PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY
Councilman Doane explained that when this appeal' was considered
on July 24th only three members of the City Council were
present, and the end result caused some confusion on the part of
Mr. Bonadonna in that he thought the action was to continue the
matter however was subsequently informed that his appeal for
expanded hours of operation had been denied. He noted
specifically that Los Cabos Mexican Restaurant as well as
Bonadonnas Italian Restaurant located immediately adjacent
thereto have full liquor licenses under the same ownership, and
to limit Los Cabos to a 10:00 p.m. closing is unfair and places
that business into the beer and wine category. Councilman Doane
requested that this item be reconsidered, noting that Mr.
Bonadonna had offered a compromise of 11:00 p.m. rather than the
1:00 a.m. hour initially requested. The City Attorney advised
that the two members of the Council absent from that meeting may I
not act on this matter unless they state for the record that
they viewed the tape or cab1ecast of the public hearing
proceedings. Counci1members Brown and Forsythe advised that he
had viewed portions of either the Councilor Planning Commission
discussion however not in depth, thus it would be necessary to
abstain.
Councilman Doane moved to remove this
it be renoticed for public hearing at
Councilman Brown seconded the motion.
discussion of when this matter should
item from the agenda, that
the next meeting.
There was brief
be scheduled, Councilman
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Laszlo noting that this could conflict with the Bixby hearings
as he intended to suggest that the hearing on the Bixby
Environmental Impact Report commence the last meeting in
September. Councilmember Forsythe requested an opportunity to
review the Commission and Council tapes and minutes prior to
reconsidering this item. After further comments, it was noted
that an attempt would be made to schedule this item for the next
meeting, that dependant upon the ability to meet the legal
publication requirements.
AYES:
NOES:
Brown, Doane, Forsythe, Hastings, Laszlo
None Motion carried
ITEM nKn - DRAFT EIR - HUNTINGTON BEACH GENERAL PLAN UPDATE
Councilmember Forsythe commended the report and response letter
to the Draft EIR for the Huntington Beach General Plan prepared
by staff. She noted with amazement the amount of development
proposed for the city of Huntington even with the revision of
their General Plan and the lack of thoroughness that the
Huntington Beach staff utilized in preparation of their Plan in
that the Seal Beach staff identified a great many
inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the document. She said of
real concern is with the thousands of commercial, industrial and
residential units they are planning to develop they are ignoring
regulations that have been placed on other cities by SCAG, AQMD,
etc., their Plan exceeds those limitations, they also
consistently ignore Pacific Coast Highway north of Warner with
the exception of the comment that traffic could be accommodated
through that stretch as the highway could be expanded to six
lanes, and this City'S response to that is of considerable
detail. To a suggestion of Councilmember Forsythe, the Director
of Development Services advised that after all comments to the
Draft EIR have been submitted they will be compiled and
forwarded to all interested parties prior to the Final EIR,
however offered to forward the response letter to the two most
important agencies in this case, the Air Quality Management
District and CalTrans as requested. Forsythe moved, second by
Brown, to authorize the Mayor to sign the response letter to the
City of Huntington Beach regarding their General Plan Draft EIR,
copies of which will be sent to the AQMD and Cal Trans, and
instructed staff to forward same to the Planning Commission and
Environmental Quality Control Board for information purposes.
AYES:
NOES:
Brown, Doane, Forsythe, Hastings, Laszlo
None Motion carried
PUBLIC HEARING - FEE REVISION - TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES AND
PROGRAMS DEVELOPMENT FEES - AMENDING RESOLUTION NUMBER 4234
Mayor Hastings declared the public hearing open to consider
revisions to the Transportation Facilities and Programs
Development Fees. The City Clerk certified that notice of the
public hearing had been advertised as required by law, and
reported no communications received relating to this item. The
Director of Development Services presented the staff report,
noting specifically the proposed amendment of Section 6 of
Resolution Number 4234 directing that the fees be adjusted on
July 1 of each year based upon the Engineering News Record
Construction Cost Index, 20 City Average, or its successor. In
response to a question of Councilmember Laszlo, the Director of
Development Services explained that reference to transportation
facilities relates to roadways already existing in the city, the
Program was established in 1993 as part of the Measure M
requirements, an AB 1600 analysis was done for improvements to
existing roadways within the City, estimated those costs,
estimated future development projects that would come into the
City based upon the zoning in place in 1993, established per
unit fees for new housing, per square foot costs for new
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commercial or industrial development, and those.are the range of
fees proposed to be changed, basically a cost of living change
from 1993 to 1995. The Program established under AB 1600 is not
looking at the development of a transit center or as an
invitation for a number of bus routes, commuter services, etc.,
it is primarily for improvements to existing roadway systems in
the city, possibly the provision of a right turn lane at certain
intersections, an increase to two left turn lanes in some
instances, synchronization of signals, etc. As to the
definition of a 'quality restaurant' the Director said he
believed it to be based on square footage of approximately 2,500
with a sit-down dining area, the fee for a city park would apply
in the case of a new subdivision where instead of providing the
property the City would be paid this transportation fee in
addition to an in-lieu fee for the dedication of the property.
He advised also that these fees basically apply to construction
on vacant property where there is no current development. There
being no public comments, Mayor Hastings declared the public
hearing closed.
RESOLUTION NUMBER 4410 - TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES and PROGRAMS
DEVELOPMENT FEES - AMENDING RESOLUTION NUMBER 4234
Resolution Number 4410 was presented to Council entitled "A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEAL BEACH
AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 4234 TO MAKE ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT IN THE
AMOUNT OF THE TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS DEVELOPMENT
FEE AND THE TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS DEVELOPMENT
APPLICATION FEE PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 22B OF THE CODE OF THE CITY
OF SEAL BEACH." By unanimous consent, full reading of
Resolution Number 4410 was waived. Laszlo moved, second by
Brown, to adopt Resolution Number 4410 as presented.
AYES:
NOES:
Brown, Doane, Forsythe, Hastings, Laszlo
None Motion carried
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CITY MANAGER REPORTS
CENSUS OF BUSINESS NEEDS - ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT IN ORANGE
COUNTY - SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT
The Director of Development Services recalled a previous report
to Council regarding a proposal of the Community College
Districts of Orange County to conduct an economic census of all
businesses in the County and in turn provide information back to
the cities, at that time the cost to participate and receive all
of the resulting information was $10,000 to which the Council
determined to be an excessive amount of money given the current
financial situation and opted to not participate. He noted the
Districts have now offered to accept joint ventures of smaller
cities in the amount of $2,500 per city to receive the same
amount of resulting information, however the feeling of staff is
that amount is still excessive, whereby the documents will be
available for purchase when completed in a cost range of $250 to
$750. After brief comments by members of the Council, Doane
moved, second by Brown, to not participate in the Community
College Districts Census of Business Needs Program. The City
Attorney advised Councilman Laszlo that his acquaintance with I
the person involved in this census would pose no conflict as to
his vote on this item.
AYES:
NOES:
Brown, Doane, Forsythe, Hastings, Laszlo
None Motion carried
Mayor Hastings asked that a letter be transmitted advising of
the position of the city to not participate in this Program.
SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT - BIXBY DEVELOPMENT PLAN
As to scheduling of public hearings relating to the Bixby
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Development Plan, the Director of Development Services recalled
a desire of the Council to not proceed with those hearings until
after receipt of a recommendation from the Airport Land Use
Commission, the initial indication was that the ALUC would
consider the matter on August 17th, that was not accomplished
and the matter is now scheduled for September 21st. He noted
that the Bixby Company has granted an extension for
consideration of the Environmental Impact Report on the project
to November 14, 1995 as long as the hearings on the EIR and the
project are held concurrently. He reported the recommendation
of staff is to commence the public hearings on October 9th which
may be continued to October 23rd and November 13th, at which
time a final decision will need to be made on the EIR unless
another extension is granted by the applicant, and if need be a
determination on the project itself could once again be
continued. To a comment earlier in the meeting the Director
advised that he will be out of the city on September 25th.
Councilman Laszlo pointed out that the hearings have been
postponed from September 11th as a result of the ALUC, there is
concern that consideration of the project could continue into
the holidays, and it is understood that action can be taken on
the EIR and then on the project itself, thus the suggestion that
the public hearing relating to the EIR commence on September
25th. The City Attorney offered that to commence the hearings
on either the 25th or the 8th would make no difference so long
as an action is taken on the EIR by or before November 14th.
Councilman Laszlo said he will likely be out of town during the
last meeting of October, to which the City Attorney advised that
the Council traditionally cancels the last meeting in October
due to a conflict with the League of Cities Conference which he
too will be attending, and to schedule the first hearing for
September 11th would pose a noticing problem. Upon further
discussion of hearing dates and the importance of having a full
Council present as well as the City Attorney and Director of
Development Services, Councilman Laszlo suggested that an
extension again be requested from Bixby until December. The
Director advised that the staff report relating to this proposed
project is basically complete as are the attachments with the
exception of the ALUC action, and offered that all of that
information could be provided the Council to commence their
review within about a week. The Interim City Manager noted that
a tentative time schedule has been prepared with the cooperation
of the Council subcommittee for the review and consideration of
city Manager resumes and questionnaires which tentatively calls
for an adjourned Council session on September 18th, the desire
having been to conclude the recruitment process before the Bixby
proposal comes before the Council. Councilmember Forsythe noted
that a delay of the recruitment process could result in the loss
of some worthy candidates.
Laszlo moved, second by Brown, to direct the City Attorney to
request an additional extension from Bixby Ranch Company until
mid-December. The City Attorney advised that should Bixby deny
the request the hearings will then be scheduled to commence on
October 9th.
AYES:
NOES:
Brown, Doane, Forsythe, Hastings, Laszlo
None Motion carried
McGAUGH SCHOOL TRAFFIC SAFETY PROJECT
The Interim Manager reported that before Mr. Bankston left the
City he had been working with the School District on a redesign
of the method that children are dropped off and picked up at
McGaugh School, a problem resulting from parents doing so on
Bolsa Avenue and in the bicycle lane, and it has been determined
that the lane can not be removed and parking there is a
violation and a safety hazard. He advised that he and the city
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Engineer have met with the Superintendent and Business Manager
of the School District which resulted in a proposed solution and
estimate of costs, there has been basic agreement that the
District will move the buses that park at the corner of Riviera
and Bolsa to a different location as they pose a traffic hazard
for parents traveling north on Riviera, this will also be I
beneficial by means of separating the high school students from
the other children, additionally the fence that is located just
behind the curb on Riviera will be moved back, a five foot
sidewalk will be installed from the corner of the parking lot
area to the corner of Riviera and Marlin, however that may
require the removal of two to four trees which will not be known
for certain until the project commences. The Manager confirmed
that two buses will be relocated, it is also the intention to
paint red curbs by the gates to deter parking in those areas,
and offered that if this proposal is not a total resolution and
there becomes a need to go further, the sidewalk will not be a
loss as it will likewise serve children who are walking to and
from school. He advised that the District will move the fence
at their cost and dedicate the right-of-way for the sidewalk and
the city has agreed to install the sidewalk at a cost of about
$7500, the source of those funds yet to be identified. As to
curb cuts for the disabled, the City Engineer stated for a
loading zone of this type there may not be a requirement to have
curb cuts under ADA because there is no crossing of the street,
the loading and unloading is a curbside situation, however if
the need presents itself it could quite easily be done, also if
the District determines there is need for ADA ramps rather than
the steps, that could be discussed and would likely be the
responsibility of the District. Councilmember Forsythe stated
that information will be sent home with the children until this I
project is completed in that the city can not allow parents to
park in the bike lane any longer, the greatest impacts occurring
on minimum days when all children are present at the same time,
also, Bolsa is used during prime time by persons going to work,
is used by many others than just school children, and it is now
found that residents of the Hill can not access Bolsa therefore
are utilizing and impacting other residential streets. She
cited an increase of enrollment at McGaugh of over thirty
percent in the last couple of years as a direct correlation to
this problem, inter-district transfers that do not qualify for
busing, those students have to be driven, also the busing is
expensive therefore the children are again being driven.
Councilmember Forsythe noted some concern with the relocation of
the middle school bus to the intersection of Balboa and Bolsa,
also a busy intersection. Councilmember Forsythe moved to
approve the proposed McGaugh School traffic safety project in
concept, also that the District be required to replace any trees
that need to be removed. Councilman Brown seconded the motion.
AYES:
NOES:
Brown, Doane, Forsythe, Hastings, Laszlo
None Motion carried
GRANT APPLICATION - COPS AHEAD GRANT
The Interim City Manager reported that the City has been
informed of a second round of the COPS Program, the City having I
previously received authorization for one Police Officer under
the COPS FAST Program, this item simply authorization to submit
the grant application for the second program. The Manager
expressed concern with the future ability to fund the officer if
the application were approved, noting that the first three years
would be of benefit to the city, the costs would be minimal in
terms of cost benefit, however the City would assume all costs
upon the fourth year, and if the grant is accepted the city must
agree to pay its share of the total cost for the grant period as
well as make a good faith effort to keep that position in the
budget thereafter with an assurance to the Department of Justice
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that keeping that position will not eliminate another. He
pointed out that the officer obtained through the COPS FAST
Program will cover the downtown/pier/beach area and it is
understood that the City committed to retaining that officer at
the end of the qrant period. The Manager asked for direction
from the Council as to the desire to file the application, if
granted a determination can then be made as to whether or not to
accept, or the application could be filed with a notation that
the City may not accept for a period of time however that would
likely jeopardize any approval. Councilman Brown inquired if
the officer acquired-through the grant program could be retained
as a replacement should another officer resign for one reason or
another, or does the personnel contingent need to be maintained.
The Manager responded that the requirement is not to keep the
individual rather to keep the position, as an example, if there
are twenty patrol officers and a twenty-first is obtained
through the grant, at the end of the three years the agency must
make a good faith effort to keep the twenty-first position.
Councilman Laszlo posed questions with regard to the City's
costs relative to the grant officer(s); The Manager advised
that costs borne by the City under the first grant will be
$180,000 for the period of three years which includes salary,
benefits, hard costs, there are other costs that are not
included in the grant however they are relatively minor, in turn
the grant pays $75,000 of that, thus the cost over three years
will be $105,000, pointing out that $35,000 was included in this
years budget for that officer with the assumption that the
officer would be employed by the first of July, however in
actuality will not be employed until about September 22nd or
23rd. As to a second officer should this application be
approved the Manager once again expressed concern as to the
source of funding after the three year grant period, and with
regard to the first officer, the position will be part of the
budget process next spring and should there be inadequate
revenues the Council will need to make some priority choices.
Councilman Laszlo expressed concern as a result of the County
losses as well. He offered that the City has good police
officers however said they are the second lowest paid in the
County, and expressed his opinion that this action could take
money away from raises that they are deserving of. The Mayor
said it is likely that if the city could not fund the position
in the future the officer would probably be cut and the city
would need to refund the grant.
Hastings moved, second by Forsythe, to not authorize the qrant
application for a second police officer under the COPS AHEAD
Program.
AYES:
NOES:
Brown, Doane, Forsythe, Hastings, Laszlo
None Motion carried
Councilman Laszlo said he has asked for the actual salaries of
the Police Chief, city Manager, the department heads as well as
the employees, which he has not as yet been provided, his
understanding is that the Seal Beach Chief is the second highest
paid in the County. The Manager advised that the salary survey
information is not presently up to date.
COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilman Doane noted his prio~ mention of having resigned from
the County Harbors, Beaches and Parks Commission, his position
had been to represent the coastal cities, and suggested that if
other members of the Council would be interested in filling that
position they should indicate so by calling the League of Cities
office, also noted that the commission meets once a month in
Santa Ana. He indicated that his decision was based on the fact
that the County may take $4 million from that agency, rendering
8-28-95
it ineffective. Councilman Doane also stated that he would not
be attendinq the Leaque Conference in San Francisco even thouqh
he is a member of the Leaque Resolutions Committee, his decision
primarily due to the upcominq Bixby hearinqs and city Manaqer
selection. Councilman Brown stressed the importance of one or
two Councilmembers attendinq the Leaque Conference qiven the
Oranqe County bankruptcy situation and potential solutions to
establishinq a meaninqful County qovernment. Councilman Laszlo
responded that there is valuable information to be learned at
the Leaque Conference, and claimed that his past attendance has
resulted in the qeneration of monies to the City. Havinq
knowledqe of the Leisure World communities in Seal Beach and
South Oranqe County, councilman Laszlo said at a Leaque
Conference he even learned that there is a Leisure World in
Walnut Creek. He made reference to a communication from Comcast
Cable reqardinq rate increases to which he asked that an item be
placed on the next aqenda for Council discussion and possible
action reqardinq same. Councilmember Forsythe said it has been
brouqht to her attention that a $25 annual fee is charqed for
residential alarm systems which includes a reqistra~ion card on
file at the Police Department. She said she could justify a
fine for an alarm qoinq off that would mandate a police unit
beinq dispatched, however could not justify the annual fee for
merely havinq an alarm system. She made a comparison to the $18
per three year fee imposed by the city of Lonq Beach, noted that
there are five hundred Seal Beach residents that have such
systems, in addition, an outside firm handles the alarm permits
and fines. She praised the residents of Seal Beach for beinq
tolerant and basically'understandinq of the utility users tax
increase, however expressed her belief that residents should not
be charqed ~ fee for every little thinq they acquire, another
example was the hirinq of an outside firm to survey the city for
doq and cat licenses. Councilman Brown asked that the alarm fee
issue be placed on a future aqenda. To a prior comment from the
audience, Councilmember Forsythe stated that the reason this
City has not attracted a Home Depot or Circuit City is that
larqe retailers do a marketinq surveys of an area to determine
if locatinq in that are is feasible, location on the Hellman
property as an example would show that a majority of the
marketinq prospectus is water therefore to locate here would not
provide an adequate market. Councilman Laszlo said it is his
understandinq that California is one of about two states that do
not allow ferrets and suqqested the Council should possibly
consider licensinq them in Seal Beach.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
There were no Oral Communications.
ADJOURNMENT
It was the order of the Chair, with consent of the Council,
adjourn the meetinq until Tuesday, Auqust 29th at 6:00 p.m.
consider an appeal to a business license revocation. The
meetinq was adjourned by unanimous consent at 9:14 p.m.
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