HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 09 17 CC MIN SS MINUTES
BALDWIN PARK CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION
AND SPECIAL MEETING
SEPTEMBER 17, 2014, 5:30 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBER - 14403 E. Pacific Avenue, Baldwin Park, 91706
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chair Lozano.
ROLL CALL
Board Member Cruz Baca
Board Member Monica Garcia
Board Member Susan Rubio
Vice Chair Ricardo Pacheco
Chair Manuel Lozano
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
None.
STUDY SESSION /OPEN SESSION
1. SIGN ORDINANCE IN REGARDS TO NEW TEMPORARY SIGNS AND BANNERS.
Amy Harbin, City Planner, narrated a PowerPoint in which the existing Sign Ordinance
and proposed changes were compared for Council's consideration.
Discussion ensued regarding the current [non-digital] signage sizes, fees, and timeline
restrictions. A variety of suggestions were entertained, including a suggestion that grand
openings have their own set of parameters in order to support local business; a
comparison of the fee structures and restriction of other local municipalities should be
done; consideration might be given to a 2-tier system in which temporary signage would
have lower fees and time restriction as compared to more permanent, long-term
signage; a concern was expressed regarding clutter in the windows of local businesses,
noting that esthetics should be taken into consideration, and that lowering the fees may
only exacerbate excessive signs in windows.
Following discussion, Council directed staff to develop revisions to the Sign Ordinance
which take into account the issues and concerns raised in this Study Session and return
with a revised proposal for consideration at a future Study Session.
2. AMENDMENT TO ALLOW DIGITAL SIGNS.
Amy Harbin, City Planner, narrated a PowerPoint which presented current digital
signage use parameters and offering points for discussion for addressing the use,
zoning restrictions and related parameters which would be incorporated, by amendment,
into the existing Sign Ordinance.
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Staff was asked to provide clarification of the existing regulations and whether the
restrictions are by Ordinance or by Zoning requirements. Staff explained that the size of
signage is relevant to the size of the property and is designated in the zoning
requirements for the property.
Discussion ensued and an inquiry was made as to whether permit parameters for digital
signs could be handled similar to that of land use permits, wherein applications would be
handled as discretionary or conditional use permits, requiring approval by a design
review committee, lot size and number of signs would be regulated, "action" signs would
have restrictions on hours of operation, and lumen (brightness) of signs would be
regulated to mitigate impact on surrounding residential areas.
Council directed staff to further research and develop proposed language that could be
incorporated into an amendment to the Sign Ordinance, and bring this item back for
Council consideration at a future date.
3. PRESENTATION ON CALIFORNIA CONSULTING (GRANT WRITING).
Steve Samuelian, owner and founder of California Consulting, LLC, gave an oral
presentation to Council, explaining that the company specializes in seeking out relevant
funding sources (available grants) and writing grant applications on behalf of
municipalities. He provided a brief history and noted that, since its establishment in
2004, the company has grown to become the largest grant writing company in California.
Mr. Samuelian explained that the company staff is trained to seek out grant funds from
both public and private sources, depending on the type of funding an entity is looking for
and explained that the client is kept informed by providing status reports on the 1st of
each month.
When asked about the company's fee structure, how payment for services is executed
and what the company's staff capability is (number of actual grant writers), Mr.
Samuelian noted that the company has four offices with a total of 24 staff members, 18
of which are dedicated grant writers. He stated that there is a flat monthly rate ($5,000)
regardless of the number of grant applications produced.
Mr. Samuelian noted that the average number of grants the company writes in a given
period varies but that the company writes an average of ten grants per week, translating
to about five per year per agency.
Council asked that staff prepare a report which would review and compare the current
company that the City is using with the services offered by California Consulting, LLC, to
determine the best value with consideration to using both companies, as needed.
RECESS TO CLOSED SESSION
4. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—EXISTING LITIGATION
Pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 54956.9
Name of Case: Richard Villines v. City of Baldwin Park
Case Number: WC Claim No. 10-109536
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Name of Case: Randy Morris v. City of Baldwin Park
Case Number: WC Claim No. 12-114424
5. CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL—ANTICIPATED LITIGATION
Significant exposure to litigation pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (d) of Section
54956.9. Potential Case(s): one (1)
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, motion was made by Lozano, seconded by Garcia, to adjourn
the meeting at 6:52 p.m.
Mayor
ATTEST:
.L
City Cle
APPROVED: /0/15 //7
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