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Home My WebLink About2014 03 05 CC MIN MINUTES BALDWIN PARK CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MARCH 5, 2014, 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBER - 14403 E. Pacific Avenue, Baldwin Park, 91706 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Lozano at 7:05 p.m. INVOCATION The invocation was provided by Pastor Jackson. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Lozano. ROLL CALL The following Council Members were in attendance: Council Member Cruz Baca • Council Member Monica Garcia Council Member Susan Rubio Mayor Pro Tern Ricardo Pacheco Mayor Manuel Lozano ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Lozano asked that the meeting be adjourned in memory of Martin H. Rohr and Mrs. Mary Duran, both longstanding members of the community. Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco stated he attended the St. John Fashion Show and that it was a great event. Mayor Pro Tern Pacheco announced that the Business Journal had recognized Park Plaza as one of the best shopping centers. He asked staff to include this in the NOW newsletter showing Park Plaza as a model for shopping centers. Mayor Lozano announced, as required by Government Code section 54954.3, members of the City Council are also members of the Board of Directors of the Housing Authority and Finance Authority, which are concurrently convening with the City Council this evening and each Council Member is paid an additional stipend of $30 for attending the Housing Authority meeting and $50 for attending the Finance Authority meeting. PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS & PRESENTATIONS • Proclamation proclaiming Adult Education Week. Mayor Lozano presented the proclamation to Linda Rodriguez proclaiming March 10-14, 2014 as Adult Education Week. City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3/5/14 • Certificate Presentation to Baldwin Park High School Students for their participation in the "Clean Cart Challenge" that was organized by Waste Management. Terry Muse, Waste Management, acknowledged the Baldwin Park High School students for their participation in the "Clean Cart Challenge" that was organized by Waste Management. Mayor Lozano added that certificates would be provided to the students at a later date. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Lozano announced that public communications is now open and the limit on each speaker is three (3) minutes. Alfonso Contreras, resident, announced that the Baldwin Park Sister City Association will be hosting Sister City Taxco Guerrero, Mexico and invited the Council to their weekly event. Thomas Carey spoke in opposition to the ROEM mixed use project. Art Luna, resident, reported that areas near the freeway close to his home still need to be cleaned and he requested that project costs be included in materials made available to the public. Paul Cook spoke on various items. John Rios, resident, stated the community should decide on the ROEM project not the Council and said the units are too small. A member of the public spoke against the ROEM project saying the square footage is too small and also asked why the street light on Downing takes so long. There being no additional speakers Mayor Lozano closed public communications. CONSENT CALENDAR (Items 1 through 4) (Item No. 4 was pulled for further discussion.) A motion was made by Lozano, seconded by Pacheco, and carried (5 —0) to approve the remaining Agenda Item Nos. 1, 2 and 3 on the consent calendar. AYES: Baca, Garcia, Rubio, Pacheco, Lozano NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. 1. WARRANTS AND DEMANDS Staff recommends City Council ratify the attached Warrants and Demands, 2. CLAIM REJECTION Staff recommends City Council reject the claims of Pedro James Lane and the Heirs of Linda Tilton and direct staff to send the appropriate notice of rejection to claimants. Page 2 of 7 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3/5/14 3. APPROVAL OF CONTRACT FOR MR. CRAIG A. GRAVES FOR DIRECTOR OF FINANCE It is recommended that the City Council approve the contract of Mr. Craig A. Graves as Director of Finance. 4. RESOLUTION NO. 2014-005 AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 2014-002 BY APPOINTING A NEW REPRESENTATIVE TO THE CIVIL DEFENSE AREA "D" GENERAL MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Staff recommends that the City Council appoint a member to the Civil Defense Area "D" General Membership Committee by waiving the reading, read by title only, and adopt Resolution No. 2014-005 entitled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BALDWIN PARK, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING RESOLUTION 2014-002 BY APPOINTING A NEW REPRESENTATIVE TO THE CIVIL DEFENSE AREA "D" GENERAL MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE". (This item was pulled by Mayor Lozano for further discussion) Mayor Pro Tern Pacheco requested to be appointed. Council Member Garcia stated she has previously resigned from this committee. A motion was made by Pacheco, seconded by Baca, and carried (5 —0) to appoint Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco and bring the Resolution back to the next meeting. AYES: Baca, Garcia, Rubio, Pacheco, Lozano NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. SET MATTERS — PUBLIC HEARINGS (Item 6 was heard before item 5 but appears here as ordered on the agenda) 5. PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013/2014 FOR THE CITY, FINANCING AUTHORITY, HOUSING AUTHORITY AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY It is recommended that the City Council, Financing Authority, Housing Authority and Successor Agency conduct a public hearing and following the public hearing approve the proposed Fiscal Year 2013/2014 Budget as presented or amended and waive further reading, read by title only and adopt Resolution Nos. 2014-006 (City); FA 2014-001, (Financing Authority); HA 2014-001 (Housing Authority), and SA 2014-001 (Successor Agency); respectively. Reference Item #1 on Successor Agency Director of Finance Craig Graves presented the staff report. Discussion ensued regarding Mayor Lozano's concern regarding increasing medical retiree trust fund payments, the budget deficit and the $96,000 surplus in this budget based on the City not paying certain items. Council Member Baca stated she would like to hold this budget over to the March 19, 2014 meeting to allow for further review. Page 3 of 7 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3/5/14 Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco requested further explanation on the unfunded liability. Mr. Graves responded that the City has a contractual obligation to pay over a thirty to forty year period into the medical retiree trust fund in the event the City were to go bankrupt in the future and stated this is something that will need to be addressed in the future. Discussion ensued regarding Council Member Garcia questions regarding the amount of the current unfunded obligation, whether not paying the obligation over the next five (5) years would affect our bond rating, clarification on the frozen police department positions and the police lawsuit payout. Mr. Graves responded that the current unfunded obligation is $8 million and he was unsure about the impact on the City's bond rating. Council Member Rubio explained for the public's benefit that although 77 officer positions are budgeted the City currently has only 63 officers. Mr. Graves clarified that nine (9) of the 78 positions are frozen so staff is requesting funding for 69 positions. Mayor Lozano opened the public hearing and public comment. Al Contreras, resident, stated he knows the budget is tight but hopes there is money to resurface the streets. John Rios, resident, stressed the City needs revenue and employees should pay for their own retirement and medical. Thomas Carey stated the retirement age for employees should be extended to age 60. A member of the public requested clarification on the statement that state law dictates cities to maintain a certain number of officers. He stated there is no such law, He also recommended that the City pay the unfunded liabilities now so the future doesn't pay higher interest rates or higher liabilities. Council Member Rubio clarified that perhaps its not a law but a recommendation that the City have one (1) officer per every 1,000 residents. Chief Taylor confirmed that is correct and it depends on what study you read, saying some recommend 1.5 or 2 officers per 1,000 residents. Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco addressing the comment regarding unfunded liabilities, explained that the City Council will be taking a closer look and trying to determine the best way to fund it. Art Luna, resident, asked if repaving the street near his home by the freeway is in the budget. He said the heavy equipment is breaking up the street. Director of Public Works Dan Wall responded that CalTrans will be repaving the street at the conclusion of the project. There being no additional public speakers, Mayor Lozano closed the public hearing. A motion was made by Baca, seconded by Lozano, and carried (5 —0) to bring this item back to the next meeting for further review. AYES: Baca, Garcia, Rubio, Pacheco, Lozano NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Page 4 of 7 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3/5/14 6. PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING THE FISCAL YEAR 2014-2015 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN (PUBLIC SERVICE PROGRAMS) AND CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN Staff recommends that the City Council conduct the public hearing and following the public hearing approve the allocations for the FY 2014-2015 CDBG public service programs by selecting one of the following options: • OPTION 1 —Approve the Joint Commission's recommendations for funding • OPTION 2 — Revise allocations as the City Council deems appropriate. Housing Manager Susie Ruelas presented the staff report. Mayor Lozano opened the public hearing and public comment. Pastor Wayne Lemons of Corey's Kitchen food bank provided information on his organization and said they reach out to the veteran community to provide housing and job placement. He explained they are trying to development a veteran outreach program and asked for the Council's consideration. Sofia Lopez of Project Sister Family Services, explained that her organization provides sexual assault crisis and prevention services. She stated they are requesting funding for their prevention education program for youth in low income schools focusing on anti- bullying and she looks forward to partnering with the City in the future. Pastor Paul Flores, on behalf of Church of the Redeemer Food Bank, presented an overview of the services his organization provides to the community including feeding seniors, low income and the homeless. He stated that due to unemployment and hunger there is a need of basic items like food, clothing and shelter. He said all funding goes to food and services because they operate with a volunteer staff. Bob McKennan representing the ESGV Coalition for the Homeless, a non-profit organization since 1994, said his organization provides shelter, meals, dental service and health care to approximately 500 homeless people each month that come to their emergency assistance center. There being no further public comments, Mayor Lozano closed the public hearing. After discussion amongst the City Council regarding the funding requests, a motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco, seconded by Council Member Baca and carried (5 — 0) to approve the following funding requests: Cory's Kitchen —Veteran's Program $ 2,000 Church of the Redeemer Food Bank $ 8,000 Domestic Violence Advocate $15,000 ESGV Coalition for the Homeless $10,000 Family Service Center $30,000 Graffiti Removal $30,000 Pride Program (BPPD) $21,985 Project Sister $ 2,850 Recreation/Sports Scholarships $12,350 Santa Anita Family Services $ 3,325 St. Johns Church Social Services $ 2,150 Youth Employment $14,449 Page 5 of 7 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3/5/14 REPORTS OF OFFICERS 7. APPROVAL OF REDESIGN OF CITY LETTERHEAD Staff recommends that City Council approve one of the two (2) sample letterheads and envelopes. Staff presented the City Council with a staff report and power point presentation. By consensus, the City Council selected sample letterhead and envelope#1. CITY COUNCIL ACTING AS SUCCESSOR AGENCY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION SET MATTERS - PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2013/2014 FOR THE CITY, FINANCING AUTHORITY, HOUSING AUTHORITY AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY It is recommended that the City Council, Financing Authority, Housing Authority and Successor Agency conduct a public hearing and following the public hearing approve the proposed Fiscal Year 2013/2014 Budget as presented or amended and waive further reading, read by title only and adopt Resolution Nos. 2014-006 (City); FA 2014-001, (Financing Authority); HA 2014-001 (Housing Authority), and SA 2014-001 (Successor Agency); respectively. Reference Item #5 on City Council Mayor Lozano opened the public hearing and public comment. There being no public speakers Mayor Lozano closed the public hearing. A motion was made by Pacheco, seconded by Lozano, and carried (5 —0) to bring this item back to the next meeting for further review. AYES: Baca, Garcia, Rubio, Pacheco, Lozano NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. CITY COUNCIL/ CITY CLERK / CITY TREASURER / STAFF REQUESTS & COMMUNICATIONS • Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco directed the City Attorney to look into guidelines that govern Councilmembers attending Council meetings by teleconference and whether teleconferencing is permitted or required under the California Government Code. Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco directed staff to provide background information, evaluate the impact of Ordinance 1290 and prepare a report for consideration at the City Council meeting of March 19, 2014. Page 6 of 7 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3/5/14 Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco directed staff to agendize a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for street sweeping services in order to compare companies and services. Mayor Pro Tem Pacheco directed the City Manager and City Attorney to meet and bring back a staff report on potential funding for a driver license education project for undocumented immigrants who can prove residency and want to obtain a driver license in connection with AB 60. • Council Member Garcia reported she attended the ICA Conference in February and attended a workshop on active shooter scenarios and pension reform. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Lozano and seconded by Garcia to adjourn the City Council meeting at 9:21 p.m. to the Finance Authority and Housing Authority meetings and in memory of two long standing members of the community Martin H. Rohr and Mrs. Ma Duran (mother to Cecilia Bernal). Mayor ATTEST: 4MAC City lerk Page 7 of 7