HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013 01 16 CC MIN MINUTES
BALDWIN PARK CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 16, 2013, 7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBER - 14403 E. Pacific Avenue, Baldwin Park, 91706
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m.
These Minutes are presented in Agenda Order. Various announcements may have occurred
before or after the title under which they are presented.
INVOCATION
The invocation was provided by Pastor Jackson.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Lozano.
ROLL CALL
Council Member Ricardo Pacheco
Council Member Susan Rubio
Council Member Marten Garcia
Mayor Pro Tem Monica Garcia
Mayor Manuel Lozano
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Lozano announced that the meeting of the Community Development Commission,
Housing Authority and Finance Authority are held concurrently with the Council Meeting.
Additionally, Mayor Lozano announced, as required by Government Code section 54954.3, that
members of the City Council are also members of the Board of Directors of the Community
Development Commission, Housing Authority and Finance Authority, and Successor Agency
which are concurrently convening with the City Council and each Council Member is paid an
additional stipend of$75 for attending the CDC meeting, $30 for attending the Housing Authority
meeting and $50 for attending the Finance Authority meeting.
Mayor Lozano extended condolences to the Verdugo Family on the passing of Mrs. Lily
Verdugo, a direct descendent of Pio Pico, the last Governor of California while it was still a part
of Mexico. Mrs. Verdugo and her family have lived in Baldwin Park for over 50 years and have
been an integral part of the community.
Councilmember Rubio requested that the meeting be closed in memory of the Reynato Quiroz,
who was an employee at Waste Management for 24 years. He was a long time resident and is
survived by his wife and three children.
Councilmember Pacheco asked that the meeting be closed in memory of Mr. Ysidro, a local
resident who was active in the church and community.
City Treasurer Contreras asked that the meeting also be closed in memory of Mrs. Andreatta
Quintana, a resident of Baldwin Park for over 50 years. Council extended its condolences to the
family and friends.
Mayor Lozano took a moment to introduce the new Director of Public Works, Daniel Wall, and
the Interim Director of Finance, Marcie Medina. He extended congratulations to both and noted
that the City looks forward to a strong and vibrant future under the direction of these two staff
leaders.
Mayor Lozano noted attendance of representatives of some local agencies including Jim
Dexter, former Planning Commissioner; Mike Touhey, Board Members of the Upper San Gabriel
Valley Water District; Valley County Water District Board Members; Lenet Pacheco, Mariana
Lake, Margarita Vargas, and Alfonso Contreras, who also previously served on the Upper San
Gabriel Valley Water District and as a Planning Commissioner. Mayor Lozano also recognized
the attendance of Mrs. Huetinck, whose husband served as a Planning Commissioner for many
years, and expressed appreciation for her presence.
PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS & PRESENTATIONS
Certificate Recognition to the students of St. John the Baptist school for their success in
participating in the 5'h Annual Bishop Amat High School's Math Competition
Councilmember Pacheco presented a Certificate of Recognition to honor the students of St.
John the Baptist School and expressed admiration and support to those who represented
the community and are so highly proficient in mathematics.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Lozano opened Public Communications at 7:14 p.m. and noted that each speaker is
permitted a total of three (3) minutes to speak.
Margaret Salonisen and Maryann Huetinck, local residents, expressed appreciation for the
traffic signal at the intersection of Stewart Ave and Baldwin Park Blvd but noted that traffic is
impeding those who wish to enter the parking lot at the Women's Club; referred to another
location on Pacific Ave where there is traffic signage/marking saying "keep clear" and offered
that this might be a good solution to consider. Mrs. Huetinck also expressed appreciation for
the Parking Enforcement Officer who enforces restrictions on her street; noted that the Officer is
courteous and patient, but is also committed and takes her job seriously.
Wayne Brown, Baldwin Park Police Department, extended an invitation to Council and citizens
in the community to attend a series of Open House opportunities, specifically to have a forum
for discussion of the Highway SR-710; stated that there will be a total of three events to present
and discuss the Study, the Alternative Analysis, and the five alternatives being considered.
Ken Woods, Baldwin Park resident and business owner, noted Councilmember Rubio's
commitment to bringing in new business to the community; stated that "the number is 1290 and
it's time."
Mayor Lozano closed Public Communications at 7:24 p.m.
CONSENT CALENDAR
1. WARRANTS AND DEMANDS
Staff recommends City Council ratify the attached Warrants and Demands Register.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Garcia, seconded by Councilmember
Garcia, and carried (5—0) to ratify the Warrants and Demands Register.
Page 2 of 8
AYES: Garcia, Rubio, Pacheco, Mayor Pro Tern Garcia, Mayor Lozano
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
2. SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES GRANT— REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Sustainable Communities Grant
consultant request for proposal and authorize staff to issue the request for proposal.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Garcia, seconded by Councilmember
Garcia, and carried (5—0) to approve and direct staff to advertise the
Sustainable Communities Grant consultant request for proposal.
AYES: Garcia, Rubio, Pacheco, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Mayor Lozano
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
3. TREASURER'S REPORT: NOVEMBER 2012
Staff recommends that the City Council receive and file the November 2012 Treasurer's
Report.
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, seconded by Councilmember
Garcia, and carried (5 — 0) to receive and file the November 2012 Treasurer's
Report.
AYES: Garcia, Rubio, Pacheco, Mayor Pro Tern Garcia, Mayor Lozano
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
4. RATIFICATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH MR. DANIEL WALL,
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
It is recommended that the City Council ratify the employment agreement with Daniel
Wall, for services as the Director of Public Works, and authorize its execution by the
Mayor.
Councilmember Rubio asked that the new Public Works Director be introduced to all in
attendance and asked Mr. Daniel Wall to stand up and be recognized. Just prior to this
introduction, Council cast the following vote:
A motion was made by Mayor Pro Tern Garcia, seconded by Councilmember
Garcia, and carried (5—0) to ratify and authorize the Mayor to execute the
employment agreement with Daniel Wall, to serve as Director of Public Works.
AYES: Garcia, Rubio, Pacheco, Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Mayor Lozano
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
Page 3 of 8
PUBLIC HEARING
5. FISCAL YEAR 2012/2013 CITY, HOUSING AUTHORITY AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY
PROPOSED BUDGET
It is recommended that the City, Housing Authority and Successor Agency conduct a
public hearing and following the public hearing approve the proposed Fiscal Year
2012/2013 Budget as presented or amended and waive further reading, read by title only
and adopt Resolution Nos. 2012-038 (City); HA 2012-003 (Housing Authority), and SA
2012-004 (Successor Agency); respectively. [Please reference Item #1 on Successor
Agency]
Mayor Lozano opened the Public Hearing at 7:31 p.m.
There being no one wishing to speak in favor or against the proposed item, the Public
Hearing was closed at 7:32 p.m.
Chief Executive Officer Vijay Singhal made a presentation to Council, discussing the
reduction of staffing and programs, and the impact of those cuts. Following his
presentation, Council requested a more detailed review of the budget.
Marcy Medina, interim Director of Finance, narrated a PowerPoint presentation and
provided an overview of the changes in available funds, changes in staffing and
programs, projected shortfalls in coming years, and provided suggestion for
establishment of a trust to set aside anticipated increasing future expenses. Following
her presentation, she suggested following staff recommendation.
Discussions ensued as Council pointed to the previous analysis of the budget versus the
current budget presented, and to some areas of the budget that did not appear to have
certain relevant information incorporated.
Councilmembers requested that outstanding accounts payable figures be incorporated
into the budget and that some contracts and other items of financial impact should be
included and brought back to Council for further consideration.
Following additional discussion amongst Councilmembers, the following motion was
made:
Motion was made by Mayor Lozano, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Monica Garcia to
approve the budget, reading by title only, passed by a vote of(3 - 2).
AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Mayor Lozano, Councilmember Garcia
NOES: Councilmember Rubio, Councilmember Pacheco
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
Page 4 of 8
REPORTS OF OFFICERS
6. CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENTS AND/OR REAPPOINTMENTS TO FILL
VACANCIES FOR THE HOUSING COMMISSION
Staff recommends City Council to review all Commission applications and appoint
Commission Offices, subject to satisfactory backgrounds checks through the
Department of Justice as follows:
:Office No <` ` ' ° Name Extif afi v. Terre
1
2
3 June 30, 2013
4 Madga Torrellas
5
Tenant - 6 PENDING APPLICATIONS
Tenant 7 (62+) PENDING APPLICATIONS
Motion by Mayor Lozano, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, to approve the
nominations as follows:
f is . o fr -� :A/.017,of Te ms
1 Oscar Madin (incumbent)
2 Edwardo Acavero
3 Mario Ventanco June 30, 2013
4 Madga Torrellas
5 John Bernard De Leon
Tenant - 6 PENDING APPLICATIONS
Tenant 7 (62+) PENDING APPLICATIONS
CITY COUNCIL ACTING AS HOUSING AUTHORITY AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY
1. FISCAL YEAR 2012/2013 CITY, HOUSING AUTHORITY AND SUCCESSOR AGENCY
PROPOSED BUDGET
It is recommended that the City, Housing Authority and Successor Agency conduct a
public hearing and following the public hearing approve the proposed Fiscal Year
2012/2013 Budget as presented or amended and waive further reading, read by title only
and adopt Resolution Nos. 2012-038 (City); HA 2012-003 (Housing Authority), and
SA2012-004 (Successor Agency); respectively.
Please reference item #5 on City Council
As noted above, motion was made by Lozano, seconded by Garcia to approve the
budget, reading by title only, passed by a vote of(3 -2).
AYES: Mayor Pro Tem Garcia, Mayor Lozano, Councilmember Garcia
NOES: Councilmember Rubio, Councilmember Pacheco
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
Page 5 of 8
CITY COUNCIL/ CITY CLERK/CITY TREASURER/STAFF REQUESTS &
COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Lozano directed Public Works staff to look at the traffic signal at Stewart Ave and
Baldwin Park Blvd because the traffic light pole is placed in an odd location; asked that
emergency response procedures be refined to ensure that communication and dissemination of
information is handled expeditiously and to the right parties; asked that staff look into group
homes; look into overnight parking on Big Dalton in the area of WalMart, stating that there are
many big rig trucks and vehicles (in which it appears people are sleeping overnight) being
parked overnight; he also expressed concern regarding big rigs parking on Ramona west bound
approaching the 605 freeway and loiterers on Ramona'and the 605, particularly sitting atop the
Baldwin Park sign.
Mayor Pro Tern Garcia also asked that staff look at La Rica Ave, at the intersection of
northbound Baldwin Park Blvd, noting that the street is very narrow and consideration should be
given to making it one-way in that section.
Councilmember Pacheco asked that the new Director of Public Works send staff out to look at
community areas where landscape is in need of improvement; noted that particular attention
should be given to the underpass at 1-10 and Puente Ave, near the WalMart shopping center;
asked that the area be cleared of debris and the sprinklers be checked; requested that the
trees which are currently in the Public Works yard be planted; pointed out that political signs are
still up around the city and need to be picked up; also inquired about the status of a newly
developed ordinance that would require deposits for construction recycling; asked that
consideration be given to designating an emergency group to organize the city in sectors and
designate emergency-trained citizens who can be activated in the event of an emergency.
Councilmember Rubio stated that the community has one of the lowest ratings on water
conservation efforts and directed staff to put together policies and programs that will encourage
water conservation; suggested seeking information from other communities where such
campaigns have been successful; requested that staff look into the lack of maintenance at an
old gas station on Francisquito and Garvey, stating that there is a problem with graffiti and that
the property is unsightly.
Councilmember Garcia expressed concern regarding the recent power outage and the lack of
communication between emergency responders and councilmembers; Councilmember Garcia
was concerned because the City has held emergency preparedness training for residents but
the lack of communication would make such training irrelevant if no information is disseminated;
commented that, with the strong dependency on electricity, particularly when the weather is very
cold, it can make an incident like this very serious, particularly for senior citizens; stated that
shopping carts are being left on Maine Ave and are becoming a nuisance; noted that many are
from Superior grocery store; directed staff to look into programs and work with local grocers to
implement a plan for keeping grocery carts within the confines of the shopping center where
they belong.
Captain Taylor responded to questions of Councilmember Garcia and noted that council was
not informed because it was not believed to be a matter that would be of interest; stated that
because the timeframe for recovery given by Southern California Edison (SCE) was within a
reasonable amount of time, there did not appear to be a call for activating Emergency
Operations Center procedures.
Chief Hadsell informed Council that no ordinance exists in Baldwin Park that prevents overnight
parking but that officers would check these areas and address problems accordingly.
Page 6 of 8
Request by Councilmember Susan Rubio for discussion and direction to staff on the
following:
• Put together a study session to review revenues and explore ways to improve the
economic vitality of the city.
• Explore incentives to attract new businesses.
• Create a commission that includes city staff& community members to act as a "chamber
of commerce" to support new & old businesses.
Councilmember Rubio suggested that a Study Session be held to look at, specifically, the
possible analysis of retail space and other property throughout the city that can be maximized to
generate revenue; noted that it presents an opportunity to explore how implementation of the
downtown overlay changes (Resolution 1290) may present opportunities; creating new ways of
encouraging new businesses to locate in the city and to maximize revenues specifically; pointed
out that, unlike other surrounding cities, Baldwin Park does not have a Chamber of Commerce
and suggested that a commission be created to act as a chamber of commerce to encourage
new business and assist existing businesses; also would like to look into incentives to brining in
and retaining businesses.
Request by Mayor Pro Tem Monica Garcia for discussion and direction to staff on the
following:
• Partner with the Council for Watershed Health, Watershed Conservation Authority, as
well as the California, Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley Conservation Corps to
pursue funding opportunities for the purpose of revitalizing Walnut Creek Park and
creating greater connectivity to regional plans.
• Identify funding opportunities such as Prop 84 Integrated Regional Water
Management Planning Grant, Urban Greening Planning / Projects for Sustainable
Communities, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, WaterSMART, Environmental
Enhancement and Mitigation Program, and Prop 84 Urban Streams Restoration
Program.
• Collaborate with local public agencies such as Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria
Molina, and the Upper San Gabriel Valley Water District to leverage resources,
coordinate alignment of mutually beneficial goals and create greater connectivity
between Walnut Creek Park and the San Gabriel Valley River and Trail, Santa Fe
Dam, Emerald Necklace, and other regional master plan efforts.
• Engage local non-profit and educational institutions such as Cal Poly Pomona, the Youth
Science Center, and Amigos de los Rios to build capacity in areas such as programming
and planning.
• Design a community outreach plan to commence in the first quarter of 2013 related to
Walnut Creek Park proposed improvements and long-term planning.
• Initiate formation of a "Friends of Walnut Creek Park" committee comprised of partners,
Recreation and Community Services commissioners, and local residents.
Page 7 of 8
Mayor Pro Tem Garcia began by briefly reporting on results of the current efforts pertaining to
Walnut Creek park; stated that grant funds have been identified and that meetings have been
held with potential partners to restore, revitalize and repurpose the park; requested that staf
work on designing a community outreach program.
Councilmember Marlen Garcia expressed support for the suggestions; suggested that
consideration be given to bisecting the park, making it partially a nature preserve and partially a
family park with picnic facilities, playground areas, a dog park, grass areas, all of which will
make it inviting as a destination for family gatherings and parties.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no other business to discuss, and all other matters having been addressed, a
motion was made by Mayor Lozano, seconded by Councilmember Garcia, to adjourn the
meeting at 9:02 p.m.
a .r
ATTEST: 7/
/ ` M .el Lo -no, Mayor
Alejarl. a Avil., City Clerk
APPROVED: 12' \ 1 \�'I
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