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Home My WebLink About2013 03 20 CC MIN • MINUTES BALDWIN PARK CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MARCH 20, 2013,7:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBER- 14403 E. Pacific Avenue, Baldwin Park,91706 CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Lozano at 7:02 p.m. INVOCATION The invocation was provided by Pastor Jackson. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Lozano. ROLL CALL Council Member Marlen Garcia Council Member Ricardo Pacheco Council Member Susan Rubio Mayor Pro Tem Monica Garcia Mayor Manuel Lozano ANNOUNCEMENTS Mayor Lozano asked that the meeting be closed in memory of Judy Child, M.D., who passed away recently; noted that she and her husband have been long time residents of Baldwin Park and once served Senior King and Queen. • Mayor Lozano also asked that the meeting be closed in memory of his uncle, Jesse Rodriguez, who recently passed and he extended his deepest sympathy to his aunt. Councilmember Rubio requested the meeting be closed in memory of Mr. Miguel Morales, whose daughter, Olga Morales is a former Board Member of Baldwin Park Unified School District and a long-time Baldwin Park resident. Mayor Lozano acknowledged three young servicemen who lost their lives in the Iraq War and condolences were extended to all families. PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS& PRESENTATIONS Certificate recognition to Winners of Adult Education Week Mayor Lozano presented Certificates of Recognition to the winners of the Adult Education Week Essay Contest. Proclamation proclaiming Adult Education Week Mayor Pro Tem Garcia presented the Proclamation recognizing March 11 — 15, 2013, as Adult Education Week. Presentation from MRP Mortgage Resolution Partners on Saving Homes, Saving Cities, Solving the Mortgage Crisis Locally Antonio Gonzalez narrated a PowerPoint presentation and provided an overview of a new program called CARES, which is focuses on finding a solution to the mortgage foreclosure crisis; spoke of how 0 the program and other services provided by MRP may benefit citizens of the community; explained City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3/20/13 • how the mortgage crisis was really crated in that"bundles" of mortgages were sold as securities; responded to questions from Council. Discussion ensued and Councilmembers sought examples of how the program works and how funding is secured for acquiring the mortgages from the private security holder. Following several examples and more dialogue, Mayor Lozano asked that the item be brought back in a Study Session so that Council could obtain more in-depth information and be prepared to ask additional questions. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Lozano announced Public Communications as open at 7:57 p.m. and announced that speakers are allowed three (3) minutes for each speaker. Magda Torrellas, Housing Commissioner and Baldwin Park resident, asked whether trees could be planted along Maupin Avenue, between Los Angeles Street and Clark Street, (referring to the median); expressed disappointment that the July 41h celebration is cancelled and hopes that some other form of expression of pride and appreciation will be made. Councilmember Rubio noted that there are some trees left over from the Arbor Day event and asked that they be used to plant in the area Ms. Torrellas is speaking of. Thomas Kerri, former Baldwin Park resident, opined that he had spoken of this same issue (the mortgage crash) five years ago; stated that many people lied and perjured themselves on loan documents and now such actions are causing suffering; voiced objection to"bailing out"those who have lost their houses because they signed onto a mortgage they couldn't afford. Juan Rios, Baldwin Park resident, commented on the budget projections being provided with regard to • the police department; asked that Council provide true and accurate figures and reminded Council that these figures had been promised a month ago; also commented on Walnut Creek Park, noting that it is in disrepair and looks terrible. Art Luna, Baldwin Park resident, thanked Councilmember Pacheco for providing a contact number to address problems with construction in the area; commented on the Baldwin Park Bridge is unsightly; expressed support for keeping the police department and not contract with the County; opined that additional efforts should be made to encourage people to keep the community clean; objects to pedestrian gates on residential houses opening out where they block the sidewalk; asked that the City take on the responsibility of making sure that all areas of the City are taken care of and eliminate blight in the city. Greg Tuttle, Baldwin Park business owner, commented on lawsuits pending against the City; inquired about stipends being paid to members for attending Community Development Commission, Housing Authority and Finance Authority meetings, noting that prior to 2011, no stipends were paid; asked for clarification to justify the additional pay; opined that the Council should reconsider collecting stipends when the City is already faced with financial issues and is struggling to keep the Police Department. Terri Muse, representing Waste Management, Inc., provided an update and outlined some of the requirements for the State mandated recycling law which was recently passed; noted that several business owners and apartment residents attended a recent seminar hosted by Waste Management to educate the community on ways to make recycling easy and effective; named several apartment complexes and large businesses that demonstrated great enthusiasm for recycling and getting creative with ways to recycle. Alex, employee of the Grand Park Inn, noted that occupancy has been up recently and the translation to increased revenue should help with funding the Police Department; commented on the prompt IP response time of Baldwin Park Police Department versus the Sheriff's Department; expressed support for maintaining the Police Department. Page 2 of 6 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3/20/13 Seeing no others wishing to speak, Mayor Lozano closed Public Communications at 8:36 p.m. Councilmember Garcia responded to comments made by Mr. Luna regarding poorly maintained property around construction sites and in neighborhoods; suggested that the City implement an "adoption" program similar to the Adopt-A-Highway program. Councilmember Pacheco thanked Mr. Luna for his input and directed staff to reach out to CalTrans to arrange for representatives to attend Council meetings and to press contractors to clean up job sites; Also commented on the Injunction filed by the Police Officers Association, noting that there is an Ex Parte hearing; opined that the costs associated with maintaining the Police Department has been unnecessarily inflated; commented on the new pedestrian overpass from the parking garage to the Metro Link station. • Mayor Pro Tem Garcia expressed appreciation for Mr. Luna's comments and input; invited citizens attention so that crews can be dispatched bring forward areas in the City that need att atched to take care p 9 of the issues; noted that the City wishes to contract with a company to remove graffiti but that certain liabilities exist but that staff will continue to work with CalTrans to take action; extended thanks to Waste Management, Inc., for their education outreach to citizens regarding recycling; stated that the numbers presented with regard to funding the Police Department is data that was provided to her by a Finance Director and invited others to introduce data from a credible source that proves the figures she has been representing as false; pointed to a study session in which one of the discussion items pertained to ways to bring in new revenue, noting that consideration of such issues needs to be accompanied by accurate and true numbers. Councilmember Pacheco disputed the comments, noting that he had presented charts and number that challenge the data being represented to the community; noted that there are several budget issues that are still not resolved. Councilmember Rubio disputed the comments of Mayor Pro Tem, stating that she was the one who requested the referenced study session, however both Mayor Pro Tem Garcia and Councilmember Garcia failed to attend; opined that, unless all Council members engage, very little will be accomplished. Lively dialog ensued amongst councilmember regarding the study session and the challenges of full discussion between members; the discussion concluded and Mayor Lozano moved the meeting along. CONSENT CALENDAR Mayor Lozano asked that Item No. 7 be pulled for further discussion. 1. CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENTS TO FILL STUDENT COMMISSION VACANCIES FOR THE RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION Staff recommends City Council review the student commission applications and school recommendation to: 1) Approve Resolution No. 2013-004; and 2) Appoint Commission Offices subject to satisfactory background checks through the Department of Justice. Motion was made by Lozano, seconded by Garcia, carried (5-0) to approve the appointments to the Recreation and Community Services Commission for a period of one year. • AYES: Garcia, Garcia, Lozano, Pacheco, Rubio NOES: None. Page 3 of 6 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3/20/13 ABSENT: None. • ABSTAIN: None. 2. RESOLUTION 2013-006 INITIATING THE PROCEEDINGS AND ORDERING PREPARATION OF THE ENGINEER'S REPORT FOR THE PARKS MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT FOR FY2013-2014 Staff recommends that the City Council waive further reading, read by title only, and adopt Resolution No. 2013-006 entitled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND ORDERING THE PREPARATION OF THE ENGINEER'S REPORT FOR THE 2013-14 LEVY OF ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS FOR THE CITY OF BALDWIN PARK.PARKS MAINTENANCE DISTRICT PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF DIVISION 15, PART 2 OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA STREETS AND HIGHWAYS CODE." Motion was made by Lozano, seconded by Garcia, carried (5-0) to adopt Resolution No. 2013-006 and approve staffs recommendation as presented. AYES: Garcia, Garcia, Lozano, Pacheco, Rubio NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. 3. RESOLUTION 2013-007 INITIATING THE PROCEEDINGS AND ORDERING PREPARATION OF THE ENGINEER'S REPORT FOR THE CITYWIDE LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT FOR FY2013-2014 Staff recommends that the City Council waive further reading, read by title only, and adopt Resolution No. 2013-007 entitled, "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CIT OF • BALDWIN PARK, CALIFORNIA, AUTHORIZING THE INITIATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS AND ORDERING THE PREPARATION OF THE ENGINEER'S REPORT FOR THE 2013-14 LEVY OF ANNUAL ASSESSMENTS FOR THE CITY OF BALDWIN PARK LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING MAINTENANCE DISTRICT PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF DIVISION 15, PART 2 OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA STREETS AND HIGHWAYS CODE." Motion was made by Lozano, seconded by Garcia, carried (5-0) to adopt Resolution No. 2013-007 and approve staffs recommendation as presented. AYES: Garcia, Garcia, Lozano, Pacheco, Rubio NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. 4. SECOND READING AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1357: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BALDWIN PARK MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION MATERIALS MANAGEMENT DIVERSION DEPOSITS." It is recommended the City Council conduct a second reading by title only and adopt ORDINANCE NO. 1357, "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BALDWIN PARK AMENDING SECTION 53.11 OF THE BALDWIN PARK MUNICIPAL CODE PERTAINING TO CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION MATERIALS MANAGEMENT DIVERSION DEPOSITS." Motion was made by Lozano, seconded by Garcia, carried (5-0) to adopt Ordinance No. 1357, entitled "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Baldwin Park Amending Section 53.11 of the Baldwin Park Municipal Code Pertaining to Construction and Demolition Materials Management Diversion Deposits." AYES: Garcia, Garcia, Lozano, Pacheco, Rubio NOES: None. Page 4 of 6 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3/20/13 ABSENT: None. • ABSTAIN: None 5. WARRANTS AND DEMANDS Staff recommends City Council ratify the attached Warrants and Demands. Motion was made by Lozano, seconded by Garcia, carried (5-0) to ratify the attached Warrants and Demands. AYES: Garcia, Garcia, Lozano, Pacheco, Rubio NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. 6. TREASURER'S REPORT: JANUARY 2013 Staff recommends that the City Council receive and file the January 2013 Treasurer's Report. Motion was made by Lozano, seconded by Garcia, carried (5-0) to receive and file the January 2013 Treasurer's Report. AYES: Garcia, Garcia, Lozano, Pacheco, Rubio NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. 7. RESALE OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION PROGRAM LOCATED AT 4853 AZUSA CANYON ROAD • Staff recommends the City Council to: 1) Approve the household selected and qualified to purchase NSP properties, and; 2) Authorize staff to process the purchase agreement as prepared by the City Attorney for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) property located at 4853 Azusa Canyon Road. Mayor Lozano extended congratulations to Terri Diaz, a long-time employee with the Baldwin Park Unified School District and mother of two children, as a first time home buyer and the successful buyer of the property located at 4853 Azusa Canyon Road. Motion was made by Lozano, seconded by Pacheco, carried (5-0) to approve the household selected and qualified to purchase NSP properties, and; authorize staff to process the purchase agreement as prepared by the City Attorney for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) property located at 4853 Azusa Canyon Road. AYES: Garcia, Garcia, Lozano, Pacheco, Rubio NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. CITY COUNCIL ACTING AS SUCCESSOR AGENCY OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION CONSENT CALENDAR 1. CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER TO EXEND THE • EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATION AGREEMENT(ENA)WITH ROEM DEVELOPMENT Page 5 of 6 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes 3/20/13 CORPORATION FOR A PROPOSED TRANSIT-ORIENTED MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT • PROJECT BETWEEN RAMONA BLVD AND THE BALDWIN PARK CIVIC CENTER. Staff is recommending the Successor Agency Board to authorize the Executive Director to approve an extension the current Exclusive Negotiation Agreement with ROEM Development for 180 days. City Manager Singhal provided a brief overview of the agreement, highlighting the intent and vision of the project; noted that it is designed to be affordable housing and will help revitalize the downtown area. Motion was made by Lozano, seconded by Garcia, to authorize the Executive Director to approve an extension the current Exclusive Negotiation Agreement with ROEM Development for 180 days. Councilmember Pacheco voiced objection and the Mayor directed the City Clerk to record the vote by Roll Call. Motion was made by Lozano, seconded by Garcia, and carried (4— 1 ) (Pacheco voted No)to authorize the Executive Director to approve an extension the current Exclusive Negotiation Agreement with ROEM Development for 180 days. AYES: Garcia, Garcia, Lozano, Rubio NOES: Pacheco ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. REPORTS OF OFFICERS None. CITY COUNCIL/CITY CLERK/ CITY TREASURER/STAFF REQUESTS &COMMUNICATIONS • Request by Councilmember Ricardo Pacheco for discussion &direction to staff on the following: • Direct staff to prepare a letter of supports for AB 1359 (Hernandez) Community Health: Access to Park& Recreational Space and present to Council at the next meeting. Councilmember Pacheco directed staff to prepare the requested letter and bring it before Council at its next meeting. Councilmember Garcia reported on the Pride Platoon event which was recently held at City Hall; noted that many parents who brought their children were very supportive and interested in the success of their sons and daughters; also noted that she attended the Express Your Race cultural affair, stating that it was well attended and very enjoyable; inquired about the street sweeping schedule to address problems with vehicles parked along the street being cited. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Lozano, seconded by Pacheco, and carried (5-0) t th- � eeting at 9:21 p.m. / Mayor ATTEST. / 44(1 • City Cler / • APPROVED: 7/ 5/� � Page 6 of 6