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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 10 18 CC MIN MINUTES BALDWIN PARK CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 18, 2017, 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBER - 14403 E. Pacific Avenue, Baldwin Park, 91706 These minutes are presented in Agenda order. Various announcements or discussions may have occurred before or after the title under which they are presented. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Mayor Lozano at 7:02 p.m. 4 INVOCATION The invocation was provided by Pastor Jackson. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Lozano. ROLL CALL MEMBERS PRESENT: Council Member Cruz Baca Council Member Monica Garcia Council Member Ricardo Pacheco Mayor Pro Tern Susan Rubio Mayor Manuel Lozano . REPORT ON CLOSED SESSION Mayor Lozano reported out of Closed Session that the Council approved, by a vote of 5—0)to a settlement the case of Casimiro v City of Baldwin Park, Case No. 16CV03454-SVW-JPR, in the k° total amount of$37,000. No other action was taken during Closed Session. ANNOUNCEMENTS Council member Baca asked that the meeting be closed in memory of Brian Velez,.a lifelong Baldwin Park resident and BikeSGV Outreach Coordinator; extended deepest condolences to his family, friends and the biking community. Council member Pacheco reminded everyone of the upcoming 61St Anniversary Baldwin Park Parade and carnival on November 4, 2017; noted the community meeting to be held by the Valley County Water Board regarding water rate changes; announced that the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority will host its 25th Anniversary Reception on March 1, 2018, at Hearst Ranch, and asked that staff post the information on the City's web site as well as publishing the information. Council member Baca commented on the Dia De Los Muertos event and how much she and members of the community enjoyed themselves. Council member Garcia complimented Recreation and Community Services staff for their coordination of the 2017 Senior Prom; noted that it was a great success. Police Chief Taylor reminded everyone of the "Great Shake Out" scheduled for October 19 at r' 10:19 a.m. and noted that the day serves as a reminder that Californians need to be prepared in the event of an earthquake. PROCLAMATIONS, COMMENDATIONS & PRESENTATIONS • Presentation by Mary Ann Lutz, Board President, and Betty McWilliams, Executive Director, of Foothill Unity Center Ms. Lutz and Ms. McWilliams spoke of the various community services that Foothill Unity Center provides to those in need in Baldwin Park; announced that they would be relocating into a new facility and invited the community to the grand opening on November 9, 2017, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. • Presentation of Proclamation to Recognize October 2017 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month Mayor Lozano presented the Proclamation to recognize October 2017 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. • Presentation of Proclamation to Recognize October 2017 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month Council member Garcia presented the Proclamation to recognize October 2017 as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. • Presentation by Southern California Edison of Energy Rebate Check Sal Ramirez, representing Southern California Edison, presented to Mayor Lozano an Energy Rebate Check in the amount of $ 161,765 and congratulated the City on its • accomplished energy savings. PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Lozano opened Public Communications at 7:49 p.m. and noted that each speaker is permitted a total of three (3) minutes to speak. Ken Woods, Baldwin Park resident, spoke about the First Amendment and the right to freedom of speech; opined that Council and members of the Water Board continue to impede the rights of citizens to speak freely. • Veronica Lopez, Field Representative for Assemblywoman Blanca Rubio, commended the City of its proclamation in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness and Domestic Violence Awareness Month; briefly reviewed six pieces of legislation that Assemblywoman Rubio sponsored which were recently signed by the Governor; spoke of a new bill draft that will provide temporary housing for those in danger of domestic violence abuse. David Muse, Valley County Water District Representative, announced that the Valley County Water District has scheduled a community meeting for October 25, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. to address community concerns regarding proposed changes to the water rate structure. Juan Rios, Baldwin Park resident, voiced concern that the time of the community meeting proposed by the Water Board is not conducive to citizen participation since most people are at work during those hours; opined that Walnut Creek Park is still in disrepair with cracked wood. Greg Tuttle, Baldwin Park business owner, extended appreciation for the success of this season's Street Fair, noting that it was well attended and that City staff member Maria Moreno did a wonderful job coordinating it; echoed the sentiments that the Water Board Community Meeting is being held at a time that is inconvenient to the community; Regular Meeting of 10/18/17 Page 2 of 7 Seeing no others wishing to speak, Public Communications closed at 7:58 p.m. Council member Baca suggested that the Valley County Water District hold additional community outreach meetings at varying times to allow those who work during the day to attend an evening meeting; noted a sense of urgency since the new water,rates are expected to become effective January 2018. Council member Garcia suggested that a notice be published in the Baldwin Park NOW to inform residents that the water rate increases are a result of the Valley County Water District and that consideration be given to conducting additional community meetings. CONSENT CALENDAR Council pulled Item No. 5 from Consent Calendar for further discussion. .1. WARRANTS AND DEMANDS Staff recommends City Council ratify the attached Warrants and Demands Register. A motion was made by Pacheco, seconded by Baca, and carried (5 — 0) to ratify the Warrants and Demands Register. AYES: Baca, Garcia, Lozano, Pacheco, Rubio NOES: None. ABSENT: None. • ABSTAIN: None. 2. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES Receive and file: A. Meeting Minutes of the Special and Regular City Council Meetings held on October 4, 2017. A motion was made by Pacheco, seconded by Baca, and carried (5 — 0) to receive and file the minutes. • AYES: Baca, Garcia, Lozano, Pacheco, Rubio NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. 3. RATIFY THE RETENTION OF ATTORNEY SERVICES Staff recommends that Council 1) ratify the retention of Coleman Frost LLP and Willoughby & Associates and add them to the City's panel of approved attorneys; 2) . direct the City Attorney to draft a standard retention agreement with these firms and 3) authorize the Mayor to execute such agreements. A motion was made by Pacheco, seconded by Baca, and carried (5 0) to 1) ratify the retention of Coleman Frost LLP and Willoughby & Associates and add them to the City's panel of approved attorneys; 2) direct the City Attorney to draft a standard retention agreement with these firms and 3) authorize the Mayor to execute such agreements. AYES: Baca, Garcia, Lozano, Pacheco, Rubio NOES: None. • ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. 4. REQUEST TO IMPLEMENT SOCIAL MEDIA PROGRAM Staff recommends that Council authorize the Chief of Police or his designee to create and manage relevant social media accounts and to execute all relevant contractual Regular Meeting of 10/18/17 Page 3 of 7 1 documents to establish service with PageFreezer, Inc., to archive all content on the social media accounts. PageFreezer will allow police staff to comply with police department policy as well as state document and communication retention requirements making it easy for staff to produce data or information from our social media platforms to satisfy any Public Records Act (PRA) request. A motion was made by Pacheco, seconded by Baca, and carried (5 — 0) to authorize the Chief of Police or his designee to create and manage relevant social media accounts and to execute all relevant contractual documents to establish service with PageFreezer, Inc., to archive all content on the social media accounts. AYES: Baca, Garcia, Lozano, Pacheco, Rubio NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. 5. REFINANCING 2004 LEASE REVENUE BONDS Staff recommends that Council approve and adopt Resolution No. 2017-206 entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Baldwin Park, California, Approving the Form and Authorizing the Execution of Certain Lease Financing Documents in Connection • with the Refunding of the Outstanding Baldwin Park Finance Authority 2004 Lease Revenue Refunding Bonds (Community Center Project) And Authorizing and Directing Certain Actions with Respect Thereto." Finance Director Tam briefly explained that this will authorize the preparation of documents to refinance the referenced bond which will provide a reduced interest rate. A motion was made by Rubio, seconded by Baca, and carried (5 —0) to approve and adopt Resolution No. 2017-206 entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Baldwin Park, California, Approving the Form and Authorizing the • Execution of Certain Lease Financing Documents in Connection with the Refunding of the Outstanding Baldwin Park Finance Authority 2004 Lease Revenue Refunding Bonds (Community Center Project) And Authorizing and Directing Certain Actions with Respect Thereto." AYES: Baca, Garcia, Lozano, Pacheco, Rubio NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. • CITY COUNCIL ACTING AS SUCCESSOR AGENCY OF THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION CONSENT CALENDAR SA-1 SUCCESSOR AGENCY TO THE DISSOLVED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BALDWIN PARK WARRANTS AND DEMANDS Staff recommends that Council ratify the attached Warrants and Demands Register. • A motion was made by Lozano, seconded by Garcia, and carried (5 — 0) to ratify the attached Warrants and Demands Register. AYES: Baca, Garcia, Lozano, Pacheco, Rubio NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. Regular Meeting of 10/18/17 Page 4 of 7 REPORTS OF OFFICERS 6. CONSIDERATION OF TECHNICAL STUDY PREPARATION TO CREATE THE BALDWIN PARK COMMUNITY CHOICE AGGREGATION Staff recommends that Council: 1. Approve and adopt Resolution No. 2017-202, entitled "Resolution of the City Council of the City of Baldwin Park to Conduct a Technical Study to Evaluate a Community Choice Aggregation with California Choice Energy Authority (CCEA);" and 2. Authorize the Chief Executive Officer to engage California Choice Energy Authority to conduct a Community Choice Aggregation Technical Study for a cost not to exceed $63,000; and 3. Authorize the Chief Executive Officer, or his designee, to request the release of load data from Southern California Edison (SCE); and 4. Authorize the Finance Director to appropriate a loan of $63,000 from the Future Development Fund (Fund 200) and perform the required budget adjustments for this project to be paid back out of future Energy Authority proceeds. • Council member Baca suggested that this item be tabled for a few months to allow time to observe how other cities fare with the creation of a Community Choice Aggregation; suggested that the City could observe the City of Pico Rivera so as to measure the successes or pitfalls of such a program prior to incurring any costs. Council member Pacheco asked that Council hear the presentation, forgo making a decision, and then bring the item back at a Study Session for further consideration. Mayor Pro Tem Rubio asked for clarification, noted that more than one presentation has been made and that it was her understanding that it had been voted unanimously to wait a few months before moving forward because the program is so new. Council member Baca made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Rubio, to bring this item back at a meeting in February of 2018, to allow time gain a better understanding of whether the program is working for other cities and whether it is providing a savings. Council member Garcia requested that this item be brought back at the next Study Session and obtain a copy of the study being conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) which is expected to be released in November. Mayor Pro Tern Rubio made a substitute motion to table this item pending the release of the report from UCLA, seconded by Council member Baca. Council member Baca continued discussion in support of obtaining the results of the study and to gathering additional information from other cities; noted that the first meeting in November may be too soon to allow time for review of the study results. Mayor Pro Tern Rubio reiterated that there has already been two presentations and suggested that a member of staff from City of Lancaster or City of Pico Rivera be • contacted to gather information regarding their experiences. Community Development Director Romo informed Council that a representative from City of Lancaster is in attendance and available to make a presentation. Jason Connell, Deputy City Manager for City of Lancaster and Deputy Executive Director for the California Choice Energy Authority, provided a brief presentation • summarizing the model followed by various cities and the benefits of operating under a Regular Meeting of 10/18/17 Page 5 of 7 Joint Power Authority Hybrid; strongly recommended that staff obtain data from Southern California Edison as a tool to really determine the value of the program; briefly explained the process entailed in joining the CCA and a general timeline; in response to Council inquiry, asserted that there is flexibility in how realized revenues are utilized. The substitute motion made by Mayor Pro Tern Rubio, seconded by Council member Baca, was restated as: To hold this item pending the release and Council review of a study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), on the community choice aggregations. Council member Baca requested that the CEO proceed with obtaining the energy data from Southern California Edison so that Council could take that information along with the study into consideration. A motion was made by Rubio, seconded by Baca, and carried (5— 0) to hold this item pending the release and Council review of a study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), on the community choice aggregations. AYES: Baca, Garcia, Lozano, Pacheco, Rubio NOES: None. ABSENT: None. ABSTAIN: None. 7. REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS AND CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENT FOR THE • VACANT SEATS ON THE HOUSING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BALDWIN PARK • Staff recommends that Council review the submitted Commission application(s), accept nominations, authorize staff to initiate the appropriate background checks through the Department of Justice (DOJ) and, contingent upon satisfactory clearance by the DOJ, appoint individuals to the respective City Commissions and adopt Resolution No. 2017- 166, entitled, "A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Baldwin Park Appointing Qualified Individuals To The Housing Commission Of The City Of Baldwin Park For Office Seat Numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 And 7." Council member Pacheco requested that this item be brought back at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting. A motion was made by Pacheco, seconded by Lozano, and carried (5 — 0) to bring this item back at the November 1, 2017, Council meeting. AYES: Baca, Garcia, Lozano, Pacheco NOES: None. ABSENT: Rubio. • ABSTAIN: None. • 8. REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS AND CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENT FOR THE VACANT SEATS ON THE RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF BALDWIN PARK Staff recommends that Council review the submitted Commission application(s), accept nominations, authorize staff to initiate the appropriate background checks through the Department of Justice (DOJ) and, contingent upon satisfactory clearance by the DOJ, appoint individuals to the respective City Commissions and adopt Resolution No. 2017- 199, entitled, "A Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Baldwin Park Appointing Qualified Individuals To The Recreation and Community Services Commission Of The • City Of Baldwin Park For Office Seat Numbers 1 And 2." Regular Meeting of 10/18/17 Page 6 of 7 1 Council member Pacheco requested that this item be brought back at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting. A motion was made by Pacheco, seconded by Lozano, and carried (5 — 0) to bring this item back at the November 1, 2017, Council meeting AYES: Baca, Garcia, Lozano, Pacheco NOES: None. ABSENT: Rubio. ABSTAIN: None. CITY COUNCIL / CITY CLERK / CITY TREASURER / STAFF REQUESTS & COMMUNICATIONS • Requested by Councilmember Baca for discussion and consideration: Councilmember Baca requests discussion and direction to staff regarding the use of vapor or"vape"smoking around city parks and playgrounds. Council member Baca explained that the City's "no smoking" ordinance includes "vape" cigarettes and expressed concern about the increase of "vape" smoking in public areas; requested that the "no smoking" ordinance be more assertively enforced in the City parks and playground areas. • Requested by Councilmember Pacheco for discussion and consideration: .Councilmember Pacheco would like a discussion and direction regarding Public Communications and the manner in addressing the City Council as a whole. Council member Pacheco noted that he has received complaints from constituents regarding how members of the audience who are speaking during Public Communications are addressing specific Council members and that the City Attorney and CEO should be addressing this matter; requested that the Mayor be more assertive in enforcement of requiring that speakers address Council as a whole. Council member Garcia also commented on an increase of big rig trucks parking along Baldwin Park Boulevard as asked that the police department step up enforcement in that area. Mayor Lozano made an inquiry regarding a recent incident that was communicated to him regarding the conduct of an officer pulling over a driver and the questions that were asked of the driver. ADJOURNMENT There being no other business to discuss, and all other matters having been addressed, a motion was made by Lozano, seconded by Baca, to adjourn the meeting at 8:45 p.m. Mayo /4°' ATT S An �' M el L: • I • c ejandr-/vila, City Clerk APPROVED: //Ar/7 Regular Meeting of 10/18/17 Page 7 of 7