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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1971 03 23 CC MIN1971 03 23 CC MIN(ÌìÙ¦pe000-W2 ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE BALDWIN PARK CITY COUNCIL CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS) 14403 East Pacific Avenue the City Council of the City of Baldwin Park met In adjourned regular session at the above place at 7:00 p.m. Mayor McCaron led the salute to the flag. Present: COUNCILMEN BLEWETT, GREGORY. HAMILTON. KING. AND MAYOR MC CARON Roll Call: MARCH 23, 1971 7:00 P.M. FLAG SALUTE ROLL CALL Also Present: Absent: CITY MANAGER NORDBY. CITY ENGINEER FRENCH, FINANCE DIRECTOR DUNCAN. CHIEF OF POLICE ADAMS CITY ATTORNEY^LANDRICK, PLANNING DIRECTOR CHIVETTA, CITY TREASURER CODLING, CITY CLERK BALKUS 00- Mayor McCaron stated that this meeting was an adjourned meeting of the regular meeting of March 17, and that Councilmen King and Gregory had several it^ms they wished to discuss. 00- Councilman King stated he would tike a discussion on what is to be done about the deplorable conditions under which the Police Department employees must work insofar as the building, and also as to a location for a new City Hall. He stated that if we are going to stay here for any length of time, we should lay the ground work for something here; if not, he stated he felt the three areas for relocation submitted by the Planning Commission should be considered. He stated if the Police Department was not going to be relocated, he would like discussion as to whether this building should be expanded and beautified, or what the alternatives would be. City Manager Nordby stated that some time ago, when the City Hall project was started, there was a Selection Committee for an architect. Some 20 were screened, and approximately 6 or 7 were interviewed.by the Council, and the firm of Morey Fleishman & Associates, Beverty Hills, was selected. At the same time, the financing was being considered, and the consulting firm of Stone & Youngberg was designated. He stated that at this particular time, we were working on getting a revision of the cigarette tax which would provide, hopefully. $300,000 a year for the City. The City received $115,000, and it was hoped that money could be set aside for financing a City Hall. This amount at the normal rate of interest at that time would have provided a one and a half million dollar combined City Hall, administrative offices, and police facility. The City, however, could not keep pace with the escalating cost of government, and had to put the uncommitted $115,000 a year into the operating fund, City Manager Nordby stated he had prepared a report regarding acquiring the CHP building, and had asked Chief Adams and Finance Director Duncan to supply information regarding the suitability of this building, and the current status of finances for the City. Continued) DISCUSSION RE NEW CIVIC CENTER BIB] 37659-U01 1971-U02 03-U02 23-U02 CC-U02 MIN-U02 LI1-U03 FO9591-U03 FO9838-U03 DO9975-U03 C4-U03 MINUTES1-U03 2/6/2003-U04 ROBIN-U04 REGULAR-U05 SESSION-U05 CITY-U06 COUNCIL-U06 1971 03 23 CC MIN(ÌìÙ¦pei.00^823 Adjourned Regular Meeting of the Baldwin Park City Council March 23, 1971 Page 2 Regarding possible sites for a City Ha11, the City Manager stated the Planning Commission had reviewed a number of sites, and the estimates of acquiring another site ran from eight hundred thousand dollars to one and a half minion dollars. He stated he felt the Council favored the present site because it is paid for. He further stated It would be Impossible for the City to finance the combined land acquisition and construction costs, and that Is why the matter has been held in abeyance. City Manager Nordby stated tie key to the whole problem is finances, and stated he felt the City must take some aggressive steps, such as increasing retail sales activity and Increasing the tax base. He further commented that this was one reason for Instituting the Industrial and Commercial Development office, and is also the reason he brought up the matter of the Comnunity Redevelopment Law. Councilman King stated that It appeared as though It would be three years before we can do something about the City Hall, other than just meeting our obligations. City Manager Nordby stated he felt that was a fair analysis, and In his opinion. It would be a minimum of three years. Councilman King asked the City Manager whether we can afford to make any significant change in the present City Hall building. City Manager Nordby answered that he doesn't feel too much can be done with this building, City Manager Nordby Indicated he had visited the recently refurbished upper floor of the Crocker-Citlzens Bank building, at the suggestion of the owner, Mr. Cohn. He stated he did not feel this location would be practical because there is no elevator and the long climb up the stairs would be a hardship on some of the older citizens who would have business with the City. He stated that in recent conversations with Mr. Cohn, he Indicated he possibly would have an elevator installed in the building. Councilman King asked the City Manager how /nany square feet he felt the police department would need for expansion in the next three years. City Manager Nordby referred the question to Chief Adams, who stated the department presently has 6,100-6,150 usable feet; there are no restrooms in the present area. He stated that restrooms, vault, heating and telephone room are included in the proposed facility, and they need approximately 4,000 more usable feet, plus room for the vault, restrooms, etc., which comes to approximately 12,400 feet; this a'tso allows for approximately five more people. Councilman Gregory asked whether it would be feasible to have a building built on the City property, perhaps in the area presently housing the Public Works Yard, and pay it off over a period of years. City Manager Nordby replied that, referring to the report Mr. Creed qave in which he said so much down and so much for fifteen years and then he was going to various savings and loan associations, this is not a permissible method of financing a City facility. He stated that the Finance Director had outlined in her report the various permitted ways of financing. He further stated that it Is planned to ultimately move the Public Works Yard, and whatever is built for a police facility could encroach on what they are using now, but with proper planning, it is possible. Councilman Gregory suggested possibly obtaining an architect's rendition of what type complex would be suitable to take care of the immediate needs, but with an eye to future expansion. She cited the method used by the City of Glendora. She also mentioned the possibility of Continued) BIB] 37659-U01 1971-U02 03-U02 23-U02 CC-U02 MIN-U02 LI1-U03 FO9591-U03 FO9838-U03 DO9975-U03 C4-U03 MINUTES1-U03 2/6/2003-U04 ROBIN-U04 REGULAR-U05 SESSION-U05 CITY-U06 COUNCIL-U06 1971 03 23 CC MIN(ÌìÙ¦pe0004824 Adjourned Reqular Meetinn of the Baldwin Park City Council March 23, 1971 Page 3 underground facilities for Ihe Public Works Department in the Central Park West area. City Manager Nordby stated that, here again, the big problem would be acquisition of a site, and that Public Works would require 2-1/2 to 3 acres. Mayor McCaron stated that at the time Council talked to Fleishman, it v/as suggested that the facility be built in increments, starting with the police department, and Fleishman said It was possible to build the entire facility on this site while the present building was still in use. He stated, however, that the City cannot go into debt for this unless it is by bond, and that is by election. Mayor McCaron stated he thinks that,.If it is at all possible, the City should try to accumulate some money in Order to take care of this in increments, and try to plan it as such and then go ahead without trying to salvage anything we now have, because this would be almost as costly, and in some cases as costly, as new construction. City Manager Nordby stated hr did not agree wholly with Mayor McCaron, in that he didn't feel we could wait until the money was accumulated; he stated a person doesn't run a business on this basis, and borrowing is the lifeline" of the American system. He stated he felt we should have adequate faith in the future, and proceed. Mayor McCaron stated he did not mean we should ha'/e a11 the mon&y, but pointed out that no matter how healthy the economic climate Is, if the City keeps increasing its services to the point where we cannot keep up with the budget year to year, we will never have enough money, regardless of whether it is borrowed, because it has to be repaid. Councilman Blewett stated that in government you have to establish priorities, and somewhere along the line the priority for the City Hall got away. He stated he does not feel the services have been increased, but the cost of government has increased. He further stated he feels the Council should establish a priority for the City Hall. He commented he felt there would be revenue coming to cities in the next couple of years, and we have to be ready to move. He stated revenue sharing is one possible source, and another is additional monies from sales tax on gasoline, and stated he felt the City should start exploring the possibilities of getting more revenue. Councilman Gregory asked whether Fleishman & Associates ever presented an architectural drawing for.a complete Civic Center. City Manager Nordby stated it had been discussed, but Fleishman was not qiven Instructions to proceed with It. Councilman Blewett said it must be considered that the police department has immediate facility problems, and what can be done to solve these. Councilman Gregory stated she was considering only the police department in the immediate future, because that would be a sizeable facility in itself. Mayor McCaron stated that when you establish priorities. you have to establish which comes first, the facility or the services to the people. Councilman Gregory stated both are priority" items, but stated she felt we are qivinq fine service at oresent. Mayor McCaron stated we have to establish how much service is going to be extended to the public before we start using anv incomino revenue or other monies for improvements. Councilman Gregory reiterated that she feels the services are presently adequate, and that rioht now the facility is a top priority. ri-m+lnno^ BIB] 37659-U01 1971-U02 03-U02 23-U02 CC-U02 MIN-U02 LI1-U03 FO9591-U03 FO9838-U03 DO9975-U03 C4-U03 MINUTES1-U03 2/6/2003-U04 ROBIN-U04 REGULAR-U05 SESSION-U05 CITY-U06 COUNCIL-U06 1971 03 23 CC MIN(ÌìÙ¦pe00048P5 Adjourned Regular Meet-inn of the Baldwin Park City Council March 23., 1971 Page 4 City Manager Nordby stated he feels we must move on several fronts at=the same time, because when we are talking about building a facility, and providing service, we are also talking about community development, which he feels Is the long-range permanent answer to the City's problems. Councilman King asked If the City were to purchase the old CHP building for a polios facility, and In a few years the income was much better and we could proceed with a City Hall, would the police department be included In the complex and. If so, what would be the disposition of the old building. City Manager Nordby replied that. In the event the City did acquire the old CHP building and it was remodeled, that building has continuing potential as far as Industrial and commercial development 1s concerned; he stated he didn't feel there would be any problem disposing of the property and recovering tl)e City's Invest- ment and possibly even more. He stated thtit provided the City did not build an over-specialized facility, such as a detention area, the conversion would not be too difficult In making it usable for some other purpose and it would be a salable piece of property. Councilman Gregory pointed out that here again we are talking about temporary" facilities for the police department, and If the City Is still bogged down with finances In the next few years, the police depart- ment will not be able to get out of the old CHP building. She stated she fe'lt that if we are going to do somrthing with the property here that we begin by putting the first phase of the police department on It. Councilman Blewett asked why the new complex necessarily should be here, and Councilman Gregory stated because this land was paid for and she felt that was a good argument In favor of this site. She stated the facility could be constructed to any size necessary to provide proper accommodations,, Councilman Hamilton asked how many years It would be before the sewer bonds were paid off. Finance Director Duncan replied five, four, three and two years. Councilman Hamilton stated he felt we are being too cautious; we all agree the need is here, and he stated he thought the people would support this need if 11 could be properly handled financially. He stated he does not agree with building a civic center piecemeal". He commented that we have been in this buildino temporarily" for fifteen years, and stated he felt we should go ahead and build a new city ha11 and include the police department* He further stated he felt the revenue was going to increase and commercial and industrial development would start showing progress within the next year* Councilman Hamilton stated he felt the best way to finance the project would be by general obligation bonds. Councilman Gregory stated she agrees that the whole complex should be drawn on paper at one time, but not be built all at once, because she does not feet the people could carry the obligation all at one time. Mayor McCaron stated he felt the first thing to be determined would be whether the services are now adequate and should we hold the tine at that point* He Indicated that if we ask the people to carry an additional burden to build the city halt. and if we Increase the services beyond what we have at the present time, the money will have to come from revenue or other sources. Councilman Hamilton stated he thought we could make out with what we have until we can build what we need. He commented tnat Continued) BIB] 37659-U01 1971-U02 03-U02 23-U02 CC-U02 MIN-U02 LI1-U03 FO9591-U03 FO9838-U03 DO9975-U03 C4-U03 MINUTES1-U03 2/6/2003-U04 ROBIN-U04 REGULAR-U05 SESSION-U05 CITY-U06 COUNCIL-U06 1971 03 23 CC MIN(ÌìÙ¦peAdjourned Regular Meeting of the Baldwin Park City Council March 23. 1971 Page 5 we are trying to build up our Industrial and comnercial development, and the present city hall does not project a very good Image of the City. He stated he felt we could finance a new civic center. Councilman King Inquired about an $83»000 surplus due to police shortage* City Manager Nordby explained that there may be around $85,000 1n the budget, but since that figure was mentioned, several things had come up which will possibly reduce It, such as a proposed $9,000 expenditure to convert the police department's sidearms from 38's to 45's. He stated that we may be $85,000 in tb6 black In the budget, but the revenue may be short, or the department heads may transfer funds from one account to another, so the $85,000 is not actual cash. City Manager Nordby commented that general obligation bonds become a Hen on real property, and if there Is a default the $1.00 limitation does not hold. He stated that we have 34.3 cents remaining on our $1.00 limit, and have enough latitude in our statutory tax,limit, up to $1.00, to finance a two million dollar facility,, but this will mean raising the taxes. Mayor McCaron suggested Council wait for the budget to come out to have a better idea what can be done financially regarding building a civic center. Councilman Hamilton stated he felt the whole complex should be planned, and we should proceed with the police facility If building it in phases would not interfere with the general plan. Councilman Gregory asked City Manager Nordby to explain the method the architect had presented to build the complex in phases. City Manager Nordby stated that the present site was not necessarily the ideal site, but when looking into the number of acres needed, the cost of obtaining another site was prohibitive. He stated he had discussed various possibilities on this site with the architect, such as high-rise, or acquisition of additional land In the vicinity, and the one problem we gave him was that we wish to continue to occupy this building until the major portion of the new facility Is completed, so they are aware of this problem. Councilman King inquired whether it had been considered to sell this property and buy another site, because of the commercial potential here. Councilman Blewett stated he didn't think there was enough acreage here to make It choice property. Councilman King commented that you would need to keep the parking for the auditorium. Councilman Gregory suggested'the possibility of high-rise parking. i Councilman Hamilton asked whether the architect had ever presented an estimate of the cost of building the new civic center. City Manager Nordby stated he had given an estimate which was quite costly. He stated the architect had Indicated a desire to discuss the matter further, and he felt that this meeting had been beneficial In that now he had several alternatives to present to the architect who can, in turn, develop various proposals. Finance Director Duncan stated there 1s a possibility of legislation regarding the utility users tax, and our share could be possibly $350.000. She stated that should we receive this money, a solution would be to set It aside, provided it is permissible In general law cities, Continued) BIB] 37659-U01 1971-U02 03-U02 23-U02 CC-U02 MIN-U02 LI1-U03 FO9591-U03 FO9838-U03 DO9975-U03 C4-U03 MINUTES1-U03 2/6/2003-U04 ROBIN-U04 REGULAR-U05 SESSION-U05 CITY-U06 COUNCIL-U06 1971 03 23 CC MIN(ÌìÙ¦peW8?7 Adjourned Regular Meeting of the Baldwin Park City Council 1971 March 23 Page 6 for this purpose. City Manager Nordby remarked that use of the utility users tax was permitted only In charter cities. 00- Mayor McCaron asked whether there were other subjects for discussion. Councilman Hamilton stated he was Interested In the progress of the C.R.A. He asked Mr* Parenteau, Chamber of Commerce Manager, who was present In the audience, for Information regarding a citizens' meeting which the Chamber was planning. Mr. Parenteau stated the meeting was scheduled for 7:30 p,m, April 1, 1971 at the Recreation and Parks Building In Morgan Park. He stated articles would appear In the paper announcing the meeting. He stated the Chamber of Commerce was trying to disseminate as much information as possible to the citizens bn this subject, and the meeting would be for the citizens' benefit so they could ask questions and discuss the matter* He stated they were announcing the meeting In several ways, and Council offered suggestions by which the word could possibly be spread even farther, such as flyers In the grocery stores to be put in the bags* Mr, Parenteau further stated there would be representatives of cities employing redevelopment agencies, an appraiser, and other persons familiar with the subject present to answer questions and give their views. Councilman Hamilton stated he felt It was Important that the meeting be announced in every way possible so that everyone will know It Is being held. City Manager Nordby stated he Is Intensely dedicated to C.R.A., and stated he felt it Is the salvation of this community. He commented that he has explored and been Involved with urban renewal and he was afraid of It. He stated he felt C.R.A. gives the people the voice all the way down the line. He stated he was desirous of alt the people of the city being made aware of the true facts about C.R.A., and indicated he would make himself available to speak at any meetings or coffee klatches over a period of several months to explain It to the citizens. 00- Councllman Gregory read to the Council a tetter from Gary DuvaTI, Contract Services Coordinator, County of Los Angeles, outlining the service program used by the City of Be11. She stated Bell was used as an example because it was through Mrs. Celia Mahan, an employee of the City of Betl, that she met Mr. Duvall. She stated she wanted Council to be aware of this service, and felt that since the City 1s growing there might be a jnore equitable way of testing and personnel selection. Councilman Gregory stated she would have copies of Mr. DuvaTI's letter reproduced for each Council member. 00- Councilman Blewett brought up the matter of several Items which require considerable time to hear being scheduled on the same agenda. City Engineer French stated that most of these items had originally been scheduled so as to avoid conflict, but the problem has been that many of the hearings have been continued for one or more meetings, thereby bein^ rescheduled for a meeting where there Is already schemed a potentially lengthy Item. City Manager Nordby stated a system could be set up to try to avoid this. He stated the City Clerk would be given the long-range scheduling, and Council can have It In front of them, so that If It Is necessary to carry a matter over. they will know what Is scheduled for a certain date. 00- C.R.A. DISCUSSED DISCUSSION RE PERSONNEL SELECTION PROGRAM DISCUSSION RE AGENDA SCHEDULING BIB] 37659-U01 1971-U02 03-U02 23-U02 CC-U02 MIN-U02 LI1-U03 FO9591-U03 FO9838-U03 DO9975-U03 C4-U03 MINUTES1-U03 2/6/2003-U04 ROBIN-U04 REGULAR-U05 SESSION-U05 CITY-U06 COUNCIL-U06 1971 03 23 CC MIN(ÌìÙ¦peCU)4828 Adjourned Regular Meeting of the Baldwin PArk City Council Planning Director Charles Chlvetta's resignation, effective April 2» 1971, was presented to the Council, and was accepted with regret. Council requested that City Manager Nordby have a plaque prepared for Mr. Chlvetta In appreciation of his years of service to the City. 00- Councilman Blewett stated he felt any department heads hired In the future should be required to reside In the City, and stated that firstly, we want quality personnel and, secondly, we have an obligation to the community to raise the educational level and bring more professional people Into It. Councilman Gregory questioned the fairness of requiring perhaps one person every six or seven years to move Into the City, when the rest of the department heads may not reside within the City, and the turnover Is Infrequent. Councilman Hamilton stated he did not feel It would be fair to require a man to move from his home when he was not being employed under a contract. City Manager Nordby commented that Imposing residency requirements might make recruitment more difficult. Councilman Blewett stated that possibly, then. If a department head Is hired and has to make a move, he should be required to move to the City; Councilman Gregory agreed, and Councilman Hamilton stated this was a,more equitable suggestion, but felt a person should be given at least a year In which to move. 00- City Manager Nordby Informed Council that Chief of Police Adams and he were going to be in San Francisco on Thursday and Friday, March 25 and 26, to attend a meeting on Community-Police Relation Leadership. 00- Finance Director Duncan requested that Council declare nine push bumpers surplus; these bumpers are fatigued, and have been replaced by Buddy Bumpers. COUNCILMAN BLEWETT MOVED THAT THE NINE PUSH BUMPERS BE DECLARED SURPLUS. COUNCILMAN GREGORY SECONDED. There were no objections. The motion carried and was so ordered. March 23. 1971 Page 7 PLANNING DIRECTOR CHIVETTA RESIGNED EFFECTIVE 4/2/71 DISCUSSION RE RESIDENCY REQUIRE- MENTS FOR DEPARTMENT HEADS C.M. AND C.O.P. TO ATTEND COMM.-POLICE RELATION LEADERSHIP MTG. IN SAN FRANCISCO MARCH 25 AND 26, 1971 MOTION TO DECLARE NINI PUSH BUMPERS SURPLUS MADE AND CARRIED 00- Finance Director Duncan presented a request for an expenditure for fireworks. She stated that In the past the City has allotted $1.000 for a 4th of July display; she Indicated that this year there has been an increase of 8X. There was some discussion about the possibility of a circus, or show of some sort to be combined with the fireworks display and sellinq tickets to permit a larger or better display without the City's spending a superfluous amount for the fireworks. Councilman Gregory also suggested that possibly the Chamber of Commerce could contribute some money toward the cost of the fireworks. COUNCILMAN GREGORY MOVED THAT $1.000 BE ALLOTTED FOR THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY. AND THAT THE FINANCE DIRECTOR BE DIRECTED TO MEET WITH THE FIREWORKS COMPANY. SGT. FLAVIN. AND THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TO ARRANGE A PR)GRAM. COUNCILMAN BLEWETT SECONDED. There were no objections. The motion carried and was so ordered. DISCUSSION RE 4th OF JULY FIRE- WORKS DISPLAY MOTION TO ALLOT $1.00C FOR FIREWORKS AND HAVE PROGRAM ARRANGED MADE AND CARRIED 00- BIB] 37659-U01 1971-U02 03-U02 23-U02 CC-U02 MIN-U02 LI1-U03 FO9591-U03 FO9838-U03 DO9975-U03 C4-U03 MINUTES1-U03 2/6/2003-U04 ROBIN-U04 REGULAR-U05 SESSION-U05 CITY-U06 COUNCIL-U06 1971 03 23 CC MIN(ÌìÙ¦peC00^819 Adjourned Regular Meeting of the Baldwin Park City Council Ma^ch 23, 1971 Page 8 At 9:32 COUNCILMAN GREGORY MOVED THAT THE CITY COUNCIL ADJOURN. COUNCILMAN KING SECONDED. There Were no objections* The motion carried and was so ordered* 00- ADJOURN 9:32 P.M. / fflELMA L. BALKUS, CITVllERK— APPROVED: 7 /______, 1971 Date of Distribution to City Council; /-/^ 1971 Date of Distribution to Departments: y,/^ 1971 BIB] 37659-U01 1971-U02 03-U02 23-U02 CC-U02 MIN-U02 LI1-U03 FO9591-U03 FO9838-U03 DO9975-U03 C4-U03 MINUTES1-U03 2/6/2003-U04 ROBIN-U04 REGULAR-U05 SESSION-U05 CITY-U06 COUNCIL-U06