HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002 05 29 CC MIN SS/SPECIAL2002 05 29 CC MIN SS/SPECIAL I JULIA MCNEILL SENIOR CENTER
4100 BALDWIN PARK BLVD.. SENIOR CENTER HALL
BALDWIN PARK. CA 91706
MAY 29. 2002
WEDNESDAY
7:00 P.M.
The CITY COUNCIL of the City of Baldwin Park met in SPECIAL SESSION at
the above time and place.
ROLL CALL
Present: Councilmembers: Ricardo Pacheco arrived 6:43 p.m.). Bill Van Cleave,
Mayor Pro-Tem Marlen Garcia. and Mayor Manuel Lozano
Absent/Excused: Councilmember Linda Gair
Present: Boardmembers: Jack White. Frank Rivas. Marco Dominguez. Sergio Corona.
and Anthony Bejarano
Also Present Dayte Kelter. Chief Executive Officer Joanne Africa. Deputy City
Attorney; Mark Kling, Chief of Police; Shafique Nafyen Public Works Director; Rick
Forintos. Community Development Director, Manny Carrillo. Recreation/Community
Services Director" Maria A. Contreras. City Treasurer; Mark Skvama. Superintendent.
Baldwin Park USD; Stephen Bayne. Captain, School Police. Baldwin Park USD; Rudy
Gatto. Sergeant. School Police. Baldwin Park USD; and Kathleen Sessman, Deputy
CityCterk
Absent/Excused: Kathryn Tizcareno. City Clerk; and Rosemary M. Ramirez, Chief
Deputy City Clerk
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion was made to approve the agenda as presented.
Motion: Boardmember Corona Second: CouncilmemberVan Cleave Motion Carried
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
Margarita Vargas inquired about the protocol of tonight's meeting. Member White
responded that the format will be open meeting. Ms. Vargas expressed her pleasure
with the School District and the City for their joint effort to discuss issues of mutual
concern.
Mary Ferrer inquired whether Baldwin Park Unified School District green lands are
considered as park space when the Parks and Recreation Department applies for grant
funding for projects. Director Carrillo responded to inquiry stating that traditionally when
the Parks and Recreation Department applies for grants the Baldwin Park Unified
School District green lands are not included. He further stated that there is
approximately 27 acres of park space, which is minimal for a population of 77.000,
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Member White stated that the School District has always made the School District
property available to the city for its use. Ms. Ferrer expressed concern that the City
continues to build homes, yet green lands for the community are not being put aside to
be utilized as parks.
Mayor Pro Tern Garcia stated that this is one of the reasons the City Council and the
School Board have come together. The City of Baldwin Park is lacking green lands and
there is not enough open space available for Parks & Recreation to meet the per capfta
that is required. One of the options is to look at the green lands available through the
schools and incorporate that as additional green space for the community. In response
to Mary Ferrer's inquiry. Mayor Pro Tern Garcia responded that the City has state
mandated requirements to provide a certain amount of housing units per the number of
residents in the community. To date we have not met that requirement.
Mayor Lozano stated that the League of California Cities is presently addressing this
issue throughout the State of California and looking into reviewing and adjusting the
requirements.
Mayor Pro Tern Garcia stated that Congresswoman Hilda Sods is attempting to add the
river as part of the City's open park space. She further stated that this problem is not
going to change, the City is going to continue to grow in population so we need to look
at and use whatever green space is available.
Coundlmember Van Cleave stated that we are going to have to get creative and use
whatever space we have available.
DISCUSSION
JOINT STRATEGIC PLANNING
Chief Executive Officer Keller requested direction from Council and Board regarding
areas of mutual interest and concern.
Member Corona felt it beneficial to discuss Joint Strategic Planning in regards to
compatible or incompatible projects in the City; this would require having much more
dialogue between the two entities. Member Corona requested that the issue of
population growth within the City be addressed and that the two entities work closely
together on issues that are overlapping. Member Corona further stated that it is in the
best interest of the community to maximize resources.
Member White suggested that the school Superintendent and the Cit/s Chief Executive
Officer get together and appoint a committee to better share information between the
two entities.
Member Dominguez stated that the issue of strategic planning will require a meeting
and agenda of its own. He stated that both agencies have previously committed to
meeting yearly and it has been over 3 years since our last meeting. He suggested staff
review the 2+2 Agenda items for the past 3 years and that the major issues addressed
be included under strategic planning. He further suggested that the Superintendent and
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the Chief Executive Officer schedule meetings that are more frequent so that both
entities can better address issues of mutual concern.
Councilmember Van Cleave stated that the 2+2 Meeting concept works. It has
improved communication and the efficiency of both agencies. He further stated that the
2+2 Meetings are being held on a monthly basis and that problems of mutual concern
are being recognized and discussed.
Member Dominguez stated that the only setback with the 2+2 Meetings is that items are
only discussed and action is never taken. He suggested that the 2+2 Meeting include
recommendations regarding issues and that action items be implemented so that when
the two entities meet, action can be taken If so desired.
Mayor Pro Tern Garcia stated that the purpose of the 2+2 Meetings was to start the
process of identifying issues that effect both entities and how best to address them.
She further stated that many of the issues can be addressed at this level, while other
issues will need to be addressed by both bodies. Mayor Pro Tern Garcia stated that
there are some recommendations that the 2+2 can make to the entire body but before
this is implemented, she suggested that both entities sit down and identify projects and
issues of mutual concern that need to be addressed by this entire body. This is an
important meeting so that we can discuss how we want to plan the next steps for our
growth of the 2+2-and a joint body. She further stated that if we are going to have the
Chief Executive Officer & Superintendent meet to discuss certain issues that effect both
bodies, both of them should be present at the 2+2 Meetings so that they can draw from
that meeting, those vital issues that realty need to be addressed by this entire body.
Member White agreed with Mayor Pro Tern Garcia and explained that at present, the
Superintendent is performing several Jobs. He stated that they will have a
representative present and will try to have the Superintendent attend.
Member Bejarano requested that relevant staff attend 2+2 Meetings. Mayor Pro Tern
stated that for the most part, relevant staff has thus far been present and available for
inquiries.
D.A.R.E PROGRAM
Superintendent Skvarna stated that the D.A.R.E program has been discontinued and
the state will not be funding it next year. He further stated that the City Police
Department and School Police Department are working together to create a top-notch
program that will provide everything that D.A.R.E did and more.
Member Rivas commented that beginning in September, the School District is adding a
program similar to the D.A.R.E. program into the school's core curriculum. He further
stated that teachers will be part of that program and will be administering that curriculum
on a daily or weekly basis.
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Chief Kling stated that the City Police Department is working with the School District to
develop a program that will be beneficial to the kids in the community. He further stated
that starting next month the D.A.R.E program officer is going to be reassigned to a
different division of the department, to impact some other issues that the community is
facing.
SCHOOL DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT FEES
Superintendent Skvarna stated that the School District is in the process of conducting a
developer fee analysis study so that developer fees can be increased and adjusted
appropriately.
Mayor Pro Tern Garda suggested developing a policy with a fee escalating clause
provision. Superintendent Skvama stated that State regulations require a complete
analysis whenever changes are made to developer fees. He stated that the purpose of
the analysis is to verify whether we qualify to receive development fees. He further
stated that a developer fee study cost the School District approximately $40,000 and at
this time, that cost is justified because Baldwin Park is growing and it will certainly help
us in the future.
BOND ISSUE
Park Maintenance Assessment
Mayor Lozano provided a brief update regarding the upcoming Park Maintenance
Assessment District Election. He explained that if approved, the increased assessment
would generate approximately $900,000, which would be used to pay for the cost of
maintaining the parks.
Councilmember Van Cleave expressed concern with the voting process used for this
election, specifically the requirement of property owners sign the ballot. Chief Executive
Officer Keller stated that the City is following the procedure of state mandated laws
related to assessments.
School Bond Issue
Superintendent Skvarna stated that the State of California has put together multi-year
bonds to help schools catch up on, modernization and new construction needs. He
stated that for the first time. the Baldwin Park Unified School District is eligible for up to
40 million dollars in new construction funding. Superintendent Skvama stated that all
the construction plans, improvements and projects have been submitted to the State.
Updates will be shared as received.
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TEEN CENTER UPDATE
Mayor Pro Tern Garcia provided a brief update on the proposed teen center. She
stated that all ad-hoc committee meeting and teen input meetings have been conducted
and the information gathered and implemented. She further stated that the architectural
work and design of the center has been submitted, the Environmental Impact Report
has been submitted and approved and the construction of the Teen Center is scheduled
to be finished March 2003. She also stated that adjacent to the Teen Center will be the
new Skate Park. She stated that the City was able to secure funding through grants for
both projects. She expressed appreciation to the Public Works Department for taking
the lead of this project.
WAL-MART SHOPPING CENTER UPDATE
Director Forintos presented a project update as follows: Director Forintos stated that
the Wal-Mart project is moving along quickly. He stated that originally the City needed
to purchase forty properties. The Agency has acquired thirty-three of those properties
with seven remaining. Director Forintos stated that all our efforts have been used to
acquire the last seven properties through friendly negotiations. Unfortunately, at
present, we are in condemnation with the remaining seven. He stated that the
Environmental Impart Report has been processed and finalized, and all the entitlements
have been completed. He further stated that the project is expected to be completed by
late 2003.
Superintendent Skvama requested the help of the City regarding water lines. He stated
that each time the School District does a modernization or works on the site, inspectors
report that there is not enough water pressure, which results in replacing water lines
throughout the City. These are unanticipated, expensive costs to the District.
Superintendent Skvama suggested getting together and talking with the Water
Company.
LICENSED GROUP HOMES WITHIN THE CITY
Principal Planner Harbin provided an update on the group home issue. She stated that
the City is not authorized to regulate group homes of six 6) or less individuals. The
County and State regulate these facilities. She did state however, that the City does
have the ability to regulate homes of more then six 6) individuals. She stated that
these homes fall into certain categories, and that the Superintendent's office is notified
of any entitlements that come before the City.
Member White stated that the School District is obligated to educate and provide for the
special needs of these large group homes, can be very expensive. He explained that
the School District does not object to providing for the children that are rightfully ours,
but having them moved in from other places is becoming a serious problem for our
funding,
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Principal Planner Harbin suggested looking at ways to limit the capacity of homes
through the City's zoning code update, which is presently being embarked on.
Mr. Bejarano inquired to the total number of group homes in the City of Baldwin Park.
Principal Planner Harbin responded to inquiry stating that there is one group home of
more then six 6) individuate and the number of group homes of six 6) or less
individuate is unavailable to the City.
Principal Planner Harbin suggested that the School District contact applicable County
and State agencies and request a list of group homes.
Mayor Lozano inquired whether some type of City Ordinance could be created to solve
this problem. Deputy City Attorney Joanna Africa stated that the State and County
regulate them, the City cannot change state law.
Council suggested obtaining a demographic map or statistics as to how the County
distributes group home permits. Mayor Lozano inquired researching whether more
homes were allocated towards lesser prominent communities and suggested checking
the number of group homes located in surrounding Cities.
Mayor Pro Tern Garcia stated that the disparity of having to pay for the education of kids
who are transported in from other cities, takes away from providing a better education
for our kids.
Superintendent Skvarna stated that the School District wants to service them, however,
servicing non-public placements provides no reimbursement to the District. As such,
those costs are appropriated from the general fund.
QUEEN'S LODGE UPDATE
Director Forintos stated that the Queen's Lodge is one of the properties that the City is
in condemnation procedures with. This matter should be resolved by Summer. 2002.
REQUEST FOR STOP SIGNS OR CROSSING GUARDS AT MAINE & HALLWOOD
AND LOS ANGELES & PHELAN
Chief Kling stated that at the May 1, 2002 Cit/s Traffic Committee Meeting, a 4-way
stop sign was approved at Los Angeles and Phelan and sffbuld be installed in two to
three weeks.
Ms. Vargas requested that both the City and School Police Departments increase the
enforcement of traffic laws in and around schools. She suggested having police officers
go to the schools during peek hours and give out citations. She further suggested
educating parents and students about traffic policies, safety and responsibility.
Chief Kling reported that the School Police Department has a partnership grant that is
addressing these concerns. He stated that the district has asked the City Police to
assist them in patrolling the areas of and around the schools five-days a week to help
enforce traffic laws. He further stated that this is funded through a State Grant, at no
additional cost to either the City or the School District.
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Member White stated that there are three 3) E's in the traffic problem, education,
engineering and enforcement and each one needs to be addressed.
Member Bejarano encouraged the School District to get teachers and principals from
every school to assist with traffic control.
Captain Bayne stated that the School Police Department is presently looking at other
alternatives to assist them in the enforcement of traffic regulations.
SAFE ROUTE TO SCHOOL SIGNS
Chief Kling presented a brief report regarding the number of auto vs. pedestrian
accidents in the City of Baldwin Park. He stated that a new project called Safe
Crossing" is presently being implemented throughout Baldwin Park which will include
new and bigger signs and new fluorescent vests. Chief Kling stated that the City Police
Department has been granted an Office Traffic Safety OTS) Grant. Chief Kling stated
that the Crty Police Department realized that through this grant, there needed to be an
educational element as well as enforcement In addition to increasing the number of
officers in our traffic division, we began the process of developing an educational
program that will work in conjunction with the Baldwin Park Unified School District
Police Department.
COUNCIL / STAFF REQUESTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further matters for discussion, the meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.,
in memory, of Jean Carpenter, former Baldwin Park Unified School District
Boardmember.
Approved by the Council at their meeting held July 2, 2002.
J^a^d.^-^^ a^-Au^ory^
KatMteen R. Sessman^
Deputy City Clerk
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