HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997 09 03 CC MIN SS1997 09 03 CC MIN SS @˜ } : MIN SS SEP 3 1997[Þ›[H6*8 REGULAR STUDY SESSION MEETING OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BALDWIN PARK, CITY
HALL, 14403 EAST PACIFIC AVENUE, WEDNESDAY,
SEPTEMBER 3,1997
The City Council met in regular study session in the
Council Chambers at 6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS LOZANO, MUSE, VAN
CLEAVE, AND MAYOR LOWES
ALSO PRESENT: City Attorney Olivas,
City Manager Yeats,
Acting Chief of Police Kies,
Dir. of Community Development Cervantes,
Dir. of Public Works Mousavi,
Dir. of Rec/Community Services Nunez,
City Treasurer Montenegro,
Deputy City Clerk Branek, and
City Clerk Gair
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TOPIC OF DISCUSSION
Director of Public Works Mousavi introduced Richard Stanger, Executive Director of
Metrolink and told that had accepted the invitation to attend the meeting to hear the
issues that relate to Metrolink. The meeting with Mr. Stanger is the result of Oral
Communications where the residents brought their concerns to Council. Representatives
from Sacramento were also invited to be in attendance to hear the community concerns
about Metrolink.
Maria Estrada, 3112 Paddy Lane, stated the noise from the Metrolink is unbearable,
the engineer blows the whistle by her back yard, there is no rest, and it shakes the
house like an earthquake. She called her insurance company about damage to her
home and they would not pay her claim, because it was due to the trains. She
presented pictures of the damage.
Gordino Perez, stated that he was at a train crossing, about 30 seconds after the
warning signals start working, about 1/2 block away, the engineer begins blowing the
horn continuously. The horn blowing is especially bad at dawn and dusk.
April Dawn Walker, 3656 Paddy Lane, told that before Metrolink started running, she
had spent $50,000 to improve her home. Now, she has a crack across her patio, cracks
on all the windows in the new addition, a wood fence that is falling apart, because of the
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1997 09 03 CC MIN SS @˜ } : MIN SS SEP 3 1997[Þ›[H6*8REGULAR STUDY SESSION OF THE CITY PAGE NO. 2
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BALDWIN PARK SEPTEMBER 3, 1997
vibration. As soon as Metrolink gets behind her house the engineer starts blowing the
horn, her animals are affected, and you cannot talk on the phone when the train goes
by. She further stated that she attended a meeting with Metrolink in the past and at that
time they stated that only 5 trains would go by in the morning and 5 trains in the
evening, and no train would be more than 5 cars long. There was a tree growing on
Metrolinks side of the tracks which was supposed to be removed, but never was. There
is no privacy and a 12' wall needs to be erected along the corridor. She suffers from
20% hearing loss due to the noise of the trains. The trains run 25 feet from the backs
of the houses.
Lorenza Monavez, spoke about her fence falling down, and her windows loose due to
vibrations.
Leonel Valarde, 3872 Paddy Lane, stated that noise has always been a problem with
Metrolink, but more important is the safety issue. There are 5 Crossings very close to
each other in the City and the engineer blows the horn as hard as he Can. There are
three school yards directly behind the railroad tracks, at each of these Crossings, many
children cross these tracks, and the trains go no less than 40 miles an hour at those
crossings. The train horns blow from 5a.m. till 10p.m. Some neighbors that signed the
petition complain about their pets being traumatized, other neighbors complain about the
dust and all complain about the noise. There is no privacy, and the residents cannot
use their backyards. The schools have to stop their sessions when the trains roll by, and
little leagues have to stop their games. He asked that Metrolink slow the trains down,
and to stop using the horns and to use a bell. The City of Los Angeles, Blue Line Train
was using a horn in the beginning, now they use a bell, at moderate speeds. He also
asked for more security to be provided at the crossings.
David Avi Ia, 3848 Paddy Lane, stated that representatives from Southern Pacific should
have been asked to attend the meeting, that it is not just Metrolink but the freight trains.
He turned in a petition signed by people that could not be present at the meeting
Exhibit A). There is a train that travels to Los Angeles between 3:30 and 5:00 p.m. and
it speeds at about 50 miles per hour, because there is no stop in the City. His concerns
are for safety, noise, and the decline in property values. When he originally bought his
home the track was a spur. When Metrolink came in the people were told that there
would be a limited number of trains, 5 in the morning and 5 in the evening. Now the
trains are running on Saturdays all day, and they are thinking of running a beach train
on Sundays. When the fair begins, there will be fair specials. There was special trains
run for the car race in Fontana.
Mayor Lowes stated that the minutes of this meeting would be sent to each person that
signed the petition that could not attend the meeting. Also, she announced that
Jeannette Vazquez, a representative of Assemblyman Gallegos and Robert Barajas,
representing Senator Hilda Solis were present to hear the community concerns with
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1997 09 03 CC MIN SS @˜ } : MIN SS SEP 3 1997[Þ›[H6*8REGULAR STUDY SESSION OF THE CITY PAGE NO. 3
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BALDWIN PARK SEPTEMBER 3, 1997
Metrolink.
Ray Bates, 3431 Paddy Lane, stated that 26 years ago when he bought his property
a train ran once a month down the tracks. Now, trains run all the time. His house
sounds like rice-crispies all the time, it has never settled. His yard has dropped 6 inches,
because it is sandy soil and rocks, his driveway has cracked all the way across all
caused by the vibrations of the trains. The vibrations are so bad it feels like an
earthquake His home is located across from a water tank, the noise that vibrates from
the train to the water tank is another problem. At 5:15 a.m. he wakes up every morning
because the train whistle blows from the Baldwin Park Station all the way to Francisquito
Avenue. He had to get a rehabilitation loan to fix his house because it was cracking all
the plaster. He felt that a sound wall needs to be installed along the tracks. The freight
trains run twice a night, one at 9:30 p.m. and at 12:30a.m. He requested Council check
the 3300 block and the 3400 block of Paddy Lane to see how many people have sold
their property.
Oscar Cristerna, Jr., 3449 Feather, stated that he had two concerns: 1) paint the
median curb red by the tracks; and 2) the noise. He asked that Metrolink cut down
on the blowing of the horn.
Pat Lisberg, 3550 Paddy Lane, stated her concern is the property values, they
continue to go down in her neighborhood. The new neighbors tell that they negotiated
the selling price down because of the trains. When they bought the property they were
told that there were only a few trains, but since learned that's not true. She and her
husband have lived in their home for 32 years and are nearing retirement age. The other
issues are the noise, the dust, the dirt, and all the tiles are falling off her swimming pool.
Bob and Linda Gair, 3741 Maine, stated that they have lived in the City for 38 years on
Maine Avenue, on one acre of property, the home has had additions or been modified
5 times. Their intention was to live there after retirement, but after retirement they will
sell their homes by the railroad tracks. Their quality of life has been destroyed, by 96
decibel blasts from the train horns. The excuse that the personality of the engineers
comes through on the horn blasting is ridiculous. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gair have
experienced a loss of hearing, their ears ring most of the time, the bamboo lining on the
fence has been totally ripped out to shreds. Their home is 120 feet from the tracks.
When Metrolink gave their presentation, the trains would run a few times a day and
property values would zoom. A Negative Declaration even declared that the noise
would have no significant effect on residential areas, and that may be true if you live in
Claremont. She asked Metrolink the following: 1) Will you co-sponsor a federal
application for Baldwin Park to be a quiet zone like Covina? 2) Is it true that Metrolink
will lease the track to Southern Pacific to roll all night long to service the Alameda
Corridor with heavy freight trains? 3) Will Metrolink really listen to the people? and
4) Will Metrolink work with us with the same attitude you did with Covina or will the
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COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BALDWIN PARK SEPTEMBER 3, 1997
people be subjected to the old west attitude, people don't matter, only the trains do?
Rosalba and Juan Serrano, 3245 Feather, stated that they have a 5 month old baby
that wakes up every time the Metrolink passes by their home. The freight train passes
at 4:00 a.m. blowing the horn behind her home. Her father was visiting and thought the
train was an earthquake. She has suffered fainting spells, because the Metrolink makes
her dizzy when it passes by. Mr. Serrano stated that they will be moving out of the
house in two weeks. His father-in-law is in construction and he suggested higher walls
along the track and wetting down the tracks to alleviate the dust.
Lucy Davis, 3357 Paddy Lane, stated that she lives on the opposite side of the tracks.
The vibration is very bad, cannot leave the doors open, cannot hear your television, and
cannot talk on the telephone.
Abelardo Rodriguez, 3840 Paddy Lane, commented that when the elections come
around Council looks for the vote of the people and now the people look to Council for
help.
Sergio Cervantes, 3529 Feather, stated that he moved to Baldwin Park 5 years ago,
thinking that it was a good place for a starter home. He too complained about the
honking of the horn at 5:15 a.m., privacy is gone, cannot use their backyards, and can't
relax at home. He doesn't think anyone will ever buy his home.
Blanca Espadas, 3360 Paddy Lane, stated that two weeks ago her daughter brought to
her attention the recent Metrolink wreck and explained that her daughter is now afraid
to play in the backyard. She told of her daughter's schoolmate that had a foot race
with the train after school. She regrets buying her home, she did not know that the train
would pass more than 15 time a day.
Samuel D. Craig, 3533 Feather, stated that he has lived in his home since 1952. When
he bought his home there were to be only two trains a week. The Metrolink
representative at the first meeting stated that a solid track would be put in, the track
needs expansion joints, so that was not true. The engineers blow the horn continually
through the City. The freight trains have flat wheels which makes a thumping sound.
The railroad has let the people down all the way.
Mayor Lowes summed up that the peoples concerns are the noise, dust, lack of
privacy, speed, declining of property values, and safety. Representatives from Senator
Solis' Office and Assemblyman Gallegos' Office were present and will report back to the
Senator and Assemblyman the concerns of the Council, the people and the City Staff.
She offered Mr. Richard Stanger the opportunity to address the audience. The City of
Baldwin Park does not want to be treated any differently than other cities, and she asked
Will Metrolink work with us as they are working with Covina?' What can Metrolink
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1997 09 03 CC MIN SS @˜ } : MIN SS SEP 3 1997[Þ›[H6*8REGULAR STUDY SESSION OF THE CITY PAGE NO. 5
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BALDWIN PARK SEPTEMBER 3, 1997
do?" and What is Metrolink planning on doing to help the problems that have been
stated?"
Richard Stanger, Executive Director of Metrolink, started by saying that it would have
been easy for him to send someone else to the meeting, but he chose to be present.
He realizes that noise is a problem, and he will work with the City toward implementing
what is called a Quiet Zone", just like Covina is in the process of doing.
Federal Law requires that the horn be blown and that it starts 1/4 mile or 1400 feet before
each crossing and that it be blown in a certain pattern. The last sounding must continue
as the locomotive passes the crossing. Studies have shown that horn blowing saves
lives, and the statistics are valid. However, there is an opportunity to take certain
measures to make it so no one can go around the gate then the Federal Government
will allow you to limit the horn blowing, to only emergencies.
It is not the intention of Metrolink to have any Alameda Corridor trains on this line.
Vibration studies have been done, but Metrolink would be willing to work with the City
in doing vibration studies in Baldwin Park. The Metrolink has a welded rail, the vibrations
are a drop off of 20 feet. Structures vibrate beyond the 20 feet, they vibrate nowhere
near where structural integrity is affected. The speeds are about 50 miles per hour in this
area, and the speeds would not be dropped.
Noise from the train comes from the smoke stack which is 15 feet high, some noise
from the wheel at the track, and noise from the mechanics inside. A fence would have
to be 16 feet high. There are 24 trains that pass a day. He further stated that the
focus should be on the noise of blowing the horn, and the Quiet Zone". He committed
to working with staff and the community.
Mayor Lowes stated that at 7.00 p.m. a Council Meeting was scheduled to start. It was
important to start the meeting on time, because Tomas Montoya was being honored and
has a tight schedule. She thanked Mr. Stanger for attending the meeting and for
agreeing to work with staff. In response to Mayor Lowes, City Clerk Gair stated that
notices were mailed for this meeting so notices could be mailed again.
In response to Councilmember Lozano, Mr. Stanger stated that every train must blow
the horn, the people do not want the 5:15 a.m. horn. In order to not have the horn
traffic improvements are necessary.
Councilmember Lozano stated that he was not satisfied with the information provided by
Mr. Stanger. He requested another meeting with more input from the public. It's not
right for the City staff to conduct a study while Mr. Stanger is present. He further
stated that he did not believe that the train did not do structural damage to the homes.
He is concerned about the dust pollution and the affect to the residents 20 years from
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COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BALDWIN PARK SEPTEMBER 3,1997
now.
Mayor Lowes stated that this has been addressed in the past, Mr. Stanger stated that the
horns have to honk by law, in the past they have been cut down, and the individual
engineers do control how long they blow the horn. She invited those wishing to speak
to continue the meeting after the Council meeting.
Mr. Stanger stated that he had to catch the 8:00 p.m. train and would not be able to stay
for the meeting.
Mayor pro tern Muse requested a Study Session for an update on the Metrolink meeting
on September 17th.
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Mayor Lowes adjourned the Study Session at 7:00 p.m. There were no objections.
LINDA L. GAIR, CITY CLERK
BETTY BRANEK, DEPUTY CITY CLERK
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1997 09 03 CC MIN SS @˜ } : MIN SS SEP 3 1997[Þ›[H6*8 E[HIBIT A
To: Petition to Mayor Lowes
From: Citizens of Baldwin park
Re: Petition for Sound Barriers Along Train Right-of-Way
Whereas the Metrolink Tmins have caused severe discomfort due to
excessive noise, vibration and speed we the undersigned demand an
investigation and immediate remedial action to alleviate these conditions.
Far too often train engineers blow the horn while speeding through this city.
We demand this practice cease and desist. Sound barrier walls must be
constructed to minimize the noise level of passing trains.
NAME Address Telephone Number
* Page 1
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1997 09 03 CC MIN SS @˜ } : MIN SS SEP 3 1997[Þ›[H6*8To: Petition to Mayor Lowes
From Citizens of Baldwin Park
Re: Petition for Sound Barriers Along Train Right-of-Way
Whereas the Metrolink Tmins have causeel severe discomfort due to
excessive noise, vibmtion and speed we the undersigned demand an
investigation and immediate remedial action to alleviate these conditions.
Far too Often tmin engineers blow the horn while speeding through this city.
We demand this pmctice cease and desist. Sound barrier walls must be
constmcted to minimize the noise level of passing tmins.
NAME Address Telephone Number
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