CITY OF LA HABRA HEIGHTS
MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING OF
THE LA HABRA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL
MARCH 24, 2005
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Borrowe called to order the Special Meeting of the La Habra Heights City Council at 7:14 P.M., March 24, 2005 in the Multi Purpose Room at 1245 Hacienda Road.
2. ROLL CALL
Members present were Mayor Borrowe, Mayor Pro Tem Douglas, Councilmembers Carroll, Klein and Millsap. Also present: City Attorney Levin, City Manager Hendrickson, Superior Court Judge Michael A. Cowell, Fire Chief Nielsen, and Sheriff Lieutenant Ault.
3. FLAG SALUTE
Judy Hathaway Francis led the flag salute.
Item 4. was moved to the end of the program.
5. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING RELATED TO THE 2005 WEED ABATEMENT PROGRAM
City Manager Hendrickson stated that this is a continued public hearing from the March 10, 2005 City Council Meeting to receive and consider public comments related to the 2005 Weed Abatement Program for vacant parcels within La Habra Heights.
Mayor Borrowe opened the meeting for Public Comments. There were no comments. Mayor Borrowe closed the Public Comment portion of Item 5 and brought the meeting back to the Council for comments.
City Attorney Levin explained that it would be appropriate to have a motion to proceed in accordance with Resolution 05-03 and direct the Fire Chief to identify properties that do not comply with the requirements for Weed Abatement and to proceed with abatement of weeds on such parcels.
Councilmember Klein offered the motion to adopt Resolution 05-03 and direct the Fire Chief to identify properties that do not comply with the May 1 deadline and to abate the weeds on such parcels. The motion was seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Douglas and approved as follows:
AYES: Borrowe, Carroll, Douglas, Klein and Millsap
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
6. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING RELATED TO THE EMERGENCY ORDINANCE REGARDING ABATEMENT OF DANGEROUS BUILDINGS
City Manager Hendrickson explained that this is a continued item on the Public Hearing related to the Emergency Ordinance regarding abatement of dangerous buildings section 8115 of the La Habra Heights Municipal Code being considered and replacement of Ordinance 257U (Emergency Ordinance) which was adopted. It basically establishes a process, a Building Rehabilitation Appeals Board, as we do not have authority to order vacation of a building or to obtain a warrant to have a building demolished without that in place.
Mr. Hendrickson stated that this was an Emergency Ordinance and now we need to replace it with a permanent Ordinance.
Mayor Borrowe opened the meeting for Public Comment on Item 6. There were no Public Comments. Mayor Borrowe closed Public Comment and brought the meeting back to the Council for comments.
Councilmember Carroll offered a motion to Adopt Ordinance No. 257. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Klein and approved as follows:
AYES: Borrowe, Carroll, Douglas, Klein and Millsap
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
7. CANVASS OF VOTE OF CITY COUNCIL ELECTION, MARCH 8, 2005
City Manager Hendrickson reported as City Clerk, the official results of the election of March 8, 2005. We also have Resolution 05-10 declaring the results as required by law, and certifying the ballot thereof. The Mayor and City Clerk must sign the Resolution.
The results for the City Council Election are as follows:
Brian Bergman – 1109 votes
Stan Carroll – 1369 votes
Ray Fernandez – 471 votes
Katie Martin – 672 votes
Tela Millsap – 917 votes
Mr. Bergman was elected to the Council and Mr. Carroll and Ms. Millsap were re-elected. Measure A was approved Yes: 1224 to No: 279. Measure B was approved Yes: 1212 to No: 302. Both measures required a majority vote.
Councilmember Klein offered a motion to adopt Resolution 05-10. The motion was seconded by Mayor Borrowe and approved as follows:
AYES: Borrowe, Carroll, Douglas, Klein and Millsap
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
8. INSTALLATION OF COUNCILMEMBERS ELECTED MARCH 8, 2005
The Constitutional Oath of Office will be administered by Superior Court Judge Michael A. Cowell to the three elected Councilmembers.
Judge Cowell congratulated both the returning Councilmembers and the new Councilmember. Judge Cowell administered the oath to the three elected Councilmembers.
Mayor Borrowe noted that Mayor Pro Tem Douglas would now conduct the Meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Douglas introduced the new Councilmember, Brian Bergman, to the audience, noting that he was the Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission. He also introduced the two returning Councilmembers, Stan Carroll and Tela Millsap. Mayor Pro Tem Douglas noted that he was no longer the youngest Councilmember, it was now Brian Bergman. He commented that Councilmember Klein had served the City for 14 years.
9. REORGANIZATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Klein nominated Mayor Pro Tem Douglas to be Mayor of La Habra Heights. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Carroll and approved as follows:
AYES: Bergman, Carroll, Douglas, Klein and Millsap
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Douglas nominated Councilmember Millsap for Mayor Pro Tem. He stated that he is doing this because updating the municipal code is going to be burdensome with many details and keeping track of various processes. He commented that Tela Millsap does a very good job of this. The nomination was seconded by Councilmember Carroll and approved as follows:
AYES: Bergman, Carroll, Douglas, Klein and Millsap
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
10. COMMISSION AND COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
a. Members and Alternate Member of the Planning Commission
b. Members and Alternates for Parks and Recreation Commission
c. Members and Alternates for Public Works CommitteeÕ
d. Members and Alternates for Budget Advisory Committee
e. Members and Alternates for emergency Preparedness Committee
f. Members and Alternates for Historical Committee
Mayor Douglas explained that the process in place for several years for the Planning Commission is that each Councilmember appoints a Commission member and then the Alternate is appointed by the Council as a whole.
Councilmember Carroll suggested that they continue the appointments until the next Council Meeting.
Councilmember Klein stated that he agrees and thinks we need more time to consider this.
Mayor Pro Tem Millsap noted that the Planning Commission would have a meeting before the Council has their next meeting.
City Attorney Levin commented that all of the current Planning Commissioners would continue in their terms until their successors are appointed. The only exception is their Vice Chairman, Brian Bergman, and there is an alternate that would fill out the five Commissioners needed.
After discussion the consensus of the Council was to continue Item 10 until the next Council Meeting.
Mayor Douglas offered a motion to defer consideration of Item 10 until the next City Council Meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Carroll and approved as follows:
AYES: Bergman, Carroll, Douglas, Klein and Millsap
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
11. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER APPOINTMENTS TO VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
Mayor Douglas stated that he would like to continue Item 11 also and he asked all of the Councilmembers to review what Organizations they have been following. There are several Organizations which have significant impact on La Habra Heights. He noted that it is important that we keep in touch with them.
City Manager Hendrickson noted that there is one exception, for the L.A. Sanitation District, by law the Mayor is the Delegate.
Mayor Douglas suggested that at the next Meeting each Councilmember have one or two Organizations that they would be willing to be primary on and one or two that they would be willing to be an alternate for.
Councilmember Carroll commented that Congress recently passed a bill that authorized a feasibility study creating a National Park. Councilmember Carroll showed the map for the study and noted that it includes La Habra Heights. Mr. Carroll asked that this be on the next Agenda for a Staff Report. He stated that Diamond Bar has sent a letter asking that they be removed from this study. So far they have not had a response.
City Manager Hendrickson stated that he would be able to have a Staff report on this for the next Meeting.
Mayor Douglas offered a motion to defer consideration of Item 11 until the next Council Meeting. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Carroll and approved as follows:
AYES: Bergman, Carroll, Douglas, Klein and Millsap
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Douglas explained that they will now consider Item 4 (Presentations) which is the Presentation to the outgoing Councilmember and Mayor Ed Borrowe and we can then adjourn so people can talk with the Councilmembers and former Mayor Ed Borrowe.
Mayor Douglas presented a brief history of how Mr. Borrowe worked for the good of the City. Mr. Douglas noted that Ed Borrowe has worked to improve the City budget and Accounting system. He has managed to improve many things in the City. He also took part in encouraging the updating of the General Plan. Mr. Borrowe has always worked to keep the unique character of the City. Mr. Borrowe believes that the City money belongs to the people and he wishes not to spend any of it unless he thinks it is for the good of the residents. He has always stood firm on his beliefs.
Mayor Douglas continued with the La Habra Heights Official City Presentation of thanks for his many accomplishments and stated that Ed Borrowe is a valued citizen of La Habra Heights. Mr. Borrowe was presented with the Mayors pin which carries the City Logo.
Mr. Borrowe commented that he has served as he has on behalf of all of the residents in the City. He stated that he felt appreciated and he also appreciated the Council. His issues were always coming from Òwhat is best for the CommunityÓ view. He thanked his wife Cecelia for her support and help.
Patricia Fabio, representing Congressman Gary Miller, congratulated the elected Councilmembers, Stan Carroll, Tela Millsap and Brian Bergman. She presented a Certificate to Ed Borrowe recognizing his service as Mayor of La Habra Heights.
Gary Neeley, representing Assemblyman Bob Huff, thanked Cecelia Borrowe for her hospitality since Bob Huff took office in November. Mr. Neeley presented Mr. Borrowe a Certificate of Recognition from Assemblyman Bob Huff, in honor of his leadership as Mayor and Councilmember for the City of La Habra Heights and his service to the Community.
Georgia Drakos, representing many grateful Citizens, thanked him for the job he has done and how he has done it. She presented Ed Borrowe with a certificate to a day spa, a T-shirt saying ÒI Survived La Habra Heights City CouncilÓ. Mr. Borrowe explained that he has loved sailing, but learned just by watching and now he has signed up for a beginning sailing class. He was presented with a fowl weather jacket and gloves for his sailing activities.
The Councilmembers individually made comments of appreciation to Ed Borrowe.
Mayor Douglas stated that he would not be in town on the date of the Regular Council Meeting for April 14th. He asked the Council to consider an alternate date.
The consensus of the Council was to hold the Regular City Council Meeting on April 21.
City Manager Hendrickson noted that the new Councilmembers need to sign the Oath of Affirmation before they leave.
Mayor Douglas adjourned the City Council meeting at 8:12 P.M. to the next regular City Council meeting on April 21, 2005.
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK, JOHN F. HENDRICKSON