CITY OF LA HABRA HEIGHTS
MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF
THE LA HABRA HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL
MAY 11, 2006
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Millsap called to order the Regular Meeting of the La Habra Heights City Council on May 11, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. in the Multi purpose Room at 1245 Hacienda Road.
2. ROLL CALL
Members present: Mayor Tela Millsap, Mayor Pro Tem Brian Bergman, Councilmembers Stan Carroll and Fred Klein. Absent: Councilmember Bruce Douglas (excused). Also present: City Attorney Levin, City Manager Bates, Community Development Director Powers, Fire Chief Nielsen, Sheriff Sergeant Jason Wolak and Trans Tech Vice President Robert Quintero.
3. FLAG SALUTE
Mayor Millsap led the flag salute.
4. PRESENTATIONS
á Certificates of Appreciation – La Habra Heights Historical Home Tour Volunteers.
Mayor Millsap and the Council presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the members of the Historical Committee present for their work on the Home Tour: Ruth Wolfarth, Leila Langston, Arlene Norsworthy, Judy Hathaway-Francis and Regina Phelan.
Ruth Wolfarth noted that the entire Committee worked on the Home Tour.
Leila Langston commented that they had a lot of help from many docents and volunteers.
Mayor Millsap also presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Barbara Stracner who helped create a brochure and thanked the Lystrup family, the Boys and Girls Club of La Habra, Burch Ford, Don Steves Chevrolet for their help with the Shuttle Services.
á Public Works Committee, Chairperson Jerry Shipman.
á Emergency Preparedness Committee, Chairperson Kathy Sauble.
Chairperson Kathy Sauble stated that the theme for May is on safety of your home. There will be copies at the Building and Planning Department and City Hall. The EPC (Emergency Preparedness Committee) attended an Emergency Preparedness Academy put on by the American Red Cross; there will be a sign-up sheet for a CERT class at the Avocado Festival; large animal evacuation plans in time of disasters; information about Ňmeals ready to eatÓ.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON MATTERS ON THE AGENDA AND NOT ON THE AGENDA
Crystal Myers, representing the Parks and Recreation Commission, invited everyone to the Avocado Festival and noted there would be wagon rides at the Festival. She brought two birds to show.
Janice Slattery, encouraged everyone to come to the Avocado Festival and noted that the Garden Harvest would be there. Janice stated that they have another member for the Fine Artists and Artisans for La Habra Heights and invited more to join.
George Edwardz, Fullerton Road, stated that last month he requested that the City Council place a proposal to consider a privately established Fire Station on the East Side of the Heights on the May agenda. It was decided that they would instead meet with the City Manager. We have presented a formal proposal for this sub-station. He stated that he and his family intend to finance this. Mr. Edwardz stated that in his opinion the service to the East Side is not adequate. He explained that he has provided a Pierce 4X4 mini pumper for the City, which in his opinion would work on our roads very well. Mr. Edwardz again asked that his proposal for a sub-station on the East Side be placed on the Council agenda for discussion.
William Rioch, Casalero Drive, spoke of his concern about drug use and smoking by young people on Flat Top and the risk of a wildfire starting there. He stated that he has been calling the Sheriff and this is not helping; quick response is needed and he suggested a locked gate there.
Mayor Millsap commented that the SheriffŐs Department and Fire Department are aware of this problem and provide extra patrols at certain times of the year. She suggested that he talk to the City Manager.
Stan Quade, Encanada, noted that a few of the items he complained about have been taken care of; mentioned former Fire Chief Nelson some years ago planned for five (5) sub-stations, but only one happened on the Church property on Harbor; his experience with the City when he built a garage; mansionization should cover the new complex for the City also; high attorney fees.
Mayor Millsap noted that she did not remember the Council approving the sub-stations; it was more like Chief Nelsons wish list. Mayor Millsap also noted that they will be having a Budget sub-committee meeting next Wednesday and Mr. Quade is welcome to attend.
Stephen Blagden, Citron Road, commended the Historical Committee; noted wildfire danger with cigarettes being one of the biggest problems; no citations have been issued for tossing cigarettes out of cars; he suggested that during fire season Hacienda Road be closed.
Roy Francis, Chota Road, commended the firemen; spoke about the time it takes to get to the east side of the Heights; clarified that between L.A. County and La Habra Heights there is no automatic aid and mutual aid only when requested, but not obligated to do so; the same is true with paramedics; resident volunteers; City needs to look for a balanced emergency system to serve the whole City.
0:44:38
5. CITY MANAGERŐS REPORT
City Manager Bates commented that Staff would like to bring to the Council and the public a presentation on how the Fire system works in La Habra Heights at the next meeting. He stated that the firefighters are well trained. Mr. Bates noted that it would cost $750,000 per added station, which would be $350 per parcel, per year. Mr. Bates commented that the mutual aid within the County is very good.
Fire Chief Nielsen stated that response time is very important and we have been talking about additional fire stations. He also stated that Fire Departments like to work together whenever needed. It doesnŐt have to be in writing.
City Manager Bates noted that L.A. County is looking for poll worker volunteers for the June 6 election. He also stated that AEF Development Company is working on the fees for the Community Development Department and we will have the results by the time we are working on the budget hearings. We are also working to make sure we are up to date when it comes to the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). City Managers are trying to develop a new permit for this. We met with the SheriffŐs Department to discuss some of the CityŐs problems. We will also be working on our street sweeping requirements. He noted that they have two reports about the Canyon Fly at City Hall.
6. CITY ATTORNEYŐS REPORT
City Attorney Levin noted that increased attorneyŐs fees have been caused by increased development activity (will be reimbursed), small amount of litigation (good portion of this will be reimbursed), legal cost due to changes in senior personnel (temporary) and the updating of Municipal Code (does not happen often).
7. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORŐS REPORT
Community Development Director Powers noted that the Planning Department caseload has doubled from January to April this year over last year. Mr. Powers asked for residentŐs opinion of the new proposed road signs in brown and orange.
8. CITY ENGINEERŐS REPORT
Trans Tech Vice President Robert Quintero stated that he would wait until Item 19.
9. FIRE CHIEFŐS REPORT
Fire Chief Nielsen asked those on Casalero to come see him as he has a plan he would like to implement and he would like to talk with the residents involved about the Flat Top problem. He noted that he will talk about the weed abatement at Item 18.
10. SHERIFFŐS DEPARTMENT REPORT
Sergeant Jason Wolak, the new representative from the SheriffŐs Department, noted that they will be working on vandalism and speeding. We have arrested one person that admitted to one of the vandalisms in La Habra Heights. He noted that they have issued more traffic citations this year and it should reduce collisions. He noted that as a father he has many of the same concerns that people in this City have and he lives in a City that has horse property.
It is recommended that Items 11 through 17 be acted upon simultaneously by one motion of the City Council unless separate discussion and/or action on an item is requested by a Council Member of a member of the audience.
11. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS – Approve
12. TREASURERŐS REPORT – Approve
13. FISCAL YEAR 2004-05 AUDIT REPORT – Receive and File
14. HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL MONTHLY REPORT – Receive and File-April 2006
15. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – Regular Meeting of March 9, 2006 – Approve
16. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES – Regular Meeting of April 20, 2006 - Approve
17. HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS AND ELECTRONIC WASTE COLLECTION SITING AND LIABILITY AGREEMENT – City Council Approve and Authorize the City Manager to sign the Agreement
Mayor Pro Tem Bergman moved to approve Items 11 through 17. Seconded by Commissioner Carroll and approved as follows:
AYES: Bergman, Carroll, Klein and Millsap
NOES: None
ABSENT: Douglas
1:03:34
Item 19 was taken out of order.
19. FHWA HACIENDA AND FULLERTON ROADS ARCHITECTURAL AGREEMENTS – City Council to adopt attached Resolution No. 06-10 and authorize expenditure of $16,746 in Proposition C Funds for Preliminary Engineering on associated projects
Trans Tech Vice President Robert Quintero reported on the status of the Federal funding we have been seeking for the rain damage of our roads. There are three agreements for three different repair projects. Before you today is a request for authorization to proceed with preliminary engineering design. He noted that 88.53% of this cost will be reimbursed. What we have to match is $16,746, which will come from Proposition C funds.
Councilmember Carroll discussed with Mr. Quintero and Mr. Bates what costs would be covered 100%.
Stephen Blagden, Citron Road, asked if there are any strings attached to the money in the future; are we required to do maintenance in a certain way that we might not want to; he felt that the situation at West and East Roads was pre-existing.
City Manager Bates explained that the strings were that you build the project according to the approved design. The maintenance requirements would be similar to the maintenance requirements that we now have. He noted that Hacienda Road is now recognized on County information as a two-lane road.
Mayor Millsap asked if we are reimbursed for the $16,746, is that all we will be reimbursed?
City Manager Bates explained that at some point when we get to the construction, we may be required to budget the matching for the construction, which will be about 11% of the construction costs. Trans Tech is working on trying to get the two areas on Hacienda Road covered 100%.
Councilmember Carroll offered a motion to adopt Resolution number 06-10 and authorize expenditure of $16,746 in Proposition C Funds for Preliminary Engineering on four road projects. Seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bergman and approved as follows:
AYES: Bergman, Carroll, Klein and Millsap
NOES: None
ABSENT: Douglas
OLD BUSINESS
Taken out of order.
18. FIRE DEPARTMENT WEED ABATEMENT STATUS REPORT FOR APRIL 2006 – Receive and File
Fire Chief Neilsen reported that we had 64 legal notices returned this year. Last year we had 288 returned. We have inspected about 90% of our improved parcels. We have been working on City property and will soon be done.
Judy Hathaway-Francis commended the road clearance on East Road; she noted that the City of Monrovia has used goats to trim their canyons and this might be useful for us.
Fire Chief Nielsen noted that he had looked into this some time ago, it was expensive and the man was reluctant when he saw our coyotes, but the Chief stated that he would be glad to look into it again.
City Manager Bates agreed that they should look into this and noted that he and the Fire Chief had agreed to start clearing canyons where they could and work with the Habitat Authority to get some done each year.
Councilmember Klein offered a motion to receive and file. Seconded by Councilmember Carroll and approved as follows:
AYES: Bergman, Carroll, Klein and Millsap
NOES: None
ABSENT: Douglas
NEW BUSINESS
20. CITY COUNCIL DELEGATES TO COMMITTEES AND ORGANIZATIONS – Council Policy
The consensus of the Council was that the only changes made would be on the JPIA: the delegate will be Mayor Pro Tem Bergman unless the by-laws require it to be the Mayor. L.A. County Sanitation District will have Mayor Millsap as the delegate.
CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
There were no Council comments.
CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA AND NOT ON THE AGENDA
No public comments.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Millsap adjourned the City Council meeting at 9:04 p.m. to the next meeting on June 8, 2006.
ATTEST:
____________________________________________
CITY MANAGER/CITY CLERK, RONALD BATES