CITY OF LA HABRA HEIGHTS
MINUTES OF A REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING
JANUARY 11, 2007
Mayor Millsap called the January 11, 2007 Regular City Council Meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Present: Mayor Tela Millsap, Mayor Pro Tem Brian Bergman, Councilmembers Stan Carroll, Bruce Douglas, Fred Klein and City Attorney Sandra Levin.
Mayor Millsap announced that the Council is going into Closed Session for a performance evaluation and negotiation regarding the City Manager pursuant to the following information:
G.C. 54957 and 54957.6
Title: City Manager
The negotiator is the Mayor.
1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
Mayor Millsap called the Regular City Council Meeting of January 11, 2007 to order at 7:44 p.m. She stated they have just come out of Closed Session and asked the City Attorney if there was anything to report.
City Attorney Levin noted that there was a performance evaluation and labor negotiation with an unrepresented employee. The City Council unanimously voted to offer the City Manager the option to either have use of a City vehicle or a $500 per month car allowance.
2. ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor Tela Millsap, Mayor Pro Tem Brian Bergman, and Councilmembers Stan Carroll, Bruce Douglas and Fred Klein.
Staff: City Attorney Sandra Levin, City Manager Ronald Bates, Community Development Director Justin Powers, City Engineer Majdi Ataya, Fire Chief John Nielsen, and Sheriff Lieutenant Michael Claus.
3. FLAG SALUTE
The flag salute was led by Nathan Questor, sophomore from Sonora High School and member of FFA.
4. PRESENTATIONS
á Public Works Committee, Chairperson Jerry Shipman
Jerry Shipman noted that they expect to get the regular maintenance completed without difficulty. We need to figure out an assessment for the next term, which will have to be done by the end of June. There are also some Capital Improvements that must be taken care of.
á Emergency Preparedness Committee, Chairperson Kathy Sauble
Kathy Sauble gave an update of her discussion with Edison about how to handle power outages. She answered questions that have been asked about what she does in the Emergency Preparedness Committee. Ms. Sauble reviewed suggestions that she had covered during 2006. She mentioned that the CERT classes start in La Mirada Saturday, January 13, 2007.
á Water Replenishment District of Southern California: Adeline Yoong
Adeline Yoong, Government Affairs Manager for the Water Replenishment District (WRD) of Southern California, presented an overview of the WRD. She presented a history of the problems that caused the WRD to be formed in 1959 and what they provide. Ms. Yoong stated that they do have ground water tours of some of these facilities.
Mayor Millsap commented that they have a new timer system and will try to bring the meetings back to efficiency and decorum. We will try to keep the comments to three minutes and any cards received after the meeting starts will be heard at the end of the meeting unless it is on a specific agenda Item.
Stan Quade, Encanada, stated that he was offended by the timer clock. He stated that the Council is not consistent with the time allowed to different speakers. He mentioned that Stan Carroll had represented the people of this Community despite great odds. Mr. Quade noted that people listen to campaign promises. Before we start something we should have enough money to finish the project. He mentioned having questions for Councilmember Klein.
Joyce Jensen, requested that Councilmember Douglas resign immediately from the Council because of the way he spoke about several residents at the last meeting and lumped them together as a group having a vendetta against him in order to reduce their individual concerns about a project. She remarked that the Council and Commissions have asked for volunteers, but why would anyone want to volunteer to face such abuse from a Councilmember. Ms. Jensen asked why Mr. Douglas was not asked to stop his tirade against residents. She asked for comments from the Council.
Vincent Gomez, West Road, stated that he is running for City Council. He stated that his platform is: Leave the Park alone; No New City Hall; Affordable Fire Station at current site.
Sandy Dykier, Picaacho, spoke about the necessity for a plan of what to do for the City in case of an earthquake. She noted that none of the Council lives in this City, so whom do we contact? Where do people go if their home collapses or they are not prepared for an emergency? She stated that we need someone who is qualified to take care of what has to be done in case of an emergency who lives in this City. Ms. Dykier expressed her concern that if a water pumping station goes down, it will take a very long time to replace it. She noted that we have to be sure that in any emergency we do the correct things so that FEMA will help us financially. We need Staff to send a plan to every resident on how to get out of our City in an emergency.
Ms. Dykier commented that Parks and Recreation is in great need of volunteers to help them continue and people need to know about the Parks and Recreation Committee and their meetings.
Howard Vipperman, Chota Road, stated that he is running for City Council. He is the president and CEO of a rubber company and he and his wife are an active part of this Community. Mr. Vipperman stated that he and his wife will have an open house at the Golf Club on Friday, February 9 between 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. to meet the community and let them talk to him about his platform.
Donna Kimball, representing the Rancho La Habra Republican Women, spoke about the group and that they need members. She read her letter asking for new members. Our purpose is to be informed and grow in knowledge of Republican issues and to support candidates that we consider worthy to represent us. We meet every 3rd Wednesday and do not meet in the summer. Every meeting is meant to educate us. Membership is $20 and Associate is $17. Call (562)-691-2089.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
0:49:10
5. CITY MANAGERŐS REPORT
City Manager Bates stated that staff is working on refining the options for the new Fire Station to be located either at West and Hacienda or the present site. We have received a tentative report from a second Geotechnical Engineer and he thinks there may be a less expensive way to mitigate the site at West and Hacienda. We should have more information on this site ready at the February Meeting. We are also looking into modular construction. We will be meeting with Mayor Millsap and Councilmember Carroll to discuss the potential for developing a resident survey.
Mr. Bates noted there would be a Council CandidateŐs Forum on February 13, Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., sponsored by the League of Women Voters and will be taped for our cable network.
Mr. Bates commented that three people have applied for the Parks and Recreation Committee and we will be interviewing them. We need one permanent member and up to three Alternates.
Mr. Bates spoke about a HOSEC meeting to discuss the AERA project between Harbor and the 57 freeway. The Steering Committee discussed hiring a Public Information firm to get good quality information out to the residents of Diamond Bar about the traffic impacts and costs involved with taking on 2800 homes within their City.
Councilmember Douglas added that LA County had decided that this project was not a good idea, and AERA went to Diamond Bar, who might be more lenient on the project, to annex the property.
Councilmember Klein noted that nothing came out of the Closed Session concerning this, but besides the 2800 homes in Diamond Bar, AERA would like to place another 150 homes that would have access off of Harbor. This is better than all of them accessing from Harbor as they had wanted, but it is still a concern to us as to the added traffic.
Mr. Bates commented that due to the schedule of the election, the City Council Meeting of March 8th would have to be moved to March 15th.
Councilmember Douglas asked if there is an update on 707 Dorothea and the related properties.
Community Development Director Powers explained that on the related properties they have moved ahead on the Code Enforcement.
0:57:41
6. CITY ATTORNEYŐS REPORT
George Edwardz, Fullerton Road, asked how long we maintain a copy of the video tapes for the City Council meetings.
City Manager Bates stated that they would supply him with the written policy of all record retention lengths.
City Attorney Levin stated that there was no State law on this, but it is determined by the City's policies.
Ms. Levin stated that she had no report tonight.
0:59:53
7. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORŐS REPORT
Justin Powers asked for City Engineer Majdi Ataya to report on the Chilson traffic problem.
Mayor Millsap stated that she got another report of an incident there today.
City Engineer Majdi Ataya stated that he has been asked to look into the situation. He stated that he looked over the traffic reports to see if there is anything they can do. Mr. Ataya stated that he would look into different options that might help and bring his suggestions back to the council.
Councilmember Douglas noted that when they went through the traffic calming, one thing mentioned was a noise strip, which we did not try.
City Manager Bates commented that they would also see that the 15 MPH speed sign at the curve on Hacienda Road is replaced.
1:03:13
8. FIRE CHIEFŐS REPORT
Mayor Millsap mentioned that there had been a number of false reports made recently.
Fire Chief Nielsen stated that he has not included them in his written report. He read two letters that he received, one from the Mayor of Moorpark thanking our Fire Department for the work they did on their wildfire. This is how we help each other in emergencies. The other letter from a resident included a donation and thanks for saving her husbands life and the professionalism shown and speedy response time.
1:7:19
9. SHERIFFŐS DEPARTMENT REPORT
Mayor Millsap noted that the Hazardous citations were up and that would mean an increased revenue. She asked how they handle false Fire Department calls.
SheriffŐs Department Lieutenant Claus noted that the Highway Patrol currently takes all of the 911 cell phone calls. We are working on having all of those calls transferred directly to where they should be. This will probably be ready by July or August. LASO will need 8-10 additional people to work those calls. There are approximately 6000 cell phone calls per day. He stated that if a call reporting a crime originates on a regular line, it is recorded and kept. If it is a false report, it is a misdemeanor with a penalty of up to one year in jail and a fine. If fire or police are injured responding to that call, it is a felony, which results in a prison term. If we receive a 911 call it shows the name and address of the call and if they hang up or there is silence on the phone we respond. If this is a false call, it is also a misdemeanor.
Lieutenant Claus noted that they solved 10-12 robberies and he wants to commend the officers at the next meeting who were responsible for this.
1:12:55
It is recommended that Items 10 through 15 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 or a member of the public.
10. APPROVAL OF WARRANTS – December 2006
11. TREASURERŐS REPORT – November 2006
12. HEIGHTS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL MONTHLY REPORT
13. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES: Regular Meeting of December 14, 2006
RECOMMENDATION: Approve
14. EXCHANGE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) FUNDS FOR GENERAL FUNDS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2007-2008 WITH THE CITY OF HAWAIIAN GARDENS
RECOMMENDATION: That Council approve Resolution 2007-01 and Letter of Agreement exchanging CDBG funds in the amount of $24,113 for general funds in the amount of $15,673.45 for the fiscal year 2007-2008.
15. AGREEMENT FOR EXCHANGE OF PROPOSITION A LOCAL RETURN FUNDS FISCAL YEARS 2006 AND 2007 WITH THE CITY OF WEST HOLLYWOOD
RECOMMENDATION: That Council approve the Assignment Agreement for the exchange of the La Habra Heights Proposition A funds in the amount of $89,543 and $95,818 for $135,313 of general funds from the City of West Hollywood.
Councilmember Carroll noted that on exchanging funds with other cities, Item 14 has a Resolution to approve, and Item 15 has an Agreement for Exchange.
City Attorney Levin stated that both Items have an Agreement and shouldnŐt have to have a Resolution. A motion should suffice.
Councilmember Douglas moved to approve Items 10 and 11, receive and file Item 12, and approve Items 13, 14, and 15. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Carroll and approved as follows:
AYES: Bergman, Carroll, Douglas, Klein and Millsap
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
1:15:30
16. PROPOSED GOALS AND OBJECTIVES – 2007
RECOMMENDATION: Discussion, make any changes and approve.
City Manager Bates noted that Staff will be working on Goals and Objectives expressed by the City Council for 2007. He stated that Staff would do their best to accomplish these. He noted that generally the items were listed in priority, but we will try to take care of them all.
Councilmember Carroll asked that we should move to the top of the list of Planning and Compliance, expediting the process of plans for new and remodeled homes through the Planning Department and the Planning Commission.
Councilmember Douglas discussed the importance of the NPDES state costs that will come up, but do not yet have a date specific. They will not care what it might cost us.
The Council consensus was to move ahead on this list of Goals and Objectives.
Councilmember Klein stated that if Mr. Quade would write down his question, Mr. Klein would search his memory for an answer.
CONTINUED PUBLIC COMMENTS ON ITEMS ON THE AGENDA AND NOT ON THE AGENDA
Layne Baroldi, candidate for City Council, noted that he has been on the Planning Commission for two years. He stated that the new Code is good, but will need some tweaking as we go along. He commented that he is an Attorney with over ten years of experience in the environmental field and a lot of water law. He agreed that the new Fire Station should be conservative and on the present site. We will have to look at the NPDES issues. We must plan for this.
Vince Gomez asked for clarification that the correct date for the Candidates Forum is on February 13.
City Manager Bates answered affirmatively.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Millsap adjourned the January 11, 2007 City Council Meeting at 9:13 p.m.
ATTEST:
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RONALD BATES, CITY CLERK