CITY OF LA HABRA HEIGHTS

 

SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL

 

MEETING MINUTES

 

MARCH 26, 2008

 

 

OPENING CEREMONIES

 

1.             CALL MEETING TO ORDER

 

Mayor Bergman called the Special City Council of March 26, 2008 to order at 6:06 p.m.

 

2.             ROLL CALL

 

Present: Mayor Brian Bergman, Council Members Layne Baroldi, Tela Millsap and Howard Vipperman.

 

City Attorney Sandra Levin conference via telephone during Closed Session.

 

Absent: Mayor Pro Tem Stan Carroll has an excused absence.

 

Also present: Interim City Manager Shauna Clark.

 

3.             FLAG SALUTE

 

Council Member Millsap led the flag salute.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

            Stephen Blagden, Citron Road, stated that this is turning into an expensive project. Originally we were told that the East Side Station would cost $100,000 to build and cost nothing for labor to run. Now it is going over $1 million dollars and hundreds of thousands a year to run and we still have not even decided if it is needed or where to build it. What questions have been asked about this particular site? Why hasn’t there been a Public Hearing to decide if we need an East Side Station? Mr. Blagden mentioned several problems with the house at this site. He stated that in his opinion this is a big mistake. He stated that the asking price on the house is $860,000. It needs to be reduced alot to reflect present conditions. It is on a steep acre lot in a landslide hazard zone. Mr. Blagden noted several better homes that have sold for much less. He stated that there are other low cost ways to provide faster response to the East Side to try out first.

 

            Judy Francis stated that what the residents on the East Side are asking for is very reasonable and she has faith that the Council will choose what is best for those living in that area.

 

            George Edwardz noted that the Agenda does not state that the property under negotiation is for a Fire Station. Can anyone answer if this is being proposed for a Fire Station?

 

            Mayor Bergman stated that they cannot answer this.

 

            Mr. Edwardz stated that the East Side residents would like the City to reopen the existing Station number 5 on the La Habra Christian Church property. He stated that maybe we could negotiate with the church to buy the lot Station 5 is setting on.

 

            Joe Sorres, East Road, stated that he is the next door neighbor of the East Road property under negotiation and he would be against living next to a Fire Station. He stated that he has apprised the Council of his feelings about this. He was of the opinion that if it became a Fire Station, it would cut the value of his home in half.

 

            Mayor Bergman adjourned to the Closed Session at 6:17 p.m.

 

CLOSED SESSION

 

4.             CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR

Govt. Code §54956.8

 

PROPERTY: 1531 East Road La Habra Heights, CA 90631

 

AGENCY NEGOTIATOR: Shauna Clark

 

            NEGOTIATING PARTIES: Shauna Clark

 

            UNDER NEGOTIATION: Both Price and Terms of Payment

 

            The Council returned from Closed Session at 7:34 p.m.

Mayor Bergman stated that there was no reportable action taken during Closed Session. He stated to Interim City Manager Clark that they do want to take a hard look at their financial situation and want a thorough Budget review and make sure that all of our cash flow projections are in line with our previous records.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

 

            George Edwards was still concerned about the reason for negotiating on this property and restated that the East Side residents just want Station 5 reopened cost effectively.

 

            There were no Council Comments.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

            Mayor Bergman adjourned the Special City Council Meeting at 7:36 p.m.

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

___________________________________________

SHAUNA CLARK, INTERIM CITY CLERK