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CC - 10-18-94 - Adjourned Meeting0 APPROVED CITY OF ROSEMEAD DATE? C 9r BY- MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED MEETING ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL OCTOBER 18, 1994 An Adjourned meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to order by Mayor Bruesch at 7:10 p.m. at the Zapopan Community Center, 3018 N. Charlotte Avenue, Rosemead, California. The Pledge to the Flag was led by Councilmember Clark ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS: Present: Councilmember Clark, Bruesch Absent: Mayor Pro Tern Taylor Imperial, Vasquez (late), and Mayor 1. CRIME AND LAW ENFORCEMENT Robert Mirabella, Captain, Temple Station, stated that crime in the City is down. The Neighborhood Watch meetings have had 158 citizens participating in this program. Frank Tripepi, City Manager announced that the City has received a grant from the Department of Justice to hire two additional police officers over a 3-year period, which amounts to $219,000. II. BUILDING AND SAFETY ISSUES James Guerra, Building Official, stated that the Building Department is available five days a week, with inspections on Fridays. Their primary jobs are issuing building, electrical and mechanical permits, plan check and inspections. Their Department also provides inspections of substandard properties and has an extensive rehabilitation program. III. PLANNING AND ZONING Peter Lyons, Planning Director, stated that their Department covers code enforcement, plan checks for subdivisions, additions for residential and commercial properties, and conditional use permits. IV. PARKS AND RECREATION Michael Burbank, Director of Parks and Recreation, summarized the recreation program offered to youths, adults and seniors. Mr. Burbank stated that the Department also maintains the parks, street trees, planting of trees, and maintenance of park buildings. V. MATTERS FROM OFFICIALS The Council welcomed and thanked the audience for coming. VI. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE Chuck Hurley, Whittier School Board, stated that he was glad to hear that the Asian Youth Center was going to be in Rosemead, but has since heard that there will be a delay and does not understand the reason for that. Councilmember Imperial stated that he is in favor of a youth center, but it must be for youths of all ethnic groups. Mr. Imperial also stated that the Bitely School property was taken under eminent domain and should be used only for school buildings. 0 • Councilmember Clark commented that she opposes eminent domain as people have a basic right to own property. People who lost their homes were told the Bitely site was for a school and not for use by private groups. Councilmember Clark asked since Prop A money was available since November of 1992, why was the Asian Youth Center in such a rush to get their proposal in in April of 1994 without holding extensive discussions with the School Board, and why at the last minute. Discussions should have taken place prior to the deadline date with the school board. Mayor Bruesch stated that over the past five years, there has been a major change in direction of the youth programs. The City has invested over $125,000 yearly in special youth programs such as SANE Program, GAPP, Juvenile Diversion programs, Teen Parenting Program at Family Counseling, "At Risk Kids" counselling program with Asian Pacific Family Center, and the YES Anti-Gang program. The City is very involved and concerned with youths. Fred Hernandez stated that he is here to get involved. Councilmember Imperial commented that there are a lot of good kids and they should have programs also. Emma Vega, Rosemead High School Student and Cheerleader, stated that she will be representing Rosemead in a competition and parade in England. Ms. Vega asked for help in raising $2000 by November 1st. Pastor Art, Victory Outreach Church, San Gabriel, presented a brief synopsis of his organization. He stated that they go into inner city areas where other churches won't and that they deal with drug users and gang members. Their church would like to relocate in Rosemead, but cannot afford permit fees and asked for the City's help in this. Alicia Rosado, Teacher at Bitely School, expressed her concerns about the need for a youth center in Rosemead. Ms. Rosado stated further that the Garvey School Board and the City Council should have had a meeting to work out the problems with having a youth center at Bitely School and that the Council was not supportive on this issue. Ted Salino, Garvey School District Teacher, stressed the need for "prevention" and that the youth center will be beneficial in preventing many problems from happening. Mr. Salino stated his concerns and disappointment with the Council in not supporting the youth center. He stated that the youth center would be open to all children of different ethnic backgrounds and there is a need to work together and open lines of communication with each other. Chuck Hurley, Whittier School Board, agreed that the youth center should be for all ethnic groups and that everyone should work together on this. Councilmember Clark stated that there is a need for dialogue and pointed out that the Asian Youth Center had been before the Council in March with a proposal for a center at the Mormon Church property, the same property that the City had been negotiating for since January, and felt that the City and the Youth Center might have been able to work together on this. Since then, the Mormon Church has decided not to sell that property. Ms. Clark explained further that the Council had envisioned a multi-cultural center that would house various community groups and provide many different services. Ms. Clark stated that she was not aware that the Asian Youth Center had pursued the Bitely site property until late August and asked why discussions were not held prior to the Asian Youth proposal, enabling everyone a chance to work out their differences. CC 10-18-94 Page #2 May To, Asian Youth Center Director, stated that the center will be a multi-cultural center and is one of nine centers being funded by the Los Angeles County Regional Parks and Open Space District, and one of the requirements is that they serve everyone. At present they provide drug free activities, cooperate with law enforcement and probation departments, work with the Health Department to provide workshops, food, discussion and counselling services on school campuses. Their space is limited and cannot house all youth activities at this time. Ms. To explained that they first heard about the grant in March and started searching for property. They approached the Rosemead City Council and several other school districts, but wanted to stay in Rosemead as she thinks Rosemead does not have a youth center. Their proposed new building will be 6500 square feet and other groups are welcome to share their facilities, but they are not able to house all agencies in Rosemead to serve the youths. Ms. To encouraged other groups to submit their proposal also as there is a total of $3 million available for nine sites. Ms. To stated further that the Garvey School Board did not give the Asian Youth Center a firm commitment for the Bitely School site, Her Board has since directed her to propose an alternative site. Bobbie Serna, Rosemead resident, stated that she is not against a youth center, but there are empty sites at Garvey School and at Del Mar and Graves that the Asian Youth Center can use. Juan Nunez, 2702 Del Mar Avenue, Rosemead, stated that he is against the youth center as the property at Bitely School may be needed for future schools. Estelle Holtz, stated that she is against the center at Bitely School as that area is a buffer zone between the next set of houses being taken for future needed schools and the Garvey School District has enough problems without the added possibility of having to take over the Asian Youth Center's programs should funding become unavailable. Bobbie Serna thanked everyone for Zapopan Center. May To asked for advice as to a possible site in Rosemead. Juan Nunez, asked why the Sheriff's substation is always closed. Sgt. Wayne Wallace, Temple Station, responded that a variety of staffing hours has been tried with marginal walk-in traffic. The substation is used by the GAPP Officer to counsel youth and parents and by Deputies for various public services. VII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further action at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted: City Clerk CC 10-18-94 Page #3 VII. MATTERS FROM OFFICIALS A. STATUS REPORT ON FISHING DERBY AND COUNCIL POLICY REGARDING UNSCHEDULED MEETINGS AT CITY HALL Mayor Bruesch stated that whenever he has meetings with outside groups, he will notify the Council. Mayor Bruesh gave an update on the Fishing Derby, to be held on Saturday, January 14, 1995. This event will be published in the news media after the holidays. Shirts and equipment have been purchased through donations. They are expecting 250 kids and 3,000 fish will be stocked at Legg Lake the day before the event. IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further action at this time, the meeting was adjourned in memory of Gene Boyd, who passed away last week. The next Adjourned Meeting is scheduled for December 20, 1994, at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully Submitted: CITY CLERK CC 12-20-94 Page #8