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CC - 04-08-94APPROVEr) MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING CITY OF ROS.CIMEAD ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL DATE ~~r Y MARCH 8, 1994 BY The Regular Meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to order by Mayor Bruesch at 8:05 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. The Pledge to the Flag was led by Councilmember Clark. The Invocation was delivered by City Treasurer Foutz. ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS: Present: Councilmembers Clark, McDonald, Taylor, Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez, and Mayor Bruesch Absent: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: FEBRUARY 22, 1994 - REGULAR MEETING Councilmember Taylor requested clarification to several statements. Mayor Bruesch made a correction to his statement on Page 11. MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER TAYLOR, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER McDONALD that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 22, 1994, be approved as clarified and corrected. Vote resulted: Yes: Clark, Taylor, Bruesch, Vasquez, McDonald No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. - None I. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE A. Richard Torres, 2723 Charlotte Avenue, Rosemead, Assistant Vice-President for the Rosemead Little League, asked the City Council for $6,000 in financial assistance in order to continue operating the League. Mr. Torres was referred to staff to prepare an item for presentation on the next agenda. The following items were taken out of order: V. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION AND ACTION B. OPPOSING ALHAMBRA SCHOOL BOARD'S PROPOSED LIGHTING DISTRICT The following resolution was presented to the Council for adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 94-14 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD OPPOSING THE INCLUSION OF ANY PART OF ROSEMEAD WITHIN THE LANDSCAPING AND LIGHTING DISTRICT PROPOSED BY THE ALHAMBRA SCHOOL BOARD MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER McDONALD, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER TAYLOR that Resolution No. 94-14 be adopted. Juan Nunez, 2702 Del Mar Avenue, was in favor of the Council adopting this resolution but was concerned that the Council did not have the authority to stop the District from including Rosemead. CC 3-8-94 Page #1 0 Councilmember Clark requested that the Resolution be signed by all five members of the city Council. Mayor Bruesch requested that the signed resolution be hand delivered to the School Board. Holly Knapp, 8367 Whitmore Street, asked that a copy of the Resolution be sent to all members of the School Board. Councilmember Taylor noted that AB 2471 (Rainey) would be heard on March 9, 1994, in the State legislature and that this legislation would require future benefit assessment districts be voted on and approved by a majority vote of the people, asked that the Council support this legislation and notify its legislative advocate to inform the City's legislators of its support. MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER TAYLOR, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CLARK that the Council amend the Agenda to include discussion of the aforementioned piece of legislation, that the need to take action to support AB 2471 (Rainey) arose after the posting of the Agenda and that the Council support this legislation. Vote resulted: Yes: Clark, Taylor, Bruesch, Vasquez, McDonald No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. Councilmember Taylor requested that the Consultant explain what was proposed. Dan Heil, BSI Consultants, summarized the proposal as assistance to the City and the ideal situation would be to convince the School Board's Engineer that the boundary should exclude the City of Rosemead and if that initial approach was successful, no further action or expense would be necessary. MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MCDONALD, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM VASQUEZ that the City hire BSI Consultants to fight the City's inclusion into this proposed district. Vote resulted: Yes: Clark, Taylor, Bruesch, Vasquez, McDonald No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR CC-F CHANGE OF EXISTING TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN CONTROLS ON ENCINITA AVENUE BETWEEN MISSION DRIVE AND LOWER AZUSA ROAD VERBATIM DIALOGUE FOLLOWS: BRUESCH: I have two requests to speak on this. Why don't we have staff explain it first. TAYLOR: Mr. Mayor. Do we have a map we can put up on the board so the people can see what it is? FRANK G. TRIPEPI, CITY MANAGER: The engineer, Mr. Rodriguez, is placing that up now. This was heard by the Traffic Commission on February 3, 1994. I know you have some folks here this evening that want to talk about this. The recommendation to come to you from the Traffic Commission is that a 3-way stop be installed at Encinita Avenue and Rio Dell Street and white crosswalks installed on all those approaches and the pedestrian crosswalk at Rose would be removed and the school crosswalk marking at Rose and Rio Dell should be removed. A minimum length of 40 feet of red curb would be installed at all CC 3-8-94 Page #2 9 9 TRIPEPI CONTINUES: intersections to Encinita Avenue. And I believe again the folks here this evening are here to discuss with you leaving the crosswalks in place. VASQUEZ: Mr. Mayor. I'd just like to make a comment. As you can see there's a lot of people here from that area and it's just a small residential street and if they want to keep the crosswalk, I'm for that. I just want to let you know now. BRUESCH: Okay. We have three requests to speak from the audience and I'm going to go in order of the way I got them. Mr. Richard Yodites. RICHARD YODITES: I want to thank the Council for allowing me to come to speak. In the seven months that I've been associated with the school district I've had an opportunity to meet many of you at numerous City functions. BRUESCH: Would you please give your name? YODITES: I'm sorry. Rich Yodites, Business Manager, Rosemead School District, 3640 N. Rio Hondo. AUDIENCE: Barbara Richardson, Principal of Encinita School, 4515 Encinita Avenue. YODITES: The one thing that's always struck me is the community pride and this was really exemplified in the last few weeks we've had a chance to meet with Mr. Troyer regarding this issue and we really want to thank the City for the progress in putting in what I call the triple crosswalks in front of the school and the stop signs. Along that.same issue if we think about everything the City has designed in that park along with the school and the high school there's a natural draw there. And whether it's one child or 50 children that utilize that crosswalk there is a natural instinct and unfortunately when we do traffic pattern assessments or space assessments, we're really looking at car movement and it's hard to tell a 6-year old or a 10- or 12-year old, you can't cross here. They're accustomed, we spend a lot of time in our classrooms training them to use the crosswalks and as they go to school it is a much more natural element to do that. In our discussions with our school board and I'm here representing the school district as a whole, our input to the Council is that leaving that crosswalk there is as equally important as adding the stop signs and the other crosswalks in front of the school. Cars are driven by people, kids just follow their natural instincts to cross a street and go to the point that's attractive to them. And even if it's only one child it matters. Different people have done head counts of how many people use the crosswalk at different times. Unfortunately the City nor the District can spend thousands of dollars to have somebody stand there all the time and do counts. We feel that it's a lot easier to leave it than it is to take it away and it provides that opportunity. Barbara as principal at Encinita has had an opportunity to discuss this issue with parents and I think she'd like to share them. RICHARDSON: Rich mentioned during the week and also on the weekend I've had input from the parents whose children are actively involved in after school and all the weekend activities. They voiced their concerns with the safety issues involved in removing the Rose and Encinita crosswalk which leads straight to the park. I'd also like to take a moment to acknowledge the parents who are here to show support of the crosswalk so I do speak on behalf of our parents as well and I thank you for your time. YODITES: Just in closing and ours is a much more simpler we really look forward to working much closer with the City in future endeavors. I had an opportunity today to talk with Grant about some facility type issues and this is a joint effort. The only objection that the District has and I'm speaking on behalf of the School Board now is the elimination of the one crosswalk and we want to thank the City though also for adding the other crosswalks and the stop signs. It is a safety issue and we ask the Council to reconsider the matter. CC 3-8-94 Page 3 TAYLOR: Question before you leave the podium. Is.there any objection to the stop signs being put at Rio Dell? YODITES: No. That's welcomed. TAYLOR: The other comment. The map doesn't show that but Rose Avenue goes back for five blocks and all the people, Rio Dell only goes one block, ell shaped and goes down to Rose. YODITES: If I may. One of the ideas in talking with Mr. Troyer that we came up with and Mr. Troyer and I spent a good hour together was that the safety issue here is really in many ways equally important and I'm aware of what triggered the discussion. What you have here is a thoroughfare as you all know and it's'one especially for the high school kids. So, what you have is this becomes just a full traffic lane. One idea that Mr. Troyer and I had come up with was actually adding crosswalks at Rose Street and stop signs there because it is a natural way. If we eliminate this what you do is you create automatic issues where people are forced to cross the street where there is no way for them to cross that is a natural way. With this type of a park and the school activities, RYA, soccer, everything, it's a natural draw and as the people that live here, park here, they're just going to cross the street. It's plain and simple. They're not going to walk up to the school and cross. They're not going to walk down to Mission and cross. What I'm offering is that they're just going to cross here and the idea that we were thinking of is instead of eliminating this crosswalk we might want to think for the safety of the people and add crosswalks and stop signs there, cut down on the speed element and to go through there. We're very supportive and very grateful to the City for adding this but we think that taking this out will hinder the program and this idea provides more safety and lessens the liability for the City. TAYLOR: I don't think that map shows the perspective in the sense that Rose Avenue is about a quarter of the way up and Rio Dell is right almost in the middle. YODITES: Rio Dell is right here, it's only about 300-400 feet from Lower Azusa. TAYLOR: No, you have to go up to Pitkin. It's about half-way when you look at a map but the only point I'm trying to make is that Rio Dell goes down about one block and turns south to Rose. So, really the majority of the traffic is going to come out on Rose. I agree with Mr. Vasquez, leave that crosswalk there. The stop sign at Rio Dell is going to stop or slow down the traffic. That's the biggest advantage it does have because that's a long stretch of road. YODITES: You've created a beautiful school and the school it's a natural seven days a week. So, this is more happen to be representing the School lot of communication with the parent you know they use our playing fields participation. park and together with the high attraction and a focal point, than just a school issue. I Board. Mrs. Richardson has had a a. We've had input from RYA. As at the school to increase TAYLOR: No, I'm not in favor of removing it at all because the other half of the report says leave the crosswalk at Pitkin so it doesn't make sense to remove it at one end and leave it at the other, doesn't make sense.. Thank you. McDONALD: Mr. Mayor. I think the answer is in the wind here. Is there anybody in the audience that wants this crosswalk removed? Nobody wants it removed. Okay,-we'll just leave it where it is. I move that we accept the lighting system there and approve the crosswalk remaining. VASQUEZ: Second it. TAYLOR: That's accepting the report with the stop signs and leaving the crosswalk at Rose, is the only change from the recommendation. CC 3-8-94 Page #4 McDONALD: Right. That's the entire recommendation. Leave the crosswalk. TAYLOR: That's fine. AL RODRIGUEZ, CITY ENGINEER: Mr. Mayor. If I may, if that's the course of action it and sounds like that's what's going to happen, what I'd like to propose then is to modify the map slightly where some of the red curbing opposite on Rose being the west side of Encinita, I'd like to delete that from the plan and I would also like to perhaps add another crosswalk ahead control sign on Encinita, south of Rose. BRUESCH: Is there any reason why we could not put a stop there also? McDONALD: I call for the question. BRUESCH: No. I have a comment to say about it because I have a strong feeling about this. Okay. I had a student hit and almost killed in an unsigned crosswalk and I've always been against crosswalks on a major thoroughfare like Encinita that does not have a sign on it because an.unsigned, unsignalled crosswalk is twice as dangerous as a signed, signalled crosswalk because the motorist's line of vision goes to the sign or the signal not the person in the crosswalk. It is a proven fact. They did a statistical survey by the Automobile Club and children seem to feel that two lines allow them to go across a major thoroughfare without taking caution. One of the things that was proven was that a corner that does not have a crosswalk for kids is a much safer one than a corner that has a crosswalk without any sign. Therefore, I would highly suggest that if we do keep that crosswalk that it too has a sign because the natural line.of vision of the driver that's going up that Encinita, especially the younger drivers from the high school, will be going to that stop sign which is going to be about 400-500 feet ahead and not to the crosswalk where kids will be crossing. That is my opinion and I strongly feel it because I've looked at the statistics and I think setting up a marked crosswalk without a sign that close to another crosswalk with a sign is potentially putting kids in danger. TAYLOR: Mr. Bruesch, your argument could make some sense but then you're saying stop signs at all three streets. BRUESCH: No, I'm saying... TAYLOR: Excuse me. You have a crosswalk at Pitkin and it's not a stop sign. BRUESCH: But that has a crossing guard. TAYLOR: No, not on weekends, not on after school, it's only during school hours. So, your argument makes sense but technically if you're going to do it at that end of the street, the same kids will be using the other end of the street. It's just logic. BRUESCH: Well, if that's the feeling. But my main point is that if you're going to be putting unsigned crosswalks on that street, the driving patterns will get to the point where the people are looking to stopping at the stop sign and they will not pay attention to the, I'm not saying the people here, I'm talking about the people from outside the community, that natural line of sight will go to the sign and not the crosswalk. I've said this time and again in this City Council when the accident occurred with the student of mine, I asked the Automobile Club, I asked to get statistics from the National Safety Council and it's proven. It is a proven fact that an unsigned, unsignalled crosswalk is more dangerous than having.no crosswalk at all. I TAYLOR: Mr. Mayor. One clarification. I've always taught my children and there was 19 people that stood up when the question was asked, how many of you teach your children to use the crosswalk? Would you raise your hand? How many do not tell your children to use the crosswalk? Not one and the only reason I asked that question was CC 3-8-94 Page #5 TAYLOR CONTINUES: there are more accidents in the crosswalks because that's where the kids are taught to cross the street. If you take 19 people that raised their hand, if they're all using the crosswalks, there's going to be 19 kids that use the crosswalk. So, again rationalize that because they're taught I would rather have a driver be on notice, the vehicle code used to state that when somebody's in a crosswalk, you stop. When they're not in a crosswalk, you're not expecting them to step out. So, all of the children that I've ever known have been taught to use the crosswalk because that's a warning for the driver. There is a crosswalk there, watch out for children. If you put them on their own then get across as quick as you can. And the statistics may say that there's more accidents in a crosswalk but logic is that 90% of the kids use the crosswalk. So, there's pro and con both ways. I think the recommendation tonight is reasonable to start with. McDONALD: Mr. Mayor. I call for the question, please. BRUESCH: The question's been called for. Taken from voting slip: Yes: Clark, Taylor, Vasquez, McDonald No: None Absent: None Abstain: Bruesch BRUESCH: I'd like the record to show that my abstention is not against the installation of the...the remaining of the crosswalk there but I highly recommend that there be a stop sign at that intersection also. TAYLOR: Mr. Mayor. I'd like the minutes verbatim so we can understand the rationale and the reason behind all of it. END VERBATIM DIALOGUE A five-minute recess was called at 9:00 p.m. and the meeting was reconvened accordingly. II. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None III. LEGISLATIVE A. RESOLUTION NO. 94-12 - CLAIMS & DEMANDS The following resolution was presented to the Council for adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 94-12 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS IN THE SUM OF $553,662.89 NUMBERED 8780 THROUGH 8885 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER McDONALD,SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM VASQUEZ that Resolution No. 94-12 be adopted. Vote resulted: Yes: Clark, Taylor, Bruesch, Vasquez, McDonald No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. B. ORDINANCE NO. 741 - AMENDING THE REGULATIONS REGARDING SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL - INTRODUCE The following ordinance was presented to the Council for introduction: CC 3-8-94 Page #6 • • ORDINANCE NO. 741 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD AMENDING THE REGULATIONS REGARDING SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER TAYLOR, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER McDONALD that Ordinance No. 741 be introduced on its first reading and that reading in full be waived. Vote resulted: Yes: Clark, Taylor, Bruesch, Vasquez, McDonald No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. C. RESOLUTION NO. 94-13 - NAMING THE WEEK OF APRIL 3-10, 1994 AS HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE WEEK The following resolution was presented to the Council for adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 94-13 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD PROCLAIMING THE WEEK OF SUNDAY, APRIL 3 THROUGH SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 1994, AS DAYS OF REMEMBRANCE OF THE VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER McDONALD, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER CLARK that.Resolution No. 94-13 be adopted. Vote resulted: Yes: Clark, Taylor, Bruesch, Vasquez, McDonald No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR (CC-A REMOVED FOR DISCUSSION AND CC-F HANDLED AT BEGINNING OF MEETING) CC-B REQUEST FOR ANNUAL CPI RATE ADJUSTMENT BY CALIFORNIA STREET MAINTENANCE FOR STREET SWEEPING SERVICES CC-C APPROVAL OF U EMERSON PLACE AGREEMENT FOR PARCEL MAP 23628, 7960 CC-D RECEIVE BIDS AND AWARD CONTRACT FOR GRAND AVENUE BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION TO A-C CONSTRUCTION, $425,528.00 CC-E APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH J.A. BLASH SHOWS FOR ANNUAL 4th OF JULY AND CITY ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER TAYLOR, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM VASQUEZ that the foregoing items on the Consent Calendar be approved. Vote resulted: Yes: Clark, Taylor, Bruesch, Vasquez, McDonald No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. Mayor Bruesch requested that in the future whenever the CPI is given that the dollar amount as well as the percentage be given. CC 3-8-94 Page #7 • • CC-A AUTHORIZATION TO ATTEND 35th ANNUAL CALIFORNIA CONTRACT CITIES ASSOCIATION SEMINAR IN PALM SPRINGS, MAY 19-22, 1994 Councilmember Taylor stated the intention of voting no on this item, citing the various topics and extra-curricular event being planned. Councilmember Clark defended this conference and added that the optional events are not attended by members of this Council. MOTION BY MAYOR PRO TEM VASQUEZ, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER McDONALD that the Council authorize the attendance of any Councilmember, the City Attorney, the City Manager and staff as designated by the City Manager. Vote resulted: Yes: Clark, Bruesch, Vasquez, McDonald No: Taylor Absent: None Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. V. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION & ACTION A. AUTHORIZATION TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT (COG) Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez commended the Mayor for his representation over the past several years with the San Gabriel Valley Association of Cities. Mr. Vasquez asked that he be appointed as the City's representative to the COG. MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER McDONALD, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM VASQUEZ that authorization to be a member of the COG and to nominate Mr. Vasquez as the City's representative. Juan Nunez, 2702 Del Mar Avenue, requested more information on this item and asked if it was going to become a taxing agency. At this point, the previous motion was bifurcated and it was MOVED BY COUNCILMEMBER McDONALD, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM VASQUEZ that the City become a member of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments. Vote resulted: Yes: Clark, Bruesch, Vasquez, McDonald No: Taylor Absent: None Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER McDONALD, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM VASQUEZ that Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez be appointed as the City's representative to the COG. Vote resulted: Yes: Clark, No: None Absent: None Abstain: Taylor, Vasquez, McDonald Bruesch The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. Councilmember Taylor stated that his vote was not necessarily against Mr. Vasquez or Mr. Bruesch. MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER CLARK, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER McDONALD that Mayor Bruesch be appointed as alternate to the COG. Vote resulted: CC 3-8-94 Page #8 Yes: Clark, No: None Absent: None Abstain: None q Taylor, Bruesch, Vasquez, McDonald The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. Mayor Bruesch asked the Delegate's approval to continue as a member of the Sub-Committee on Transportation. There being no objection, Councilmember Clark requested that this be incorporated into the City's letter to the COG and Mayor Pro Tem Vasquez concurred with the request. C. APPROVAL OF PROGRAM OF FOR HEALTHY START MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER McDONALD, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM VASQUEZ that the Council approve the document and authorize the City Clerk to obtain the necessary signatures. Vote resulted: Yes: Clark, Taylor, Bruesch, Vasquez, McDonald No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. VI. STATUS REPORTS - None VII. MATTERS FROM OFFICIALS - None VIII. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE - None CC 3-8-94 Page #9 There being no further action to be taken at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for March 22, 1994.