CC - 06-20-91 - Adjourned MeetingAPPROVED
MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED MEETING CITY O/F~OS~iMEAD
ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL DAT yy
JUNE 20, 1991 By
The Regular Meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to
order by Mayor Imperial at 8:08 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City
Hall, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California.
The Pledge to the Flag was led by Mayor Pro Tem Clark.
The Invocation was delivered by Councilman Taylor.
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS:
Present: Councilmen Bruesch, McDonald, Taylor, Mayor Pro Tem
Clark,'and Mayor Imperial
Absent: None
PRESENTATIONS: - None
I. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
A. Holly Knapp, 8067 Whitmore Street, announced that Councilman
Bruesch had been named Teacher of the Year by the Garvey School
District; asked the Council to approve the purchase of one hundred
flags at $.79 each to be given out on the parade route; and suggested
asking the local cable company film the parade on July 4, 1991.
II. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
The following item was taken out of order in deference to those in
the audience.
V. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION & ACTION
A. CONSIDERATION OF REFUSE AND RECYCLING FRANCHISE WITH
CONSOLIDATED DISPOSAL SERVICES, INC.
Al. RESOLUTION NO. 91-29 - APPROVING AN EXCLUSIVE FRANCHISE
AGREEMENT FOR REFUSE HAULING AND RECYCLING
VERBATIM DIALOGUE FOLLOWS:
MCDONALD: In order to get it on the floor for discussion, I'll move
the recommendation.
IMPERIAL: It's been moved. Is there a second?
BRUESCH: Second.
IMPERIAL: It's been regularly moved and seconded. Any comments?
Staff report.
FRANK G. TRIPEPI, CITY MANAGER: Mr. Mayor, we've attached for you
this evening a copy of the refuse and recycling agreement which has
been signed by the contractor, Consolidated Disposal Service, Inc.
We've also attached a memorandum from the City Attorney which outlines
all the changes in the agreement from the draft provided which was
sent out several months ago. Please note that two copies of the
agreement are attached. First, is the version showing the changes and
then the clean agreement which has been signed by Consolidated. For
all of you here this evening in the audience I think we made this
presentation at the last Council meeting but I see there are some
folks here who weren't here at that last meeting. This item has been
under consideration for some six months now. As I think most of you
probably know the rubbish franchise agreement with Modern Service
which has been in place for some thirty years, expired, is scheduled
to expire the end of July (1991). In order to look at providing the
best possible service for all the residents and the businesses the
Council put out an RFP or a request for proposal seeking proposals
from any interested trash company to provide service to the citizens
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TRIPEPI CONTINUES: of Rosemead. The Council received some nine
proposals in total. They evaluated those proposals over some six
weeks. All of the evaluation, discussion and interview process was
conducted at open City Council meetings. Public input was allowed,
was taken. We have verbatim minutes on that if anybody wants to see
the City Clerk, those minutes can be made available. And I don't mind
telling you in my eighteen years in the City, it was a very tough
decision for the Council to make. After reviewing all the proposals,
the Council decided that Consolidated Disposal, in their minds, would
provide the best service for the next five years for the residents of
Rosemead. They, as your elected officials, as you know are entrusted
to make certain decisions on your behalf. This is one of those items,
just as is the annual budget. So, as I said, they felt that
Consolidated Disposal would do the best job over the next five years.
For you this evening the staff has prepared a one-page summary
highlighting the provisions of that contract with Consolidated. I
believe most of you have a copy of that. I know I was passing some
out prior to the meeting. If you don't have a copy there are some on
the bench where you came in, where the agendas are placed. So, again,
it was a very difficult decision. It was done in open meetings, the
evaluations by the Council, the interviews. It was very difficult as
all the companies, I'm sure all the companies are very reputable and
could provide the service. However, your Council, being the fact that
they are elected to make a decision, had to make a very tough decision
and select one of those contractors. With that, Mr. Mayor, that would
conclude the staff report.
IMPERIAL: Thank you. At this time, I will open it up for discussion
with some of the people that decided they want to speak on the issue.
The first one is Frank Gumina. When you come up will you please state
your name and address for the record.
AUDIENCE: Frank B. Gumina, 4433 N. Dubonnet. I been a resident of
that house street 41 years, 41. He says he's been there 18. And I
never seen anything like that. I voted for you gentlemen and ladies
and I've never seen anything to happen like that. There's a company,
I'm not trying to be nasty or rude, I don't believe in it but I do
believe that this company has never, ever stopped anybody from putting
too much rubbish out. I've put....I've had bushes in the back I could
of buried five cars and I put them out, tied them and they never said
a word. I changed windows. I had 15 or 20 windows, big ones, they
didn't say a word. They're neat. And I can't see why in my life, in
41 years on this street, I bought my home April 15, 1950 and I'm still
there, why you people would do that.
IMPERIAL: Do what, sir?
GUMINA: Why you're changing this organization, this Modern, why
you're changing it to this other company.
IMPERIAL: Well, Mr. Gumina, we've had Modern Service for over 20
years.
GUMINA: I know it and they've been good.
IMPERIAL: It came up for contract. We had nine people bid. We
listened intently, had all the information and made a decision that
was in favor of other than Modern Service. That's all I can tell you.
GUMINA: Is there any reason? I mean is there money involved that we
have to pay more? Or is it because the rubbish is going to change
over?
IMPERIAL: You're going to have to pay a little more, Mr. Gumina, but
you were going to pay no matter who we got, including Modern Service,
okay? Because this City was subsidizing you. This came about ...we
did have on three occasions where we went to court with Modern
Service. This subsidizing came about with some of those decisions,
okay? I'm not saying anything good, bad or indifferent. We had nine
people up,here. It's like nine people looking for a job, Mr. Gumina,
and you have to pick one because you only need one. Right?
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GUMINA: I understand that. I've worked all'my life.
IMPERIAL: Okay. Then you know what I'm talking about.
GUMINA: Yes, I do.
IMPERIAL: If we did anything, Mr. Gumina, we did our job in an
honest, faithful way to the people of this community.
GUMINA: Was this done legitimately, nothing...?
IMPERIAL: Absolutely. You have access to all the tapes and records
that you want to listen to sir, and I'll buy you a cup of coffee while
you do it. How's that?
LUMINA: Okay. Thanks a lot.
IMPERIAL: You're welcome. Marjorie Kent.
AUDIENCE: Well, he's answered most of the questions that I had. I
live on Ivar Avenue, have lived there since 1955. I just came back
from a trip and got the closing bill from Modern Service, was quite
upset because I say the same thing this last gentleman said, that
nothing is too large or too small or what have you, Modern Service's
always been wonderful all these years. I just did not know why you
changed. You know, like closing bills all of a sudden. And well I
just wondered what is behind it. Is this company going to give us
trash cans? Are they going to give us the recycling equipment that
they have in San Gabriel or Temple City? Is there going to be a big
change as well as a raise in the cost of our trash? This is questions
that I would like answered because in a situation like this where
we've had this company for so many years I think that maybe we should
have gotten a letter sooner than this in the mail that you were
contemplating this. I've been to several meetings where I haven't
even wasted my time staying to listen because it was cut and dried.
And it looks like this is one of.the same things. We were not
notified in advance that there was a thought or consideration given of
Modern. And I understand you're talking about going to court. You've
done this or done that with Modern. I don't understand.
IMPERIAL: Who's talking about going to court?
KENT: Didn't you say you'd gone to court with Modern Service a couple
of three times?
IMPERIAL: We had in the past but that doesn't have any bearing on it.
KENT: That's what I'm talking about. But I didn't know anything
about this. I didn't know what the reasons were. But I would like to
think that in this town I've lived in for so many years that if
there's going to be a big change like we had with Amarillo Water or
now we're having it with the trash company, we'd like to be notified.
Maybe give us a chance to vote and understand better what happened.
TRIPEPI: Just go to the next one.
IMPERIAL: Jim Donohoo.
AUDIENCE: Mr. Mayor. You're aware of the letters that went out. We
have, you're welcome to have these if you'd like them, just so you
know, we've got about 4300 people who sent cards back... displeased
with what happened. We've been here of course so we don't have any
argument except to say we feel very badly that one company was able to
come and rebid its bid.
IMPERIAL: All companies were given the same option.
DONOHOO: They were not allowed to rebid their bid.
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IMPERIAL: Well, no, you can make of that'what you want, Mr. Donohoo,
because you're going to do that anyhow, okay? I think that those
cards are also a little misleading.
DONOHOO: They're not misleading.
IMPERIAL: I think those cards are misleading (interruptions from the
audience)... well, we'll keep this an orderly meeting., please. Let's
keep it an orderly meeting. Just leave the cards up there, Mr.
Donohoo.
DONOHOO: People had asked us, they had called Modern Service, I
wasn't personally involved, but they had called Modern Service and
said what can we do? So, finally we said fine, we'll write a letter
to you, we'll send you a card. If you're interested in letting the
City know your feelings, send the card back to us and we'll take it
and that's how these got here.
IMPERIAL: Okay. Thank you. You can leave those there.
McDONALD: Mr. Mayor. I'd like to make a statement. Ladies and
gentlemen. Let's understand that this Council up here had no gripes
at all whatsoever with Modern Service. They had a great service. Our
responsibility when a contract comes up is to make a decision if it
goes out to bid. And we look at every one of those bidders. For the
last years of this contract with Modern Service we have been
subsidizing up to over $10, over $10 for the cost of pickup at your
home and you were paying $5.24. A million dollars a year. They came
back and the Council was cooperative enough in the last year, year and
a half, to give them additional monies because they told us they were
not making money on the contract. Now, they come back and all the
bidders were within a dollar, and they're all good bidders, Athens,
Consolidated, every one of them. We went down to the cities where
they were having their trash picked up. Nobody has any complaints
about any of the companies that bid for the contract here. We don't
have a problem with Modern Service here. What we were trying to do
was get the least amount of cost with the best possible service
because if you know the State has mandated by July 1, 1991, that a
recycling program has to go in effect that reduces within five years,
25% and within the year 2000, 50% of the trash that we take is going
to have to be reduced through recycling and through using different
materials. We don't have any gripes or we didn't have any gripes with
Modern Service. They did a fine job. That's why the decision was
difficult. The company that we had chose came in with the low bid on
their cost per month and they capped the increase for an additional
three years. If you've been watching the papers what so at any time
you've noticed that the landfill costs are going, a dollar on July
1st; a $1.25 in January and so forth and over the last five years it's
increased unbelievably, all right? The company that•we chose for you
first of all had the lowest cost including recycling and capped that
cost at just the CPI (Consumer Price Index) increase for the next
three years. They're not going to add any increase that they sustain
from taking it to the dump where the dump fees go up. If you look at
the legislation that's coming down out of Sacramento within the next
month you'll see that many of those bills there cleanup a lot of
different things. They're putting a sur tax on the dump fees per ton
up there. This company's absorbing them for the next three years and
in the future, beyond those three years, they can only increase it
with the CPI and a formula that we agreed to. We don't have any
complaints about Modern Service.. We don't have any complaints about
Athens who we didn't choose which is one of the biggest companies and
surrounds us here. We looked at the report and the submittal of
Consolidated and thought that was the best for the citizens here. If
you want to pay more ...you want us to put it on the...up for election
that you want to pay $10 rather than $7.85? That's fine with us. But
we've talked to all the communities around us that all these bidders
that bid you know utilize, I mean work in, and they had no complaints
on them either. So, we don't have a complaint about the company's
service. What we're trying to do if you notice the State's going to
probably give you another all of us another cent and a half sales tax,
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McDONALD CONTINUES: July 1st just so they can balance the budget.
Our responsibility's try to keep the money in your pocket as long as
you can and that's what we thought we were doing. There's 50,000
people in this community and how many do you think... there's less than
a 100 in this room. So, we don't have that many complaints. The
service is good. You're complaining about a service you haven't had
yet because this service was good and we're friends with Dick; we're
friends with Jim. We've talked across the table. We don't have a
problem with that. But it comes down to this point that we've looked
into the services of all the other companies, nobody had complaints in
other communities. And they're big communities. Just like ours. And
so we felt comfortable with making the decision on the cost, the cap
and this company that we have here has the'recycling facility right in
their yard there so it ought to be that much easier. They're going to
put money back into the community to non-profit groups through the
money they get from the revenues off the recycling So, we thought we
were doing something that was right for the community. If you don't
think the decision was based on that ...we understand that each one of
the companies is sad or mad that they didn't get the bid because
Athens if you talk to any one of the other councilmembers here we've
got about three or four letters from Athens saying hey we'd like to
talk to you again. But we think we've made the right decision. We
think Consolidated's going to do a good job for us because they do a
good job in all the communities they have. Recycling, it's going to
be a tough one for everybody and you because down the road here our
community will be fined if we don't meet those recycling percentages.
So, it's going to be a cooperative effort and we thought starting with
this company it was going to the be the best for all of us and that's
the way we've made our decision.
CLARK: Mr. Mayor. I'd just like to say something. I am personally
sorry that we were not able to get the information out to the
residents before the postcard as Mrs. Kent noted.
McDONALD: The problem we had with that is we couldn't send you the
information because we didn't have the contract signed yet.
CLARK: Right. We didn't know the details of it exactly so we
couldn't send it out saying what we were going to do if we didn't know
it but that was unfortunate. But I do want to point out something
that I was a little disappointed in the letter from Modern Service
which implied and the postcard implied that the subsidy was tied to
Modern Service and if we did not go with Modern Service we would no
longer subsidize the trash and the truth of the matter is we will not
be able to subsidize the trash bill for any company because as many of
you have been following the State budget crisis is just a disaster and
they are up there right now probably trying to figure more ways of
taking away cities' money. We've lost some.of our subvention funds.
They're penalizing us on every hand and we cannot afford any more to
subsidize the trash. We would love to but we can't. So, this is
something that is not tied to any company at all. It is something
that is a_fact of life with the budget crisis everywhere. So, the
subsidy is gone and on the postcard when many of the people sent it in
it requested that you do not eliminate the subsidy for trash service
and unfortunately we have to eliminate that. So, I wanted to bring
that out that that is not tied to Modern Service at all. It's not tied
to any company. We cannot subsidize the trash anymore; however, the
increase will be very minimal and it was minimal for all of the
companies. It is not that you would get a better deal with Modern on
this. I just wanted to point that out. Thank you very much.
BRUESCH: Mr. Mayor. One of the things that when I was looking over
the nine different proposals... first of all to give my background I've
served for nine years on recycling committees and eight years for the
City. Maybe some of you didn't realize but the San Gabriel valley is
the dumping grounds for two-thirds of L.A. County's trash and we have
less than a third of their population. And it got to the point where
the San Gabriel valley cities including Rosemead said hey we're not
going to do that anymore. We're not going to be the dumping grounds
for the rest of the County. If you don't have a place to dump the
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BRUESCH CONTINUES:' trash, what are you going to do? Well, the
obvious answer is to cut down the amount of trash that you put into
the dumps. That isn't the only answer. As these dumps around here
close down, we're going to have to go ever further out to get rid of
our trash. Right now they cannot put trash in Azusa landfill because
it's closed down. They're not going to allow Puente Hills to expand.
One of the solutions is here ...RailCycle. Putting it on a train and
taking it out to the desert. Right now we're paying about $18-$20-a
ton for dumping in LaPuente? This is going to cost us $45 a ton.
Over double. As these rates go out you're the people that are going
to be paying for that. So, one of the things I was looking for in the
contractors who were being proposed to us was how each company was
going to do the recycling. I specifically after looking at all the
rates I specifically put a numerical value on each of the recycling
programs. Not only the programs but how were they were going to sell
it to the public? And I took all nine and rated them. I mean as I
said in the last meeting we up here have eaten, slept and dreamed of
trash for eight months. And I as best as I could rated those
companies which had what I consider the most palatable, the easiest
type of approach to recycling and the best way for this City to meet
its State mandated goals. And that's how I voted. Because I don't
want to see this City paying $1,000-$2,000 a day in fines because we
don't meet our recycling goals. And I realize that this is going to
be a great change in habits for a lot of us. You know, we cannot just
put out anything as I've heard a lot of people say anymore. The trash
game is completely new. The rules are all new because we don't have
anywhere to put that trash anymore and the State is telling us you
WILL recycle. They're not asking us, we're being told. And that is
going to be reflected on your habits because you are going to have to
adopt a new way of throwing things out, also. I think that we are all
going to have to change our habits and as I evaluated the nine
different proposals that's how I went about it. It wasn't just the
price but how are they going to help us help you begin the recycling
ethic and the company that we did select in my mind had a much better
approach, had the facility operating already. I was fairly sure and
I'm hoping that they will continue to develop markets so that we can
really meet our State mandated goals. Remember, in about three years
if we don't it's going to be $1,000 a day fine and that's 25%. We'll
make that but then five years, 2001, that's 50%. Think of what you
throw out right now and then cut that in half. That's what we're
going to have to have in ten years and again, if we don't meet it it's
going to be $1,000 a day and that's your taxpayer's money. So, we
really had to look at those other things that we haven't looked at
before. You used to be look at the price, okay this is a good price,
there's the contract. We can't play that game anymore. We've got to
look at all the other things that go into waste management and let's
get used to that term. It's waste management nowadays because it
isn't trash. We have to manage our wastes. You and I and everybody
else in the southern California area and I wish it was cut and dried
and simple but it isn't. It was a real tough call, real tough job and
again I think we went with the company that's going to be best
servicing you and helping you meet what is required, what the City is
required to meet. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
TAYLOR: Mr. Mayor. I'd like a consensus from this Council. Was it a
fact that Athens and Modern Service would have met the requirements of
the contract as far as servicing. For example, what Mr. Bruesch made
reference to. Could both of those companies provided the...meet the
requirements of the law? I'm asking the Council.
BRUESCH: In my opinion, Mr. Taylor, I again looking at the,value I
put on each program in detail and structure I was a little bit wary
about whether or not any of the companies could meet the requirements
as well as Consolidated.
TAYLOR: Keep in mind that those
Consolidated how he was going to
explain it. Do you recall that?
you and explain my unique way of
saying?
minutes are verbatim and we asked
handle the program and he could not
He said I would like to meet with
doing it. That was Zakaroff you're
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BRUESCH: Yeah, that was Zakaroff.
•
TAYLOR: No. You're getting... just listen. That I believe was
Consolidated that said that at both meetings and I again ask the
Council could Modern or Athens meet the requirements of what the law
is going to make them do?
McDONALD: Well I think, Mr. Taylor, that all nine of them could.
They all said they could and the only thing we had to go by was
actually what was on the paper there except for those that before we
started working with the contracts took us out to their facilities to
look at those.
TAYLOR: I believe there's a gentleman...
McDONALD: Excuse me, Gary. I think the point that Mr. Tilesio of
Consolidated was taking was that he kind of an idea that was unique
and if you notice you've gotten an individual letter from him on that
that he didn't want to necessarily share that unique green project
that he had with any of the other people who were bidding on the job.
TAYLOR: But the others could have met the requirements of the
contract and the law. Is that true?
BRUESCH: That's conjecture.
McDONALD: Sure, on paper, yes.
TAYLOR: As Mr. Bruesch says, that's conjecture. But I invite you
people to get those minutes and read them. They are verbatim and
correct me if I'm wrong was it not Modern Service and Athens that were
the first and second low bidder, price-wise, on the original bid? And
Consolidated was number eight? I'm only asking the question because
as Mr. Donohoo mentioned and the other gentleman, I believe he's from
Athens, sitting in front of Mr. Donohoo...I don't..-.what is your name
sir?
AUDIENCE: Dennis Chiapetta, General Manager of Athens Disposal.
TAYLOR: All right. These gentlemen did present their proposals and I
didn't choose either one of them in the sense...I said they were the
lowest bidders and we should be talking with them. The other eight
contractors were not allowed to come in and amend their proposals as
often as Consolidated was so I was opposed to that contract. I want
to say in fairness to the Council the way they considered it and the
motives I believe they were looking for the proper contract to serve
the residents of Rosemead. There was no underhand deals that went on.
I have no knowledge of that. I don't even imply that there was. I
believe that they made the best decision they could. It was a
difference of philosophy and policy. I believe that when you invite
nine bidders in here to give you a proposal you say okay nine
companies come in here and give us an offer. And then to say, number
eight you can modify your proposal and modify it again, that's not
good business. So, regardless, I don't have a dispute with the
Consolidated contract. I think the Council did... the end result was
as good or the same as Modern or Athens but they were allowed to bring
it down to meet those two proposals. So, again I think the net result
is you're going to... first you would get a rate increase, all of you,
across the board which is within $.07 or $.09 of what the others would
have been. You are going to have and correct me if I'm wrong., a
couple of the speakers stated unlimited use...that is going to
continue as far as the amount of rubbish put out except bulk items..
That was something that all the contractors had to meet once
quarterly. Every three months there'll be a designated date you can
put out washers and sofas and things of that nature. So, is it
correct that they will be able to put out unlimited rubbish?
TRIPEPI: Yes, sir.
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TAYLOR: So, it's not going to change that much. It was just a matter
of selecting the contractor and the Council whether we agree with it
or not has that option to weigh all matters. Mr. Bruesch made some.
comments the way he weighed it. There was nothing wrong with that.
He just chose to do it that way. Mr. McDonald had his reasons for
doing it. Mr. Imperial and Mrs. Clark had theirs. So, I don't say
that there was any real wrong doing it was just a matter of what
policy and what procedure are we going to use. So, I believe that
they did have the best service for the residents in this community.
One of the options that Consolidated made was that they would put a
cap on the increases but they were allowed to come forth and make that
offer. And it is not going to be unlimited. I believe it's up to a
maximum of 5% with the tipping fees, is that correct? Consolidated
can come back and get up to a 5% increase?
TRIPEPI: Maximum 5%.
IMPERIAL: For three years.
TAYLOR: For the first three years and then after that but keep in
mind that all eight contractors could have come in, the other
additional eight, and each year the increases would have been whatever
they ...5%, 10% but they had the option to do that. So, over all the
contract in my opinion is very similar between the three of them.
It's just that Consolidated got the opportunity to amend theirs and I
have no real qualms with the Council as far as their interest was the
interest of the residents. So, that's how you ended up getting
Consolidated.
BRUESCH: Mr. Mayor. I want to reiterate what I said at the end of
the meeting last week. I made a statement to the fact that as with
any contract City Council people get inundated with requests to meet
with contractors and this Council has steadfastly refused to do so. I
know myself I've got about a half dozen letters asking and calls
asking me to return calls during the deliberations on this contract
and after. I have steadfastly said to all of the requests if you have
a question to ask me, ask it in front of a public meeting. I will not
meet privately with any contractor and that's just one of my policies
and I will say it again to the contractors, if you wish to speak to me
on any matter this is the forum in which to speak because you're in
front of the people. I do not like to make private discussions behind
closed doors. I think I really have to praise the Council because we
did not do this as other cities might have done it and looked at
contracts and done it in one meeting. This was spread out over three
separate meetings and a study session. I mean we spent in public
meetings over probably ten to twelve hours and it was not an easy
decision to make at all.
IMPERIAL: Is that it, Mr. Bruesch?
TAYLOR: Mr. Mayor. Mr. McDonald made reference to the State starting
to increase the sales tax or trying to increase it another 1 1/4 cent
on the sales and I'm just going to ask a hypothetical question to the
people here in the audience. Are you familiar... we do have a
redevelopment agency. If you had the option of having to pay the
County $300,000 a year, this is simplified for one reason, if you had
the option of paying LA County $300,000 a year in excess tax increment
would you rather give that money to the County whether you liked it or
not and I don't like it but it's an option... if you had to give them
$300,000 and maybe it would just feed their appetite a little bit more
and I hope that it would cut down their appetite and say gee we got
$300,000 from the City of Rosemead or the Rosemead Redevelopment
Agency, now let's go find somebody else to get some more money from.
But the point is would you rather give the County $300,000 for a year
or would you rather go into debt and pay $1 million a year in interest
to private investors. If you had that choice, either give up $300,000
for one year, two years, three years, and four years or give up $1
million for one, two, three, four years for $4 million. Which way
would you go? Could you raise your hands if you would go for the
$300,000 or the $4 million? Who would go for the $300,000 a year? I
only see four hands. Who would go for paying the $4 million to
investors? ADJ CC 6-20-91
Page #8
TRIPEPI: They're not understanding.
TAYLOR: Okay, let me start again.
McDONALD: Gary, what's the point ...the point on the floor we have a
motion and a second on...
TAYLOR: Yeah, you have a motion and a second but I'm just asking a
little hypothetical question. You made reference to why the State
wants another cent and a quarter. If...
IMPERIAL: Why don't we ask them if they want senior housing? If they
want a recreation center and everything, too.
TAYLOR: Okay. We're going to get that one way or another. The point
is that right now LA County is taking $300,000 a year excess
redevelopment tax increment because we don't have enough debt. That's
the way the law refers to it. So, we're collecting $3.5 million a
year, just simple figures. The County says that's all you need.
We're going to take $300,000 because that's extra, you don't need that
money. So, we're going to sell some new notes and go into debt and
say to the County well, we're in debt now so we're going to pay $1
million a year in interest to investors all over the nation rather
than give you the $300,000, we're going to give $1 million away. And
my question was and would you rather give the $300,000 a year to the
County whether we like it or.not or give $1 million in interest to
investors. You're going to get the principal one way or the other.
The principal being the money that you borrow. I guess I've made that
pretty confusing.
McDONALD: You sure did.
TAYLOR: Anyway, that'll come up in the future. It's all in the
minutes verbatim, too, so it'll be cleared up later.
BRUESCH: Mr. Mayor. We could go into this and start arguing finance
like I did last week with our bond salesman until I was blue in the
face. I mean right now the matter at hand and the thing that is
bothering these people is not bond financing it's what is going to
happen with our trash.
McDONALD: We need to let the people talk.
IMPERIAL: I want to give everyone the courtesy and the chance of
talking. But we've got some people who would like to get home. It's
almost nine o'clock and we've four more people who would like to speak
so we can go ahead and make some kind of decision. So, if it's all
right with the Council I'd like to continue with this.
McDONALD: You bet.
IMPERIAL: Okay. The next one is Delores Quick.
AUDIENCE: Quirk. 9064 Steele Street in Rosemead. I have a question.
How long is this $7.85 monthly rate going to last?
TAYLOR: One year.
QUIRK: One year.
ROBERT KRESS, CITY ATTORNEY: It's going to go up by 5%, up to 5%.
IMPERIAL: Regardless of who we get.
QUIRK: All right. That I understand. Okay. I understand they're
going to put a local office in. Where and when?
IMPERIAL: I don't know where that location is going to be.
ADJ CC 6-20-91
Page #9
11
Cl
TRIPEPI: I don't think they have.a location picked out. They will
have.
QUIRK: And you don't know how soon.
TRIPEPI: It will be open by August 1, 1991.
QUIRK: By August 1st.
IMPERIAL: It'll be open when the contract goes into effect.
QUIRK:. Because I was thinking of the older people and a lot of the
low income people, that's a 213 number they've got right now and we're
all in 818. Okay. And to answer your question as why there's not
more people here tonight. Tonight is Rosemead High School graduation
night. So, there's quite a few people that aren't here. And you
mentioned a dream project that Consolidated had and you don't know
what it is?
McDONALD: Oh, no. We do know what it is but the reason that he
didn't state it at the time was he thought it was unique enough not to
let the other bidders know what it was. The Council... we knew what it
was. Hold it. Listen. Listen. Maybe I didn't explain it right. He
had a unique program for the green waste, all right? that none of the
other bidders had knowledge of because he was working with some
outside people in a special project that had to do with something that
he didn't want them to know about. We know the only thing that they
use the green thing now is for compost and mulch on the sanitation
district cover and they're using that. However, it does not qualify
or the State doesn't let it qualify for recycling because it's still
going into the dump even though they're using it as kind of a ground
up cover over that and so Consolidated had a special program and they
gave it to us. We had it in their packet. But when somebody asked
him from the audience or whereever it was what his green waste program
is he didn't want to explain it. We already had the program. We knew
what it was.
QUIRK: Well, that I can understand for competition sake.
IMPERIAL: It's not unusual, ma'am. We've had people in here that
would for instance would like to put a restaurant in Rosemead but
don't want to say where it's going to be and what type of restaurant
because of the competition. This is not unusual in business.
QUIRK: Well, that seems a little more farfetched. His reason for
doing his sounds a little more logical to me than not knowing where
the restaurant and where you're going to put it. I mean the surprise
opening that I can understand.
BRUESCH: Mr. Mayor. Studying the recycling process that I have had
we're getting like you know these old industrial espionage movies
where cloak and dagger you're trying to steal trade secrets. It's
getting that bad in the waste management game. They are trying to
come up with new ways of doing things and cheaper ways of doing things
and they're extremely possessive of new technologies and new ways of
doing things.
QUIRK: Well, that I'm sure we can understand. That's competition
within the business but those were a few questions that I had that I
.wanted answered and I think it would behoove the Council on things
like this maybe let it out a little sooner that this thing is going to
be coming up and you'd probably had a lot more people here earlier.
McDONALD: Delores, we have a problem with getting communications out.
It was in the paper that there was public hearings on the trash thing.
We tried to get articles in the newspapers. The Tribune won't take
our stinking articles because we don't have enough people in Rosemead
who take the Tribune so we have to pound on them to get it in. It's
in the newsletters but they only go out quarterly. And we can't
do...certain mailings cost so much and we're trying to keep the budget
ADJ CC 6-20-91
Page #10
McDONALD CONTINUES: down to a minimum. We spend millions and
millions of dollars in this City, policy making up here. I think if
you understood the whole entire process and the only reason we
couldn't get you know the exact change out to you is because once we
picked the bidder we had to go sit at the table and then write up a
contract so we had every little detail covered so he was protected as
a contractor and we were protected here and down the future as the
people who are employing them to pick up our trash and we just signed
it when? The first of this week? Thursday? Of last week so we
couldn't do anything because we weren't sure. All we did was pick
them to be able to sit down and negotiate the contract. If we
couldn't work it out with them we would've gone to the next person on
the list that we had chosen as the next priority. But they said that
they would do everything that we asked. We signed a contract and now
you're going to get the letter telling you. And I know it's a little
scary when you get the letter from Modern saying your trash is going
to end up and you're figuring hey are we going to be like New York?
Is all our trash going to be there weeks so we apologize for that but
that's the way the system works as far as taking the bids and then
working out the contract and sitting down and negotiating with it so
we're sorry.
QUIRK: Well, at this point all I can say is time will tell and of
course elections do come and things do go so time will tell.
IMPERIAL: Robert Falcon.
AUDIENCE: Robert Falcon, 8601 Zerelda Street in Rosemead and I've
lived there for about 16 or 17 years. I lived in the County strip
prior to that. I don't know if Modern had that down there or not and
like most of the people in the room here I've had good service from
Modern and have no complaints there. My major complaint tonight is
methodology. I think that ...the only information that I've received
has come from Modern and it's bound to be biased. I've seen a lot of
things in the paper about parades,_Sister Cities, swimming pool
openings. I get things in the mail about when the parks are open.
But something very important to me and to the people in this room,
such as trash collection, is kind of skated over. I've heard the
excuse we had to move fast. You had to move fast. Well, you only had
about six or seven months to consider this. I can remember calling
here once a month for about a year and a half while you gentlemen took
five years to decide on which cable company we're going to have. But
you've got to skate through and something that has major impact on us
with more or less Mickey Mouse methodology because in my industry we
have proposals all the time. We get an RFP and part of the RFP is the
criteria by which the proposal is judged. So many percents or so many
points for price, so many for delivery, so.many for past performance,
on down the line. I don't know if you guys have something like that.
We got one guy over here looking at it from an environmental
standpoint. One guy that probably doesn't quite agree with it.
Another guy over here that's going for blue sky. You've invested our
trash collection on the blue sky. Some guy's got a secret thing.
He's got a secret thing and I can appreciate company secrets and
private information. However, it's science because you'll agree trash
collection and disposal or waste management is a science and just
because a guy puts it on a piece of paper doesn't mean it's going to
work. The world is.never the way you put it on paper. And I think
that's about all I have to say unless you have something you want to
respond on.
McDONALD: No. I was just saying that you're arguing something that
nothing's happened yet. Why don't you come back in six months and
tell us the service is rotten; tell us the service is good. The only
time ...because what we've done is taken a credible company. Here's
Athens here which is a credible company, Modern which is a credible
company and.we've picked one of the three. Has anything changed at
your house right now?
FALCON: No. Because Modern's still picking up. However, we don't
know. Modern... it wasn't broken why do we have to fix it. Because
they didn't have a secret weapon. That's why we had to fix it, right?
ADJ CC 6-20-91
Page #11
McDONALD: Ladies and gentlemen. Right now, if you look on our Claims
and Demands right here for this evening, there's $81,000 that the City
is paying for subsidy fees and dump fees. A little bit more than it
was last year.
FALCON: But didn't I just hear somebody say that's not going to
change?
McDONALD: What we'll do is we'll make.a deal with you. If you want
to...
IMPERIAL: We don't know until we try them. We've had Modern for over
20 years. I hope you realize that. We don't know what the rest of
the world is like.
McDONALD: We will reconsider the contract if you will pay also the
$81,000 so you'll be paying about $10 a pickup. Is that all right?
FALCON: I don't know what that has to do with anything, my friend.
Because you just said somebody else just testified here a minute ago
nothing's going to change. Now you're saying it's going to change.
McDONALD: No. You don't quite understand that what we're doing is
subsidizing almost $11 a month fee to have your trash picked up but
you're only paying $5.24 because we're subsidizing that. So, that's
almost $11.
FALCON: But didn't I just hear the subsidy was going to go away
regardless of who got the contract?
McDONALD: Right. But if you're willing to pay the subsidy and
willing to pay the $10...
FALCON: We're going to have to pay it anyway. You just said that.
McDONALD: You're not paying a subsidy because the bid came below.
You're only paying $5.24. You're paying $1.50 for recycling. You're
paying $7.85 on this thing.
FALCON: I'm glad you brought up this recycling, too.
BRUESCH: I just want to respond with the idea about if it's not fixed
why change? Again, going with studying the recycling thing, in
reading through the contracts and I'm sure if you want to you can get
copies and read it through yourself and compare them as I did, I spent
many hours doing so, my estimation based on eight years of working
with the recycling committee the idea of the program about recycling
was not addressed as well in Modern's proposal as three or four other
of the contracts. Now, it isn't broken now but in the near future it
could be and that's what we have to avoid.
FALCON: Is Temple City one of Consolidated's contract cities?
TRIPEPI: No.
IMPERIAL: Why is that important?
FALCON: Well, I remember when they put their...I have some friends
who live in Temple City and they came back when they had the
recycling, put their trash things out and their yard was covered with
the bottles, the peanut butter jars, and the glass. Only the things
that had California redemption value were taken by the recyclers.
IMPERIAL: That can happen with any trash collector.
FALCON: Well, is that our agreement with Consolidated? That we've
got to go through and only give them the California redemption?
TRIPEPI: No, sir. They take all glass.
ADJ CC 6-20-91
Page #12
0
FALCON: Peanut butter jars, too? Unwashed?
TRIPEPI: As would any of the nine contractors who gave proposals.
BRUESCH: In fact, one of the things that I demanded-throughout was
that HDPE No. 2, the big bottles, the big milk jugs, would be
included. We're one of the few cities that are going to be accepting
that in our recycling program.
FALCON: You're talking about plastic jugs.
BRUESCH: The big plastic jugs. We're going to be one of the few.
And that was discussed and discussed and they said no, there's no
market for it but one of the things I put my foot down and said yes
that's the big thing in our trash. What do we do with them? These
are the type of little things that were not addressed in a lot of the
contracts. When you're dealing with a whole new approach to getting
rid of trash, well, no, waste management you have to look at these
little things in the contracts that are proposed. And if you don't go
by what they say in their proposals then what can you go by? A gut
reaction?
FALCON: You can do like we do in the aerospace industry, you send the
questions back to them and say please respond to these and you get it
in writing.
BRUESCH: We did. And again on the second time around, the responses
on the four top companies among which was Modern, I ranked and the
responses by Modern were not nearly as detailed as the responses of
other companies. I'm just saying from my personal ...you were
wondering how we go about this and this is what I was looking at. I
was looking at making it as easy as possible for our constituency here
to help the City meet the requirements.
FALCON: I have no axe to grind with any of that. It's just as I
said, the methodology and the fact that we citizens were kept in the
dark about this mostly.
BRUESCH: One thing I want to respond on that, too, is throughout the
last what, six, seven years, we...when anybody came up with that
where's the information we'd say well we have a newsletter that goes
around. And right away we'd get the response back, whoever reads that
big old thing, anyhow?
FALCON: I do.
BRUESCH: You can listen to the things though. About.two years ago we
decided well if nobody's reading it and we keep on getting this
response, let's try to do it in-house; let's try to do it through the
newspapers. At the very time that we stopped that large newsletter,
the Progress (Independent?) newspapers came to us and says we're
sorry, we can't service your community anymore because the advertisers
in your community are not buying enough advertising in our newspaper.
So, we tried to keep that going for awhile but that closed down.
Then, we received information from the Daily Tribune and the Star News
and like that, you don't have enough readers for us to put all these
articles in the newspapers. Just tonight we saw a renewed, smaller
edition of our newsletter. You know, these are the type of the things
that we on the Council have to be faced with, you know, trying to get
the information out to the people. Well, where are the newspapers
that are supposed to be handling these articles? They're non-existent
in our community and as Mr. McDonald said, a lot of the newspapers
won't write out articles on Rosemead because there's not enough
readership here.
FALCON: I'll give that some thought and perhaps I'll call you about
that sometime. Maybe there is a way to get around that.
BRUESCH: I'd like, to have a local access cable TV but I don't know if
there's enough people out there that are interested in having a
Rosemead channel. ADJ CC 6-20-91
Page #13
LJ
0
FALCON: But I've taken up a lot of the Council's time and I
appreciate the opportunity to make my feelings known. Thank you.
IMPERIAL: Patricia Sindolar.
AUDIENCE: Patricia Sindolar, 9433 DeAdalena Street. I am amazed and
appalled at the amount of rhetoric that's coming out of this group
this evening. You're not even sticking with what the issues are.
You're talking about how long it took you to discuss all of these
things you're going to change. You talked to all of these people.
You went over proposals. What's the matter with talking to us? If I
can get a letter in the mail from the Rosemead Slo-Pitch team telling
me what to do about signing up my children couldn't I have gotten a
notice from the Rosemead City Council telling me that this was under
consideration? We weren't notified that any of this was going on.
That's one thing. The other thing I'd like to know about is if you're
going to do away with the subsidy and we're going to have to pay
Consolidated, let us pay the people that we're familiar with, that
have taken care of us for thirty years, with whom we are more than
satisfied. The gentleman took away my quote. I'm sorry, if it'ain't
broke, don't fix it. We're here. You didn't give us a chance to be
here before now. We just found about all of this. The Rosemead
newsletter. We read it. There's nothing. There'.s nothing in the
Monterey Park Progress. We get a paper on Thursdays. There's nothing
in there. What about scheduling this meeting on a night that you know
that half the population of Rosemead is going to be at the school
attending the graduation of their children and grandchildren? Those
are all necessary. If this went on as this gentleman said for so
long, so many discussions, so much money, all of these little is had
to be crossed and the eyes had to be dotted, during that time we
should have been notified that these considerations were taking place.
We should have been told. The City of Rosemead is considering not
using Modern Service any longer. We have eight bids. Give us a
chance to come up here and listen to them. Why was this other company
given a chance to come back and replace their bid?
TRIPEPI: Ma'am. That would have been wrong for the Council to say
that because they did not say we're not going to consider Modern
Service.
SINDOLAR: But you couldn't have let us know that these issues were
going on?
TRIPEPI: Well, all I'm saying is is that Modern Service was one of
the companies that provided.proposals. All we did was go out and seek
proposals.
SINDOLAR: If we are not getting anything different from Consolidated
than we are getting from Modern Service and we are happy with them,
why are you changing? You have not answered one question as far as
that's concerned.
BRUESCH: Ma'am. May I respond to that? Again,...
SINDOLAR: And we are all aware of waste management. You have bled
that to death. We're all trying to recycle. I save my newspapers. I
put my glass aside. I change my jars. I put string out and I take it
to places where it can be sold or used. I even called the Los Angeles
Times, stop the paper, it's too big, you're not taking it back, you're
not recycling. We are aware of waste management. And we're trying.
All of us. Modern Service will help us out. They don't give us any
problems at all. I still don't see the rationale for the change.
Another thing I want to know is the senior citizen age. At what age?
Fifty, fifty-five, seventy-nine? You haven't told us that either.
TAYLOR: Sixty-two. It's in the contract.
SINDOLAR: I'm still very, very concerned about the fact that the City
of Rosemead, the general population, was not notified that all these
negotiations were going on and you're taking away a company with whom
ADJ CC 6-20-91
Page #14
SINDOLAR CONTINUES: we are very satisfied and giving us someone you
say don't know a year from now what's going to happen. If the rates
can be raised 5% let Modern raise it. We know them. They know us.
And I'm also very disappointed that your attitudes seem to be that
this a moot point and we are all wasting our time because that's what
we're getting from you. It's done. It's over with. Speak your piece
but we're not really listening.
McDONALD: Well, if you'd like you can ask us direct questions. I
told you in the first place that we had a lower bid from Consolidated
than we did from Modern Service.
SINDOLAR: Because you let them come back. Because you let
Consolidated come back and rebid them.
McDONALD: No. Let me explain something. When the contracts came in
the first night we allowed the four companies that we chose to start
with because they were maybe a little higher than the rest of them,
compacted in a certain area, we picked those. We said we don't want
to be in the trash business. We don't want a franchise fee. We don't
want anything returned on the recycling. You can take those fees in
your contract, move them around, and come back with another bid. We
didn't say come back but rearrange it. They all did that.
Consolidated came back with the lowest bid. They capped it for three
years.
SINDOLAR: Was Modern Service given the opportunity to match that?
McDONALD: They had the opportunity.
SINDOLAR: And they refused to do it?
McDONALD: When you bid on something, you bid on the way that you
think somebody's going to pick the bid. So, that was their choice on
how they bid that. They capped it. No other company capped the cost
at 5% CPI for the year. And it's been going along for 5%. Now,
you're making faces at me like you're not listening to what I'm
saying.
SINDOLAR: I'm listening to you. Believe me I am.
McDONALD: Okay. Five percent cap meaning that since it's been at
least 5% for the last few years, we thought that was the safest way to
go because we knew the fees were going to go up and they couldn't
bring the fees back into the formula to increase it. I live in
Rosemead. I pay the trash. We told you we didn't have a problem with
Modern Service. But these companies are all professional companies.
They all provide a professional service on contract and any time they
get a complaint they go out and take care of it. All we're trying to
do here is get a cost over the next couple of years that's going to be
less than what you would pay now. Modern Service with the subsidy
fees that we were paying that they were passing through, was charging
us $10.48. When they came in with their new bid, they underbid
themselves by almost $3.00. In the last year and a half they came in
and begged us for money; to look at the number of tons that were going
to the landfill and saying we can't make it. We're losing money every
month here in Rosemead. And then here they come back and underbid
their bid by $3.00. But they weren't the lowest bid. We picked the
lowest bidder. The person and the company is professional just like
Athens and Modern and what we're here to do and we spend millions of
dollars on a regular basis, we cut back the subsidy because it was
costing us too much and you're going to pay probably the same amount
that you did before plus $1.50 that everybody's paying for recycling
so actually you're not paying anymore than you were with the subsidy.
SINDOLAR: If Consolidated was the lowest bid, were they the lowest
bid to begin with?
McDONALD: No, they weren't. None of the lowest bid to begin with
because we let everybody go back with that. I made the proposal after
ADJ CC 6-20-91
Page #15
McDONALD CONTINUES: we allowed them to do that to let us go out to
bid again. Let the companies fight and bark and chew at each other
because I was looking at the lowest bid because I knew all of them
were good companies and they were all going to give us good service
and I thought we could get it even less than what we got it for but
the Council was pleased. The methodology. I don't know what you want
to say about the methodology.
SINDOLAR: The Council was pleased but the people don't know anything.
McDONALD: Like we said there's trash. If you've been reading the
newspapers for the last five years you can see where the trash problem
is. You knew we were going to have to have recycling because that
came down from the state. We certainly could have maybe have gotten
out some letters and stuff like that but we were trying to really
delve into these companies and find out if they were professional
enough come into Rosemead. And those were the ones we decided.
Modern has taken the attitude hey let's get the community up in arms
and say that these people did something wrong or made some sort of
decision.
SINDOLAR: No. No.
McDONALD: Or gave some advantage to somebody else. The first thing
we said to any of those contract companies is we don't want you to
talk to individual council people while any bidding is going on. And
you can talk to any one of these council people and they didn't have
those people come in and lobby them and take out here and show them
this.
SINDOLAR: The bottom line of the whole thing is if there is parity
with pricing and with service, why not stay with the company with
which we have been so happy all these years. That's the bottom line.
McDONALD: If you were going to go out and buy...I think we made the
decision in the best interests of the community and you can disagree
with us and you can disagree with me and you take your disagreement to
the polls but I'll stick by what I voted for because I worked my fanny
off...I analyzed these reports ...you come in here and all you're doing
is getting second hand information from somebody or the company who is
giving you information...
SINDOLAR: We weren't getting it from you. How else are we going to
get.it but second hand?
McDONALD: But that's what I'm saying. All the minutes are available
of any meeting that we've had here. All that stuff's available.
SINDOLAR: But it's past, now. It's a moot point. You have signed
the papers.
McDONALD: Nobody tells us what they want to know until it's happened.
TAYLOR: Mr. Mayor. May I make a comment, Mr. McDonald? I've been on
the Council eighteen years and we set a policy because when the
residents come up they don't know what's going on and I'm not
belittling anyone for saying that but in all honesty I have to say
that we have meetings here month in and month out where we're lucky to
have two residents that will come to these meetings. These agendas
and the packets are posted in the Rosemead library, they're posted in
the Del Mar library. Janice, are some of these posted at the
markets? ...Just City Hall. How many locations are they posted? ...City
Hall and the library. Don't we have it on Del Mar? I thought we did
have it. I'd like to check that policy. We were to have it in six or
seven locations. Janice has only been here two years or so. But we
did have ...Frank, didn't we have a policy where those agendas were
going to be posted in...
TRIPEPI: Yeah. We used to. The Council with the former City Clerk,
I think she posted them at the Del Mar library, this library, the City
ADJ CC 6-20-91
Page #16
0
TRIPEPI CONTINUES: Hall and I believe you put them up on a bulletin
at the market across the street.
TAYLOR: But I have gone over to the library there just to see and
they're posted in the back vestibule and the point I'm trying to make
is that this Council ...you heard me speak my piece tonight. If I
disagree with them, I'll speak that way. But in all fairness they try
to put out the information. This was going on for a good four solid
months. We had discussions for two and three hours here, all verbatim
and again, we might have had five, maybe ten people here. And Modern
Service at times had people come in that and it's in the minutes who
these people were, they knew. They sent the card out after the
contract was more or less let or selected through Consolidated. That
billing went out after the fact. The postcard went out after the
fact. I don't belittle them for what business tactics they use but
this Council I don't believe is at fault for not informing the people.
If we sent out letters every two weeks, there's 15,000 households at
$.25 a stamp, that's $4,000 every two weeks or $8,000 a month,
$100,000 a year and we can't do that.
SINDOLAR: If this negotiation had been going on for so many months,
two notices is all we would have gotten, two notices is all we would
have needed. Many of us work from seven in the morning until seven or
eight o'clock at night. We don't see the notices at City Hall or the
library.
TAYLOR: I can't justify...
IMPERIAL: I didn't hear you say anything about the road department
contract, the Sheriff's department which protects are every being in
this.City. Nobody's complained about that but nobody's called you
from the Sheriff's department...
SINDOLAR: Aren't we here tonight for the trash...
IMPERIAL: ...at the time that that contract was let.
SINDOLAR: We're here tonight for the trash.
IMPERIAL: You're here tonight for the trash. I understand this. But
I wanted ...you came in here saying you didn't know anything, ma'am,
you hadn't heard anything, and you got it all from the trash company
but in my opinion and don't take me wrong, you're a citizen of this
community and I respect that, but you came in here opinionated and you
didn't want to hear the other side of the story. You didn't want to
hear that. I'm going to tell you something...
SINDOLAR: We weren't told the other side.
IMPERIAL: ..Let me finish, okay because I've sat here and listened
to this. I have served this city for 15 years and I'm not one ounce
ashamed of what I've done for this city. You're living in a city that
has no property taxes, no business taxes. You're living in a city
that is one of the top ten in this state. Ten is all there is that
have a AAA credit rating and it didn't happen by itself. It happened
with approval of Council. So, before you want to come in here and
criticize this Council take some consideration for the every day work
that we have to do and I'm talking day and night sometimes...
SINDOLAR: I'm very aware of that.
IMPERIAL: ...Okay. Talking day and night to try to make life best
for the city, citizens of this community. I've heard a lot of
comments about how long people have lived here. I've lived here for
32 years and for 32 years I have been involved in this city. I don't
see a lot of other people here. I came to these council meetings when
there was nobody here except for me because I was interested. Now, if
you want to know what's happening in this city this is not a big
secret. It is not a big secret. It's here for you to have and to
understand. It's public information. And one more comment, sir. If
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IMPERIAL CONTINUES: you don't believe in change and if it works don't
fix it, we'd still be using the F-86 Sabre Jet like we used in Korea.
And you're in aerospace.
SINDOLAR: Oh, please.
IMPERIAL: Thank you.
SINDOLAR: Moot point.
IMPERIAL: You didn't want to hear my side, ma'am but you heard it.
SINDOLAR: I listened to your point. The problem is that you didn't
give us the chance before hand to anticipate and go over this. This
should have been all taken up with the city. The city isn't the one
that's going to be paying the trash bill. We are. We're the
residents. If we're going to be paying an unsubsidized bill...
IMPERIAL: I'm one of those.
SINDOLAR: ...let us pay the one we like.
IMPERIAL: I've been paying a trash bill for years, 32.
SINDOLAR: But you are on the City Council. You make the decision.
You made the decision. We didn't. We're only the voters.
IMPERIAL: I only make those decisions because the majority of the
people in this community have given me that right to serve them and I
will say this one more thing. I don't like to be intimidated and I
felt like that was what I was when the lady said the vote's coming up.
Well, I'm going to tell you this. If I haven't proved to you in 15
years that I have helped to make this a good city to live in don't
vote for me, please. And I know some of you people out there.
AUDIENCE: I voted for you last time. You're there because I voted
for you.
IMPERIAL: And if you don't feel that way again, don't vote for me.
AUDIENCE: I won't.
IMPERIAL: Because I've given this city the best I have. Thank you.
SINDOLAR: I chose not to turn my back on you. But I will terminate
myself at this moment. Thank you.
BRUESCH: Mr. Mayor.
IMPERIAL: Douglas Mosher.
AUDIENCE: My name is Douglas Mosher. I live at 9444 E. DeAdalena.
Won't spend any time on.the subsidies. I won't spend any time on
waste management. I normally base all of my buying or whatever I do
on past experience. I don't buy anything from an ad in the paper.
It's a queer quirk of mine because I've got burned. So, I think I've
heard just about everything but I do want to say that the service has
been excellent from Modern. And I understand...
IMPERIAL: (To the audience)' Could we have some quiet so we can hear
this gentleman? Thank you.
MOSHER: ..I understand the reason that the Council took it and from
my standpoint.I will wait and give my evaluation in a period of time.
But again I repeat, I've been very happy with Modern all this time.
Matter of fact, I've been happy with Griegorian. I started with him I
believe in April 1, 1955. My daughter graduated with his sister,
Debbie McDonald. My daughter was Anita Mosher. I won't say anymore
on that because I think it's all been said.
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IMPERIAL: Mr. Mosher. I just want to say you made a fair assessment
and give us a chance to prove it. Thank you.
MOSHER: And.I will assess it in time.
IMPERIAL: Thank you, Mr. Mosher. That's reasonable. Michael O'Shea.
AUDIENCE: My name is Michael O'Shea. I live at 9317 Rose Street. I
feel that the City,Council had a right to decide what they wanted to
pick up. You know, who to pickup. It's like anybody that owns a
house, you guys, you want to add on to your house, you have people,
you know contractors, come in, give you a bid and you decide on which
one you like the best and that's what they have done. Thank you.
IMPERIAL: Thank you.
BRUESCH: Mr. Mayor. I just want to say about, sir, about the lack of
communications. Sitting in City Hall as we do, we usually hear only
complaints. And as we are tonight, obviously. And a lot of people
are saying that they satisfied with Modern Service's service but we've
received quite a few complaints. I mean, I know myself in the last
couple weeks I've had people call me up and say thank God, we're
finally getting rid of them. I mean I've had two or three of these
cards that you're receiving here sent right to us in our boxes, that
say the same thing. But you know, we're not going to get into a
popularity vote on this. We're not trying to say who is the neatest
guy on the block right now. What we're dealing with is services to
the community and again we have to go with what is written on their
proposals and again we have to go with what are the responses to what
we gave out as our requirements for this contract. The respondents
all had an equal chance to respond to the various particular items
that each of these council people came up with and again, even on the
second time around, the respondents were not equal in what they said
they would do on particular points.
IMPERIAL: Is that all, Mr. Bruesch?
BRUESCH: That's it.
IMPERIAL: Any further comment from the Council?
CLARK: Yes. I just want to clarify a couple of things because this
will probably be, knowing Gary it will be verbatim minutes. Yes?
TAYLOR: It'll finish the whole package for six months.
CLARK: Right. So, I think we should get our facts straight. There
was a comment made by Councilman Taylor that the original bid that
Consolidated was eight or nine on the list, being the most expensive.
And I have to take issue with that because the recycling had to be
included in that and that's what you will be billed for. The total
bill will include recycling and when you take the recycling all in
there, Modern, Athens and Consolidated were the top low, the three low
and that's why we chose them. We... if you didn't... weren't familiar
with the process so far, there were nine companies. We narrowed them
down to four companies. They were Athens, Consolidated, Modern and
BFI. And so they were the ones that we looked at the second time
around. So, I just want that to be in the record. And the second
thing was the statement was made, or the implication that Consolidated
was allowed to put a cap on its rate increases and the other companies
were not and that is not true, either. All of them were asked to come
back with the formula that they would have for rate increases when the
dumps add the prices onto them. You're all familiar with the fact
that the dumps can raise their fees and they have to pass them on to
the trash companies. So, we asked each company how are you going to
deal with this? Are you going to have any formulas? And everybody
had a chance to come back and Consolidated was the only one that came
back with a cap for the first three years, or any cap. And theirs was
for the first three years. So, I want that to go in the record. The
other thing that I want to say is the three low bids, Consolidated,
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Page #19
0 •
CLARK CONTINUES: Athens and Modern, were all within $.73 of each
other. The others were up in another $1.00 increment or more. So,
and the other thing that I want to say is I am very envious of Modern
for getting all these people out because I wish we had more people out
at meetings and I wish also and I want to commend all of you for
coming, because I wish we had more people that were interested not
only in what's going on in the City but at the state level because as
I mentioned earlier there are things going on in Sacramento that you
would not believe. We were up there lobbying to protect some of money
last week and I cannot believe the things that are going on in their
minds and there are bills that would just curl your hair if you knew
and I would like to ask if anybody is interested in getting involved
at all, that they either see me after the meeting or give your name,
address, phone number to the staff and we can call you when there's a
need for lobbying efforts, make a phone call, write a letter to the
senator, letter to assemblyman, you wouldn't have to do it. You can
always say no but I would love to have a pool of people out there that
would like to say we don't like this, do something because we've got
to get involved. We've got to stop the apathy in our state or we are
lost. So, I want to thank you all for coming and I'm glad that you're
interested. Thank you.
TAYLOR: Mr. Mayor. I respect what Mrs. Clark had to say but correct
me if I'm wrong. When the original, the first submittals came in,
where was Consolidated? What number were they?
CLARK: Well, they were number three, Gary.
TAYLOR: No, no. Look at.... "
CLARK: Okay. The recycling, okay, was not included. They didn't
charge for recycling.
TAYLOR: At the base residential rate where we primarily started
because there's approximately 11,000 or 12,000 homes, what does the
first column and we'll get into the discussion as far as all of the
alternatives, what was the basic residential rate listed?
BRUESCH: Including recycling.
TAYLOR: The first column, there. Does that list the...
CLARK: That does not include recycling, okay? So, then you go to the
next one...
TAYLOR: When we go across the page would you please read the
residential rates of the nine companies.
CLARK: Without recycling?
TAYLOR: Starting with that column. Then we'll go across and the
audience will get a better idea of how it was deciphered. What was
the residential rate?
CLARK: Okay. I'll read this. However, you have to bear in mind that
Consolidated did not charge anything for recycling.
TAYLOR: All right. We'll get that ironed out.
CLARK: So, it was included.
TAYLOR: And then Modern Service said for $.50, if they got the
commercial and the residential, they would only charge $.50.
CLARK: That's correct.
TAYLOR: Please read the single family residential rate of the nine
companies.
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• •
CLARK: Okay. Athens was $7.54. Consolidated was $8.99. BFI was
$7.80. Waste Management $8.80. Metropolitan $8.30. Modern Service
$7.76. Cal-San $8.96. Western Waste $8.98. Zakaroff $10.44. Okay,
now we go over to... if you add the recycling in and this is for
Athens, it was co-mingled, if it was stackable it was a little more
but I'll go co-mingled because that's what we are doing. Athens was
$8.89. Consolidated was $8.99. BFI was $9.53. Waste Management was
$9.85. Metropolitan was $10.14. Modern Service was $8.26. Cal-San
was $10.46. Western Waste was $10.93. Zakaroff was $11.99. So, the
three low...do you mind if I say?
TAYLOR: No. Go ahead and read them in, the lowest.
CLARK: Okay. The lowest was modern service $8.26. The next lowest
was Athens at $8.89. And Consolidated was $8.99. So, as I said, it
was all within $.73. I just wanted to clarify that for the record
because the information was not given correctly for the record. I'm
not making any judgment on it. I'm just saying that they were not
number nine or ten originally, Gary. That's all I'm trying to say.
IMPERIAL: Is that all, Mr. Taylor?
TAYLOR: That's all, Mr. Mayor.
BRUESCH: Mr. Mayor. Just one final thing in the record. The
comparison rates at home site collection not including recycling, the
rate that will be paid by residents of the City of Rosemead instead of
being the very bottom, the lowest in the County, has jumped up to be
still within the bottom 40%. In other words, there's 60% of the
cities within the County of Los Angeles that will be paying more than
you are.
IMPERIAL: Is that all, Mr. Bruesch?
BRUESCH: Yes, sir.
TRIPEPI: We've got a resolution to read.
IMPERIAL: Anyone else wishing to speak on this? We have a vote and a
second on the floor.
BRUESCH: I call for the question.
IMPERIAL: Question's been called for. You want the resolution read?
Mr. Bruesch?
BRUESCH: In title only.
TRIPEPI: The title of the resolution 91-29 is a Resolution of the
City Council of the City of Rosemead approving an exclusive franchise
agreement for refuse collection and recycling with Consolidated
Disposal Services, Inc.
IMPERIAL: Okay, gentlemen. If there's no further question, would you
vote please?
Yes: Bruesch, Imperial, Clark, McDonald
No: Taylor
Absent: None
Abstain: None
IMPERIAL: Thank you. I'd like to say at this time I would like to
thank...I appreciate everyone coming out and being interested. I
would like to see you all back again for the next meeting and the next
meeting because we need the input in the City Council. Feel free to
call here at any time to ask any questions you might want to ask and
it's all public information, no matter what it is. Thank you for
coming and we'll have a five-minute recess.
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Page #21
TAYLOR: Mr. Mayor. I'd like this in the minutes verbatim. One other
question. When does the bond note come back? For the Redevelopment
Agency for the sale of the $15 million? When's that due on the
agenda?
TRIPEPI:. It's in July, I believe. The second meeting.
TAYLOR: All right. I made a comment tonight about interest payments
and tax increment and redevelopment agencies. Now, many of you said
you don't know what's going on at the City Council meetings. In July
we're going to have a meeting to sell approximately $15-$16 million
worth of bonds and pay somewhere the same amount in interest whether
it be $16-$18 million. That's just food for thought. People say
they're not told about what's going on. Well, that's going to be the
next big item we have.
TRIPEPI: Mr. Mayor. Then just for the record and I think it's just
because Mr. Taylor was unable to attend that meeting where we had the
report. I believe that sale is between $9=$10 million, Mr. Taylor.
For the record.
TAYLOR: Then that was at...
TRIPEPI: That was at the last...
TAYLOR: Mr. Wagner asked if I could those minutes verbatim... copy of
that tape and I haven't received it yet. Did you ask me that, Mr.
Wagner?
TRIPEPI: I think he asked you if you wanted the minutes to be done
verbatim and you said yes and that's what we're doing.
TAYLOR: I'd like a copy of the tape.
TRIPEPI: Sure. That's not a problem.
IMPERIAL: Is that all, Mr. Taylor?
TAYLOR: That's it, Mr. Mayor.
END VERBATIM DIALOGUE
A five-minute recess was called at this time, and the meeting was
reconvened accordingly.
III.LEGISLATIVE
A. RESOLUTION NO. 91-27 - CLAIMS & DEMANDS
The following resolution was presented to the Council for
adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 91-27
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD
ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS IN THE SUM OF $288,484.22
NUMBERED 37468-37475 AND 33685 THROUGH 33747
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN McDONALD that
Resolution No. 91-27 be adopted. Vote resulted:
Yes: Bruesch, Taylor, Imperial, Clark, McDonald
No: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered.
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• •
III. LEGISLATIVE - CONTINUED
B. RESOLUTION NO. 91-28 - ADOPTING THE 1991-92 BUDGET
The following resolution was presented to the Council for
adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 91-28
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD
ADOPTING AN APPROPRIATIONS LIMITATION FOR THE 1991-92 FISCAL
YEAR AND ADOPTING THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 1991-92,
MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE AMOUNTS BUDGETED
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN McDONALD that
Resolution No. 91-28 be adopted. Vote resulted:
Yes: Bruesch, Imperial, Clark, McDonald
No: Taylor
Absent: None
Abstain: None
The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered.
Councilman Taylor stated that he would vote no on individual
budgeted items as they come before the Council for approval.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
CC-A APPROVAL OF AGREEMENT WITH THE SAN GABRIEL SCHOOL
DISTRICT TO PROVIDE A SUM24ER YOUTH LUNCH PROGRAM AT
VARIOUS SITES IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CITY'S SUMMER
RECREATION PROGRAM
CC-B RENEWAL OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT SERVICE
AGREEMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1991-1992
CC-C AUTHORIZATION TO ATTEND SUPERFIIND WHITE HOUSE MEETING ON
JUNE 25, 1991
CC-D AUTHORIZATION TO EXTEND RUBBISH AGREEMENT WITH MODERN
SERVICE FOR THIRTY DAYS
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN TAYLOR, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH that
the foregoing items on the Consent Calendar be approved. Vote
resulted:
Yes: Bruesch, Taylor, Imperial, Clark, McDonald
No: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None
The Mayor declared said.motion duly carried and so ordered.
V. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION & ACTION - These items were considered at
the beginning.of the meeting.
VI. STATUS REPORTS - None
VII. MATTERS FROM OFFICIALS
A. CITY HALL PARKING
MOTIOM BY COUNCILMAN McDONALD, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH that
the Council provide parking spaces marked for City Hall Business Only.
Vote resulted:
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Page #23
• Yes: Bruesch, Taylor, Imperial, Clark, McDonald
No: None
Absent: None
Abstain: None'
The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered.
B.
TAYLOR
1. Requested a report regarding shooting incidents during
the past several months and the sentences given to the
perpetrators.
C. COUNCILMAN BRUESCH
hangouts.
1. Suggested that stake outs be conducted at known gang
2. Asked if the satellite Sheriff's Station at Garvey
Park would aid in the response time by deputies called for
assistance to gang-related activities.
In action not on the agenda, Mayor Imperial asked if the
council would be in favor of purchasing flags to be given out at
the parade on July 4, 1991, as requested by Holly Knapp at the
beginning of the meeting. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH, SECOND BY
COUNCILMAN TAYLOR that the City approve the purchase of 200 flags
and appropriate $170 to pay for them.
D. MAYOR IMPERIAL
1. Requested additional' Sheriff support at Little League
games and other organized activities held at Garvey Park.
There being no further action to be taken at this time, the
meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m. The next regular meeting,
scheduled for June 25, 1991, will be cancelled due to lack of a
quorum.
Respectfully submitted:
ty Clerk
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