CC - Item 8A - Minutes 11-17-09Minutes of the
City Council
Community Development Commission
Planning Commission
Traffic Commission
and
Youth Ad Hoc Committee
November 17, 2009
The regular meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to order by Mayor Clark at 6:00 p.m.
in the Rosemead City Council Chamber located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead,
California.
FLAG SALUTE: Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair
INVOCATION: Council Member
PRESENT: Mayor/Chairwoman Clark, Mayor Pro
Member/Commissioner Armenta, Council Membe
Member/Commissioner Ly. Chairwoman Herrera
Commissioner Hunter, Commissioner Ruiz. Chair
Hall, and Commissioner Lewin. Chair Tuong, Vic(
Hallinan, Loc, Quezada
ABSENT: Traffic
Deputy
1.
2.
A. Claims
Resolution No. 2009 - 36
- None
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2009-36 for payment of Commission
expenditures in the amount of $7,111.84 demand nos. 100065 and demand nos.
11185 through 11188.
Resolution No. 2009 - 37
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 1 of 44
ITEM NO,
man Taylor, Council
Low, and Council
con, Commissioner Eng,
issioner Deary, Commissioner
d Committee Members Dao,
;ant City Manager Hawkesworth, City Attorney
feki, Director of Finance Brisco, Director of Parks
)eveiopment Administrator Ramirez, Public Affairs
Marcarello, and City Clerk Molleda.
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2009-36 for payment of Commission
expenditures in the amount of $105,275.14 demand nos. 100066 through 10070
and demand nos. 11189 through 11164.
Commissioner Steven Ly made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Polly Low to approve
the Commission Consent Calendar. Vote resulted in:
Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly, Taylor
No: None
Abstain: None ;
Absent: None
3. INTRODUCTION OF DRAFT STRA
A. Over the past several months the City Coun
a Strategic Plan to establish a long-term visi
the City. The Council will introduce the Drai
Commission, Traffic Commission and Youth
this joint meeting is to receive comments on
into final form for City Council adoption.
City Manager Jeff Allred review
Endeavor and stated she would
Commissions.
staff
Ch
Council and the Commissions a
might have. Ms. Harper explain
asked the community their perc,
That statement of value becam(
explained that she understood t
Plan and the General Plan but s
Strategic Plan; the Strategic Pla
Ms. Harper reviewed the "Visior
orked on the developm
II as goals and strateg
c Plan to the Planning
Committee. The purp
document before it is
stine Harper of Brand
City Council and the
w ent of
we ies for
~gi
c ose of
aft placed
)al for the day was to have a conversation between the City
to receive any feedback and comments that the Commissions
that a survey had been conducted earlier in the year, which
ons of Rosemead and where they wanted Rosemead to go.
e foundation to develop the Strategic Plan. Ms. Harper also
.ity had other plans in process such as the Facilities Master
explained that although those items are addressed in the
ras not meant to supersede the other plans.
2020"
Mayor Margaret Clark stated that she had brought the issue up before regarding addressing
Rosemead as being "in the heart of the city". Mrs. Clark explained that she thought that implied
that Rosemead was just part of Los Angeles.
Council Member Ly asked if it would be better to amend that statement to say "in the heart of the
valley".
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 2 of 44
Mrs. Clark stated that something like that would be better and added that she thought that
statement was going to be worked on.
Ms. Harper apologized and stated that she had misunderstood and had just taken off the word "Los
Angeles" and changed it to the "city". She added she would work on amending that section.
Planning Commissioner Nancy Eng stated she would also like to see something added on the
statement that says the businesses store fronts need to be clean and appealing.
Traffic Commission Chair Howard Masuda referred to the sentence that addressed schools and
quality of education; he added that it needed to include the City's recreational centers because the
schools were not the only ones providing educational programs.
Commissioner Keno Deary arrived at 6:12 p.m. Y .
Mayor Margaret Clark stated that she liked
the valley.
Ms. Harper stated that they would
that not everyone knew what the
environment.
Planning Comi
only in Chinese
the heart of
that worried her about that was
sn't describe the type of
iter stated that she has observed signs on businesses that are
City needed to be more careful with the signs that go up.
1 on the plan for the next two years (2010 and 2011).
I he would like to see implementing the City's new street
to signal to the surrounding cities that this is a different
3ted that the new signs enhanced public safety because
essed concern over streets in Rosemead that do not
residents would have to pay for the implementation of
Planning Commissioner Victor Ruiz stated that the City could get some funding from the Safe
Roads to School program. Mr. Ruiz stated that he had collected $250 thousand for the City of La
Mesa from this program and it also included funds for policing.
Traffic Commission Chair Howard Masuda stated that he knew speed in the City streets was a
concern and suggested that maybe the plan include the creation of a Traffic Calming plan.
Ms. Harper reviewed the goals for Strategy 2 of the Strategic Plan.
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 3 of 44
Ms. Harper reviewed the goals of S
Mayor Margaret Clark stated that on strategy 3 if it was necessary to engage a consulting firm to
initiate a Redevelopment Plan amendment,
City Attorney Rachel Richman stated that the study was very detailed that was done parcel by
parcel and usually it was done by consultants.
Planning Commission Chair Diana Herrera stated she noticed the plan addresses
implementation of commercial building facades and asked why not include residential properties.
Ms. Harper reviewed the goals for Strategy 4 of the Strategic
Traffic Commissioner Keno Deary stated he noticed this was under parks and asked if there was
a plan to utilize those areas as parks that are under the corridors. He added that it did not seem
safe to have a park for kids under transformers.
Planning Commission Vice-Chair William Alarcon asked if the plan was only talking about
pocket parks from Edison that were under the transmission lines.
Ms. Harper reviewed the goals for
Planning Commissioner Nancy Eng
City Manager Jeff All
taxes to anyone; the.,
no increase in taxes.
bond was the city looking
ut a bond that would add
existing taxes. There will be
that in regards to the implement development impact
ee cell phone transmission mono palms included,
also added that shi
history of RosemeE
more personal feel
1 stated she would like to second Mr. Lewin's comments. She
City for many years and felt that maybe staff could compile the
have been here for many decades; that would give the City a
the City stand out as a City.
Council Member Sandra Armenta stated that the City did have a historical book for the first 25
years and it would be nice to compile history from the 25 years that were already recorded to now.
Mayor Margaret Clark stated that Myrna Brown compiled some more of the history of Rosemead.
Council Member Polly Low stated that it would be great to involve some of the residents to
engage in the process of compiling stories and the history of Rosemead.
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 4 of 44
Ms. Harper asked if there were any questions or comments on the goals for Strategy 7, 8, or 9 of
the Strategic Plan.
Traffic Commissioner Brian Lewin referred to Strategy 9 and stated that it would be nice for faith
based organizations to have some sort of inclusive language to indicate that the City is looking at
all faith based organizations in the City.
Ms. Harper asked if there were any questions or comments on the goals for Strategy 10 and 11.
Planning Commissioner Nancy Eng stated she would also like to suggest adding among
residents and business to Strategy 11.
Council Member Steven Ly asked that "Concerts in the Parks" event also be included under this
strategy.
Planning Commission Vice-Chair William Alarcon
was included under this strategy he would also like to
group of people, Hispanics, such as Cinco de Mayo or
Ms. Harper asked if there were any
Council Member
City was not in the
contract city. Howe
the City's contract
with a personal fe(
her
City Manager Jeff Allred
December 8, 2009.
The City Council
at 6:46 p.m.
would be back for City Council's approval on
The regular meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to order by Mayor Clark at 7:00 p.m.
in the Rosemead City Council Chamber located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead,
California.
FLAG SALUTE: Mayor Pro Tern Taylor
INVOCATION: Council Member Armenta
the Lunar New Year event
included for the City's largest
n
als for Strategy 12 and 13.
:ioned before he thought the reason the
)ring cities was because Rosemead is a
at attempt in creating a personal feel with
the city to continue to be a contract city
is or comments on the goals for Strategy 14 and 15.
were not further questions or comments.
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 5 of 44
PRESENT: Mayor Clark, Mayor Pro Tern Taylor, Council Member Armenta, Council Member Low,
and Council Member Ly.
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Allred, Assistant City Manager Hawkesworth, City Attorney
Montes, Community Development Director Saeki, Director of Finance Brisco, Director of Parks and
Recreation Montgomery-Scott, Economic Development Administrator Ramirez, Deputy Public
Works Director Marcarello, and City Clerk Molleda.
4. PRESENTATIONS
Breast Cancer Awareness and End
Lisa Yang, President of the Improving the Lives of
receive the proclamation.
Joint Proclamation
was present to
Wells Fargo Bank - Pres
Rosemead Public Safety
Wells Fargo Bank representatives
Safety Department.
City of Rosemead Public
Iacono
Financial Contribution to the City of
People for People; Mrs. Knapp read the
ion. She asked that people bring
iey feed during the holidays and
ght turkeys to this event they would be
A Joint City Council and Community Development Commission Public
Hearing on the Expenditure of Community Development Commission Funds
for the FY 2009-10 Capital Improvement Plan for the Development of a
Synthetic Track at Rosemead High School and the Approval of an
Agreement with the El Monte Union High School District
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 6 of 44
Approximately one year ago the City Council authorized partnership efforts with
the El Monte Union High School District to determine the feasibility of installing a
synthetic track at the Rosemead High School Stadium for both school and
community use. Through these discussions it has been tentatively agreed upon
that the City would assume 60% of the construction costs and the District would be
responsible for 100% of the ongoing maintenance costs associated with the track.
Recommendation:
1. That the Community 1
2009-35 making the
Code Section 33445.
2. That the City Cc
appropriate find
and the Council
3. That the City Council
the District for the coi
synthetic track install
$800,000
Assistant City
Mayor
Ldl 1 y 1 Cl.l1 - rl II R IPC31 UI Rl
employee for the district for :
gives to the youth of the City
of the City and it was one of
stated they are looking forty;
program on campus. Mr. CE
up to the podium and introdL
ission adopt Resolution No.
under Health and Safety
opt Resolution No. 2009-59 making the
ler Health and Safety Code Section 33445
i to the proposed Commission expenditures.
prove the Agreement between the City and
ruction and ongoing maintenance and use of a
at Rosemead High School, and authorize
Dpment funds in an amount not to exceed
ity's portion of construction, project
staff
1 P.M.
High School thanked the City and stated he had been an
and had always been overwhelmed from the support the City
nead. Mr. Cecil added that the track will be one of the gems
,ts that the City will be helping the district undertake. He
louth activities on this track and starting a kids running
Elizabeth Lyons, Britney Munoz, and Christopher Lee come
;elves and thank the City Council.
Elizabeth Lyons - stated that the students cared and got involved more than a year ago and
asked the City Council and the El Monte High School District to help fund an all weather track in
Rosemead High School and added that now the five members of the Council can get involved by
voting and helping get this track built. Ms. Lyons added that this will help the 2000 students in the
school, the thousand students in the future, and the Rosemead community for many years, she
thanked Council for their consideration.
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 7 of 44
Chuck Lyons - stated that he could not thank the City enough for their support on this project and
added that this was a real good community builder. Mr. Lyons stated that he had recently
observed the Rosemead Park trail getting too crowded and felt that this will help alleviate those
crowds. Mr. Lyons stated that at the Junior Olympics Southern California he had spoken to a
Western Regional representative who advised him that he would be interested in bringing the
Junior Olympics to Rosemead because of its central location.
Mayor Margaret Clark closed the Public Hearing at 7;24 p.m.
Mayor Pro Tem Gary Taylor stated he was going to have to vot
two rubberize tracks; the city just did the track and it was close tc
lights on the Rosemead Park track. He stated that this project wi
make a total of almost $2 million for rubberized running track. Mr
made a very good point in bringing up all the recognition that the
activities that are currently conducted on the d!rt track. He also r
the Commission and Council had to make regardinq funding the
conditions; he asked what the track had to do wit
support the funding of it but also thought that the
Council Member Polly Low asked
the same type of material on the Rc
Assistant City
fight. He sta
i this item because of the
thousand, which included
$1.2 million and that would
r added that Mr. Lyons had
chool gets for their sports
:ed the determinations that
ect to eliminate blight
that not only did he not
i of State law.
be used on the new track was
not identical.
fund this track.
use general funds but however the City was not.
Mrs. Low stated that she wanted to go back to the issue of redevelopment money; she thought that
it was great for the kids to be so involved in sports, however, wanted to remind everyone that the
purpose of redevelopment money was for the City to invest in certain areas and increase value of
that area and then the City gets money back to go to the redevelopment agency. She stated that
she agreed with Mr. Taylor and that using the criteria it did not fit to use redevelopment money.
She referred to page 1 of 3 of the report and spoke about blight and the need to use these funds
on other areas of the City that did have blight; she added that this was not the best use of the
money. She stated that she would like to help the school by using funds from another pot of
money, if available, but not redevelopment money.
Mayor Pro Tem Gary Taylor stated he believed Mr. Lyons had spoken about a year ago about
there being promotional money through grants that they were going to try and apply for that track.
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 8 of 44
Mr. Lyons responded that there was a $100 thousand tire grant that he believes the City used for
the Rosemead Park trail.
Mr. Hawkesworth responded that the City had received a grant that was related to using recycled
material for street resurfacing but had not received a grant that could be used for the track.
Council Member Polly Low asked what the agreement of operating hours was.
Mr. Hawkesworth stated it would be opened to the public like the park, which technically closes at
10:00 p.m., except when the school has it closed for specific use such as a football games.
Council Member Steven Ly stated that earlier when
items was that the City would like to have partnership
quality education and no one challenged that statemE
thought that this was one of the uses of that; the City
the reason why the cost seems high is because this is
would not eliminate blight directly but what this track c
such as the Relay for Life event. Mr. Ly stated all the
generates traffic then it generates the economy arour
Boulevard; although that area may not be specificaliy
potential. Mr. Ly also added that in regards to using i
had voted to use redevelopment funds to build the Rc
it when it was beinc
artnering with one
a long term benefit
fered was for the a
including parts of Rosemead
t they are lacking economic
ant funds; the previous Council
Plan one of the
that support high
3cussed then. He
ie local schools and
the area. He stated it
1 to hold other events
is and when it
Council Member Sandra Armenta stated she agreed with Mr. Ly and that in talking about
investment; what better investment than to invest in the City's youth. The possibility of one of the
children getting injured and not being able to apply for a scholarship to go to college is not worth it.
This is an opportunity to give back to the community and if this is an opportunity to eliminate
injuries then she totally agrees with Mr. Ly.
Mayor Pro Tem Gary Taylor stated the Council had just heard a glowing report from Mr. Lyons on
how great their programs are working; he added that he could not justify the need to put a
rubberized track down and it is a waste of tax payer's money.
Council Member/Commissioner Steven Ly made a motion, seconded by Council
Member/Commissioner Sandra Armenta, to approve staff's recommendations. Vote resulted
in:
Yes: Armenta, Clark, Ly
No: Low, Taylor
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Council Member Polly Low stated she supported the trail but felt that the City should not use
redevelopment money for the school's running trail.
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 9 of 44
Mayor Margaret Clark stated she would like to point out that Mrs. Low voted to use
redevelopment money for the Rosemead Park jogging trail.
Council Member Polly Low stated she would also like to emphasize that it also has to do with the
trails being so close together.
B. Appeal of Planned Development Review 09-01, Approval - UFC Gym
On October 19, 2009, the Rosemead Planning
Development Review 09-01 (PDR 09-01) authi
square foot commercial building at 8920 Glenc
October 28, 2009, a member of the City Counc
Commission's decision be appealed to the City
consideration.
Recommendation: That the C
Commission's approval of this
Community Development Director Brian Saeki
A PowerPoint presentation was made by Mr, A
Verbatim dialogue
determine
fission approved Planned
the conversion of a 39,703
y into a UFC Gym. On
ssted that the Planning
;il for further discussion and
the Planning
report.
Senior Vice-President.
Council Member Low: approximately how much is the cost for membership?
Mr. Sedlack: there is going to be multiple different levels of memberships. There are two, and we
are also going to have special unique rates; for example, if you are a police officer that works in the
City of Rosemead or a fireman that works in Rosemead you are going to have no enrollment fee on
all of our membership programs. If you are a students, from what I heard today, let's create a new
policy; no enrollment fee for any student because I want them in our gym exercising and having
fitness. Dues are going to be as low as $29 a month and as high as $99 dollars a month for those
who do group training.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor would you clarify who Dana White is?
Mr. Sedlack: Dana White is the president of the UFC, he is a ten percent owner of the UFC who is
controlled by Zuffa. His supervisor, if you will is Lorenzo Fertitta, who is the CEO of UFC. Dana's
main responsibility is setting up UFC fights; promoting UFC fights; and UFC sanction fights; and
also reaching out to local governments and educating everybody on the new brand of the UFC.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor you mentioned that you had a conversation with the major and I, and you
had stated that you have to go back to your board of directors. There were two names that you
gave us, and they were who?
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 10 of 44
Mr. Sedlack: Lorenzo Fertitta and Mark Mastrov. Mark Mastrov is the NEFC founder and has
controlling rights and operations; and Lorenzo Fertitta is the chairman of Zuffa who controls Station
Casinos and controls UFC and is a fifty percent capital partner.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor. I have to admit to the fact that I never watched the UFC fight channel
browsing, and I say I am not going to watch someone get beat up there; so I just kept going. But
after you had your Planning Commission meeting, a program came out three or four days later; it
was on a nightline program and its was titled From Brutality To Gold; And I mentioned to you that
my main objection was people beating up people. I never watch any of these fights, so I went to
spike as you said on the minutes here, I went to spike TV channel and I watch about 12 to 15
different fights; and to me the UFC logo which you have to carry on your promotions, UFC,
somehow or in other I cannot put the connection together, who is really controlling what; and you
have in your gym the octagon, the fighting cage.
Mr. Sedlack: it's the octagon, not a fighting cage.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor the octagon, well we've seen it; it's on every spike fight they have. They
are in an octagon usually during their fighting. And you mention that there is not going to be any
sparring down here.
Mr. Sedlack: if we look at the
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor. Number 34 and 35 ;
Mr. Sedlack: there is different mixe
d martial art that people are going to be able to take. I am going
to give you an example; first of all t
here is jujitsu; which you have to touch somebody's arm to show
them technical movements and tho
se types of things; so there's going to be what you would call
controlled impact. But there is not u
ncontrolled sparring, or fighting allowed what so ever inside
these gyms. But you have to, in wo
men self defense. The instructor has to be able to have what is
called a toy gun and the instructor i
s going have to show the female how to handle that situation,
there will be a little bit of physical contact there. But there's nothing to do with fighting, physical
direct contact.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor up in Concord you have a Saturday night program, something to do from
7pm to 9pm where members can come in and watch 7 or 8 bouts.
Mr. Sedlack: that is incorrect, its off site and its at a local bar which is about 20 minutes.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor, it didn't say that in the minutes.
Mr. Sedlack: it's in Walnut Creek, which is down from Concord.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor what was in the minutes?
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 11 of 44
Mr. Sedlack: I don't know about everything, about every Saturday night, so I apologize I don't have
the minutes in front of me.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor it's in our proposal and your comment was, "we're not sure were going to
do that".
Mr. Sedlack: are you talking about the UFC events?
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor no, I am talking about your screenings on Saturday nights of show 7 or 8
bouts.
Mr. Sedlack: I think you're discussing UFC events,
promotion of that UFC does. And it's typically after
Concord, we're going to hold those off site, becaus
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor but you were considering
Mr. Sedlack: we were considering having it on TV,
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor you will have your membi
Mr. Sedlack: we would promote what's on our tele,
Mayor Pro Tem
events.
Mr.
that.
Vanessa Delgado of
need the city's appro
concern. If there was
can pull decisions lik
Council Member Ly: I
denied?
to follow-up on a specific question, for staff, can that permit be
Community Development Director Saeki: yes
the
t every Saturday. It's a monthly
f 7pm or 8pm. For example, in
have the space to do it.
them here in
channel.
watching the program.
their television at home.
do have people coming in to watch the
nd we wanted to have that UFC event
iltimate members to come in to watch the
are going to do that or not. We haven't
nestor Development Inc: just to clarify the condition as written, that we
if we are going to do that. So the Planning Commission covered that
-h an event, we would have to come back with a special permit, before we
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 12 of 44
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor let's go to condition number 34, "applicant shall not publicize, hold, host,
authorize, or allow to be held or hosted on the subject property any mixed martial art events or
demonstrations that include as any part of the event two or more individuals engaging in physical
competition or contest between or among them in which the individuals strike each other in any
way or otherwise come into physical contact by wrestling, grappling, or throwing one another'. That
says that shall not happen.
Mr. Sedlack: that's correct. We're not going to have any contest, we're not going to
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor now let's put the fly in the ointment, the loop
hole. Should the applicant
desire to hold, host, authorize or allow to be held any such event, ap
plicant must apply for a
separate permit from the City for each such event to take place on th
e subject property, The city
reserves the right to approve, conditionally approve, or deny any suc
h request for permit. I'm not
opposed of you having the gym, but I'd like that last sentence struck
out of there. You say you are
not going to have any fighting contacts such there, take it out so its guaranteed that you don't' have
them.
Mr. Sedlack: what we know is this,
having any events there; we don't I
Mayor Pro Tem Ti
plan on doing this",
Mayor Pro Tom
one thing is constant, that is change. We don't plan ever
ever doing that; but
Dw that's a pretty determined statement, "we don't ever
Monro
we asked that if we wanted to do it, we
ole that really irritates me, that fact that I did watch
fighter is not brutal. But to the average person
atched fingers get jabbed in to the eyes where they
at their eyes cut, this I mentioned I'd seen many years ago, but
weeks.
that, that will not happen in our gym that type of fighting
will not happen in our
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor if there in the ring, let's go to condition 35 the next one "In connection with
the mixed martial arts training and other training provided on the subject property, applicant shall
not allow any two or more individuals to engage in training, 'sparring" or simulated or real physical
contact in which the individuals strike each other in any way or otherwise come into physical
contact by wrestling, grappling, or throwing one another" that's fine, now the next sentence " the
foregoing shall not be deemed to prohibit one employee of applicant to train or "spar" with one
patron in connection with the patrons' training by the employee on the subject property" and I kind
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 13 of 44
of watched some of the training that goes on in the octagon, and as I started to say I saw these
fighters, how should I say, eyes cuts, blood dropping down on them, blood dropping down onto the
mat, you could see it right on the TV. So when you say that there is not going to be any fighting,
strike out those two sentences on both paragraphs and I won't object to your gym going in there.
48 conditions you talk about all the excellent things you are going to have for the families, and the
mothers and the tots and the kids and free membership. Strike out the fighting and I am not going
to oppose it.
Mr. Sedlack: I will strike out the word fighting, the word fighting
problem.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor strike out those two
sentence.
Mr. Sedlack: I will strikeout fighting across the
through a discussion on what happens on the
going to invade what that says and we're not
you are talking about mixed martial arts sparri
that you do; none of what we do involves bloo
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor. I hate to
training ground for ultimate fightin
training for it.
Ms.
it's
fact
that I see on this, is a
ou are sure getting the
vith those two sentences on that condition,
ere women self defense that it covered the
another way you suggest we could
I hate to see the women in their
Ms.
women's
We are talking about women's self defense.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor that's what I am referring to.
Ms. Delgado: we're talking about women's self defense
Mr. Sedlack: I completely understand what you are saying and I hear you loud and clear. And what
I am trying to do is get across what I am trying to say in a way that you are comfortable with. In
mixed martial art training no matter what facility you go in around the world, I don't know if you
agree with any of the facilities.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor. I've never been in them; I am just saying what I have seen in the last
month or so.
the board. So I have no
34 and 35 the last
of able to
there are
about. If we want to
center for kids, that's
)rovide that. When
program that we
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 14 of 44
Mr. Sedlack: so if you go in to kid's facilities there you have a trainer that trains and instructs, you
have what you call light controlled sparring. And so as an example, if I am doing a mass drill, I
have two gloves, that go up here and the job is to as fast as you can, quick as you can, hit these
gloves and have impact and have controlled impact. We're going to have that; as an example when
you are doing jujitsu movements you're going through technical body movements and have impact,
and controlled impact it's always going to be there; as an example when you are doing group
discipline training, and you have an instructor that's certified and discipline and understands the
way we're training which is through safety and precaution, you're going to have a contact. That's
why we worded it the way we did in here. I want to clarify again is that there will be no events with
UFC fighters, fighting in the octagon and hitting each other. We will have no exhibits; we will not
bring people in to say hey listen we're hosting an ultimate fighting championship in our facility we're
requesting a permit. I'd be glad to say that we're not going to ever host a UFC fight in that gym.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor it's not big enough for
the training facility to teach these fighters what
there is up to them.
Mr. Sedlack: with all due respect, there is two
fighter and another way to train is through lea
a long time to understand it; it really took me
actually go through it. When you want to train
street in which they do direct impact, uncontrc
taught the movements. We're not anything lik
offering in our facility.
me again what you
watch
if promotion, all I am saying is that this is
to learn and where they go with it from
ent ways to train. One way is to train as a
self defense and technical skills. And it took me
a month to get my hand around it; I had to
fighter, you will go to that facility that's down the
npact and it's about the way in which you are
it's completely different parallel what we are
be doing on Saturday nights when you
V could come in and see it.
ultimate members that are in group
ant that is on TV.
would those events be?
Mr. Sedlack: it would be the UFC events
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor that's my whole point right there, you're condoning and encouraging this
is what you can be, take your training and this is possible for you. And even with the programs I
watch with the UFC on it, they talked about the training process that they go through with each
other, the teams, the coaches and such. You're gonna have coaches down here helping these
people learning the; call it the art of the fighting they do.
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 15 of 44
Mr. Sedlack: again with all due respect, I think we are being misrepresented here, I think that we
have to understand the two different training principles, training as a fighter and training as a
member. We have nothing to do with training as a fighter; it's a completely different path a
customer would take. It would take a long time to go through that with the details, I would be happy
to provide it for you.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor. then strike out those two sentences and I am okay with it.
Mr. Sedlack: then we have to strike out everything that... inaudible...
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor no, you're talking about motherhood and kids and free membership for
teenagers at the schools, you are not going to lose all that.
Mr. Sedlack: I won't be able to do daily ultimate training, which is a non fighting exercise routine,
which is the most innovative training we stand for right now.
there is absolutely
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor what does it
Mayor Pro Tem
pads and you contact the pads.
and 35?
you use agility, speed and discipline through certain
re to be able to do those things. Its not about
Mayor Pro Tem
Mr. Sedlack: it's a 24 week process that people training for three times a week for twenty four
weeks I believe is the protocol. Then they go the level two then level three; you see the belief is
that to be, to have discipline in your life, you have to be able to protect yourself, you have to be
able to have self-confidence and you have to be physically fit. This class takes all these into
consideration, which is detailed in the program that we sent you, and it takes that person through
that journey. Is it ultimate fighting; no, are we going have them fight; no we are not.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor then why do you need the last two sentences on paragraphs 34 and 35.
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 16 of 44
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor there is no contact xk IAL
Mr. Sedlack: we want to have an open door that if there is an exhibit or something that it needs to
be hosted there, no different than at your high school, we can come to you guys and ask you if we
can do something there. We don't have any intentions or planning on doing it right now. We don't
have any intentions to do it in the near future, the local high schools have wrestling matches there,
it happens every year. What if a local high school wants to have something in our gym? And we
want to be involved with that high school. I need to be able to go to you and say I'm I allowed to
work with the high school inside our gym.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor that is not going to be a bloody bout at a high school.
Mr. Sedlack: nor is there going to be a bloody bout here.
Mayor Pro Tom Taylor. you're telling it's not going to be, but whenever they can get into the ring
with physical contact between two people then they must have a supervisor while they're doing
that.
Mr. Sedlack: so let me ask you about your
want to work with battered women or if I w
wants to have testing and I want to work w
what local school or association, we're not
the city that grants us the right to be here.
rspective if I may. If I want to work with a school, if I
do something, if one of your local taekwondo studios
them to support them and I want say okay; you know
rmitted to do that; what I need to do I need to talk to
Mayor Pro Tem
Mr. Sedlack: to
Mayor
Mr. Sedlack: of taekwondo or wrestling, of different events that would happen already in our
community, and so what I am asking you is, if I want to be able to go to you guys and ask your
opinion, can I have this or cannot have it, that's' all this says you can deny me at any time.
Mayor Pro Tom Taylor you know as well as I do if you ever went in to a school and the kids got
their eye bleeding or they got fingers poked in their eyes, you wouldn't be back at that school
again.
Mr. Sedlack: what school are you referring to?
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor any school you go into, you made a reference to going to a school and
asking if you could come in. that would be so closely guarded that you'll make sure that none of
those children get injured.
Mr. Sedlack: I am lost on your point.
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 17 of 44
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor you said that if you wanted to go in and ask to go to a school and help
them with some type of...
Mr. Sedlack: if they came to us and they wanted help and they needed some real state for help and
we said okay we will help you; we will need to go to you guys to make sure it's okay, I don't see
any down side to that. If a high school needs help with wrestling, and they want an instructor come
in and guide the wrestling team, I don't see any down side from going to this city council or the city
team asking for permission to do that.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor all I have is the one point that you take out those two sentences then
you're home free.
Mayor Clark: we have two requests to speak.
Council Member Low: we have a public
Mayor Clark: I have two requests to speak; this
form to speak. We are going to open the public I
Public Hearing opened of 8:48pm.
Sharon Esauiviel -
this is a good locatior
about. I think the loca
have to say. Thank yc
I do not think
up that I didn't know
I row. Anyway that is all I
this, but
ared the agenda but it seems like this is such an important
that property was always referred to as the Levitz property
had an idea of where it was or where it is. It seems to me
to a lot more people in that area might have come to this if
Fighting Championship. I ask the council tonight, what is
Mayor Pro Tern
Mayor Pro Tern Taylor. Ultimate Fighting Championship is the brand logo, that's what makes it so
famous.
Ms. Shinen: so it's not Ultimate Fitness? What's the F word? Okay it's off the 10 freeway, great
place for the sign, advertise it. Would you have two F words? Ultimate Fighting, Ultimate Fitness?
Ultimate Fighting Fitness?
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 18 of 44
anything from council.
Mr. Sedlack: its Ultimate Fighting Championship
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor. Mayor Clark had asked that?
Ms. Shinen: someone has to choose what the F word is?
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor: she asked the change of the sign and that wasn't acceptable.
Ms. Shinen: if they are going to put a sign right there, what will the F word say?
Mayor Clark: I don't' know, because at the meeting we had I
put under the UFC logo Ultimate Fitness Club? And you didn
Mr. Sedlack: there are a lot if things to do with brands
if you put the fitness club and you become a general b
very important for us those essentials so if you go to fii
thousands and we are not prepared for that.
Mayor Clark: and see that's a problem that I
incorrect it says "New Evolution Fitness Cent
gym)" So your dba is Ultimate Fitness Cente
Mayor Clark: so
report is
nter (UFC
r sign.
,larify that, in discussion with madam mayor and
aam, well let me backup. First the proposal initially
tness Gym, and then as we got further along the
igh that process. And so in discussions with Adam
opriate to be called Ultimate Fitness Center? not in
their brand , that was our idea, hey this is what it
i there would be no fighting. But like Mr. Sedlack
Championship.
Community Developmen
to end up being, it was a
:)r Saeki: how we together foresaw how their business was going
experience rather than a fighting championship.
Mayor Clark: right but that's obviously not what he is saying.
Mr. Sedlack:-well the dba New gym is our dba and I just want to draw this parallel, it's very similar
to Harley Davidson name. Many years ago...(inaudible)......the brand Harley
Davidson ...(inaudible)... because it created so many impressions their credibility. I am not here to
ruin the UFC name because I've seen the organization inaudible... because the organization has
i if you would be willing to
want to do that.
the way it sits today in brand,
become a UFC brand, so it's
you will go from millions to
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 19 of 44
created structure and credibility... and I want to show that I can service anybody here is the city or
Rosemead.
Council Member Ly: I don't think that really answers Mayor Clark's question as to why the staff
report does it say doing business as Ultimate Fitness Center the (UFC gym)
Community Development Director Saeki: it's probably poorly written and I take responsibility for
that.
City Manager Allred: well some of the paper work we have the term Ultimate Fitness Center
appears in the documents.
Council Member Ly: from whose' side? Staff side or your side?
Mr. Sedlack: inaudible... all it is a fitness and training center, that's what we are.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor. I think its the brand name that is causing the big mix up here the UFC,
Ultimate Fighting Championship and I can't get around that issue because you got three different
names you are tossing around.
Mr
Sedlack: it did not get your question, sorry Mayor Pro Tem Taylor you had New Evolution Fi-% N
tness Center, one
and it's all tied into the logo of UFC,
Mr. Sedlack: so let me clarify then for everybody so we are all in the same page and I'll just use our
concord location in northern California. Our brand is UFC Gym, it speaks to people that know
UFC, it speaks to people that don't know UFC. UFC is a brand that speaks to almost everybody
and creates some sort of motion. Our job is to educate, our job is to show people that UFC Gym is
not about, with all due respect the F word, that's not what it's all about, its not about fighting. A
brand name is completely different from what's inside that brand, and I think to disconnect. Just like
Harley Davidson, was not hells angels, yet it was considered hells angels for many years, but that
was their brand name. And you are going to see UFC and UFC gym and the UFC surrounding
companies WEC and so forth become very mainstream over the next few years from kids studios
to adults studios and so forth. It doesn't mean if you look at the conditions, we're not fighting, that's
not what we are about; its purely branding and marketing brand appeal.
Mayor Clark: if you are really not fighting why are you not willing to take out condition 34 last
sentence?
Council Member Ly: it's Condition 34 and 35 the last sentence.
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 20 of 44
Mayor Clark: I am more concern about 34 than with 35, the training one on one doesn't bother me
as much as the fact that you want to keep that in and you can hold a fighting event.
Mr. Sedlack: I'd be happy to say that we are not going to do any Ultimate Fighting in the gym, I'd
be happy to add that to the condition.
Mayor Clark: but you are not willing to take out the condition.
Mr. Sedlack: but I want to reserve the right, to come to you if I want to work with a school or if I
want to work with other people and have you approve it. And if you guys don't approve it, it's turned
down. It goes to you guys 100 percent of the time.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor. What does that have to do with those two sentences? You can still go to
the schools and promote your club.
Ms. Delgado: no you can't, the applicant shall
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor. that should
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor. no, no,
Ms. Delgado: that has a
Mayor Pro Tom Taylor. now y
other up. Watching those fights
to the ground then pounce on tl
you guys and you guys can
but it
both
do
or hold any event or demonstration.
sentence.
o children... inaudible...
Kords, children are not going to be beating each
y would hit somebody in the head knocking them
to beat their head while they are on the ground.
I agree on what we are saying; I want to be
we need to allow kids to do that stuff. I want
I don't want any fighting in the gym. And I'd be happy to put that
I entrust in the City Council and I entrust in your team that if we
s kids or the school wrestling team over we could present it to
look at it and give it it's due diligence if its appropriate.
Council Member Ly: lets assume we removed the last two sentences of condition 34 out, if at
some point, lets say for some reason all the different organizations, says we really want to partner
with them but you won't allow it. Can the CUP be amended at that point going through the process
and adding about specific events?
Community Development Director Saeki: this is not a conditional use permit it's a PD (planned
development) and I am sure with our legal counsel, any condition can be amended like we are
doing tonight.
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17. 2009
Page 21 of 44
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor please turn to page 11 of 17 item number 6 under the conditions of
approval, "Planned Development Review is granted or approved with the City and its Planning
Commission and City Council retaining and reserving the right and jurisdiction to review and to
modify the permit, including the conditions of approval based on changed circumstances. Changed
circumstance include, but are not limited to, the modification of the use, a change is scope,
emphasis, size, etcetera. To me this brings in, they can come back if they have a special deal if
they want to work with the schools, but I won't go for the brutality of it and say its not going to
happen.
Council Member Ly: I have to agree with Mayor Pro Tern Taylor, this is,
come back to it, there is a redundancy in line 34.
Ms. Shinen: I looked it up; gym is a physical education class. Separate i,,
instructing, that we go back to the F word, and I go back to the agenda. V
agenda, I just don't understand why this goes out to people or people arE
there is the ability to
there is going to be
hen you write the
willino to read the
agenda and they see a UFC Gym, what in the world is a UFC Gym? The words should be spelled
out and the thing is you cannot choose the words because there are two F words we're talking
about, We're talking about fighting and fitness, now if you are going to pick one sign, a huge sign
off the freeway it's going to cost a fortune maybe, you're going to have to choose one word. To me
they are going to choose fighting, because it will attract the clientele they want, because they think
it's more exciting from what this gentleman has said. But yet if it's fitness, it will be boring like the
others. So a UFC Gym is what? Is it fitness or is it fighting? So if you vote tonight are you going to
be voting for a fitness gym or a fighting ring?
City Manager Allred: to answer your question the sign will only say UFC Gym it will not say fighting
ley are trying to do is to allow each individual person
the scope of services is limited to what is said in the
s of approval I think that is basically what he is trying
that this man really wants to sell this car.
Mr. Sedlack: I think when you look at 34,1 understand what exactly you are saying, I like the fact
that we can go back and apply through you guys to host an event. So I am comfortable deleting
that but adding that we may, you called a CUP?
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor you have clause number 6 that says that any time a review can come
back.
Mr. Sedlack: I think I am comfortable with that.
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 22 of 44
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor and 35, they're both the same exception clause.
Ms. Delgado: just to clarify, for 35 legally I don't know that Adam can say to you that they'll be no
contact. If an Instructor is showing an exercise he will be in violation of his P.D. definitely we have
a security plan that sheriff is going to be involved in monitoring this location. So if this becomes a
problem this can be addressed, that security plan can be revoked. But legally Adam cannot tell you
that there will be no physical contact. There will be children touching, the physical fitness with the
women, self defense, legally he cannot tell you there will not be contact.
Mr. Sedlack: I think going back to your request; I think that paragraph says a lot. I just want to go
back to the details of what we're truly about, the fact base that we are truly about. Eliminating that
paragraph I understand your perspective and opinion on that, I am trying to find a way to meet us
half way. To say as in good faith there is not going to be any fighting, we are going to eliminate this
because I can come back, if I want to have the wrestlers come over, I can come back and apply for
that from you guys, and I feel comfortable with. The second issue with contact is going to be a little
bit of contact and some of the programs we're going to offer. And I don't want to be out of bounds
with those conditions, I don't think it's right, I don't think it's fair.
Council Member Low: I want to look at this project in a slightly different way, You use the logo
UFC, well it was interesting, when I mention to you my kids already know what that is. "you know
mom the show that we sometimes watch the Ultimate Fighting" and I go ho, that one. I remember
seeing on TV and it was pretty brutal, pretty bloody, and I understand it's a good marketing tool, I
understand when you present it, I understand that a gym is all for fitness. But I am looking at it, at a
different angle, I feel that this council has tried so hard to promote our city image, we are working
hard to make our city more beautiful, we want to promote safety, those are the things we have
been working so hard and again it's to build an image about our city. By having a gym with that
it; it's a great selling marketing tool. By having that name in
-t, to me it feels like I am supporting this Ultimate Fighting
s a mom, ask my kids to change the channel. You don't need
seed to see all this blood flying. I understand kids join classes
ned it. But again, those are different in a sense, there is no
for the image of the city, I get the services that you provide,
a in the gym, I buy that. But the fact that you guys are going to
and watch this Ultimate Fighting Championship, is a way of
promoting this type
Mr. Sedlack: what you just spoke of, is our biggest opportunity, is that every child knows about the
UFC and most children are watching the UFC whether they're in a closed door or a parent is
allowing it. This gives us the opportunity to take something that the kids think its cool and change
messaging. Because right now what do they think, UFC, they watch the fights and it's about
fighting and that's all it is and that's all they go to school with that thought process. Now we are
able to take that same brand recognition and we are able to take you kids, UFC is fighting but this
gym is not about fighting, UFC is also about self discipline, self confidence, integrity, as a matter of
fact, there are kids in the mixed martial art programming, one of the belts is that you have to do
unassisted chores for seven days in a row. It gives you that example of how we try to create that
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 23 of 44
mentality. It's an opportunity for us to take what kids already know and what adults kind of
misunderstand and educate everybody about it. The UFC Gym brand name, it provides a lot of
credibility in today's world. Not everybody here is going to agree with that, but when you start
learning where the brands come from and where it is today, it's a completely different appeal. Now
we have mainstream advertisers supporting UFC. So it's developed, its progressed, I think you
truly understand our concept, it would be an example where I would have your kids come in and
introduce them to the programming we have, or intro duce you to women's self defense, or
nutritional programs or whatever you're interested in and we now create an experience for you and
your kids. What you just brought up is the exact opportunity looking for the ability to do that. When
you have the UFC Gym right there, I think we're looking at the glass half full and not half empty. It
is a very credible business organization in today's world. It's not 1993 or 1994, it's a completely
different company than what it used to be, the credibility is going to be there. It is there in Concord
California and I am sure and we've looked at Concord at the type of city that it is, which is fairly
high income it is overwhelmingly popular, it's created much credibility inside the Willow shopping
center in the mall and a bunch of energy. I look at it as an attraction piece, a benefit as we continue
to go mainstream in the years to come. I am happy to reply with Mayor Pro Tern's step on number
34. 1 am happy to be ultra-transparent with everybody, all the time. I've lived dawn here, I am going
to take pride in this gym, this is my home base.
representing worldwide, I want to launch correc
tly. I want other cities to be able to call you, so you
can speak of our credibility and what we offer th
e city. We are a real organization that wants to
invest money, employ people and do it the right
that I can be transparent enough to help us get there.
What. we represent here is what we will be
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor Ms. Low mentioned the fact that the image and reputation for the city
itself, I think it was Commissioner Eng at the Planning Commission meeting is this going to be
opened to other UFC club members. Well the comment was, at this time you only have one other
club in Concord that open this week or so. But ultimately you plan to allow other club members to
use the facility.
Mr. Sedlack: what we have going on, is called a destination strategy, 24- Hour Fitness is a network
strategy where your 30 clubs clustered together so they use all their facilities. Because we are a
destination strategy, you're going to have very little repository between facilities. If someone is in
Concord California, using the UFC Gym in Concord California and they happen to be in Rosemead
in a hotel, it's a private organization, it's a private company, if they are a member; if they have the
ultimate membership they'll be able to use the facility.
Mayor Pro Tom Taylor. as far as the intent is and you hope to have 100 more gyms by five years
in such, worldwide. Well if they have some, whether it's in L.A or and they have different nights, for
the entertainment shows, if you have it on one Saturday night of the month, that other club
members can congregate in Rosemead for their night, when you close it down to the public. Even
though they are members, they are not in the category of the membership that you are going to
allow in to view these bouts.
Mr. Sedlack: I am not ultra passionate about this, it's more of a customer retention tool. The fact is
that most of these events are on spike TV that they can get for free anyway. They can just turn the
way. I just hope that you see it that way; I hope
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 24 of 44
TV channel, if the largest concern we have we are calling it a promotional event, I'd be happy to
retract that if it becomes a large issue. We are not finding it an issue up north because we are
hosting stuff off site and it's enjoyable to the customer, they love it. I would be happy to work with
you on that point.
Pat Trujillo: I think the UFC logo is deceiving to the public in to thinking they are getting a club
that's a "Harley Davidson Motorcycle" but we will be getting am imposter instead. I think it's the
logo that's the problem here.
Brian Lewin: I do have to agree with Council Member Low is
Rosemead as a more family oriented city, the question here is
currently exist is with a family oriented city, the city image the
have a question if we banned any kind of fighting, if city staff
into the facility and witness fighting, would that be a closable
Community Development Director Saeki: the
conditions of approval but yes, that process
shut down of the facility.
for me that would satisfy
Mayor Pro Tern Taylor: I
there was a fight that we
the attorney is here for
but if there is an incident happens, due
s set up where we can have a hearing, I think it
recommend that the city council take away their use
cult situation to uphold in court but if you have
City Attorney Richman:
follow the process and depending on it would play itself out.
Mr. Lewin: I think at this point a lot of people would be interested in that type of conditioning. Would
tend to be more progressive personalities, and the people that I know tend to be have more
progressive personalities. That being the case, security would be a big issue because when you
get a number of aggressive personnel in one environment the possibility of issues becomes
greater. I have not seen the security plan but I would hope that at minimum one hour before
opening and until lone hour security there and be evaluated by the police department.
g at, if we are trying to position
compatible the UFC brand as it
are trying to project. Also, I did
o go in there or code officers go
violation of
could cost it to
could monitor it as necessary.
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 25 of 44
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor. I have a point of clarification; I think the security guard is only in the
evening hours?
Mr. Sedlack: right now inaudible... chief of police if he suggest we need more we're going to
Mr. Lewin: for me I think all day would be appropriate until we get a sense when it's not necessary.
Council Member Ly: I am not great on that idea, my reasoning is because we are not treating
Bally's the same way and we are not treating the other agencies the same way. My feeling is staff
did a good job that our chief of police was involved in this process and that we do have a public
safety structure in place here for the monitoring of safety of the location. I disagree with the
concept of people who use the gym are more aggressive, one there is no proof of that, and two for
example my brother when he was younger was a fan of professional wrestling, which was fake
wrestling. But my brother is a very kind hearted person; he's a very good person not aggressive in
any shape or form. And people join gyms for all sorts of differences; I am considering joining a
gym, and my reason of joining might be very different from the other person joining. So I would
have to disagree with that statement on that specific concept. Also I think at least in this condition
of approval that staff did a good job that we did engage in public safety officers on public safety.
Mr. Sedlack: we have a survey, I cannot give you an
our members have weight loss goals. They're not in.
training. They are there for to lose weight.
Mayor Clark:
under it.
Mr.
us
know.
t number but roughly it was 87 percent of
for fighting or even for aggressive
put Ultimate Fitness Center
do that you lose the whole marketing
dibility that we are trying to create.
know UFC, that's the brand like Nike you just
Mr. Sedlack: but you would never put ultimate fitness shoe, it's very unique and creative to that
brand. I do appreciate what you are saying, the logo and the brand in any company is critical for
them. 24-Hours Fitness is the same way; you don't touch that logo, you don't touch that brand.
Council Member Ly: just want to point out that not all 24-hour gyms are 24 hours I found out the
bad way; It is a big marketing tool.
Council MemberArmenta: I understand that UFC targets certain amounts of people or
population. But the way you are marketing it and the guidelines you are setting forth, the minute
they walk into the gym then they'll know what type of gym there is. Now it's their prerogative if they
are going to stay of leave. But once they do go in and try to find out about membership that's when
they are going to be told "no this is not a fighting gym" and they either accept that or they don't or
they move on or they go down the street to the kickboxing place. I understand why you put for
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 26 of 44
number 34;1 understand why you put that; because it says any contact, any physical contact. I
think we're that misunderstanding you're not teaching the kids how to fight the UFC way. Besides
partnering up with the schools, and they do wrestling, there is going to be that physical contact. It's
not the UFC wrestling, it's the high school wrestling, it's a different type of wrestling. What I am
hearing is that some of the council is feeling that you're going to teach them the UFC fighting,
wrestling and it's not. I am getting that it is a totally different type of wrestling your doing guidelines
to the type of environment you are going to set up. If people go in there and they agree with the
membership or agree with your guidelines they are going to sign-up. If not they are going to go
somewhere else.
Mr. Sedlack: that is fact base and the frustrations that I
set of standards than other fitness clubs out there. My
partners feel that way as well because we have the init
this full contact gym, I am not sure how they got appro%
there. But that's where these fighters are going to go; v
concept on the way we train and we drive fitness princi
going to train to be a fighter, you're going to train comp
Gym. You're going to be able to learn self defense, you
sets, you are going to be able to learn kids' programmii
going to able to learn how to strike and knock someboc
without pads. Then tl
there are certain rule
groin, those types of
are being held to a different
that way and a lot of my
~n I looked down the street at
them in your PowerPoint.
:ing down
gut a unique
if you're
of at a UFC
hnical skills
ou're not
doing fighting, are you saying... inaudible...
ig is your question? Mixed martial arts, everybody has a different
:s. Some people use it as combat, for people that use it as combat,
i call hardcore mixed martial arts, or hardcore boxing, or football
~d martial arts for fighters when you learn how to fight in a ring and
ations you have to follow like no eye gauging, no hitting in the
you're trained a certain way to beat your opponent.
Council Member Ly: I think it's like the difference between flag football or touch football versus
actual tackle football like we see on the NFL.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor if you look on page 29 of the information the class for UFC cardio
kickboxing; kickboxing is part of the fighting process and these fights that I have been watching
they have been using kickboxing to either knock the opponent down or disabling. Kickboxing is
used in that, but it states in page 29 "get drenched with fast high energy jabs, jacks, elbows and
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 27 of 44
kicks. The perfect UFC class to combine martial arts, boxing and cardiovascular training. Welcome
to UFC gym, this is a signature class". Go over to page 36 under Ultimate Member DUT class
format states "Prepare yourself, we make the rules up in this class. Fight ready circuit training in a
progressive format that gets tougher every week. This is a signature UFC Gym class designed with
the fighter mentality and athletic diversity in mind". There are a lot of promotional things you have
here.
Mr. Sedlack: the kick boxing, you kick a bag its considered movie tie as well. You kick a bag that is
in front of you and you hit the bag and that is considered an incredible cardio and resistance
training workout. To the daily ultimate training, first of all the deck was revised because I realized
those words were too aggressive for this forum.
fighter is the best conditioned fighter in the world. G
as the best athlete international around the world fo
things. The daily ultimate training there is not mixed
about fitness, training and conditioning. It's an adva
dynamic boot camp that's done in progression serie
fighter's perspective.
Mayor Pro Tem
that the UFC
ple, he is known
and all those
ily ultimate training. It's all
it's a very advanced high
in a fighter condition from a
and athletic diversity on mind.
Mr. Sedlack: the fitness fighter mentality is how far you are going to push your body to get there.
So if you look on the way we reword it, I took that out because I thought that would give the wrong
message to all you. I know we are ready to close up, this has been a very long process and I think
have practiced a lot of patience and you heard it through. I respect that you appeal and that you
wanted more information, I get all of that. We are still off course to what my company is all about
and now we are talking about what ifs, we are stationed around those and everybody's perspective
is that UFC fighting, if they are going to get closed down if they fight and we are not talking
anything about what our business model states and what our business model indicates, in which I
considered to be the facts and the details. I am trying to be ultra flexible, I want to be here in the
City of Rosemead, I want to participate in this community, I want to inject capital into this
community, I want to follow your protocols and your processes, I want to show and prove to all of
you what we are really about and I think I can do that given the opportunity. I am very transparent,
ideally we will be able to work in the future, I am very transparent I want you to know everything I
know, I don't have anything to hide from, please accept that for what its' worth. I am genuine in my
aspirations. I think if you talk to a lot people out there in the community, your average age I think is
32. 1 think if you talk to people at the Starbucks and at the car washes and some of the different
associations out there they are very pro UFC Gym. I think they will take pride in it and I think we
can teach something different in the community and this city can be known for innovation, it can be
known for something new. I think it will be a great presence off the freeway; it would provide a lot of
credibility for the growth of the city.
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 28 of 44
. But what we kr
Saint Pier as an
he eats, how he
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor you mean this has been changed IL
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor. you are going to spend how much money?
Mr. Sedlack: roughly at the end of the day $4 million bucks.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor what kind of a lease you would have, for how long?
Mr. Sedlack: our lease is ten years.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor for ten years we are going to take a gamble at, we won't be joining the
crowd here of an aggressive nature.
Mr. Sedlack: we wrote that in our condition and in our membership agreement we have strict
policies and procedures that if somebody breaks membership code their membership is revoked.
These people, when they see our gym and our programming will not join. Fighters look, if you read
the blogs, do you know what we are called right now in the blogs? Mcdoe Joe. Because we are
considered a retail, kids doe joe organization because we are not fighting.
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor everything that I see about ultirr
on spike is on at least three or four nights a week, it's on
Mr. Sedlack: and that's
are not UFC, what we ;
fighting. Is taking the bi
Mayor Pro Tom
championship, that program
championship fighting.
a master promoter. We
different concept than
to tell us but I also see a direct
and he knows that end of it but he is indirectly
Mr. Sedlack: he is not running our day to day operations, I am held accountable for everything that
happens in that gym. Dana is not held accountable that happens in that gym. I am the point of
contact, I am the stopping point. We are not representing our self like that to the mass, we cannot
survive that. There is only 3 or 4 percent that want to be fighters, there will be no way our company
would survive on 3 or 4 percent, that's why we are not in that business. That's why your fighting
gym that you have in Rosemead is only 3,000 feet, because you cannot survive on that model. We
have no interest in being there.
City Manager Allred: I would like to clarify for the record that the applicant has offered to strike the
last two sentences from condition 34, and the answer is yes; for the record.
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 29 of 44
Ryan Junk: hopefully soon will be a resident of Rosemead, I have been in the fitness industry for
15 years. When I first heard about the UFC opening up, I did a lot of research, I've work in four
different companies and I've held a position as district manager and I laugh at it. There is now way
they will be able to stay in business, if the gym industry, if you don't target over half your members
as women you are not going to make it. That's why you have to keep the bathrooms clean, that's
why you have to be friendly, the saying goes if you have a happy wife you have a happy life. You
treat the wife nice, you treat the kid's great and they bring the fathers that bring in the kids. That's
every model, I've worked at 24-Hour Fitness, Bally's, everywhere, they all believe in the same
thing. If they are targeting fighters, he just ended on a good point. You cannot have a 40,000
square foot facility and keep that rent because those people cannot afford to pay that first of all.
The minute they walk in, I looked at this model, to rip it apart, everything is marketed to women, it's
the front desk when you walk in, it's the great smile. If you look at the marketing PowerPoint, they
had up its all women. Did you notice the women throwing punches is all women. They are trying to
soften it up, someone said; you are trying to trick people, it's marketing that's what people do in
marketing to get a shock value. You are going to have people who joint just because of that. A
perfect example, you can go to Bally's down the street, and I know this for a fact, and you can have
contact training with a trainer, the exact same thing they are going to be offering. You go to 24-hour
fitness, I know that for a fact, because what the trainers do they bring in their own mitts and pads
and gloves and the person punches those gloves. My mom who is 66 years old, she was 38
pounds overweight, she hates going to the gym. If you look at the stats the health club industry that
I am a part of is failing, we're not doing well. We devalued our product, we sell it for less, and give
less, we charge for aerobic classes. Some gyms are closing early because they cannot afford the
extra utility bills. We are failing and America is getting more obese. Now, my mother who has lost
that weight, does boxing, not at a boxing gym, because you never go in there, at the 24-hour
fitness where she lives, she won't' watch the UFC, she hates it, I like watching it, I cannot put it on
while we are at the house. Here is a woman that is a catholic; she is very strict and wholesome
woman. But just to give an example her trainer stands there with two mitts and she stands there
and she punches. Her first appointment with her trainer she couldn't stop laughing, but she looked
forward to her appointments, she looked forward to going to the gym and asked why my waist is
sore, I was punching. Because you are using all the things they do in the gym, but you are not
thinking you are training, you're doing something totally different. She has never bled, she has
never gotten hit, and this is at a normal gym. You can go in there and do some research to a
Bally's right now and ask for a personal trainer, and you ask you want something to do with boxing,
one on one appointment you get that, you'll get that any gym in California. What they are
proposing, I wish I could be speaking as an employee of a UFC gym, is that they won't be able to
stay in business if you have fights. That's why the health clubs that I have worked for you cannot
have that type of riffraff. We would yell at members that would drop the weights, why it didn't bother
us or break the weights, but you made it intimidating because your yelling and screaming to our
women to the people that do not like that. Those guys don't spend extra money on drinks, they
don't spend money on retail they don't spend any money except on their monthly dues. And this
model, I hate to use this word but its sexy, its new, its something totally new, its something different
that Is why if you can tell I am leaning, I want to work there answer. I was just at my gym today, I
don't want to say where I work, I was watching a 45 year old mother, and I was watching her do
Muay Thai training. They teach you how to do the Muay Thai punches and a certain way to kicks.
But she couldn't figure out the kicks, and I asked her if she was trying to be a fighter, I was joking
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 30 of 44
around; but she says no but it's fun and exact same thing my mom says, I love coming to the gym;
these classes that the UFC gym is offering is just that. If you are a fighter and you walk in there and
they tell you all you can do it mitt work, I believe that is the contact that they are didn't take out in
number 35, that contact is you're actually punching your trainer's hands. They are holding a mitt
and they're kicking it, and the reason it's called ultimate training is because football players,
baseball players in the off season, that's the training to do. I don't want to do in a rant, when you
are doing that exercising and you are doing weights all the blood and the weight goes into these
muscles. Mixed martial arts training, reason why fighters get really tired is because when you are
punching, the blood is giving oxygen to your muscles. Then you have to do a wrestling move, blood
is now in your legs, but then it has to go to your lungs because you have to breathe, your heart is
working your blood is pumping and if you are not in that type of shape you are not going to last 30
seconds. So that's why you need to have the gradual changes, if you take someone off the streets
that has never done it, they have to have different types of classes. You are speaking to the UFC
fighting, which I feel and I could talk about too. They should take the elbowing; they should change
some of the rules, make it more marketable so you won't have as much blood; but the gym is
already doing that. All the things in the internet are bad about UFC, it's come a long way.
Mayor Pro Tom Taylor: that's where they are
Mr. Junk: but to their gym when he
all the fighters are the ones making
Because when you look at the mark
watch it on pay-per-view and love tc
gung
for
read the things in the blogs,
rs think UFC is ajoke.
Mayor Pro Tem
worth almost $2
ike me that pays 50 bucks to
ping me back and it's a great
j that's who we are targeting.
you, he is an aggressive fighter. They are
Mr. Junk: if Dana took out elbows, their marketing would go up they would get bigger sponsors,
because 90 percent of it is blood comes from someone hitting with an elbow and slicing your
eyebrow; that's where the blood comes from. You take away elbows, you watch fighting in Japan,
they don't' throw elbows, you throw hands the fights last longer there is no blood. Its two different
conversations, I know where you are coming from, if my dad was sitting there, he would be saying
the same thing, he hates UFC. Your perspective is right on, but what they are doing kinda the
flashing UFC, it's taking a brand; you take branding, a 24- hours fitness in Miami, nobody knew
who they were. So they put and athlete on it, it's not UFC but they put Shaq 0' Neal, now they call
it the Shaq club. Nowhere on it says Shaq Club; it says Shaq 0 Neal on top of 24 hour fitness,
they used that name to drive in people. That's what they are doing here, which you are going have
the kids going, "mom I want to go to the UFC gym" and hopefully parents will go in with them and
see "wow this is actually safe". That is looking at it at my perspective, I don't have all the details but
it's a really good concept now from someone that watches the sport that I am a fan. One more
thing, these doe joes, my nephew pays 150 a month for jujitsu, because you could only do it on a
3or 4 thousand foot gym because they don't sell that many memberships it's not a volume
business. No, everyone is going to pay that amount of money, but the children have to pay that.
The UFC gym is not charging that, because they have volume you can afford to sell for a lower rate
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 31 of 44
and it's going to cost more competition where ever they are at. If you don't want to take your child
in to UFC gym, you can take your child at a taekwondo or karate you can take them to that doe joe,
you are not going to pay $120 dollars a month because they cannot stay in business to change that
much, they are going to have to lower the price. There are a lot of factor these gym is going to do
but to your point, it is an ultimate fitness gym.
Mayor Clark: you made my point, the gym put Shaq 0' Neal; they modified it to the community.
Mr. Junk: you just cannot do that in branding, they put Shaq o Neal
person versus a sport. That brand is going to drive them so much bu
joining to fight, he is not going to send them down the street, they ar(
a chance to tell them not join here. Because the number one thing al
be to hit your opponent, anybody can hit a bag that is standing still, c
that way. 80 percent of your training has to be hitting a real person, I:
range. At the UFC gym you cannot do that. I think that there are two
UFC fighting and the UFC Gym, and I understand your point and we
their concept is going to redefine the fitness industry.
Council Member Low: you said
Mr. Junk: no, I called Adam when I
Audience Member:
into
►d it's different because it's a
iness, the people that are
going to leave before he has
out fighting is called range, to
id in fighting you cannot train
3cause you have to get that
onversations going on; the
)ushing it together, because
Mr. Sedlack: we are still remodeling the Gym store revenue which is the retail sales, so we don't;'
have those exact answers yet it's all based on the sizing of the pro shop; that's the tax based
portion of the facility.
night and I am rooting for thi<
the parking lot and we get a (
what's happened there recer
citizens of Rosemead safety.
Mr. Sedlack: I couldn't agree
police, that's why we have se
conduct specifically calls that
o comment on safety that if I go to watch this film on Saturday
on and if my friend is rooting for that person, and we get out in
)ntation going on these guys better be there. Look at casa Latina,
really concerns me, it think it's your responsibly to keep the
ae with Polly in reinforcing what we want for the City.
with what she said, that's why we are working with the chief of
cameras, that why we have membership agreements; code of
Mayor Clark closed public hearing at 9:49 pm.
Council Member Ly: we also had a meeting with Primestor, myself as well as with the city
manager, community director and Council Member Armenta and I will repeat what I say at that
meeting, which is that my personal feeling is that there is an under utilization of the space we have
there; the Levitz site or whatever you want to call it, there is a lot of potential with that site. It's one
of our most highly value site that we have there. I think there are very legitimate concerns that
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 32 of 44
Mayor Pro Tem Taylor brought up, Mayor Clark brought up about the facility that Council Member
low brought up about the facility in terms of the brand of UFC. Yes, the brand is piggy backing on
this sport, in term on how deceiving it is up to everyone's own interpretation. My concern is, did the
planning commission do it's job in analyzing this facility use, even though it's not the most optimal
use I would like to see; and my feeling is they did, I watch the transcript at the planning commission
meeting, it was a very long meeting when I was watching online. It means that people are talking
about this issue; it means that there is a lot of discussion that came about it. My feeling is that the
operators are willing to remove those last two sentences in condition 34, even though it's not the
best use for that facility, they still meet all the requirements, they still meet all the conditions that
need to me met, they are legally allowed to do this, which is why the Planning Commission
approved it. Which is why I feel, not entirely happy with it, we need to approve it as well with the
removal of the last two sentences in condition 34. 1 do hope that if this does get built that this will
be a good corporate partner in the city that we need that. A lot like the Wal-Mart's and Targets
what Mr. Lyons was talking about the DiPillas. These are the businesses you hear every single
time in events because they are the ones that always give back. I'm hoping they do give back and
hoping that there is a good relationship. Personally the planning commission did it's job in
reviewing this issue and with the condition of number 34 the last two sentences of it I see no
reason from legally stopping them from building.
Council Member Low: I am willing on giving them a try.
Council Member Armenta made a
Planning Commission's approval
sentences of Conditions of Apprc
The City Council
the
on:
Ly to approved the
the last two
this conversation be on the minutes verbatim.
m. and reconvened at 10:02 p.m.
Municipal Code Amendment 09-02, Amending Chapter 13.08 of the
Rosemead Municipal Code (Water Efficient Landscaping Regulations) to
Comply with State Assembly Bill 1881
The Water Conservation in Landscaping Act of 2006 (Assembly Bill 1881) requires
local agencies to adopt landscape water conservation ordinances by January 1,
2010. Each local agency has until January 31, 2010, to either notify the State that
it has adopted the State's model ordinance; or submit a copy of its adopted water
efficient landscape ordinance. The proposed Ordinance will comply with State
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 33 of 44
mandates yet allow the City to retain its control over the water efficient landscape
matters. If adopted by the City Council, the Ordinance will apply to the following
landscape projects beginning January 1, 2010:
New landscape installation or landscape rehabilitation projects by public
agencies or private non-residential developers (excluding cemeteries) with
a landscaped area equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet, including
water features but excluding hardscape;
New landscape installations or landscape rehabilitation projects by
developers or property managers of single-family and multi-family
residential projects or complexes with a landscaped area equal to or
greater than 2,500 square feet, including water features but excluding
hardscape; and
• New landscape installations that are homeowner-installed, including
homeowner-hired, in single-family or multi-family residential lots with a
total project landscaped area equal to or greater than 5,000 square feet.
The cornerstone of the proposed City of Rosemead Water Efficient Landscape
Ordinance and Guidelines is a self-certification process that will streamline the
permitting process and reduce costs for applicants and the City.
Recommendation: That the City Council:
the project is exempt from the California
:EQA) per Section 15307 (14 Cal. Code
once No. 885 for first reading, approving Municipal
ant 09-02, modifying Chapter 13.08 of the Rosemead
with respect to water efficient landscaping
Principal Planner Sheri Bermejo reviewed the staff report and presented a PowerPoint presentation
(PowerPoint is available in the City Clerk's Office).
Mayor Margaret Clark opened and closed the Public Hearing at 10:12 p.m. There was no one
wishing to speak on this item.
Council Member Steven Ly made a motion, seconded by Council Member Sandra Armenta
to introduce Ordinance No. 885 for first reading, approving Municipal Code Amendment 09-
02 and determining that the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
per Section 15307. Vote resulted on:
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 34 of 44
Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly, Taylor.
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
7. CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Minutes
September 8, 2009 - Regular Meeting
September 29, 2009 - Special Meeting
October 13, 2009 - Regular Meeting ;
Claims and Demands
Resolution No. 2009 - 61
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2009-61, for payment of City
expenditures in the amount of $1,650,562.45 numbered 100572 through 100587
and 67768 through 67907.
Resolution No. 2009 - 63
Recommendation: Adopt Resolution No. 2009-63, for payment of City
expenditures in the amount of $819,191.30 numbered 100588 through 100614
and 67908 through 68057.
D. Ordinance 884 - Second Reading: Amending Title 6 of the Rosemead
Municipal Code Concerninq Animals and Animal Control
On October 27, 2009, the City Council reviewed the Ordinance No. 884 amending
F. Resolution No. 2009-53, Authorizing the Recordation of the Irrevocable Offer
of Dedication for those Portions of L.A. County Assessors Parcel No. 5371-
007-044 Proposed for Use for Public Sidewalks and Amenities
In accordance with the City of Rosemead Municipal Code Section No. 15.04.040,
the owner(s) of the property located at 3720 Earle Avenue, Rosemead, California
have submitted an executed irrevocable offer of dedication. The irrevocable offer
Title 6 of the Rosemead Municipal Code regarding Animals and Animal Control.
Ordinance No. 884 is now before Council at the required second reading for
adoption.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 884 on second
reading.
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 35 of 44
of dedication has been determined by the City Engineer to be necessary and
appropriate to permit the installation of a street tree in accordance with City
standards.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve Resolution No. 2009-53,
authorizing the City Engineer to execute and record the irrevocable offer of
dedication for L.A. County Assessor Parcel No. 5371-007-044.
H. Quarterly Interim Financial Update for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2009
For City Council review is the City of Rosemead Quarterly Financial Update for the
Quarter Ended September 30, 2009. Also, included in the Quarterly Financial
Update is the treasurer's report of cash and investment balances at September 30,
2009.
Recommendation: That the
the Treasurer's Report.
Amended Contract with Los Angeles
receive and file the update report and
ountv Animal Control
As part of the transitio
Council must approve
service
and
the
ntrol services to the City, the City
I with the County of Los Angeles.
I agreement, the County will only be
Durs animal control officer services
approve the amended contract with the
City Manager to sign any necessary
J. Senior Nutrition Program - Authorization to Solicit Bids
Over the past three (3) years, the City has contracted with Morrison Management
Specialists, Inc. (MMS) to provide meals for the Senior Nutrition Program. The
Senior Nutrition Program's mission is to provide high quality, cost efficient,
nutritious meals to seniors and to promote the role of nutrition in preventative
health and lonq term care.
As part of the procurement requirements under the Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) program, an organization may only receive funding for up to
three years for the same program or activity before a new Request for Proposal
must be completed. The City's current contract for this service will expire on June
30, 2010.
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 36 of 44
Recommendation: That the City Council authorize staff to advertise for this
service and solicit bids for a qualified firm to administer the City's Senior Nutrition
Program for FY 2010-2011 with an option to extend the contract for two (2)
additional years.
Mayor Pro Tern Gary Taylor made a motion, seconded by Council Member Polly Low to
approve the Consent Calendar with the exception of Items C, E, and G. Vote resulted on:
Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly, Taylor
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
C. Ordinance 882- Second Reading: Adding Chapter 17.98 "Mobilehome Park
Conversion" to the Rosemead Municipal Code Pertaining to the Conversion,
Closure, and Cessation of Use of Mobilehome Parks
On October 27, 2009, the City Council introduced Ordinance No. 882 for first
reading, adding Section 17.98 "Mobilehome Park Conversion" to the Rosemead
Municipal Code pertaining to the conversion, closure, and cessation of use of
mobilehome parks.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt Ordinance No. 882 on second
reading.
Elena Popp - stated she represented the residents of the Monterey Mobilehome Park and at the
last meeting these residents had asked Council to make four changes to the ordinance; provision
for in place value, a provision for rent differentials, a rent freeze for a period of time, and restriction
of evictions for minor violations. She stated these provisions were already implemented in other
cities.
Adelia Rizo - stated she had lived in her home for 20 years and stated that her mobilehome coach
that is 47 years old cannot be moved. She stated she was on disability and added that she could
not afford to pay more money for rent. Thanked Council for any consideration in her case.
Francisco Mata - stated he was very concerned with this case; he added that his two kids will be
graduating from high school really soon and going to college. He asked that something be done so
that his family can stay where they are now and be able to afford transportation.
Gilbert Ramirez - asked Council to listen to the people and their problems that they might be
saying. Mr. Ramirez thanked Council for taking this case and spending so much time on this issue
and helping the residents.
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 37 of 44
Maria Flores Ramirez - (Ms. Popp translated for her) stated she has spent five years fighting for
their rights and stated it was hurtful to feel like they were being treated as objects. She thanked
Council for taking time and considering helping the residents. She added that although she
understood the City was in the middle of the issue she asked Council to consider the amount of
families, children, and seniors that will be affected by this issue.
Raquel Perez - stated she wanted to express her biggest fears; there is four in her family and she
has a special needs child. She stated her rent was currently $850 and if her rent was raised she
would be forced to lose her home and also this would make her son with special needs lose his
education and benefits that he receives in Rosemead.
Anna Torres - stated she has lived in Park Monterey for 25 years and her mobilehome was about
45 years old and cannot be moved. She added she is currently retired, disabled, and lives on a
fixed income; this would be a big economic impact. Ms. Torres stated she really loved her home
and having to change to a different home and environment would totally devastate her. She
thanked
Council for listening to her and everyone and considering their
Matilde Rincon - stated she has
old and she is 70 years old. She
there. She stated she lives off of
and pay more rent. She
not be allowed to raise rf
Angelina Ruiz - sta
just law that will help
and it was very stres
that
for
on the
, her mobilehome is 60 years
everyone else who lives
move out of the mobile park
ance that the property owners
to the residents.
her request tonight was that Council make a good decision and pass a
dents of mobilehomes. She stated she also had a special needs child
gure out what will happen to her and her children if they are kicked out
David Evans - Regional Representative with the Western Manufacturing Housing Community
Association stated he represented mobilehome park owners. Mr. Evans stated he could never
compete with the issues of the mobilehome residents and knew their problems were real but asked
for fairness. He asked that Council be fair to both sides when making their decision. Mr. Evans
asked for reasonable relocation cost and hoped that Council will approve an ordinance that
complies with State law and is reasonable to both sides.
Craig Denton - stated that the park owners owned the land that the mobilehomes were on but the
tenants are representatives felt that they should receive all the benefits that the land gives.
Namely increasing the value of their trailer that is sitting in the land of the park owner; thereby
forcing the owner to pay top dollar for that trailer. Park owners do not think that it is equitable to
pay top dollars for trailers that are over 40 years old; he added that the ordinance was fair the way
it was written now without further amendments.
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 38 of 44
Mayor Pro Tem Gary Taylor stated that this was a lousy situation that Council had to make a
decision on but it comes a time when you need to decide what is reasonable. Mr. Taylor stated
that the ordinance addressed relocations benefits fees, which would be paid, as well as, rent
assistance, which would also be paid. Mr. Taylor stated that the mobilehomes did depreciate in
value and when the appraisals are made of what they are worth that is reasonable.
Mayor Margaret Clark asked if it would be possible to make the owners freeze the rents for a year
and not raise rents after they file for the park closure.
City Attorney Rachel Richman responded she believed that was already added to the ordinance.
Mayor Clark stated that it freezes them at the time they file but the issue raised was that they'll
raise the rents first and then file so that it works out for the park owners.
Mrs. Richman stated the answered was not in black and white and it went back to the reasonable
cost of relocation because that is what the statute requires the body to follow.
Mayor Clark asked if these residents had any recourse s
city can help them with the inequity and the rents; asked
was legal.
Mrs. Richman stated she was not going to call it inequity
different rent values it has to do with when did it happen,
at the time. As to the inequity the city has no requlatorv
>ure. Is there any way that the
the owner was treating them
different pads have
ome in, the marketplace
Council Member Steven Ly asked staff to explain the Section 8 Housing Index and how that
would work.
Economic Development Manager Michelle Ramirez replied that in the case that once a relocation
plan was submitted to the City and the park owner raised the rents; the City would look at which is
lower, the space rent or the fair market rent that has been published by the Federal Government at
that time and use the lower of the rates as the rent differential.
Mr. Ly stated that at the end of the day Council had to take a look at it and make the final ruling.
Mrs. Ramirez responded that was correct and that the park owners had to give 90 day notice of
rental increase.
Gilbert Ramirez - stated that he never received a 90 day notice and his rent was increased from
$410 to $650.
Mrs. Ramirez stated she had spoken to Mr. Ramirez about contacting the Fair Housing Foundation
regarding this matter because they can actually investigate that and they can go after the owner for
doing that. Mrs. Ramirez added that the previous attorney representing the residents had informed
her that they had contacted the Fair Housing Foundation and they had not found any wrong doing.
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 39 of 44
Mayor Margaret Clark asked that language be added that referenced if there was evidence of rent
gauging the City Council is allowed to take action.
City Manager Jeff Allred stated that the request was to add language to page 7, "that in making a
determination to approve or reject a proposed conversion impact report the City Council may
consider the rent history for the predicament of that case".
Mayor Pro Tern Gary Taylor made a motion, seconded by Council Member Steven Ly to
introduce Ordinance 882 for the first reading and implement the additional language
discussed. Vote resulted on:
tYes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly, Taylor
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
E. Ramona Boulevard Beautification Project - Rejection of Bids
As part of the City's Fiscal Year 2009-10 Capital Improvement Program, the City
Council approved a project to improve the Ramona Boulevard sound wall area
from Rio Hondo Avenue to Hart Avenue along the north side of Freeway 10. On
October 28, 2009, bids were received and reviewed for the project.
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Reject all bids.
2. Authorize staff to re-advertise this project and solicit bids to complete
the improvement project.
Council Member Steven Ly asked staff why the City only received one bid and asked why staff
thought if they go out to bid again they'll receive more.
City Manager Jeff Allred that staff will be contacting contractors directly as opposed to just posting
it on the green sheet and our regular posting locations.
Mayor Pro Tom Gary Taylor stated the City had a policy to try and obtain three bids; he added
staff had done this before when the City had only received one bid.
Council Member Steven Ly made a motion, seconded by Council Member Polly Low to
reject all bids and authorize staff to re-advertise this project and solicit bids to complete the
improvement project. Vote resulted on:
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 40 of 44
Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly, Taylor
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
G. Contract Extension with Clean Street, Inc. to Provide Street Sweeping
Services
The City of Rosemead provides street
agreement with Clean Street. The pro
standards including service levels, dive
and reporting requirements. Per the a
least once weekly, Monday through Fr
On June 9, 2009, the City Cow
services agreement with Clean
2009. At this meeting the City
extending the existing services
increases. Staff met with repre
to the City's request.
Recommendation:
Council Member Steven Ly
discussion of going out to bid
whether or not this should go
on to vote
recession
is was las
Staff was
stated that his pn
to make sure the
through a contractual
includes performance
:s, equipment standards,
streets will be swept at
coded the City's current street sweeping
for a six-month term through December 31,
asked staff to discuss the possibility of
nent with Clean Street with no future rate
ves from Clean Street and they have agreed
,ouncil authorize the City Manager to execute a
Clean Street for street sweeping services.
ought up on June 9th and at that time there was
e to bring back some information to discuss
ate the current contract; this was never brought
this item because he felt Council was not given
rence was that staff goes out to bid because
y is getting the best bang for its buck.
Mayor Pro Tom Gary Taylor stated that his recollection was that the current contractor had to
trucks in order to get the contract. Mr. Taylor stated he understood what Mr. L
purchase special Y
to do but that a lot of the City's contracts allowed for negotiation of an extension. At
was trying this
point the City is not getting any increases and added that he did not know of any other places the
City would be receiving decreases in contracts.
City Manager Jeff Allred stated that Clean Street indicated that there would be no cost increase
Council Member Polly Low stated that if this is sent out to bid the City might get a better price;
she stated she understood the argument of keeping this price for the next three years but she
added that if they received a better price then the City would have a lower cost for the next three
years.
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 41 of 44
City Manager Jeff Allred stated that there was a high level of satisfaction with Clean Street's
services.
Mayor Pro Tem Gary Taylor stated that if the City went out to bid it would be a tossup; he added
that in the contractor's favor the City had already negotiated a contract with him in good faith.
Council Member Polly Low stated if it was possible to extend the contract for 6 months so that
staff could workout the bidding process.
Deputy Director of Public Works Chris Marcarello replied yes; that would help and it would give
staff in opportunity to put the bids process together and bring it back to Council.
Mayor Pro Tem Gary Taylor asked what the total of the contract was.
Mr. Marcarello replied $217,384.
Mr. Taylor stated he did not feel comfortable personally with the good faith effort. Staff had
negotiated with the contractor and he in good faith negotiated back again and the City accepted.
Now Council is stating that they don't like the deal and is going out to bid.
Council Member Steven Ly made a motion, seconded by Council Member Polly Low to
authorize the city staff to negotiate a 6 month extension on the contract with Clean Street
and begin an RFP process. Vote resulted on:
Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly
No: None
8.
Chamber
R & STAFF
of Understanding
The City Council will consider the renewal and updated provisions of the City's
agreement with the Rosemead Chamber of Commerce (the Chamber). The City's
existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Chamber has not been
updated or renewed in many years. Under the updated MOU, the Chamber will
continue to promote the City as an advantageous location for business, industrial,
residential, and recreational activities to the business community, residents,
potential residents, visitors, and students. The updated Scope of Service includes
activities that aim to increase Chamber membership, so that the Chamber can
become self-sustaining through membership dues.
Recommendation: That the City Council review and approve the MOU for the
Chamber's services.
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 42 of 44
Assistant City Manager Matt Hawkesworth reviewed the staff report.
Mayor Pro Tern Gary Taylor stated there was something in the agreement in reference to the
political process, "the Chamber will not participate in any political activity", "political activity is
prohibited". Mr. Taylor asked what the rationale for that was.
Mr. Hawkesworth responded it came up as a State law on an issue that the cities would run into
with their chambers. There is a State law that prohibits publishing elected officials' photographs
and you have to publish all of them or none of them. Staff included this so that the City is
indemnified in this agreement.
Council Member Steven Ly made a motion, seconded by Council Member Polly Low to
approve the MOU for the Chamber's services. Vote resulted on:
Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly,
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
9. MATTERS FROM MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL
A. Reports on Meetings/Conferences Attended
AB 1234 requires that the City Council Members provide a brief report on
meetings and/or conferences attended at City expense at the next regular City
Council meeting. The City Clerk's office has received such a report filed by
Council Member Ly.
Recommendation: No City Council motion is required.
No action taken on this item.
B. Appointments to Keelung Taiwan Sister City Committee Executive Board
The City Council will consider the appointment of five individuals to serve on the
Keelung, Taiwan Sister City Committee Executive Board in accordance with
policies and procedures adopted by the City Council in September of 2009.
Recommendation: That the City Council appoint James Wang, Tom Wu, and Min
Wang to serve four-year terms as well as Daniel Deng and Jeffrey Lin to serve
two-year terms on the Keelung Taiwan Sister City Committee Executive Board.
Mayor Pro Tern Gary Taylor made a motion, seconded by Council Member Steven Ly to
appoint James Wang, Tom Wu, and Min Wang to serve four-year terms as well as Daniel
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17. 2009
Page 43 of 44
Deng and Jeffrey Lin to serve two-year terms on the Keelung Taiwan Sister City Committee
Executive Board. Vote resulted on:
Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly, Taylor
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
The City Council recessed to Closed Session at 11:51 p.m.
10. CLOSED SESSION
A. Conference with Legal Counsel
1) Government Code 54956.9(c): Initiation of Litigation (1 matter)
The City Council reconvened from Closed Session at 12:30; no reportable action to announced out
of Closed Session.
11. MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL COMMENTS
12. ADJOURNMENT
The Meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m. The next joint Community Development Commission and
City Council meeting is scheduled to take place on December 8, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.,
respectively.
Margaret Clark
Mayor
Gloria Molleda
City Clerk
Rosemead City Council Meeting
Minutes of November 17, 2009
Page 44 of 44