CC - 02-26-85APPROVED
CITY OF ROSEMEAD
DATE -P-~S
R
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING 0
ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 26, 1985 AT 8:00 P. M.
The Regular Meeting of the Rosemead City Council was
called to order by Mayor Taylor at 8:05 p. m., in the Council
Chambers of City Hall, 8838 E. Valley Blvd., Rosemead, Cali-
fornia.
The Pledge to the Flag was led by Councilman Cleveland.
The Invocation was delivered by Reverend Walter Jackson.
ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS:
Present: Councilmen Bruesch, Cleveland, Imperial, Tury
and Mayor Taylor
Absent: None
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: FEBRUARY 12, 1985 - REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Taylor requested clarification on page #7 second
paragraph to delete the word."Not", and on page #8 eigth paragraph
the number 1984 be changed to "8-84" and the word ".class" in the
tenth paragraph be changed to "clash".
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN IMPERIAL, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN CLEVE-
LAND that the Minutes of February 12, 1985 be approved as clari-
fied. Vote resulted:
UPON ROLL CALL ALL COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT VOTED AYE.
The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered.
I. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Roy F. Young and Cleo D. Young, 7533 E. Garvey Avenue, stated
that a letter had been sent to the Council by certified mail with
a return receipt asking to appear before the Council and be heard.
This letter was sent via the City Manager and requested.a written
reply and up to this date a response has not been received, and
he-inquired why. This letter was sent on December 12, 1984, and
he presented all of the Council with a copy of that letter.
Cleo D. Young read the letter into the record:
December 12, 1984
7533 E. Garvey Ave.
Rosemead, Calif. 91770
TO: MAYOR GARY TAYLOR and the CITY COUNCIL OF ROSEMEAD
FROM:LeRoy F. and Cleo D. Young
VIA: CITY MANAGER, FRANK TRIPEPI
Dear Sirs:
In reply to a letter dated December 4, 1984 and signed by Carole R. Hollander
we protest the misstatements made in the letter from her, and an unreasonable
mandate given by her with the threat of having the District Attorney enforce
her decision without a lapse of reasonable time or even a discussion of this
matter. Please consider the following.
#1- Inspectors disregarded no tresspass signs and did not contact us to get
permission to enter or to accompany them on inspection tour.
The travel #2- It is not permanent. It is sitting on a parking area(C-3) that is black
Trailer topped for parking purposes and has been used as such for many years.
#3- The Travel Trailer in question has a current license on it and is a recrea-
tional vehicle.
#4- It is not being lived in nor has gas, electric, water or sewage.
We came to City Hall to contact Ms. Hollander but was told that she had .
the afternoon off, on December 6, about 3:25 p.m. We then asked her to
convey to Ms. Hollander the message that we would appreciate her coming
to see us so that we could observe just what the problem is so that we
CM 2-26-85
Page #1
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Letter Continues:
might aleviate it or correct it. She had not even talked with us as
yet. She did call on Dec. 11 at about 11:30 a.m. We found her diffi-
cult to coa m nicate with and she disdainfully hung up on each of us.
We are law abiding citizens of Rosemead and have been in business here
for over 35 years. We keep our place in good repair and are not causing
anyone a problem but do believe in (Live and Let Live).
We would like to appear before the City Council and present pertinent
facts. Moreover we respectfully request that you instruct Ms.Hollander
to hold her mandate in abeyance until we have been heard by your group.
We resent the form of harrassment that is taking place in Rosemead which
appears to be an attempt to induce everyone to sell their property.
Under the Constitution and as American Citizens we have a right to know
who filed a complaint and face our accusers if we are charged with break-
ing the law, and defend ourselves without an Attorney. This is why we
appeal to you. To use common sense and defend our rights also. We have
taken pride in our City and its Council. We consider each person on the
Council and the Mayor our personal friends. We solicit your wisdom and
friendship. Would you please have the City Clerk notify us in writing
of the date and.time that we can be placed on the Agenda to appear be-
fore your group and be heard. This should be no emergency. It has been
this way a long time and the Holidays are here.
Yours Respectfully, LeRoy F. Young and Cleo D. Young
Mayor Taylor stated that the Young's could attend the Council
Meetings without permission or being placed on the Agenda, and he
stated that he would get the background information regarding this
matter. Mayor Taylor told them that they could meet with the City
Manager or the Assistant City Manager in order to see what has been
done and what needs to be done.
Mr. Young stated that they are working with someone from the
City since the 19th of this month.
Mayor Taylor stated that the Young's could meet with the
staff and the staff will give the Council a report on the matter,
and told the Young's that they were welcome to back to the Council
anytime.
B. Juan Nunez, 2702 Del Mar, commented on the trucks park-
ing on property behind the Del Mar Foods Market and on the Kingdom
Hall area. He stated that it is becoming like a truck-stop there,
and inquired what could be done about it. .
Frank G. Tripepi, City Manager, stated that the property
owner could be contacted to see if he is aware of the fact that
it is being used for storage by some trailers or for overnight
layovers. If the owner does not want them there, with the cor-
rect signing, we could take care of the problem.
Mayor Taylor requested the site be checked for debris and
trash that are around the trucks, and to see if there are any
violations of the code.
Councilman Imperial,-questioned the legality of parking
overnight.
Mayor Taylor stated that would be checked into also.
C. Andrew J. Calderone, 3906 N.. Charlotte, San Gabriel,
stated that he lives in Rosemead; however, his mailing address
is San Gabriel and when he signed up for the cheese program,'
he was not able to get the cheese.
Michael Burbank, Parks & Recreation Director, stated that
in order to receive cheese in Rosemead, you must be a resident
of Rosemead, and it is required•to bring some type of identifi-
cation when applying for the cheese. Mr. Burbank stated that
the problem would be taken care of tomorrow.
Mr. Calderone suggested that these people who live in
Rosemead but whose address is not Rosemead could receive an
identification card and this would take care of the problem. CM 2-26-85
Page X12
III. LEGISLATIVE
A. RESOLUTION NO. 85-9 - CLAIMS & DEMANDS
Mayor Taylor questioned Warrant No. 13418 for class instruc-
tion in the amount of $1068 and inquired if this was for several
months.
Frank G. Tripepi, City Manager, stated that the Council
would be provided with back up material on this warrant.
Mayor Taylor inquired about Warrant No. 13433 for three
months dues for the Kiwaniis membership, and whose membership
it was.
Frank G. Tripepi, City Manager, stated it was for him.
RESOLUTION NO. 85-9
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD
ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS & DEMANDS IN THE SUM OF $156,275.41
NUMBERED 9282/9300 and 13375 THROUGH 13478 INCLUSIVELY
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN TURY,;SECONDED,BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH
that Resolution No. 85-9 be adopted. Vote resulted:
UPON ROLL CALL ALL COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT VOTED AYE.
The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered.
Councilman Bruesch stated that he had asked for a back-up
on a warrant and got a memo referring to a strong motion instru-
ment and wanted to know exactly.;what that.was.
Frank G. Tripepi, City Manager, it has to do with seismic
laws and seismic standards and it is.for the inspection of seismic
safety and for that a fee is collected and remitted to•the.State.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR (CC-A, CC-,C and CC-K deferred)
CC-B EXTENSION OF AGREEMENT WITH WEST COAST SLOW PITCH
UMPIRES
CC-D REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO SELL CITY OWNED PROPERTY AT
9207 GUESS STREET
CC-E AUTHORIZATION TO ATTEND CITY CLERKS ANNUAL CONFERENCE
IN OAKLAND, APRIL 18720, 1985
CC-F INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES, ELLIS LANE
AT RALPH
CC-G PARKING REGULATIONS/WALNUT GROVE SOUTH OF RUSH STREET
CC-H INSTALLATION OF RED CURB, MISSION DR. EAST OF ROSEMEAD
CC-I INSTALLATION OF RED CURB, GRAND AVENUE AT SAKAIDA NURSERY
CC-J INSTALLATION OF RED CURB, WALNUT GROVE AT EDISON COMPANY
CC-L ACCEPTANCE OF EASEMENT AND PERMIT TO ENTER/PINE STREET
IMPROVEMENTS
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN.TURY
that the foregoing.items on the Consent Calendar be approved.
Vote resulted:
UPON ROLL CALL ALL COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT VOTED AYE.
The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered.
CC-C APPROVAL OF 14TH HANDYMAN PACKAGE & AUTHORIZATION
TO SEEK BIDS
Mayor Taylor requested a clarification on a listing of
inoperative vehicles and he felt that should not be in the handy-
man program.as it is a rehab or code violation, and he requested
an answer. CM 2-26-85
Page #3
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•
Jim Guerra stated that Code'violations are an eligible item
under the Handyman Program; however, all vehicle abatement is
done by the owner, and it should say by owner on the specifica-
tions. He stated that the bid package that goes out will have
that correction in it.
MOTION BYCOUNCILMAN TURY, SECONDED BY.COUNCILMAN BRUESCH
that the 14th Handyman bid package be approved as corrected and
authorization be granted to seek bids. Vote resulted:
UPON ROLL CALL ALL COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT VOTED AYE.
The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered.
Councilman Bruesch requested a copy of the Handyman
Guidelines and inquired if there was a limitation of time
to complete these projects.
Jim Guerra stated that the limitation of time is 30 working
days or six weeks.
CC-A DIAL-A-RIDE CONTRACT (VERBATIM)
Mayor: We will backtrack to Item CC-A the award of the Dial-A-Ride
Contract. I have a request to speak on this item, Mr. Witke is it?
Witke: My name is Ed Witke. I am president of the Sight Council
for the Rosemead Senior Citizens, your honor, Mayor Taylor and
Councilmembers. I have a new list of five new members, five
new people today that have a gripe and I would like to read you
at this time, make it short and brief what each one has.to say.
Without mentioning names I would just read what they have to say,
and then you could have a copy of this if you want. Now, this
one here says, she lives just about a half a block on the other
side of the boundary line and she is more or less an invalid and
she needs to go to the doctor but she cannot get anyone to pick
her up. Now, I don't know if that is, half a block over the
boundary is that much difference. It is a matter of opinion,
I guess, but anyway, nobody has ever picked her up so she still
has to pay for a taxi to get to the doctor. Then another one
says the driver is always late. This is a new complaint. In
December I handed in, I think it was 20 or more people that had
complaints. I took this today when I was at the Council Meeting.
Then also there is another one here that says the driver was many
times late and sometimes never even shows up for no reason at all.
So they miss their meetings and every thing else and their council
at the Rosemead Center. Now, also here there is a lady who was
talking about..in the last two mornings when she came down to the
center there, the bus had a.broken window, and called my attention
to it when I was walking out of the center about noon. I could
see that there was no window. Not behind the driver, but the
other side, just behind where the driver would sit, and if any
one there with a cold gets that cold draft in the morning, it is
really not good. That window was big and open. I saw that myself.
Now, Pauline Harrington, you probably know her. She is a wheelchair
lady and she knows all of you people. She discontinued the service
after one bad example here. I saw her here in December at a Council
Meeting. She said that they will not assist her in a wheelchair
that comes down the slight incline from her home, and if she should
turn loose of the wheelchair it could turn over. She has never had
any assistance so she never calls the Dial-A-Ride anymore on that
account. O. K. then Johnny Hill, who is the president of the Blind
Club in Rosemead, I asked him today if he had anything to say about
the-he said "no" he himself had no gripes because he has a lead
dog, a German Shepherd, and he always takes the bus, RTD, where-
ever he goes so he doesn't use the Dial-A-Ride. However, he has
three members in his group that are totally blind and say that
they are always late in being picked up or they don't get picked
up at all. They stand there and wait for an hour or two hours
out there in the open, and never get picked up at all. That is
three complaints from this club. Now, also a blind man in Don
Milton Manor which is on New Avenue, says that he used to take
the taxi, Yellow Cab, to go to the doctor, but he says he is so
afraid to do it because he is not as coordinated as some blind
people are, but he is totally blind so I took it upon myself to
take him to the doctor once a month in Montebello. He has skin
cancer and he needs treatment once a month. So F have been doing
CM 2-26-85
Pave #4
(Witke continues): that for the last year. Of course, I have
been dedicated to the blind as much as the senior citizens for
ten years now. I continue to do that. Also in closing I would
say that I myself are in favor of Community Transit System, and
I think that they will do a proper job for us.
Mayor: Thank you. I have a couple of questions, I am looking
for Mr. Moriarity, or Yellow Cab. Is anyone here from Yellow Cab?
May I have your name sir?
Melika: My name is Wagih Melika, owner of the Yellow Cab.
Mayor: On the new contract what are the hours of the service,
as far as your interpretation of providing the Yellow Cab for
the residents of Rosemead.
Melika: On..the.new::bid it is 7:00 a. m. to 7:00 p. m.
Mayor: From 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Under the old contract it
was 24 hours?
Melika: Yes, sir.
Mayor: The old contract last year was for $71,000.
Melika: Yes, sir.
Mayor: What happened in this contract to cut the service from
24 hours to 12'hours and raise the price from $71,000 to $125,000,
or an 80% increase. What caused that?
Melika: What caused that was because we have a contract with the
City of San Gabriel and the City. of Temple City and we use the three
cars between the three cities and that is what reduced the price
for the City of Rosemead. Now, in the new contract on the new
bid they requested that the vehicle be used 100% for Rosemead.
They don't need that complete for the three of them, but to
spread that Van between three cities that makes a lot of differ-
ence.
Mayor: So basically that makes the change from 24 hours to dedi-
cated 12 hours. It is going to be the same service, is that cor-
rect?
Melika: Yes, sir.
Mayor: You are going to have the...
Melika: But the dedicated vehicles would be completely for City of
Rosemead.
Mayor: What was different in the past when you had dedicated
vehicles for the City of Rosemead.
Melika: There is a van for example that has a wheelchair, we used
for the three cities, now we use it in Rosemead,.all of it.
Mayor: Alright, now what about the other two dedicated vehicles.
Melika: Until 5 o'clock we use the dedicated vehicles and after
that we use taxi cabs until morning.
Mayor: But under the old contract we had two dedicated vehicles
plus one dedicated van that was used inter City? Now, under the
new contract we still have two dedicated vehicles?
Melika: Yes, and a van.
Mayor: And a van, but we had two dedicated vehicles in the past.
Melika: But it was not as requested brand new van, new cars and
new van. In my proposal it is brand new cars and brand new van.
Mayor: Alright. So that jumps it from $71,000 to $125,000 just
because of the dedication clause?
Melika: And the cost of the cars. CM 2-26-85
Page #5
• •
Mayor: So we.are cutting t-he service. It will no longer be
available from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00a.m. It is beyond me to try
to figure out how they can justify that.
Bruesch: Mr. Mayor,-I was privileged to,go- down to-view the operation of
Yellow Cab in El Monte, and I have a couple of questions that
I want to ask Mr. Melika. You say that our dedicated vehicles
are on duty from what hours to what hours?
Melika: From 7:00 in the morning to 5 o'clock in the afternoon.
Bruesch: Do you also agree that most of the service is...the
strong.time of service is between between three and 4:30 and
five o'clock.
Melika: Yes.sir.
Bruesch: Then why was our dedicated vehicle parked on your lot
at 4:35 or 4:37 when I arrived there?
Melika: Maybe mechanical problem.
Bruesch: No it was not. I saw it driven in there at that time.
At that very time it was driven into your-,-lot at 4:37 or 4:38 or
something.
Melika: I can't answer your question because I don't know....
Bruesch: And it takes about 5 minutes or 10 minutes to get from
Rosemead. If we are being serviced...
Melika: Maybe the driver had to,go to the bathroom or I don't
know.
Bruesch: He took his trip sheets in at that time.
Melika: I don't know the circumstances or why he came to the
office.
Bruesch: Mr. Melika, what are the requirements on tires for
your vehicles?
Melika: Tires. We change them when they wear out.
Bruesch: What ply rating do your require on your vehicles?
Melika: I don't know.
Bruesch: Your Manager,, or.temporary Manager, Mr. Moriarity,
took me on a tour of your vehicles and he'said to me that we
have 8 ply rated tires for the vans. I looked at them closely
and I said are you sure.
Melika: Well, actually they are six ply but they are 8 ply ratings.
Bruesch: I looked at all the tires and they were all 4 ply tires
and they were also bald.
Melika: On what vehicles?
Bruesch: I saw the vehicle that, was dedicated to our community
with a tire that had no tread on it. The front right tire had
no tread on it.
Mayor: What about the other three, when you said all the cars?
Btuesch: I saw I went around and looked at three different
vans, and they were all 4 ply tires. Mr. Melika what is the
policy on brake repair?
Melika: They check it when any of the drivers...
Bruesch: How do they check it?
Melika: They take it for a road test.
CM 2-26-85
Page #6
Bruesch: I am under the impression that they do it by sight.
According to the word of your Mr. Moriarity. They pull the
linings off and they.look at it, and if it is 50% worn,they
will throw them out and they will reinstall them.
Melika: They take them for a road test.
Bruesch: That is not what he told me. That is not what he told
me. I am under the impression that the shop foreman that you have
has been... walked off with the keys or something like that and you
have not rehired a shop foreman. Is this so. When is a shop fore-
man going to come in?
Melika: I am still looking for one.
Bruesch: 0. K. According to our Contract you say you are giving
sensitivity training to your drivers.
i
Melika: Yes, sir.
Bruesch: How do you test those 'drivers in the fact that they
have past this particular tape course that you have?
Melika: This course that we have is a readymade course made by
a firm that specializes in transportation. The twelve tapes that
they listen to and when they finish it, if they get any violations
or any complaints...
Bruesch: How do you test these gentlemen as to their absorbtion
of this information?
Melika: We do not test them on this course, but if they have
any violations, they will come and take the course again.
Bruesch: On your tapes I saw nothing about sensitivity-training.
There was one tape talking about how to handle a blind person.
There was nothing that specifically stated sensitivity toward
the needs of the senior citizen and of para transit organiza-
tions in the operation of senior citizens. _How often do you
up-date your flyers for the disposal within our community? In
other words with the phone numbers...How often do you revamp
those to pass out to the senior citizen centers.
Melika: Whenever it is necessary.
Bruesch: Again I quote Mr. Moriarity saying that he dropped
500 revised, revised pamphlets in June or July of this year.
They were not revised. We saw no new materials and according
to the staff.....
Melika: We did not revise them.
Bruesch: Then why did Mr. Moriarity say that they were revised?
Melika: We did not revise them, we just
Bruesch: Then why sir, did Mr. Moriarity tell me that they were
revised.
Melika: Don't know that they were revised.
Bruesch: I am dealing here with half truths, untruths. What type
of operation are you running there? I don't like to be lied to.
When I see 4 ply rating tires on a car that was told to me to have
8 ply rating tires. That is a lie. Unequivicably.
Melika: We put the tires according to the specifications of the
taxi.
Bruesch: When I am told they are a 8 ply rating tire, I accept
it as truth. When I find out they are 4 ply rating tire, I. accept
that as a lie.
Melika: On which vehicle sir. '
Bruesch: On the van. CM 2-26-85
Page #7
•
Melika: On a specific Van?
Bruesch: On the van that was dedicated to our use in our City.
Melika: I will have to go look...
Bruesch: Mr. Mayor I move that we go with the approval of the
recommendation'o-f the'staff.
Motion died due to a lack of a Second.
Mayor: We have more questions before we go...If the other
Council members have any questions also, I would like to get
clarified also the time hours that we have. We are doing a
dis-service as far as the residents, if they want to use it
after 7:00 p. m. until 7:00 a.m. Mr. Melika the.letter states
that you have served the City of Rosemead for seven years. How
many accidents have you had.
Melika: Nothing..
Mayor: Nothing. Mr. Kerr or Mr. Tripepi do you recall any acci-
dents involving residents in the seven year period?
Tripepi: No sir, I don't.
Imperial: We have been quite fortunate because looking at the
vehicles that have been serving the City of Rosemead, they are
accidents waiting to happen. We have been very fortunate.
Mayor: Mr. Melika, the cost factors and the time that you have
been serving the city of Rosemead in the last year, under your
current contract, what would be the new contract, what would the
cost increase be if you continued under the same 24 hour service
dedicated vehicles and van dedicated for use as needed in Rosemead?
What would be a rough guess as far as an increase in the contract?
You are $71,000 last year and if the contract was generally the
same as it is, what would be the increase for the new year?
Melika: About 10%, if it says the same conditions.
Mayor: Basically, the contract doesn't seem to be in error as
far as the services provided, timing and vehicles. As far as
some of the problems that the... and I.say waiting time, that's
....I have the last report that we have here and I have gone
through every single page. There were a few out of the 800
pickups that were maybe an hour long. But as far as the general
contract, the way it is right now, to renew that for another
year, it would go roughly from $71,000 to $80,000.
Melika: No sir. Without dedicating vehicles. In other words,
just to serve the City with any unit we have, not specific units,
that would be $80,000.
Mayor: I have to agree tha
haven't had.the opportunity
that come over there during
different vehicles, we have
van. To your knowledge how
a given day here?
L there seems to be a problem and I
to see all the different vehicles
the day. I don't know how.many
the two dedicated'; and we have the
many taxi cabs actually serve on
Melika: Not only taxi cabs, but we have vans here. We have 17
vans that also serve other cities.
Mayor: 17 vans, but when a taxi cab comes over to the community
center what would you have..six or eight different vehicles
during the day?
Melika: About that much, yes.
Mayor: I am a little concerned too, with what Mr. Bruesch was
making.comments about, and Mr. Imperial. That some of these are
older vehicles. If there is a broken window as the gentleman
mentioned awhile ago, how do you monitor all these vehicles?
Who is responsible for that? Are they Yellow Cab owned cars or
are they leased through the driver? The driver works for Yellow
Cab?
CM 2-26-85
Page #8
Melika: No, they lease the cab.
Mayor: Who leases the cab?
Melika: The driver.
i
Mayor: The driver leases the cab from!Yellow Cab. So it is
your ultimate responsibility that there be no broken windows.
Melika: This is the first time that I heard that there was a
broken window.
Mayor: I am just making the statementithat if there was a broken
window there or if there was a bald tire....
I
Melika: It shouldn't be going out in the street....
Tury: Mr. Mayor, this is just a comment, and I know what you
are coming to, but we are looking at allist that includes things
such as the passengers seat is not secured,a missing front bumper.
Now, these are CHP reports. Missingia front bumper. I am
ignoring the no fire extinguisher in the vehicles because they
virtually all have that. Drivers failito fill out the daily in-
spection reports. Emergency exit door locked, battery not secured.
The horn inoperative. These are CHP equipment inspection reports.
Melika: What year?
Tury: 1984 isibasically what.we have., The latest one is June of
84 is the last one that we have here. We are looking at cars that
are going to be servicing our residents and we have heard about
one broken window. Mayor Taylor has elluded to the fact that
he has only seen only 20 formal complaint reports, but if you
get out in the City and you go to Senior Citizen things and you
talk to the people, for every one you get in here, there is
going to be 20 that won't bother to call. Or won't take the
time or, scared to, call the City. So to use that 1% figure as.
anything meaningful I think is misinterpretation. But you look
at...
Melika: It doesn't even come to 12%.
Tury: It may be 0% but nonetheless, the people who will formally
actually call City Hall and complain are just a very small minority
of people who have a complaint. People are scared to call City
Hall. People don't want to take the time to call City Hall, but
if you get into the community and you ;talk to the people, I think
you could probably fill this audience several times over with
people who have a dissatisfaction. Basically, it is not with
your company, the time is something that I can agree with Gary.
Once in a while it is going to run over, but when you have cars
that are missing bumpers and the seats are not tied down, if
batteries are not tied down, you have a hazard.. Bald tires, you
are supposed to have 8 ply tires on a van and you have 4 ply tires
on a van. We have been sharing vehicles but we have two of them
dedicated. I really question if we have any of.them dedicated,
we have nothing but a bunch of old ones around here that I have
ever seen. I have never seen any of the good ones that are sup-
posedly dedicated to our City. So I think it is not only a
matter of little things like maybe a little late picking up
or something like that, but I think we have a geniune problem
with a lack of maintenance on the vehicles and we haven't had
an accident, but I agree with what Jay: said, maybe we have been
damn lucky. I am not real anxious to ispend all that money either,
but I do think that if we are going to, do a program, it should be
at least a safe program. Thank you Mr. Mayor.
Mayor: Alright, I would like ...Mr. Melika, the report that we
have here, Highway Patrol Inspection Report, I am sure that you
haven't seen it yet. It was just delivered to us today. What
I am curious about....
Melika: June, 84 sir?
Mayor: Well, there are different dates, March 7, 1984 and,June,
1984. 1
CM 2-26-85
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0
Tury: I might ask..if I may interrupt for one second, Mr. Mayor,
I might ask staff how we finally got these. Did they give you
these reports or did we have to go to the CHP to actually get
these reports.
Melika: It is a public record.
Tury: It is my understanding that they tried to get the records
from you and you did not respond with those records from your com-
pany. They did not speak to you personally, but your company.
Mayor: Were you aware of that, Mr. Melika, that they had re-
quested from your company these reports.
Melika: Yes, they did request these reports, but I gave the
reports to the City of Monrovia and they lost it and they could
not find it and I requested from the Highway Patrol and they
would deliver it to me in the very near future.
Mayor: When did you request it?
Melika: When Mr. Kerr asked me about it.
Mayor: When did Mr. Kerr ask you for the report. Two or three
days ago?
Melika: Yes.
Mayor: You asked for the report from the City of Monrovia.
Melika: I tried to get it back from the City of Monrovia and
they couldn't find it.
Mayor: Three days ago, so you didn't get that back.
Melika: No I did not get it back yet.
Bruesch: Mr. Melika, isn't common business practice when you
have a public record and you send it somewhere to send copies
and keep copies yourself. How...
Melika: Yes, I usually keep a copy for myself...
Bruesch: Why did you not then keep a copy?
Melika: They came in one day and they were talking about the
report and they took it and said they would give it back and
I did not have any use for it at that time so I gave it to him.
Bruesch: No use for it. This is public record sir. Public
record of safety.
Melika: You can pick it up from the Highway Patrol.
Bruesch: But the California Code says that the carrier shall
provide its latest rating upon request of the public whether
received in writing or in person or by telephone. It is your
responsibility, not the Highway Patrol to have the set on hand.
Melika: I had it, but I just lend it to the City of Monrovia.
Bruesch: Again, we are dealing with a poor business practice.
Mayor: Mr. Melika, the report states here equipment number
50, 11, and 52.
Melika: These are for the City of Monrovia.
Mayor: Are you sure?
Melika: Absolutely.
Mayor: 0. K. It says Monrovia Transit on ...Monrovia Transit,
Monrovia Transit. What about our vehicles?
CM 2-26-85
Page #10
Melika: If it has the name of the City on the top-they write
the name on it.
Mayor: How many of these Cities do you serve?
Melika: I serve Monrovia. I serve Temple City, Rosemead, San
Gabriel, Hacienda Heights, Roland Heights, Diamond Bar, E1 Monte.
Mayor: So we have two complaints here. June of last year and
March of 1984. The first complaint is for vehicle number 50,
no fire extinguisher in vehicle, and passenger seat not secured.
Now, this was an inspection in your yard or...
Melika: Yes, in our yard. He comes every six months or every
three months...
Mayor: Why was that vehicle in your yard then ...passenger seat
not secured-they were inspecting a vehicle in your yard and not
in service. 0. K. so it was in your yard and we have to go to
the City of Monrovia to find out that we were checking.their
vehicles then. No, No, let me finish-this is a Monrovia vehicle
that is listed passenger seat not secured that was examined in
your yard not on the street. So we would have to go to the City
of Monrovia and start checking their records to.verify their
vehicles. ..My point is that I want to know the vehicles in the
City of Rosemead. I am not condoning the fact that there was
a loose seat. We go to the next item. No. 11 Monrovia Transit
front bumper missing. Again, in your yard. These inspections
were made in your yard as far as ..Let us be fair about it, all
of the vehicles must be inspected in your yard also. Where are
the reports
Melika: They will not say on the reports City of Rosemead be-
cause it doesn't have.City of Rosemead printed on the.taxi..
Mayor: I want to know where the inspection reports are for the
vehicles serving the City of Rosemead.
Bruesch: What is the number of the van that serves Rosemead?
Melika: I can't remember now.
Bruesch: Is it not 50?
Melika: No, No, 50, 51, and 52 are serving the City of Monrovia.
Bruesch: What are the numbers of the vans that service Rosemead?
Melika: There is only one van.
Bruesch: O. K. what is the number?
Melika: I think it is 21.
Bruesch: Am I not mistaken as to assume that if 21 is busy on one
job they will pull other vehicles off. In other words van #50
might well be serving Rosemead also.
Melika: No, because they are dedicated to the City of Monrovia.
Mayor: Let's. go to the next item here vehicle #52, no fire ex-
tinguisher in the vehicle I mean..it is a violation, but I am
going to say as far as I am concerned, not a serious one. I
could ask 50 people in this audience and I almost feel tempted
to. How many of them have a fire extinguisher in their car?.
One, two, three, four, five. I don't have one in my car. I am
not saying right or wrong.
Melika: We were supposed to have them in the Van, but the people
sometimes take them-away with them. Most of the time it will be
missing, and we have to keep putting them back.
Mayor: Regardless of that, it should be in there because the code
requires it.
CM 2-26-85
Page #11
Melika: We should have a fire extinguisher.
Mayor: So we go to the. next page here. Driver does not fill
out or submit daily inspection reports. They should be done,
but it is not a life threatening situation. Next item, Monrovia
Transit service emergency exit door locked. I think we should
tell Monrovia to check their vehicles.
Tury: I would hate to see the ones in this town, Gary, cause
I have seen the damn things. I know what they look like.
Mayor: Horn, inoperative, fire extinguisher not included. I
would like to see the report on the Rosemead vehicles. Mr. Tri-
pepi', do you want to say something.
Tripepi: Well, a question to Mr. Melika,, to confirm what the
CHP have indicated, isn't it a fact when the California' Highway, Patrol
does an inspection of your yard, there inspection is done on
the Monrovia Transit District. Is it not? Isn't that how it
is listed on the inspection?
Melika: If the unit has a name on it, then they will list the
name.
Tripepi: Is the City of Monrovia a part of the pool of cars
that you draw from when you say that none of us really have
dedicated cars that are running all over the place, to speak
of. So really you can't identify Rosemead vehicles. It may
be a Rosemead vehicle today and it may be a Monrovia vehicle
tomorrow. Unless it is specifically named as a Monrovia.vehicle
and they may have a dedicated car.
Melika: No, on that contract they did specify that they wanted
their name to be printed in such a way on the van and to be
colored in a certain way to.....
Bruesch: Mr. Melika, then why, tell me was.the van that was
pointed out to me as being the one that serviced Rosemead, why
on the dash board did it have dozens of parking stubs from
Monrovia?
Melika: What was the number of
Bruesch: I don't know the number. I can't
Melika: And what color? If it is blue it is Monrovia.
Bruesch: It was a blue one..
Melika: Then it was a Monrovia van.
Kerr: It was a tan vehicle. I believe the vehicle number that
we were given was M.
Bruesch: O. K. it was a tan vehicle. It was pointed out to us...
Mayor: O. K. you say it was tan and Mr. Bruesch says it was blue.
Which one are we looking at.
Bruesch: Mr. Mayor, all I know is the one that was pointed out
to us as being dedicated to Rosemead had on the dashboard, we
picked them up about 8, 10, 12 stubs from Monrovia Parking
garages or something.
Melika: The van that services the City of Rosemead is not dedi-
cated to Rosemead alone. It could be for.Rosemead. It could be
for back-up and if we have a jam in Monrovia, they will go and
take the van. They will go and work in Temple City.
Mayor: You already clarified when we started this conversation
that Van serves San Gabriel, and Temple City.
Bruesch: But not Monrovia.
Melika: No, not in a regular basis. Only if there is a
specific problem where we have to use a wheelchair van. CM 2-page266--85
8
M~ i
Mayor: The report that we get monthly, monthly Dial-A-Ride
Report. It lists number of trips, 742 year to date for 7
months, this January, 5400. Seven into 54, seven times,
roughly 750 on an average per month. The cost,operating costs
$6000. 8 times 8 is 64 so roughly, if it,was $8 a trip times
800 trips that would be $6,400 so $7.50 a trip just rough
percentage. $7.50 a trip each way. So $7.50.there $15.00
back. What we are getting into now, this is the current con-
tract. We are basically going to have the same number of
riders. It is going from:$71,000 to $180,000 is the bid
that is being recommended tonight. No, that is not your.bid.
Your:bid is $125,000 under the new proposed contract. Now, that bid
jumps from $7.50 per trip.to $20 each way., So now.it.becomes a
$40 trip. I;don't know.ifyouu understand what I am saying. Mathe-
matically, you figure it out at a $180,000 divided by 750 trips per
month.
Melika: The old contract was for 24 hours, and the new contract
is only for 12 hours.
Mayor:. Regardless of when it is, I am just using the figures
that we have before us. It is $7.50 each way. Under the new
contract the recommendation is to accept it for 12 hours service
at $20 each way costing $40 per trip whether we take them to the
South E1 Monte Community Center or we take them to El Monte-Community
Center. It is going to cost the residents.of this City overall
$40 a trip. I would like to know from staff what the Silver Mug
is, what Three P's is, and the Lucky Lady. Can you tell me what
those are Mr. Burbank'. You are grinning.
Burbank: My guess, sir, is that they are.taverns.
Mayor: Those are cocktail lounges, $40 a crack, that we pay
each month to take individuals to. That is what the new recom-
mendation is that we pay $40 to take them there and bring them
home. That is just a point.there, and we take them out of the
City at $40 a crack, and we take them to Arcadia shopping mall.
Melika: You can reduce the cost by...
Mayor: The point I am trying to make is, exactly...
Imperial: Mr. Mayor, if you are going to bring out that figure
as I had brought to the Council's attention, there were 4 trips
in one day at $40 a crack by the same individual.
Mayor: Your point as I said was well taken, Mr. Imperial, you
were the one that brought it up. As far as the Silver Mug, and
the Three P's that is totally out of line that the community
be paying those kind of costs, whether it'is $7.50 or $20. /We
shouldn't be paying it. But the point being is, we as a City,
the Council is obligated to provide reasonable, safe.and good
service. And all I have to base it upon is these monthly records,,
and that is why we require them. When someone tells us that
the senior citizens have a complaint, they are not getting good
service and such. Maybe they don't feel treated perfectly right.
Someone doesn't go to their door and knock on it and ask them to
come out and get into the cab. That would be ideal and I think
it would be excellent, but how do I say it, that is not mandatory
part of the service. By the same token, the residents shouldn't
stand in the driveway waiting an hour. The senior citizens...
there was a gentleman that came to us tonight with a misunder-
standing on the cheese program. I stated at the last meeting,
I know a lot of the senior citizens, some of us still have our
parents around and they become very impatient. The timing, they
don't understand that they are not readily available and you can
open up any page in here, it doesn't matter, and you look at the time. Time,
date,call received, 5:48 a.m., time required, as soon as possible,
cab showed up at 6:00 a.m., 12 minutes. I don't care what page I
pick on here.
Tury: Who fills out. those trip sheets, Mr. Mayor?
Mayor: Yellow Cab.
Tury: Oh, thank you.
Mayor: They are everyone a lie. Who fills them out.
The implication is, Yellow Cab,you can't believe them. Understand
my point. We have to get documents every month that the Council
looks at and reviews. It doesn't matter what page. CM 2-26-85
Page #13
0
0
Melika: This is a requirement. That the staff requires.
Mayor: That's fine. All I am saying is that is either we
believe these 740 and if 10% of them are lies, they are all
lies. I have to assume in good faith that they are reasonable
here. If they are not and if we find out that they are lies,
you have no business serving the City of Rosemead.
Melika: What page is that?
Mayor: I don't care what page it is. 7:10 a.m. time called,
as soon as possible, 7:40 a.m. to El Monte Senior Citizens
Club. My point is that, I can only vote for the contract that
provides reasonable, good and safe service to residents of the
community of Rosemead. I cannot justify $7.50 fees jumping to
$20 each way. The hesitation in my mind is the safety factor.
There is a potential there that I don't like the implication.
But by the same token if you have served us for seven years
transporting, , 8,000 per year.
Melika: We transport about 2,000,000 every year.
Mayor: No, I am talking about Rosemead. I can't help the rest
of the world. But if you have 7000 a year times seven that is
50,000, 40,000 riders. Pick a number. If you haven't had an
accident in.seven years ...I have to say that that's reasonable
good safe service, and the inspection report that we had was
for Monrovia. If we had it for our Rosemead vehicles, it might
be a different story. But I certainly spoke my piece, what has
the rest of the Councilmembers have to say.
Imperial: Mr. Mayor, we have had this service for how long now?
Mayor: Seven years.
Imperial: Seven years. I have heard various complaints and I
think the biggest violation was across the street at Howards
Restaurant, when the cab company was called. A senior citizen,
a lady in her 80's wanted a cab, she called and no response. within
a half hour. She called again, and if I can recall, the lady
made about 4 trips to the telephone and by this time she was
exhausted and the waitresses started calling and no response.
To make a long story short after 22 hours the manager felt so
bad for this lady, he took her home himself. That is just one
example. As far as I am concerned, Mr. Melika, you can serve
some other City, but not this City if I have anything to do.with
it. You have had 7 years to prove your company, and you haven't
done it. I have taken a look at some of your vehicles and if
I vote on nothing but motorized bicycles, it wouldn't be your
company. You have had a chance to do something and.you haven't.
Mr. Mayor I am ready to go on to whatever else is available, but
it sure would not be Yellow Cab in my opinion.
Mayor: Mr. Tripepi, several months ago, we had a City employee
driving a vehicle down Walnut Grove and there was an accident
where it rear-ended another vehicle. Do you recall that?
Tripepi: Well, I believe it was Temple City Blvd., if it was
the one I am thinking of.
Mayor: There was one in front of Edison, down there. Did you
fire that employee?
Tripepi: No, sir.
Mayor: I am glad you didn't. The.point being that we can have
our accidents and use a little discretion which you are right in.
The point being is that we can make mistakes and such and we
accept them, and I am not..it was a sad happening over at Rewards
of what Mr. Imperial is describing, but I can only go on seven years
of service, total.record, and I have to agree about some of the com-
plaints they are very valid, but again the seriousness of them, but
does it justify the cost to the entire City of Rosemead, what we
are proposing to do? If there had been accidents, if we had known
of the faulty problems and such, I wouldn't even be talking about
it. I would vote your contract out right now, but I can't in good
CM-2-26-85
Page #14
Mayor continues: conscience vote for a the way it is being pre-
sented to the Council.
Tury: Mr. Mayor, you keep referring to the entire City of Rose-
mead paying for this. The entire City of Rosemead is paying for
every single transit program that is sponsored, funded through
proposition A. So don't try giving the impression that the resi-
dents of Rosemead are picking up the total tab for this.
Mayor: They pickup a proportion of this. It's share, no matter
what it is.
Tury.: They pick up a portion of every transit district that is
using proposition A funds. Equal proportion.
Mayor: I agree..
Tury: That's fine.
Mayor: Well, we are at this point..
Bruesch: Call I call for the question?
Mayor: You didn't have a Second.
Motion died to due-a lack of a Second.
Mayor: I'll make a counter motion: I move the approval of.the Yellow
Cab Contract. Now another motion would be appropriate.
Bruesch: "I move that we go with the recommendation of staff.
Imperial: Mr. Mayor, I certainly can't go for your motion and
that died for a lack of a second. I can't certainly agree with
the proposal set forward by the new cab company. I have a pro-
blem with that. I would like to know if the senior citizens
and the handicapped in this community, for instance, can order
a cab out at seven o'clock because they want to go to dinner,
and that is the time a lot of people go to dinner and they can
get a cab or a Dial-A-Ride service to get back from the restaurant
and not be stranded there. I think there are some loose ends in
this and I am not ready to make that decision. Again, I go on
record as saying that I am certainly not for the Yellow Cab Co.,
but I am also not very happy with what is presented and I think
we should take a good look at what we've got.
Tury: Possibly what Jay is saying is we might find out what the
cost of the second low bidder is to extend that to say to 9:00
o'clock.
Mayor: Do we have a representative here?
Tury: Or to adjust the hours somewhat.
Mayor: Could you tell us. Thank you Mr. Melika. Can you
tell us what the increase would roughly be in your contract
going to 24 hour service, keeping the service that you have
proposed, plus adding additional service for
Tury: I was going to say make the starting time to 8:00 a.m. and
make the closing time.to 9:30 to 10:00 p. m.
Walt Diangson: Mr. Mayor, members of the Council, my name is
Walt Diangson, Vice president of CTS of Daves Systems, 1450
17th Street, Santa Ana, California, the staff proposal that
is being referred to, the hours of service are your hours of
service, we are responding as all other three bidders to your
request of the proposal. You established in adopting that RFP to issue
publicly those hours. We can move and have the flexibility to
go beyond 7:00 p. m.., to do week-end service, to do even 24 hour
service. Like I have reminded a number of Cities in this area
that are considering E & H systems, that the senior citizens
primarily move, the bulk of that population, moves between 9:00
a. m., and 4:00 p. m. You ask me now, how do I know that? We
operate 34 systems. We brought the first Dial-A-Ride to California.
We have reams of data. We have a San Gabriel study. A San Fernando
Study. We designed Orange County Transit District Dial-A-Ride System.
We would be happy to move those hours in any flexibility from
CM 2-26-85
Page n15
Diangson continues: nine to eight, to 24 hours. You ask me
what the cost would be, and I would say after the fixed costs
are covered the average rate right now as we proposed was $15.50
after fare box is.collected. We proposed that you consider. a
split rate, where the only thing that you are charged for is
drivers time, fuel and maintenance for that mile travel. Once
the basic fixed costs are covered, you may be looking at $10
an hour or less. Probably $5 to $8.
Imperial: Breaking it down, Mr. Mayor after all these figures,
how much will it increase the bid price.
Diangson: How many hours do you want to expand to. See what I
am quoting is the 7:00 to 7:00 p. m. 359 days,seven days a week
is your scope of work. You can adjust that as you set policy as
where we might travel. You can adjust that to 8:00 to
Mayor: I think we are talking about roughly up until 10:00 p.m.
Does that sound realistic.
Tury: I was thinking about from 8:00 till 9:00 p. m. which would
give us an extra hour a day, and slide the thing forward one hour.
Mayor: Excuse me, if I may, Mr. Tury, just opening up these sheets
here. 5:30, 5:00 a.m., 6:40 a.m., 8:40 a.m. 5:45 a. m., 7:20 a.m.,
5:10 a.m., 7:15 a..m., so I think 7:00 a.m. is reasonable. If you
want to add three hours to it, that is the realistic price we need.
7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Bruesch: Would it be possible if he could.get figures to us sort
of like on hour to hour basis. If we added 1 hour, then if we
added 2 hours, if we added 3 hours so we could have that data in
our hands.
Mayor: What basically, if we take the 12 hours now, just add 1/12
for every hour that you add.
Tury: There must be a fixed capital expense involved in that and
a fixed overhead involved in that so
Diangson: I recommended to staff that they consider, because there
was this question of moving the hours, to a fixed and variable rate
where a flat rate is paid for the lease of the vehicles, the faci-
lity, and the manager that is assigned, and not add that on to the
hours because you are then paying for something that has already
been paid for.
Imperial: First of all, I would like to know how staff came up
with the hours that were projected to the transit companies.
Secondly, I think we had the answers right there. All we have
to do is to look at the Dial-A-Ride log books and see when the
system was most used.from what time to what time, and come up
with some kind of an answer. I don't know if this was done or
not. Maybe that is how staff projected it.
Tripepi: That is how we projected it.
Imperial: But I do have big problems with terminating the ser-
vices at 7:00 p. m.. There are a lot of folks in this City that
like to go out and have dinner about 7:00 and I would like to be
sure that they get home.
Mayor: I think that is what the Council is looking at to change
it.from 7:00 to 10:00 p..m. approximately. I don't recall ...It
is a little harder to find the end of the sheet here as far as
...7:52 p.m., concluded that day, 6:30, 8:00 p. m., 12:00 p.m.
oh, that's o. k., 5:40 p.m., 5:00 a.m., so most of it is 6:00 p.m.
5:00 p.m. There doesn't seem to be a heavy demand, here is an
8:50 p.m. So it is something that staff will need to look in to.
7:50 p. m.
Tury: I was just going to say that possibly we have been playing
with this for a long time. I would like to see us tentatively
approve the contractor, just to disqualify Yellow Cab Company,
and ask staff to try to negotiate, subject to the final approval
of the Council the extra 2 hours. and see if the cost is worthwhile.
CM 2-26-85
Page #16
Mayor: That is a new motion?
Bruesch: I will withdraw my motion and let that take the table.
Imperial: Mr. Mayor....
Tury: We are all going to make a motion..
Mayor: We don't need a withdrawal. Did you have a second, Mr.
Bruesch?.
Bruesch: I did not have a second, that is why I withdraw the
motion in favor of the new motion.
Imperial: Point of clarification, to Mr. Tury motion. Are we
saying in reality, Mr. Tury, that we are going to disqualify
the Yellow Cab Company. We are going to accept this new transit
system but we are going to negotiate with them for the contract
that we want? And they will service us while we are doing this
negotiating. Is that what we are saying?
Tury: The first thing is that we should disqualify the Yellow
Cab Company, if that is the wish of the majority of the Council.
Imperial: I have no problem with that.
Tury: I will make a motion to that effect first.
Imperial: I will second that, Mr. Tury.
Bruesch: Point of clarification, directed to our City Attorney.
If we are in the negotiation process, how much lieu time do we
have on service under our old.contract?
Kress: Perhaps, I think the proper question is if we are going
to have someone new operating the system. The question would be
how quickly could they begin service.
Tury: Do we have an extension through June with Yellow Cab?
Mayor: That is interesting, we vote to disqualify them as being
irresponsible, now save us for four months.
Diangson: The standard is, Mr. Mayor, to start is 30 days to
six weeks, and that allows for the ordering of the vehicles.
Tripepi: This whole matter came about when the staff recommended
and the Council agreed to put Yellow Cab on probation at the
time the contract was extended. Staff didn't feel that the pro-
blems were worked out to the satisfaction, brought the matter
back. The Contract provides for a 30 day concellation clause.
That is what you are actually doing. You are disallowing the
bid that came in, and you are giving a 30 day notice to Yellow
Cab on the agreement.
Bruesch: And then in that way, we are covered for 30 days so that
we will not have a loss of service.
Mayor: For 30 days.
Tripepi: That is correct. That is what the notice provision of
the existing contract is.
Kress: You have a basic agreement that those who have responded
to the RFP have seen that contract and the direction of the Council
tonight is to look into the possibility of additional evening
service and how to charge for that service. That would appear
to be the only open issue on the contract. I think that 30 days
is more than adequate to come back with that contract.
Imperial: Call for the question, Mr. Mayor.
Mayor: The motion right now is.to disqualify Yellow Cab as
the responsible bidder, and serve notice.
CM 2-26-85
Page #17
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN TURY, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN IMPERIAL
that the Yellow Cab Company be disqualified as a responsible
bidder and to serve notice of termination. Vote resulted:
AYES: Councilmen Bruesch, Cleveland, Imperial and Tury
NAPES: Mayor Taylor
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Whereupon the Mayor declared said motion duly carried and
so ordered.
Mayor: Next motion.
Tury: The second motion would be to tentatively award the
Dial A Ride Contract to Community Transit Services, Inc. sub-
ject to negotiations on length of hours.
Bruesch: I second it.
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN TURY, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH
that Community Transit Services, Inc. be tentatively awarded
the contract subject to negotiations on the length of hours.
Vote resulted:
AYES: Councilmen Bruesch, Cleveland, Imperial and Tury
NAYES: Mayor Taylor
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Whereupon the Mayor declared said motion duly carried and
so ordered.
Mayor: Ellen, I would like the minutes to show my vote is not
against the new contractor,I do not know the company personally,
and I would like this item in the minutes verbatim. So it will
be back next year and hopefully we won't have these same discus-,
sions about senior citizens not-being served on time and what have
you.
V. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION & ACTION
A. CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE CONTRACT (VERBATIM)
Mayor: Next Item Cable Television Franchise Contract. Who
wants to handle the analysis on that.
Tripepi: It was a joint analysis, Mr. Mayor, put, together .:by.myself
and the City Attorney. What we tried -to do is take all the'.impoHant points
of both proposals that were submitted and we tried to clarify
those areas that are critical in making your decision and doing
that analysis,.we have attempted to point that out to you,.the .
Council. I think in summary, something perhaps, the analysis did
not enter into, that we should perhaps speak to this evening is
the fact that a decision tonight should the Council go that far,
is. not the decision granting a franchise it is merely chosing
one or the other and instructing the staff to negotiate an agree-
ment to come back to the Council with for possible approval and
ratification at a later date. The analysis ends with making no
recommendation. We felt that either company could service the
community. There were some key areas in the analysis that spoke
to rates for the service and the other key area was the program-
ming. I should indicate this evening that the analysis will be
corrected in one area and that deals with the package rates.
It is our understanding that this evening, you will be presented
with a letter from Group W advising you of a package rate at
$24.95 that is for basic, a convertor, FM, also remote control,
and 2 pay stations. And that package rate as I stated is $24.95.
The package rate that you have from Falcon was $29.95 so I think
other than that, there is not really a lot we can add to the
analysis. I think we tried to keep it at least concise and
address those areas that we felt would be of importance to the
Council in making a decision.
Mayor: We will open it for Council discussion.
Tury: Just one thing, this will be noncontroversial to answer
your question of the last meeting. Both systems do offer the FM
Stereo option through the FM tuner.
CM 2-26-85
Page #18
o •
Kress: Well, the FCC has just ruled that Cable Companies do
not have to carry it that way. So.
Gentleman in audience speaking.......
Mayor: Ed would you come up to the podium, please. We'll get
you up here. You are not one that likes to come up here but we
have got you.
Ritz: My name is Ed Ritz, 9225 Rio Dell, at the last meeting I
asked Mayor Taylor the question after the public forum had closed.
Unfortunately, I should have spoken before that time I was told.
I asked about the FM that might be carried, we know that MTV is
stereophonically broadcast by satelite, but I wasn't sure about
any of the movie channels, and I understand perhaps, the movie
channel is. Probably only one.
Levy: HBO and Showtime.
Ritz: And those come through a separate deal, through the FM
tuner which you must have a hi fi set or some type of thing
to retune that after you tune in the channel on the convertor
which is not too handy. Eventually, hopefully, they will simule-
cast over the air when you tune in your channel 1 or whatever it
is and you will get your sound automatically, and then...
Currently channel 5 is broadcasting in a new system which re-
quires a decoder, 7 can also do so and 22 proposes to do so soon.
I wonder how they are going to handle that, either company.
Bruesch: Before you leave, I would like to.ask a question. In
your question you ask about through the convertor. You are re-
ferring to stereo television now, right. In other words the TV
has the two speakers separation or are you speaking of using your
amplifier...
Ritz:I'm speaking of using your own stereo system.
Bruesch: Because the next generation is working into the stereo
television.
Ritz: That is what channel 5 is doing now.
Tripepi: Mr. Ritz, here's.a copy of the City Attorney's ...that
is the response to that question relative.to the FM bands. An
article.
Levy: My name is Robert Levy with Falcon Communications, and
I would like to introduce you to Frank Maldonado, who is our.
Director of Engineering, responsible for all our engineering
now and futuristic who can respond to your question or that of
your constituency. Frank...
Maldonado: Mayor and Councilmembers, Mr. Ritz was referring to
MTS which is a new stereo service that has become available. It
is a multi-channel television sound. We expect.that we will not
do anything at this point to introduce that service. Mostly be-
cause the market place is not there. The receivers are not
available right now. That is everybody would have to buy a com-
patible television set for that. Television stations are now
just talking about it. Channel 5 is doing it, and they do it
periodically, not all the time. It is.a second audio service.
We will incorporate that service whenever we see the market-
place develop. It is a long ways off.
Mayon Alright, think you.
Bruesch: I have a question.
Mayor:.',.Well, I have Group`W to get the,-:other side ,of.the.story, Bob.
Bruesch: It is..a technical question.
Mayor: Go ahead:
Bruesch: My question is, again, I will refer to stereo televi-
sion, there are units out that can direct the signal of FM auto-
matically through.your amplifier and you can-.have...through your
FM amplifier you can have your two speakers plus your television.
What I continually am hearing is, stereo television. Now, you
are referring to that separation of the sound into two channels
in the TV, right? CM 2-26-85
Page #19
Maldonado: That's true. True stereo. What you are talking
about is synthasized stereo.
Mayor: Group W want to respond to that question?
Anlyan: Good evening gentlemen, my name is Louis Anlyan, Group
W Cable in El Monte, and I would like to introduce Floyd Madearis
from our regional office, who also wants to respond to that.
Madearis: Just one in point, Westinghouse at the Western Cable
shows back in December did display a convertor box that will ac-
cept stereo sound. It is an area that Westinghouse, Group W,
is moving in. We have a joint venture with Sanyo which that box
is under development now.
Mayor: Alright, any other questions? Well, this is it, gentlemen,
we have been talking a couple of years so let's talk.
Tury: Easy to talk but tough to make decisions.
Mayor: Well, we did it on Yellow Cab. This is the same thing.
Tury: I would like to see the new proposal from Group W.
Anlyan: At some point, whether this is the'time or not, there
are a couple of comments that we would like to make as to the
staff report.
Mayor: There was a question raised that Group W has a group
package that might want to be...
Anlyan: There.are...we would like to make a brief response to
each of the five points that were brought up in the staff report,
if that is o.k. with you.
Mayor: Fine.
Anlyan: O.K. first of.all I would like to state that as this entire
proceeding has been in a dialogue fashion, we at Group.W Cable since
we have received the staff report yesterday morning have been plan-
ning just to come up.and make some very brief comments to you on
those five points. First point we would like to respond to is the
point of the financial capability. Very briefly, Floyd Madearis
would like to make a couple of comments about that. Floyd is our
regional financial manager.
Madearis: Just one quick point, I think it was brought out in the
first hearing that the competitors bid had a shortfall in number
of miles that were actually in the City of Rosemead. Because
there was a shortfall in the number of miles, there was also a
shortfall in the amount of capital required for building purposes.
They did say that they would continue to build the system, but
I think their proposal nor did their staff report address the
issue of where the additional financing was coming from. I know
that they are basically working under a limited partnership agree-
ment and I think that is certainly a question that staff as well
as the Council would like to be-should have addressed.
Anlyan: The. second point if you will allow us to speak to that..
would be the construction schedule. Tony Jones who made a pre-
sentation to you in the first hearing is also with us again this
evening and if you will remember Tony is the Director of our project
management. team which does all the building of our new systems.
Jones: There are a couple of points I would like to make. First,
I am a little confused on the issue of the construction schedule.
We have said in our proposal, from the start, that we could com-
plete the construction in 12 months and our competitor has said
18 months. The issue that seems..to'be brought up now is the first
subscriber date. Our competitor has said 12 weeks and we say we
can do it in one day. We could physically put in a drop from our
E1 Monte system into Rosemead, but I think we are getting away
from the issue of the construction schedule, when we start talk-
ing about first subscriber. First subscriber can be interpreted
in many different ways. I think we are-not talking apples to
apples. What our competitor...What is our competitors schedule
CM 2-26-85
Page #20
0
Jones continues: in construction? This agreement with Pacific
Telephone we both have and can only reduce construction at best
by two months of the total build. This would put us at 10 months
and our competitor at 16 months. Just going by your original
proposal. I think the issue that we need to discuss would be
is.when does the City expect the last subscriber to be able to
have service not the first. The other issue on the report, it
edged our competitor for the construction schedule due to their
agreement with Pacific Telephone, or give the edge to our com-
petitor due to the agreement with Pacific Telephone, I am here
to say that we have exactly the same agreement as our competitor
does with Pacific Telephone.
Tury: Do you have a copy of that agreement with you tonight?
Jones: We do not have a copy. I had talked to Linda Bond today,
and I was hoping that she would be here this.evening. She was
supposed to be to confirm that we have that very same agreement.
We can get it to the City Council. We can have Linda write or
wire you affirmation of our conversation that we will have ex-
actly the same agreement. There is no.... what she told me today
is that our competitor has no priviledges that we do not have.
Bruesch: Is that a common agreement made between telephone
companies and cable companies. Is it generic in other words,
or is it specific thing that was worked out?
Jones: Well, it has been a specific thing that has been worked
out for our competitor and it is also happening in Sacramento.
It is not the first time that it has happened that a cable company
can do their own pole rearrangements. And when we approached
Pacific Telephone, and said that our competitor had this agree-
ment so that they could do their own rearrangements, we were told
that is not an agreement that they alone have. We will have.the
same agreement if we were awarded the franchise. I will have
that in writing to you.. It will take us approximately two weeks
to get that agreement formalized if we are awarded the franchise.
Mayor: Mr. Kress....
Kress: Now I am hearing that you.don't have the agreement,.but
you can have the agreement.
Jones: Within two weeks I can get you the information stating
that is a fact.
Kress: 0. K. that is certainly the way I understood your presen-
tation the first evening is that you felt that Group W could
have that agreement and now you know you can, but you still don't
have it.
Jones: In fact, I won't go after it unless we have the franchise.
Kress: O. K. fair enough.
Bruesch: Would having such an agreement increase your cost? 11
Jones: No, it would reduce the cost and reduce the time frame
for the total build by approximately two months. All that agree-
ment does is to give us the authority to go out and get our own
contractors instead of waiting for Pacific Telephone to make all
of the arrangements. So in effect it would give either one of
us a two month edge looking at the original proposal. I would
like to invite the City Council to review both companies maps
at their earliest convenience so that we can make sure that we
can ensure their existence. I would suggest that you possibly
do that. That is about all the points that I have to make.
Tripepi: I know that it has been a long evening, but I got to
ask the obvious follow-up question. If the agreement doesn't
cost you anything, if in fact it cuts down the time, is there
a reason why refuse to provide such an agreement prior to getting
a franchise?
CM 2-26-85
Page #21
•
Jones: They have stated to us that should we get Rosemead,
we haven't talked about any other area they would give us the same
agreement so, we haven't gone back and said we don't have it
and will you give it to us. We are not at that point yet.
Tripepi: O. K. I understand. Thank you.
Anlyan: I would like to add that we are not going after any
more territory in this particular area. That would be one of
the reasons. The next area that we wanted to address was the
local programming committment. I am going to take just a second
to address that. We have gone over it every time we stood in
front of you and I know you probably heard about as much as you
can stand on the subject. But just to recap it, from what I
have heard in these hearings and I may be wrong, our competitor
seems to have a local-:van available for your use. We have eleven
vans, they have two studios, we have eleven in our coastal
district and in our Los Angeles district. We have over 150
people who are a part of our arrangement and we have guaranteed you
that 100% of your needs, desires and so forth, in your access
in local origination programing will be covered. We feel that
is adequate. We don't really feel that Falcon has the edge on
us in that particular item. Again that.is up to you. It depends
on how you read it. Our next topic of that ...we have two more
topics that we would like to cover briefly. Jim Baquette who
is our district manager for our coastal district would like to
cover the rate structure with the packaging proposal that Mr.
Tripepi has mentioned and also just to touch on the subject of
finances to the City.
Baquette: Comments on the analysis on the rates I would like to
acknowledge it in the first comparison of the staff report is the
ala carte basis of Group W had a slight edge over the other com-
petitor, and the second comparison, where the other competitor
apparently later submitted packaging composition, we too have
frequently used packages for marketing especially for new builds
and I would like to go on record tonight and we will give you a
copy of the letter with a package plan that we have patterned
after one of our new franchises which is currently in the marketing
stage. We will utilize the package proposal in Rosemead that we
are.going to give you.tonight. In our package we've-included basic,
we've included any two premium services, they can select from any
premium services, they don't have to take any given mix.
Mayor: Point of clarification ...that will be an on-going, it is
not a promotional subscription.
Baquette: I will get to that too. We will include in that pack-
age a free remote control which is one of the more desirable items
by.our customers. We will give a free TV guide, the one that we
give and use in all our systems.
Mayor: Is that a subscription?
Baquette: It will be mailed to the home of each subscriber each month.
Mayor: What is the normal fee for that otherwise?
Baquette: $1.50..
Mayor: For what period of time?
Baquette: $1.50 a month. I believe the cost of the remote would
be $4.95 in their proposal. The entire package price for the basic,
two premiums of the subsribers choice, remote control and the guide
we would offer at $29.85 each additional premium if they take the
package would be at $9.95. Furthermore, Group W will commit to
holding these and all other rates in our proposal firm through
January 1, 1987. We acknowledge the comparison of our basic rates,
our senior citizen rates in the staff analysis. Our basic rate
which would be primarily used by low income families who cannot
afford premium packages would be $36 a year cheaper than our com-
petitor and our elderly and handicapped rate as shown in their
analysis is $15 cheaper for these citizens.
CM 2-26-85
Page #i22
Mayor: Clarification, you made the comment that Falcon or
your competitor had introduced a package comparison or a pack-
age later on or it was not in the original proposal.
Baquette: In reading, I saw it in the staff report. If you
go back to the original proposal there was no proposal at the
package rate. They incorporated an example of their packaging
in Alhambra in their brochure which was attached. They did not
propose that specific package.
Mayor: I think it helps us in the sense that in Falcon, when we
asked them the same question when they have their time to speak.
That is one thing about having the two competitors go over it,
you can pick up items that we may just skim over it and say, now
jeepers, we have to go over it and find all of it. Is there any
other comments that you had.
Baquette: One other comment on the revenue section. The staff
indicated that Group W proposal shows that more money flows to
the City because we had a higher penetration rate, and that is
a correct analysis and we think that we have some justification
for the higher penetration rate because we have more advertising
and promotional money in our operating expenses than we saw in
theirs,.substantially more advertising and promotion. Also in
the revenues to the City, the other contender offered a $10,000
grant for computer service to monitor complaints on their cable
system to the City. Group W will not have enough complaints
to require computer tracking. as pointed out in the staff analysis.
I can give you some illustrations after from some other cities
to back up what I am saying, but I won't bore you right now.
However, no one asked us if we wanted to make a grant and it
stated that in the staff analysis so tonight Group W will commit
a $15,000 grant to be used for soft-ware, computer programming
for Modern Day trash service, street sweeping, Dial-A-Ride, etc.
or for additional local access programming equipment. Thank you.
Anlyan: Well, folks, you asked for it and you got it. Right.
We want to be the cable franchise in Rosemead, obviously.
Now, if you will give me a minute to summarize here. If you
now relook at all of the obstacles that are pointed out in the
staff'report,.you will see that we of Group W Cable have responded
in good faith to each one of your concerns. Allow me to recap it
briefly. Financial capability, we are.strong. Westinghouse has
made a committment to Rosemead. We have covered our financial
needs and we ask you to please take a look once more at the capital
concerns that we raised about our competitor. Rate Structure.
We offer as we do in all our systems, a package rate that includes
basic, two pays, remote control and a guide and in this case it
is $29.85, now, 10 cents less, o.k. So we are calling that even.
Plus we have added a rate freeze until January 1, 1987. Construc-
tion schedule, the Pacific Bell make ready agreement that our
competitor listed as a plus is the same as the agreement that
we can have. We did have a conversation with Pacific Bell.today
and we could get you that letter to show that we have the very
same agreement. We are... as Tony mentioned, at most this untried
new Pac-Bell agreement would speed up the process, at the most
we think by two months. Which would make our construction sche-
dule 10 months, theirs 16 months. What we are talking about is
the last area that would be, ready for the subscriber not the first.
Also as Tony mentioned, we've got our installation supervisor here,
Isreal Miranda, and he went out and looked today and if you are
looking at where you want the first subscriber, he can show you
on Lower Azusa where we could 'put a drop over tomorrow. If that
is really what you want. O. K. Local programming this appears
to.be one of those that depends on how you want to read it. I
have gone over it again. Once more for the record, Group W, 11
studios, 11 vans and over 150 people who are staff, personnel
ready to help the citizens of Rosemead. Revenue to the City,
staff has stated that our penetration will be equal, that assump-
tion is fine, but remember as Jim said we put more money into
our promotions to reach that penetration level that was a little
higher than our competitors. And as stated in the staff report
our competitors offered a $10,000 grant for software programming
franchising, we are ready to offer you the same if not more,$15p00
which we have committed in writing to you today. Finally, Group
W Cable as we have been every time we have gotten up before you,
are anxious to tell you that we are ready to serve the City and
the residents of Rosemead. Thank you very much. CM 2-26-85 Pg.H23
Bruesch: Mr. Mayor, I want to refer a question back to our City
Attorney. Both corporations could offer a herd of pink elephants
and according to the FCC ruling, they really don't have to deliver,
do they?
Kress: Well, I think we can make them deliver on these kinds of
things, as long as we are not compelling them. Very clearly in
our RFP we asked a number of questions, would you be willing to
provide a rate freeze, would you be willing to do various things,
and tonight we are getting somewhat different answers than we got
in the RFP, but as Louise says that is franchising. It is pro-
bably time for Falcon to get up and say me too, and
Bruesch: However, did I not read in the newspaper that there
was a change in ownership of a Cable in the area and it was just
over this type of thing. That they wanted to draw back from some
of the promises that they had made.
Kress: Oh, everytime there is a change in ownership and there
is a problem with a system, certainly some of the committments
that were made a few years ago, the bumps were not from $10000
to $15000 in those days. This is kind of small potatoes that
we are getting tonight. It is fun, we can laugh about it, and
it is part of the process and we shouldn't be surprized by this.
Bruesch: I am just trying to put everything in perspective.
Kress: In perspective, I think the total package that you have
for what I like to think of as bells and whistles is not really
that much compared to some of the other systems. Some of the
deals that have been negotiated in the heydeys. This one I
think, I have stated to you publicly, I think it is a realistic
proposal and on behalf of both companies, I haven't heard of
anything tonight thus far that would change that.
Bruesch: That answers my question, I just don't want to get
into this back and forth hagling, I am going to do one better.
I don't think we have time for that tonight.
Mayor: Falcon, do you have some comments that you want to make?
Levy: Mr. Mayor and members of the Council, we have been out
here almost 7 years in this area, Rosemead. We have seen your
staff develop as somewhat of cable experts over these years
looking at municipal ownership amongst other things. I.can
tell you tonight that other than to say that we have reviewed
the staff report and are.here to.answer any-questions or con-
cerns that you might have, we have no other comment.
Mayor: Alright, thank you Mr. Levy.
Imperial: One question Mr. Mayor, and not to get into a long
dissertation. Could you compete with that act that we just got.
Could you follow it?
Levy: Very honestly, I would not want to. We have submitted a
proposal to you. We stand by.it. We would love to say the
Public Hearing is closed, and we stand by our comments and we.
are not in the habit of going through and changing each and every
day.
Mayor: I thank you.
Tury: Now, here's one Gary, that you could probably win on.
Which one would you like?
Mayor: No, I've got something picked. You guys can talk this
time.
Tury: I think we are very fortunate. We have two very obviously
qualified reputable firms after us. What we have to decide is
I think that the local progamming is probably going to be what
is most important to our residents other than the television and
entertainment which are exactly the same on both of them. I tried
to think about this thing over the week-end. Trying to think
what do we have in common with what cities that are being serviced
CM 2-26-85 Page #24
Tury continues: by the various companies. Are we going to be
a giant extension core from E1 Monte, from Temple City or San
Gabriel or whatever. I happen to.sit on the Board of Directors
of the West San Gabriel Valley Juvenile Diversion Project which
Falcon once did a project on, and it includes the Cities of
San Gabriel, Monterey Park, Alhambra and it does include Monte-
bello, but that gives us three cities that are in the Falcon.
system that I personally have some ties with those people and
I think some similar interest with those people. Group W has
...I went to Rosemead High School and they are in the E1 Monte
Union High School District and I love to go to football games and
those things, I think that gives Group W an edge in that area.
We are member of the West San Gabriel Valley Consortium which
includes San Gabriel again, Monterey Park and Alhambra which are
people around us. So what it is really boiling down to is in
which system would the local generated programming be of most
interest and most revelance to the people of our city, and that
is just about where it comes from. Garvey School District ser-
vices, what Bob, Rosemead residents, Monterey Park, San Gabriel.
Rosemead high school students go to Rosemead High School, Mark
Keppel, and San Gabriel High School, so once again we have a
broad spread across there. I would say in that area, I think
Falcon has a slight edge. That is only one opinion in one thing.
1 think that we have virtually identical programs.
Mayor: The comment was made that as far as the completion of
the system and it was a very worthwhile comment. When will the
system be completed. Will Falcon take 16 months and will Group
W take 10 months. I think that is a very worthwhile question
Who is going to finish the entire system for the City of Rosemead
first? According to Group W they are going to give service to
the entire City first. What cities does Group W serve to the
east of us. I have heard reference to Arcadia and Covina. What
cities are Group W in?
Anlyan: East we serve Fontana, Ontario, Upland, Montclair, San
Bernardino, Grande Terrace, Loma Linda. Those are directly east.
Mayor: Who is involved with Arcadia?
Anlyan: That is Group W, and so is Sierra Madre also.
Mayor: Sierra Madre and Arcadia are Group W. Portions of it.
Tury: Are those systems up for sale.
Anlyan: No.
Mayor: When did Group W acquire them?
Anlyan: Part of the original buy out of Teleprompter in 1981.
Mayor: 0. K. That is what I recall, that it was a couple of years
ago that they were bought out by Group W.
Imperial: Mr. Mayor, it has been a long two years. We've boiled
it down to two contestants, if that is what you want to call it.
I think we have had the grand finale. In my opinion, I am not
saying it is the opinion of this Council, in my opinion we have
watched a lot of fancy footwork here. I can certainly appreciate
your comments, sir. I really do and I think it was being honest
and right to the point. I think it was made sincerely. I think
it is time. I think we have had all the questions answered. I
think it is time that we made some kind of decision. I have looked
at both companies, Group W is relatively new to me, Falcon has been
around a long time, I kind of feel like they are a local hometown type
company and I would like to make a motion at this time that we
accept the Falcon proposal.
Cleveland: Mr. Mayor, I feel the same way that Mr. Imperial does,
and in my honest opinion, either of the companies would be more
than able to furnish the community service.that we desire well.
I think it is unfortunate that we can't have one on one side of
town and one on the other one, but I am going to second Council-
man Imperial's motion to accept Falcon as our representative.
CM 2-26-85
Page #25
0
Bruesch: Mr. Mayor, before I make my vote I want to ask Falcon
Cable one question. This hinges on my vote. What connection do
you have to a company called D P Communications?
Levy: D P Communications is a contractor who does installations.
They are one of five or six that work in the San Gabriel Valley.
We do a limited amount of business with them. They are one of
a number that we do business with.
Mayor: Now we have a motion and a second, any further discussion
would you vote please?
MOTION BY COUNCILMAN IMPERIAL, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN CLEVE-
LAND that the staff be instructed to negotiate and come back with
a Contract with Falcon Communications, Inc. Vote resulted:
AYES: Councilmen Cleveland, Imperial and Tury
NAYES: Councilman Bruesch and Mayor Taylor
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Whereupon the Mayor declared said motion duly carried and
so ordered.
Mayor: Alright Falcon Cable T. V. has the Franchise.
Kress: Well, they don't have the franchise quite yet. They were
selected.
Imperial: I understood that this is-!an agreement to negotiate
the contract, excuse me Mr. Mayor, is that correct?
Kress: That's correct.
Bruesch: Mr. Mayor, I have a written statement that I want put
into the record if you will permit me.
Mayor: Alright.
Bruesch: A cable franchise is of great import to any municipality.
It is a long term commitment to quality service to the citizenry and
a long term revenue source to the city. During the past months our
deliberations on the matter of awarding such a franchise were long
and.arduous. Not taking the matter lightly, I studied other cable
services and franchises, I researched cable communication law, and
I investigated.cable equipment. I, like my colleagues on this Council,
tried to base my judgements on the merits of each of the cable opera-
tor's proposals.... until I was informed of a disheartening bit of
hearsay that I had to investigate myself.
To understand my forthcoming statements, I must inform all in attend-
ance that I cut my political teeth walking precincts for Proposition
9, the Political Reform Act of 1974. I believe then, as I more firmly
believe today, that too much money and politics do not mix. I have
devoted my public life to guaranteeing that the voice of the "little
man" will be heard as loud as the voice of the "money changers".
The troubling matter which a constituent brought to my attention
was three major donations made by an Alhambra concern, D.P. Commu-
nications in last year's Rosemead City Council race. Upon investi-
gation, I was able to ascertain that D.P. Communications was a
cable provider and installer. When twice asked who they worked
for they replied that they were currently working for Falcon Cable.
When asked if they were presently working for any other cable cor-
poration, they replied that they weren't and that they had been
working exclusively for Quote some..years.
According to California Law, political donations such as these are
legal but,.to say the least, quite unethical. Rosemead has fine
public servants serving them and luckily, their decisions should
not be swayed by such chicanery. My complaint is that a business
which comes to our City with the hope of obtaining a lucrative
franchise should not attempt to buy its way into the hearts of its
elected officials--especially by hiding its name under the shadow
of a subsidiary. Newspapers abound with tales of currupt political
deals (i.e. City of Industry, Mr. Moriarity, etc.) which sprung
from seed sewn such as these.
My no vote on the approval of the staff to negotiate with Falcon
Cable is not a vote against cable t.v. I have always advocated
the need for a quality system for Rosemead. No--my.vote.is a re-
sounding, "Shame on you, Falcon!" If your product or service is of
high quality and merit--which it most likely is--why try to sell
your product to the highest taker? CM 2-26-85 Page #26
• a
Bruesch continues: This doling out of corporate dollars to local
campaigns might be common practice in today's world, but I cannot
accept that practice as advantageous to and serving the best in-
terests of the vast majority of our citizens. Is it any wonder
that many Americans fail to vote in municipal elections. Their
cynicism arises from.the feeling that most votes are "bought".
I was hoping that our City might avoid such a feeling. I hope
that we still might do so. In the light of D.P. Contribution,
this hope may just be a fantasy.
Bruesch: I would like to have copies presented to all Council-
members and written into the minutes.
Mayor: I've got a personal comment. Not in what you said, but
when you said it. To prepare such a written speech prior to the
Meeting and then to raise holy hell with the cab company about
what you thought was wrong with them, bald tires and everything
else, and then to turn around and not inform the Council of this
great injustice prior to voting. That is my personal feelings.
Not what you said, but when you said it. Such accusations as
you made, should have been brought to this Council as a body.
It is very sad to-that type of information that you referred
to, not to inform the Council prior to the vote, that is very
disheartening.
Bruesch: It was brought out
process by a person from the
believe it. I investigated
believe it.
Mayor: Why didn't you bring
of my business..anyway.
in a public meeting early on in the
audience, and at that.time I didn't
it myself and now I have to say I do
it up before....well, that is none
Tury: Mr. Mayor, I have a comment. I can honestly say that I
have not had from either company anything but above the board
dealing and I appreciate that. I have talked to Falcon in the
past, and I have recently talked to Group W. I had to turn down
both their offers to see their studios because I have been very
busy. But except for that, that is just about it. I am surprised
that I didn't know who D.P is or anything else. I'm with Gary.
Why didn't you make the charge before we took the vote? This is
not a political game up here any more. When you are up here you
are working, damn it. If you have information, you should make
it available to everybody.
Bruesch: The information was available as.of the first meeting.
Mayor: You can say what you want, Mr. Bruesch, we':had two good,a
discussions here tonight. Reasonable discussions, I'll take my
lumps and my blows and no votes or whatever it has to take, but
to. what you stated afterward were pretty serious accusations as
far as I'm concerned and it makes one big difference. I didn't
vote for-against Group or Falcon Cable for that. The proposal
right here, all four categories Group W had the edge on them.
The financial edge and such. It is just in this report, but
really what you stated were pretty serious accusations, that made
one hell of a difference as far as I'm concerned.
Bruesch: I have to differ with you, Mr. Mayor, I don't know where
other people are coming from. I know where I am coming from. I
know where my feelings are.
Mayor: You keep it in a box and keep it to yourself, and tell us
after it is over. That hey, you knew something that nobody else
didn't know and I am going to put it in the record. I think it
is a dis-service to the residents of this community.
Bruesch: Again, Mr. Mayor, the feeling that I have facing this
type of an issue is not held by everybody, and I've found that
out by throughout the investigation of this. Some people said
who cares. Everybody does it. Well, I care. I may be the only
person in this world that cares, but I do care.
Mayor: We are not saying that you don't care. That is not the
...I said the timing of when you brought it...your caring is
well taken. CM 2-26-85
Page #27
Imperial: Mr. Mayor, it is sad. It is really sad that an
important decision like this was tainted by this kind of a
comment. It is really sad. You know I_referred to Falcon as
sort of a hometown operation. They have been around this City
for a long time and they were doing services for the library
the school board and never anything for the City. We never
required anything for a long time. I think these accusations
that have been made, have not only tainted their reputation
and they should be pretty sore about it, and I think what he
has done isitry to taint the reputation of not only members
of this.City Council but the Council itself. He indicated that
an individual stood up at the microphone in this City Council
Chambers and made that comment. A very same individual, Mr.
Mayor that outspent any one that ran for City Council in this
last.election and yet came out second to last in votes. An
individual that has been around this City for a long time.
I have tried to be a gentleman with Mr. Bruesch. I never one
time came before this honorable body and said publicly that Mr.
Bruesch was accused of sending out a letter with my name without
my.permission that cost a Council person the election. I have
never said that. I have tried to be a gentleman and I 'think we
should work as a team, a cohesive Council, be a credit to this
City and not a detriment. To me, Mr. Mayor, this is very much
a sad day for this City of Rosemead. I am not only ashamed for
Mr. Bruesch; but I am ashamed for this whole Council in this City.
It is a gloomy day for us. I think whatever good Falcon or Group
W might have did, if they were chosen, I just think that the day
is blackened by what was just said. I am very sorry for you,
Mr. Bruesch:
Mayor: I would like some research information on the question
that Mr. Bruesch asked Falcon as far as the relationship with the
particular company.
i
Imperial: Comment to that Mr. Mayor, please and that's it.
I bought Westinghouse bulbs for my house. O. K. I was given
a $50 donation by a State Senator. Does that mean that I cannot
accept any of his legislation. That I cannot have a conversa-
tion from this man? What does it mean? What is he trying to
say? I just don't understand. I.will say something to you, Mr.
Bruesch. You are new on the Council, but you have one hell of
a lot of growing up to do. Mature, Mr. Bruesch.
i
Mayor: I think we have gotten to the point now, that we might
as well move to the next item ::then.
B. APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL COMMITTE TO WORK ON NON-PROPERTY
TAX SHARING CITY LEGISLATIONS
Frank G. Tripepi, City Manager, stated that in a letter Joe
Gonsalves,.Leg. Advocate -suggested that a committee of two be
selected from the Council to meet with our Supervisor to urge him
to petition the entire Board. to take no position on the bill from
Senator Campbell for our Non-Property Tax Sharing Cities. He
suggested that Councilman Tury and Councilman "Imperial- be. selected
since.they have indicated an interest.
Mayor Taylor inquired if they wanted to be on the committee.
They both agreed, and there being no objection it was so ordered.
C. AUTHORIZATION REQUESTED TO ATTEND CALIFORNIA MUNICIPAL CITY
TREASURER'S ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN LONG BEACH, APRIL 16-19, 1985
MOTIONIBY COUNCILMAN TURY, SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN CLEVELAND
that the City Treasurer be authorized to attend the California
Municipal Treasurer's Annual Conference in Long Beach on April 16
through April 19, 1985. Vote resulted:
UPON ROLL CALL ALL COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT VOTED AYE.
The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered.
I
CM 2-26-85
Page #28
• •
C. Councilman Bruesch inquired what the dates were for
a joint meeting with the Garvey School District Board.
Frank G. Tripepi, City Manager, stated that a call had
been received from Dr. Viscovich's secretary, suggesting that
there be a joint meeting between the Council and the School
Board. The dates suggested were 3-4, 3-8 or 3-25. I did not
have a chance to get back to Mrs. Green, however, normally this
Council takes a middle Tuesday for these meetings since you
normally have two Tuesdays set aside for Council. If the dates
suggested by Dr. Viscovich are alright with the Council, that
would be fine; however, the 19th of March would be the middle
Tuesday of the month.
Mayor Taylor stated that he would prefer having it on that
off-Tuesday;.
Councilman Tury stated that would be fine for him, also.
Councilman Imperial also stated that he had no problem with
that Tuesday; however, he did not feel that either the City Manager
or Dr.. Viscovich needed to be in attendance.
Mayor Taylor felt that they should be there so that whatever
is discussed would have to be researched by either side.
Frank G..Tripepi, City Manager, stated that Mrs. Green in-
dicated that they wanted to get together to discuss the Fern Sports
Complex and Mr. Burbank and he would get together and up-date that
information. and where and when the meeting will take place.
D. Councilman Bruesch inquired about the status of the letter
to the Governor regarding the Cal Trans property at 8555 Hellman.
Don Wagner, Assistant City Manager, stated that a draft of
that letter has been prepared.
Councilman Bruesch.stated that it has been cleaned somewhat
but it is still an eyesore.
E. Councilman Tury reiterated again, that regarding the Cable
Franchise,lthat it was his opinion that both of the companies
were totally above-board and he felt badly about the accusations
that were made, and added that during..the last--election,.'
he had some information regarding some election irregularities
that he cho?se not to use.
F. Councilman Cleveland questioned Mr. Bruesch's authority to
have that letter that he read in the records of the minutes of
the meeting. He objected to this being done.
Mayor ',Taylor stated that he did not object to it because if
Mr. Cleveland had asked for something to be part of the record,
it would be allowed as a part of the freedom of discussion that
we do have: He did request that the entire item be put into the
record verbatim so that there is.no misunderstanding of just a
letter going in.-there and not having the rest of the story. He
did intend!to monitor Falcon in the future and such.
tG•. Assembly Bill 724.
Frank;G. Tripepi, City Manager, stated that Assemblyman
Campbell has a problem in the City of Richmond and he is trying
to solve that particular problem by amending.the law as it re-
lates to the point of origin of sales for cash register and sub-
vention purposes.. It does effect our one cent issue, and Mr.
Gonsalves does have it on his wash list as it goes through his
committees! He recommended that the Council take a position in
oppositionlto Assembly Bill 724.
Mayor!Taylor requested that they have a chance.'to-review the
bill and that it_be brought back to the next Council Meeting.
Frank;G. Tripepi, City Manager, reminded the City Council
of the hard-hat tour of the Montebello Shopping Mall tomorrow
at 4:00 p.',m. CM 2-26-85
Page #29
H. Mayor Taylor commented on the Council Memorandum regarding
total Dedicated Law Enforcement that had been presented to the
Council. He felt that clarification was needed and he requested
a breakdown, be given to the City Council on a monthly basis show-
ing what table E represents. He requested a breakdown of the
proposal showing the number of cars that will be on the street
each day for a 30 day period for what each proposal will be.
There being no further business to handle the City Council
Meeting wasladjourned to the next regular meeting on March 12,
1985 at 8:00 p. m.
Respectfully submitted:
City C1 rk
APPROVED:
YOR
CM 2-26-85
Page #30