CC - Item 7A - Minutes 9-14-10Community Development Commission
Housing Development Corporation,
and
City Council
Meeting Minutes
September 14, 2010
The regular meeting of the Rosemead Community Development Commission, Housing Development
Corporation and City Council was called to order by Mayor Taylor at 6:03 p.m. in.the Rosemead City Council
Chamber located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. ler
FLAG SALUTE: Chair /Mayor Taylor
INVOCATION: Vice - Chair /Mayor Pro Tern Ly
PRESENT: Chair/ President/ Mayor Taylor, Vice- ChairNice= President/ Mayor Pro Tern
Directors/ Council Members Armenta, Clark and Low e r X "K
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Allred, Agency AttorneyRichman, 'Community Development Director Wong,
Director of Finance Brisco, Director of Parks and Recreation Montgomery -Scott, Economic Development
Administrator Ramirez, Public Affairs Manages +Flores Deputy Public Works,Di�rec Marcarello, and City
Clerk Molleda
1. ORDINANCES READ BY TITLE ONLY
State law requires-that all ordinances be read in 1u11 prior to tfie City Council /Agency Board taking
action; however,`by'motion, unariimously adopted, the City Attorney can be instructed to read all
ordinances by title`o*l , } ��
iendation: That City Attorney,be instructed to read all ordinances which appear on this
iy title only and that,futh reading be waived.
Steven Ly made.a motion „seconded by Council Member Sandra Armenta, to approve
I by title only. Vote resulted in:
Low, Ly, Taylor
No:
Absent:
2. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Daniel Garcia expressed concern with homeless shelters, he showed a list of homeless shelters that were
not accessable to disabled people; ask the Commission to write a letter of concern.
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
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3. COMMISSIONICORPORATION CONSENT CALENDAR
A. , Claims and Demands
• Resolution No. 2010 – 32
Recommendation: to approve Resolution No. 2010 – 32, entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2010 – 32 FOR PAYMENT OF COMMISSION EXPENDITURES IN THE
AMOUNT OF $235,997.24 DEMAND NO. 10090 AND DEMAND NOS. 11326 THROUGH
11337.
Vice- Chairman Steven Ly made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Sandra Armenta, to approve
Commission/ Corporation Consent Calendar. Vote resulted in:'
Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly, Taylor ,
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
4. HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION PUBLIC HEARING– CONTINUED
A. Power Purchase Agreement fora Solar Power System at Angelus and Garvey Senior
Housing
Levine Managerrent'Geoup, the management company of the two senior complexes owned
by the Rosemead Housing Development'Corporation (RHDC), has proposed installation of
solar'panels 6t4he Angelus Senior Complex.and the Garvey Senior Complex.
-Their interest in investigating the possibility of installing solar electricity systems at the
buildings arose as the result of the availability of significant rebates offered by Southern
California Edison (SCE). SCE is a participant in the Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing
(MASH) Program that provides up to 60% of the cost of solar systems. The MASH Program
has been designed specifically to facilitate the acceleration of solar power in the affordable
housing sector in California.
i t
The proposed, project will produce an alternative source of energy for the Angelus Senior
Complex and the Garvey Senior Complex. The goal is to enter into a Power Purchase
Agreement (PPA) for both complexes so the RHDC will have a secure energy source
alternative that will be below the cost spent for that same amount of energy purchased from
SCE over the life of the PPA's.
Recommendation: That the Housing Development Corporation Board continue this item to
their September 28, 2010 meeting.
Daniel Garcia spoke in favor of the solar power system.
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 2 of 62
Executive Director Allred stated the public hearing was continued from last meeting and staff has meet with
the party proposing the agreement. The Agency Attorney recently receive new documents regarding the
agreement; Mr. Allred asked that this public hearing be moved to the following meeting.
President Tayloropened Public Hearing 6:14 p.m and continued the Public Hearing to the next meeting.
Vice -Chair Steven Ly made a motion, seconded by Director Sandra Armenta to continue the public
hearing to the next Housing Development Corporation meeting. Vote resulted in:
Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly, Taylor
No: None
Abstain: None `
Absent: None /'`•'"
5. MATTERS FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
A. Loan Agreement with the Rosemead Chamberof Commerce
On June 1, 2010, the Rosemead Chamber of Commerce approached the City regarding the
need for a loan in order to help them fund the implementation of a new business plan. Per
the direction from the City Council; the Promissory Note and�Negative Pledge Agreement will
provide for $25,000 loan to be repaid by 2015. The terms of.the loan include annual
payments on July 15t of each year commencing by July 1; 2012 with an interest rate of zero
percent (0 %).;Payments not made by July 10th of each year would accrue penalties at the
rate of three percent (3 %). The loan will be secured by a Negative Pledge Agreement, which
will be with the County on the'Chamber's offices located at 3953 Muscatel Avenue.
y .,
Recommendation :,T atthe CommunitPDevelopment Commission authorize the loan of
,- $25;000 to the Rosemead Chamber of Commerce and execute the Promissory Note to be
secured by Negaty`e Pledge Agreement.
Executive Director Allred reviewed the staff report.
Agency Attorney Richman explained that it's something that needs to be recorded on the property, so if there
are any attemps to sale the property the loan would appear on the title; and they are not permitted to sale the
property unless they hale payed the loan back and the Commission would then grant the approval.
Commissioner Low asked about the terms of the loan, inwhich the principal is payable in four installments of
$6,000. The loan is $25,000 and the installment payments only give us $24,000.
Chairman Taylorclarifed that it also states the last payment will make up any diference into the fourth year.
Commissioner Clark asked if the agreement was acceptable to the Charmber.
Executive Director Allred replied yes
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
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Commissioner Margaret Clark made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Polly Low, to approve the
Community Development Commission to authorize the loan of $25,000 to the Rosemead Chamber of
Commerce and execute the Promissory Note to be secured by the Negative Pledge Agreement. Vote
resulted in:
Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly, Taylor
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
B. Update on Status of Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) for the Sale of the
Glendon Hotel
On May 25, 2010, the Rosemead Community Development Commission approved an
Exclusive Negotiating Agreement'(ENA) with -the Qiao'Garden Group Real Estate Company,
Ltd. (Qiao Garden Group) for the development of a Purchase and Sale Agreement of 8832
Glendon Way (Glendon Hotel). On July 27, 2010, the ENA was extended to November 20,
2010.
Over the last few months, staff has been working with the Qiao Garden Group on the
development of a Purchase and Sale Agreement for the Glendon Hotel. There have been
several requests made by both parties that need to be completed before a Purchase and
Sale Agreement can be finalized. :It is projected that these tasks will take longer to complete
than the 90 calendar days provided for in the amended ENA. Therefore, it is recommended
that the Commission extent the ENA with the Qiao Garden Group until April 13, 2011. Within
ten (10) days of the ENA approval, Qiao Garden Group will make a $100,000 deposit to the
Commission."
Recommendation; Thaf the CommunitytDevelopment Commission extend the Exclusive
Negotiating Agreement with Qiao Garden Group Real Estate Company, Ltd. for the
development of a Purchase and Sale Agreement of the Glendon Hotel until April 13, 2011.
Chairman Taylor asked for this item to be defer to•next meeting for closed session. He asked staff to bring
back a report for clarification of what has happened in the past five weeks. The agreement started as a 90
day, then it got extended, and now an another extension for 11 months.
l ;
Executive Director Allred stated that this item could) still got o closed session and added that on the next
meeting there will be a 30 minute presentation by Brenda Honeymiller from the area D Emergency
Prepareness, a requirement that the City Council has to have.
Chairman Taylor reiterated that he did not understand what has happened in the last five weeks. Several
requests have been made by both parties and would like that clarified as to why the agreement is being
extended for almost a year.
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 4 of 62
City Council
Meeting Agenda
The regular meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to order by Mayor Taylor at 7:03 p.m. in the
Rosemead City Council Chamber located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California.
FLAG SALUTE: Mayor Taylor
INVOCATION: Mayor Pro Tern Ly
PRESENT: Mayor Taylor, Mayor Pro Tern Ly, Council Members Armenta, Clark and. Low
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Allred, City Attorney Richman, Community Development Director Wong,
Director of Finance Brisco, Director of Parks and Recreation Montgomery -Scott, Economic Development
Administrator Ramirez, Public Affairs Manager Flores, D'puty�Public Works Director Marcarello,'and City
Clerk Molleda
6. PRESENTATION
• Emergency Preparedness Month Proclamation
Mandy Wong, Public Safety Coordinator was presented with a Proclamation for Emergenecy Prepareness.
Ms. Wong invited Council aiid the community to attend free safety workshop at the Public Safety Center
with special guest speaker, April Kelcy.
• Tanya Cusick — Target•Manager l <'
City Council presented Tanya Cusick,. Target Manager a certificate of appreciation and recognition for their
continued.support of the City of Rosemead's National Night Out celebration, partnersip on the 50th
Anniversary, 4th of July Parade. and September 11 Memorial project.
• Lady Hawks,Recognition
City Council presented a certificate of recognition to the California Lady Hawks. Lisa Carraso, Team
Cordinator thanked City Council, staff and parents for their support.
Council MemberArmenta stated that they are very proud of the California Lady Hawks and she was given a
pen where is commemorates the Team for the past 20 years. The Lady Hawks have help girls go to college
with the scholarships available.
Mayor Taylor stated it was nice to see a group of young people participating in sports. Also added, three full
time employees go throught the city removing graffiti and it's pleasing to see young people participating in
sports or something that is very constructive.
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
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California Contract Cities Association - President Laura Olhasso
Laura Olhasso President of Contract Cities and Council Member of La Canada Flintridge thanked council
for their membership. Ms. Olhasso stated there are 70.member cities who contract for their municipal
services. The purpose of the association is to services-those cities through education, advocacy, networking,
and organization administration.
Council Member Clark spoke in appreciation of Contract Cities Association and reiterated that one of the
reasons why Rosemead is doing alright is because the city contracts for police and fire services.
Ms. Olhasso stated that cities that contract for services usually pay less.leg al, fees.
Council Member Armenta commended the association for their hard work dedication and was honored to
be part of the executive board.
7. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Dolores Weideman expressed concern with a property located on Mission and Walnut Grove on the west
side, which is Edison property. Ms. Weideman stated that it's an eye sore and its unacceptable the way
Edison has not maintained the property and residents have expressed concern as well.
Mayor Taylor stated that city staff will look at the' situation and see why its not being cleaned up.
Daniel Garcia spoke about the emergency preparedness proclamatiornand asked if people were prepare for
an emergency such as people with disabilities, schools; hospitals, and seniors.
Mayor Taylor replied the city is trying to provide the services they can; there are 57,000 people living in
Rosemead . Mr. Taylor clarified that the city did not have jurisdiction in hostpitals an they are a ware of
earthquake situations; also we have sheriffs department, the fire department and there is only so much any
city can do. We try to advice people that have different functions, once a month trying to get community
involve. The city tries to do preparedness, there are senior citizens groups, the community centers where
they come together and flyers are available; the;city is doing best they can.
Mr. Garcia reiterated that there should be "a protocol that involves people with disabilities and seniors.
1
Mayor Taylor requested, that item "I OA, High Speed Rail be moved up for discussion.
Council Member Armenta made a motion, second by Mayor Pro Tern Steven Ly, to move up agenda
item 10A— High Speed Rail Authority Update for.discussion. Vote resulted in:
Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly, Taylor
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: none
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 6 of 62
10. MATTERS FROM MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL
A. California High Speed Rail Authority ( CHSRA) Update
The City Council will review and discuss recent information and dialogue concerning the
California High Speed Rail project that is proposed to be constructed through the San
Gabriel Valley. Two of the four proposed alternative routes being considered by the CHSRA
would pass through Rosemead. (One alternative route through Rosemead would be along
the 1 -10 Freeway and the other alternative route would be along -the SR -60 Freeway.)
Al the request of the City of Rosemead, neighboring cities and the San Gabriel Valley
Council of Governments, the CHSRA has agreed to address various concerns that have
been expressed by holding a community meeting, which has been scheduled as follows:
Date: Wednesday, October 6t^
Time: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Grace Black Auditorium \ j
3130 Tyler Avenue
El Monte
At this community meeting citizens will have an opportunity to obtain information and voice
their concerns. City representatives.w'ill also attend the meeting:''
Recommendation: That the City Council determine whether any additional actions are
needed at this time: ✓.
City Manager Jeff Allred Mayor, members of the City Council this is an update on the California High Speed
Rail Authority project and we have with us tonight Valerie Martinez with the California High Speed Rail
Authority. She is the Director of Communications.for the Southern California area. She will like to make a few
comments anda'b�ief, presentation before we'take.comments from the public and the Council.
Valerie Martinez — Good evening; thank you ; so,much for inviting us to come down; inviting me and my crew
to come down and provide information about the California High Speed Rail System. Before we get started,
frankly with my few comments that'l am going to make, I'm really hoping.... I brought a video with us because
typically the question we have is, "what's it going to look and feel like ?" So we brought a short video that will
kind of give you a visual representation of what the piece, what the system will look like. It will also give you
some background on the system from the State wide level.
Video was played and the audio was is follows:
'7n 2000 Californians made more than half billion trips between the State different regions. By 2030 the
number will double to nearly one billion. (Inaudible) on our roads, our airports, ever increasing some
population and economy growth.
With the passage of Proposition 1A in November 2008, California established itself as the leader for building
America's first world class environmentally friendly transportation alternative for the 21St Century. A truly high
speed system rivaling the best known systems already operating in 11 countries around the world. Traveling
in speeds of up to 220 miles per hour over an 800 mile route; it will whisk riders from Downtown Los Angeles
to Downtown San Francisco in just over 2 and % hours.
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
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California's High Speed Train System will be the largest public works project undertaken in the State in 50
years. Building this state of the art network will create more than 600 thousand construction jobs and another
450 thousand permanent jobs.
(Inaudible) electrically powered high speed trains will also provide crucial environmental benefits by usingjust
1/3 the energy per passenger of airplanes and 115 the energy per passenger of automobiles. High speed
trains will help California meet long term goals by reducing green house gases; eliminating as much as 12
million pounds per year and reducing the State's demand for oil by 12.7 million barrels annually.
With trains carrying up to one thousand passengers departing as frequently as every 5 minutes during peak
hours; high speed trains will carry as many as one hundred million passengers per year by 2030. About 10%
of the State's interregional traffic. Train stations will be developed to connect with local and regional transits
systems and airports. Locating stations within an existing transportation corridors. will continue to promote
transit oriented development within urban centers; helping ease urban (inaudible) and lose of open space.
The first step in building California's high speed train is design an'environmental review. State and Federal
law require a full environmental analysis to assure that all significant environmental impacts are identified and
mitigated with alternatives fully considered. In 2005, the California High Speed Rail Authority completed the
first level of environmental review for the full State wide;system.
Now the Authority is preparing detailed project level environmental review reports for each individual section
of this system. Those sections are San Francisco to San Jose; San Jose to Merced; Merced to Sacramento;
Merced to Fresno; Fresno to Bakersfield; Bakersfield to Palmdale; Palmdale to Los Angeles; Los Angeles to
Anaheim; Los Angeles to San Diego via the Inland Empire: -In addition, the Authority and Regional Partners
are pursuing a passenger rail improvement projecf'in the (inaudible) corridor connecting Stockton and San
Jose.
Each of these sections will undergo a separate detailed environmental review, public input from individual
residents who live along the proposed high speed line, to local governments, and non - governmental
organizations is part of the planning process. Community meetings are held to provide citizens with details
about the projects in each sectiorrand,to ,listen; answer questions, and seek input.
Next a draft environmental impact report and statement will be issued identifying preferred routes through
each section. 'A second round of public input and review will occur before a final analysis is completed and
route selection is made.
While construction of local projects necessary to support the system could begin as early as 2010,
construction of peak components of the high speed train are expected to begin in earnest by 2012. High
speed train systems are among the most sophisticated engineering projects in the world. To build a high
speed train route California will draw the expertise and experience of those who already built other high
speed train systems. Building the bridges, tunnels, track acquire for high speed train travel will create
hundreds of thousands of jobs. Early benefits will be evident as existing conventional train corridors are
upgraded with electrification, improve track, separated grades that eliminate crossings and bell safe
automatic stop safety control systems.
As construction continues California's first high speed train will begin running out of designated test station.
Engineers will fine tune the many complex systems that make high speed train travel the safest in the world.
By 2020 passenger service will begin on the Anaheim/Los Angeles to San Francisco backbone of the system,
a route of roughly 500 miles, the Merced /Sacramento and Los Angeles to San Diego sections will then come
into service several years later; completing the entire 800 mile system.
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
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The California High Speed Rail Authority's Board of Directors, appointed by the Governor and the
Legislature, is committed to managing the project at the highest level of fiscal accountability. An independent
and qualified paid review committee will also review the planning, engineering, and financing of the California
High Speed Rail Authority's plans. Periodic audits.will be performed by the State Auditor.
California is on track to the future, clean electrically powered high speed trains are the best means for
meeting Californian's mobility to man in the 21st Century and will put Californians at the forefront of the
emerging green economy.
By providing unprecedented, safe, comfortable, environmentally sustainable travel from city center to city
center, California is leading the way to America's future. The future begins now."
Valerie Martinez — Well that gives you a high level overview of the project from the State wide perspective,
talking about the fact, what the system looks like what the train will'look like. I know have a very brief
PowerPoint presentation that brings it down to the local area.,gne of the things I really want to emphasize, as
Matt is calling up that presentation, is some of the timing,,you saw there was a phase 1 - phase 2,component
in there. L.A. to San Diego via the Inland Empire, which`includes this portion along the San Gabriel, within
the San Gabriel Valley, is phase 2 and one of the things they did say in the video is that we are several years
down the road from even beginning construction for this phase. So some of the timelines you saw there, that
is specifically from L.A. to Anaheim, I'm sorry; for San Francisco to L.A. and Anaheim, it does not include L.A.
to San Diego. So we can go over some of that right now. Just again, briefly going over what you just saw.
This is an 800 mile systems steal wheel on steal rail, hundred percent clean electric power, reducing
pollution. We are building to a maximum of operating speed of 220 miles per, hour, mind you that 220 is what
we will be hitting in say the Central Valley and in very.,low,populated areas and urban areas will be hitting
probably about 110, 125. Note that high speed rail in Europe and in Asia typically is about 130, 140 miles per
hour, so in California the system that we are building is state of the art. It will actually be faster than what we
have seen in other countries.,lt is safe dedicated tract and it is faster, cheaper, and more convenient that air
travel. Why we need it? Jobs..;you saw the numbers in the video, six hundred thousand full time one year
construction related jobs of equivalence, five thousand permanent operations and maintenance jobs, four
hundred and fifty thousand economy wide jobs by..2035. So that includes, jobs that are related to the system,
as well as, various conference and business bureau type job, restaurants, hotels that will be created,
specifically in or in centers where there are'stations as well. As I said there is, this is a phase approach to
construction - ..This is that first pfiase that we are looking at right here... it is this portion up here to San
Francisco to through the Central_Valley, into Palmdale, into Union Station, and then down to Anaheim. The
two sections down'here L.A. to SanDiego via the Inland Empire, this includes the San Gabriel Valley, and
this portion right here and of course this area over here that we've talked about, including Merced to
Sacramento and the.....corridor is`phase two and is several years down the road. And frankly can only move
forward with... if the funding is in place to do so. Now focusing on L.A. to San Diego via the Inland Empire,
again this is this purple section right here. Where we are at right now is we are really trying to work with our
partner agencies, develop MOU's, develop... gather information. We are kind of in a fact finding mode right
now for this particular section, which is why we're working with these particular entities, as well as, going to
various cities and working directly with city staff and with city council. To get feedback to get information
about what is happening in particular cities. What don't we know, what do we need to know. We are putting
some occasional informal lines on paper, saying okay what if we did this, and kind of getting some feedback,
that's where we are at right now. One of the entities that we are really hoping we are going to be adding to
this group, sooner than later, is the San Gabriel Valley COG, we have been meeting with Nick Conway .... we
met with him yesterday and it was a very positive meeting and I think that's a very critical component to
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
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ensuring that we are communicating appropriately with San Gabriel Valley cities. We've been working with
Metro... in fact Alex Clifford is here from Metro. They have been working frankly as a liaison to help us in
terms of addressing transportation issues and connectivity. As well as communication with cities to gather
this information in order to move forward with our environmental process.
The coordination for an 800 mile system, as you can imagine, is tremendous. We need to work with a lot of
offices, with a lot of agencies, just for this one section, for L.A. to San Diego and this is only from L.A. to San
Diego; we have three Caltrans districts, four counties, nearly 100 cities, and alignments through 19
congressional districts, 23 state senate districts, 31 state assembly districts... this is important and here is
why. We are, this project is absolutely being designed in coordination with cities and this is why. All of our
funding is coming from the State, from the Feds and you know, a lot of it is public funding in additional to ... in
addition to a lot of P -3 funding, public private partnership funding. The only way we're going to get private -
public partnership funding is if in fact we get this initial public funding. The only way we are going to get the
public funding is if in fact we are working in a very, very collaborate manner with our,partner cities and again
in addition to the funding frankly as you can imagine with an 800 mile system in the.hundreds of cities and
communities that we're working with, if in fact we just kind of storm troop these communities, we are going to
end up in court for many, many, many years and frankly, we want to build this system. So it is absolutely in
everyone's best interest as we build this system that we work'very specifically with the communities... that
we're looking at alignments through to ensure that we're building'appropriately. Again, right,now just from
L.A. to San Diego, this is 170 mile corridor; however, we are looking at alignments that equate to 515 miles,
okay so that means, I'll show you a map in just a moment, that just through the western part of the San
Gabriel Valley what that looks like. We need to find -eight stations, in order to find eight stations we are
looking at 18 different candidate sites. And there'are 18 cities frankly that are fighting for these stations; they
want these stations badly because of the economic development that this brings. So we are meeting with
stake holders, we are working through technical working groups, and doing`briefingsthnoughout these
corridors to try to determine what these alternatives can'look like.
This is the map that I was just talking about and in the western portion of the San Gabriel Valley; right now we
have basically four different alignments that we are looking at. This is Boyle Heights right here, I'm going to
move away from Boyle Heights for just moment because that's a whole different ball of wax. Basically all
the red lines in here are potential through the,San Gabriel Valley. Here we have, if you see it's a
double red line,- because they are two different alignments; one of them is along the U -P, which is an
existing right -of -way, Union Pacific. The other one is an adjacent U -P adjacent right -of -way, again this is
Union Pacific adjacent, it does goes through a.variety of cities. But this is .... yes? Oh I'm sorry.
Council Member Clark— the adjacent track or property...
Valerie Martinez - , right...
Council Member Clark = who owns that?
Valerie Martinez — right now, it is owned by a variety of entities, including mostly private entities and some of
it public.
Council Member Clark— so it's not Union Pacific that owns the....
Valerie Martinez — no, this right here... U -P adjacent is not Union Pacific. But Union Pacific does have a
certain amount of control over it because they have .... the way rights are determined is within a certain
number of feet outside of their own right -of -way, they still have a say so about how that property can be
utilized.
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
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Council Member Clark — so how much of the adjacent do they....
Valerie Martinez — I can look that up...I think it's a 100 feet but again that is something I'd have to go look at
for you.
Council Member Clark — so if they said no, where could you still do it in the right -of -way.
Valerie Martinez — if they said no, it would be a real challenge.
Council Member Armenta —Mr. Mayor, if a may, have they not already said no.
i
Valerie Martinez — they've said no a number times.
Council MemberArmenta — ok, so its not a potential, its not a potential route then.
Valerie Martinez — well it is a potential route at this point because we haven't been able to take it off but you
are absolutely right, you're absolutely right and I was going.to'get there "'In,fact U -P has been 'very, very, clear
about the fact that they do not want us either on the right -of -way or adjacent•to it. Another potential route that
we are looking at is along the SR -60, okay, and there another potential route that we are looking at is along
the 1 -10 corridor and that of course is the corridor that would have a potential impact on the City of
Rosemead. 1.\
Mayor Pro Tem Ly — actually Mr. Mayor if I may....
Mayor Taylor— yes Mr. Ly.
Mayor Pro Tom Ly— I, actually know that the SR -60 does,have impact to our city as well
Valerie Martinez — oh that's righfall,tfie way to then end./-
MayorPro.Tem Ly —on the southern end
Valerie Martinez —you're right, gou're right,,I'm sorry I forgot about that portion that goes right by Montebello.
r
Council Member Low— Mr. Mayor; question...
Mayor Taylor— yes; Mrs�,Low.
Council Member Low— those two, the white dots there, those are the potential stations?
Valerie Martinez — these are the potential stations. There's two different... very close, obviously, station
options here. This is in El Monte, this is the transit center, where there they not only currently have the bus
center but they want to create a more expanded transit village. I think they are calling it Gateway El Monte
now and then here's another option down here, I believe there's a Metro Link station there. Again the primary
element that we are looking at when we are talking about potential station cities is that we need to have
connectivity. We really don't want to create a situation where we're putting more cars on the freeway; we
want to create opportunities for folks to get on high speed train via bus, via Metro Link, via light rail, other
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 11 of 62
options, and you know, that's why right here we have a Metro Link station. There's an opportunity there and
here you have a lot of opportunity because you do have the buses, the Metro Link station nearby, umm
etcetera. Now the reason this map looks like this, let me also say that I'm not going to get into any more
detail than this, is because frankly this is where we are with our planning, there are a lot of, you know, maps
that perhaps our engineers pulled together when they meet with city staff because again, we are really trying
to drill down and say okay, well you know, what does this mean if we do this, if we do that. At this point this is
as far as we've gone; however, as we've talked to a number of cities, as we've talked to city managers, as
we've talked to community groups, as we've talked to Nick Conway at the San Gabriel Valley COG,
consistently, consistently, what we are being told is that .... cause initially we were saying well we don't know
how we'd go through along the 1 -10, we don't know if we'd be north of it, south of it or within the median.
Consistently we are being told that there is no option frankly the only way the San Gabriel Valley cities will
tolerate high speed rail coming through on the 10 would be in the median or where there are absolutely
minimum impacts to any of the communities along the route. And that has absolutely been heard; there's a
decision making process here, where as we continue on, as part of the environmental process things will
become more solidified, at this point, as you said the U -P is still on here even though'they have said that they
are not interested in having us anywhere near them; however, as I told,you earlier this system is absolutely
committed to ensuring that as where design that we are'doing so in cooperation, in collaboration with the
cities that we are working with and what the cities are telling us along the 1 -10, is that there is no other option
than the median option.
Mayor Taylor— how many cities have told you,that ?,Which cities are they
Martinez — uum, Alhambra, San Gabriel.::;
Mayor Taylor— San Gabriel has made that commitment?
Valerie Martinez — there, there commitment right now is, nformal but that's coming.
Mayor Taylor — we haven't seer their,officibl: °
Valerie Martinez — yes. ,
Mayor Taylor— Alhambra we know about.. ;
Valerie Martinez — yes, West Covina. Again several of them have been unofficial; all of them frankly I would
tell you that unofficially all of them have been very, very clear that we need to stay within the existing right -of-
way to ensure that there are little or no impacts at all to homes and to businesses, and to commercial
properties along the existing right -of -way. And depending on what city, obviously, you have different impacts
right....
Mayor Taylor— how do we go about getting an official statement from those cities... other than, Alhambra
has written a letter is that correct?
Valerie Martinez — Yes, and the COG has also written a letter. And several other cities are in fact writing
letters that basically are speaking to the fact that the most logical, most... the only tolerable option going
through the San Gabriel Valley along the 1 -10 is through the median.
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Mayor Taylor- alright, thank you.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly - Mr. Mayor...
Mayor Taylor -yes, Mr. Ly
Mayor Pro Tem Ly - I should also point out that the city of Rosemead in February took that same action as
well.
Valerie Martinez - yes you did.
Council MemberArmenta - Mr. Mayor and I believe that tonight we are going to take a vote as far as to
either change the verbiage of that letter.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly - well I don't know if that letter, was actu all y::.was that letter actually written Mr. Allred? I
believe we had a position...I don't know that we actually had;a letter.
Council Member Armenta -well I believe that today we are going to nioticn_or actually propose that a letter,
a formal letter be written to the High Speed Rail Authority.
Mayor Taylor- Mr. Allred, do you remember a letter going out? It didn't come with my signature.
Jeff Allred - I'm not sure we sent a letter; we are going,to have to research that .... back in February I think.
Mayor Taylor- yes.
Valerie Martinez - and I'll be honest with you, I remember... I'm going off the fact that I read the newspaper
article that spoke to the position being taken by the Council and I can't remember seeing a letter. That
doesn't mean it didn't go to Sacramento cause every once 'in;a while they forget to send me ... forward me this
letters. So, but I was aware tfiat in"fact the Council had taken a position and this had been reported in the
newspaper.
Council Member Clark - unfortunatelythe'position was to support if it's in the median.
Mayor Pro Tem.Ly - no, I believe the position was to oppose.
Council MemberArmenta - no!
Council Member Clark no, we're on record, support if it's in the median.
Council Member Armenta - and we all know that they don't hear the if....
Council Member Clark- because that was at the request of the SR -60 coalition; they didn't want it going
down the 60 and at the time we didn't have any idea that there would be any chance of going... taking homes
on the north or south side.
Council Member Armenta - right.
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Council Member Clark — so I'd had never supported that if I thought there was any chance...
Valerie Martinez — I think the message that was received by the Authority and I honestly, as we just said that
I can't remember how that was frame, was definitely that the city of Rosemead was in favor of the benefits
that the project will bring, as long as, it minimized impact despite being in the median... that was definitely,
however it was worded, that was the impression that was left with the Authority.
Council MemberArmenta —well at this point we, there's impacts of going down the median also that I would
like you to elaborate a little bit on because when you were showing the video it showed...
Valeria Martinez — yeah, there's that one that has the really big arks, I think they were design to look pretty
but they are not necessary cause if you saw in most of the other visual... most of the other visualizations, you
see the cannery but you don't see those big sloops, its just the first visualization that you see; its that big, it's
that big bridge, and I think it's design to look pretty, which I personally'think that it misses but that's just me
(laughter). f'
Mayor Taylor— I don't see anything in your proposal right here explaining the 50 foot wide deck that will run
with the rails.
Valerie Martinez — you're talking about if in fact we're in the median and if there would be an elevated
structure.
Mayor Taylor— yes, there would be 50 foot wide'elevated deck running alongside of the tracks. I don't see
that here anywhere.
Valerie Martinez — because there's; there's nothing irrany of our materials that ... because there are no
decisions, there are no proposal that would actually have that moving forward in that way. In fact, if we are in
the center median, one of the options'is to be an elevated track , there are other options as well that can be
looked at. There can be trenching, there can be tunneling, there are other vertical, that's call the vertical
alignment....
Mayor Taylor —yeah ,
Valerie Martinez — there are other, option& The goal is to ensure that we don't build in such a way that we
are impacting outside of the right -o-way so'we are not impacting homes to the north or the south and you
know if in fact we are in an elevated structure that does ensure that we do not impact homes north or south.
Because obviously, you know, you have the narrow beams that the structure is actually able to sit upon and
it's the structure on top of that. It's kind of similar to what you might see if you go along the 110 and you have
that structure in the middle of.the of the freeway. I think, is that Metro Link or is that a light rail.
MayorTaylor— that's the rails that go between the....
Valerie Martinez — it's very similar to that.
Mayor Taylor— alright.
Council Member Clark — but I was told by one of your representatives that the poles are 20 feet wide.
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Valerie Martinez — the poles themselves?
Council Member Clark — yeah, that would support weight above... so is there room within the median?
Valerie Martinez — oh there is definitely room within the median.
Council Member Clark— for two tracks or just one?
Mayor Taylor— I think you are talking about two different things. The median down at rail level .... that 20 foot
wide shouldn't applied down there at ground level?
Council Member Clark —no, I'm talking about aerial.
Valerie Martinez — if in fact we have an aerial structure, obviously, we are going to have beams that are
going to be holding it up. i
Mayor Taylor— columns.... '`•
�
Valerie Martinez — thank you columns, I'm not sure what those columns.... what the diameter is. I don't
believe it is 20 feet wide but again I can get those numbers for you. What I can tell you is that based on the
surface engineering and let me be clear aboufhow we are at one or two percent at this point, we're at one or
two percent engineering. E
Council Member Clark — what do you mean by that? ,
Valerie Martinez — well when you talk about engineering design and; and my engineers unfortunately have
trained me to think in terms of percentages... when you are ready to build you are at 100% in design, right?
But all along the way you keep doing more and more engineering so for instance, first you see, okay can it,
can this corridor sustain this okay .Then you start to say,okay now as we begin to build can this corridor still
sustain this based oh this new information that we have as we continue to move forward with the designing
and engineering. And you ' kind of keep asking that over and over so that when we get to the point
that we have our draft environmental impact report that's 30% design. When in fact we go to design build
then we have a contractor that will do the design build component. At 30% you have an alignment and you're
clear about thebarious impacts are along that alignment. Then from there you actually design on paper or on
a computer at this point, what that would look like; at 30% is where you're actually clear about what all those
kind of details are. Right now we're at 1 %
Council MemberArmenta Mr. Mayor if I may; I know when I attended the Alhambra Council Meeting, they
showed a similar map and the gentleman that was speaking on behalf of the California Rail Authority said
that everything in red was going to aerial.
Valerie Martinez — he said that, I was there and I agree he said that. And afterward we had a clear
conversation about how we're not sure that's absolutely.the case. Because I have the experience of working
on three sections including L.A. / San Diego but also L.A. to Anaheim and L.A. to Palmdale and L.A. to
Anaheim is one of our sections that is moving the fastest where when we applied for stimulus funding that
was one of those sections that that qualified for stimulus funding cause it was perceive as shovel ready, okay,
there at I say 20 -25% design at this point, okay so huge difference. And there's a huge change, there have
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been a lot of changes, even just within the last year of what that corridor looks like. My friends the engineers,
who have made very clear comments a year ago about what the system would look like are kind of eating
crow now because it has changed a lot, based on community input.
Council MemberArmenta —What's the probability that you find that it will go aerial or above grade?
Valerie Martinez — I honestly don't know, I think, I think it's going to have to be a collaborate effort with the
city based on what the city knows versus what high speed rail knows based on the math and science. And
the goal here is to build a system that is appropriate for the corridor and appropriate operationally;
operationally functional, okay so again, as we build and we build appropriately for the corridor it will, it will
absolutely be a collaborate effort to determine what the most appropriate elevation is; if we decide to move
through the 1 -10 corridor, which again it's still a big if.
Council Member Armenta — Mr. Mayor if I may?
Mayor Taylor — yes, Ms. Armenta.
Council Member Armenta — although I appreciate the.video that you presented, nowhere on the video did
you show a close proximity to homes on a high density area.
Valerie Martinez — right.'
Council Member Armenta — you know we need to see that as well to see how the impacts are going to be to
our residents and to our community.
Valerie Martinez — right, well you are absolutely correct:and part of what we do through the environmental
process is begin to drill down oh if in fact we're aerial, if,in fact we're in a trench, if we're in a tunnel, what are
those impacts to the local communities. Again, the goal is to build in a way that is appropriate for the
communities because again a variety of reasons; one, fiS6,61 you know, financial — one of them just from the
time stamp point of it, we don't want to be in, in court you ..know for the next 20 years. We want to actually
build the system'so it's absolutely critical that as we design that we design in a manner that is appropriate to
the communities, while also ensuring.thatme're building an appropriate system, I mean, at the same time,
right? We don't want to do one of those things that one of L.A. City Council Member consistently likes to hold
up the green line. We're all familiar, with the fact that the green line actually stops a mile from LAX so that you
can't take the green line to and immediately hope on a plane. It takes a variety of changes and actually it's
easier to take the bus from Downtown L.A. to LAX than it's actually to go from the green line and make the
transitions over to LAX, you know, so no one of course wants to create that sort of situation. We want to
build a system that is appropriate and functional but also that it's appropriate for the communities we are
going through.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— Mr. Mayor
Mayor Taylor — yes Mr. Ly.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly — I believe the green line is often referred to as the line to nowhere because it is the line
to nowhere. My concern and I believe the whole Council has shared this concern because when we initially
took this issue up in February and we were talking to the SR -60 Coalition about... there concern of course
and same as Rosemead's concern is that if you were going to build along the 60 freeway, it would totally
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impact the Goal Line, light rail line that would either go down either along the 60 freeway or into Whittier and
it went on the 60 freeway it would be a significant benefit to our community benefiting a huge commercial
corridor in our area. So we were going to take the issue up on the 10 freeway and that's when we noticed that
initially if it went on the north or south end it would impact homes and that's something that I know for this
Council it's not tolerable; it's not tolerable at all. We do not support eminent domain, we do not support the
elimination of any of our residential homes, if it went along the south and it would certainly impact a lot of our
public right -of -way, as well as, our homes. If it's on the north end, a lot of our homes, I believe you gave us a
map that we saw that would show if it (inaudible) 250 feet what that would look like and from here you know,
along Rosemead, all of Olney is gone...
Council Member Armenta — actually that was submitted by our staff.
Mayor Pro Tern Ly —okay, well thank you Chris, I believe, I'm sure did it...
Council MemberArmenta — yeah, Chris is actually who did it'1
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— well on this map all of Olney would begone, as well as a good portion of our Target
Center, as well as, a good portion of our UFC Gym, which just opened. As well as, portions of our Glendon
Inn Hotel, which actually is demolish, might not be a bad thing but that's another story for another day, so that
itself is intolerable I think. And in fact I read an article today in the Mercury News about San Jose taking up
the issue and right now for them there big debate is whether they should get an aerial track or an
underground track and there concern of course in grouhtling,it is that its 2.5 billion dollars more expensive
and the likely of that happening, you know won't happened, is basically what it's saying. But something that
they mentioned was really interesting and I think you mentioned this as well is the L.A. to Anaheim route; how
portions of that you are talking about undergrounding the tunnels, you're talking about sharing tracks with
Metro Link, you know these 'are things that this Council, at least, for myself have been pushing for. Especially
with the sharing of the tracks.with Metro Link, which would really reduce impact to the community, would put it
at grade, and would also, I believe, potentially improve that area. I know that Alhambra mentioned at their
meeting, like Council Member Armenta mentioned; that along the area there were discussions about how
Metro Link had potential vibration, as well as, potential noise and that one of the benefits of building... if it's
shared track with high speed rail then you.would have to mitigate... well you wouldn't have to but I would hope
you would want to mitigate those.issues onyoun,EIR. So those are definitely some, I believe, some concerns
that if L.A. to you're looking at undergrounding, you're looking at sharing Metro Links tracks then
you should be looking at this region as well. Of course, politically at what I'm looking at, here's what I'm
seeing... Anaheim; the Mayor of Anaheim is Curt Pringle, who's the chairman of the Authority, is he getting
special treatment here? Portions of the Palmdale to L.A. route, I believe you are also looking at
undergrounding as well,'Richard eats, represents that area, former assemblyman, former assemblyman I
believe in that area, you know he's on the Metro Board; he's a friend of the Westside, he's not necessarily a
friend of the San Gabriel Valley. I don't think that the San Gabriel Valley or the Inland Empire has a real
representative on the High Speed Rail Authority and that's the biggest concern that I have with the High
Speed Rail Authority is, this Council answers to constituency; the people out here voted us in, we serve them,
we serve their will. The High Speed Rail Authority has no constituency, they serve the governor and they
serve the two appointees of the Speaker of the Assembly as well as the Senate Pro Tem... the problem is the
Governor has been quite clear that this is a priority of his, the high speed rail will be built, regardless the
anything else that happens. Both candidates for governor have voice the same position as well so I guess, I
understand the concern of our community out here as well as the concerns of this Council that how do we
know that the Rail Authority will actually work with us regardless of what position we take, they will work with
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us, to make sure that no matter what route you chose you are mitigating the impact, we are not talking about
eminent domain, we are not talking about eliminating Rosemead homes to commercial corridors, what can
you do to guarantee that?
Valerie Martinez — well there's two things. One the comments that I made earlier, about the fact that we
need to answer to the Congressional Members and.the Assembly Members and Senate Members, along your
corridor and let me be clear that your members of Congress and your Assembly Members and Senators have
been very, very, clear with us about the fact that, and those are part of those some of those voices are
absolutely saying if you are going to go along the 1 -10 then you need to go along4he median because you are
not going to take homes. Congressman Chu has been very clear about what.that reality is. So there's that,
the other element is that this right -of -way is actually owned by Metro, okay now, you are clearly represented
by Metro and if in fact we are building in a way that is inappropriate then Metro as.the owner of the property
can actually tell us that we cannot build within that right -of -way. So there is checks and balances in the
system. Again, the culture of the High Speed Rail Authority and frankly the examples that you're giving are
very clear examples of how this project has tried to conform to the needs to the individuafcommunities by
finding areas where in fact there's no other choice, we have to tunnel, other areas where there's no other
choice, we have to trench, is some areas we have to share .a track. And we've done so in a manner that
hopefully at the end of the day, you know, the goal is to have a system that's appropriate. This section is
nowhere near, as far along as say L.A. I Anaheim so I can't at this point hold up clear engineering changes
but what I can hold up as a demonstration of the desire by the Authority to work with communities are a
couple things. Initially, we were going to go to the Authority Board in September to try and get our preliminary
alternatives analysis out, that is kind of that high level, this map only more refine,'it begins to say, okay U -P
doesn't want us, maybe we need to take the U -P off maybe we'don't but the Authority, this is like an unofficial
map. We don't have an official map yet because there has not been a map that has been voted on by the
Authority, if that makes sense. This is the map we're,using, it's unofficial but it's all we have, I know I need to
show you something, so this is what we're working off. , .,lf, in fact we had gone to the Authority in September
this map might have looked different, okay the residents in the community.... well and, and Nick Conway and
the various cities within the alignment within the San Gabriel.Valley basically we're the ones who initially
brought up the problem with that timeline, in addition to Metro. Saying, moving this quickly before we've had
an opportunity to even though this.is so preliminary,, have that first hearing with some of our Council is a
problem. So initially, we pushed the meeting back to or the presentation for the Board back to October. As a
result of ongoing discussions; we've now pushed it back to what we are calling TBD (to be determine) it's not
yet posted, we are not clear when that's going to move forward. It may be February based on a request by
the San Gabriel COG. You know, based on the discussions that we've had that makes a lot of sense,
okay, but that's orie.thing I can point to. The other thing I can point to is the fact that the COG has said we
need; we need more community meetings so that in fact the community is aware of what's going on. So that
the Councils have the opportunity to speak to the community and air it and so you can get not just form City
Managers and transit agencies but from, you know, real residents what their thoughts are about these maps.
And so, in fact, we have set up a meeting, I think I saw this listed on the agenda explanation but also I have
that slide that talks about the fact, we are going to have a community meeting in El Monte on October 6th;
that's the first meeting we've set up. Since then we've had further discussions, again, one of them yesterday
with Nick Conway but also with Metro and other stake Holders throughout the corridor was to set, just doing it
out in El Monte is not appropriate. The San Gabriel Valley demands that in fact you go to as many cities as
possible to make it convenient for local residents and as of yesterday.... so this is kind of breaking news, one
of our deputy directors said okay you know what I get it, let's do it. So there is that responsiveness you are
seeing already, I can't point to engineering elements but I can speak to again changes in timeline.
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Mayor Taylor— you made a comment a minute about one of your directors says, he or she gets it... now.
Valerie Martinez — well...
Mayor Taylor— what is that in reference to... now let's let the public know what's going on?
Valerie Martinez — no, no, no. There... it's, it's more along the lines of different sections have different... the
San Gabriel Valley has more cities than most other sections, right? L.A. to Palmdale has Glendale, Burbank;
I think Santa Clarita, San Fernando and then there's L.A.
Mayor Taylor— but you say you have no plan at this time of what's going to happen? Where the rail is going
or which route is going to take and yet on October the 6th, this is something) was just surprise to see here,
this is what was passed out in Alhambra, it says....
Valerie Martinez — that's that same map.
Mayor Taylor— says September the 13th, okay but it has on it, the blue squares...
Valerie Martinez the blue squares shows'various minor adjustments that has started; frankly, the
blue squares speak to the fact that we need to stay within the, the.median in, in, in, specifically the 1 -10.
Mayor Taylor —it's so small and blocked in blue'and black don't blend together, so....
Valerie Martinez — if I had giving this to you it would have looked better but I didn't....
Mayor Taylor— my point here now is the legend of this it states, 'all areas in the red line to be aerial
structures'. So when Ms. Armenta and the comments made, the proposal right now since you have nothing
specific, I have to assume that you're going on the,pretence by that I don't mean to retract from it, but on the
assumption that everybody's talking aerial because this is,lhe map that was out last night. Is the same going
to go...
Valerie Martinez f think that was just the map that was printed recently.
Mayor Taylor,, its dated September the 131h.
Valerie Martinez right cause I'm sure that's when it was printed. There's probably a thing on there that
says that this is the date that it was last printed.
Mayor Taylor— well all 6ha4e is, as of September the 13th, last night, this was your map.
Valerie Martinez — when ... when we finished our program level, EIR, which was in 2005, okay we basically
said we're going to develop... it, it determined what the footprint of the system would look like; it basically said
that we're going to go through these various cities, the major cities throughout California and now we're going
to figure out how we are going to connect them, okay. At that program level if your just talking, if we're all just
talking about okay how would we do that; the program level is everything is at grade and we are just
connecting the dots....
Mayor Taylor —okay when was that meeting in Alhambra?
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Council MemberArmenta — it was back on August the 17th
Mayor Taylor— August 17th; you printed up this map as of last night, September the 13th; where did this
come from as of last night? It's still aerial route.
Valerie Martinez — and, and it shouldn't be.
Mayor Taylor— that's why we are so cautious about it because we get told what we want to hear. And this is
something one day old and it's still the aerial the map, explaining these different notes, what you're going to
do; how's it going to be done in the median so that's why a lot of apprehension'is. And I'm not putting you on
the spot, you are here to do a job but there's how many people that are omthis board that are going to vote
on it
Valerie Martinez — uh, nine.
Mayor Taylor — nine?
Valerie Martinez — yes.
Mayor Taylor— and those are the ones that are going to make the decision; well which wheel was squeaking
the most; which one gets the oil, in other words, if we don't have a big enough issue then well forget
Rosemead let's go to a bigger city.
City Attorney Rachel Richman — and Mayor if I can say because that is something I had; this was sent to a
staff person from the COG today so that's where that came 'from, just for clarification.
Mayor Taylor— I'd like to get back to another point in here, it states on the staff report here on page 1, 'the
project will cost some 40 billion dollars and funds are being sought from Federal Government and the private
sector to fill the substantial gap: Attachment A is a list of facts regarding this project.' Who printed out
attachment A? Where did that come from?
City Manager Jeff Mired —that was'received from the City of Alhambra.
Mayor Taylor, okay, well I don't know where Alhambra got it from but let me read this here. 'The proposed
design could be grade, above grade, or a'50 foot wide deck set on top of 35 foot high post every 100 feet.'
And that's what I'm questioning is, as far as, 50 foot wide is almost as wide as this room. So you have a 50
foot deck up there,.35 feet high and we're trying to figure out ... it's like a shell game. We got this information,
we got other information,'what's'what, we don't know, there's no definite plan but its moving right along.
We've learn over the past that if we don't start speaking up, they're going to say, well why didn't you raise
that before.
Council Member Armenta — exactly.
Valerie Martinez — and what you are speaking of is exactly what I would encourage you to do.
Mayor Taylor— but this is our little house right here.
Valerie Martinez — right.
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Mayor Taylor— this isn't the board hearing down there or the public hearings that are official and such... so
and again I'm not referring this on you because you're here to tell us something but the word is a snow job
that somebody higher than you just keep pushing it. Keep moving it, moving it, and moving it... the other
thing that hasn't been mentioned is in Rosemead, the north side of the freeway, I went down there over the
weekend and measured, this says, I believe it stated 250 foot wide on the... as that what the map says there?
250 foot wide?
Council Member Armenta — yes.
Mayor Taylor— I went down, I measured 215 feet; I think at the last meeting maybe if I listen to the tape,
maybe I misunderstood 215 and 250. But coming up to 215 feet if it's 250; that's 35 feet more, that would be
another whole row of houses from the City limit to San Gabriel and I went down all the way to the City of San
Gabriel, the south side of the freeway and take down those measuements and we have over 300 homes that
would need to be taken for this. And if its 350 thousand dollars low price maybe medium price, make it 333
thousand; that's 3 homes per million dollars. We have 300diomes that's 100 million dollars just to go through
the two and half miles of Rosemead. Take San Gabriel Alhambra,�where's all the math on'this, of how
many homes are going to be taken. And then when it's done and it's built; if it's in the median even, you've
got this 35 foot similar to landing field up there with a 50 foot wide deck... I'm really... where's all the facts at?
When is it going to be presentable so that people have something to really look at and not have to pick up the
shells and not keep trying to find what's under theitt: ,,,
Valerie Martinez — well as I mentioned before we are at one percent design and at one percent it's
conceptual and that's the tough part..... '
Mayor Taylor— everything you are talking about, the one percent is aerial.
Valerie Martinez — everything you'ju'st read actually speaks to the fact that it could be elevated, it could
be in a trench, it could be this; it couldbe that...
Mayor Taylor- so then that's the shell game, which one is it under?
Valerie Martinez — its conceptual':.. but see that's,'that's the tough part of where we're at on this process.
Where we're ata conceptual point'where are trying to get information from you and what you are telling
us is that it needs to be at the very least be within the existing right - of - way and not have impacts to the
houses, right? That's what you're telling us.
Mayor Taylor— that's right,'I;kind of made my point so I'll let the rest of the Council go and then we still have
the public to hear from. ,
Valerie Martinez — ok.
Council MemberArmenta — Mr. Mayor if I may, you mentioned, where is all this money going to come from.
Well, thanks to Ms. Fairbanks I received an email that Arnold Swarchezenegger is in China right now with
Curt Pringle soliciting funds from private investors. So this is going to happen and it's going to happen fast
because before Arnold leaves he wants, this is his pet project, we all know it's his pet project and he has until
November. So he is trying to solicit as much money as he can from China because according to the article
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Swarchezenegger says, 'he is open for some creative financing'. Okay and 'from Asia to help lower cost and
help California get its proposed High Speed Rail lines up and running'. So there are going to be up and
running and there are going to be up soon and we all know this because....
Valerie Martinez — the L.A. to San Diego section is several years down the road.
Mayor Taylor— that money comes in it will be quicker than that.
Valerie Martinez — there's. there's no physical way that... given the fact that we need to go through CEQA
and NEPA that there's no physical, legal way that this project for this section can be built any sooner than
2022, 2023.
Mayor Taylor— well typically what happens with your CEQA regulations and.such....
Valerie Martinez — well if I can continue, I will actually go through'the process....
Mayor Taylor— if you do it in different zones though, different districts,.San Diego, Riverside and San
Bernardino does not have to have the same EIR that we 'have here.
Valerie Martinez — that's not true.
Mayor Taylor— it will be done Statewide...
i
Valerie Martinez —no...
Mayor Taylor— but each area -has to be checked out.' ',
Valerie Martinez — well; we've divided the project into sections, into nine different sections, but they all fall
under the same CEQA and NEPA provisions that require this evaluation to criteria that I have here.
Mayor Taylor=l don't know about you but you wanted to go ahead with your...
Valerie Martinez — no, no, no, no problem..
Mayor Taylor' ok.
Valerie Martinez —, So so, as we go through for again the L.A. to San Diego section just like every other
section. This is the evaluation.and the criteria that we need to look at; it is very clear that, that community
disruption impacts is one of those criteria, that constructability is one of those criteria, we need to ensure that
right -of -way constraints are those criteria. As we build, as we design, this project needs to be designed per
CEQA, per NEPA, per the culture of the project because I've mentioned before using these evaluations in
measures and given the comments you were making earlier Mr. Mayor, in regard to the number of houses
that would be impacted if we were outside of the right -of -way, you're right... commend sense says that that
can't work.
Mayor Taylor— okay, keep in mind though that's just Rosemead. You got a thousand through San Gabriel,
Alhambra.... that's just in our local area. We're not talking West Covina....
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Valerie Martinez — that's correct, that doesn't makes sense, it doesn't make sense.
Mayor Taylor— well we'll have to find out October 6th.
Valerie Martinez — October 6 we're not going to the board; we've in fact pushed it off to another date to be
determine.
Mayor Taylor— no, I'm talking about Grace Auditorium, in El Monte.
Valerie Martinez — oh I'm sorry.
i
Mayor Taylor —we'll have to see what is being taught there.
Valerie Martinez — the presentation will be pretty much the same'presentation I'm`giving you here.
Mayor Taylor— ok.
Council Member Armenta — Mr. Mayor, if 1 may, can you explain to our'.residents the type of meeting or
community outreach that you're doing because it's actually a carousel: meeting. Where there's actually going
to be stations so it's not going to be a presentation. It's going to be stations where people are going to be
able to go speak to the representatives....
Valerie Martinez — you're right.
Council Member Armenta —, and ask them questions and "my understanding is that they are suppose to
record these comments, correct?
Valerie Martinez — that's correct
Council MemberArmenta — so it's riot going to be a presentation, it's going to be a carousel meeting.
Valeria Martinez — right and the boards that are part of that meeting are reflective of what's in this
presentation. It provides an opportunity for people, for instance, this, this slide right here that speaks to the
environmental review process, it,prbvides an opportunity for literally a one on one discussion to explain the
environmental review process. So for instance right here I'm about to tell you for CEQA and NEPA in
particular we are required to do scoping, have a draft EIR, and a final EIR.
Mayor Taylor— when does the scoping take place?
Valerie Martinez — the scoping took place about a year ago and that's... what we want to do in this section
from specifically Union Station and the 605; the 605 is we want to have a similar meeting and we are doing it
exactly the same as our scoping meetings to ensure the residents along this corridor are very, very clear and
are able to provide input on exactly what... residents and business owners what the concerns are, what the
issues are, what they like, what they dislike, all those sorts of things.
Mayor Taylor —how many scoping meetings do you plan on having?
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Valerie Martinez — well what we're going to do is we have, where we have this one plan, with the one on the
6th in El Monte and based on the conversation that we had yesterday with Nick Conaway, with one of our
deputy directors, there's a commitment to do more. We're going to talk to the various cities and with again the
COG to determine exactly what that means. Frankly I know that there is an interest in Rosemead to have a
community meeting and I believe that that's something that we definitely should do.
Council Member Armenta — Mr. Mayor if I may, there's four already set, four scoping meetings already set;
one in Monterey Park, one in West Covina, one in El Monte, and one in Pomona.
Mayor Taylor— when?
Council Member Armenta — those are in October and there scoping meetings for...
Valerie Martinez — no.
Council Member Armenta — yes they are, I.... /
Valerie Martinez — those are the scoping meeting that took place last,year.' :.
Council MemberArmenta — oh that's interesting cause it doesn't say the date, it doesn't say the year it just
states the date. Oh, so these scoping meetings took and...
Valerie Martinez — in 2009.
Council Member Armenta —,so these scoping meetings took place in El Monte, Monterey Park, Pomona,
and West Covina, why wasn't the City of Rosemead notified.
Mayor Taylor— now we went through r a real battle down here when our Wal -Mart was built and we had a
scoping meeting....
Valerie Martinez —I remember it...
Mayor Taylor, okay, we had a scoping meeting; that scoping meeting became the document that was
based on what we did with the EIR and what the people were told. It was all transcribe in the minutes what
happened at that meeting so we're moving right along and you're saying its one percent done but you're
doing official requirements right now. These scoping meetings are official.
Valerie Martinez — the scoping meetings are official, the draft EIR is actually I believe what you are talking
about was the meeting that was actually held for the Wal -Mart where there actually was a discussion, the
draft EIR is actually where you have the official hearings where the residents are able to come out...
Mayor Taylor— that's based on the draft, based on what the people were told and that's what I'm afraid that
all these scoping meetings that we're talking aboufthat creates the foundation that starts the rest of the EIR
and the reports. What did you go out and tell the people, what did you get back, are there any reports, copies
of these scoping...
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Valerie Martinez — yes there is a copy of this scoping report that is online and I can go ahead and get that for
you. I will get it and deliver it to you.
Mayor Taylor— and how many scoping meetings if they were done in 09 and Ms. Armenta is mentioning four
or five.
Valerie Martinez — I believe there were four in the San Gabriel Valley.
Council Member Low — Mr. Mayor, I just want to ask a couple questions. I just want to thank you for coming
out and sharing information; I think it's very important for our community to understand what's going on. I
think a couple questions I have, is, actually back to, you show a different route so what happens if all four
routes are not acceptable? Meaning that the community doesn't want it; what would you do?
Valerie Martinez — we'll have to find another route or we eliminate the section going through, from L.A. to
San Diego.
Council Member Low — okay, and also you mentioned about the scoping meeting last year.'At that time
were you able to get the sense of what the community really doesn't want aerial or the type of design.
Was that information collected back then? f
c;
Valerie Martinez — again it was very conceptual, it's very, very conceptual just in terms of, you know, higher
level, this is what high speed rail is, these are the the potential routes thafwe're looking at taking. Basically a
similar map to what you just saw was presented and again let's be very, very clear that at one percent we
don't know what all the impacts are, we don't know what to-mitigate at this point. So the good thing, the
positive thing is that we're out here early and this is�extremejy early talking to Councils and to the community
about the project. The downside to that is that I don't,have a lot of answers to questions, which I'm sure it is
very frustrating for you as you can imagine it is for me'too because you then think I'm hiding things; I'm really
now, I just don't have those'answers.
Council Member Low — I just want to say that 1-totally understand your position. I just appreciate you for
coming out and talk to us;.1 think you heard very clearthat definitely, I just want to echo some of the
ccmments-that were said ori'the Council here, is definitely any impact on residents property is not tolerable
for this, Council and we will do anything to come out and fight that. There's no eminent domain, we don't want
any property being taken. In terms,of aerial versus you know on grade, I think it is very important for us to
understand the'impact. I think right now I'm kind of looking at well if you tell me that there are other sections
that's possibly going to go either underground or on grade I can say well why not us, Rosemead city
should also have that opportunity, right. I think it is also important for us to voice that, that would be
preferable to our community so I think that is very important.
Valerie Martinez — well and as we move forward, you know again side by side with the city. Sometimes,
sometimes folks say well 'here's what we want but as you study it further more you realize unintended impacts
and then you say wait a minute that's not what we want, we want something different, I don't know, so that's
why again, we really want to work side by side with the city to as we design this to, if in fact we chose, the I-
10 corridor, if, again there's a big possibility we may not. If we do then in fact we are able to do... build, design
a system that is completely appropriate to the communities that we are going through.
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Council Member Low— and I think that statement is very important to us and very important to our
community that we the city is able to work with you to come up with the design that is the least impact to our
residents. I think that is very important.
Council Member Armenta — Mr. Mayor if I may.
Mayor Taylor— yes Ms. Armenta.
Council MemberArmenta — I think the frustration that many of us have here on the Council is the fact that, I
received this from or I actually took this down from the website, it was my .... not looking or taking for granted
that it was not the 2010 but it actually does say no comments no later than November 20, 2009. 1 took it for
granted that it was for 2009; 1 am appalled and I'm going to say that very clear appalled at the fact that
Rosemead was not notified that we had these scoping meetings and fm going to quote you what the website
said, 'the Authority is issuing the NOP, which is the Notice of Preparation to solicit public and agency', City of
Rosemead, 'agency input into the development of the scope of the 1RR, Tm sorry'EIR, EIS and to advice the
public that outreach activities will be conducted by the Authority and it's representatives in preparation of the
joint EIR, EIS.' Where is the, you want to work with us we,want to work with you but when you are not being
transparent, you know, that kind of brings a lot of issues "on hand because.again, I'm very appalled of the fact
that we were never notified. Los Angeles County, Wednesday, October the 21 51....
Valerie Martinez — are you sure you weren't notified as a city?
Council Member Armenia — we were not notified'
Valerie Martinez — are you sure you weren't notified as a,city? -
;,.
Council Member Armenia '. we notified?
Jeff Allred — it was almost a year ago so....
Mayor Pro Tem Ly= Mr,,Mayor; l'don't remember Monterey Park or El Monte but I do remember receiving a
postcard about West Covina"during that'period of time but not Monterey Park or the other ones.
Council"MemberArmenta — I don't remember receiving anything.
Valerie Martinez — the good part about this process, if I can actually go through the Environmental process is
that there are many, many, many opportunities to comment. Scoping is so preliminary, its important but it is
extremely preliminary. What we've done again, with both the NEPA and CEQA; NEPA being the Federal
environmental process and CEQA being the California State environmental process; we've actually blown it
up. CEQA and NEPA call for scoping and then a draft EIR and then a final EIR; typically with both NEPA and
CEQA the first time you're seeing a map at all is here at the draft EIR. What we've done is we've blown it up
and we've developed these alternatives analysis process. Okay so here is scoping, which requires, you
know, agency and community outreach, draft EIR, public and agency outreach, final EIR, public and agency
outreach but we've also inserted all these alternatives analysis process. Okay, with an 800 mile system we
have to go the extra mile, shall we say, okay so we've actually inserted these other three components in here
where we can have the concept alternatives, which is what, again, you're looking at. The concept
alternatives, then the preliminary alternatives analysis that's the first time we're going to go to the board
where I said we are going to have that first official map. And then the supplemental because when we have
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the concept and we do the public and agency outreach, we refine it to get the preliminary again we do more
public input and agency outreach so that we get the supplemental. Okay at the supplemental again we do
more public and agency outreach until we get to the draft EIR. All of that outreach is design as I've said to
work side by side with the communities so that as we're designing by the time we get to the draft EIR this
project should be ... the system should be refine so that what you are seeing in the draft EIR specifically
reflects the comments from the city; you should see your fingerprints all over it. Where, you know, in another
five years you can look back and say, 'gosh, remember when that woman came to us and she had no
answers and we thought we were going to lose two to three hundred homes in Rosemead', and in another
five years you'll be able to look at it and say, 'you know what, the system is working, we like the way this
process is working, we like the fact that this design... we like this design'. That's my hope, that's the goal.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly — Mr. Mayor %
`i
Council Member Low — Mr. Mayor
Mayor Taylor— lets take up a couple more minutes because e've expressed an awful lot of here,and we
have a lot of speakers that... that's what we want to hearfrom some information too....
Council Member Clark — why don't you let her finish?
Mayor Taylor— yes, go ahead. Mr. Ly and Mrs. Low.had comments...
Valeria Martinez run through; I swear I will..:J st to put this in prospective in fact we have money for
this section, that's if, we don't even have money for all the.other sections that are part of phase one. Okay, if
we build phase one and get to,phasedwo; we by 2013; maybe 2014, probably 2014, might have a
Environmental document, okay so again; this is the timeline we're looking at. I can almost guarantee you,
almost that this thing is going to slip even farther, okay because again, it's based on funding for this section
so in addition to the fact that you still have many, many more steps. We still have to gather the funding and
move it forward so we are many`, many years out. Again j,,usf putting that current emphasis on public
education and.also getting information ,from the communities and from the agencies in order to form the
design. This is'the information.for the,public meeting we're planning for on October 6th in El Monte, again and
you are right it will be as you referred to as a carousel meeting; where in fact you can go and have one on
one conversations with our engineers to ask very specific questions, ask pointed questions, all the questions
that you want, our goal there is literally one by one,to have folks understand exactly what this process is and
what we are doing but in addition to this we're also definitely going to be having other meetings within the
community, including hopefully Rosemead. That is something that I am definitely interested in and I know that
your City Manager Mr.,Allred ha,s very, very clear with us that that's an expectation that he has. And if
you want to get in touch with-us feel free to call us, my name is Valerie Martinez and you are always
welcomed to call me.
Mayor Taylor- alright, thank you. Mrs. Low you had a comment.
Council Member Low— yes, my comment is, I understand...I think it's great that you're going to have
multiple outreaches to the community; I think it would be useful if you had a little bit more information, such
as, maybe as noise. That's one of the things that I think residents really care; if you're going to build this next
to my house well tell me how noisy this is going to be. I think that with that type of information it will help kind
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of shape what the community will accept and not accept. I think that without that information it is hard; all you
are going to get is, no I don't want this in my backyard.
Valerie Martinez — two quick comments; it's about that one about the noise. What I can tell you and I can try
and get some study numbers for you, it's actually much quieter than diesel so it's much quieter than Metro
Link, much quieter than Metro Link cause it's electrified. It's quieter than if in fact you live next to the freeway,
it's actually quieter than the freeway.
Council Member Low — one thing I noticed, because Rosemead would be close to the El Monte Station, if
we are going to have one there, so I would be interested is, as it slows down and as it,picks up, is that more
noise.....
Valerie Martinez — it's quieter
Council Member Low — or if it's more quieter; those are the things and information that would be useful for
all of us to know.
Valerie Martinez — the other element I just want to throughout there is; again, yesterday we met with the San
Gabriel Valley COG representative Nick Conaway. One of the most interesting things that he said, among
the many interesting things honestly he was a great man meeting, but one of the compelling things that he
said is that a lot of the cars on the freeway that are,: Ahat make up the congestion on the 10 are people
coming in from the east valley and from San Bemardino; from Ontario, from Pomona in order to get to jobs in
Downtown L.A. or to get to jobs on the west side of the County;if in fact the system does go along the 10 this
is one of the few areas where you actually definitely have some mitigation -for the traffic and congestion along
the 10. Because if you are coming from the east side,bf,whether it be San Bernardino County or the east
side of L.A. County; how easy would it be to jump on the,train at Ontario Airport and swing in 20 minutes to
Downtown L.A. I grew, up in the Valley; I grew up in the San Gabriel Valley, I know how the congestion has
changed.
Mayor Taylor -'are you saying that's going to be'cheaper than taking the Metro Link that goes all the way
out there right now.
Valerie Martinez — the prices are still to be determine but there is an argument to be made for a pass print;
for instance for commuter, it's not, the system is not necessarily design for that but given the structure for this
particular corridor it's definitely something that should be look at and if I were Rosemead that might be
something that you might be pushing for, if in fact, the 1 -10 corridor is chosen. Because how much nicer
would it be to have less freeway traffic.
Mayor Taylor— you made a comment earlier about the stations there where they would be leaving 5 minutes
apart, in that video tape.
Valerie Martinez — that's at a point where everything is completely built out. The beauty of the train system,
any train system, is that it is a very dynamic system. So you can have one train leaving, a small train leaving,
once an hour or you can have a train leaving with five cars every five minutes.
Mayor Taylor— that's what caught my ear. There are five minutes per train coming through; that's a lot of
engines and a lot of cars and its almost hard... even Metro Link doesn't run that schedule.
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Valerie Martinez — exactly and so in fact what they were talking about is what we have to built toward
because of course we don't want to build toward a system that can't be expanded, right? What you want to
built for is, you know, an optimal system that 50 years, 100 years down the road; we are actually
accommodating the population....
Mayor Taylor— there is something wrong with that quote; every five minutes a train will be moving out of the
station. Our buses don't run that fast; Metro Link doesn't run that fast.
Valerie Martinez — the system needs to have the capacity to operate at that level:,
e
Mayor Taylor— I agree with you 100 percent 50 years down the road. ;
Council Member Clark— and I don't want to kill the messenger, I really appreciate you coming but I'm very
frustrated. The meetings that were last year were they carousel greetings?
Valeria Martinez —yes. `
Council Member Clark— that is just .... I'm sorry it is outrageous because a`carousel meeting` you go and
meet with a staff person and you ask them a question; well you
ve,admitted yourself, and no offense, that this
is all conceptual so far, that you don't know the.answers. So how is anybody that is concern about losing their
home going to be able to go up to somebody and say ... and ask a meaningful) question and get a meaningful
answer? I mean, what we did during the Wal- Mart,fight, and I mean it was hard; got that scar ok, we had
packed auditoriums, we had to go to the Rosemead High so many people were concern and
we didn't sneak out with a carousel meeting. We had people getting up there and telling us that we were sold
out to the devil if we approved Wal -Mart, ok. So those are just copouts, I'm sorry, you're not getting the input
from the people that are scared to death •that their property values are going down, that they're going to lose
their homes; they don't know what the'future is. So if you want to have a meaningful public meeting, you
need to have one where people give their input. This happened just last week with the SR60, they had
carousel, I left because I wanted to hear what the.people.were going say; they did let a few people speak but
it was not agendized. It was just because the Mayor of Montebello made a (inaudible). But I mean, in other
words, you need to hear what.the people have to say; they need to be able to hear what other people say so
that they understand what the project might be and so that the Board gets the message. You've gotten the
message, l can tell but how do we know that all those comments at every carousel pocket is going to get
back to that Board. And some of the other things, if I may, I just have to say this; the issue .... the thing ... a lot
of this is backwards, in other words ;the voters were given this thing, oh let's do a high speed rail, and they
voted... they said well`it's not coming out of my pocket so I'll just go for it; okay, they didn't realize it's coming
out of their grandchildren's pocket but they didn't have, where it was going and what was going to happen
with some of the impacts. , So, and I can tell from the clip that you played, and again it is not you, but it said,
'it's faster and cheaper than air travel', I just booked a flight to Sacramento, next month, for $56 and ... now
there is no way it's going to cost $56 without huge public subsidies, so it's not going to be cheaper. Okay
secondly, I am really, really concern about the public /private partnership aspect and the fact that our governor
is over getting money from China and, and the Mayor of Anaheim is there also. Because I am not going to sit
by and let my residents lose their homes so that people can get faster from the Bay area to Disneyland. And
what really bothers me about last year is, we had no idea that there might even be a chance of homes
coming through Rosemead being taken so when they say this all... this scopings were done last year, I'm
sorry that was disingenuous. What bothers me also about the mitigating in the EIR, it's been said that we'll
just mitigate (inaudible) even the COG letter I have a little bit of concern for because it says, 'it adopted a
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position to oppose any alignment of the high speed rail project that does not minimize what is the impact on
properties in the San Gabriel Valley', okay now, minimize the impact, what does that mean? Does that mean
homes not taken or does that mean noise levels, as Councilman Low mentioned. You know we have all done
projects, I have been on this Council for almost 20 years, ok, we have done projects where you do the
environmental impact report and when you cannot mitigate that problem you make a statement overriding
considerations. Which basically says, we looked at it, we tried, I'm sorry but we're going to have to do it
anyway because we believe in the project. So if this is what's going to happen to ... in this kind of thing, 'oh we
tried but I'm sorry you're out of here', this is not acceptable... and I think that is all I had there.
Mayor Taylor— I'd like to make a comment on what you said Mrs. Clark about I don't think the people are
really aware of it but China has about a trillion dollars extra. It's almost a trillion dollars that they got money to
come over-and invested in American product, in American companies and I can only say their entitle to invest
their money .... we buy so much merchandise from China that's where we are way out of wack right now. Our
imports and exports but the fact is that they have the money, they are entitled to spend it an our governor and
the chairman of this board is over there trying to get the finance for that from .... they are the second richest
country in the world is what it looks like it's coming to be. So keep in mind where this money is going to come
from and they'll be more than happy to invested here; there're' already doing it in different projects so we have
to be very careful when you say you don't have the money, when the money gets here it's going to be a
snowball. It's just going to roll down the hill... any other comments.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Taylor — Mr. Ly.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly —thank you,, "1 had.a couple questions'frst is, you , :. we didn't really get to it in our
presentation but there are, 1' 2, 3, 4, 5, 6J, 8, 9 potential stops you're looking at in the San Gabriel Valley, if
its along the 10 corridor in the west San Gabriel Valley „you're looking at the El Monte Transit Center, the El
Monte Village you are talking about ... that's the only station I.can see that can provide any tangible benefits
from high speed rail...
Mayor Taylor — where's that Mr. Ly?
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— the Transit Village is right off (inaudible)...
Mayor Taylor- my.understanding is you have to be at least 12 miles apart.
,
Mayor Pro Tem Ly - and that's,what I'm trying to get at right now... how is the Authority.... is there a standard
the Authority has made to determine where the stops are going to be at. Does it have to be 12 miles apart, is
it shorter than that, is it longer than that, how are you guys determining that because for our residents.... my
concern is this if it goes along the 10 freeway Rosemead has the .... we have the concern both in our south
and north end, it affects us because the freeway is both in those areas. So if it goes through this area, you
know, I'm trying to look at ways that, you know, where would this line be of any benefit to this community and
the only way I can see it is at the Transit Village stop because that puts us within a mile and a half. What's
likely to be going there or what's likely to be going into West Covina, Pomona, or Cal Poly Pomona instead.
Valerie Martinez — well those are the options ... just for the entire San Gabriel Valley it affectively would be
either El Monte or West Covina or Cal Poly Pomona or Pomona. It's going to .... a variety of factors are going
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to be the determining factors. Ridership, okay what's the ridership going to look like, what's the connectivity,
what are the transit oriented development opportunities that are being provided for the city. There are a lot of
components, how does it affect the entire region that's why all of those options are still on the table. Now
from the stand point of how close do they need to be we are .... based on Prop 1A we are mandated to only
have eight stations in this entire alignment from L.A. to San Diego, okay that means that obviously that we
have to be very judicious and obviously all these cities are kind of fighting for these stations. If in fact for
instance the El Monte is chosen there would be a couple different operational models that I can envision;
okay one would be that trains stop of course in El Monte and they continue along to Ontario; Ontario is one of
those stops that is clearly going to happen...
i
Mayor Taylor— and that's 40 miles from L.A.; it sounds reasonable.
Valerie Martinez — right, right, cause otherwise you don't have a highspeed train system....
Mayor Taylor— El Monte is the hub of the spoke of the wheal. /spokes all come out of ElWonte bus terminal
and they can go anywhere in the San Gabriel Valley so it,slogical what they are doing. ;•
Valerie Martinez — another model would also have a skip stop situation,if it were in El Monte'so that there
would be some trains that would skip El Monte and go directly to Ontario. Some would have express trains so
that it would skip all of the other stations in between L.A. and San Diego;so that you can... cause we are also
mandated to get between L.A. and San Diego'in an hour— twenty.
Mayor Taylor— you mentioned two things there..`:you said.it would be the..; let's say the regular high speed
and then the express train would stop in .... so there'are lwo'different`systems running?
Valerie Martinez — no, no, ho, express train would be the same "system it would just not stop at of the
other stops.
Mayor Taylor —okay but that's,two,differeriftrains; if it's,a'long distance it's going to go through El Monte and
then the express would stop in EI-Monte.
Valerie Martinez -look at this as if you were taking United say to D.C.; you can get that one way flight that,
that... f <`•, ; ;r .
Mayor Taylors yes.
Valerie Martinez ,� .will get ydu there with no stops or you can get the flight that will stop you in Chicago,
right, because maybe you.need'to stop in Chicago or maybe it's cheaper to stop in Chicago or maybe that's
the one that gets you from the timing perspective. Same type of airplane, same type of operation it's just that
this model or that particular model for that particular flight you have to stop in Chicago.
Mayor Taylor— you are using two different models. That model plane will stop over in .... short stop and you
have the long flight that continues on through.
Valerie Martinez — but it's the same plane.
Mayor Taylor— okay well
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Mayor Pro Tern Ly— Mr. Mayor....
Mayor Taylor —go ahead Mr. Ly.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— the way I'm looking at El Monte Transit Village .... in fact, yesterday I was at my San
Gabriel Valley Metro service meeting and the big discussion was the fact that the Silver Line, which is the
Metro Line, bus way line, that connects you from El Monte to Downtown L.A. basically has 5000 riders a day
on that line and so... I'm looking at if it goes anywhere that the El Monte Transit Village is the only one that
would really benefit near the San Gabriel Valley, anywhere else I just don't see that benefit.
i
Valerie Martinez — that may be one of those things if you feel strongly about it that you want to weigh in on
as a city. That in fact... and frankly from an economic development stand point, you can weigh that out that
maybe one of those things that in addition to the fact that you think thi s'ystem'should be within the median
and should be developed in such a way that we, you know, we don't,take there should also be a
component if in fact you are interested you could also say, not should be, but you could, also include a
component that says, we believe that El Monte would be our %.the great, preference for a'station. .,
Council MemberArmenta — Mr. Mayor if I may.
Mayor Taylor — yes Ms. Armenta.
`a
Council MemberArmenta — I know earlier you'made a'comment saying that this is a very safe form of
transportation. What data do you have since it's going to be faster than the high speed rails that are going
through Asia and Europe? Do you have any data becauseifthis is going 'to be a faster...
'' z
Valerie Martinez — there have been.no I deaths on a high speed rail as r a result of a derailment or any form of
system breaking down.!'
Council MemberArmenta —but this is going to be faster4an those so what data do you have because...
Valerie Martinez not through the'San Gabriel Valley.,
Council Member Armen ta - notthrough the,San Gabriel Valley?
Valerie Martinez it will be operating at about, somewhere between 110, 125 through this area.....
Council MemberArmenta — actually no because when you go through the (inaudible) in Alhambra it has to
be 50 miles per hour
Valerie Martinez — you're right, it has to be .... well but it also has to be slower if it in fact we're, you know in
fact we go into a station in El Monte it will actually have to be slower because it has to stop in El Monte and
we need about, between one or two miles in order to stop the system.
Council MemberArmenta — also going back to the public scoping meetings that took place last year, I know
that in August no mentioned of the 1 -10 was on your website but it's surprising that even though no mentioned
of the 1 -10 was on the website you had all these scoping meetings in the San Gabriel Valley among the 1 -10.
So where is the transparency there?
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Valerie Martinez — we're at one percent engineering....
Council MemberArmenta — I understand the percentage but.....
Valerie Martinez - ... and we've developed this whole alternatives analysis process in order to be transparent
the problem is that because we are being so transparent I don't have all the answers for you.
Council MemberArmenta —oh very transparent, if I may Mr. Mayor, if ... you're not even advertising or even
allowing people to know that it's going .... the possibility of it going down the 1 -10 and you make scoping
meetings along the 1 -10.1 think the Authority knew that, that was a big potential but,you just not want to let
the residents know.
Valerie Martinez — why would we do that?
Council MemberArmenta — I don't know .... that's the question„ .That's a very good question because when
you're not.....
4 �
Valerie Martinez — the entire culture of this system does far has been to work side by side withthie
communities. That has been the consistent culture, consistent...`
Council Member Armenia — consistent ... so you have...
Valerie Martinez — when it comes to engineeringjwhenit comes to developing meetings, when it comes to
moving the entire project forward we've scheduled:whe -e ever`possible in order to accommodate community
meetings and community schedules. So believe whien I tell you there's�no;•there's no hidden agenda; it is an
irrigative process, where the system, is. being designed ... in a Very public way alongside the community
and yes things are going to ch'ang'e; yo`u know, in six months from where they are now that doesn't mean that
I was lying today. That means that as a result of community input we've changed it and I would think that that
would be a good thing.
Council MemberArmenta — well•no, -it's very good but that fact that if it wasn't for Alhambra letting us know
what was going on we would never had know this.
Mayor Taylor, alright at this point, I would really like to ... we can still ask our questions after the public gets
to put their'input.to it. We've been going for an hour and a half on this and I don't mean to cut it off but we will
be coming back,affer the public speaks we can still do it but they've been patient, there sitting for an hour and
a half so I would like to.give them an opportunity to speak. Alright .... at this time we have probably 10 to 12
speakers... trying to think of, weli'anyway I have them in the best order than I can as far as who gave them in
but .... Marion Fairbanks and "representing Christel Fairbanks. Could you give your name and address please.
Marion Fairbanks —good evening, Marion Fairbanks, Mayorship, distinguish City Council Members, Madam
City Attorney, and Mr. City Manager. My name is Marion Fairbanks, my mother Christel Fairbanks.
Christel Fairbanks — my name is Christel Fairbanks arid I live on 9555 Olney Street in Rosemead, corner of
Alice Lane and Olney Street. I have lived here 43 years at this address, I have worked here as a realtor for
38 years, I have many of my clients, neighbors, and friends here ..... (inaudible) some of them had to leave.
We love Rosemead, we love our homes, there our houses. We put our had effort, our hard love into our
homes, we get along fine, why destroy us, why built? I'm for progress, why have progress to take an innocent
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person's livelihood, everything they have worked for and they have loved. And I oppose the rail if it would
consider to be eminent domain, thank you.
Marion Fairbanks – Valerie Martinez wants your approval, she wants your approval with lots of 'ifs" and
"maybes" and "possiblys" and "transparencies" the tricks about it is I guess the property, her property is not
being impacted. This beautiful (inaudible) video that was shown with the rail in Europe, in Europe just recently
in Germany a rail was put in, it went thru Nuremberg, thru Leipzig, they went out of their way to not impact the
homes and so.....1 brought this up last week and I'm going to say it one more time because there's lots of
people in here, the situation is I am also a realtor and the real estate is already been impacted. Respectively
Mr. Mayor the properties are not worth $320 thousand they are worth a lot more than and at $320 thousand
that would be a bargain and they would love doing that. The houses are wohh,a lot more money that people
are deserving of more money but the reality is your home and all of the homes north of Olney Street are
going to be impacted. Because Marshall is going to be impacted as well, who wants. have a rail that is
going back and forth, now every five minutes, well you just might as well:live in front of transition station in
the middle of New York. I mean this is just horrible; I just have'to'lell you and .... that there are people on my
mom's street and neighbors that have come over to her and had said should we stop ourremodel,.what
should we do? Do I replace my front door? I mean people are so worried that they are not even having lives
anymore. When you look at these rails, and I have looked at a lot of this andof course I'm i(inaudible)
person when it comes to this situation but the truth be told, why doesn't everyone just stick together and go
after and have the UP get force to it. Why, because they have billions of dollars, why cannot all the cities just
push and say Mr. Governor Swarchezenegger and Cringle and whoever you, are and push it down that way.
Why do all these people have to be impacted so,fjust,respectfully ask you to please vote no; not vote no with
a possibility of an overhang or possibly under tunnel. Push it somewhere else', push it out of Rosemead and
push it down to another area that doesn't impact the�homes thank,you, —..
Mayor Gary Taylor– I made my comment about the $333 thousand only as an example....
Woman in the audience' sorry....
Mayor Gary Taylor– seriously. J,know itcan be 4 to_5'hundred thousand dollars but for the example that I
was making it's , a hundred million dollars at the low fgure, take it up another $150 now it becomes 150 million
dollars; that's just to buy the property., Okay, our next speaker is Julie Gentry.
Julie'Gentrv –Julie Gentry, 8915 Nevada Avenue in Rosemead. This is November 2008, this measure was
on the ballot; I didn't vote yes, I `never even thought about it again till now. Almost without exemption the
measures and propositions are purposely design to confuse us and you know don't know what you really
voted for until it's too late. The worst case scenario of this measure is that it puts homes along the right -of-
way in danger of eminent domain'even now in the northern town of Atherton there's litigation going on
between Atherton and the High Speed Rail Authority. You might ask why would I stand up here and fight
when it doesn't affect my home and my property directly because in the summer of 2008, 2 years ago, my
property and the other houses to the west of me where in danger to be zone commercial. This makes a
person terribly nervous, like the other lady said; you know should I put a new door .... it messes up your whole
life, really. We fought against it and we were then zone low density residential and this is what motivates me
to speak up right here right now and for the record and ask the Council to recommend whatever it is that
would prevent this horrible thing... that's all I have to say but I wanted to get it into the record that there are
people who, you know what, they are going to fight; thank you.
Mayor Gary Taylor– thank you Mrs. Gentry. Our next speaker is Mira Wirsching.
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Mira Wirschinq — hello, my name is Mira Wirsching and I have a property down the street 3629 Muscatel
Avenue and I think it's just around the curb, is that the Glendon Hotel or is it the Rosemead Inn or ... it's very
confusing. It just seems like every time I pass by that hotel the color has changed or the name has changed
so you know... either I'm disoriented or I don't know what's going on.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly — you're not.
Mira Wirschinq — anyways, I'm just curious in this room how many of you take the train to work? One....
f ,
Council Member Armenta — well cause you work for Metro.
Mira Wirschinq — one person... cause I do take the train to work and...actually take the gold line from
Sierra Madre Station and to be quite honest it is very tedious, it takes really long and it goes through
neighborhoods that...I would say this every single day, that I hope that a train would not go through my
neighborhood, to be quite honest. And I'm sure you've spoken a lot, I'm sorry, but I really think,you,need to
commute and take the train to really know the feeling how it is that a train goes through a neighborhood
because honestly I'm really, really annoyed at all the misinformation or.rio information that the community has
gotten. And I did vote for Arnold Swarchezenegger and I'm sorry so`., but anyways my question is, you know
the other thing also, is with the economy and homes crashing and there's a lot of disclosures so .... I'm
sure that anytime you go through a refine or sales; there would have to be on that, I'm talking
presently, and so in the future if you are planning on selling the property or whatever I'm going to need that.
And that's really going to impact my possibilities of the house being appraised for a lot more than what it's
worth so .... that's my huge concern also. So...I mean, I recently went'to New York actually in July and the
subways are really excellent,.l if, you are Iooking•in.terms of being underground but when I heard about
the huge beams and this and that; warlike oh no, this`cannot be happening so I'm definitely going to fight
and make sure that, you'know, any possibilities is just going to be a no. Okay, thank you.
Mayor Gary Taylor— thank you, Ms Fairbanks you both had a request in so you okay on that?
Audience ; ,(inaudible)
Mayor GaryTaylor— alright next one is Jitti Parinayakosol... it's P.A.R.I.N.A.Y.A.K.O.S.O.L .
Audience — they had to leave but they were oppose.
Mayor Gary Taylor' alright, next is Jon and Irene Pinedo.
Audience — they had to leave too; they were oppose too. Everyone is oppose.
I i '
Mayor Gary Taylor — oppose to high speed rail....
Audience — (inaudible)
Mayor Gary Taylor— okay our next is Leticia and Kimberly Sanchez,
Leticia Sanchez — Hi everybody. We live in 9560 just behind the freeway and this is my daughter and we
didn't know. We didn't know what was going on and I told my husband and he said this is not happening; this
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is not happening because we were living here almost 18 years. We came from another place that was
supposed to be a better place to come here and now .... this is terrible, this is terrible for us because we want
a house. We don't want no one to get there business... they make money from our... I'm so upset I'm sorry.
We're opposed.
Mayor Gary Taylor— okay.
Leticia Sanchez — we're oppose and that's what we want....
Mayor Gary Taylor— okay, and we understand just go`ahead and speak.
Leticia Sanchez — we don't want our house to be torn off; we want ourhouse, we want to live here in
Rosemead.
Mayor Gary Taylor —okay, thank you.
Leticia Sanchez — thank you that is all.
A
Kimberly Sanchez — hi my name is Kimberly Sanchez and me and my mom came here... we wanted... we
had a lot of questions and I don't think with this.presentation any of our questions we had were answered, if
anything we're more baffled.
Mayor Gary Taylor— well we'd like you to go ahead and'ask the questions so:...
•r� �i� ., _ t
Kimberly Sanchez —well I mean;thesame questions, you guys had....`''
Mayor Gary Taylor— okay; well I mean it is important that you do express....
Kimberly Sanchez —what's going•to Happen #o our house and it's just like; it's so much at stake, you know,
like my mom had said we.put so much.into the house., My parents working two jobs for it and to have, you
know, somebody come in and.be so casual about it, it's just ... it's nerve wrecking you know. It bothers us a
lot and that is why we are very much oppose.to.it.
Mayor Gary,Taylor— alright, I appreciate thank you. Okay we have Jose Cruz Diaz.
,-
Audience — they had to,leave t=.-!.
Mayor Gary Taylor— alright, Daniel Garcia... he was here earlier I guess he left also; alright Angel.
Art Angel — Mr. Mayor and Council Members good evening. I hear how this presentation; I was at the
Alhambra also and I see a lot of discrepancies on this project. It upsets me because they are playing with
people's feelings and they are not presenting something that is professional. There's a lot of missing
information and it's like a waste of time for me and the Council Members I believe. They have no facts, no
studies, no social economical impacts, no environmental impacts, no definite plans as to where there firm
routes are going to be. To me it is a total waste of time because there is no facts, nothing concrete. No
studies, not even a budget for it. I don't oppose progress but there's a lot of issues here and liabilities like the
real estate... they presented. There's a lot of disclosures that have to be expose and they don't even know;
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people don't even know if this is official or not; if the disclosure has to be from now, is it official, we don't
know, we don't hear from the City that... those issues. And my position on this is just to be plain to them and
say we want the less impact if it's going to be built. If they ever get any budget for it but the main thing is to
get some facts, you know, present it to the city. So that you can vote on something that is firm not
some... something that seems to me that's like science fiction; it's only a wish list for them they don't have
anything that is concrete. So that is just my position.
Mayor Gary Taylor— alright, thank you Mr. Angel.
Art Angel — thanks.
Mayor Gary Taylor— I saw .... did anyone else wish to speak on this?,,,',
Mayor Pro Tem Ly —Victor .... `
Mayor Gary Taylor— yes, I know Victor came up and handed a paper but... I lost it, did I pass.by it? Now go
ahead Mr. Ruiz, I don't have... ' , `•.
Victor Ruiz — thank you Mr. Mayor... Council Members I urge you,tonight to vote on what Sandra Armenta
proposed at the last meeting. It is important that this City Council unifies•because as you have heard of the
comments of the residents that are going to be impacted very strong. I myself will be one of the first ones to
go as you know I'm right off Temple City Boulevard. and Olney; I'm 90 feet from the Caltrans boundaries there
and you know I've lived here 32 years and I have'really enjoyed living here. I raised my kids here, they all
went to Savannah, they all went to Muscatel and Rosemead High and they are great kids and they love it.
Now I'm raising my granddaughter, with my daughter and my, son -in -law, in that same home cause I
built on this home. I have a big home, something that 1 couldn't build' anywhere else or couldn't afford to move
to Arcadia or Temple City, you know, but when I came to`this City I liked it because it was small; it was really
neat, 57,000 people that's all we have. We're still small IiUlwe are a community; a community of people that
are really, really united and tonight you haye seen ,.that. what I dislike about the presentation tonight,
just like the gentleman said earlier, there is nothing no information. It was (inaudible), you know something
that they can -draw pretty pictures and graphics, I know that because I do that, okay, I mean that was my job
for the County to be able to do all these things.,,Not only that, the conceptual, everything is conceptual and
we're at 1 %so in reality let's read betweeh,the'lines; are they telling us the truth? Okay, that's the question,
are they really telling us the truth. I think so, I think that they have something up there sleeve because if
you...I studied the map on the Pacific, that Union Pacific map rail, down the south why don't they push for
that. I mean I went over it I Google it and I went over it very clearly at 150 feet, I think is what the satellite
image gives you, everything is industrial. Why don't-they use that, why don't they push for that? That's logical;
if you're going to do 125 miles an hour you can do that at a straight shot. Come on let's be realistic, you want
a speed rail put it where there's no people or it's all industrial. That's what I would do but something, they are
not telling us something. Okay, the people that sit on that board upstairs are hiding something. So I think that
this City Council needs to vote on Sandra Armenta:s proposal and we need to stick together with Alhambra;
we need to stick together with San Gabriel because there are many homes that are going to be impacted,
many. Right now my house is probably worth, I would say, $550 thousand and I won't let it go for not less
than that. And if they want to come in and take eminent domain I'm going to sit on it and I'm going to get
more and they are going to have to move me out. Okay, they are going to have to pay 10% on top of that
because I know they can do it but I'm not going to, I don't want that, I love Rosemead. I love it, I'm going to
raise my grandkids here and I am going to die in that home. Okay, that's all I have to say.
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Mayor Gary Taylor— alright, thank you Mr. Ruiz. That's all the speaker requests that I have at this time so I
will go back to the Council unless there is anyone else that I may have missed. Alright, well go back to the
Council discussion.
Council Member Low — Mr. Mayor
Mayor Gary Taylor— yes Mrs. Low.
Council Member Low — I have a question for Ms. Valerie; so I think we have heard from the community
tonight there's a great concern about their homes being taken. That is a major major concern not just the
community but also the Council; is there any way that we can get a letter,,get some assurance from the board
saying if, and even if, if they chose the 1 -10 route that there be no homes taken away. Is there any way that
we can have that in writing to give our residents some comfort?
Valerie Martinez — I can't do ht s P process that tonight but it' art of rocess and what... I will .what we'll do is .... let
9 �.
me see what I can do for you.
Council Member Polly Low— I think tonight I'm not asking for�an•answer, i'think that's a little unfair. Can you
bring that back, I think that would give our residents a big comfort and.also I want to (inaudible) to what Mr.
Ruiz said that there are four routes; what is the.chance of taken the UP'route. And I think to be fair I'd like to
understand why we couldn't.
Valerie Martinez — it's a combination of issues Th ov"h6hing issue being the use of right -of -way in the
same way that Metro along the 10 is the owner of the right of°way, 61he same way that Caltrans is the owner
of the right -of -way along the 60:0 is.the owner of the. right -of -way along their UP alignment and as railroad
they have .... back when they '.created ..the transcontinental railroad, railroads were giving enormous amount of
power and it's beyond -..the power that exceeds just about any other entity. And so that creates a situation
with specific railroads'in particular that in fact they say that you cannot use our railroad rail right -of -way it
creates a problem for us where,we•cannot impose ourselves upon that right -of -way.
Council Member Low —I understand f think what we're trying to do is do the right thing... I think I do support
the highcspeed rail but I think it is very important,in,terms of transportation but the more I think about it,
especially tonight looking at the project, it goes so fast pass the City that I questions how much the City
benefits other than if the stop is'going to be over at b Monte. So part of me is saying well if the City doesn't
benefit that much then in a way we should look into other routes, such as the UP route, I understand they
have a lot of power,but.l think someone needs to work with them to look at what makes sense for the
community for the State> think'lfiere might have to be more dialogue so we can see and work something
out. I understand we are,putting you in a very tough position but that is the information that I am hearing and
as a Council I would like to ask for your help.
Valerie Martinez — absolutely and I will definitely have discussion with the administration of the High Speed
Rail Authority, as well as, the Authority Board Members about that. I know other cities have brought that up;
now I want to also note that the perception is that it is all either industrial or you know, it's not build out in that
area, actually there are a number of cities in that community along that alignment. So all that .... the only
reason I say that is that you know in the same way you know folks along the 60 might say well we don't want
it here move it to the 10, you know, folks along the 10 might say we don't want it here move it to the 60 or the
UP alignment.
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Mayor Gary Taylor— in the discussions that you've had, what about the Pomona freeway, what's the hang -
up with Golden Line, is it? The Gold Line...
Valerie Martinez — the Gold Line... I'm going to invite Alex Clifford, who's with Metro to come up and actually
address the Gold Line element because that's a separate system.
Mayor Gary Taylor— okay but who owns that right -of -way down there? I understand there's more property
available down there than there is on the 1 -10. n•.
Alex Clifford — that I don't know, I'm not in that project myself personally_] will tell you that the issues with
the 60 are that it's one of the alternatives and the Gold Line extension;,it's not {fie locally preferred it's one of
two alternatives still being studied, Washington is also being studied so;it, light rail hasn't been chosen yet for
the 60. There's also Super Fun site on the 60 that creates some.compljcations to move.the system through
but I think most important to point out is that we are at this extremely early stage in the entire environmental
process, it's the early stage, it's the stage were you don't really have any answers at all. And it's premature
to start deleting alternatives and so the 60 still haves the right now in this process as'the 10
does. Now there is no favoritism to the 10 versus the 60; the UP and the.UP;adjacent are still in their process
today although they look like they may have to be eliminated down the'road because of the things that
Valerie said and because of the UP saying go away we're not letting you.in our right -of -way. UP adjacent is
potentially problematic because looking at taking that entire squat of railroad, what we know is the Riverside
Line that Metro Line operates on, and taking an6ther.50'foot adjacent to that all the way down that corridor
that's huge impact to residential properties and industrial properties; it has a lot of challenges. But as of
today where we stand right here today in front of you of those corridors are still in their process and of
equal statue right now.�:�
Mayor Pro Tern Ly— Mr: Mayor...
Council Member Clark — I have question, carrl ask a questions?
Mayor Taylor— yes, go ahead
Council Member Clark— on the Super Fun site. where is that? I mean I know where it is but is it both sides
of the freeway or is it the south ?,. i e
Alex Clifford — I don't want to speak out of turn I can only tell you I believe it is on both sides but mostly on
one side of the..... -
Council Member Clark _ the freeway bisected the land field there?
Alex Clifford — it'll be better for us to check that out first and get the right answer to that.
Council Member Clark — I'd like to know that.
Alex Clifford — sure.
Council Member Clark— cause I'd like to know how the freeway through.....
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Mayor Pro Tem Ly — Mr. Mayor another concern with the 60 is that on the north end of the 60, like what you
have on the 10 freeway 200 homes that would have to be eminent domain in order for it to be built and it's on
the north end, I believe that might affect the Don Bosco area in our City so that would be an impact to our
community as well.
Alex Clifford — if I can just add one other thing; these corridors it doesn't matter where you put these things
in railroad right -of -ways or freeways, these are all very complicated corridors. They are all different, they all
have a different set of dynamics I mean you look at the 10, the 10 is not a straight freeway by any measure.
It curves and so the curvy it is the more tendencies of engineers at a very earlystage,like this is for them to
try and draw the straightest line; they want to get from point A to point B as fast as they can. But as Valerie
has mentioned several times tonight what they initially draw on a map,to "try to get from point A to point B as
fast as they can does not end up being the prevailing thought; there's a.lot of work that has to be done and
through the effort with the COG, through these meetings with your cities it is our hope'at this very early stage
in this process that'll you'll assign technical folks to help us to-help me as sort of your unbugs -man working
with the Authority to resolve these issues to try to see how we can make this thing fit and wliat we,have to do
both on the horizontal alignment and on the vertical. You're right we shouldn't be saying in anything that is
presented right now that it'll be in an aerial structure through the freeway corridors; we should'not be saying
that. There is a tendency for engineers to say that because that'sthe quickest way to get from point A to point
B and when you are in a freeway corridor you have some complications trying to be at grade but there are
some at grade opportunities, there's some elevated.opportunities that work; and there maybe some trench
and some underground opportunities that work. -, All I can`tell you at this point sor6of trying to help you
through this process is from a Metro perspective that we want everything to on the table at this early
stage. And that's the point we'll keep reinforcing as are:doing here tonight that's important to document
that the 10, just closing, that the 10 has additional complications not only do you have the Metro Link in the
center medium but you have -the bus way through to El, Monte, which "is an important, you know for Metro a
transit transportation perspective, we're going to be veryprotective of the Metro Link in the right -of -way, we're
going to be very protective of the bus lane and as you well know we have the hot lanes is under construction
right now too. So how do you do'all,of that within this right -of -way and say these outer limits of what Caltrans
owns today are the outer.limits of this project; how do you do all of that and put these columns down if it's
aerial, if you go underground or you `trench; how do you do all of that, we don't know. But those are the kind
of questions you're asking and we're asking andahey are part of this process going forward. Valerie doesn't
have'those answers because it's just way too early; this is what we have to hear from you is that you want
these things-studied that you're not here tonight to say we will take an aerial structure cause you're not going
to say that and we've heard that load and clear. And we're going to go back and we're going to keep
asserting with their, engineers that they have to keep thinking outside the box and looking at different ways to
approach this throughyourcities:
Mayor Taylor —may I have your name again sir?
Alex Clifford — I'm Alex Clifford, I'm the Executive Officer of High Speed Rail.
Mayor Taylor— Alex Clifford?
Alex Clifford — Clifford, C.L.I.F.F.O.R.D, just like the big red dog.
Mayor Taylor— alright, big red, thank you.
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 40 of 62
Alex Clifford — so Executive Officer of High Speed Rail, I work for Metro not for the High Speed Rail
Authority; they don't pay my check. My assignment under (inaudible) is to try and assist all of the cities from
L.A. to Anaheim, L.A. to Palmdale, and L.A. to San Diego and resolving their issues, their community impacts
and to try and get a project that works for you and to the extent that we can mitigate.
Mayor Taylor— okay, thank you for your comments. Anything else from the Council? Do we have a motion
on this particular item.
Council MemberArmenta — Mr. Mayor if I may.
Mayor Taylor— yes, go ahead.
Council Member Armenta — I motion that we oppose any rail
directly or indirectly impede on the properties of Rosemead, w
side of the 1 -10.
t�
Mayor Pro Tem Ly — Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Taylor— yes Mr. Ly.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly — I will second that if the (
amendment, which is I know that we want a le
in the spirit of the Alhambra City Council I can
iment along the'l -10 Freeway that would
would,include, aerial, north side, south
ber will allow one., hopefully will be a friendly
ng with if we adopt'the'spirit... if we adopt a letter
motion.
Council Member Clark — whatdo you mean by spirit of?
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— well this letter...
Council Member Clark — I read itbut what do youmean ?'
t'
Mayor Pro Tem Ly ='if We adopt this letter I am very comfortable with what this letter says, I'll read the letter
out but before I do I just want tb thatl'm comfortable with this letter and how it talks about the
different issues that this Council as brought about so far.
Mayor Taylor well that particular letter you are going to add Rosemead's conditions not duplicate that
letter.
Council MemberArmenta'- exactly and I want it to include aerial.
Mayor Taylor— otherwise it's just redundant but we have our own special concerns that need to be added to
that letter.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly — well if I may... that's because in paragraph 3 of the Alhambra letter it mentions the
aerial and the concerns that go along with the aerial route but I mean... that's what I would like to see happen.
Mayor Taylor— well what about our 300 homes that will be taken if it's on the north side.
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 41 of 62
Mayor Pro Tem Ly — oh yeah I know that's part of the oppose any... that's why I'm seconding Council
Member Armenta's position on that the only amendment, it's not even an amendment, the only thing I would
add to that motion is since we are drafting a letter I like the letter to reflect what the Alhambra letter said. I'll
read what it says, 'they voted to oppose any rail alignment along the 10 freeway that would directly impact on
the properties of, in this case we would say Rosemead residents, and significantly affect the quality of life in
our community.
Mayor Taylor— and you are going to reaffirm that what could happen with Rosemead.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— if you want to add the lines of eminent domain, north, south, etcetera, etcetera
absolutely I am in agreement with that.
Mayor Taylor —well explain that .... it's 300 homes I counted them. '.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly —oh no, I know .... Mayor Taylor I want to.point out'that before this-issue ... when this issue
was first brought up I was the first one on this Council that,mentioned concern. I was the fist one to say wait
a minute before we jump the gun and make the motion, a' adopt what SR61 that north or south side it would
significantly affect our communities so I understand the coricem and I definitely understand that we need to
take a position strongly and let High Speed Rail Authority know that we will not allow any eminent domain of
our homes.
Mayor Taylor— and this letter should just go to Alhambra,.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— no, no, no, absolutely this letter, is going to the High Speed Authority; what I mean is to
adopt.... '
Mayor Taylor— yes, okay: i
Council MemberArmenta — just'so, we clarify we're,going to include that we oppose the north side, the
south side, and aerial.
Mayor,Pro_ Tem Ly—as long as paragraph'3 otthe Alhambra letter is in there, where it specifically discuss
what ihe concerns are about aerial.
Council MemberArmenta — but l want the verbiage to say aerial opposed.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly= that's fine,as long as paragraph 3 is in there.
Mayor Taylor— yes City Attorney.
City Attorney Rachel Richman — would it be acceptable if we drafted a letter that we can bring back for your
review? Because we've gotten specifics, we've got this letter and then we can work on it and you guys can
see it.
Mayor Taylor— I don't think they are going to do anything in the next two weeks.
Council Member Low — I think that's better.
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 42 of 62
Rachel Richman — in the next two weeks will that be okay.
Mayor Taylor— that's fine.
Jeff Allred — and in the letter it will also have the signature block of all the Council Members.
Rachel Richman — right.
Jeff Allred — much like the Alhambra letter
Mayor Pro Tom Ly — I would gladly sign a letter like that. ;
Mayor Taylor— alright, the letter will be....
Council Member Clark — so it's coming back to be approved. again?
Rachel Richman — well only because it's the .... we can sit here and try and draft the letter but that would take
along time and because there's some different comments from everyone•I don't think it's u`sefuLfor us to try
and...
Council Member Armenta —okay well let's vote on my proposal. I'm proposing that we oppose it if we go
north side, south side, and aerial that's what my position is on the table: So•we have to .... that's fine if you
want to do a subsequent motion but that's still on'the- table: ,
Mayor Taylor— so you can also have with letter to follow tote board: - /
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— my understanding that what we'are approving tonight when this was first brought up
we talked about sending a letter there:,That's the reasonwhy, you know, if that's the case that's why I want to
talk about the letter right now because) thought that's what we were talking about.
Mayor Taylor, = it would•be more appropriate to draft that letter and then discuss it; they're not going to do
anything imtwo we eks
T
Mayor Pro Tem Ly —I agree."..,"
Mayor Taylor- we,just want to incorporate so that there is a paper trail, we voted on it and we also have a
letter to support what were doing.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— I guess my concern is and I stressed this at the last Council meeting was
that.... definitely there're significantly concerns about aerial but until we see the EIR I don't know what those
issues would be. However, in paragraph 3 it mentions exactly what those concerns would be from the City's
end and if that's the case I'd be very comfortable saying hey, yes we oppose aerial right now, because these
are the issues that we're concern with. For the 50 foot wide concrete structure, with the 35 foot high
elevation, etcetera. Okay place 100 feet, you know, these are things would be pretty unacceptable if that's
what we are talking about and if that's the case absolutely aerial is not a preferred route. So that's the reason
why I want paragraph 3 in there.
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 43 of 62
Council Member Clark — so are you okay if they made the aerial different; are you leaving wiggle room in
there?
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— well what I'm saying is and this is what Valerie mentioned earlier was that they are at
1 % right now and she said .... well it may not be 50 foot, it may not be 35 feet; we don't know exactly what it's
going to look like. Well okay, great you know don't what it's going to look like we don't know what it's going to
look like; what we do know is that in paragraph 3 this is what we are really concerned about. In paragraph 3
this is what we are most concern by, and for the audience I apologize, paragraph 3 specifically mentions the
50 foot concrete structure and the 35 high... sorry....
Mayor Taylor— there called pilasters. ,'
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— pilasters, as well as the, well I would add the place 100 feet ih.there; that's what would
give me peace of mind in the motion that's all I'm asking. \ <;
Council MemberArmenta — Mr. Mayor if I may; so Mr. Ly yo" ` u are saying that what if they.change,it to 40
feet.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly —then...
.a
Council Member Armenta —what if they change,itto 30 feet....
Mayor Pro Tem Ly —then...
Council Member Armenta -,then are you for aerial ?,,`/,
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— no then we come back and we oppose those.
Council Member Armenta - when ye c just say_we oppose aerial and just leave it at that.
Council Member Clark . —yeah
, I think I agree .... Mr. Mayor I attend to agree with Ms. Armenta because we
can always come back and change. We can4ways come back and say okay this looks good, we can change
our position but I don't want to leave wiggle room in now. I think we need to be very...
Mayor Pro TemLy- the motion; your motion opposes aerial.
Council Member Clark �- okay so let's just leave if.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— all I'm `asking is that paragraph 3 be put in there on the specific concern that we have
about aerial
Mayor Taylor— well Mr. Ly that paragraph is saying we're opposing the aerial route.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly — correct, yes.
Mayor Taylor— by putting that in you are defining what you do not want to for the aerial.
Rosemead City Counal, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 44 of 62
Mayor Pro Tem Ly — no, what paragraph 3 reads is, why the community understands the purpose of the
project is to alleviate traffic and congestion and improve the quality of our environment the matter becomes
extremely personal to the residents near the route because of the possible displacement of their homes and
other devastating consequences. Not only do the residents on Ramona Road have great apprehensions but
many others also noted that their property values would be affected and that they would be unable to sell
their properties. It is difficult for the community to imagine that a 50 foot concrete structure set 35 foot high
could add any other affect than to denigrate the esthetics of surrounding neighborhoods, more ever, there are
also strong concerns about the excessive speed, noise, and possible vibrations of the trains would cause with
many residents stating that they are already affected by loud freeway noise. Other,suggestions concerns
over the lost of travel lanes are parking near the Ramona Road and the affect the trains would have the
nearby schools and students.
Mayor Taylor— you told me that you're oppose to a 50 foot wide platform, you're oppose to a 35 foot
tower ... or pilasters so what we're going to do is where going to make,it 33 feet and go:,back to 40 feet in
depth.
Council Member Armenta — that's exactly what I said.,
Council Member Clark — that's what I'm afraid of.
Mayor Taylor— realistically this is the wiggle language; well we had to alter .it down we reduced it 2 feet. All
I'm saying is that what you read was fine except def ring what measurements you were objecting to.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— I'm simply stating that as of right now fam oppose jo`aeriat in concept.
Mayor Taylor— we've already said that;4he letter says that very clearly but you just .... you put a fly in the
ointment by saying 35 feet and 50 feet, just oppose ,the aerial.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— because.thafs:the specific language that we are seeing right now; that was the aerial
that we're talking "about; that's the aerial that we were arguing with Ms. Valerie on.
Mayor,Taylor— I'm beginning to,agree with its wiggle room what you're putting in there. By taking
those'numbers out, leave the letter, the way it is, I mean you've got a very valid point it's still 99% of it
affective. But by.putting those dimensions in its wiggle room.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly dhow about me say it's difficult for the community to imagine a concrete structure that
could have any affect other thari,denigrate the esthetics of surrounding neighborhoods.
Mayor Taylor — fine.
Council Member Clark — that's just explaining why we don't....
Mayor Pro Tem Ly — then that's fine by me if that paragraph can be in there and if you don't want the
numbers in there that's fine by me as well.
Mayor Taylor — we can still approve the motion with the approval of the letter to follow.
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 45 of 62
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— that's fine as long as it's understood that paragraph 3 is going to be in there.
Council MemberArmenta — as long as it states that we are oppose if it goes north side, south side, and
aerial regardless of the dimensions, regardless of changing it back, scaling back two feet what have you
opposing aerial.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— as long as paragraph 3 is in there....
Council MemberArmenta — but wait it's my motion I'm not....
Mayor Taylor— your both almost there.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— I know I'm asking for a friendly amendment I believe' it could be done and both sides
can be happy with the motion, that's all I'm trying to get. I would like to sign the letter too at the end of the
day.
Rachel Richman —can you then clarify what you would ... with'that change of not having the numbers in there,
what would that language be that you would like to see?
Mayor Taylor— you read something earlier Steven.
Jeff Allred — I understand him....
r ,
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— it's difficult for the community,to imagine'a concrete structure that could have any affect
other than denigrate the esthetics of surrounding neighborhoods.
Mayor Taylor— is that alright Ms. Armenta?
Council MemberArmenta that's fine as long as it states that we are opposing aerial.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly -::
Mayor,Taylor— that's your motion and the second Mr. Ly.
Mayor Pro-Tehi..Ly— yes, if Council Member Armenta agrees with that friendly amendment.
4
Council MemberArmenta —as, long as it states.....
Mayor Pro Tem Ly — yes, if is in there.
Council MemberArmenta — I'm just making sure..
Mayor Pro Tem Ly — it would state that north side we oppose that south side we oppose, we oppose
eminent domain of any homes as well as aerial because we do not believe that an aerial structure could have
any other affect than denigrate the esthetics of surrounding neighborhoods.
Council MemberArmenta — I agree.
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 46 of 62
Council Member Low — Mr. Mayor I think it is important for us as Council to have that kind of message to the
board. I think it was quite clear tonight; if we haven't said it like ten times already. I think in the beginning I
was like aerial we should be okay but then the more I listen to the comments the more I've been thinking
about it since the last two hours I'm willing to support not having the aerial. I think we should do the best we
can to push for not having the aerial and see where that goes.
Mayor Taylor— I believe we are trying to make it the strongest we can because that 9 member board can
overrule anything we say.
Council Member Low — true...
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Taylor— yes Mr. Ly.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— I apologize, I'd like to ask for one morre friendly amendment.... \
Council Member Armenta — oh here we go...
Mayor Taylor — go ahead.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly —for us to oppose any rail alignment that would directly or impact our community
that's because if it's on the 60 freeway especiahy:omthe north side we are talking'about eminent domain 200
homes.
Council MemberArmenta =.no "I said directly or indirectly.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— yeah'I know but I wasn't sure was the motion just the 10 freeway or....
Mayor Taylor— that was my understanding.
MayorPro.Tem Ly- because, if it's along the 60 freeway again one not only does it destroy the Gold Line
east side extension for us which would'be a huge economic gain but if it's on the north side we're talking
about eminent domain 200 homes. 7
0"
Council Member Armenta all Rosemead.
Council Member Low _�Mr. Mayor.
Mayor Taylor— yes Mrs,, Low.
Council Member Low— can I ask if the vote is just on the idea of how to draft this letter and I would like to
see the letter next time before we make a motion to approve that because.... there's a lot of good ideas
bouncing along but I would like to see the letter in front of me.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly — we're not talking about the letter right now we are just talking about the actual motion.
Rosemead City Coundl, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 47 of 62
Council Member Clark— yeah, we need the motion because otherwise we're going to be ... it's going to take
forever.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— yeah right now I'm not talking about the letter yet at all.
MayorTaylor — clarify your motion again.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly — the motion would be to oppose any rail alignment along Rosemead that would directly
impede the properties of Rosemead residents...
Mayor Taylor— excuse me you said on Rosemead...
Mayor Pro Tem Ly — in Rosemead, I apologize wrong proposition, oppose any rail alignment in Rosemead
that would directly impede the properties of Rosemead residents and significantly affect the quality of life in
our community and that includes north of the 10 freeway, south of the 10 „freeway; and::
Council Member Armenta —and aerial...
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— and aerial in any situations in which eminent would be use to on our residents with the
language that says it's difficult for the community to imagine an aerial structure that could have any other
affect other than denigrate the esthetics of surrounding neighborhoods:,
Mayor Taylor— now this is the motion?
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— that's the motion, I apologize v,,
Mayor Taylor— alright, it will also be,in the letter that comes back.
• f 1 `•
Mayor Pro Tem Ly —'I would hope it would be.
Council Memberlow= yes theletter.will comeback before it goes out, please.
Mayor, Taylor— alright so'shall we vote?
Council Member Armenta — before we vote .... Ms. Martinez I know that you're the messenger and you are
only giving us the information that the Authority is given you. We really appreciate you coming here and
having the opportunity to speak to,you; it's just you to understand that a lot of us are passionate of
Rosemead especially, having lived here since I been... since I been 6 ... wait that doesn't even make
sense... ever since I was 6,years old. And a lot of these are my neighbors because that's my home on Olney
Street, my house is actually goes back to the retaining wall so that's why it's very... this issue is very dear to
our hearts and we're very passionate but we do appreciate that you came down and to try and explain but
you would understand why we are a little... passionate of where we stand.
Mayor Taylor— I would also like to make a comment we may have sounded harsh about it is not a personal
attack on you at all because you're not a voting member. I mean you're sent here to try and explain and we
understand that...I just want to make it clear that it's nothing personal, it has to go to that 9 member board
and they'll vote however they want to vote but anyway all we can do is get it on the record. Okay you called
for a motion on it.
Rosemead City Counai, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 48 of 62
Mayor Pro Tem Ly— call for the question.
Mayor Taylor— alright.
Council Member Sandra Armenta made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Steven Ly, to oppose
any rail alignment in Rosemead that would directly impede the properties of Rosemead residents and
significantly affect the quality of life in our community and that includes north of the 10 freeway,
south of the 10 freeway, and aerial in any situations in which eminent would be use to on our
residents with the language that says it's difficult for the community to,imagine an aerial structure
that could have any other affect other than denigrate the esthetics of surrounding neighborhoods.
Vote resulted in:
Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly, Taylor V ��
/.,
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Mayor Taylor asked that the High Speed Rail portion of the minutes be transcribed in verbatim.
Mayor Pro Tern Steven Ly made a motion, seconded by Council Member Sandra Armenta to
transcribed thei High Speed Rail portion of the,minutes,verbatim. Vote resulted in:
t
Yes: Armenta, Clark, Ly, Taylor',% ;
No: None
Abstain: Low
Absent:
"None ? j
8. CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR- _
A.%.- Minutes
September 8;.2010 — Special'Meeting
5 '
B. Claims and Demands
I
Resolution No`. — 62
Recommendation: to approve Resolution No. 2010 -62, entitled:
RESOLUTION NO. 2010 — 62, FOR PAYMENT OF CITY EXPENDITURES IN THE
AMOUNT OF $1,440,311.34 NUMBERED 100966 THROUGH 1, INCLUSIVELY.
Rosemead City Coundl, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 49 of 62
E. Authorization to Solicit Bids for Construction of the Rosemead Aquatic Center and the
Garvey Aquatic Center Projects :
As part of the City's Fiscal Year 2010 -11 Capital Improvement Program, the City
Council has approved the complete renovation of the Rosemead Park and Garvey Park
Aquatic Centers including pools and other aquatic play amenities, bath houses, and
mechanical facilities. Architectural designs as well as construction plans and specifications
have been prepared for these significant improvement projects.
Recommendation: That the City Council authorize staff to adGertis&and solicit bids for the
Rosemead Aquatic Center Renovation Project and the Garvey Aquatic Center Renovation
Project.
r'
F. Hellman Avenue Street Resurfacing Projects
As part of the City's Capital Improvement Program, the _City Council approved a project to
resurface Hellman Avenue, which consists,of asphalt concrete overlay, sidewalk repairs,
traffic striping, signage installation, curb ramps con struction'Araffic signal upgrades, and
appurtenances. The limits of this project are from Jackson Avenue to Walnut Grove Avenue.
Funding for this project is available through Traffic Congestion Relief funds.
Recommendation: That the Cjty,Councils,.,
1. Approve plans and specifications for this improvement project:
2. Authorize the City Manager to enter, into a contract with Sully - Miller Contracting for the
Hellman.Avenue Street Resurfacing, Project in the amount of $475,771.62; and
3. Establish an amount equal•to,the contract amount ($47,577), as a contingency, to cover
the potential cost of unforeseen site conditions.
Interstate 10 and Del Maf Avenue Landscape Improvements — Award of Contract
`•As part of the City''§ FiscahYear 2010 -11 Capital Improvement Program, the City Council
,.:approved a project,to improve freeway off ramp areas adjacent to the Interstate 10 Freeway
at D6I Mar Avenue. This project includes a complete landscape makeover, which includes
ground cover,.trees, shrubs, and color splashes (roses and perennials) on off ramp slopes
and adjacent- areas.
Recommendation: That the City Council:
1. Approve the landscape plans and specifications; and
2. Adopt Resolution No. 2010 — 67, authorizing the City Manager to enter into a contract
with Eco Logic Inc. for the 1 -10 /Del Mar Avenue Beautification Project (using the State of
California Department of Transportation Contract No. 07- 166814) in the amount of
$59,846.50 and establish an amount of $8,977 (approximately 15 %) to cover the cost of
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 50 of 62
any unforeseen construction expenses. Resolution No. 2010 -67 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD REGARDING
CONTRACTING FOR LANDSCAPING IMPROVEMENTS AT THE INTERSTATE 10
FREEWAY OFF RAMP AREAS ADJACENT TO DEL MAR AVENUE
Council Member Sandra Armenta made a motion, second Council Member Clark, to approve City
Council Consent Calendar. Vote resulted in:
Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly, Taylor
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
C. Ordinance 901— Second Reading:
Municipal Code to Revise the Reg
On August 24, 2010, the City Council reviewed Or
code amendment 10 -05, amending Title 17 ( Zonii
revise the regulations for Flag-Lot Development.
at the required second reading fo radoption .
Recommendation: That the City %Council adopt 0
entitled:
le'17 (Zoning) c
,e No. 901, approving municipal
the Rosemead municipal code to
ince No. 901 is now before Council
901, at its second reading,
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA,
APPROVING MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT 10.05 AMENDING TITLE 17 (ZONING)
OF THE ROSEMEAD MUNICIPAL COE40'REVISE THE REGULATIONS FOR FLAG LOT
DEVELOPMENT '--
Mayor Taylor inquired about appendix A did not mention the rear yard setbacks is to the homes to the
subdivisions of the lot. Mr. Taylor,reiterated'that,it states the rear yards,set backs, front yards, side yards and
of the subdivided land but it does not mention how far the subdivided portion must be. What is the separation
of the front house and the second douse. It tells you what the side yard is for the new lot but not what the
back yard has to 6e.for the front house.
Principal Planner Bermejo explained that the actual text of the municipal code goes through the set back
requirements for each lot ,wit hin the flag lot subdevelopment ordinance. Appendix A, is meant to deal with lot
area requirements to try to depict a difference between net lot area and gross lot area an actually illustrate
what the requiments are for the street frontage of the enterior lot, main lot and what the minimum frontage is
for the access leg.
Mayor Taylor stated that the minimum frontage for the access, you can take the front of the rear house can
be perpendicular to the front street. The house facing the street, the front of it would be parallel with the
street.
Principal Planner Bermejo replied it was correct.
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 51 of 62
Mayor Taylor continued that in the front of the house it can turn 90 degrees and face the access. Mr. Taylor
refered to page 3, and inquired about the side lot.
Principal Planner Bermejo stated that the purposed of that standard plan P6 in appendix A, is to give direction
to both commission, developers and staff on how front yards maybe determined in a flag lot subdivision.
Mayor Talylor asked what did the code state as far as side yard should be.
Principal Planner Bermejo explained that side yard requiorement is ten percent of the lot width or five feet or
which ever is greater for the first lot.
Mayor Taylor asked if it cannot be under five feet.
Principal Planner Bermejo replied it cannot.
Mayor Taylor reirterated that clarifies the new subdivided lot 'He askedwhat is the rear yard,of the existing
building in the front yard.
Principal Planner Bermejo stated that rear yard.is dependant upon whatzone is in. For example, if it's in R1
it's going of be 25 feet.
Mayor Taylor asked that to be clarified because the drawingsdid not indicate that. Mr. Taylor expressed that
he wanted to be sure and verify that it's 25 feet andthe neighbor can be five feet becuase now that is a side
yard.
Economic Develoment Director Wong replied correct. t
Mayor Taylor continued how can we make sure it's going.to be a 25 foot setback from the front house.
Principal ,Planner Bermejo stated that the.text of the ordinance, for rear yard, states, "those rear yard set back
requirements contained within the underlyllig.zone shall apply ".
Mayor Taylor stated that item 4E was just'one sentence, "those rear yard setback requirements contained
within the underlying zone shall apply ".
Principal Planner Bermejo.stated that it meant, you can do a flag lot subdivision in both R1 and R2 zone and
the developer, property owner will need to look to the R1 or R2 zone to find our what their rear yard
requirement will be.
Mayor Gary Taylor made a motion, second Mayor Pro Tern Steven Ly, to adopt ordinance 901 on its
second reading. Voted in:
Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly, Taylor
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes or September 14, 2010
Page 52 of 62
D. Assignment of Rosemead Zoning Ordinance Update Contract to Civic Solutions, Inc
On July 15, 2010, the Community Development Department issued a Request for Proposal
(RFP) to seek a qualified land use consultant to assist Planning Division staff with the update
of the City's Zoning Ordinance. Section 65860 et seq of the California Government Code
states that a zoning ordinance shall be consistent with the city general plan if the city has
officially adopted such plan and the various land uses authorized by the ordinance are
compatible with the objectives, policies, general land uses, and programs specified in the
plan.
City Council adopted a comprehensive update of its General Plan earlier this year about how
to best plan Rosemead's future. The General Plan now establishes.clear policy direction for
revitalizing commercial districts, focusing mixed- use.developmenfprojects, and maintaining
the quality and charter of residential neighborhoods, and strengthening the industrial base.
To implement Rosemead's General Plan .policy direction, it is recommended that a
comprehensive Zoning Ordinance update•be'completed'in accordance with planning, land
use, and zoning laws.
Recommendation: That the, ity Council take the following actions:
1. Authorize the City Manager, to execute.the contract assignment to Civic Solutions, Inc. in
the amount of $45,000.
2. Establish an amount of $5,000 as a'contingency to cover the potential cost of
unforeseen update and environmental review conditions.
Mayor Taylor expressed concern that the lowest bidder Hogle Ireland was $44,900.70, Civic Solutions is
$45,000; when they go out and bid .a job_they are.entitled:for the lowest bid. On page 2 states, "Although
Hogle Ireland, recently completed the'city's and provided the lowest cost estimate, their
proposal required the most amount of staff time dedicated to preparing the new ordinance ". How can that be
if the people who did the general plan are familiar with everything they did with the city and we picked Civic
Solution: W:,Taylor felt that ifyod'are familiar4ith a document you helped prepare you are more proficient
and faster to;correlate what yoware doing /f
Principal Planner 8eimejo stated =out of seventeen proposals three came back and two of the three that came
back proposed scopes.6f workdhat was a share work effort between both the consultant and staff. Based on
the budget of $45,000 stafflooked at how much of the work to update that code would require staff time;
Hogle Ireland's proposal,included that staff would be responsible for upadting all the developments
standards, zones, permited uses and updating the definitions with the municipal code and attending two
public hearings. Civic Solutions is going to work on' all those items and attend more public outreach meetings
and offer more techincal assistance.
Mayor Taylor stated that meant that they will be putting in moreto do it; Hogle Ireland has been through the
whole procedure and staff knows who they are.
Rosemead City Coundl, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 53 of 62
City Manager Allred commented that the basis forgoing with Civic Solutions was because they were going to
do more work and not rely upon staff. Our planning staff is very small and the principal planner, who heads
the division, will be leaving on maternity leave at some point and we will be less staffed.
Mayor Taylor stated that he has seen different proposals and always knew that the subs were credible
because they knew the internal working on what is going on. Mr. Taylor asked if there were some staff that
were around whenthe General Plan was updated. On page 2, 4th paragraph, Civic Solutions also has recent
experience working in the City of Rosemead. In 2007 the firm contracted to develop mixed use development
guidelines. These guidelines were adopted by the City Council on September the ,-25th, 2007 and in 2008
were contracted to work on mixed use. Mr. Taylor reiterated that has be done they will have to go back
and re -learn what has been done. Hogle Ireland has that knowledge. /<
Council Member Low stated that staff felt it's costing more to the
company that is also the cost of staff time. Staff time cost more if.%
Mayor Taylor stated that they are both using the same doc
cost from the
Council Member Low replied that's what the proposal is.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly stated that Hogle Ireland
at the end of the process is to would compile
the work. Even thought we are paying Civic
more work.
require staff to dom
ling. Whereas, Civic
s.a,little.bit more it's
work. Hogle Ireland all would do
ustion will participate in some of
ause'thev will be able to take on
Council Member Clark expre:
somebody to come in andd.ct dl
Mayor Taylor stated that Civ
new.
Council Memb Clark ed
know whafthe concerns were
MayorPro'Terrr,Ly stated that
General Plan, they.will be revie
she had the
thing with tf
opinion:
Taylor stated. She did not want
the opposite arid;tfie way we did it and they will rewrite into the
ked with Ms. Low and herself in a subcommittee and
in the new General Plan.
,lived-staff shares the Council's position on mixed use develpoment and
the process and he is confident they will enforce the will of the Council.
Council Member Clark stated,that if you got a consultant coming in that doesn't know our concerns and
pushing for somethign went want they are going to redo it.
Mayro Pro Tem Ly stated that the Planning Department has two part time employees, two full time
employees and one employee who will leave on maternity leave soon; that leaves one full time planner. Mr.
Ly reiterated that he would like to make sure that they are confortable with the consulatnt they are hiring so
they can get the work done becuase it's an important project.
Council Member Clark stated that we are bringing our zoning code to conform with the General Plan and
are not going to make many changes becuase we already have the General Plan.
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 54 of 62
Council Member Low agreed with Council Member Clark, that we do have the General Plan and are working
in getting our zoning code to match what is in the General Plan. Ms. Low reiterated that we just need to find
someone to do the work and in the case of Civic Solutions, they do more work instead of having a company
do some of the work and staff do the other.
Community Development Director Wong stated that the city has an outdated zoning and staff will be working
closely with Civic Solution.
Mayor Taylor asked why can't Hogle Ireland do that since they are familiar with General Plan.
Community Development Director Wong replied that we are short staffed arid,we feel confrotable with Civic
Solution. ,�/'1•,
Mayor Taylor reiterated that Hogle Ireland knows what has
Council Member Low stated that did not mean they're
Council Member Armenta wanted to clarified that the two coml
consultant in the past said in 2008 that cars would be obsolete c
was here they had a consultant come in theymere revisiting the
Mayor Pro Tem Ly clarified that this was when
Mayor Taylor reiterated that he had reservations ab'i
analyze the work that has been by somebody e
come in and go right to the. doc ents.'Civic Solutior
and he belives that its not going to be cheaper. If soi
where it is they can do it much faster, rather than the
clarifying definitions and explanations
xplanations and that is,wh(
the lowest bidderand what has Hogle,lreland'done:<
hve`worked with the before and a
When the previous council majority
about th'ev4l1evision plan.
that will come in and
m you 6ave'the option of letting that consultant
ing to have to analyze all that was done before
knows what they are looking for and knows
me having to analyze what the other one did and
can put their definition. Mr. Taylor felt that being
- e knowledge.
Council'Member Low stated.that Civic•Solufion!s proposal is $45,000 that is the maxium rate. the City will
not pa'v'anv;more if it takes them onger to do -the work.
Mayor Pro Tim L'y,stated that it'ha's a $5,000 contingency fee.
Community Development- Directbf Won stated that there is a $50,000 budget with a $5,000 contingency.
Mayor Taylor asked if Hogle Ireland would be able to do the same.
Community Development Director Wong replied yes,
Council Member Low stated that the price could go up to $49,000.
City Manager Allred stated that planning staff proposed to work with Civic Solution for several reasons. First,
efficiency and staff believes they will get more work out of Civic Solutions.
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 55 of 62
Mayor Pro Tern Ly stated that after talking to staff, he wants to make sure that who ever gets the contract
staff can best work with them on this important project. For example, we have a a new height intensity
commercial area which the city finds very important; and how those things get defined and get implemented
in the zone map is very important.
Council MemberArmenta stated that she belives the city has a department that is really looking for the best
of the city; they dont have a hidden agenda. Ms. Armenta reiterated that the department is here for the
betterment of Rosemead and if they feel this company is going to be more efficient and cost effective we
should listen to what they have to say.
Mayor Pro Tern Steven Ly made a motion, seconded by Council Member Polly Low, to approve
authorize the City Manager to execute the contract assignment to,Civic Solutions, Inc. and establish
$5,000 as a contingency. Vote resulted in:
Yes: Armenta, Low, Ly'
No: Taylor' `
Abstain: Clark
Absent: None
Council Member Clark asked that staff monitor, what the consultant is proposing.
G. Emergency Generator for City, Hall,—'Authorization t&SolicitBids
As part of the City's Fiscal Year 2010- 11,Capifa6lmprovement Program, the City Council
approved funding to replace the existing undersized•and inadequate standby generator at
City Hall with 'a new 250 kW engine emergency generator.
i
The existing backup generator at City Hall is ',13 kW and only backs up a limited number of
operational activities:;,Seveial =electrical .outlets /utilities are not currently tied to the existing
generator, including the majority of facility lighting, air conditioning system, computers and
telecommunications devices. Upgrading the existing generator would allow City operations
to be fully operational during.a.power outage or an emergency, for up to 72 hours.
\Recommendation: That the City Council authorize staff to advertise and solicit bids to
complete the construction and installation of a new generator for City Hall.
City Manager Allred reviewed the staff report.
Mayor Taylor asked why %is the city doing the landscaping if it's Caltrans property.
City Manager Allred replied that Clatrans does not do a good a job and we want to have it more beuatiful.
Mayor Taylor inquired about page 2, that there are approximately $500,000 for Beuatification improvements
and we are doing Del Mar, San Gabriel, Walnut Grove, Rosemead, why are we doing Caltrans job. Mr. Taylor
objected that at first it started out that we were going to paint these bridges there was one cost, adn $160,000
for the painting and now there is a potential that we are up to $500,000 becuae now we are paying for
Caltrans landscaping.
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 56 of 62
City Manager Allred stated that we are going to upgrade the landscaping because they do such a poor job
On Wlanut Grove on the west side by the 1 -10, or the 1 -10 and Rosemead Boulevard is an example of the
very poor jobs Caltrans does and we can significaltyl upgrade the appereance of the City.
Mayor Taylorexpressed concern that the projects that we are doing on phase I are coming out at over $53
million dollars. we have $9.4 milllion in the bond sale and $5 million left in the redevelopment account.
City Manager Allred stated yes its that about $14 million.
Mayor Taylorcontinued that $14.4 million, we still have to come up with
$9 milliom dollars.
City Manager Allred stated that's over 15 years.
Mayor Taylor replied no, the project are going on right now
this year.
City Manager Allred stated that they are paid for.
Mayor Taylor spoke about a presentation in the past where it via,
and how we cut our labor expenses back. MrrTaylor asked for an
Brisco came back and stated it was a computer.glitch.that was $3
City Manager Allred reiterated that our budget
are funded.
about saving half of the labor cost
ition for that in the past, and Mr.
hat no one caught.
Mayor Taylor stated that
dollars at the end. ;'
Mayor Pro Tem Steven Ly
to advertise and'solicit bic
.!c°� °...;T
Hall. Vote,resulted m:•t.;::
Yes: Armenta;'FCI
No: Taylor
Abstain: None
improvement projects that
been accomplished and to add the
of
)until Member Polly Low, to authorize staff
and installation of a new generator for City
Absent: None
Mayor Taylor stated th h doted no on this item because we are now taking over the landscaping for the
State of California that wilGbe a couple of thousand dollars.
City Manager Allred stated that Caltrans informed him that they do maintenance on their right -a -ways once
every six months.
Mayor Taylor stated that we just assumed all the maintenance and the landscaping for the State of California
and not send them a bill.
Public Works Director Marcarello explained that staff is undertaking a significant amount of maintenance.
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 57 of 62
Mayor Taylor asked what kind of status report do we have as far as what we have been doing.
City Manager Allred stated that we are doing it with our in house staff that is able to perform the work and its
going to make a huge difference in the City of Rosemead. Mr. Allred added that residents will be proud to live
in this town and right now the Caltrans areas are horrible.
9. MATTERS FROM CITY MANAGER & STAFF
A. State Ballot Measures 19 and 26 Opposition
The League of California Cities (League) has taken a
19 and 26, which are scheduled to be included in the
The League has also requested its members to adopt
propositions. �'� -
Recommendation: That the City Count'
2010 -59 in opposition to Propositions 19
A RESOLUTION OF THE
THE REGULATE, CONTF
A RESOLUTION OF THE ROSEI
PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL
CHARGES: VOTE'REQUIREMEI
Council Member
Margaret Clark made a
which oaaoses'pronos
(ed to bi- forcate and
Yes: Armenta,Clark, Low,,Ly; Taylor
No: None
Abstain: None'
Absent: None *;
1400
and tabled 26.
>ition on Proposition
Statewide Election.
)sing these
No. 201
2010
PROPOSITION 19,
SING PROPOSITION 26,
LOCAL FEES AND
'Tem Steven Ly, to approve reolution 2010 58
tax cannabis act of 2010. Vote resulted in:
Mayor Pro Tem Ly ezpressed with proposition 26 explaining that it closes loop holes in terms of
fees and taxes in how they ;can be raised. California being the highest taxed State, opposing 26 essentially
amounts to raising taxes, . Ly reiterated that he could not support the League's position on 26.
Mayor Taylor stated that he was puzzled why this item was on the agenda when the rule of three applies.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly stated that staff took the position of the California League of Cities and he has been in
opposite end with the League on some issues.
City Manager Allred stated that the reason why it's one the agenda is because the League requested that all
their members Cities take this position.
Rosemead City Coundl, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 58 of 62
Mayor Pro Tem Ly stated that it's the League's prerogative and he does not support their position. Mr. Ly
clarified that he did support proposition 26, but the League opposes proposition 26.
City Manager Allred stated that the League has asked cities to oppose it as well.
Mayor Taylor clarified that staff is asking to oppose it.
City Manager Allred stated the League is recommending it as well, since the City is,a member of the League
and have asked other cities to support their position; however Council Member:Ly does not agree.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly asked to table proposition 26. ,!
Mayor Pro Tem Steven Ly made a motion, seconded by Margaret, Clark, to table proposition 26. Vote
resulted in:
Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly
No: Taylor
Abstain: None "
Absent: None
B. Parks, Recreation, and Genera I'Facil ities Master Plar
Last year, City Council authorized the development of the City's first -ever Parks, Recreation
and General.Facilities Master Plan.'
lan. 'MIG; Inc. working with several other specialist
consultants; has completed the final draft of the Master Plan. It is being presented to City
Council for`acceptance as a road map to development, renovation, and programs.
Completion of the Master Plan accords with the City of Rosemead's Strategic Plan Goal 1:
"Beautify communityJnfrasttucture,and improve public facilities," and Goal 2: "Enhance
public safety and quality of life:" Further, the plan is consistent with the challenge set forth in
Rosemead's General Plan regarding the "availability of quality park, recreation, and open
space facilities to meet the needs of all Rosemead residents."
` Recommendation,: That the City Council receive and file the Parks, Recreation, and
General Facilities Master Plan.
1, ,
# ' y y
City Manager Allred stated that -staff is recommending that council does not take any action on this matter
because there has been some'concerns and asked "that this item be deffered to a future meeting.
it
10. MATTERS FROM MAYOR t£ CITY COUNCIL
B. Resolution No. 2010.66— Nominating Council Member Clark to Represent Cities
without Prescriptive Water Pumping Rights of the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality
Resolution No. 2010 -66, is for nominating the city's vote for Council Member Clark to another
term on the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Board. Council Member Clark has been a
Charter Member of the Board since it was established in 1992.
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minules of September 14, 2010
Page 59 of 62
Recommendation: That the City Council approve Resolution No. 2010 -66, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD, CALIFORNIA
NOMINATING COUNCIL MEMBER MARGARET CLARK TO REPRESENT CITIES
WITHOUT PRESCRIPTIVE WATER PUMPING RIGHTS OF THE SAN GABRIEL BASIN
WATER QUALITY AUTHORITY
Council Member Sandra Armenta made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Steven Ly, to
nominate Council Member Margaret Clark to represent cities with our prescriptive water pumping
rights of the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority. Vote resulted in:.
Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly, Taylor
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
X
Mayor Pro Tem Ly asked Ms. Clark, what does that mean for to not'kave pumping rightsP'
Council Member Clark replied that the city does not own the wells in, the city and we have seven different
water companies. Montery Park for example owns own water company.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly asked why does the city not own the wate`r;wells, has it been like this historically.
Council Member Clark commented since the founding fathers.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly asked.that he would like to see an ordinance regarding organizations that use city
facilities for free to have the ; C "y name represented. For example the Monterey park Angels use city
facilities and they are using the ,name Monterey Park.
Council MemberArmenta'stated that she spoke to Mr. Rubino, and under their non - profit their title says
Monterey Park Angels and'in December theyare supposed to change that.
Mayor Pro Tem.Ly stated that the Lady Hawks gave some pens to Counnil and they noted Rosemead
California. He was proud that the,Lady Hawks use city facilities and represent Rosemead.
Council MemberArmenta stated'that the Lady Hawks do not have a non -profit number because it's a very
small team and so they hav @jdpay.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly asked if the city gave them a waiver.
Council Member Armenta replied no, not for non - profit. they are paying and staff should look into.
Unfortunately, since the founding fathers have left Mr. Quezada is the only person holding the team together;
he does not have the time nor the means to get the non -profit and thereforehas to pay. Ms Armenta stated
that she has seen the banner they take everywhere and it says Lady Hawkes Rosemead California. Just
because they do not have a non -profit number they are required to pay for city facilities.
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 60 of 62
Mayor Pro Tem Ly stated that he was on a Metro meeting and they have a bus service sector for the San
Gabriel Valley, a committee which he sits on to represent Rosemead, Monterey Park, and Montebello. An
issue they spoke about is eliminating one of those lines, 177 which connects Pasadena. The representaives
from La Canada and Sierra Madre fought on that and basicallyby delaying implementation of tha line cut,
Metro has said there will be service cuts; one of those lines that they are talking about for service cuts is line
70 which brings everyone from El Monte Transit Village to Union Station via Garvey. This will have a
significant impact to out communities.
Mayor Taylor suggested that this be brough for dicussion in a future meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly commended parks and recreation staff and Mr. Montgomery -Scott for their work on the
911 ceremony and 5k run. Also asked staff to look into some needed asphalt repairs that need
improvements.
Council Member Armenta thanked Mr. Montgomery -Scott fora'well organized event and thanked staff,
Sheriffs department and UFC for partnering for the event. Also asked staff to bring back thediscussion
regarding the Lady Hawks, they are not a non - profit organization and they, are a team that represents the city
of Rosemead.
Council Member Low congratulated Mr. Montgomery -Scott and staff forthe event.
Council Member Clark commended staff for the even and.loved the t- shirts . . ; --;
Mayor Taylor asked staff if they got a Governors Tax reform proposal the rest of the Council recived this?
Mayor Taylor stated it was disturbing,what is the sale,tax`between Rosemead and El Monte.
Assistant City Manager, Hawkesworth ' replied they are both different one.
Mayor Taylor asked how does the State say they are going of cut the sale tax.
Assistant City Manager-Hawkesvv rth. stated that out of our 9.75 percent, the Stated percentage of that is the
5 percent.,They get 5 percentof the 9.75.percent, and the city gets 1 percent.
Mayor Taylor stated that we voted to get the transit tax refunded to the cities; and asked if we have a tax like
that we voted on Mr. Taylor asked for more information regarding Measure R.
City Manager Allred clarified that its Measure R .
Assistant City Manager Hawkesworth stated that our of the 9.75 percent, the city gets 1 percent, the State
gets 5 percent and the rest of it is the portion to various areas like Prop A, Prop C, Measure R is an
assesment on that, the County gets some of the sales tax.
Mayor Taylor asked for a memo from staff clarifying with more information
Assistant City Manager Hawkesworth asked it Council wanted a memo on how the 9.75 pecent sales tax is
broken up for Rosemead.
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 61 of 62
Mayor Taylor replied ask far as how we get 1 percent cash bacl for the city. Mr. Taylor spoke about the
Governors proposal to start taxing all services. Reading that the Governor proposal states, "accomodations
and related" such as hotels, that's were we have a ten percent transit occupancy tax, he wants to add that.
On utilities, we don of have that and now thei want to charge on the water, gas, phone, electric on top of
everybody's State water, not just Rosemead. There are 25 items that they want to start taxing and also
telecommunications, like cable television, satellite television. House hold services they would start taxing ten
percent as well as health care.
Council Member Clark if Prop 26 would stop that.
Mayor Pro Tem Ly stated that healthcare would include doctor visits.
Mayor Taylor stated that they want to add sales tax on that and people will not spend thousands of dollar
going to the doctor. Mr. Taylor continued reading on what other sales tax .for services are being proposed in
the Governor's proposal.
Council Member Low asked what would wouncil want- totdo:with the information.
Mayor Taylor asked that to find out where is the status of the proposal is at and also asked what is going on
with the governors budget and the hig hspeed,rail.
Assistant City Manager Hawkesworth spoke to Michael Culman, who is the.financial and fiscal analysis for
the League will meet on Friday and they will be talking about this issue.
Mayor Taylor stated that there is a lawsuit going on for freedom of Information Act with the Limberg News,
Bank of America, Wells Farg nk
o, Citi Baand other two that they issue funds out for their debt of $12 trillion
and are being sued. It's a refence point on what is going 6n and ask that staff find out what they can and
.. n ...,
bring it back.
11. ADJOURNMENT —
The meeting adjourned at 10:57 p.m. The next regular joint Community Development Commission, the
Rosemead Financing Authority, and City Council meeting is scheduled to take place on September 28, 2010
at 6:00 p.m. and7:00 p.m., respectively. !
1`
ATTEST:
Gloria Molleda, City Clerk
Gary Taylor
Mayor
Rosemead City Council, Community Development Commission, and Housing Development Corporation Joint Meeting
Minutes of September 14, 2010
Page 62 of 62