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CC - Item 7A - Minutes 3-9-11Minutes of the City Council Special Meeting March 9, 2011 The special meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to order by Mayor Taylor at 6:33 p.m. in the Rosemead City Council Chamber located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. FLAG SALUTE: Council Member Low INVOCATION: Mayor Taylor PRESENT: Mayor Taylor, Mayor Pro Tern Ly, Council Members STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Allred, City Attorney Community Development Director Wong, Director of Fi Montgomery- Scott, Economic Development Manager f Clerk Molleda 1. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE- None 2. PRESENTATIONS ® Childhood Cancer Awareness Safe Public Safety Coordinator Wong spoke about the uniting the community in creating a,safe healthyc programs and activities. Mayor Taylor read and presented a 3. CITY L11 January 11, 2011 — Regular Meeting City Manae or of Parks ;s Director City Communities Month, which focuses on iment with a series of community base Month Proclamation to Public Safety Coordinator D. Access to Rosemead Park/Aquatics Facility Parking Lot The Traffic Commission reviewed a request to review traffic conditions and access at the Rosemead Park /Aquatics Facility off of Mission Drive. Residents in this area have expressed concerns that it is difficult for vehicles to exit the lot back onto westbound Mission Drive during peak travel times (before and after school times). Due to the heavy vehicle and Rosemead City Council Special Meeting Minutes of March 9, 2011 Page 1 of 8 pedestrian traffic, vehicles are significantly delayed from exiting the Park parking lot. After visiting the site, it was recommended that "Keep Clear" pavement markings with limit lines in the westbound travel lanes be installed. Limit lines for the "Keep Clear" markings will be located in the westbound travel lanes at the west driveway of the Park parking lot. The Commission also recommended that a left turn restriction be added at this location during peak travel hours. Recommendation: That the City Council approve the recommendations and authorize staff to install "Keep C turn restriction at the west driveway of the Rosemead F Mayor Pro Tem Steven Ly made a motion, seconded by Consent Calendar items A and D. Vote resulted in: Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly, No: None Abstain: None Absent: None B. Finance Department Travel It is important for Finance Departmen to stay abreast of current rules, practi management. The primary source of Finance` Officer's Association (GFOA) it markings and a left Facility parking lot. to approve ff to receive continuing professional education and and requirements of government finance training is through attendance at the Government ival conference. attendance at the GFOA Annual — asked that the Finance Manager. acquire new information on how to manage the Mayor Pro Tern Steven Ly made a motion, seconded by Council Member Sandra Armenta to approve the attendance to the GFOA Annual Conference by the Director of Finance and the Finance Manager. Vote resulted in: Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly, Taylor No: None Abstain: None Absent: None Rosemead City Council Special Meeting Minutes ofMarch 9, 2011 Page 2 of 8 C. Authority to Attend National League of Cities 2011 Annual Congressional City Conference — March 12.16, 2011 — Washington, DC The City Council will consider approval of the National League of Cities 2011 Annual Congressional City Conference and meetings with federal legislators regarding continued funding for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Program, Gold Line Light Rail Extension, Alameda Corridor East (ACE), etc. Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the Council Member, and the City Manager or staff designee Mr. Nunez - asked if staff would be attending a conference City Manager Allred explained that the conference will continued funding for different programs like CDBG, H programs. Mayor Taylor asked if discussions would include the California Mayor Pro Tom ly expressed that delegates attending the and legislators about the concerns with high speed rail. Council Member Armenta stated that Council high speed rail. Mayor Taylor sugge: to the high speed rail Mayor Pro Tom the attendance of Armenta, None Rail issue. City expense, any regarding the to Congresswoman Judy Chu make sure they discuss the fiber Clark and Council Member Armenta take documents relating as records. , seconded by Council Member Sandra Armenta to authorize Cities 2011 Annual Congressional City Conference at City Ly, Taylor 4. MATTERS FROM CITY MANAGER & STAFF A. Budget Development Workplan for 2011 -12 Fiscal Year In January of each year, staff begins working on the development of the July 1 — June 30 fiscal year budget. For the past several years we have begun the development process with a projected shortfall due to stagnant or declining revenues and increasing expenditures. The development of the 2011 -12 Budget is no different, and initial projections show a shortfall of with federal Id Line Exte Rosemead City Council Special Meeting Minutes ofMarch 9, 2011 Page 3 of 8 approximately $800,000. To further compound the budget development work this year, the Governor has also proposed the elimination of Redevelopment Agencies which would also negatively affect Rosemead. If eliminated, the City would lose approximately $1.25 million in funds currently used for economic development programs and infrastructure improvements throughout the project area. Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file this report. No formal action is required. City Manager Allred reviewed the staff report. Mr. Nunez — suggested money should not be spent if it's not City Council received and filed the report. 5. MATTERS FROM MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL A. Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Use of Rosemead Communitv Center. the lifornia Request to Waive Fees for On February 17, 2011, representatives from the Asian Pacific Legal Center (APALC) of Southern California, a non - profit organization located in Los Angeles, submitted a request for the use of several rooms and the kitchen at the Rosemead Community Center. The Center would like to host a+ +Citizenship Application Workshop for area residents on Saturday, March 26, 2011 from 8:00`a.m, to 5:00 p.m APALC is requesting that fees for the use be waived. Recommendation: That the City Council provide direction regarding the Asian Pacific Legal Center of Southern California's request for a fee - waived use of the Rosemead Community - expressed Director of Mayor Taylor Director of Parks and Recre, staff cost or loss of revenue. in order for the City to recover cost, organizations should pay to use city reviewed staff report. was going to cost to waive the fees for APALC. Montgomery -Scoff replied it would cost $1,715 in facility use and $225 in Mayor Pro Tem Ly asked for clarification on what other organizations would be co- hosting the APALC event. Director of Parks and Recreation Montgomery -Scott replied both Congresswoman Chu's office and Assembly Member Eng's office indicated in a letter they would co -host the event along with Asian Pacific Clinics, Rosemead City Council Special Meeting Minutes of March 9, 2011 Page 4 of 8 Mayor Pro Tem Ly asked who submitted the application to request for a facility use fee waiver. Also added, that the Asian Pacific Clinics were already using the rooms the same day. Director of Parks and Recreation Montgomery -Scott stated the application was submitted by APALC and staff received letters from Congresswoman Judy Chu and Assembly member Eng's office indicating that they would be co- hosting the event. Asian Pacific Clinics booked two rooms from 9 a.m. till 3 p.m. and APALC would like to balance by using one of their rooms. Council Member Clark asked if two staff members would be working both Director of Parks and Recreation Montgomery -Scott replied that and supervising the entire facility and both events. Council Member Low commented the event benefits both Council Member Armenta asked if the event was community. Mark Yoshita — staff attorney with the Asian Pacific American to everyone in the community. Council Member Armenta asked how other Mr. Yoshita — replied Mayor Taylor asked what is the general a Council Mr. Yoshita - how information times nI staff members working or only to , clarified that the event is opened the event. major newspapers. the Citizenship Application Workshops and are held about ten times a year and it would be the first time held in 1 100 applicants. shou waive the facility use fee to all organizations. applicants would pay any fees to participate in the workshop. is completely free to all attendees. Council MemberArmenta reiterated that APALC is hosting a free event to assist residents who may not be able to afford or know how to apply for citizenship and is in support in waiving the facility use fees. Mayor Pro Tem Ly stated that the fee waiver request is well within the city's policy. Mayor Taylor inquired about the amount of times the organization has hosted Citizenship Application Workshops and other locations. Rosemead City Council Special Meeting Minutes (?/'March Q 2011 Page 5 of 8 Mr. Yoshita — replied that depending on the immigration landscape they host about 20 to 30 and it has decrease due to cost. He stated that APALC has held workshops in Senators' Correa's office in Orange County and mainly in their office in downtown Los Angeles. Mayor Taylorexpressed that he would not like to see the city's fee waived policy be taken advantage of and supports the nature of this event. Brian Lewin — suggested noticing the Citizenship Application Workshop event on the city's website. Mayor Pro Tem Steven Ly made a motion, seconded by Council Member Sandra Armenta to approve the fee waiver for a facility use of the Rosemead Community Recreation Center. Vote resulted in: Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly, Taylor No: None Abstain: None Absent: None Mayor Pro Tem Ly reported that he attended a High Speed Rail Authority meeting in downtown Los Angeles and stated he spoke in opposition to the rail going through the 1 -10 freeway if it caused any eminent domain of homes in Rosemead. He expressed concerns with the vertical alignment of the aerial structure and the transparency of their process. Mayor Taylor added that the spokes person of the consultant stated that the rail would be in the median but not on the grade. Mayor Pro Tem Ly stated that the Authority did not talk about where the grade would be at and if a station ended up in the City of El Monte the rail would stay within the median. Mr. Ly also spoke about the city's budget and the different programs in Parks and Recreation; He asked that an ad -hoc sub - committee be formed for the next meetino. City Manager Allred clarified that the sub - committee would not need to be a separate agendized item if it Mayor Pro Tern Ly reiterated that the sub - committee would focus on Parks and Recreation department only and nominated Council Member Armenta to sit on the board. City Manager Allred clarified that the Council Sub - committee would only provide guidance and suggestions to staff during budget preparation. Mayor Taylorclarified that Mayor Pro Tem Ly and Council Member Armenta would sit on the sub - committee. Mr. Taylor asked for clarification on a four page document given to council by staff. City Manager Allred explained that staff conducted four brainstorming meetings that allowed employees to base their opinions and ideas to help with the city's budget deficit. Staff would then explore the ideas before proposing any recommendations to Council. Rosemead City Council Special Meeting Minutes of March 9, 2011 Page 6 of 8 Mayor Taylor suggested that the cost of some ideas recommended be included in the report. Council Member Clark expressed concern on ideas that would hurt residents, and that was not worth the cost. Mayor Taylor asked for an explanation of a previous claims and demands charge of $11,000 for piano lessons offered at the Garvey Center. Director of Parks and Recreation Montgomery -Scott explained that the instructor teaches about a dozen classes for up to six weeks, all ages, and attendees vary from six to twenty, students at a time. He added that the registration cost was $260, the instructor retains 70 percent and the city retains 30 percent of the registration cost; Mr. Montgomery -Scott added that the instructor gets paid on a quarterly basis and that would explain the large amount paid of $11,000. Council Member Clark asked for clarification on the nature of the the City has the best Parks and Recreation department and was c Mrs. Clark stated that she would not accept to cut programs to res save money. Mayor Pro Tem ly stated that his philosophy v a robust recreation program. He added that his consolidation of senior programs that had been Council Member Clarl working or not working. the Council Member Low City nittee in discussion. She felt that about the morale of the staff. tare funded by tax payers just to of Parks and Recreation has been to have ontroversial`items or situations like the the Director on what programs are city attorney was not in attendance for the discussion. no legal matters and only two council members would sit on the ;d item of the development budget work plan. that once a week a'report be brought back with feedback to the City Council. Mayor Pro Tem Lyasked that the item be agendized for the next council meeting to allow newly appointed Council Member Alarcon to participate in the sub - committee formation. Council MemberArmenta suggested that Council Member Clark take her place in the sub - committee. She reiterated that the sub - committee was not created to bash the Parks and Recreation department but to take in recommendations and see what the City needs. Council Member Clark stated that she didn't see the need to form a sub - committee when there could be a dialogue with the head departments and discuss it at council meetings. Mayor Pro Tem Ly expressed that if a sub - committee was formed before the idea of consolidating senior programs, the issue would have gone smoother; he asked that the item be agendized for the next meeting. Rosemead City Council Special Meeting Minutes of March 9, 2077 Page 7 of 8 Council Member Low commended the City Clerk for the election held March 8, 2011; however expressed concern with the polling locations. Mrs. Low stated that the Community College District and the City held separate elections and separate polling locations and residents were not happy with that. She directed staff to look into the cost of consolidating polling and ballots for future elections. Council Member Clark agreed with Mrs. Low about consolidating polling locations but not consolidating ballots. Council MemberArmenta congratulated Council Member Low for her reappointment to the City Council and welcomed newly elected Council Member Alarcon to the City Council. 6. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.The next regular joint Community Development Commission and City Council meeting is scheduled to take place on March 22, 2011 at 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., respectively. Mayor ATTEST: Gloria Molleda City Rosemead City Council Special Meeting Minutes of March Q 2011 Page 8 of 8