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CC - Minutes - 03-09-11Minutes 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 Armenia, Clark and Low STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Allred, City Attorney Richman, Assistant City Manager Hawkesworth, Community Development Director Wong, Director of Finance Brisco, Director of Parks and Recreation Montgomery- Scott, Economic Development Manager Ramirez, Public Works Director Marcarello, and City Clerk Molleda PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE - None 2. PRESENTATIONS • Childhood Cancer Awareness Week • Safe Communities Month Public Safety Coordinator Wong spoke about the purpose of Safe Communities Month, which focuses on uniting the community in creating a safe healthy crime free environment with a series of community base programs and activities. Mayor Taylor read and presented a Safe Communities Month Proclamation to Public Safety Coordinator Wong. 3. CITY COUNCIL CONSENT CALENDAR A. Minutes January 11, 2011 — Regular Meeting 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 Traffic Commission's recommendations and authorize staff to install "Keep Clear' pavement markings and a left turn restriction at the west driveway of the Rosemead Park/Aquatics Facility parking lot. Mayor Pro Tern Steven Ly made a motion, seconded by Council Member Sandra Armenta to approve Consent Calendar items A and D. Vote resulted in: Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly, Taylor No: None Abstain: None Absent: None B. Finance Department Travel Request It is important for Finance Department staff to receive continuing professional education and to stay abreast of current rules, practices and requirements of government finance management. The primary source of that training is through attendance at the Government Finance Officer's Association (GFOA) annual conference. Recommendation: That the City Council approve attendance at the GFOA Annual Conference by the Director of Finance and the Finance Manager. Juan Nunez — asked that staff attending the conference acquire new information on how to manage the City's finances. Mayor Pro Tem 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 of March 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 attendance at City expense, any Council Member, and the City Manager or staff designee. Mr. Nunez - asked if staff would be attending a conference relating to the transit line. City Manager Allred explained that the conference will include meetings with federal legislators regarding the continued funding for different programs like CDBG, Home program, Gold Line Extension and other programs. Mayor Taylor asked if discussions would include the California High Speed Rail issue Mayor Pro Tern Ly expressed that delegates attending the conference will talk to Congresswoman Judy Chu and legislators about the concerns with high speed rail. Council Member Armenta stated that Council Member Clark and herself would make sure they discuss the high speed rail. Mayor Taylor suggested that Council Member Clark and Council Member Armenta take documents relating to the high speed rail discussion to submit as records. Mayor Pro Tern Steven Ly made a motion, seconded by Council Member Sandra Armenta to authorize the attendance of the National League of Cities 2011 Annual Congressional City Conference at City expense. Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly, Taylor No: None Abstain: None Absent: None 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 Rosemead City Council Special Meeting Minutes of March 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 available at the moment. City Council received and filed the report. 5. MATTERS FROM MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL A. Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California Request to Waive Fees for Use of Rosemead Community Center. 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 Center. Mr. Nunez — expressed concern that in order for the City to recover cost, organizations should pay to use city facilities. Director of Parks and Recreation Montgomery-Scott reviewed staff report. Mayor Taylor asked how much it was going to cost to waive the fees for APALC. Director of Parks and Recreation Montgomery-Scott replied it would cost $1,715 in facility use and $225 in staff cost or loss of revenue. 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 events. Director of Parks and Recreation Montgomery-Scott replied that there would be two staff members working and supervising the entire facility and both events. Council Member low commented the event benefits both the residents and surrounding areas. Council Member Armenta asked if the event was targeted to other ethnicities or only to the Asian community. Mark Yoshita — staff attorney with the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, clarified that the event is opened to everyone in the community. Council Member Armenta asked how other ethnicities were being notified about the event Mr. Yoshita — replied APALC published information in all the surrounding major newspapers. Mayor Taylor asked Mr. Yoshita how many times APALC holds the Citizenship Application Workshops and what is the general attendance. Mr. Yoshita — stated that the workshops are held about ten times a year and it would be the first time held in Rosemead and hoped to target more than 100 applicants. Mr. Nunez — reiterated that the City should not waive the facility use fee to all organizations. Council Member Armenta asked if applicants would pay any fees to participate in the workshop. Mr. Yoshita - stated that the event 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 of March 9, 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 Taylor expressed 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 meeting. City Manager Allred clarified that the sub - committee would not need to be a separate agendized item if it involved the budget development discussion. Mayor Pro Tem 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 Taylor clarified 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 sub - committee in discussion. She felt that the City has the best Parks and Recreation department and was concerned about the morale of the staff. Mrs. Clark stated that she would not accept to cut programs to residents that are funded by tax payers just to save money. Mayor Pro Tem Ly stated that his philosophy with the department of Parks and Recreation has been to have a robust recreation program. He added that his goal was to avoid controversial items or situations like the consolidation of senior programs that had been previously discussed. Council Member Clark suggested that the information should come from the Director on what programs are working or not working. Council Member Low commented that the city attorney was not in attendance for the discussion. City Manager Allred stated that there were no legal matters and only two council members would sit on the sub - committee which includes the agendized item of the development budget work plan. Mayor Taylor suggested that once a week a report be brought back with feedback to the City Council. Mayor Pro Tem Ly asked 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 Member Armenta 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, 2011 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 Member Armenta 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. n Ly, Mayor ATTEST: Gloria Molleda City Clerk Rosemead City Council Special Meeting Minutes of March 9, 2011 Page 8 of 8 STATE. OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS. CITY OF ROSEMEAD ) I, Gloria Molleda, City Clerk for the Rosemead City, do hereby certify that the minutes from March 9, 2011, were duly and regularly approved and adopted by the Rosemead City Council on the 27th of September 2011, by the following vote to wit: Yes: Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly, No: None Abstain: Alarcon Absent: None A ) A a � ` Y 0. Gloria Molleda City Clerk