CC - Minutes - 09-25-12Minutes of the
City Council Meeting
September 25, 2012
The regular meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to order by Mayor Armenta at 7:01 p.m. in the
Rosemead City Council Chamber located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Council Member Clark
INVOCATION: Council Member Ly
PRESENT: Mayor Armenta, Mayor Pro Tern Low, Council Members Alarcon, Clark, and Ly
STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Allred, City Attorney Richman, Assistant City Manager Hawkesworth,
Community Development Director Ramirez, Director of Parks and Recreation Montgomery- Scott, Public
Works Director Marcarello, and City Clerk Molleda
1. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
Ron Esquivel — thanked the City Council and staff for installing crosswalks near schools and protecting the
public.
2. PRESENTATION
Ladyhawks recognition for their participation in the Triple Crown World Series in
Nevada and in the USSSA Nationals in West Covina.
Ladyhawk members were not in attendance to accept their certificate of appreciation.
National Voter Registration Day Proclamation.
Mayor Armenta presented a proclamation to City Clerk Molleda proclaiming National Voter Registration Day.
Mayor Pro Tom Low asked if residents could drop off their voter registrations to City Hall because of
concerns that the County Registrar office may not receive all registrations.
City Clerk Gloria Molleda replied that residents can drop -off registrations at City Hall and staff will forward
them to the County Registrar Recorders office. Residents can check their status online after two weeks of
mailing their registrations or can contact the City Clerk's office for verification.
• Savannah Memorial Park
Mayor Armenta presented a proclamation to Savannah Memorial Park Cemetery for obtaining California's
Historical Landmark status.
Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes of September 25, 2012
Page 1 of 10
Joe Castillo — President of El Monte Cemetery Association, thanked City Council and staff for their support in
obtaining the historical landmark status. Mr. Castillo invited the City Council and the public to their fundraising
Spirit Festival event taking place on September 29, 2012.
3. CONSENT CALENDAR
A. Minutes
April 24, 2012 — Regular Meeting
B. Claims and Demands
• Resolution No. 2012 — 53
Recommendation: to approve Resolution No. 2012 — 53 entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROSEMEAD ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS
IN THE SUM OF $688,967.23 NUMBERED 78621 THROUGH
78764 INCLUSIVELY
C. Ordinance No. 923 — Second Reading: Zone Change 12 -01 and Conditional Use Permit
12 -01— 7850 Garvey Avenue and 2743 Strathmore Avenue
On September 11, 2012, the City Council introduced Ordinance No. 923, approving Zone
Change 12 -01, changing the zoning classification of 2743 Strathmore Avenue from Parking
to Medium Commercial (APN: 5284- 038 -002). Ordinance No. 923 is now before Council at
the required second reading for adoption.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt at its second reading, Ordinance No. 923,
entitled:
A ORDINANCE OF THE ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROSEMEAD CALIFORNIA, APPROVING ZONE
CHANGE 12 -01 CHANGING THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION
OF 2743 STRATHMORE AVENUE FROM P (PARKING) T C -3
(MEDIUM COMMERCIAL), LOCATED 2743 STRATHMORE
AVENUE (APN:5284- 038 -002)
Item 3D was deferred to the meeting of October 9, 2012.
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Minutes of September 25, 2012
Page 2 of 10
D. Resolution Supporting Creation of San Gabriel Mountains National Recreation Area
The San Gabriel Mountains Forever campaign is requesting that the City Council adopt a
resolution in support of the creation of a San Gabriel Mountains National Recreation Area.
This designation would provide the San Gabriel Mountains with increased attention and
resources in order to improve recreational opportunities for residents and further
conservation efforts.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve Resolution No. 2012 -54, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROSEMEAD SUPPORTING THE CREATION OF A
SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
E. Safe Routes to School Project — Resolution No. 2012 -55 Authorizing City Staff to
Execute an Agreement with the State of California for the Reimbursement of Funds
As part of the City's Fiscal Year 2011 -12 Capital Improvement Program, the City Council
approved a project titled, "Safe Routes to School Program ". The program involves traffic
safety and traffic calming enhancements at six (6) local schools: Emerson Elementary,
Garvey Intermediate, Willard Elementary, Bitely Elementary, Sanchez Elementary, and
Temple Intermediate. The bulk of this project is funded through the State of California Safe
Route to School Program, with a total approved grant of $450,000.
The project was approved by the City Council on June 26, 2012 and work is currently
underway. Improvements include the installation of new safety traffic striping, traffic signage,
speed feedback signs, curb bulb -outs, in- pavement crossing lightings, and traffic signal
modifications.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve Resolution No. 2012 -55, entitled:
A RESOLUTION OF THE ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ROSEMEAD AUTHORIZING STAFF TO EXECUTE
THE PROGRAM SUPPLEMENT AGREEMENT NO. OJ22, FOR
SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL, CYCLE 9, PROJECT NO.
SR2SL -5358 (013) BETWEEN THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD AND
THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Council Member Steven Ly made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Polly Low to approve the
Consent Calendar with the exception of item D. Vote resulted in:
Yes: Alarcon, Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes of September 25, 2012
Page 3 of 10
4. MATTERS FROM CITY MANAGER & STAFF
A. Adoption of the City of Rosemead Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan
The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act mandates that local governments implement programs to
plan for pre- disaster mitigation, to streamline the administration of disaster relief, to control
the federal costs of disaster assistance, and for other purposes.
This Act requires all state, local, and tribal governments to develop and submit a local hazard
mitigation plan as a condition of receiving Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding
and public assistance following a disaster. Development of the Plan is in accordance with
Strategy 6 of the City's Strategic Plan ( "Increase the City's level of Emergency
Preparedness ") and corresponding action items.
Recommendation: That the City Council adopt the City of Rosemead Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan.
City Manager Allred stated that staff prepared the Emergency Operations Plan, Facility Emergency Action
Plan, and the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, which would be merged to a main binder.
Public Safety Coordinator Mandy Wong reviewed the staff report.
Council Member Steven Ly made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Polly Low to approve the
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. Vote resulted in:
Yes: Alarcon, Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
B. Award of Contracts — Adult Basketball and Softball
During the budget meetings in May of this year, City Council authorized contracting
Rosemead's adult sports services. This is consistent with the fourth of five "Guiding
Principles for Fiduciary Responsibility ", as incorporated in Rosemead's Strategic Plan 2012-
13, which states, "when in doubt, contract out ".
Request for Proposals (RFP) were solicited for total operations of our adult basketball and
adult softball programs. We received three responses for adult basketball services and two
for adult softball services. Staff reviewed each proposal for completeness, understanding of
the scope of work, relevant experience, demonstrated ability to conduct all league
operations, and program fees. Additionally, reference checks were conducted for those firms
deemed most qualified in each of the two service categories:
Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes of September 25, 2012
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Adult Basketball — Southland Sports Association
Southland has been operating for nine years and currently runs similar
adult basketball programs for the cities of Glendora, Rancho
Cucamonga, Arcadia, and Baldwin Park. They have the demonstrated
ability to operate every aspect of Rosemead's adult basketball leagues.
The cities they currently serve report no significant issues and
consistently rate their performance at score of 9 out of 10.
o Participant fees will remain at current levels.
Adult Softball —Major League Softball (MLS)
o MLS has been serving southern California cities since 1986 and
currently provides similar adult softball programs to 29 cities including
Claremont, Covina, Duarte, and Pasadena. In addition to offering
softball leagues, MLS offers extensive ball field maintenance services.
MLS is highly recommended by all of the cities to which staff spoke.
o Participant fees will be similar to those currently paid by league
participants.
Recommendation: That the City Council award the adult basketball program contract to
Southland Sports Association and the adult softball program contract be awarded to Major
League Softball and that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute each
contract in a form approved by the City Attorney.
Parks and Recreation Director David Montgomery-Scott reviewed the staff report.
Council Member Ly commended staff for their concept on, "When in doubt, contract out" in regards to
contracting for adult sport programs.
Mayor Armenta asked how much money the City saves to continue providing the same services to the
community.
Parks and Recreation Director Montgomery-Scott replied the city will save on staff time cost; for example on
score keepers and event supervision of facilities. He explained that the City would gain a percentage of
revenues based on team participation in each league.
City Manager Allred added that the City would also save on workers compensation claims and unemployment
insurance cost.
Council Member Alarcon asked where the softball games would be played and when would they start
playing.
Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes of September 25, 2012
Page 5 of 10
Parks and Recreation Director Montgomery-Scott replied that most games will be played at Rosemead Park
or the sport complex and all games run quarterly.
Mayor Pro Tern Polly Low made a motion, seconded by Council Member Steven Ly to approve the
adult basketball program contract with Southland Sports Association and the adult softball program
contract with Major League Softball. Vote resulted in:
Yes: Alarcon, Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
C. Stray Cat Drop -Off Fee
A resident who routinely traps stray cats and drops them off to the Public Safety Center has
complained about the City's stray cat drop -off fee of $10. This fee provides the City with only
partial cost recovery of the average cost of $120 to $140 that the City pays to the Los
Angeles County Animal Shelter to accept, house, feed and in most cases euthanize the cats.
The resident argues that the costs paid to the County by the City are covered by the taxes
that he pays, which is not accurate.
Recommendation: That the City Council uphold the existing $10 stray cat drop -off fee as
partial cost recovery of charges by the Los Angeles County Animal Shelter.
City Manager Allred reviewed the staff report.
Council Member Ly inquired about the $120 per cat fee that Los Angeles County Animal Shelter charges
the City. He asked if Rosemead residents were charged that fee in return.
City Manager Allred replied that the animal shelter does not charge residents to drop -off a cat at their facility;
however, the shelter does charge cities to bring in cats.
Council Member Ly suggested that residents can directly drop -off a cat to the animal shelter to avoid paying
the city's drop -off fee.
Chief of Police Tim Murakami explained that the City saves on cost of staff time when a Rosemead resident
directly drops -off a cat to the shelter. However, the City gets billed for the housing, feeding, medication and
maybe euthanizing of the cat that was dropped -off by a Rosemead resident.
Council Member Clark expressed concern with having to charge residents $10 for dropping off a cat. She
explained that the City was not recouping any net cost. She stated residents were doing a service to the
community by dropping off stray cats; there are issues of animal diseases and the spread of typhus. Mrs.
Clark made a motion to not charge residents for the stray cat drop -off fee.
Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes of September 25, 2012
Page 6 of 10
Council Member Ly stated that over the past 50 years the Los Angeles County has had 10 to 15 reported
annual cases of typhus spreading, which is a flea problem in animals.
Council Member Clark reiterated that by charging a fee it is a disservice and a negative connotation to the
residents and restated her motion to not charge the fee.
Mayor Armenta asked for a second motion. There being no second, motion died on the floor.
Juan Nunez — asked if an owner of a cat picks up their cat will they get $10 back.
City Manager Allred replied no, because cats that are drop -off to the Public Safety Center are then
transferred to the Baldwin Park Animal Shelter, which the city pays the processing fee for.
Council Member Clark inquired about in -house animal control services and how long animals are detained
by the city.
City Manager Allred explained that the city has an in -house animal control service but no shelter for animals;
therefore, they are taken to the Baldwin Park Animal Shelter.
Assistant City Manager Hawkesworth stated that animal control staff holds an animal for 24 hours at a
temporary facility and then they are transported to Baldwin Park's animal shelter.
Council Member Clark asked if residents have been notified in the City's newsletter that if their cat is lost to
call the Public Safety Center.
Assistant City Manager Hawkesworth explained that Baldwin Park's animal shelter refers residents to the
Public Safety Center. Many residents do call Public Safety Center or City Hall for animal control issues. Mr.
Hawkesworth stated that staff conducted extensive outreach to notify the community on animal control
services and staff could do additional outreach.
Council Member Steven Ly made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern Polly Low to uphold the
City's current cat pick up fee of $10. Vote resulted in:
Yes: Alarcon, Armenta, Low, Ly
No: Clark
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes of September 25, 2012
Page 7 of 10
5. MATTERS FROM MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL
A. City of Rosemead Chinese Name Standardization
On August 14, 2012, the City Council discussed the need to standardize the Chinese
transliteration used to identify Rosemead using the characters liffily (lu6 s7 mi). At that
time, the Council indicated its intent to adopt this Chinese transliteration but delayed final
action until September 25th in order to provide an opportunity for additional review and
comment by the community.
Recommendation: That the City Council approve KAM (lu6 sT mi) as the City of
Rosemead's standardized Chinese transliteration.
Nancy Eng — read a letter on behalf of resident Wendy Tsang, where she commended the City for
standardizing the Chinese characterization of the City name. Mrs. Eng, also commented that the writing of
Chinese characters has a symbolic meaning associated with them. She expressed support and stated the
characters will now flow better phonetically and symbolically. Mrs. Eng added that this gives a good image to
the City of Rosemead.
Mayor Pro Tern Low suggested using the Chinese character rou, meaning soft, because it is used in many
newspapers and television, versus what staff is proposing.
City Manager Allred clarified that staff is proposing the character rou in addition to the characters si mi.
Mayor Armenta inquired about the difference between the characters mi and mi.
Public Safety Coordinator Wong explained that the difference between mi and mi is pronunciation and
articulation.
Council Member Clark suggested deffering the item to another meeting in case there are people who may
want to speak on the item.
Council Member Ly stated that Mr. Jimmy Wang and Mr. Daniel Deng had expressed they did not want the
word honey in the name for Rosemead.
Council Member Low explained that there are two forms of Chinese writing, traditional and simplified.
Mayor Pro Tern Polly Low made a motion, seconded by Council Member Steven Ly to approve r6u si
mi (AWTM) as the City of Rosemead's standardized Chinese transliteration.
Yes: Alarcon, Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes of September 25, 2012
Page 8 of 10
B. Rosemead Municipal Code Section 17.104.080 — English Language Use on On- Premise
Signs
At the City Council Meeting of September 11, 2012, Council Member Ly requested that
Rosemead Municipal Code Section 17.104.080 — "English language use on on- premises
signs" be brought before the City Council for discussion.
Recommendation: That the City Council receive and file the report.
Community Development Director Michelle Ramirez reviewed the staff report
Council Member Ly stated that an article in the Los Angeles Time indicated that the City of Rosemead had
an ordinance requiring businesses to have English signs. He explained that the City only requires the type of
business and address containing Arabic numbers to be in English. The ordinance was approved over 20
years ago and the emphasis was for public safety reasons. Mr. Ly was concerned that some business
owners were told that their signs had to be in English only. He clarified that was untrue and unconstitutional.
Chief of Police Murakami explained that proper identification on businesses was necessary for safety reasons
because emergency responders may not understand a foreign language.
Council Member Ly asked staff what business owners are told when they apply for permits for their
business.
Community Development Director Ramirez replied that staff tells business owners exactly what the ordinance
states. They can have any language they desire on their sign; however, for safety and identification purposes
they need to include in English what type of business it is.
City Attorney Richman stated that a correction will be made on the title of the ordinance because the old title
was retained online which was adopted in 1990.
Council Member Ly asked City Attorney Richman if the City was sued over this issue if it would be
defensible in a court.
City Attorney Richman replied yes, it would be defensible in court.
City Manager Allred clarified that the change will be on the title of the ordinance approved in 1990 that will
state "Identification of Business Activity on On- Premise Signs' and not "English Language Use on On-
Premise Signs' which was inaccurate.
City Attorney Richman explained the City of Rosemead amended its code in 1990 to conform with the case
from the City of Pomona. The previous ordinance required fifty percent of a sign to be in English and at that
time a court ruled that was not compelling for safety reasons.
Juan Nunez — suggested that signs be in English.
Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes of September 25, 2012
Page 9 of 10
6. CLOSED SESSION
A. Conference with Legal Counsel — Anticipated Litigation
Government Code Section 54956.9 (b): 1 matter
Mayor Armenta recessed into Closed Session at 8:08 pm. The City Council reconvened back from closed
session at 8:36 p.m.
City Attorney Richman announced there was no reportable actions taken in closed session.
7. COMMENTS FROM THE CITY COUNCIL - NONE
B. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m. The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled to take place on
October 9, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
P.11r. W A,�.�t
Sandra Armenta
Mayor
ATTEST:
1� w
Gloria Molleda, City Clerk
Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting
Minutes of September 25, 2012
Page 10 of 10
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) SS.
CITY OF ROSEMEAD )
I, Gloria Molleda, City Clerk for the City of Rosemead, do hereby certify that the meeting
minutes from September 25, 2012, was duly and regularly approved and adopted by the
Rosemead City Council on the 26th of March 2013, by the following vote to wit:
Yes: Alarcon, Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly,
No: None
Abstain: None
Absent: None
,. an "«
Gloria Molleda
City Clerk