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CC - Item 5A - Minutes of September 24, 2013Minutes of the City Council Meeting September 24, 2013 The regular meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to order by Mayor Low at 6:01 p.m. in the Rosemead City Council Chamber located at 8838 East Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. PRESENT: Mayor Low, Mayor Pro Tern Alarcon, Council Members Armenta, ABSENT: None Mayor Polly Low recessed to Closed Session at 6:02 p.m. PLEDGE OF Director of Com of Public Works and Ly 01237757 (Barbara Lyle) Appointed Officials (City Manager) Council Members Armenta, Clark, and Ly 3, AIlred, City Attorney Richman, Assistant City Manager Hawkesworth, nent Ramirez, Director of Parks and Recreation Montgomery- Scott, Director City Clerk Molleda Mayor Polly Low reconvened the City Council meeting at 7.02 p.m. City Attorney Rachel Richman announced that the City Council unanimously voted to approve the City Manager's performance evaluation as "substantially exceeds expectations." Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of September 24, 2013 Page 1 of 11 Conference with Real Property Property Description: 9201 City Negotiator: Negotiating party: Under Negotiation: ITEM NO. _ 1;1 2. PUBLIC COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE Sue Yamamoto — introduced herself as the library manager of Rosemead Library. She then explained that they had some handouts for Council in regards to programs taking place at the Library, and also a book sale taking place at the end of the month. She then introduced the new Children's Assistant, Lin Lin. Lin Lin — stated that she grew up in Alhambra, and recently graduated from the University of North Texas with a Masters in Library Science. She then described some of the programs tha she has started at the Library. 3. PRESENTATIONS • In recognition of the Ladyhawks placing 31d i e'U§SSA W World Series, 2nd in the Las Cruces New Mexico, and Champio NSA Weste %, d Series. Ladyhawks were not present to receive certificates • National Preparedness Month Public Safety Coordinator Mandy Wong prese out National Pre ess Month and the "Get Ready Rosemead" campaign. Mayor Polly Low and C "tubers presente - rnation to celebrate National Preparedness Month. rM& Council Member Steven Lyre that Item C be'A¢ Ilriid from tfi sent Calendar for separate discussion. f 2013-53 to approve Resolution No. 2013 — 53 entitled: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS IN THE SUM OF $609,106.44 NUMBERED 82408 THROUGH 82527 INCLUSIVELY Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of September 24, 2013 Page 2 of 11 E. Council Men approve the Annual Cost Sharing Agreement with School Districts for Crossing Guard Services The City Council will consider authorization of partnership agreements with the Rosemead School District and the Garvey School District for crossing guard services for the current fiscal year. Funds to cover the City's share of the annual costs, which total approximately $55,000, are contained in the City's 2013 -14 Fiscal Year Budget. Recommendation: That the City Council authorize the X,y pr to execute agreements with the Rosemead School District and the ool District as equal partners in funding the crossing guard services for the 2 al Year. Rosemead Downtown Plaza Project— As part of the City's Fiscal Year 2013 -14 approved the "Rosemead Downtown P space between City Hall and the Library an area. The project will include new, decorative water features. The plaza w' I complement ex completed in spring 2012. It ed that once the t completed, it will become a valuable community resource ition of se tin and space for public events. Th rojed through redevelopment agency and is listen the ; ` s ,' gency recognized obligation payment schedA, "r Reco dation t the City Cou il: a. toye the p s and specifica for the Rosemead Downtown Plaza Project; uthorize t nto an agreement with E.C. Construction in the of $1, 5.34 subje t o t he approval of a license agreement with the County of Lo les fo = ons ruction and operation of the Downtown Plaza. In addition, authoriz moun 1,930.80 (15 %) as a contingency to cover the cost of unforesee pstr expenses; made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tern William Alarcon to th the exception of Item C. Vote resulted in: Yes: Alan, Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly No: No e Abstain: None Absent: None Improvement Progra" City Council of ". pproject is design"TO hiprove the #e a for public use in, downtown oproved landscape, and multiple lot improvements that were interactive water features, d proceeds from the former ,4 Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of September 24, 2013 Page 3 of 11 C. Modifications to Mission Statement for Rosemead Public Safety Connections The City Council will consider a recommendation to expand the scope of the mission statement for Rosemead Public Safety CONNECTIONS. In addition to its original purpose of preventing crime by combating the impacts of alcohol and drug abuse, the CONNECTIONS forum recommends expansion of the mission statement to include advocacy for emergency preparedness, positive recreation and community opportunities, and coordination with community organizations engaged in human and social services The proposed restated the mission statement is as follows. The mission of Rosemead Public Safety • Serve as community "think tank" prevent crime and to combat di • Develop and promote positive community service oppo ' I • Coordinate with organizations' to promote a healthy community; • Promote and encourage emerge on ways to wholesome and for yotl people and thetftptlids: ddressman and social ices needs Recommendation: That the Policy No. 50 -07 for the Roseml Put the mission statement., Council Member Steven x that he agr would like to change Po';, 0 -07 to • de Council's III current) states that thesigna the chair, but Y decision. by all community members. approve the visions to City Council �af�ty CONNE . S expanding the scope of the reormmendations and suggestions, but al of the Chair. He further explained that it puld like for Council to be able to approve this Council M 6 en�� lained tha�'`i� says only appointed by Mayor because it is called a Mayor's ointment. S r exp that it has always had that wording since the inception of the CONNMM4ONS Forum. Council Me argaret Cie stated that while all appointments are technically Mayor's appointments, the Council alw etpproves the pointments, therefore she agrees with Council Member Ly's motion. Council Member Ly— iith Council Member Clark and stated that it has always been tradition for the Mayor to recommend an Council to approve. Council Member Steven Ly made a motion, seconded by Mayor Pro Tom William Alarcon, to approve Policy No. 50-07 with the requested changes. Vote resulted in: Yes: Alarcon, Armenta, Clark, Low, Ly No: None Abstain: None Absent: None Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of September 24, 2013 Page 4 or 11 5. MATTERS FROM CITY MANAGER & STAFF A. Discussion Regarding Shopping Cart Containment Regulations and Abatement Services Under Rosemead Municipal Code Section 9.12.080, the abandonment of a commercial shopping cart upon any public street, alley, sidewalk, public place or private property is prohibited. Persons who violate provisions of the municipal cod can be found guilty of a misdemeanor or issued an administrative citation. However, finders of this code provision are often among the most vulnerable citizens of mmu` ity, including senior citizens. For this reason, the City has not pursued agg forcement of these code provisions but has instead opted for an abatement ach •, . aging abandoned shopping carts. Recommendation: That the City Counci he options for enha hopping cart containment and abatement and provide Cr : directtbp, Management Analyst Sean Sullivan reviewed the Staff Report.' Council MemberA►menta — stated that cart r' al companiNhav tpo urri of carts, and permitting them could be an eyesore for the City since the fferent type of their establishments. Management Analyst Sean Sullivan — explained th the C' identifiable tags on them to the esses they be He th identification get collected sed of. He fu er stated up carts and resell them maller b sses. Council Member Clark — Manageme busines , and the City Cou Management AhIJ4 allows for. He then Council Member Clark , company returns carts with A that blank carts with no are rogue companies that will pick carts get returned to them. — an d that the c npany collects the carts, returns them to the �r be co „on q monthly basis. inqu "f the Cpicked up 8400 carts a year. van — ed that 8400 carts is the maximum and what the current budget currently that t . number is closer to 6500 a year, and increasing. if it costs the City two dollars a cart if the annual budget is $20,000. Management Analyst Sullivan — answered that it would be roughly two dollars a cart. Council Member Clark— inquired what the value of the cart is to the market. Management Analyst Sullivan — answered that he does not have the numbers but it would probably be at least a couple of hundred per brand new cart. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of September 24, 2013 Page 5 of 11 Council Member William Alarcon — stated that there is an abundance of carts in his neighborhood for a market that is located in South El Monte; he suggested that the City talk to them about paying for their own cart retrieval. Management Analyst Sullivan — stated that the cart retrieval company will take all carts off the road if they see them, and they will dispose of the ones that do not belong to the City of Rosemead. He then explained that if the company did not have an existing contract with South El Monte, then they are probably disposing of those carts. A., Council Member Alarcon — stated that if they are getting taken back to th uth EI'Monte store, then the City should bill them. Management Analyst Sullivan — stated that the company has a c a ith the at states that they will take all carts out of the public right of way, but they also have ct with various i esses in order to return their carts. He then explained that the contract with etailer supersedes the c ct with the City, and in that case, the retailer will have to pay for it Council Member Alarcon — explained that pull carts are a lot` .6 use on a regular basis, and that Beaches supermarket used to sell these for $�5. He then suggest t the City looked into these carts and advertises them so that residents would know�ff f4y have that option. Council Member Armenia — suggested educa would be understood that removing a shopping explained that a lot of the issu o do with E crime. / , Mayor Polly Low — stgfed creatin ermits for all it meant that the City would II to reti the that Council %thispoint possibiliti beautific Manage process, in three orent languages so that it cri and considered stealing. She iWthat people realize that it is a ompanies could be an option, but inquired if and resell them back to retailers. tld have to be worked out with Code Enforcement and permitted properly. if crting permits for all retrieval companies would increase the rent carts in these retail stores, and states that this would not help with , explained that the City can work out the provisions during the permitting is no enforcement or regulation. City Manager Allred — stated that if the City were to initiate a regulation system for these companies, that it would create a good work load for somebody to run that program. Council Member Ly— stated that he understood the concept of creating a potpourri of different types of carts, and inquired if it would make it harder for these companies to pick up carts, which would result in more carts on the streets. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of September 24, 2013 Page 6 of 11 Management Analyst Sullivan — answered that while these companies pull the carts off the streets, oftentimes they are repeat offenders. Lanny Aplanalp — stated that he would like the City to work on stopping the carts from being left out, and said that the City is currently partially going in the right direction. He added that the message for the 800 call in number stated that the company does not pick up all carts. He then explained that the City needs to educate the residents and let them know that this is affecting our City. He described the "broken windows" theory, and stated that it has a negative effect on property values. He then stated that people running the stores are also allowing for this to take place, and suggested instituting a locki. heels technology for all businesses. City Manager Allred — stated that enforcing this requirement on seen as a hostile action; however, it is easier to make it a requi City. ',, Council Member Armenta — explained that property c locked carts, and unfortunately they are grandfathered Mr. Aplanala — inquired if locked brakes a property owner were to stay the same. City Manager Allred — answered that any time a install such a system. Juan Nunez — explained the cart out, which woulyl people to return carts< c City Manager Brian L h — stated tha L spend' 000 a year to their carts ed pay a fee Management Ai service. He then Mr. Lewin — inquired the City is the one ps isirigg is difficult and can be new b t sses coming into the ;osts more monaange to e requirement to- itch. would not be ed if a business were to change but this service is $20,000. as he has heard thus far, but not happy that the City is He then stated that to his understanding, markets that have , fed that they do if the market has an existing contract with the retrieval itor retailers have contracts as a means of protecting their investment. businesses are paying money to the retrieval company and not to the City, if retrieval companies. Council Member Ly— explained that the City only pays for the carts /retailers which do not have contracts with the retrieval company. He further explained that the markets that do have a contract cover their own cost for the retrieval of their carts, and the City pays for carts that get taken out of circulation. Mr. Lewin — inquired if the City is paying a "per calf amount. into tWity, they will be required to market on Iy which used to charge you one dollar for taking the residen!54rw ught it back. He stated that this policy encouraged hen asked heh it c osts the City to return carts. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of September 24, 2013 Page 7 of 11 Management Analyst Sullivan —stated that the "per cart' amount is two dollars, and that the City does not pay for stores which have existing contracts with the retrieval company. Council Member Clark— inquired if the City's cart retrieval company will not pick up the carts if the markets already have a contract with them. Management Analyst Sullivan — answered that all carts will get picked up. He then described that the message on their machine which states that they do not pick up all carts is a gen ral one and does not apply to the City of Rosemead. He explained that the company does work with man rids and the contract for the City of Rosemead states that all carts must be picked up. He then explaine • at if the company picks up a cart for a market with an existing contract, they will bill the market instepd F t�City. Council Member Clark— inquired why the answering machine all carts. A Management Analyst Sullivan — stated that the comp contract that our City has. He then explained that the operation is so large. Council Member Clark— suggested that the Management Analyst Sullivan — explained that cart that is called in will be picked up. Council Member Clark— Council Member Ly --`fs City would not be charged Council Analyst Council and how Management Analyst tags on it with their sr be destroyed and not they do not pick up cities, and not a1F.etthe same amity specific bec a the exclusively for Rosemead. with thepany, and reiterated that any pays tKb City if the in thituation when e anv storesE i stated that state code stated that a market must have carts with identifiable nes and serial numbers, and per the City's agreement, all unmarked carts will to any stores. City Attorney Rachel Richman — stated that the carts with no tags will be considered abandoned, and stores who have not properly marked their property do not have a right to claim them. She then explained that these carts would be sent off somewhere else and get refurbished. Council Member Clark— inquired why it takes so long for carts to get picked up. n with lever a call in numt company returns their cart. up the cart and the store has a contract, the picked up wherein the City pays. not have that information. — inquir the City can look into what cart retrieval services surrounding cities use re. She t inquired what it meant when carts are taken out of circulation. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of September 24, 2013 Page 8 of 11 Management Analyst Sullivan —stated that to his understanding, the service is responsive within a day or two, and the City can also send Staff out to pick up carts. Council Member Clark— stated that she has heard that it takes a long time to get picked up, and that the City should look into enforcing the ordinance which states that carts cannot be removed. She then stated that the California Grocers Association sent a letter suggesting implementing an ordinance to mandate cart retrieval services for all markets which use shopping carts, and a good idea might be to mandate the stores which do not offer locking devices. 1 Council MemberArmenta — stated that she has spoken to Chris Marc for countless hours trying to come up with a solution, and stressed that being taken into consideration. She explained that the City can educ�k to partner with the City and help out. She warned against overly be de letter from the California Grocers Association warned that mark s' nr stated that a business friendly balance must be reached, a. >'uggi since they seem to be succeeding in their efforts. She s the and suggested that the Beautification Committee look into p r Council Member Alarcon — asked how long,the City has Management Analyst Sullivan — stated that he :tor of Public Works, Y Eli ns from residents are esid ut they have to be willing ome s, and stated that the ave the Cit" : f se occur. She then the City look ih� r gpta Clarita, 4 ance of educatiri mmunity, Ipd speaking to p? kets. cart retrieval company. Council Member Alarcon — stated that he has ca C m he is just a resident, and they have always been responsive turnaround tim Mayor Low — stated th a agree Mr. Aplanalpat the City spends a lot of time worrying about picking up the c , • of abo , the root of the e then explained that the City needs to come up with a way to educa re nd fix the m of the carts getting out there in the first place. She stre importa e}f er help with the Chinese community. She suggested ns to . ders so tha ey can understand that this is not acceptable. She then explaine at she unde at pe igh need carts to take their groceries home, and suggested gettirp ed with charity . ization if they can help provide push carts for seniors. Council Me Nunde — sta ' that the Public Works staff is looking into possibilities of providing personal shnd su : sted offering these carts in exchange for shopping carts if they see someone ace. S tated that residents would then understand why they are getting exchanged, ; t •, it is against the law. She then stated that these carts are about $25 each. Mayor Low— stated thaf did not want to spend City money on this issue, since it is not specifically a Rosemead problem, and more so a San Gabriel Valley issue. She then reiterated that a charity organization getting involved would be the best solution. Council Member Ly— stated that this issue is similar to the graffiti issue, as it is considered blight, it's criminal, and Staffs course of action of the issue is to clean it up. He then inquired if overall attempts of graffiti have dropped over the last couple of years. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of September 24, 2013 Page 9 of 11 Cfty Manager Allred — stated that it is a daily abatement effort, and it might have dissipated somewhat, but it is still a daily occurrence. Council Member Ly — stated that as a resident, he has seen a lot less graffiti overall, and he commended the City for doing a great job at a fast pace. He then stated that the City is trying to combat the root of the problem when it comes to graffiti, therefore should work on the root of the problem for these shopping carts as well. He stressed the importance of education, but stated that this issue would happen regardless, so focusing on removing the carts is just as important. Mayor Low— agreed with Council Member Ly in regards to the similarities fi the graffiti and shopping carts problem, and stated that the City looks cleaner because the problem ge over. She then stated that if the actual occurrence has not gone down, then the problem is still t . Sh : ; stressed the importance of fixing the root of the problem as opposed to removing the carts n aking s` ple understand that what they are doing is illegal. Council Member Armenta — suggested citing people, buying a push cart instead. Mayor Low— agreed that it was a good HE see on the streets with carts if they happen Council Member Clark— asked if the next City nsli carts is a crime, in four languages, so residents ca A E Mayor Low— agreed that 4"a, and stater couple of occurrences b@W word g t and people Council Member Armenta hand out to marketal re! City Ma *rAllred— the'solution of either or that CodM&Tcement officers just stop people they states that removing the handed out, it would only take a doing it. , Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese to consider all suggestions, and report back. Council Mal l — sta that the conference she just returned from offered by the League of California Cities ha , the b thus far. She stated that it was great to bond with the council members, .; and commended the s specially the one about water mandates and the session hosted by David Rosenberg. She then exp ed that they attend to learn and bring this knowledge back to the community in order to improve it. Council Member Ly— agreed with Council Member Armenta, and stated that he learned a lot about difference infrastructure issues, water, and he enjoyed listening to economists speak. Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of September 24, 2013 Page 10 of 11 Council Member Clark — stated that she was not able to attend because she went to the National League of Cities Energy Environment Committee in Florida, and it was helpful to see what other cities across the nation were doing in their own towns. 7. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Polly Low adjourned the meeting at 8:27 p.m. The next regular City Council Meeting is scheduled to take place on October 8, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the Rosemead City Hall Council Chamber. Polly ATTEST: Gloria Molleda City Clerk Rosemead City Council Regular Meeting Minutes of September 24, 2013 Page 11 of 11