Loading...
CC - 01-23-01• APPROVED CITY O I2 SEMEAD DATE ~ a " ~ MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETIK ROSEMEAD CITY COUNCIL JANUARY 23, 2001 The regular meeting of the Rosemead City Council was called to order by Mayor Clark at 8:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the City Hall, 8838 E. Valley Boulevard, Rosemead, California. The Pledge to the Flag was led by Councilman Taylor The Invocation was delivered by Jonathan Wu of Evergreen Baptist Church ROLL CALL OF OFFICERS: Present: Councilmembers Bruesch, Taylor, Vasquez, Mayor Pro Tern Imperial, and Mayor Clark J" Absent: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: - SEPTEMBER 26, 2000 REGULAR MEETING MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER TAYLOR, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN IMPERIAL that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 26, 2000, be approved as corrected. Vote resulted: Yes: Bruesch, Taylor, Clark, Vasquez, Imperial No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: OCTOBER 10, 2000 - REGULAR MEETING Councilman Taylor requested that these minutes be deferred to the next meeting. Mr. Taylor stated that a mix up in the title occurred as CC-D is the title for a previous item. The text and motion of that item refers to the REQUEST FOR PARKING RESTRICTIONS ON TEMPLE CITY BOULEVARD SOUTH OF ELLIS LANE. The motion states that the 100' of red curbing is not to be installed on Ellis Lane. Upon checking that location, Mr. Taylor stated that the red curbing has been installed, and requested staff to check that location to clarify why it is painted. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: OCTOBER 24, 2000 - REGULAR MEETING MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN TAYLOR that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 24, 2000, be approved as submitted. Vote resulted: Yes: Bruesch, Taylor, Clark, Vasquez, Imperial No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: NOVEMBER 14, 2000 - REGULAR MEETING CCMIN:1-23-01 Page H I MOTION BY COUNCILMAN IMPERIAL, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN VASQUEZ that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 14, 2000, be approved as corrected. Vote resulted: Yes: Bruesch, Taylor, Clark, Vasquez, Imperial No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: NOVEMBER 28, 2000 - REGULAR MEETING MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN TAYLOR that the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 28, 2000, be approved as submitted. Vote resulted: Yes: Bruesch, Taylor, Clark, Vasquez, Imperial No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. PRESENTATIONS: None 1. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE Juan Nunez, 2702 Del Mar, Rosemead, reported the Del Mar Foods has old shopping carts on Brighton Avenue; the store sells goods outside in front of the store; and the parking lot and planters by the Jade Seafood Restaurant are dirty. Mr. Nunez continued that the AT & T building (Pacific Bell central office) on the southeast corner of Garvey and Brighton is very dirty and the planters are full of trash. Mary Jo Maxwell, Rosemead Chamber, invited everyone to attend the Chinese New Year Mixer hosted by Home Carpet on February 8m at 5:30 p.m. Holly Knapp, 8367 E. Whitmore, Rosemead, representing People for People, thanked the City for their participation in helping with their Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets. Mrs. Knapp stated that the Rosemead High School student group that won $75.00 in the school contest for bringing in the most food and clothing, presented that check back to People for People. Henry Gebhardt, 2705 Pine Street, Rosemead, inquired about the outcome of the petition circulated on January 4w at the meeting held with the residents on Pine Street regarding removal of the No Parking signs. Councilman Taylor asked if a meeting had been held and he understood that this item was to be returned at the January 9m meeting. Councilman Bruesch responded that the residents want the signs removed and agreed that they would work with staff in giving notices to the dayworkers to go over to San Gabriel Boulevard. Mr. Bruesch continued that the City cannot prevent the workers from standing there and that the neighbors want the signs down as parking is a problem in that area. Frank Tripepi, City Manager, stated that the City printed the signs in English and Spanish and Deputy Jewett distributed those flyers the following week after the meeting. Mr. Tripepi clarified that not all the residents are in favor of removing the signs and he is waiting for all the petitions to be returned. The signs remain bagged. Mr. Tripepi concluded that when all the data CCMIN:1-23-01 Page n2 is returned and analyzed, this item will be placed on the agenda, at which time Mr. Gebhardt will be notified. Mr. Nunez stated that he wants to accompany the staff person or Sheriff that will be contacting the residents that were not at the neighborhood meeting to hear their input. Councilman Taylor stated that Mr. Gebhardt and the neighbors can attend the February 13'" Council meeting and address to Council to alleviate any misunderstandings. Everyone can hear the same thing being said. Mayor Clark stated that she wanted to clarify that the residents were not told to return to a Council meeting on January 9" , as three members of the Council were in Sacramento at a conference dealing with the energy crisis issues. Juan Nunez stated again that he wants to be present when a City representative contacts the neighbors. Councilman Taylor asked Mr. Nunez to put this in perspective. A City staff member or Sheriff cannot call or bring along a resident every time they have to contact another resident. Mr. Taylor stated that Mr. Nunez is welcome to come and address the Council during the meeting. Mr. Taylor continued that he is opposed to the concept of having to call someone whenever staff has to go door to door or whatever the situation may be. Councilman Bruesch stated that the dayworker problem started about five years ago when a group of parents approached him and complained that they were tired of the workers urinating in public and accosting their school age children. Mr. Bruesch stated that this problem still exists today and if something cannot be done about moving the dayworkers, then this problem will not disappear. H. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None III. LEGISLATIVE A. RESOLUTION NO. 2001-01 - CLAIMS AND DEMANDS The following Resolution was presented to the Council for adoption. RESOLUTION NO. 2001-01 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ROSEMEAD ALLOWING CERTAIN CLAIMS AND DEMANDS IN THE SUM OF $1,410,565.70 NUMBERED 32585 THROUGH 32892 MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN VASQUEZ that the Council adopt Resolution No. 2001-01. Vote resulted: Yes: Vasquez, Taylor, Bruesch, Clark, Imperial No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR (Item CC-B was removed for discussion purposes) CC-A AUTHORIZATION TO REJECT CLAIM AGAINST THE CITY FROM JIAYU QI CC-C ADOPTION OF THE 2001-02 BUDGET CALENDAR CCMIN:1-23-01 Page #3 11 CC-D APPROVAL OF CONCESSION STAND LICENSE AGREEMENT - ROSEMEAD YOUTH ASSOCIATION CC-E AT & T LEASE AGREEMENT AMENDMENT CC-F AUTHORIZATION TO ATTEND NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES ANNUAL CONGRESSIONAL CITIES CONFERENCE, MARCH 9-13, 2001, WASHINGTON, D.C. CC-G AUTHORIZATION TO ATTEND 23 RD INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZED' CRIME CONFERENCE, APRIL 2-5,2001, LAS VEGAS CC-H AUTHORIZATION TO ATTEND LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES 2001 PLANNERS INSTITUTE, MARCH 21-23, MONTEREY CC-I APPROVAL OF 4TH OF JULY/CITY ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AND CARNIVAL AGREEMENT FOR 2001 MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN VASQUEZ that the Council approve the aforementioned items on the Consent Calendar. Vote resulted: Yes: Bruesch, Taylor, Clark, Vasquez, Imperial No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. Councilman Bruesch requested a report on what amount the City received for the past three years from the agreement with Blash Shows, Inc. CC-B AUTHORIZATION TO PURCHASE AND INSTALL TRAFFIC SIGNAL LIGHTS Councilman Taylor stated that he will abstain on this item. Mr. Taylor explained that he is in favor of the conversion, but the staff report is incomplete, and it may cost about $200,000 more to finish the project. Apparently, there is an urgency in completing this project by June 1, 2001 in order to qualify for grant funds. Mr. Taylor asked how the replacement equipment differs from the existing lamps. Ken Rukavina, City Engineer, replied the LED uses a different type of connection and requires a conversion kit at the lens. Councilman Taylor confirmed that each bulb at each signal will require a conversion kit. Mr. Rukavina stated that the conversion kit is included in the price of the LED. Councilman Bruesch stated that the savings in energy will help with the current power crunch and will ultimately pay for itself in a few years. Mr. Rukavina stated that the $30,000 cost to install the LEDs is included in the LED total price, and that this is the cost for Peek Signal Maintenance to do the work. Councilman Taylor confirmed that all of the signals will be changed by June 1. Frank Tripepi, City Manager, explained that the cost includes replacing all three lamps, pedestrian heads, green arrows, and that the grant received will be $120, 910, the total cost will be approximately $225,000. Mr. Tripepi stated that the conversion has to be completed by June I" in order to qualify for the money. Cost estimates for the battery backup packs for each intersection is being investigated separately. CCMIN:1-23-01 Page #4 0 • Councilman Bruesch suggested that high priority intersections have the battery packs installed first. Mayor Clark stated that that item is not on the agenda tonight, however, the reason why all three lights, red, yellow and green, are being converted is to enable battery packs to be installed so that when the power fails, the signals will remain operational. Councilman Taylor stated that based on what was clarified by Mr. Tripepi regarding the green arrow and pedestrian lights, he will vote Yes for this item. MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM IMPERIAL that the Council authorize staff to issue purchase orders for the procurement of the LEDs from Synchronex to be installed by Peak Signal Maintenance. Vote resulted: Yes: Bruesch, Taylor, Clark, Vasquez, Imperial No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. V. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION AND ACTION A. PETITION TO REPLACE STREET TREES ON MARYBETH AVENUE Alice Campos, 3547 Marybeth, Rosemead, stated that Liquid Amber trees release carbon monoxide not oxygen and they drop seed pods. Ms. Campos stated that she prefers to keep her mature Sycamore or have it replaced with something other than a Liquid Amber. Councilman Bruesch stated that any street tree will have its drawbacks. Mr. Bruesch asked why the Liquid Ambers were selected. Ken Rukavina, City Engineer responded that the residents requested those trees. Mr. Rukavina explained that in checking with their arborist, there is now a Liquid Amber that does not produce seed pods, it is a sterile tree. Councilman Taylor stated that he has a Liquid Amber in his front yard and it is full of seed pods causing a stumbling hazard, and the mower throws out the pods onto the street, which he then has to rake. Mr. Taylor stated that his biggest objection to the tree is that it drops its pods for eight weeks. Councilman Vasquez suggested planting the Brisbane Box tree. Councilman Taylor stated that the Brisbane Box is an evergreen tree without pods and no sap drips from it. Frank Tripepi, City Manager, stated that there was extensive research done on Olney with regard to the Brisbane Box trees planted there once the Elms were removed. Mr. Tripepi continued that the Liquid Amber is on the agenda as that is what the residents petitioned for. However, Mr. Tripepi recommended that if the Council approves, the Sycamores can be removed and replaced with the Brisbane Box trees. Dorothy Wise, 3546 Marybeth, Rosemead, stated that she objects to the Sycamore Trees being removed and does not see a reason for pulling out her tree as it is still healthy. Ms. Wise stated that she does not want her tree replaced with a Liquid Amber. Mayor Clark stated that she is in favor of leaving the healthy trees. CCMIN:1-23-01 Page #5 0 Councilman Taylor stated that the Brisbane Box replacement tree is not what the petitioners requested. Mr. Taylor stated if the trees are to be replaced, then the residents that signed the petition need to be informed that the Brisbane Box is being considered, as well as the other property owners. Mr. Taylor stated that the neighbors should be informed of the downside of planting Liquid Ambers. Councilman Bruesch stated again, that there is not a tree that will satisfy everyone. Mr. Bruesch wants to ensure that the people that want to keep their Sycamore may do so, and those who do not want them will have the Brisbane Box replacement tree planted. Mayor Clark clarified that all the neighbors will be contacted again, with pictures and information on the replacement trees. This item will be deferred to the next meeting. VI. STATUS REPORTS A. REQUEST FROM COMMISSIONER ROBERT BREEN FOR REAPPOINTMENT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION B. REQUEST FROM COMMISSIONER WILLIAM ALARCON FOR REAPPOINTMENT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION MOTION BY COUNCILMAN BRUESCH, SECOND BY COUNCILMAN IMPERIAL that the Council approve the reappointment of Commissioners Breen and Alarcon to the Planning Commission. Vote resulted: Yes: Bruesch, Taylor, Clark, Vasquez, Imperial No: None Absent: None Abstain: None The Mayor declared said motion duly carried and so ordered. C. DISCUSSION OF CALIFORNIA'S ENERGY SITUATION Councilman Taylor stated that he requested that this item be placed on the agenda for an update on the energy situation. Mayor Clark asked when is the best time to run your washer and dryer. John Steelesmith, SC Edison, recommended any time after 8:00 p.m. or prior to 10:00 a.m., as the winter peak consumption hours are from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Councilman Taylor requested the Mr. Steelesmith present a brief summary for the benefit of the teenagers in the audience, and to clarify that it is not Edison that is setting the rates. Mr. Steelesmith explained that in 1995, the PUC recommended to the State legislature that the utilities deregulate, which was accomplished in 1997. Mr. Steelesmith stated that deregulation worked well until May 2000. The marketers and generators then pulled out of the week-in-advance and day-in-advance purchasing market, which left only the hour-in-advance market. Edison is required by the State to procure energy from the power exchange, and cannot enter into any long-term contracts. Edison is being blamed for rising costs because customers receive their bills from them. Mr. Steelesmith continued that they are not allowed to pass on those costs, that the differential of the costs that their rate payers are paying for and what they are having to pay for is $1 million per hour, 24 hours around the clock, and they are coming up short. Mr. Steelesmith stated that Edison has never experienced anything like this in their 114 year history, nor in the past two years of deregulation, so why now and why has the per unit of electricity gone up from $.03 per kilowatt hour to $30. CCMIN:1-23-01 Page o6 0 0 Councilman Taylor summarized for those in the audience that in 1995, Edison was producing electricity with their own plants. Then the law changed and Edison was forced to sell the majority of their energy producing plants in California. Out-of-state buyers bought the plants that Edison used to have. Deregulation then started to phase in with lower electrical rates of approximately 10% less. Mr. Taylor continued that the outside producers started increasing their price. Edison no longer produces the majority of the power, but the bills to residents still come from them. Mr. Taylor explained that Edison is not the culprit. Councilman Bruesch stated that the out-of-state suppliers have been receiving windfall profits of up to 238% increase in profits this past year, which in essence means they almost tripled their profits. Mayor Clark stated that the reason for such high profits is that the Federal Regulatory Agency allows the bidders to get the highest price at the end of the day. Mrs. Clark explained that the purpose of deregulation was to drive the prices down through competition. However, if the competitors can now get the highest price at the end of the day, then why not drive the prices up. The Federal Government has to step in and change this practice. Ms. Clark concluded that the ratepayers should not have to pay for those increases caused by the out-of-state companies scamming the system. Mayor Pro Tem Imperial stated that deregulating the telephones and airlines has not worked and that the Federal Government should have known better. Councilman Bruesch stated that this summer could bring a lot of power outages with customers using their air conditioners. Mr. Bruesch continued that everyone needs to start thinking of energy conservation. Mayor Clark stated that in the billing process there needs to be a baseline rate for everyone, rather than an across the board high service charge, then those that chose to run their air conditioners all summer will have pay a much higher rate. Ms. Clark stated that people will rally to the conversation cause if they know they can save some money. Councilman Taylor asked Mr. Steelesmith what is the temporary solution regarding the long-term contacts at $.05 '/2 a kilowatt. Mr. Steelesmith responded that it is at a stalemate because the marketers and generators do not want to bring their price down. Mr. Steelesmith stated that they are getting $30 a kilowatt now and they do no want to lower their prices. Councilman Taylor asked how many states are paying $30 now. Mr. Steelesmith replied that the western United States is getting involved with paying that rate. Councilman Taylor asked then where would the State be able to purchase electricity at $.05 '/2 or even $.07 '/2? Mr. Steelesmith replied that in his opinion, the stage is being set for the State to come in and buy all the power plants through eminent domain if a reasonable price cannot be obtained. Mr. Steelesmith continued that the solution would be to build more power plants and the public needs to pay for what they are consuming. SC Edison has advanced proposals that would spread the costs out over 5-10 years with an increase of $17/month to consumers in their electrical bill. This would keep the utilities and infrastructure whole and allow time to build new power plants. Councilman Bruesch suggested that the City's Handyman energy retrofitting projects for the seniors be done as soon as possible before summer, rather then have them wait for another 12 to 18 months. CCMIN:1-23-01 Page n7 VII. MATTERS FROM OFFICIALS -None VIII. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE AUDIENCE Juan Nunez, 2702 Del Mar, Rosemead, asked if the City received a refund from the MTA as a result of the recent bus strike. Henry Gebhardt, 2705 Pine Street, Rosemead, asked what the City is doing to conserve energy. Councilman Bruesch replied that the City's bus bench lights are low energy usage, the street lights will be replaced with low energy consumption lights, that street lights go off on a periodic basis to conserve energy, and the City has various conservation programs in place. Mr. Tripepi stated that according to a recent publication, the State of California conserves more electrical energy per person than any state in the Union. IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further action to be taken at this time, the meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 26, 2001, at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted: City Clerk APPROVED: MAYOR CCMIN:1.23-01 Page #8