HomeMy Public PortalAboutCity Council_Minutes_1989-03-07_Regular 19891
CITY OF TEMPLE CITY
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
MARCH 7, 1989
INITIATION:
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Pursuant to Agenda posted on March 3, 1989, Mayor Swain called
the meeting of the City Council to order at 7:30 P.M. on Tues-
day, March 7, 1989.
2. The invocation was given by Rabbi Alan Lachtman, Temple Beth
David, 9677 Longden Avenue.
3. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was led by Mayor Swain.
4. ROLL CALL:
Present: Councilmen Atkins, Breazeal, Gillanders and
Swain
Absent: Councilman Froehle
Also Present: City Manager Koski, City Attorney Martin,
Community Development Director Dawson, Public
Works Coordinator Peterson, Parks and Recrea-
tion Director Kobett, Temple City Times Staff
Writer Estrada, and Pacesetter Staff Writer
Holtzclaw.
Councilman Gillanders moved to excuse Councilman Froehle's
absence for cause, seconded by Councilman Atkins and unani-
mously carried.
PRESENTATION:
Mayor Swain, on behalf of the Council, presented to Councilman
Breazeal a tile of the City Seal in recognition of his 15 years
of dedicated service on the Planning Commission, 5 years of
which were served as Chairman.
Councilman Breazeal in accepting the plaque expressed his
thanks and appreciation.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR:
Councilman Breazeal and Mayor Swain requested Item I. be re-
moved from the Consent Calendar.
Councilman Atkins commented on Item B., a request for use of
Live Oak Park Facilities by Sierra Madre Girl Scout Council,
stating that he certainly could support the girls in the troops
but was less than enthusiastic in giving any support to the
Sierra Madre Girl Scout Council because of a prior confrontati-
on over what once was the Temple City Girl Scout House.
City Council Minutes, March 7, 1989 - Page 2
Councilman Atkins moved to approve the remainder of the Consent
Calendar as presented, seconded by Councilman Breazeal and
unanimously carried.
A. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Regular Meeting of February 21, 1989.
B. RECOMMENDATION FROM PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING
OF FEBRUARY 15, 1989 - REQUEST FOR USE OF LIVE OAK PARK
FACILITIES BY SIERRA MADRE GIRL SCOUT COUNCIL -
Council approved the use of Live Oak Park Meeting Room two
Saturdays a month from 10:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. through June
1989 by the Sierra Madre Girl Scout Council, subject to the
required insurance.
C. ACCEPTANCE OF WORK: ROAD IMPROVEMENTS, TRACT NO. 44413 -
(5632 MC CULLOCH AVENUE)
Council approved and accepted for maintenance the road work
guaranteed by the Bond, reduced the Letter of Credit by
$16,000 and instructed the City Clerk to notify the princi-
pal and surety of Council's action.
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D. FINAL MAP APPROVAL: PARCEL MAP NO. 19589, 5738 KAUFFMAN
AVENUE (OWEN DEVELOPMENT) -
Council approved the final Parcel Map No. 19589; approved
and accepted work agreements and securities; made the
necessary findings as enumerated in the Los Angeles County
Department of Public Works' letter dated February 16, 1989;
and instructed the City Clerk to endorse on the face of the
map of Parcel Map No. 19589, the certificate that embodies
the approval of said map.
E. CDBG 15TH YEAR COST SUMMARY -
Council approved the 15th Year Allocation and 1989 -90 Cost
Summary for the Community Development Block Grant Program.
F. LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES 1989 COMMUNITY SERVICES CONFER-
ENCE - MONTEREY, APRIL 12 -14, 1989 -
Council approved Councilman Pat Froehle's attendance at the
above - referenced League of California Cities Conference in
Monterey, April 12 -14, 1989, and authorized the necessary
expenditures.
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City Council Minutes, March 7, 1989 - Page 3
G. CALIFORNIA CONTRACT CITIES ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MUNICIPAL
SEMINAR - PALM SPRINGS, MAY 18 -21, 1989 -
Council authorized registration and conference expenses for
City Officials attending the above - referenced Seminar in
Palm. Springs.
H. CITY CLERK'S ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE APRIL 19 -21,
1989, SACRAMENTO -
Council approved the attendance of Chief Deputy City Clerk,
Vivian Love, at the above - referenced City Clerk's Associa-
tion Conference and authorized the necessary expendi-
tures.
J. .PLANNING COMMISSION ACTIONS FROM THEIR REGULAR MEETING OF
FEBRUARY 18, 1989 -
Council received and filed.
K. RESOLUTION NO. 89 -2845: APPROVAL OF PAYMENT OF BILLS -
Council adopted Resolution No. 89 -2845 approving claims and
demands in the amount of $284,322.60.
I. LAS TUNAS DRIVE BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM -
Mayor Swain stated that this area is one that was identi-
fied in the Chamber's Downtown Revitalization Committee's
study on ways to beautify the downtown business area.
City Manager Koski said the study was a combined effort of
the City and the Chamber in a cooperative effort to revi-
talize the boulevard. Along these lines, Council has
appropriated funds for bus shelters, new trash receptacles,
and has requested staff to pursue Federal funds for the
resurfacing of Las Tunas. This item of trees along Las
Tunas is in conjunction with this program and is part of
the City's commitment to the business district and the
community at large.
Councilman Breazeal recalled the bus shelters and trash
receptacles and felt they are appropriate measures. How-
ever, he felt the $20,000 proposed to purchase trees could
be put to much better use. How far would it go in hiring
an outside expert to attract new business to the City?
Additionally, he felt some of the merchants are less than
enthusiastic about the trees because of blocking their
place of business.
City Council Minutes, March 7, 1989 - Page 4
Councilman Atkins stated he could understand Councilman
Breazeal's point of view to a point. However, he does feel
an attractive downtown is an important way to attract
businesses and trees do help. The cost would be approxi-
mately $357 per tree and he felt this is a cost effective
expenditure that would make the business district more
attractive and he could support it.
Councilman Gillanders said he understood what Councilman
Breazeal is saying. However, he felt it is much more
desirable to shop in an attractive community and trees do
help. As far as trees blocking view of the business,
perhaps there is an acceptable alternative such as low
shrubbery. He also felt they should ask for appropriate
input from the Chamber.
Marianne Milch, 5827 Temple City Blvd., on behalf of the
Chamber of Commerce, stated the Chamber has for some time
felt the need to plant trees or shrubbery in the bare areas
and to remove some of the existing overgrown trees. The
Revitalization Committee felt 56 trees planted as proposed
would be a lot of trees. They felt perhaps it is an ex-
travagant expenditure at this time. Also discussed with
some of the merchants was the base well area around the
trees and felt perhaps this could be approached through
some service group in the community.
Councilman Atkins moved to approve the expenditure to
purchase and install of 56 ficus trees along the Las Tunas
Drive Business District. Said motion died due to lack of a
second.
Councilman Gillanders moved to refer this matter back to a
joint study group consisting of City staff and members of
the Revitalization Committee to consider the type of land-
scaping deemed appropriate and then return this item with
their recommendations to Council, seconded by Councilman
Breazeal and unanimously carried.
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
7. NEW BUSINESS:
A. PUBLIC HEARING: APPROVAL OF TENTATIVE TRACT MAP NO. 47106
AND CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT NO. 88 -963 AT 8916 -22 LONGDEN
AVENUE (WANG) -
Providing background information, City Manager Koski stated
that the applicant proposes to develop an eight -unit condo-
minium project on an R -3 zoned site. The proposed density
of slightly less than 20 dwelling units per acre is less
than the maximum permitted density of 24 dwelling units per
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City Council Minutes, March 7, 1989 - Page 5
acre. The proposed development meets all the development
standards for condominium projects in the R -3 Zone. The
Planning Commission recommends approval.
Councilman Gillanders recalled a lengthy discussion several
years ago regarding closing up subterranean garages without
smoke alarms and there was no mention of smoke alarms for
these units. Also, he wanted to know the height of the
building at the highest point.
Community Development Director Dawson stated there is no
requirement for smoke alarms but to meet Code the garages
must all have automatic fire sprinklers. As to the height
of the building, Mr. Dawson said the building measured
32'8" from grade. The Code in R -2 and R -3 Zones allows a
.height of 35'.
Mayor Swain mentioned that condition No. 25 stated all
units would be equipped with automatic fire sprinklers in
lieu of access.
Mayor Swain declared the public hearing open and invited
anyone wishing to address the City Council on the matter to
come forward at this time.
Minq Nang Chen, Architect, 600 W. Main St., Alhambra,
stated he was available to answer any of Council's ques-
tions and submitted to Council a small colored artist's
rendition of the project.
Councilman Gillanders discussed at great length the poten-
tial built -in safety hazards in the proposed plans for
vehicle ingress and egress from the garages of this pro-
ject. These potential hazards include vehicles entering
onto a very busy street from subterranean parking while
driving up 20 -foot, 15- degree ramp. Also, he considered
the block wall, the trees and shrubbery additional hazards
as they would not allow clear visibility for entering the
street nor would it allow the driver of the exiting vehicle
to see pedestrians. Another problem is that it is only 10'
to the curb line and a vehicle would be all the way out to
the curb line before having a view of Longden Avenue. Also
mentioned by Councilman Gillanders was the fact that there
is a school nearby and school children conceivably would be
walking in front of the development. If the City allows a
project such as this, they would be trapped into accepting
liability for the life of the structure.
Ming Nang Chen, Architect, in rebuttal, said the ramp could
be modified and the trees and shrubbery could be eliminated
or low shrubbery could be used so as not to block visibil-
ity.
City Council Minutes, March 7, 1989 - Page 6
As there was no one else who wished to speak on this
matter, it was moved and seconded to close the public
hearing.
Councilman Gillanders stated he would stand with his previ-
ous statements.
Councilman Atkins thoroughly agreed with Councilman Gil -
landers and compared this project to the one on Cloverly
that is very similar. It is a result of overbuilding. He
had real objections until the problems are clearly solved.
Councilman Breazeal agreed with Councilman Gillanders and
felt this project would be more of a problem than the one
on Cloverly. He favored sending this item back for sig-
nificant re- design or deny it.
Mayor Swain concurred and reiterated that it is a very
heavily travelled street and would just create another
problem.
Councilman Atkins moved to deny approval of Tentative Tract
Map No. 47106 as presented with the stipulation that re-
vised plans may be resubmitted within a 90 -day period;
seconded by Councilman Breazeal and unanimously carried.
8. COMMUNICATIONS: None
9. TIME FOR THOSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WISH TO SPEAK: None
RECESS TO CRA:
At 8:10 P.M., the City Council recessed to meet as the Temple
City Community Redevelopment Agency; approved the Minutes of
the February 21, 1989 meeting; approved a request to rent
property at 5721 North Rosemead for the sale of fireworks and
adopted Resolution No. CRA 356 allowing claims and demands in
the amount of $7,784.70. The Minutes of the Agency are set
forth in full in the Agency's records.
RECONVENE AS CITY COUNCIL:
10. ACTION ON REQUEST BY CRA: None
11. MATTERS FROM CITY OFFICIALS:
Councilman Breazeal commented that he had read the report on
the Prop. A Funds and throughout found no exceptions. He felt
Parks & Recreation Director Kobett and City Treasurer Maldonado
deserved to be commended for the manner in which they admini-
ster these funds.
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City Council Minutes, March 7, 1989 - Page 7
Mayor Swain referred to a Contract Cities meeting scheduled
next week in the City of Lakewood. It is the 35th Anniversary
of the beginning of the Contract Cities Association and she
felt it is a real momentous occasion as this organization has
become a very effective political action group.
12. ADJOURNMENT:
On motion by Councilman Breazeal, seconded by Councilman Gil -
landers, the meeting of the City Council was adjourned at 8:35
P.M. The next regular meeting will be held on March 21, 1989,
at 7:30 P.M. in Council Chambers, 5938 North Kauffman Avenue,
Temple City.
ATTEST:
Chief Deput •r'tilerk
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