The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My Public Portal AboutM 1968-07-30 - CC~~5~'~ SPECIAL_MEETING JULY 30, 1968 The City Council of the City of Lynwood met in a special session in the City Hall, 11330 Bullis Road, on above date at 7:00 p.m. Mayor Siokos in the chair. Councilmen Byork, Green, Siokos, Smith, Stevens answered the roll call. ~-- The Mayor announced that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Century Freeway route because of overcrowding of the Council Chambers, the Mayor suggested that the meeting be adjourned to Bateman Hall. RESOLUTION N0. 68-45 entitled: 'F1~~SOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LYNWOOD ADJOURNING THE JULY 30, 1868, SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO BATEMAN HALL, 11331 ERNESTINE AVENUE, LYNWOOD, CALIFORNIA." was presented. It was moved by Councilman Byork, seconded by Councilman Stevens, that said resolution be adopted. Roll Call: Ayes: Councilmen Byork, Green, Siokos, Smith, Stevens. Noes: None. Absent: None. The special meeting of the City Council was reconvened in Bateman Hall at 7:15 p.m. Res. 68-45 Adjourning special meeting to Bateman Hall Mayor Siokos stated that he had called the special meeting to discuss reactions to the Century Freeway as approved Discussion by the State Highway Commission. Before beginning the concerning discussion, the City Manager was asked to describe the the Century approved alignment and construction as shown on drawings Freeway route ""' on display. Mayor Siokos announced that he has prepared a formal statement which he wished to make consisting of various questions he felt must be asked by the State Highway Commission. There-.were: 1. Why, in unanimously agreeing to this route, did you override the best thinking of the. most highly respected highway engineers in the nation? 2. Why, in agreeing on this route,. did you not consider that every objection to the green route posed at the public hearing in Lynwood, was overruled by a special report of these same engineers? (i.e. noise at the hospital, effect on various. churches, etc.),. 3. How cay you justify the selection of this route at an estimated cost of $8 million more than the green route? 4. How can you assume that the loss valuation of Lynwood will not have a economy? 5. What improtance did you place on adopted route was .charged unacceptab subdivisions and organized groups in the City Council, the Lynwood School Coordinating Council, the Chamber of interested service organization.) of 5q of the assessed major effect on our the fact that the Le by all political the City? (i.e. Board, the Commerce, and every 6. In reaching your decision, what possible consideration was given to-the total effect of the freeway on the Wilson Elementary school and the St. Paul School and church? _l 5 ~ Discussion 7. In stating that the route would benefit the commercial Century and industrial uses on Fernwood Avenue, were you aware Freeway this this adopted route was totally unacceptable to the Route major industrial firm in Lynwood? 8. And least of all, how can the unusual manner in which the decision reached the news media be justified? The Associated Press was made aware of the Commission's decision prior to the public discussion and prior to the official vote. How can the Commission predicate its decision on such statements as, "least disruptive to Lynwood, the Lynwood tax base has room for expansion, the Lynwood schools can better stand the tax loss, that Fernwood is an industrial-commercial street" when, in reality, these statements are not true. Following his statement, the Mayor opened the meeting for general discussion and comments. .Councilman Byork asked for clarification of the Highway Commission's statement concerning the Lynwood school system being better able to stand tax losses. Dr. Hyrum W. Loutsensock, Superintendent of the Lynwood Unified School District addressed the Council to explain the school district's sources of income and to explain the problems which will be created by the approved freeway location. He also stated that because of the proximity of the freeway to the Wilson School, that school will require rebuilding because of noise generated from the freeway. A representative of St. Paul's Church, located on the north side of Fernwood Avenue, stated that the church school would also have to be rebuilt. Mr. Eddie Joe Martin, owner of Fernwood Convalescent hospital, located on the south side of Fernwood Avenue west of Long Beach Boulevard, stated that removal of the hospital would result in a loss of jobs for 35 families and loss of an annual payroll of $180,000. Mr. Anita Birkholm questioned the opinion of the Economic Research Associates that the Fernwood route would be good for the economic growth of the City. Mr. Gene Olson, 4157 Fernwood, asked about the affect of raising the railway, and Richard Hansen asked if the north side of Fernwood Avenue would be widened. He was told it would not be. Mr. Bob Ellis asked if there was any appeal possible, what affect the Ralph bill would have in relocation of property owners, and if there was any relief for the people on the north side of Fernwood who would be facing the freeway. Mrs. Lucille Kanka said she felt there should be an answer for every question propounded in the Mayor's statement, and asked what the Council proposes to do -...,, in regard to the freeway decision. She also said it was her understanding that until a freeway agreement 4+ G~ is signed, the freeway cannot go through the City. Mrs. Parker addressed the Council to state she has talked to Highway Commissioner Pope and inquired about the news release of the freeway decision prior to the time the decision was made in the Highway Commission a7 r'^- meeting, and that she got no answer to her question. Dr. Waite, Lynwood Unified School District Board member, stated that he wanted to add his support to opposing the freeway route and would work with other interested citizens in working out a letter or petition directed toward the City's legislative representatives. Mrs. Susan Reinhardt offered to assist in anyway possible in opposing the freeway route. Mr. Bill Robertson, 4451 McMillan, stated that the freeway would open more north-south routes than now exist and that it has been his experience that freeways help a community. Mr. Jack Ballard, 3191 Sanborn, asked about the freeway location in relation to the north roadway of Fernwood Avenue. Mrs. Audry Feist, Lynwood Unified School District Board member, asked to whom an appeal would be made if the Highway Commission is not responsible to anyone. Mr. Henry Homer spoke to inquire how the Southern Pacific tracks could be placed between the freeway lanes and still maintain spur tracks. Dr. Loutsensock asked that the City work closely with the school district during the detailed planning of the freeway as they are extremely concerned about the freeway's affect on .the school district. Mr. Jess Corning asked if his property at 11502 Long Beach Boulevard would be included in the freeway route and he was informed it would be. In answer to a question from the audience, the Mayor explained that the freeway was stopped in San Francisco by not permitting on or off ramps to be constructed. Such action as this in Lynwood would be detrimental to the City. Following a general informal discussion of various aspects of the freeway among members of the audience and the City Council, the Mayor entertained a motion that a request for re-hearing be made and that a letter containing the specific comments made in his statement presented at the beginning at the meeting be sent to the Governor, members of the State Highway Commission, Congressman. Clawson, the City's State Senatorial and Assembly representatives, the City's County Supervisor, and the State Attorney General. It was so moved by Councilman Green, seconded by Councilman Stevens, and carried. It was moved by Councilman Byork, seconded by Councilman Stevens, and carried, that the meeting be adjourned. C'ty C erk, City of Ly ood APPROVED AUGUST 6, 1968 Discussion Century freeway route r May of-the City of Lynwood