HomeMy Public PortalAboutM 1970-08-18 - CC4y
REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 18, 1970
The City Council of the City of Lynwood met in a
regular session in the City Hall, 11330 Bullis Road,
on above date at 7:30 p.m.
Mayor Green in the chair.
~-~- Councilmen Byork, Green, Liewer, Siokos, Stevens
answered the roll call.
It was moved by Councilman Byork, seconded by Council-
man Liewer, and carried, that the minutes of the
regular meeting of August 4, 1970, be approved as written.
RESOLUTION N0. 70-51 entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE Res. 70-51
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LYNWOOD ALLOWING AND Demands
APPROVING THE DEMANDS PRESENTED AND ORDERING WARRANTS
DRAWN THEREFOR," was presented. It was moved by
Councilman Liewer, seconded by Councilman Stevens,
that said resolution be adopted.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Councilmen Byork, Green, Liewer, Siokos, Stevens.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS
ORDINANCE N0. 878 entitled: "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
CHAPTER 17 OF THE LYNWOOD CITY CODE TO SUPPLEMENT
SECTION H-1002 OF THE 1964 EDITION OF THE UNIFORM
BUILDING CODE TO IMPOSE A LIEN FOR THE NET EXPENSE
OF ABATING A NUISANCE UNDER THESE SECTIONS AND TO
PROVIDE A METHOD OF DISPOSING OF PERSONAL PROPERTY
FOUND OR SAVED ON THE PROPERTY," was presented for
second reading. It was moved by Councilman Liewer,
seconded by Councilman Stevens, and carried, that
further reading be waived.
It was moved by Councilman Liewer, seconded by Council-
man Byork, that said ordinance be adopted as read
for the second time, finally passed and be published
as required by law.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Councilmen
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Ord. 878
Imposing a
Lien for
expense of
removing or
razing bldgs.
Byork, Green, Liewer, Siokos, Stevens.
ORDINANCE N0. 879 entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LYNWOOD AMENDING CHAPTER
20 OF THE LYNWOOD CITY CODE TO ADD SECTION 20.81.3
THERETO TO PROVIDE FOR THE LICENSING OF CATERERS NOT
HAVING A FIXED PLACE OF BUSINESS WITHIN THE CITY,"
was presented for second reading. It was moved by
Councilman Liewer, seconded by Councilman Byork,
and carried, that further reading be waived.
Ord. 879
Providing
for licensing
of caterers
It was moved by Councilman Liewer, seconded by
Councilman Stevens, that said ordinance be adopted
I as read for the second time, finally passed and be
i published as required by law.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Councilmen Byork, Green, Liewer, Siokos, Stevens.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
~U
Ord. first read
Prohibiting
drinking of
alcoholic
beverages on
public grounds
An ordinance entitled: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LYNWOOD AMENDING CHAPTER 23
OF THE LYNWOOD CITY CODE TO ENACT SECTION 23.9.1
THERETO, TO PROHIBIT ANY PERSON FROM DRINKING BEER,
WINE OR OTHER INTOXICATING BEVERAGE ON ANY STREET,
SIDEWALK, ALLEY, HIGHWAY, PLAYGROUND OR PUBLIC PARK,
was presented for first reading. It was moved by
Councilman Stevens, seconded by Councilman Liewer,
and carried, that further reading be waived.
reading.
It was moved by Councilman Stevens, seconded by
Councilman Liewer, that said ordinance be accepted
as read for the first time and passed to the second
Councilman Siokos asked if Bateman Hall is included
in the ordinance, and he was informed that it was
not.
The City Attorney informed the City Council that
alcoholic beverages could be served in Bateman Hall
if there were no regulations against it. The
advisability of allowing certain types of groups to
serve alcoholic beverages in Bateman Hall was
discussed, and the City Attorney said that if it
was permitted, it would have to be offered to all
in a certain category, but that it could be restricted
to certain categories. He also said that as he
recalled when this was proposed some years ago
a special kind of alcoholic beverage control license
is required. The City Manager commented that the
rules and regulations adopted by the Recreation
Commission for use of the building could be modified
by the City Council to permit serving of alcoholic
beverages.
Councilmen Byork and Liewer both stated that they
have been approached on a number of occasions
about serving alcoholic beverages in Bateman Hall,
and it was suggested that by permitting it possibly
higher fees might be charged in order to make the
building more nearly self-sustaining. What other
cities are doing on the question of serving of
alcoholic beverages in their public buildings was
discussed with no action being taken.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Councilmen Byork, Green, Liewer, Siokos, Stevens.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Res. 70-52 RESOLUTION N0. 70-52 entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE
Requesting CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LYNWOOD REQUESTING AN
Co. aid to ALLOCATION OF COUNTY AID TO CITIES FUNDS FOR THE
cities funds MAINTENANCE OF SELECT SYSTEM STREETS," was presented.
allocation It was moved by Councilman Stevens, seconded by
Councilman Byork, that said resolution be adopted.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Councilmen Byork, Green, Liewer, Siokos, Stevens.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
~~
The Manager informed the Council that final assessment Adoption of
valuation figures have been received from the County General fund
of Los Angeles and it is now necessary that the tax and retire-
rate for the fiscal year 1970-71 be established. He ment tax
presented a report on adoption of the rates which rates for
indicated a final budget deficit of $180,000, and fiscal 1970-
in order to avoid deficit financing, suggested the 1971
following alternatives for the Council's consideration:
1. A property tax increase of 21~ per $100 of assessed
valuation, making a total general fund rate of 76~
which, added to the retirement fund rate of 22~, will
result in a total city tax rate of 98~.
2. Development of the additional funds through a
combination property tax increase and new revenue
sources such as the following:
a. Hotel-Motel bed tax of 4%.
b. Issuance of a towing franchise to provide all
towing needs relative to the police function.
c. General increase in business license fees.
d. Requirement for licensing of apartment houses
beginning with the fourth unit.
e. Increase of license fees for convalescent
hospitals to include a fixed fee per bed.
It was anticipated that approximately $50,000 could
'^ be raised from these sources, thus requiring approximately
$130,000 in increased property taxes. To raise this
sum an increase of 16~ per $100 of assessed valuation
would be required which, added to the 22~ for retirement,
would result in a city tax rate of 93~. The Manager
emphasized that a 16¢ increase would be adequate
only if combined with a minimum of $50,000 in new
source revenue. In answer to a query from the Council,
the Manager informed them that $140,000 of the $180,000
deficit represented wage increases. The Council
expressed strong opposition to deficit financing, and
a desire to hold the tax rate increase to the lowest
figure possible. Each of the proposed new sources of
revenue were discussed in detail and it was the
consensus of the Council that they favored a 16~ tax
rate increase with the remainder of the needed revenue
to be generated by developing the new sources of
revenue shown in alternative two above.
It was moved by Councilman Siokos, seconded by
Councilman Stevens, that the Council approve a 16~
General Fund tax rate increase.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Councilmen Byork, Green, Liewer, Siokos, Stevens.
~.. Noes : None .
Absent: None.
` RESOLUTION N0. 70-53 entitled: "A RESOLUTION OF THE Res. 70-53
INCORPORATED CITY OF LYNWOOD ESTABLISHING TAX DISTRICT Establishing
NUMBER 1 OF SAID CITY, FIXING THE RATES OF TAXES, AND Tax District
LEVYING TAXES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1, No. 1
1970, AND ENDING JUNE 30, 1971," was presented.
5 `~
It was moved by Councilman Liewer, seconded by Council-
man Byork, that said resolution be adopted.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Councilmen Byork, Green, Liewer, Siokos, Stevens.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
So. Calif. Gas A letter from Southern California Gas Company was
Co. merger presented, together with a copy of Plan and Agreement
agreement of Merger between Southern California Gas Company and
accepted. Southern Counties Gas Company of California in
compliance with Section (e) of Ordinance No. 581.
It was moved by Councilman Stevens, seconded by
Councilman Liewer, and carried, that the letter and
Plan and Agreement be accepted and filed.
REPORTS AND REQUESTS
Authorization The City Clerk presented a list of uncollectible
to close out accounts totaling $1,295.67 and requested authorization
uncollectible to close out the accounts. It was moved by Councilman
accounts Liewer, seconded by Councilman Stevens, and carried,
that the request be granted.
':.Dancing license An application for a special permit to conduct
,granted - Magic dancing at the Magic Robe Restaurant, 3551 Century
Robe, 3551 Boulevard, was presented. The application was
Century accompanied by the Police Department investigative
report which indicated no reason why the permit
should not be granted. It was moved by Councilman
Siokos, seconded by Councilman Liewer, and carried,
that the application be approved.
Imperial High- The City Manager presented a report on the results of
way traffic a study of Imperial Highway made by the Uniform Traffic
control system Control Committee, a committee formed by the County
report and of Los Angeles with cooperation of the Los Angeles
recommendation County Division of the League of California Cities.
Technical assistance for the committee was supplied
by the Los Angeles County Road Department. Imperial
Highway, the first of the County master plan highways
selected by the committee for uniform traffic control
study, extends approximately 27 miles through eleven
,jurisdictions. The study included traffic signals,
signal operations, channelization, speed zoning, and
parking controls. All traffic control devices,
traffic and parking regulations and other roadway
features were inventoried, and traffic counts,
speed measurements and accident information was
compiled. The resulting information was the basis
for recommendations for specific changes to improve
and safety on Imperial Highway.
the traffic flow
_
the final report and recommendations were submitted
to the various ,jurisdictions along the Imperial
Highways route for appropriate action. A copy of
the report and recommendation was submitted to the
Federal Bureau of Roads for consideration under the
TOPICS program, and their representatives have indicated
unofficially that the Imperial Highway Report meets
the TOPICS requirements and that an application for
Federal funds to assist in implementing the recommen-
dations would be welcomed. The Public Works Director
has studied the report and indicates it is a good
~5 ~-~
evaluation of the conditions and problems along
Imperial Highway as it relates to Lynwood. The Manager
recommended that the Council approve the Imperial
Highway Report in principle and instruct the Public
Works Director to, 1. analyze each recommendation
with respect to the traffic needs of this city, 2.
to explore methods of financing including Federal
'"~" assistance under the TOPICS program, and 3,
prepare final engineering and financing data for
council consideration at a later date. It was
moved by Councilman Siokos, seconded by Councilman
Liewer, and carried, that the Council approve the
Imperial Highway Report and concur in the Manager's
recommendations.
A report on the automated want and warrant system
operated by the City of Los Angeles Police Department
was presented by the City Manager. The Los Angeles
Police Department has recently completed the
installation of its Data Service Bureau and has
taken over the warrant system operated for many
years by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
The services of the system are available to
subscribing cities upon execution of a contract
with the City of Los Angeles, for the following
fees: $5.00 per month per sworn police officer
plus 52~ per warrant for each warrant converted
by the conversion center. Since the service
offered by the Los Angeles Police Department is
the only warrant system available to the City of
Lynwood Police Department, it was recommended
that the Council approve an agreement with the
City of Los Angeles for participation in the
automated want and warrant system for a period
of one year beginning in October, 1970. It was
moved by Councilman Stevens, seconded by Council-
man Byork, that the Council concur in the Manager's
recommendation.
Roll Call:
Ayes: Councilmen ~3york, Green, Liewer, Siokos, Stevens.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
The City Manager requested an executive session
for the purpose of discussing personnel matters.
The Mayor said that the meeting would be adjourned
to executive session following oral communications.
Limitation of time taken by those addressing the Council
during oral communications to five minutes as suggested
by Councilman Liewer was discussed with no action taken.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Ed Fuhrman, 4318 Pendleton Avenue, addressed the Council
to commend them for keeping the tax rate increase at a
1.-- minimum and trying to maintain a balanced budget. As
to increased revenue from certain businesses, he said
f he felt there was a lacks of equalization of the tax
burden among those who could afford to pay. He
suggested that possibly a good project in some college
or university graduate school would be an analysis of
the relative net profit based upon investment of
various types of business. He expressed approval of
Automated want
& warrant
system agreement
approved
~~
Discussion re raising business taxes in certain areas if it is
added revenue warranted. He said source material for such a
from business study is available if some one can be obtained to
licenses compile and analyze the information and apply it to
the local area.
Mr. Jerry Rokos, 11217 Bullis Road, addressed the
Council to say he was shocked at Councilman Liewer's
suggestion that a "gag" rule be imposed on those
wishing to address the Council. Councilman Liewer
informed him that he had no intention of making a
gag rule; that he strongly believed that as part
of the democratic process citizens should address
the Council, but he also believed that the average
oral communication could be made in five minutes
except in special cases which he felt should be
left to the discretion of the Mayor.
'Rokos discusses Mr. Rokos also urged that weeds in various locations
.weeds in various of the city be removed or killed with herbicides.
:places in city In discussing the problems involved in keeping all
weeds under control, it was suggested that this
might be suitable project for the beautification
committee, boy scout units or some of the service
clubs. Assistance given to merchants in.p.rovidin~;
overhead Christmas decorations was also questioned
by Mr. Rokos, and he was informed that the intention
was to benefit any citizen who enjoyed seeing the
decorations during the holiday season.
Councilman Stevens commented on Mr. Rokos' fault
finding, and questioned him about his membership in
the ACLU and asked if he was familiar with J. Edgar
Hoover's report on that organization. Mr. Rokos
said he was not a member and was unfamiliar with
the reports; that he spoke as a private citizen
interested in making the city abetter place to
live. He commended the Council for the 16~ tax
rate increase instead of 21~, and urged adjusting
of water rates to effect equalization of the rates
among the various types of users.
A. Legg freeway Mr. Archie Legg, 3671 Platt Avenue, addressed the
off-ramp signs Council regarding the freeway off-ramp signs on
need to be the north bound Long Beach Freeway, and the City
corrected Manager was asked to contact the State concerning
the Lynwood signs.
Curb numbering The Manager was questioned about the status of the
discussed curb addressing application made recently and he
informed the Counc~,l that the young man who asked
for permission to do the painting was told how the
city wanted it done. He was not at that time in
agreement with the City's requirement, and to date
he has heard nothing more from him. Mr. Riley
also informed the Council that he has contacted the
Southern Pacific Company .regarding the condition of _,,,
the station building at Fernwood and Long Beach
Boulevard and he was told that their representatives
would check it.
Street sweeping The problems of cleaning streets where on-street
on Brenton Ave parking prevents the sweeper from traversing the
problem street, specifically Brenton Avenue, was discussed.
It was the consensus of the Council that while
55
it would be difficult to carry out, an attempt should
be made to post a proposed sweeping day in advance
in an effort to remove the cars long enough to
permit the street to be swept.
Combining the Chamber of Commerce advertising
accounts into one account in the Chamber budget
.-~ was discussed, and it was moved by Councilman Siokos,
seconded by Councilman Liewer, that the three Chamber
of Commerce advertising accounts be combined into
a single account.
Roll Call:
Chamber adver-
tising accounts
combined
Ayes: Councilmen Byork, Green, Liewer, Siokos, Stevens.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
Mayor Green commented on the confusion resulting
from the City of Lynwood being split into three
assembly districts and the Manager said he has had
no response to his letters concerning the situation.
The meeting was adjourned to executive session.
Following the executive session, the meeting was
called to order.
It was moved by Councilman Siokos, seconded by
Councilman Liewer, and carried, that the City retain
the service of Harry J. Keaton.
A report on the promotional examination for the
position of Street Superintendent was given by the
City Manager. Inasmuch as none of the six candidates
passed the written portion of the examination, it was
recommended that an open promotional examination for
the position of Street Superintendent be approved. It
was moved by Councilman Liewer, seconded by Councilman
Stevens, that a second examination for Street
Superintendent be approved, open to applicants from
the outside.
Roll Call:
Executive session
Harry J. Keaton
retained
Open promotional
examination for
Street
Superintendent
approved
Ayes: Councilmen Byork, Green, Liewer, Siokos, Stevens.
Noes: None.
Absent: None.
It was moved by Councilman Liewer, seconded by Council-Adjourn in memory
man Stevens, and carried, that the meeting be adjourned of Thomas
in memory of Thomas Griffiths, a member of the Lynwood Griffiths
Fire Deparment who passed away on August 17, 1970.
C •y Cle k, City of Lynw od
APPROVED SEPTEMBER 1, 1970
,,
Mayor of t e C y of ynwood