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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