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HomeMy Public PortalAboutCity Council_Minutes_1968-12-19_Regular 1968ADJOURNED MEETING C O U N C I L M I N U T E S CITY OF TEMPLE CITY TEMPLE CITY CALIFORNIA DECEMBER 19, 1968 Mayor Briggs called the adjourned meeting of the City Council to order at 7:00 P. M. following which he led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Councilmen - Harker, Merritt, Briggs ABSENT: Councilmen - Beckley, Tyrell Councilman Merritt moved to excuse the absence of Councilman Beckley and Councilman Tyrell due to illness, Councilman Harker seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. Mayor Briggs stated this was the time and place for the continued Public Hearing, re the formation of Temple City Lighting District No. 1. Councilman Harker moved to re -open the Public Hearing, Councilman Merritt seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. The Mayor asked if anyone in the audience wished to speak. Mr. Boyce F. O'Bannon, 10316 E. Olive St., presented another letter to the Council and requested it be read in full. City Attorney Martin read the letter of opposition to forming the Lighting District in full, in which Mr. O'Bannon suggested the Council consider paying the cost of all intersection lighting in the City. He also felt that this proposed improvement should be delayed for one year and that a master lighting plan be developed and all the citizens be informed fully and well in advance of any consideration by the Council. The Asst. City Manager advised there was a master plan proposed but for future consideration, and at this time there were no plans to make any improvements, but to transfer from the County the jurisdiction over existing Lighting Districts, and to include City area where no Districts exist, to the City for maintenance and energy. Any proposed installations would be considered at a later time following the same procedure of a public hearing as required for the formation of a District. Mayor Briggs again emphasized there is no cost for installation if made on existing poles, and the only cost is for maintenance, and energy. If metal poles are requested,the areas receiving the benefit would have to pay for their cost. Mr. Sabino, 5211 Doreen, stated he made a survey and contacted close to 200 property owners and they have been badly hurt with the tremendous rise in real estate taxes. He felt this proposal was poorly planned and came at the wrong time. He requested that it be put off a little while to give the people a chance to study and digest the program proposed. Mrs. Stambol, 5727 N. Reno, stated she was opposed, that they have sufficient lighting in her area, and she felt the City should devote more time to beautifying the City and something should be done about some areas where people do not clean up, and keep up their property. Edna Rummel, 9536 Wedgewood, stated she fully agreed with Mr. O'Bannon . She felt everyone should have the opportunity to know exact- ly what it means and it should not be done suddenly. Ben Short, 5930 Golden West, commented that there were many at the meeting Dec. 3, and were aware of this meeting when the matter would be taken up further and are not here at this time. He also stated that the Council is charged with the operation of this City and certainly wish to further improve the City and if the Lighting District is not formed at this time they cannot do anything about additional lights etc. Council Minutes, December 19, 1968, Page 2 Robt. Bock, 5328 Encinita, stated he felt the formation of the Lighting District was an excellent thing for the City. Means greater safety for his children, his wife, for women and older citizens which is worth more than the dollars involved. He felt this very necessary in Temple City. No one else came forward to speak at this time. Councilman Merritt moved to close the Public Hearing, Councilman Harker seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. Mayor Briggs stated it is now for the Council to decide whether there is a need to communicate more with the citizens, whether the Council should act now and move for the benefit of the City, or defer for the reasons that have been stated. He felt there was no doubt in his mind that they had not communicated with the people but the question is what waiting another year will mean Councilman Harker advised there has been a great deal of time and effort put into the study of this proposed Lighting District. Much occurred prior to Council consideration, which was done by the Engineers. He felt it will result in benefit to Temple City whether it is done next year or now. He stated he is a resident in an area not paying lighting at the present time. As a Councilman he must be responsible to the people and to their wishes. He stated during all of this time he had not received one single contact for or against the proposal orfrom the neutral side. He brought out we have been a City since 1900 without a- Lighting District formed during that time with no tragic events, no disasters, no increase in local crime rate that could be contributed to our lack of light. Does feel our light- ing is inadequate. The City Council is charged with the responsibility of the welfare and safety of the community and take this very seriously. The formation will only give us local control. After a great deal of thought he stated his position would be in the interest of the community and benefit to the City Council not to try to do this before the 31st of December. He felt we are not going to lose a great deal by waiting and taking a little more time and working on :this next year which would bring the District into being July 1, 1970. Councilman Merritt stated he disagreed with Councilman Harker as he felt by doing so it could possibly be two or three years before the program would be implemented, that we would have the same problems then as we have had in the past. He had talked to many people that do not have lights and want them, and some that have them and do not want them. He felt we should get the program on the move. City Attorney Martin read in full a communication from Councilman Tyrell as follows: he stated he had listened in full to the entire tape of the Public Hearing; he felt it inequitable that those in ex- isting lighting districts pay for intersection lighting and those not in a district do not pay; the present proposal for a city -wide dis- trict would carry the burden of all community lighting, intersection lighting , heavily lighted areas and possibly on major business streets, all of which he felt was an obligation of the citizenry as we all share in the use of these lights; that there will be a second district or taxing area wherein those streets or areas having on- street lighting at the present time will be placed, wherein they will pay as has been in the past, . for the services rendered to them. Under this as we install additional lighting in the future this district will expand until hopefully, it will encompass the entire City and we will be all one district in a well- lighted, functional and equitable city; only those people presently not sharing the lighting tax burden will feel any increase, and it is not significant, some $2. or $3.00 per yr.: if we can equitable cover expenses of government as in the past there will be no reason for a city tax, and the City Council is unanimous in not wanting one; the use of municipal funds over and above $10,000. or even that sum, would be to curtail desirable programs for the balance of the City, only to benefit of those presently not in a district. Re areas of high lighting having high crime rate, the extra lighting is put in for that specific purpose. It is a substantial deterrent or Council Minutes, December 19, 1968, Page 3 the crime rate would be higher. He stated it is the responsibility of the Council,being elected by the electorate,to plan these things for the City and further procrastination of this necessary program is un- warranted and certainly not in the best interests of our City. Remember only protestants were solicited to appear at the hearing and you must assume if they did not appear that they are in favor of it. We solicit advice of our citizens at all times when given in a reasonable, factual and courteous manner and we have always considered their remarks. The ultimate decision however rests with the Council. Let us not waiver in'carrying out our obligation. Mayor Briggs stated he felt a great deal of concern because we had not been able to communicate with the public as we wished to. Some in the audience inferred this Council was trying to slip something over on the people of this City. All of the Councilmen are men of high integrity and deep concern for this City. He felt if deferred we might be able to convey to the citizens the concern of the Council for the residents living here. Mr. O'Bannon said many people were upset, why were they not here to state their concern and ask for clarification. Because of this he felt we should go ahead in spite of the fact that some question this. So he was in favor of going forward with this for our City, for the women, the children, and older folks who have to walk our streets at night. • City Attorney Martin stated there are only two options available, either to terminate the proceedings or to pass Resolutions to formulate the District. Councilman Merritt moved to create the District. Councilman Harker stated he was opposed. City Attorney Martin read title to Resolution No. 68 -881 A RESOLU- TION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TEMPLE CITY, CALIFORNIA, ORDER- ING THE IMPROVEMENT DESCRIBED IN RESOLUTION NO. 68 -872, TO BE MADE, AS DESCRIBED IN THE ENGINEER'S REPORT, DIAGRAM, AND PLAN REFERRED TO THEREIN, PROVIDING FOR THE CONSOLIDATION OF ALL EXISTING LIGHTING DISTRICTS IN TEMPLE CITY INTO A SINGLE DISTRICT PURSUANT TO THE "STREET LIGHTING ACT OF 1919 ", ORDERING THE WORK AND LEVYING THE ASSESSMENT FOR SERVICE NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN AND ILLUMINATE BY ELECTRIC ENERGY THE STREET LIGHTS WITHIN THE SAID DISTRICT. Councilman Merritt moved to adopt Resolution No. 68 -881, Councilman Briggs seconded. Councilman Harker referred to his previous comment and stated he was in favor of the District and that it would benefit the community but for the reasons previously stated he was in opposition at this time, and he would certainly work to the fullest extent next year to bring this about. Mayor Briggs stated Councilman Tyrell is not present and he has in- dicated his feelings. As it stands the vote is 2 to 1 which is not a majority of the Council which would require 3 yes votes. For this reason he could not vote for the improvement. The roll call vote followed: AYES: Councilman - Merritt NOES: Councilmen- Harker, Briggs The Asst, City Manager suggested the Council meet again on Dec. 23 at which time Councilman Tyrell could most likely be present and take final action at that time Mayor Briggs recommended that the Council consider this next year and work with the people and move on a definite program. Hold meetings at the City Hall, send out notices, set up say 6 sessions and let the people come and ask questions, and to start moving on this after the first of the year. Then everything possible would be done. 1 1 1 Council Minutes, December 19, 1968; Page 4 Councilman Harker stated that legally the Council had every right to go ahead with formation of this District. The Council is sufficiently concerned and he recommends to forget it this year. Councilman Merritt felt the situation will he the same thing all over again when it comes up in the future. We would have just wasted possibly a year. Mayor Briggs was deeply concerned re the confidence of the citizens. He felt he could not vote yes on a 2 to 1 vote, and when only three voting it should be a 3 - O vote. He would agree to another meeting. Following discussion Councilman Merritt moved to continue this to December 23d, 1968, in the Council Chambers at. 7:00 P. M., Council- man Harker seconded, and the motion carried unanimously. Council adjourned at 8:30 P. M. ATTEST: