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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04 MINUTES 11-03-97 MINUTES REGUL~.. MEETING OF THE CITY COUm~IL CITY OF TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA OCTOBER 20, 1997 NO. 4 11-3-97 CALL TO ORDER/PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/INVOCATION The meeting was called to order by Mayor Thomas at 7:01 p.m. at the Council Chambers, 300 Centennial Way, Tustin, California. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Tustin Girl Scout Flag Patrol. The Invocation was given by Councilmember Doyle.' ROLL CALL Council Present: Jeffery M. Thomas', Mayor Thomas R. Saltarelli, Mayor Pro Tem Mike Doyle Jim Potts Tracy Wills Worley . Council Absent: None City Clerk: Pamela Stoker Others Present: William A. Huston, city Manager Lois Jeffrey, City Attorney · Christine Shingleton,~Assistant City Manager George Jeffries, city Treasurer ~ Elizabeth Binsack, Director of Com. Development Steve Foster, Chief of Police Ronald A Nault, Finance Director Tim Serlet, Director of Public Works' Mike Henley, Dir./Parks and Recreation Services Dana Kasdan, Engineering Services .Manager Rita Westfield, Asst. Dir./Com. Development Martin Pastucha, Field Services Manager Valerie Crabill, Chief Deputy City Clerk Dave Gottlieb, Senior Project Manager Bettie Correa, Senior Personnel Analyst Approximately 25 in the audience . PROCLAMATION AMY WALDROOP, COMMUNITY RECOGNITION Councilmember Worley stated that Council had the privilege of recognizing and honoring citizens; remarked on a recent'newspaper article about Amy Waldroop, who' from the age of 18, had been raising three younger brothers; noted how she identified with Ms. Waldroop; and commended her as an unsung hero. Mayor Thomas read and presented a proclamation to Amy Waldroop, recognizing her devotion to her three brothers. Amy Waldroop thanked Council for. the proclamation. PUBLIC INPUT - None CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 4, 10-20-97 11. 12. was an excellent concept; the necessity to attract .more business in Old Town; if approved, construction would begin in 1998;· removal of E1 Camino Real from the Master Plan of Arterial Highways; and presenting, a report to Council after staff had met with business and property owners regarding proposed diagonal parking. It was moved by Thomas, seconded by Potts, to continue this item to the November 3, 1997 Council meeting. Motion carried 5-0~ ORDINANCE NO. 1187, CHANGING DATE OF GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION Councilmember Doyle questioned if a future Council could change the election date and if so, was voter approval necessary to' maintain a permanent election date. Lois Jeffrey, City Attorney,. responded that adoption of this ordinance required one election to'be conducted in November 1998; Council Could change future election dates in conformance with the State Elections Code; and presenting the matter before voters was at the discretion of Council. Council/staff discussion followed regarding that the election date could not be changed if the issue was presented to voters except by another vote of the people; and agendizing this matter at a future meeting for discussion. It was moved by Worley, seconded by Saltarelli, to have second reading by title only and adoption of Ordinance No. 1187. The City Clerk read the following Ordinance No. 1187 by title .only: ORDINANCE NO. 1187 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TUSTIN, CALIFORNIA, REPEALING ORDINANCE NO. 1139 AND REQUIRING THAT THE CITY'S GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION., BEGINNING 'IN 1998, SHALL BE CONSOLIDATED WITH THE STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION WHICH WILL BE HELD ON THE FIRST TUESDAY AFTER THE FIRST MONDAY IN NOVEMBER OF EVEN NUMBERED YEARS Motion carried 4-1, Potts opposed (roll call vote). STATUS OF NEW POST OFFICE Councilmember Potts described the inability to access the Tustin Post office traveling west on First Street; stated that post office parking lot traffic created congestion on First Street; remarked on a newspaper article stating the Postal Service achieved $3 billion profit last year; and requested staff contact Washington D.C. officials to petition fo'r a new post office in Tustin' Councilmember Doyle remarked on the hazardous driving and parking conditions at the post office. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 5, 10-20-97 13. 14. 15. Mayor Pro Tem Saltarelli suggested staff contact the regional office in Sacramento requesting a new post office be constructed in Tustin and noted the potential liability issues created by traffic congestion at. the post office. Councilmember Worley commented on the Police Department traffic enforcement near the post office; noted that the post office was crowded due to the City's population growth; suggested forwarding a mayoral letter to regional offices in sacramento requesting a new city post office; stated she would contact Washington D.C. postal officials on the matter; and supported construction of a new post office. Council/staff discussion followed regarding requesting assistance on the matter from the City of Santa Ana; contacting Sacramento and Washington D.C. officials; and past correspondence with Congressman Cox's office on the matter. Mayor Thomas supported forwarding mayoral letters requesting a new post office to Washington D.C. and Sacramento officials and to Congressman Cox. SENIOR CENTER COMPUTERS SENIOR CITIZEN TRANSPORTATION Mike Henley, Director Of Parks and Recreation Services, reported that because the Computer Learning Center was not utilized during the day, seniors from the Senior Center had been attending computer classes at the Learning Center; noted the scaled down furniture the seniors.had to use in the Learning Center computer classes; and said the Tustin Community Foundation had been investigating fundraising for the purchase of Senior Center computers and a transportation vehicle. Bob Kiley, Tustin Community FOundation Director, reported that the Foundation was studying expanding the number of computers at the Tustin Family and Youth Center; after installation of the new network equipment at City Hall, upgrading the old City Hall computers for use at the Senior Center; and exploring obtaining a van by the Tustin Family and Youth Center and the Senior Center. Councilmember Potts suggested staff and the Foundation investigate obtaining a vehicle donation; noted the number of seniors attending computer class at the Learning Center; converting Classroom No. 3 at the Senior Center to a computer center; and he requested..a report detailing available options presented at a future Council meeting. BUDGET APPROPRIATION, COLUMBUS TUSTIN PARK SITE ASSESSMENT It was moved by Saltarelli, seconded by Doyle, to appropriate $10,000 from the Park Development Fund for sub-consultant work. Councilmember Worley explained that the budget appropriation would be used to evaluate what improvements were necessary to upgrade the Columbus Tustin fields. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 6, 10-20-97 Motion carried 5-0. 16. QUARTERLY INVESTMENT REPORT It was moved by Potts, seconded by Worley, to receive and file subject report. Motion carried 5-0. 17. TEMPORARY LIGHTING IN OLD TOWN Martin Pastucha, Field Services Manager, reported lighting was an issue examined by the UCI students during their study of Old Town and they had recommended additional lighting to enhance Old Town pedestrian traffic as well as provide decorations for the upcoming holiday season; staff was working with the Old Town Association to develop Permanent lighting; and temporary° lighting options included lighting downtown trees and wrapping lights around street light poles. It was moved by Potts, seconded, by Doyle, to approve the proposal to purchase and install additional temporary lights on 28 street lights in the Old Town area, and authorize staff to enter into an agreement with Dekra-Lite of Santa Ana to provide the labor, material and equipment for the installation of power and lighting. Motion carried 5-0. PUBLIC INPUT OLD TOWN DIAGONAL 'PARKING/TUSTIN OLD TOWN ASSOCIATION Tam Santoni, 440 E1 Camino Real, Tustin, spoke in opposition to the proposed Old Town diagonal parking. John Prescott, 18752 E. 17th Street, Tustin, spoke in opposition to the proposed Old Town diagonal parking and the Tustin Old Town Association. Audrey Heredia, 13561 Malena, Tustin, spoke in' favor of Old Town diagonal parking and the Tustin Old Town Association. OTg~R BUSINESS TILLER DAYS Councilmember Doyle commented on the Success of the Tiller Days Parade and Carnival and his enjoyment listening to the Marine Corps Band. Mayor Thomas commented on the success of .Tiller Days and the wonderful children's carnival rides. Councilmember Potts requested staff, resolve the insurance liability issues allowing Council to throw candy during the Tiller Days Parade next year. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 7, 10-20-97 BAKER CANYON FIRE Councilmember Doyle commented on the recent Baker Canyon fire and successful firefighting preventing structure loss. Mayor Thomas commended staff for their efforts during the Baker Canyon fire and providing timely status updates to him during the absence of management staff due to League of Cities conference attendance. COMMENDATION - POLICE DEPARTMENT Councilmember Doyle commended two Tustin Police Officers for their sensitive handling of an individual at his restaurant. TUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM Councilmember Doyle congratulated the Tustin High School Football team for their undefeated record. POLICE PURSUITS Councilmember Potts expressed disappointment after reading a recent letter to the editor on police pursuits and the death of police officers before pursuits would cease. LEFT-TURN TRAFFIC ARROWS Councilmember Potts requested staff continue to explore elimination of left-turn requirements on red lights. TRAFFIC CONGESTION - RED HILL AVENUE/I-5 CounCilmember Potts requested staff investigate the traffic congestion at Red Hill Avenue and the I-5 freeway ramp and send a letter to Caltrans alerting them of the traffic problem. ORANGE COUNTY FIRE AUTHORITY Councilmember Potts noted that Paid Call volunteer firefighters · were not given preference for firefighter positions and requested Councilmember Worley bring this matter to the Orange County Fire Authority Board; and he expressed hope that with the selection of a new fire chief, a contract could be negotiated for the firefighters. Councilmember Worley noted that firefighters had been conducting "no contract', rallies, firefighters had been offered a 3.5% raise by the OCFA Board, and the offer had been rejected by the firefighters for a 20% increase over the next two years; and she reported that approximately 850 applications had been received for each firefighter vacancy and Paid Call firefighters had to compete in that market. Mayor Pro Tem Saltarelli reported that during his membership on the OCFA Board, the Board reinstated three pay increases for CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 8, 10-20-97 firefighters that had been eliminated by the County due to the bankruptcy, and hoped that the contract dispute could be resolved. CITY ATTORNEY EXPENSE REPORTING Councilmember Ports commended staff for the creation of City Attorney expense reporting by fiscal year. LA COLINA STOP SIGNS Councilmember Worley expressed displeasure with County of Orange stop sign installation along La Colina and stated that the installation was ridiculous and requested the County reconsider. SR 55/I-5 FREEWAY Councilmember Worley reported that SR 55 freeway construction between the I-5 and 22 freeways was-complete. BOY SCOUT TROOP 323 Mayor Pro Tem Saltarelli Offered his apologies to Boy Scout Troop 323, who was scheduled to present colors at the 17th Street Bridge Opening ceremony, but was inadvertently omitted from the program, and thanked the troop for attending the ceremony.. 88-YEAR OLD BEAVER, PENNSYLVANIA, MAYOR RUNNING FOR OFFICE UNOPPOSED Mayor Pro Tem Saltarelli read a newspaper article from his hometown of Beaver, Pennsylvania, reporting that the City's 88- year old mayor had served continuously for 52 years and was running for office again unopposed. AD HOC COMMITTEE- SENIOR CITIZEN' ISSUES Mayor Thomas suggested formation of an ad hoc committee to address senior citizen issues. MAYOR'S BREAKFAST - NOVEMBER 21t 1997 Mayor Thomas announced the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast would be held on November 21, 1997. TUSTIN UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD/PRESIDENT ABELOVE. Mayor Thomas thanked the Tustin Unified School Board and President Abelove for their efforts to work with the City. SENIOR CENTER DANCE FLOOR Mayor Thomas commended staff for their immediate resp°nse to a citizen complaint regarding the inability to dance smOothly on the Senior Center dance floor. COMMITTEE REPORTS - None CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Page 9, 10-20-97 CLOSED SESSION Mayor Thomas announced that the City CoUncil would convene in closed session to confer with the City Attorney regarding pending litigation to which the city was a party, Carvajal vs. city of Tustin, AHM 0055060; and the claim of Melinda Singletary, Claim No. 97-11. Mayor Thomas adjourned the meeting at 8:58 p.m. The next regular meeting of the city Council was scheduled for Monday, November 3, 1997, at 7:00~ p.m. in the Council Chambers at 300 Centennial Way. CLOSED SESSION STATEMENT It was moved and seconded to deny the claim of Melinda Singletary, Claim No. 97-11, and direct the city Clerk to notify the claimant and the claimant's attorney. Motion carried 5-0. JEFFERY M. THOMAS, MAYOR PAMELA STOKER, CITY CLERK