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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 03-21 CC MIN96 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA March 21, 1978 The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of National City was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Morgan. ROLL CALL Council members present: Camacho, Dalla, Van Deventer, Waters, Morgan. Absent: None. Administrative officials present: Campbell, Gerschler, Gill, Hoffland, McCabe, McLean. SALUTE TO THE FLAG AND INVOCATION The meeting was opened with salute to the flag led by City Manager Gill followed with invocation by the Rev. O. B. Booker, Missionary Church of God in Christ. PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS SCHEDULED PRESENTATIONS Claude R. Page, Transit Coordinator, San Diego Transit, was present regarding the FY 79 agreement with the City. Mr. Page recommened Council give approval to reinstate the service on Route 12 on the west side of Freeway 5 that was deleted last year because of insufficient funds; new allocation of monies will allow that rein- statement. Mr. Page recommended, providing it doesn't exceed the funding, two of the night trips that were abandoned:the 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. trips on Route 12 and 12-A. Mr. Page stated he believes there will be some monies left and the City could reinstate Route 13 service to the Sweetwater Heights area. Mr. Page said Council is on record as being in favor of service to the Senior Highrise facility when it goes in; he recommended that some money be kept in reserve so that when it is completed, service can be started immediately. Mr. Page stated to his knowledge no complaints were received from the people in the Sweetwater Heights area when service was cut by 50%; they still had the service to provide mobility when they needed it. Moved by Waters, seconded by Van Van Deventer, in favor of the San Diego Transit's recommendation that we reinstate the west side Route 12. Carried by unanimous vote. Mr. Page stated he will return in May or June with the finalized contract based on the decision of Council. PUBLIC ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ALFRED H.LAWATSCH, 905 E. 13th Street, was present to discuss the Sweetwater Water Authority Board, which meets tomorrow night to discuss the proposed increase in water rates; although the City has only two votes on the Sweetwater Authority, the Mayor is the president of the Authority and making some effort to have an influence on the Authority by giving specific instructions is not necessarily a lost cause; the attorney and consultants for the Water Authority have come to the conclusion that rates must be raised, although no particular study has been made to lower costs; in other words, one significant thing that has happened is that our reservoirs have been filled higher than expected and this water equals money because, if we don't have to buy as much water from the Colorado River, by distributing some of this water immediately certain short-term cost savings can be realized. Mr. Hlawatsch continued there's also the matter that reservoirs and dams are made for flood control; a full reservoir is a good thing if you need lots of water and useless to prevent a flood; the basic thing he wanted (since the take-over of the Water Company) was for the Board to keep its promise that it 5/21/78 97 was going to lower the water rates, that's what he wanted Council to instruct the two members to vote for; but failing that, he implored Council to instruct the two members to prevent a raise in the water rates being made and to at least study more thoroughly the matter of lowering costs before the decision is made. Councilman C'amacho stated that because the citizens were promised lower rates, the two members should vote against the raise. Mr. Hlawatsch said one of the major users of water is the City which spent $27,000 for water and the City rates would go up 40-42% which means digging into the taxpayers' pocket more deeply. Mayor Morgan outlined briefly for the audience the acquisition of the water company by the City and stated the people who own the bonds are a factor in determining the rates that must be charged to keep the company solvent over and above expenses; the Water Authority is going to have to meet their obligations to the people that loan the money. Mr. Hlawatsch said the City took over the system so we could control it and now we're being told the bond holders call the tune from the east coast; if we don't lower expenses, I would have to concede you're correct; at the last meeting of the Water Authority it was asked whether any study was commissioned about lowering costs and the Board members stated it was; then it was asked of the consultant (who was paid $10,000 to do the study) whether he studied lowering costs and he stated no, he had not; this is what the people are concerned about; the consultant himself stated that he hadn't done that kind of study; until that job is given to the consultant and an answer is given, the Board can't make an informed decision. Mr. Hlawatsch stated he understands the consultants job was to determine how much you have to raise rates to meet X, Y and Z obligations and he did not address the question as to how much we can lower our expenses; since it was not, we don't have full information; it would be premature to make a decision until that question has been thoroughly explored. Mayor Morgan stated they hired consultants from the Bank of America in San Francisco who said there was $800,000.00 in reserves; at the same time this took place water was scarce and they said let's cut down 10% on the water and when we cut down 10% on the water, at the end of the operating year we didn't have the 10% in there because we saved 10% on water. Mr. Hlawatsch said one of the reasons the Jarvis -Gann Amendment may pass in the State is that people feel that government is irresponsible with their money and the Water Company fiasco now is probably the greatest single stimulus for pro -Jarvis forces that he knows of; if it passes by a close margin around here he feels it will be the Water Company issue that does it. Mayor Morgan stated the only way the Authority can meet their obligations is put this in action, otherwise they can't meet their obligations; he was sorry that he said we could lower the water rates; 10% of all water users in the district under the plan that is before the Board tomorrow night will have a reduction on their rate; he's hoping most of those 10% will be in National City. Mr. Hlawatsch stated that most of the elderly and people living in large apartment houses and so on will get the 42% rate; that's what the Council ought to be more worried about right now; the people who are going to get the reduction are people that use less than 500 cubic feet of water and there are very few of them; the community is concerned, he doesn't claim to speak for the whole community, but tonight is one of the tests of how responsive and responsible the Council is and can be; he hoped to impress on Council he wanted to see very specific instructions given to the members of the Authority because the citizens were told they would have a say in the operation of the Water Company. There was further discussion. Mayor Morgan stated this item will be brought up by a Councilman at the end of the meeting. PUBLIC HEARING The CONTINUED HEARING on proposed use of property within the 1800 block of R. 24th Street for development of a 140-UNIT PLANNED RESIDENTIAL UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD-1-77) was held at this time. 3/21/78 98 Planning Director Gerschler stated the Planning Commission recommended in favor of this application subject to the stipulations, conditions and deviations as specified in staff report (Document No. 61176). City Engineer Hoffland handed Council a memo clarifying what was apparently a misprint in the original staff report; the essence of the memo would show that the 24th Street paving will be 36 feet wide with 5 foot sidewalks and 5 foot parkway widths. IRENE SNYDER, owner of the property at 1923 E. 24th Street, was present and stated they have come to no agreement on what will be done in front of her property and she was not happy with what is proposed. City Engineer Hoffland stated they reviewed the plans with the developer and talked to the attorney and it is their opinion what the existing pavement is a public roadway and the City has prescriptive rights to public access and that is the area which the City is requiring the developer to bring up to paving standards. City Manager Gill stated the staff met with the developer and they endeavored to work out an arrangement with the property owners as to what can be done to improve their property and to improve the street in front of their property; this property is to be used as a street and it is his understanding that as of this time an agreement has not been reached. Mrs. Snyder stated she had her property surveyed 20 years ago and the marker is there and covered, does that mean that they still can use her property? City Engineer stated that after many years of public use, the public has the right to use the property even though the underlining fee is the adjacent property owner's. Mrs. Snyder stated the developer wants to slope her property twelve feet in and that has nothing to do with surfacing the road. Moved by Waters, seconded by Morgan, this hearing be continued for one week and have staff go out and show you what's going to take place out there. Planning Director Gerschler stated the Council is up against a statutory limit as to how long they could deliberate on the tentative map. City Attorney McLean stated the Subdivision M.ap A.ct now provides (1) the Council cannot indefinitely deliberate the approval or disapproval of the subdivision map; this particular map has consumed the allowablespan of time, during which the Council had the opportunity to consider whethtir to approve or disapprove the map, time has run out, unless the developer agrees that the matter can be held over; (2) if you don't want to approve the map, can you disapprove the map? Mr. McLean stated the Subdivision M.ap Act retains a statutory statement the grounds upon which you can disapprove or reject the subdivision tentative map; he has not been informed by anybody of the existence of facts that would fit within the statutory scheme for rejection; the map does comply with the General Plan, appears to comply with the zoning and all the other elements of National City's City Plan. MRS. MILLEN, 1925 E. 24th Street, was present and stated that all they want is for the developers to stay off their property; improve it or nothing, just stay off. DICK KAU, 4203 Acacia, Bonita, was present and stated they have met several times with the people involved to try to work out the problem; they met with Mr. and Mrs. Dodson and they did sign an agreement to allow the developer to grade to match the street grade and in turn they agreed to do extensive grading; the hill to their west is 18 feet above their lowest level, they agreed to remove the hill and level the backyard and definitely improve the property; the Dodson's gave their permission to level to 24th Street; Mrs. Snyder was contacted also and she also signed a permit to allow them to grade to the street grade; they tried to remove any doubts that they were going to change or improve her property; they want to improve the property as this is the main entrance to the project and the developer wants to have an attractive one; in Mrs. Millen's case, he spoke to ther and she was very steadfast in that she didn't want the developer to do anything to her property, they felt that their property line ran out to essentially the middle of existing 24th Street and they did not want the developer to do anything to it; they have tried, Mr. Kau stated, and staff has pointed out everything that was needed to do and they have tried to do everything 3/21/78 99 conceivable from a Fire and Engineering standpoint to make this an attractive project. City Engineer Hoffland stated they have reviewed the plans and talked to the property owners in question and discussed this thoroughly and tried to outline all the options available and essentially staff's position is the roadway that is now paved will continue to be paved and the developer will have to make adjustments to the existing grade which he has agreed to do by building a wall back at the edge of the existing pavement and outside of their walls and fences and it is felt this is a good design and a tremendous improvement over what is there today. Planning Director Gerschler stated the request of Mrs. Millen is that the project stay off of her property; the project is off of her property, the project ends at the property line, the developer has proposed nothing on her property, the City is requiring nothing on her property, with one exception the City Engineer has advised her that we could ask the developer/ resurface the existing roadway; if Mrs. Millen desires it not be resurfaced, that can be disregarded; if Council were to drop that one stipulation that that road be resurfaced, then I can assure you (and the City Engineer will agree) that the project does not involve the lady's property and the City is not placing any requirements involving the lady's property; it's all off of her property. Mr. Gerschler stated that if Council would rather not require this off -site paving, that can be dropped, if dropped, they will not pave in front of her property and she's got what she wants. Mr. Gerschler stated in regard to the question of prescriptive right rights, we may be back some day and argue that; but it is not part of this subdivision. Mrs. Millen asked if she can put a fence up on her property? City Attorney McLean stated his advice to the City Engineer is that the street in front of her house is a public way despite the fact that she has a survey that denies this; if at a later date Mrs. Millen puts a fence out there, staff will come back to Council for a policy decision; whether you want to give up a piece of what we call 24th Street or whether you want to take action to enforce the public's right to use it. Mr. McLean stated he feels the public has acquired a legal right to use that property for a street, if Council as a policy matter wants to give that right up now or in the future, that decision lies with Council. Mrs. Millen stated the street was 30 feet wide before the builder came in and now they want to go over and use our property for the width and they're not going to get 30 feet out of the old property. City Engineer Hoffland displayed a diagram outlining the existing roadway and the subdivision boundary. City Engineer Hoffland stated they recommend to the developer that they should pave a parking lane in front of Mrs. Snyder's fence; Mrs. Snyder said she doesn't want it; Mr. Hoffland stated they believe in the consideration of safety it is good to have an emergency parking lane. Planning Director Gerschler stated that some day somebody's going to come in and try to build a fence in the middle of old 24th Street and the staff is going to be up here telling you..."Council, somebody wants to close a public roadway over which you have prescriptive rights" and the Council will be faced with the same decision then that you're faced with now about this question of prescriptive rights; what he would suggest is that Council set that question aside to be answered in the future, it doesn't have to be answered tonight; the developer can go ahead with the plan as presented and under the conditions recommended by the Planning Commission, do it on his 24 feet and get going without disturbing these people's properties tonight. Moved by Van Deventer, seconded by Camacho, the public hearing be closed and in favor of staff's recommendation minus the paving on the people's property and move along with the project. BRIAN RILEY, 4504 Via Bonita, an associate of Dr. Handler, the developer of the project, was present and stated Dr. Handler is ill and asked Mr. Riley to speak for him; there are 140 property owners to be considered; that's 140 taxpayers and 140 citizens and voters that are going to be driving in and out of 24th Street and will be using the benefits of the City and it is an extra cost to Dr. Handler to put in the street the way that staff has asked; Dr. Handler has 3/21/78 100 agreed to pay more money to do extra work than is absolutely required; he's willing to do this for the benefit of his project and to be able to give 140 people a good project. Mr. Riley stated they were told when they first began to buy this land that National City would be tough; they were told they would have a lot of problems; they believe in National City for this project and want it to be as good a project as it can be. There was further discussion. OPAL DODSON, 615 "Q" Avenue, owner of the property on 24th, was present and stated she feels a decision should be made; if you want to please these people and not get on their property; I think the developer has the right to get this over with one way or the other. Motion carried, by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Camacho, Dalla, Van Deventer, Waters. Nays: None. Abstain: Morgan. Moved by Camacho, stEconded by Waters, to approve the planned development permit Carried byJ, ollowing vote, to -wit: Ayes: Camacho, Dalla, Van Deventer, Waters. Nays: None. Abstain: Morgan. ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS Moved by Camacho, seconded by Van Deventer, these Resolutions be presented by title only. Carried by unanimous vote. Resolution No, 12,669, "RESOLUTION INITIATING APPLICATION FOR ANNEXATION OF 2430 EAST 24TH STREET AND 2535 FENTON PLACE." Moved by Camacho, seconded by Van Deventer, Resolution No. 12,669 be adopted. Planning Director Gerschler stated this will initiate proceedings that will now go to the Local Agency Formation Commission and come back to Council later for input as far as any possible requirements or costs. TEDDY TAFOYA, 826 Ethel Place, was present and stated in regard to the Fire Department recommendations she was horrified at the amount of expense involved (between $4500 and$6000); if this is going to involve that much money, she did'nt want it, she preferred to stay in the county. Mayor Morgan stated it seems we're trying to load somebody down who's trying to get into the City and he was not ready to do that. There was discussion.. Moved by Morgan, seconded by Waters, the motion be amended to include the annexation be processed without any conditions at this time. Amendment carried by unanimous vote. Motion carried by unanimous vote. Resolution No. 12,670, "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CORPORA- TION QUITCLAIM DEEDS TO THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY, (Center City Project)." Moved by Van Deventer, seconded by Camacho, Resolution No. 12,670 be adopted. Carried by unanimous vote. Resolution No. 12.,671, "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING CONVENANT RUNNING WITH THE LAND AND DIRECTING THE RECORDING THEREOF (Jose Arevalo, Jr., and Ruth Arevalo)." Moved by Camacho, seconded by Van Deventer, Resolution No. 12,671 be adopted. Carried by unanimous vote. Resolution No. 12,672, "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING CONVEYANCE OF REAL PROPERTY (Corporation Grant Deed - Easement for Public Street - Kimball Way - 14th Street )." Moved by Waters, seconded by Camacho, Resolution No. 12,672 be adopted. Carried by unanimous vote. Resolution No. 12,673, "DEDICATION OF CITY OWNED PROPERTY FOR PUBLIC STREET PURPOSES, (Kimball Way)." Moved by Van Deventer, seconded by Waters, Resolution No. 12,673 be adopted. Carried by unanimous vote, Resolution No. 12,674, "RESOLUTION ACCEPTING CONVEYANCE OF REAL PROPERTY (Corporation Grant Deed -• Easement for Public Street - Alley at llth & "E")." Moved by Van Deventer, seconded by Camacho, Resolution No. 12,674 be adopted. Carried by unanimous vote. 3/21/78 101 Resolution No. 12,675, "DEDICATION OF CITY OWNED PROPERTY FOR PUBLIC STREET PURPOSES, (Alley - llth & "E")." Moved by Waters, seconded by Camacho, Resolution No. 12,675 be adopted. Carried by unanimous vote. Resolution No. 12,676, "RESOLUTION GIVING NOTICE OF INTENTION TO VACATE AND CLOSE NORTH -SOUTH ALLEY LOCATED BETWEEN "C" AND "D" AVENUES, SOUTH OF 27TH STREET, (SC-1-78)." Moved by Waters, seconded by Van Deventer, Resolution No. 12,676 be adopted. Carried by unanimous vote. Resolution No. 12,677, "RESOLUTION DENYING AN APPLICATION FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CUP 1977-22) TO ALLOW AN AUTOMOBILE STORAGE YARD ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 900 WEST 17TH STREET." Moved by Camacho, seconded by Waters, Resolution No. 12,677 be adopted. Carried by unanimous vote. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION (first reading) Ordinance No. 3/21/78-1, "Establishing committee for housing and community development, setting forth the composition of membership, terms of membership, and the functions of said committee and repealing certain prior resolutions of the City Council." ORDINANCES FOR ADOPTION Ordinance No. 1618 (3/21/78-2), "AN INTERIM ORDINANCE ADOPTED PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 65858 AS AN EMERGENCY MEASURE PROHIBITING CONVERSIONS OF APARTMENT HOUSES AND DUPLEXES TO CONDOMINIUM OR COMMUNITY APARTMENT FORM OF OWNERSHIP. Moved by Camacho, seconded by Van Deventer, Ordinance No. 1618 (3-/2-1/78-2) be adopted. Carried by unanimous vote. (City Attorney McLean left Council Chambers at 9:05 P.M.) NEW BUSINESS The City Treasurer/Finance Director's request for ratification of WARRANT REGISTER NO. 35 dated March 21, 1978 in the amount of $50,980.13 (Warrant Nos. 061124 through 061211) was presented. Moved by Camacho, seconded by Waters, this be pproved. Carried by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Camacho, Dalla, Van Deventer, Waters, Morgan. Nays: None. The Citizens Committee for Community Development's recommendation (March 8 meeting) to name SENIORS HOUSING FACILITY, being built at 14th Street and "D" Avenue "MORGAN TOWER", or, if two high rise buildings, "Morgan Towers" was presented. Moved by Morgan, seconded by Camacho, this be filed. (City Attorney McLean returned Council Chambers at 9:08 P.M.) Councilman Waters stated he wants to take action on this now, there is no reason for filing it. Mayor Morgan stated he didn't want to cause a fuss. ALFRED HLAWATSCH, was present and stated that he believes this should be named "Morgan Towers" because the Mayor has worked so hard for the project; it shouldn't have to be necessary to die before a building is named for you; he strongly supports the name and the fact that he hasn't died shouldn't be held against him. Moved by Waters, seconded by Dalia, we go along with the Committee's report that we name it "Morgan Towers". Carried by unanimous vote. Moved by Dalia, seconded by Van Deventer, to have a Resolution that would henceforth prohibit us from naming any facility structure, public street parks anything, after a current City employee or elected official while in office. HOWARD RING, 2227 E. 5th Street, was present and stated for several years the City had the habit of putting names on things where they didn't belong, particularly the baseball fields; he wrote a letter to the City at the time telling City officials if they want their name on something put it on a street or building but not on places where it doesn't belong; this is one time where it 3/21/78 102 belongs. / Motion carried, by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Camacho, Dalla, Van Deventer. Nays: Waters, Morgan. City Engineer Hoffland's report on PETITION FOR 1911 ACT ASSESSMENT DISTRICT, alley between 18th Street to 29th Street and "K" to "L" Avenue (a petition signed by 47% of the affected property owners requesting grade, pave and otherwise improve the alley with 6" P.C.C. full width was received; a 60% petition would eliminate the need for 1931 Act proceedings; staff recommends that this petition be held over so that additional signatures can be obtained by interested persons within the District) was presented. Moved by Van Deventer, seconded by Camacho, we hold the petition until maker of the petition has adequate time to get enough (%) petition to get a 1911 Act. Carried by unanimous vote. The Director of Public Works' recommendation to approve CHANGE ORDERS 1 through 6 to contract for LIBRARY ARCHIVES ADDITION, Stahl Construction Company (Change Order 1, estimated cost, $295.00; Change Order 2, no additional cost; Change Order 3, no additional cost; Change Order 4, no additional cost; Change Order 5, estimated cost, $359.00; Change Order 6, estimated cost, $387.00; total cost, $941.00) was presented. Moved by Waters, seconded by Van Deventer, in favor of staff's recommendation. Carried by unanimous vote. OTHER BUSINESS CITY MANAGER - No report. CITY ATTORNEY - No reports OTHER STAFF - No report. PLANNING Recommendation to initiate ALLEY VACATION, portion of east• -west ALLEY BETWEEN "Q" AND "R" AVENUES, south of Sth Street, north of 8th Street, SC-3-78 (this portion of the 15 foot wide "paper" alley is unimproved and not used for public purposes; a difference in grade elevation of approximately 30 feet exists between the westerly line and the easterly line of the area; notice of hearing was mailed to the property owners of record in the area and with access to, abutting or adjacent to the property in question on March 1, 1978; as of this time, no protests have been received) was presented. Planning Director Gerschler stated if Council wishes to proceed it should be referred to the City Attorney for preparation of a Resolution. Moved by Camacho, seconded by Van Deventer, in favor of the Planner's recommendation that this be referred to the City Attorney. Carried by unanimous vote. Recommendations from the TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE'S meeting of March 8, 1978 ([1] to authorize the Police Department to make APPLICATION FOR A GRANT to provide a motorcycle equipped Traffic Division; [2] reaffirmed former action to recommend DIAGONAL PARKING ON MC KINLEY AVENUE between 14th and 23rd Streets; [3] recommend installation of DIAGONAL PARKING ON THE NORTH SIDE OF 17TH STREET between National and "B" Avenues; [4] recommend installation of DIAGONAL PARKING ON THE NORTH SIDE OF 15th STREET from National Avenue east; [5] recommend the REMOVAL of several PARKING SPACES adjacent to San Diego Transit bus stops to accomodate new "ARTICULATED" BUSES; [6] recommend that SIGNAL MODIFICATIONS AT 8TH STREET AND PLAZA BOULEVARD BE DEFERRED and that EMERGENCY RECONSTRUC- TION OF PLAZA BOULEVARD EAST OF HARBISON Avenue be approved) was presented. Moved by Camacho, seconded by Waters, for approval of all these recommendations. Motion carried, by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Camacho, Dalia, Waters, Morgan. Nays: None. Abstain: Van Deventer. 3/21/78 103 MAYOR MAYOR MORGAN recommended the appointment of COUNCILMAN CAMACHO as VICE MAYOR. Moved by Waters, seconded by Van Deventer, in favor of the Mayor's recommendation. Carried by unanimous vote, CITY COUNCIL COUNCILMAN. VAN DEVENTER stated he believes membership on the CPO should be shared by other members of Council. Moved by Van Deventer, seconded by Dalla, Council appoint an alternate to CPO and also this term should last no longer than two years. Carried by unanimous vote. Moved by Van Deventer, seconded by Waters, Vice Mayor Camacho be appointed as alternate. Carried by unanimous vote. Councilman Van Deventer stated the two year limitation would be for both the alternate and the member of CPO. COUNCILMAN VAN DEVENTER stated he would like Council to take a stand on the Jarvis -Gann Amendment and hold all spending until after the June 6th election. Moved by Van Deventer, seconded by Camacho, if we believe in what Mr. Gill feels the effect would be on our City if it goes in, I think that we need to make a stand on the Jarvis if we're in favor of it or against it. Councilman Waters stated there were a lot of things to be answered here and unless an extensive research has been done on it, he doesn't feel the Council should make the decision on the Jarvis Amendment. Mayor Morgan stated he has studied the bill and agrees that we do need tax relief but whenever you take 5 billion and give business and industry a break, pretty soon you have legislators raising sales tax and income tax to make this 5 billion up; it's too bad the legislators don't get busy and bring 1% on the homeowners instead of bringing the taxes down 30%. Councilman Van Deventer stated that as a businessman it would be better for him to be in favor of Jarvis -Gann, but we're going to pay for this somewhere down the line; Proposition 8 is at least a step in the right direction. ALFRED HLAWATSCH, stated he discussed this before the Chamber of Commerce recently and pointed out to them that if Jarvis passes the State will just reach into our pocket from another direction; but the real purpose of Jarvis, even though the Amendment isn't broad enough to accomplish it, was to somehow get the message through to government to start thinking about spending less money; he had enough faith left in the system to believe that this message can get through; if it can't, then it's too late and going to the polls isn't going to make any difference. Motion carried, by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Camacho, Dalla, Van Deventer, Morgan. Nays: None. Abstain: Waters. COUNCILMAN CAMACHO stated he feels Council should let the citizens of National City know that they oppose the proposed water increase; he urged people to vote for the acquisition telling them that the fat would be taken off; they wouldn't have to pay the Vice Presidents $40-50,000 a year; we'd run the water company and lower the water rates or at least hold the rates at the present level until a year or two to see what course of action we would take; we have had it not even one year and sock it to them; we have a lot of water now and perhaps we can lengthen the time, if this time next year after doing all we can to cut down on the expenses of the water company, then I can see agreeing to an increase; at this point in time we should hold the line. Moved by Camacho, seconded by Waters, Council directs the two representatives to the water company to at least voice their opinion that we would like to hold the line. Councilman Van Deventer stated he agreed; every unnecessary item should be cut`. and the Authority should know how we feel about this; we made the committment and we have to follow through, they have to stay in business. Motion carried by unanimous vote. ALFRED HLAWATSCH (from the audience) asked Vice Mayor Camacho if his motion was to 3/21/78 104 have the representatives express their opinion or to vote to hold the line. Vice Mayor Camacho stated it was to vote to hold the line. PLANNING COMMISSION - NOTICES OF DECISION Item 20, Planning Commission Resolution No. 14-78, DENYING application for ZONE VARIANCE to allow four 7'll" high block pillars and two 6' high pillars within required 25' front yard setback at 1126 OLIVEWOOD DRIVE, (Z-1-78); Item 21, Planning Commission Resolution No. 16-78, DENYING applica- tion for CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT to allow automotive repair at 711 PALM (CUP 1978-2); Item 22, Planning Commission Resolution No. 17-78, APPROVING applica- tion for CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT to allow tire sales and light mechanical work at 1604 E. 18th STREET (CUP 1978-3), Moved by Van Deventer, seconded by Waters, we file all three. Carried by unanimous vote. Moved by Camacho, seconded by Waters, the meeting be closed. Car- ried by unanimous vote. The meeting closed at 9:40 p.m. CITY OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIF. The foregoing minutes were approved by the City Council of the City of National City, California, at their regular meeting on April 4, 1978. No corrections 0 Corrections CITY OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIF., 3/21/78