HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974 07-09 CC MIN222
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA
July 9, 1974
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of National City
was called to order at 7:31 p.m. by Mayor Morgan.
ROLL CALL
Council members present: Camacho, Dalla, Pinson, Reid, Morgan.
Absent: None. Administrative officials present: Campbell, Gerschler,
Hoffland, McLean, Osburn, Stenberg.
SALUTE TO THE FLAG AND INVOCATION
The meeting was opened with salute to the flag led by City Manager
Osburn followed with invocation by Pastor Milo P. Wood, First Baptist
Church,
APPROVAL. OF MINUTES
Moved by Pinson, seconded by Reid, the minutes of the adjourned meeting
of June 25 and the re9ular meeting of July 2, 1974 be approved.
Carried by unanimous vote.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Morgan recognized the winner of the American Essay contest,
Darlene Sue Dunn who was present. The contest was sponsored by
"God Bless America Week, Incorporated;" Miss Dunn is a Sweetwater
student. MISS DUNN read her winning essay, "God Bless America --What
My Country Means to Me." Mayor Morgan presented a key to the City to
Miss Dunn and introduced her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Dunn
(Mr. Dunn of the National School Board).
Councilman Pinson introduced Janice Clifton, Junior Miss of National
City; and said she was Nb. 3 in the Statewide Junior Miss contest.
MAYORIS APPOINTMENTS - None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
DALE POUND, President of the National City Municipal Employees Associa-
tion, (representing the miscellaneous employees) was present and said
he failed to present everything at the Finance Committee meeting
yesterday afternoon and asked Council to consider the salary inequities
on positions of Building Maintenance Foreman (which would be a 5%
differential) and Park Maintenance Foreman (which would amount to 71/2%);
on another item, vacations, which he did discuss yesterday, he would
like Council to be aware that the employees would like these benefits
if at all possible; the third item is a payday every other week which
would be a financial burden of approximately $500 yearly; the last
item is a request for the additional holiday the day after Thanksgiving.
LUCILLE BAGWELL, Associate Appraiser, O. W. Cotton Company, 233 "A"
Street, San Diego, was present representing Miss Nellie Fuller,
property owner in National City; she requested an increase in density
in the existing R-4 zoned area (where the Fuller property is located)
from a proposed 11 to 15 units per acre on the preliminary General
Plan to a minimum of 16 to 20 units per acre; this is the area east of
"R" Avenue between 8th and 9th Streets; the property of Miss Fuller is
outlined in red on the maps she previously distributed to Council;
there is a definite need and demand for more multiple housing in
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National City; this is based on the latest vacancy report by the
Apartment and Rental Owners' Association; for comparative purposes,
National City has a vacancy factor of 2.8%, Chula Vista 3.2%, San
Diego, southeast area 7.1%, etc. Ms. Bagwell continued for the last
four years National City constructed 767 multiple units, this is not
keeping up with the demand; construction is slowing down and inevitably
the rental market is being forced into neighboring competitive areas;
increased density would permit economic feasible construction of an
interesting project, whereas the present low density might force the
land to lie vacant for a long period of time; they anticipate no
opposition from surrounding property owners as the property is bordered
on the east by the Freeway, on the west by commercially zoned property;
there are very few residents on the north; there is availability of
access; the increased density should not create a traffic burden as
there is ease of egress and ingress to 8th Street via "R" Avenue; the
terrain of the property is ideal for apartment development of a higher
density as it has a modular terrace for an upper and lower level
construction; the noise factor caused by the freeway is not significant;
there has been a continuity of ownership for more than 10 years with
long-range plans for development; a feasibility study of a PUD was
done as early as 1968 by Green and MacFarland, Planners and Architects;
in 1968 the present owner gifted the City 3,500 sq. ft. for roadway
purposes which was improved by the State Highway Department at their
cost; while this benefited the subject property, it also benefited the
other property owners in the area; the diversity of National City's
industrial growth assures the market for convenient housing; economic
studies on this property indicate it would not be economically feasible
to construct less than 18 units; any less would depress the property;
with the existing ease of access and the location to the freeway and
commercial property, more units would seem to be perfectly proper and
it may be they should be asking for more; there should not be less
than 16 to 20 units. Ms. Bagwell gave copies of her remarks to the
City Clerk.
JOHN WIRTZ, 1902 Prospect, was present and said he has received
several letters from the City telling him he was subject to punishment
by fine and imprisonment if he did not comply with City ordinance
relative to his property at 305 & 307 27th Street. Moved by Morgan,
seconded by Reid, to refer this to the City Manager to bring Council a
report on this at the next meeting. Carried by unanimous vote. City
Attorney McLean asked to look at the letters so he could check into
the matter.
HEARINGS
Mayor Morgan said the Hearing on the proposed revision of the General
Plan would be deferred until after Council completed the regular
agenda. (see page 229)
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS
Moved by Camacho, seconded by Reid, the resolutions be presented to
Council by title only. Carried by unanimous vote.
RESOLUTION NO. 11,536, "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF GRANT DEED
TO CAL -HOMES DEVELOPMENT, INC." Moved by Camacho, seconded by Reid,
Resolution No. 11,536 be adopted. Carried by unanimous vote.
RESOLUTION NO. 11,537, "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING CANCELLATION AND TRANS-
FER OF OLD, OUTSTANDING ACCOUNTS." Moved by Reid, seconded by Camacho,
Resolution No. 11,537 be adopted. Carried by unanimous vote.
RESOLUTION NO. 11,538, "RESOLUTION OF INTENTION TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT
TO CONTRACT BETWEEN THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES'
RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL. CITY."
Moved by Pinson, seconded by Reid, Resolution No. 11,538 be adopted.
Carried by unanimous vote.
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224
Resolution No. 11,539, "Resolution of the City Council of the City of
National City Approving the Salary Plan, Establishing Personnel
Classifications and Adopting Salary Schedules for the 1974-75 Fiscal
Year." Mayor Morgan said he would call an Executive Session before
adopting this resolution. (see page 229, paragraph 4).
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES
Ordinance No. 7,/2/74-3 (see last paragraph this page).
ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES
Moved by Camacho, seconded by Reid, these ordinances be presented to
Council for second reading by title only. Carried by unanimous vote.
ORDINANCE NO. 1432 (q/2744-1), "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO.
962, ZONING ORDiUNCE OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA CPC-6-74
to rezone from/iFloodway Zone) to F-2 (Flood Plain Zone) on the Bonita
Golf Course Property - Koenig Corporation." Moved by Pinson, seconded
by Camacho, Ordinance No. 1432 (;,W;4-1) be adopted. City Attorney
McLean said Council has the Planning Director's letter, dated July 9,
1974, which states: "Please be advised the Planning Commission at
their meeting of July 8, 1974 took this action: Moved by Commissioner
Knutson, seconded by Commissioner Alvarado, that we find that no new
significant adverse environmental impacts have come to light between
the time the draft EIR was prepared and the time the final EIR was
adopted. Roll Call: Ayes - Staples, Alvarado, Knutson, Manese, Large,
Perez; Nays - Webster; Abstain - None; Absent - None. Attached to
this memo was a staff report to the Planning Commission wherein the
need for the above action was discussed." The City Attorney said this
clears the Zone Change ordinance for final approval after second
reading by the City Council. Carried by unanimous vote.
ORDINANCE NO. 1433 (q712.744-2), "AN ORDINANCE REPEALING ORDINANCE NO.
1387, PROVIDING FOR THE ABATEMENT AND REMOVAL OF PUBLIC NUISANCES OF
ABANDONED, WRECKED, DISMANTLED OR INOPERATIVE VEHICLES OR PARTS THEREOF
FROM PRIVATE PROPERTY OR PUBLIC PROPERTY NOT INCLUDING HIGHWAYS, AND
RECOVERY OF COSTS OF ADMINISTRATION THEREOF AS AUTHORIZED BY SECTION
22660 OF THE VEHICLE CODE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA." Moved by
Pinson, seconded by Reid, Ordinance No. 1433 (7)4/44-2) be adopted.
Carried by unanimous vote.
Ordinance No. 7/2/74-3, "An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 962 to
Prohibit Unshielded Light Systems in the Development of an Automobile
Storage Lot or Any Use Which in the Opinion of the Planning Commission
is Substantially Similar, and Providing a Time Period of One (1) Year
for Abatement of Existing Unshielded Light Systems." Mayor Morgan
said he would like Council to consider a 2-year period; all these
problems could be worked out without any problem within two years; this
would avoid law suits, etc. Moved by Reid, seconded by Morgan, to
allow two years for this. Carried by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes:
Camacho, Reid, Morgan. Nays: Dalla, Pinson.
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES
Ordinance No. 7/2/74-3, "An Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 962 to
Prohibit Unshielded Light Systems in the Development of an Automobile
Storage Lot or Any Use Which in the Opinion of the Planning Commission
is Substantially Similar, and Providing a Time Period of Two (2) Years
for Abatement of Existing Unshielded Light Systems." City Attorney
McLean said this is the re -introduction of this ordinance which will
be presented for adoption at the next meeting.
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225
ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES (continued)
City Attorney McLean said he has an URGENCY ORDINANCE recommended by
the City Planner and suggested Mr. Gerschler report before the presen-
tation of the ordinance for adoption. Planning Director Gerschler
said Council has a transmittal of action taken by the Planning Com-
mission last night with reference to a proposed BLOOD PLASMA collection
center at 1220 National Avenue, the property directly across the street
from City Hall; on June 24, the Planning Commission ruled a blood
plasma collection center was not a permitted use in that zone and
would require a code amendment; the proponents then submitted a detailed
letter explaining their position and asking for a reconsideration of
the Planning Commission's action; last night the Planning Commission
reconsidered their interpretation, reversed their decision and found
that the blood plasma collection center was a permitted use in that
zone; also on June 24 the Planning Commission (after denying the
interpretation) scheduled the question of a code amendment for a public
hearing; last night following the reconsideration of the interpretation
case, they opened the public hearing they had scheduled on the code
amendment; because they had already interpreted the zoning code would
allow the use, they denied the code amendment; the State Planning Act
provides that when the Planning Commission denies a code amendment,
the City Council is not required to considered the issue, it can be
filed and the Planning Commission action stands as final; on the other
hand, the City Council may set the amendment for public hearing and
after the hearing, make a determination on the case; because an inter-
pretation case is final with the Planning Commission and not appealable,
the project is now eligible for permits. Mr. Gerschler said if the
City Council were to set the matter for hearing, the only way the
permits could be delayed would be by adoption of an urgency interim
zoning ordinance; such an ordinance is ready and if adopted would have
the effect of stopping the project and setting the matter for hearing
at which time the City Council could consider a verdict; the Planning
staff has no recommendation either way; they are bringing this matter
to Council's attention because it is felt that this is an issue that
Council should be concerned with. Moved by Camacho, seconded by Reid,
to file this item. There was discussion. RICHARD CIRCUIT, Attorney,
was present and said he was special counsel for Abbot Laboratories;
Jack Costello, Abbot Laboratories, was present and could answer
technical questions regarding Abbot Laboratories Blood Pheresing
Center; blood plasma from individual donors is used through a series
of laboratory processes to manufacture sera used for the treatment of
polio, hemophilia, other childhood diseases and other uses; there are
pheresing centers on Euclid Street in San Diego and on "F" Street in
San Diego; there are over 250 of these facilities throughout the United
States; there are many in California; his investigations reveal that no
special zoning ordinances have been necessary for any City in Califor-
nia to permit this use; they have been permitted under the generic
term of pharmaceutical laboratories which the Planning Commission
determined was a permitted use. JACK COSTELLO, General Manager of
Plasma Business, Abbot Laboratories, Pasadena, was present and said
plasma pheresing is differentiated from whole blood --this is the
drawing of plasma to make pharmaceutical products; blood is withdrawn
just as in any blood donation; the difference is that the red cells
are put back into the donor; the plasma and only the plasma is used;
they are not in the whole blood business; the blood plasma is the basic
component in pharmaceutical products used in the treatment of shock,
burns, major surgery and in particular for the treatment of hemophilia.
There was further discussion. Mr. Costello said the basic requirements
of a location are access to good transportation and a location that can
be found easily. Moved by Morgan, seconded by Dalia, the motion be
amended to ado this urgency ordinance by title only. City Attorney
McLean suggested Council vote on the motion to file the item. There
was further discussion. Motion to file carried by the following vote,
to -wit: Ayes: Camacho, Pinson, Reid. Nays: Dalia, Morgan.
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226
REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY - None.
APPROVAL OF BILLS AND PAYROLL
BILLS AUDITED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE were presented:
General Fund $10,645.50
Traffic Safety 5,314.48
Park 457.13
Gas Tax 2106 1.27
Revenue Sharing Fund 72,749.07
Sewer 3,463.09
Total $92,630.54
Moved by Camacho, seconded by Reid, these bills be paid and warrants
drawn. Carried by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Camacho, Dalla,
Pinson, Reid, Morgan. Nays: None.
PAYROLL for period ending June 30, 1974, in the amount of $130,012.98
audited by the Finance Committee was presented. Moved by Reid,
seconded by Camacho, the payroll be paid. Carried by the following
vote, to -wit: Ayes: Camacho, Dana, Pinson, Reid, Morgan. Nays:
None.
REFERRALS
(The City Attorney left Council Chambers at 8:13 p.m.)
The Asst. City Engineer's report regarding CHAMBER OF COMMERCE recom-
mendations on sidewalk locations and parkway construction stating: (a)
Change existing City codes requiring construction of sidewalks and
placement of parkways --No ordinance need be changed to allow this; (b)
Sidewalks be built contiguous to curbs... --No ordinance need be changed
to allow this; (c) Consideration be given to authorizing property
owners to fill parkways less than 3'...in with concrete --This can be
accomplished by obtaining a permit; if owner is not a contractor, a
$100 bond is required; (d) Consideration be given to authorizing
property owners in commercial or industrial areas to fill parkways
greater than 3' with concrete (added by Council request) --Each case
should be reviewed by Planning and Parks Department to insure that
guidelines approved in Street Tree and Parkway Study are being
followed; was presented. The Asst. City Engineer said these items
were recommended by the Chamber of Commerce to help keep up the park-
ways and maintenance of parkways; he sees no objection to them; item
(d) was recommended by the Council; he sees no action necessary. (The
City Attorney returned.) Ordered filed by unanimous vote.
NEW BUSINESS
CONSENT CALENDAR items were presented:
a. Letter from Comprehensive Planning Organization enclosing their
Resolution No. 74-87, "Recommending that the San Diego Air Quality
Task Force Undertake the Responsibility for Longrange Air Quality
Maintenance Planning in the San Diego Region (Air Basin).
b. City Manager's recommendation the minutes (attached) of the June
26, 1974, meeting of the Traffic Safety Committee be approved and
filed.
Councilman Pinson said, under Item (a) the County and the CPO are
trying to get the hammer on the AIR QUALITY MAINTENANCE in the San
Diego region; he feels National City should respond to this letter
from CPO; National City should let other cities know how we feel about
federal levels of government trying to involve themselves in local
affairs. Mayor Morgan said he does not feel this is the time; allow
the County and CPO to fight it out first. Consent Calendar ordered
filed by unanimous vote.
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227
Recommendationsby TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE were presented:
A. Curbs be painted red for approximately 2 stalls between parking
stalls and a loading dock at the Welfare Department building on
30th St.
B. Curbs be painted green in front of National City Transfer on
McKinley Ave.; and that approximately 20' of curb be painted red
on each side of driveway to National City Transfer parking lot.
C. Diagonal parking not be approved in front of Mary "J's" Cafe at
1930 Cleveland Ave.
D. A 2-hour parking limit be imposed in front of Rhody Ceramics,
1640 Coolidge.
Moved by Camacho, seconded by Reid, Item A be approved. Carried by
unanimous vote. Moved by Camacho, seconded by Reid, Item B be approved.
Carried by unanimous vote. Moved by Camacho, seconded by Pinson, in
favor of the Traffic Safety Committee's recommendation on Item C.
Carried by unanimous vote. Moved by Camacho, seconded by Pinson, Item
D be approved. Carried by unanimous vote.
The City Manager's recommendation the proposed POLICY relating to
STOPPAGES IN SEWER LATERALS be adopted and memo signed by the Building
and Housing Director, Public Works Director, and City Engineer regard-
ing the proposed policy and a copy of the Proposed Policy Relating to
Stoppages in Sewer Laterals were presented. There was discussion.
City Manager Osburn said if it is not from the property line back to
the house, the City will clean it; now, the property owners call the
City first; the home owner will clean all the way out to the main;
when that is clean he can call the City if there is still a stoppage,
after three calls in a year the line will be replaced. Moved by
Pinson, seconded by Dalia, this be adopted. MARION COOPER, a plumbing
contractor in National City, was present and said he is on the
Building Advisory and Appeals Board and this was recommended by the
Appeals Board to be in the new Code that is coming up; it is out now;
it was sent on to the Council; this is putting the blame and all the
responsibility on the homeowner to clean that lateral out; other
cities have done this; if you have trouble and more than three calls
in one year the City will come out and redo that line; it does not
mean the crews will come out and clean out that lateral every time
because property line cleanouts are no longer required in the City of
National City as well as the rest of the State; the burden is going to
be on the homeowner; it will be up to the plumber or whoever does it
to clean that line out for him. Asst. City Engineer Hoffland said the
major change is the deletion of the requirement for the property line
cleanouts; without the property line cleanouts it makes it very diffi-
cult for his crews to clean out the laterals; therefore the homeowner
will be responsible for the cleaning of his lateral. Councilman Reid
said all this is charging a fee to the homeowner and it is not fair;
he would like to see where it is mandated by the State. Moved by Reid,
this be held over one week until he can read this. Motion died for
lack of second. Motion carried by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes:
Camacho, Dalla, Pinson, Morgan. Nays: Reid.
STEP INCREASES for eligible employees recommended by the City Manager
and Department Head (JEFFREY ALBRIGHT and RANDY KIMBLE, Fire Department)
were presented. Moved by Pinson, seconded by Camacho, the recommenda-
tions be approved. Carried by unanimous vote.
REPORTS
CITY MANAGER OSBURN said he had no report.
The Planning Department transmittal stating the Planning Commission
recommended that ZONE CHANGE BE DENIED to add "OPEN SPACE OVERLAY
ZONING" to property north and south of 24th Street bounded by Las Palmas
Park on the north and west, by 1-805 on the east, and by National City
boundary line on the south and stating if City Council does not set any
or all of the issuesfor public hearing, the case will remain closed was
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presented. Moved by Reid, seconded by Camacho, in favor of the
Planning Commission's recommendation. There was discussion. Planning
Director Gerschler said the Planning Commission voted to deny this;
the properties are shown on the preliminary General Plan as a park; if
the plan were adopted that would mean that through the site plan
review procedure if a building permit application were received they
would hold the permit and refer it to the City Council; at that time
Council would have the option of acquiring the property before a
permit was issued; the Planning Staff suggested in regard to the small
piece of surplus CALTRANS PROPERTY (because it does not involve a
property owner or probable development), Council might wish to set a
hearing and attach open space zoning to that one parcel. Mayor Morgan
said he would abstain as he has relatives who own property in that
area. Carried by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Camacho, Dalla,
Pinson, Reid. Nays: None. Abstaining: Morgan. Moved by Morgan,
seconded by Pinson, to set a public hearing August 6 for the small
piece of State owned property. Carried by the following vote, to -wit:
Ayes: Camacho, Dalla, Pinson, Morgan. Nays: Reid.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
COUNCILMAN PINSON said the City Hall should be open one-half day on
Saturday; since Council does not concur with him, perhaps different
hours for City Hall could be considered; perhaps a work schedule of
9 to 6 would work out; there is still the duty to the people to provide
access to City Hall; everyone, even those who work from 8 to 5; these
same citizens pay the staff bills here. Moved by Pinson, seconded by
Camacho, the City Manager be instructed to make a serious study of the
4-day, 10-hour work week and report the pros and cons to Council for
possible action. Carried by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes:
Camacho, Dalla, Pinson, Nays: Reid, Morgan.
COUNCILMAN PINSON said the Planner should get with the City Attorney
and try to do something about signs; there are still signs on trailers;
there is one across the street and down the street a half a block;
there is another one about 35th Street (if there were a street there);
the electrical and non -electrical trailer signs and as far as he knows
they are not included in the sign ordinance. Planning Director
Gerschler said he believes they are; the responsibility is assigned
to the Chief Building Inspector; this should be referred to the Depart-
ment of Building and Housing. Moved by Pinson, seconded by Camacho,
to refer this to Mr. Biggs. Carried by unanimous vote.
COUNCILMAN PINSON said Mr. Gerschler's letter to the San Diego Coastal
Commission is a very good letter; he would like to see this letter
with a cover letter sent to each member of CPO. Moved by Pinson,
seconded by Camacho, this letter, with a cover letter, be sent to each
member of CPO and other cities in the County. Carried by unanimous
vote.
VICE MAYOR CAMACHO asked the City Attorney which of the Commissionsis
mandated by the State legislature? City Attorney McLean said the
Planning Commission and the Board of Trustees of the Library are those
bodies organized under State law. Vice Mayor Camacho said he has
attended a number of Planning Commission meetings; they stay up until
11:00 or 11:30 p.m. working and making Council's job easier; he
wondered if there could be any financial consideration given them,
compensating them for their time spent at meetings; has this been done
before? has it ever been requested? he would like to see a study made.
Moved by Morgan, seconded by Pinson, to refer this to the City Manager
for study. Carried by unanimous vote.
MAYOR MORGAN said he has a request to close Transportation Avenue and
barricade each end for an Automobile Show by the car dealers in the
area this Saturday and Sunday (July 13 and 14); he would like Council's
approval. Moved by Camacho, seconded by Reid, in favor of this request.
Carried by unanimous vote.
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Mayor Morgan called an Executive Session in regard to personnel at
8:34 p.m.
Council reconvened at 8:51 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Council members present: Camacho, Dalla, Pinson, Reid, Morgan.
Absent: None.
City Manager Osburn said he would recommend the adoption of the
tentative budget as changed by the Finance Committee and also that
the Safety Services Salary as adopted by the Finance Committee be
adopted and the Miscellaneous Salary as adopted by the Committee.
Moved by Morgan, seconded by Pinson, to approve the Manager's recom-
mendation and there would be no promotion as recommended in these
negotiations until Council has been notified. Carried by unanimous
vote. Moved by Camacho, seconded by Pinson, this resolution be
presented to Council by title only. Carried by unanimous vote.
RESOLUTION NO. 11,539, "RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
NATIONAL CITY APPROVING THE SALARY PLAN, ESTABLISHING PERSONNEL CLASSI-
FICATIONS AND ADOPTING SALARY SCHEDULES FOR THE 1974-75 FISCAL YEAR."
Moved by Camacho, seconded by Pinson, Resolution No. 11,539 be adopted.
Carried by unanimous vote.
Moved by Pinson, seconded by Camacho, to adopt the TENTATIVE BUDGET.
Councilman Reid said he understood the other employees would come up
separate. City Manager Osburn said he made the recommendation that
way; however, the motion was made to approve the salary. Carried by
unanimous vote. Moved by Reid, that these City employees get a 1O%
raise, not the Fire or Police; they were handled separately. Motion
died for lack of second.
HEARING
The CONTINUED HEARING on the PROPOSED REVISION OF THE NATIONAL CITY
GENERAL PLAN was held at this time. Planning Director Gerschler said
he has supplemental remarks to make on three specific issues that have
come up since the Planning Commission action on the General Plan and
suggested Council hear those remarks and then call for public testimony
on any issue related to the Plan and then close the hearing; there have
been 19 public meetings on this matter; this is the first time it has
been before the City Council; somewhere along the line the public
hearing will have to be closed and Council will have to undertake the
decision making part of it. Mr. Gerschler said after the adoption of
the Preliminary General Plan by the Planning Commission, the City
Attorney submitted a memorandum urging the City Council to include
specific descriptions of areas that would be subject to further study
as potential Redevelopment areas; the text of the General Plan refers
to a number of areas; a map has been prepared showing what they believe
are those areas. Mr. Gerschler said the West Side area was mentioned
in the text and the City Council by motion deleted any reference to
the West Side area for redevelopment; that part of the West Side north
of 16th Street was deleted from the General Plan; that part of the
West Side from 16th south through the two phases of the Christman
Redevelopment Project (Phase I of which is now being finished), might
be added to the General Plan as future study areas for redevelopment;
the area of the Center City Complex from City Hall easterly to the
Montgomery Ward property and all the South Bay Plaza property and east
to the 805 freeway is suggested for a potential Redevelopment Project
Area; the Paradise Marina is suggested as a potential Redevelopment
Project; the area on both sides of National Avenue from 16th Street
north to Division is identified as a potential Redevelopment Study
Area; the Bonita Plaza site, the existing Bonita Golf Course, is identi-
fied as a Redevelopment Project area; the map he is referring to will
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230
be on file in the Planning Department. Mr. Gerschler said the second
issue was in regard to the study being made by CPO on preliminary
planning for a Rapid Transit System; they recently contacted the City
and asked for possible routes and station locations for the Rapid
Transit Plan; the Planning Commission's version of the General Plan
shows a rapid transit line going down Highland Avenue with stations
at the north and the south City limits located just outside of town
and with an entermodal station (a station where buses would transfer
to rapid transit) near Plaza Boulevard; it has come to their attention
since then that if that line were to be an at -grade line or an over-
head line it might involve the removal of a 3-block width clear across
town; this would knock out a pretty substantial area; it is suggested
the Planning Commission recommendation be modified and expanded; the
existing General Plan shows the Transit line going down the 805 free-
way as a monorail; considerable discussion has been heard about using
the San Diego & Arizona Eastern Railroad tracks near 1-5 at -grade or
on overhead lines; he would suggest a modification showing three
alternatives: a monorail down 805, a subway down Highland Avenue or
any one of the three down the San Diego & Arizona Eastern railroad
right-of-way with the station locations being the same as indicated
by the Planning Commissic,n. Planning Director Gerschler said the
third issue is that the contract with Duncan & Jones calls for the
preparation of an Environmental Impact Report; it is their interpre-
tation of the California Environmental Quality Act that the City is
now required to do an EIR on the adoption of a new General Plan;
Mr. Duncan has commenced work on the EIR; it may be that Council will have to have a later public hearing on that EIR; they are now in
contact with Sacramento and will advise Council as soon as this infor-
mation is available to them; when the Council adopts the General Plan
it will go back to the Consultant and he will put it in its final
form; his contract with the City requires that he incorporate the
changes recommended by the City Council whatever they might be and
that he put it in final form, have it printed with colored maps, charts,
diagrams and the implementation phase of the General Plan called for
in the contract will be attached to it; it will then be delivered to
the City Council for final adoption; the approval they are asking for
tonight will simply refer it back to the consultant for inclusion in
the final form and Council will have a chance for final adoption, at
which time the EIR will probably be taken up; those are the only
questions that have come to his attention since the Planning Commissiont
approval of the case; they delivered to Council a lengthy transmittal
dated June 13, 1974 containing all the Planning Commission's recommen-
dations; that transmittal included the identification of the issues
that were brought up during the 19 public meetings on the plan and
details of the alternatives that are at hand. GIL FRITZ, 35 North
Euclid, was present and said his 10-acre piece of property (located
one block east of Harbison Avenue, 8th Street on the north, and what
would be 12th Street on the south, Plaza goes through it and separates
it leaving 2½ acres on the south and 71/2 acres on the north which joins
8th Street) has been zone downgraded to R-1; it has been C-2 for ten
years; this 711 acres is not desirable for R-1 property; it is joined
on the west by a shopping center, on the east side it is bordered by
Paradise Creek, and to the north is a school; this property was
originally a 10-acre piece of land located in the County; the City of
National City at that time wanted to put in Plaza Boulevard; when this
property was annexed to the City of National City an agreement was
made Plaza would run through the property in exchange for a C-2 zone;
this was agreed to and it was zoned C-2; he would like this City
Council to honor this agreement. There was discussion. Mr. Fritz
said he appeared before the Planning Commission regarding the 21,1 acres;
they wanted to change it to R-1 last November; at that time they voted
to keep it in C-2. WENDELL HESSELTINE, 510 Hill, was present and said
he owns property on the SE corner of Plaza and Harbison; he owned the
section before Plaza was put through; it was all zoned C-2 they were
willing to have Plaza go through; this corner would not make a good
residential area; he appeared before the Planning Commission in
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November when they proposed to downgrade this corner to residential;
they voted after the hearing not to do this; he has not followed the
General Plan as closely as he should have; perhaps, he should have
been in on it sooner; the tax assessor does not agree that it is
residential property because they assess it as commercial property;
he pays over $2,000 yearly tax on that one little corner; that is
pretty heavy residential tax; he asked that Council give more consider-
ation to this; he just does not know what he would do should it be
rezoned to residential; it is slightly over an acre. Mayor Morgan
asked Mr. Gerschler if he has a plan to notify all these people to let
them know what has taken place regarding their property? Planning
Director Gerschler said after Council closes the public hearing, these
can be taken item by item and if Council wants to change what the
Planning Commission has suggested, Council can do it; he will make
notes and bring them up after the hearing is closed. RUBEN RUBIO,
1729 Cleveland Avenue, was present and said there have been many,
many hearings; the people of the West Side have expressed their feel-
ings regarding the proposed General Plan; the people still feel that
residential and industrial zones cannot coexist; also in the General
Plan the people will be displaced from the West Side and will be
relocated around 4th or 3rd at "A" or "B"; the people are suspicious
of what is behind the proposed General Plan; the Mayor has worked very,
very hard to let the people know that nothing is going to happen to
them on the West Side; they will not be removed or displaced from
their homes; on the other hand, the Mayor has gone to the priest trying
to tell the priest to convince the people that this is not in the
General Plan; but the people became suspicious when the General Plan
came out in black and white; when it came out Mrs. Rubio, Mr. Baca
and Mrs. Ramirez and others called a meeting at St. Anthony's Church
Hall to let the people know what is in the General Plan; another meeting
was held at the Junior High where about 400 people attended; the Mayor
was there and promised the people the General Plan would be printed in
Spanish; the people have expressed their feelings, their worries,
regarding the effect of the General Plan; the Mayor came to Mrs. Rubio
after the meeting and told her she had no business telling the people
about this; she was creating a problem...trouble; with the Mayor
saying that, the people are suspicious...why? is something behind this?
Mrs. Rubio has worked for her community before the Mayor was born 50
or more years; she received the key to the City; she was Chairman of
the Sister City Committee...and the Mayor behaving like that to her in
an attempt to discredit her...why? if he has nothing to hide, why did
he tell Mrs. Rubio that? this bothers the people; why go to the Father
to calm the people when they were going to have a march and then
jumping all over Mrs. Rubio because she informed the people; what is
behind it? the Mayor has made the statement that he has made deals
behind closed doors when the May Company came in because he does not
trust anyone; is he making a deal on the West Side? Mayor Morgan said
the General Plan has not been adopted; Spanish is being considered;
there is nothing in the General Plan that has been adopted up to this
minute. Mr. Rubio said none of the previous mayors or councilmen of
National City has ever called Mrs. Rubio a troublemaker. ESTELITA TAN-
JUAQUIO, 321 West 14th Street, was present and said she would like to
again state that her family, her neighbors, her friends and the entire
Mexican -American community of National City oppose. the industrializa-
tion of the West Side; at the public hearing on June 11, they were
assured that Council has no intention of tearing down the houses, the
school) the church; that they should not worry about this and should
live in peace; that is very comforting to hear; she is now asking, if
Council really means this, if Council is really sincere, and have the
genuine interest of the welfare of the people of the West Side in mind;
if so, you will rezone that area to residential as they are now asking;
they too are interested in the progress and growth of the City; that is
why they are asking that their area be zoned residential so they can
develop it into a nice decent community to live in; some of the condi-
tions in the houses are very bad; they are unsafe to live in but
remodeling and reconditioning is not feasible; this cannot be done; the
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232
owners cannot take action to impove the houses because of the insecurity
of the area; the feeling that sooner or later they will lose their
homes gives them no motivation to improve them; the people on the West
Side like to live there, it is convenient, near their jobs, shopping,
etc.; the location is excellent; the people were conditioned to believe
that industrial zoning was to their advantage; they have since learned
this is not -true; they are now asking Council to free them from this
bondage and help them improve their lot; she urged Council to heed the
cry of the people of the West Side who helped to elect them. Mrs.
Tanjuaquio presented a petition signed by about 200 people requesting
industrialization of the West Side be deleted from the General Plan,
the West Side be zoned residential, the homeowners be helped to re-
build or rehabilitate their homes and that Kimball School and St.
Anthony's Church be retained. LUCILLE BAGWELL, 0. W. Cotton Company,
was still present and said her remarks made earlier in the meeting
(under Oral Communications, Page 222, last paragraph) should have been
made at this time; she would like to be assured that her earlier
comments will be considered in this portion of the meeting. Planning
Director Gerschler said he had made notes and they would certainly be
considered. HERMAN BACA, 105 South Harbison, was present and said
before Council makes a decision and before he presents Council the
petitions, he would like to reiterate the position and the reason why
they solicited the signatures. Mr. Baca read the petition: "I the
undersigned citizen and resident of National City hereby petition the
National City Council: 1. Delete any item in the General Plan deal-
ing with the demolition of St. Anthony's Church, Kimball School and
residential homes; 2. Rezone the area known as the West Side back to
residential; 3. Expedite the extension of the CASA de SALUD building
with money which has been already allocated; and 4. Correct the
drainage situation behind Kimball School." Mr. Baca said it is his
understanding that there was $40,000 allocated for work on Casa de
Salud. City Manager Osburn said $60,000. Mr. Baca said the Casa de
Salud is closed. Moved by Morgan, seconded by Dalla, to have the
Manager check and give a report on this, when it will be opened.
Carried by unanimous vote. Assistant City Manager Stenberg said the
plans on Casa de Salud are complete and are being checked by the
Building Department; he does not have the schedule in front of him;
there is a schedule and it is on course. Mr. Baca said the drainage
situation behind Kimball School has been corrected; Council is to be
commended for this action; the basic issue involved here is the zoning,
the zoning the West Side is going to live under; numbers of people have
presented themselves before Council and in front of the Advisory Board
and the Planning Commission and have stateat they disapprove of
the way the plan was written; they stated/dia'not understand it and
requested that it be held over so that they could be informed as to
how it would affect their homes; all of these requests have been
ignored. Mayor Morgan said the plan has not been put together yet.
Planning Director Gerschler said the drawing on the board is the
Planning Commission's composite adopted plan map; there is the Plan-
ning Commission text that consists of the consultant's version plus
many amendments they have attached to it; the City Council, after this
hearing is closed, will undertake to assemble a similar map that will
be the City Council's version of the General Plan; that will be the
final map. Mr. Baca said that is why the signatures were solicited
for this petition so there would be some type of mandate, some type of
consensus, as to the wishes of the people in that part of the City as
to how they would be affected by and how they felt about the proposed General Plan; through these petitions, the people have stated what
they want; there is only one issue and that issue is that the West Side
be rezoned back to residential; that is the only solution to the
problem that has cropped up year after year; the position of his
organization and the position of the individuals --they have communicatzd
with the individuals --they have listened to their fears, their desires --
is quite simple, this position is that anyone who votes not to rezone
the West Side back to residential, there is going to be a recall
launched against those members; this cannot be said any plainer; he
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233
does not know what has to be done in order to attract the attention of
those who govern; this is the reason these signatures are presented
tonight that Council may know what the people want; these are young
people, old people; people who do not live in National City but are
interested in National City; there is a black church on Wilson Street
whose congregation signed the petitions stating they want nothing to
do with this Plan; they do not want to be reacting to a situation that
develops because of some other reason in the future; they want that
area intact as it now is; in presenting this petition he hopes that
Council will heed the voice of the people before the decision is made;
they do not want a recall effort but if Council leaves them no choice
it will have to come about. Mr. Baca presented two boxes of petitions,
and urged Council to listen to the people who helped to elect them to
represent them. MARION COOPER, 91 Shasta, Chula Vista, was present
and said he is Acting President of the Chamber of Commerce of the City
of National City. Mr. Cooper read a letter from the Chamber of
Commerce to the Honorable Mayor and the City Council: "Gentlemen:
the Board of Directors of National City Chamber of Commerce, at the
recommendation of our Business and Industrial Committee, took action
this morning (this is dated July 9) to endorse the Planning Com-
mission's recommendation as follows: that the West Side remain zoned
light industrial, that specific plans be established for a block -to -
block basis, as well as areawide architectural design standards; this
would help to insure that light industry would be developed on a one -
at -a -time basis; the end result would be an industrial area composed
of individual industries which are compatible with the area as a whole.
Sincerely, Marion Cooper, Acting President, Chamber of Commerce." No
one else was present in this regard. Moved by Pinson, seconded by
Camacho, the public hearing be closed on the Planning Commission's
proposed General Plan map and the Council proceed with redrawing a map
or whatever...further consideration of the map. Carried by unanimous
vote.
Mayor Morgan called a recess at 9:35 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 9:52 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Council members present: Camacho, Dalla, Pinson, Reid, Morgan.
Absent: None.
Council discussed the Planning Commission's approved General Plan Map
and the Mayor indicated that although he favored everything that is
residential, single residence homes, he was against changes from C-2
down to residential; any propertyincluding Mr. Fritz's and Mr. Hessel-
tine's zoned from business down to residential he would like to
exclude. Councilman Pinson asked the City Attorney where Council
stands when they are involved with the ownership of a piece of property?
City Attorney McLean said as far as the General Plan might affect
property owned by Councilman Pinson, or in which he has an interest,
he is simply silent; he does not speak as a private citizen or anything
else; he can neither discuss the matter nor vote on it; everyone knows
that every City Councilman lives within the City where the General Plan
is to be adopted and obviously none of you could vote if you took the
position that if you own land within the City you cannot vote; he is
not suggesting that; you cannot get down to the point of advocating
decisions concerning the General Plan as it affects specifically the
property a Councilman owns. Councilman Pinson said unless the Attorney
rules differently, he is definitely going before the mike to speak as
a private citizen. City Attorney McLean said what he is saying is that
Councilman Pinson is not a private citizen; when he ran for public
office he gave up his right to be a private citizen. There was further
discussion. Mr. Gerschler said the General Plan shows some previous
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commercial zoned property being used for residential purposes; some of
the previous commercial property is shown as park; where the new
General Plan calls for park property or future park use, then that is
shown on the General Plan as park use and is no longer shown as
commercial property; the same goes for residential. Moved by Reid,
seconded by Camacho, this (properties shown as residential .which
were formerly commercial or C-2) not be downgraded, this property
stay C-2. There was discussion in regard to individual properties
that might be out of phase and proper zoning for the City owned land
east of "D" Avenue at 13th Street where the Senior Citizen's Highrise
is planned. Councilman Pinson said the motion on the floor will put
it in commercial property. Mr. Gerschler said the existing General
Plan shows that property for commercial purposes; the Planning Com-
mission has recommended it be shown for high density residential.
Moved by Morgan, seconded by Reid, the motion be amended that Council
continue leave this (City owned land between 13th and 14th St. on the
east side of "D" Ave.) as high density residential, across from
Kimball Park that is owned by the City. Amendment carried by the
following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Camacho, Dalla, Reid, Morgan. Nays:
Pinson. Councilman Dalla said the Planning Commission has gone to
considerable time going over each piece of property and with one clean
swoop of the pen Council is eliminating a problem by denying every-
thing they have done; ...he is not sure it is the best way out. There
was discussion. Mr. Gerschler said in answer to Councilman Pinson's
question, that is the Reiner Annexation and on Sweetwater Road is the
McMillin project; it is now shown on the General Plan as commercial,
TCR-PD and the Planning Commission is recommending it be shown low
density residential, R-1 homes. Moved by Morgan, seconded by Pinson,
to amend the motion that Council leave that (Reiner) as it is
(residential) on 30th Street just east of McMillin's development as
recommended by the Planning Commission. Amendment carried by unani-
mous vote. Planning Director Gerschler said in regard to the property
on the north side of Valley Road it is currently developed as single
family residential, it is on Valley Road next to the trailer park; the
property within the trailer park is now shown for commercial use.
Moved by Morgan, seconded by Pinson, the motion be amended to leave
the trailer park (near Valley Road) as recommended by the Planning
Commission (residential). Carried by unanimous vote. There was
discussion. (Councilman Dalla left Council Chambers at 10:05 p.m.
and returned at 10:06 p.m.) Councilman Dalla pointed out that there
is a limited number of times the General Plan can be changed; it can
be changed three times in a one-year period; it is not simple...a
mistake made now will be hard to rectify in the future. Mayor Morgan
said they will not be cramming apartments in; it will cut down the
density; it may take a little time to change it; any change will have
to come before the Planning Commission and the Council before they can
build a residential residence; he likes that. There was discussion
in regard to the zoning of the West side of Highland Avenue between
Division and Second; the property between "R" Avenue, 12th and llth
Sts. and 805 Freeway and the property at 24th and Highland facing
along "G". Original motion carried by the following vote, to -wit:
Ayes: Camacho, Pinson, Reid, Morgan. Nays: Dalla. There was dis-
cussion in regard to density vs. R-1 zoning and the Mayor suggested
that all the property that is shown on this map in yellow (there are
two shades of yellow) except for those just voted on be limited to
one dwelling per lot. Moved by Morgan, seconded by Pinson, all
properties shown in yellow (throughout the City with the exception of
the properties just voted on) be limited to a maximum of one dwelling
unit per lot. Planning Director Gerschler said he thinks Council has
a tiger by the tail; this he feels will not survive the onslaught of
variances and exceptions; those will just have to be taken case by
case;the consultant attempted to reduce the density throughout National
City to the lowest reasonable economic breaking point; he is trying to
do this by the density tool; he feels Council will find as they get
into this that there are a lot of lots that cannot be split --there are
many lots that are 50 x 200; there is no way to split such a lot; they
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will be too narrow; this will be freezing the property owner to one -
house -per -lot situation. Councilman Reid suggested adjournment to do
a little more homework. Moved by Pinson, seconded by Morgan, the
motion be amended to include the yellow between 4th and 2nd Streets
which are predominately single family now be included in the one unit
per lot. Amendment to the motion carried by the following vote, to -
wit: Ayes: Camacho, Pinson, Morgan. Nays: Dalla, Reid. Motion
carried by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Camacho, Pinson,
Morgan. Nays: Dalla, Reid.
Moved by Camacho, seconded by Reid, to adjourn this meeting to Friday
(July 12) at 4:00 p.m. Carried by unanimous vote. The meeting closed
at 10:30 p.m.
Cit Clerk
ity of Natioria1 City, California
The foregoing minutes were approved by the City Council of the City
of National City at the regular meeting of July 16, 1974.
No corrections 0 Corrections as noted below
Mayor, City of NiLona1 City, California
7/9/74
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