HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973 08-28 CC MIN139
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR METING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA
August 28, 1973
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, Vinson, Reid, Waters, Morgan,
Absent: None. Administrative officials present: Campbell, Foster,
Gerschler, McLean, Osburn,, Stenberg.
SALUTE TO FLAG AND INVOCATION
The meeting was opened with salute to the flag led by City Manager
Osburn followed with invocation by the Rev. Dr. Leroy C. Westbrook,,
First Baptist Church.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Pinson, seconded by Camacho, minute softhe regular meeting
of August 21, 1973, with correction of the street address in P Xa
graph 84 Page 132 be approved. Carried by unanimous vote.
City Manager Osburn announced the appointment of Fire Captain
KENNETH JOYCE as FIRE CHIEF as of September 1st. Mr. Joyce was
present and thanked City Manager Osburn and the Council and intro-
duced his family.
PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
City Clerk Campbell read the proposed proclamation "National City
Rodeo Days" September 4 through September 10. Moved by Reid,
seconded by Waters, this proclamation be ado•ted. Carried by
unanimous vote. Mayor Morgan presented the proclamation to Butch
Bridgman, Rodeo Director.
Mayor Morgan recognized retired Fire Chief Bailey present in the
audience.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
AL ALVARADO, 2423 E. 20th St., was present on behalf of the Boys'
Baseball and the National City Pony League and thanked the City for
their help in putting on the Divisional and Regional Tournaments
which were successful; he particularly thanked the Park and Recre-
ation Department; they did make some money so the City will not have
to underwrite them.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTIONS
Moved by Camacho, seconded by Reid, resolutions be presented to
Council by title only. Carried by unanimous vote.
RESOLUTION NO. 11,157, "RESOLUTION GRANTING ZONE VARIANCE PURSUANT
TO ORDINANCE 962 (Z-•5-73,, 936 National Avenue, Thomas H. Cosby)."
Moved by Reid, seconded by Camacho, Resolution No, 11,157 be adopted.
Carried by unanimous vote.
INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES
Moved by Camacho, seconded by Reid, these ordinances be presented
for first reading to Council by title only. Carried by unanimous
vote, 8/28/73
140
Ordinance No. 8/28/73-1, "An Ordinance Amending the Zoning Regula.
tions (Ordinance No. 962, as Amended by Ordinance 1315, National
City Sign Ordinance) to Provide that Directional Signs Shall have a
Maximum Size of Four Feet (4') Square."
ORDINANCE NO. 1380 (8, ), "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY CF NATIONAL CITY AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CON.
TRACT BETWEEN THE CITY COUNCIL AND THE BOARD OF ADMINISTRATION OF
THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND ADOPTING
SAID ORDINANCE AS AN URGENCY ORDINANCE." City Attorney McLean
explained that this is an urgency ordinance and can be adopted
tonight; this is necessary because the contract must be amended by
September 28 or the people eligible for inclusion in the added
benefits will lose their rights. Moved by Waters, seconded by
Camacho Ordinance No. 1380 (6/28/73=2) in relation to the retire ►
meats stem for em to ees be ado ted effective immediate) .
Carried by unanimous vote.
REPORT OF CITY ATTORNEY .. None.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
BILLS AUDITED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE were presented:
General Fund $37,934.26
Traffic Safety 490.27
Park 1,095.99
Gas Tax 2106 68.56
Special Street 19,725.70
Trust and Agency 60.00
Sewer 658.96,
Total $601033074
Moved by Camacho, seconded by Waters, these bills be paid and
warrants drawn, Carried by the following vote„ to -wit: Ayes:
Camacho, Pinson, Reid, Waters, Morgan. Nays: None.
NEW BUSINESS
CONSENT CALENDAR ITEMS: (a) City Manager's recommendation 8/9/73
minutes of Park and Recreation Advisory Board be approved, minutes
attached; (b) City Clerk's memo reporting receipt of notice from
the Corps of Engineers: (1) Application by City of San Diego,
Public Works Department, for permit to modify storm drain system in
Mission Beach by constructing four pump stations, all within City
of San Diego; (2) Application for permit to reconstruct shipways
#1 by National Steel and Shipbuilding Company; (3) Application made
by Mauricio and Sons, Inc.. for permit to rebuild existing shipway;
(c) Letter of appreciation from President,, National City Swim Club
Boosters, to Mayor and Council for support and for lane lines
recently purchased for the pool; also commended Mr. Arthur Maley
for his cooperation and support of their team; (d) Request by
Board of Registration for Professional Engineers for cooperation
of city and county officials in reporting to the Board Officers any
possible negligent, incompetent or improper engineering work, fraud,
misrepresentation or incompletion of an engineering or land survey.
ing contract; (e) Communication from Standard Oil Company of
California, Western Operations, Inc.,, regarding County Public Health
Department Rules 61 and 63, control of gasoline vapors and suggest-
ing the City contact one or more of the companies fabricating vapor
control systems and consult with a contractor for installation as
soon as possible. (Attached: List of companies fabricating vapor
control systems for gasoline service stations and construction
contractors and/or consultants who install vapor control systems in
gasoline service stations.). Moved by Pinson„ seconded by Camachol
consent calendar be approved. Carried by unanimous vote.
8/28/73
141
A memorandum from CITY CLERK CAMPBELL attaching letter from Execu.
t ive Officer, LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSI ON , regarding
detachments from the San Diego County Flood Control District and
stating it may be that all annexations from 1945 on should be
detached from the District and Council should go on record either
to detach these annexat ions or to leave them within the County Flood
Control District was presented. Moved by Reid, seconded by Waters,
this be referred to the Cit Mana er for action with the ro r
authorities, Carried by unanimous vote.
A communication from GOLDEN STATESMEN requesting waiver of license
fee to sell tickets for a benefit Sept, 8, proceeds to be used to
replace some of their equipment and to acquire recreational
equipment for severely handicapped, and the LICENSE COLLECTOR' S
recommendation the request be granted were presented. Moved by
Waters, seconded by Camacho, in favor of the Golden Statesmen's
request. Carried by unanimous vote.
The application for OFF -SALE GENERAL LICENSE for person -to -person
and premises -to -premises transfer by LUCKY STORES, INC . , 3007
Highland Avenue, and the Police Chief's report there appear to be
no grounds for protest of this application were presented. Moved
by Pinson, seconded by Reid, in favor of Lucky Stores. Carried by
the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Camacho, Pinson, Reid, Waters.
Nays: None. Abstaining: Morgan.
The LEAGUE OAF CALIFORNIA CITIES LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN, dated August
17, 1973, with the CITY MANAGER'S recommendations indicated thereon
was presented. Moved by Pinson, seconded by Reid, in favor of the
City Manager's recommendations, Carried by unanimous vote*.
The CITY MANAGER'S memorandum recommending the transfer of $9,000
be made to Redevelopment Agency on September 1 and stating the City
budgeted the amount for one-half the salary of an individual who
will work on rights -of -way and by transferring this amount, it will
make it possible for this individual to receive his salary in one
check rather than two was presented, Moved by Reid, seconded by
Camacho, in favor of the C it Mana ex.'s recommendation. Carried
by unanimous vote.
The CITY MANAGER'S memorandum stating MR. ARNO MUELLER requested an
appointment for 3:00 p.m. on August 29, to discuss purchase of land
in the vicinity of Paradise Creek between 19th and 22nd Street was
presented. Moved by Waters, seconded by Pinson, in favor of
Mr. Mueller's request and the meetin be at 4:00 ,.m. (amended
motion)* Mayor Morgan said the meeting would be held at 4:00 p.m.
tomorrow (8/29) in the conference room; this is the third time
Council has called a meeting with Mr. Mueller and he hopes Mr. Muel-
ler will be able to come this time. Carried by unanimous vote.
A letter from MR. AND MRS, JAMES L. WESTPHALL, 3825 Stockman St.,
expressing an interest in purchasing City -owned property located
directly behind their home was presented. Moved by Camacho, seconded
by Reid, Council discuss Item 8 under New Business at tomorrows
meeting at 4:00 p.m* Carried by unanimous vote.
The MINUTES of the regular meeting of STREET TREE AND PARKWAY
COMMITTEE on August 26 and the CITY MANAGER'S recommendation of
approval and suggestion on the problem of accomplishing the street
tree work be referred back to the Committee (Committee could start
on a block -by -block basis or whatever method they deem necessary)
were presented. Moved by Waters, seconded by Pinson, in favor of
the City Manager's recommendation.. Carried by unanimous vote.
A communication from the NATIONAL CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE recom-
mending Council go to bid for bus transportation for 1974•u 75 fiscal
8/28/73
142
year was presented. Moved by Camacho, seconded by Reid, this^be
filed. There was discussion. Motion carried by the following vote,
to -wit: Ayes: Camacho, Reid, Morgan. Nays: Pinson, Waters.
Mayor Morgan asked the City Manager to study and bring back a report
and recommendation on bus service into Sweetwater Heights, from
Harbison over to end of 8th Street and back down Plaza Blvd. Moved
by Morgan, seconded by Camacho, we authorize the Manager to da this.
Carried by unanimous vote,
A memorandum from the CITY CLERK regarding claim against the City
of National City by MR. BRUCE HALAPIN was presented. Moved by
Camacho, seconded by Morgan, this claim be denied and referred to
the City Attorney. There was discussion. Carried by the following
vote, to. wit : Ayes: Camacho, Pinson, Morgan, Waters. Nays: None*
Abstaining: Reid.
HEAR INGS
The HEARING on the APPEAL OF DENIAL OF PROPOSED ZONE CHANGE (ZC-9.73)
to Rezone from R. 1 (Single Family Residence) to R-4 (Multiple Family
Residence) the Property at the Northwesterly Corner of 16th Street
and "L" Avenue (1129 East 16th Street and 1532-34 "L" Avenue) was
held at this time. The Planning Department transmittal stating the
Planning Commission recommended the zone change be denied and the
appeal of Herbert R, James, 425 Montclair Street, Chula Vista, were
presented. City Clerk Campbell stated Certificate of Publication
and City Clerk's Affidavit of Mailing Notice of Hearing are on file.
Planning Director Gerschler said the Planning Commission (by unani-
mous vote with all members present) recommended denial of the zone
change for the reasons set forth in the Staff report. JARVIS CLIF-
TON, 1037 E. 15th Street, was present and spoke against the zone
change* NEIL TRACE, 1425 "K", was present and protested the zone
change on behalf of his mother-in-law (who lives at 1506 "L") and
himself; they would like to see it remain zoned R--1. JIM HAWKINS,
1430 "L" Avenue, was present and said he opposed the change.
LOIS BENNINGER, 1036 E, 15th St., was present and said she opposed
the change in zoning, DONNELL MCLEAN, 1444 "L" Avenue, was present
and said he is opposed to this change. ROSE TOOMEY, 1505 "L", was
present and said she opposes this very strongly. E. B. MURPHY,
1425 "K" Avenue, was present and spoke against the change in zoning
of this property. Moved by Morgan, seconded by Reid, hearing be
closed and we approve Planning Commission recommendation. There
was discussion. No one else was present to speak in this regard.
Carried by unanimous vote.
The HEARING on NOTICE OF INTENT TO REVOKE LICENSE: JOSEPH LAWRENCE
BONAMO, JACK POWELL, Co -,owners, DBA BALLINJACK CHOPPERS, 138 West
35th Street, Suite W, National City, was held at this time. City
Attorney McLean said we have received a variety of complaints
concerning noise coming from the premises at 138 West 35th Street
in National City; we sent a notice of hearing before the City Council
to consider the revocation of the business license on those premises
on either the grounds that the business here is a public nuisance or
that business results in a breach of the peace or other jeopardy of
the public health, peace or safety to the owners.. The City Attorney
said there are present a group of adjacent residents who are the
source of the complaints concerning noise at this place of business
and there are also present several National City police officers who
have been involved in handling the complaints and dealing with the
owners of the property. The City Attorney reported receipt of a
letter from J. Kenneth Jensen (attorney), stating that he represented
the owners of the business and he was not able to be present tonight;
he requested in his letter that this hearing be continued; he (the
City Attorney) communicated with Mr, Jensen's office in his absence
and said that the letter from him did not automatically result in a
continuance of this hearing; it would be up to City Council to
8/28/73
143
determine whether they would honor the request for the continuance
or whether they would proceed with the hearing as scheduled. City
Attorney McLean suggested that the first consideration be whether
Council intends to proceed with the hearing tonight or whether
Council intends to carry it over.. There was general agreement
among the members of the City Council to hold the hearing as so
many people were present in this regard and the people should not
have to suffer the noise any longer. JANICE SHEPHERD, secretary to
Attorney J. Kenneth Jensen, 7917 Ivanhoe, La Jolla, was present on
behalf of Mr, Jensen who represents the owners of Ballinjack; they
received a letter on the 18th stating the date of this meeting and
that they were entitled to appear; Mr, Jensen sent a letter on the
20th of August to the City notifying them that he would be out of
town (thinking this was the proper notification) and on Friday he
made several phone calls to the City Attorney and the phone calls
were not returned until Monday; at that time Mr. Jensen had already
left, Mayor Morgan said Council would go ahead with the hearing.
The City Attorney asked Miss Shepherd if Mr. Bonamo, Jack Powell, or
Mr, Hankins were present? Miss Shepherd said they were not; Mr.
Jensen is representing them; she did not know where the owners were;
they brought the notice of the hearing into Mr. Jensen. The City
Attorney called as the first witnesses, National City Police Officers.
OFFICER JOSEPH L. RAPOZA, presently assigned to the Detective Divi-
sion, was present and testified that he was instructed to look into
complaints concerning noise at the business known as "Ballinjack
Choppers" at 138 West 35th Street, National City; since receiving
the first formal complaint on 5/24/73, he checked their files and
also contacted a Mr. David Hankins on June 1; this was regarding a
vehicle that was causing disturbance at the Ballinjack Chopper Shop.
Officer Rapoza testified Mr. Hankins informed him that he was a co-
owner of the business in question; the vehicle causing (the dis-
turbance) was owned by one of his partners, a Mr, Bonamo; Mr. Hankins
stated to him on the phone that Mr. Bonamo was the sole owner of the
vehicle and it had nothing to do with the shop and Mr. Bonamo was
the only one who ever worked on or drove the vehicle; the vehicle
was used for off -road racing in Baja California. Mr. Rapoza
continued upon receiving the second formal complaint from a Mr,► Ross
on 8/6/73, he checked the Police files and found that 8 complaints
had been received since the first of the year pertaining to the
Ballinjack Motorcycle Shop; these complaints being the noise caused
by the race car; on the date (8/6/73) he contacted Mr. Ross, one of
the complainants, Mr. Ross provided him with a tape recording that
he made on the 4th, Saturday; the recording, reportedly, was made
in the front room of his trailer with all the doors and windows
closed; his trailer is some three blocks away from the Ballinjack
business; he had the recording with him, Officer Rapoza marked on
a map (Exhibit #2) the place where Mr. Ross lives (the trailer park
located at No. 4 Broadway, Chula Vista, south of the industrial area)
and the location of the Ballinjack Chopper (three blocks north,
approximately, of the trailer park located in the 100 block of West
35th St.). Officer Rapoza gave copies of complaint forms from the
Police records to the City Clerk who marked them "Exhibit #1."
Officer Rapoza played the tape recorded in Mr. Ross' trailer homes
and testified Mr, Ross' trailer is not located on the edge but
toward the center of the trailer park.
OFFICER KENNETH BRADT, was present and testified he had an occasion
to go to 138 West 35th Street, Suite W, in National City, concerning
complaints of noise; on May 23 at approximately 4:35 in the after-
noon,, he was sent down there on a call complaining about excessive
noise from cars; at the time he arrived at the rear of Ballinjack,
a car was backed into the open shop door, part way in; it was a
Baja -type bug that would be used off -road; at that time, there were
two male subjects working on the car; he asked them if they had
been operating the vehicle and they said "yes" and wanted to know
why; he told them the Police were receiving complaints from the
people on top of the hill to the south of them; it was disturbing
8/28/73
144
these people up there; they cannot watch their televisions, could
not relax because of aggravating noise. Officer Bradt continued
one subject (he did not tell his name) stated he was the owner there;
he was licensed by the City of National City to operate that business
and he did not give a damn what those people up on the hill thought;
the City said he could operate the business and he could make as
much noise as he pleased. Officer Bradt described this subject as
having long hair, beard and maybe a little bit on the chunky side
(subject was later identified as Mr. Bonamo by one of the other
officers in the Department). Officer Bradt testified he explained
to this subject that even though he was in a commercial area, he
was still disturbing these people's peace; the subject said he did
not care; Kile Morgan and the City Manager had been down there; he
had talked to them about this and they told him they did not care
about these people up on top of the hill, that he could make all the
noise he wanted to make. Officer Bradt testified that he told the
subject he doubted that the Mayor and City Manager said this; he
tried to explain to this subject that even though this area is zoned
commercial, it was not zoned for that type of noise; he felt sure
Council would not have issued a license had they known this kind of
noise was going to be emitted from this place; he explained, in
detail, to the subject why and the subject became belligerent and
started to threaten Officer Bradt..."go ahead, lock me up and I will
sue you for false arrest." Officer Bradt testified he tried to
explain to the subject that he did not came dawn there to make an
arrest but to ask for his cooperation; he kept dwelling on the point
that he would sue anyone who tried to come down and arrest him; he
informed the subject that he was going back and make his report to
the Officer in Charge and if this officer told Officer Bradt to
come back and arrest him, he would do that; if he wanted to go the
hard way, that is fine; or if he wanted to go the easy way, that is
fine too; when Officer Bradt went back to the station and gave the
information to his Staff Officer who said a record would be kept and
let it go for now and see if the man will cooperate; about a half
hour after that, the Police received another complaint and another
car was dispatched to it because Officer Bradt was on another call.
OFFICER GERALD C. DE LUCIA, was present and testified that he was
assigned to investigate a complaint concerning noise coming from the
premises at 135 West 35th Street, Ballinjack Motorcycle Shop; the
call that he received was the day following Officer Bradt's encounter
with the owner of the car; his call was, the vehicle was making
excessive noise and was being run on the roadway and the parking lot
behind the business; upon his arrival, the vehicle was parked in
approximately the same location that Officer Bradt described; it is
a Volkswagon but he does not believe it has a Volkswagon engine in
it the way it sounds; it is some sort of hopped -up engine; he tried
to make contact with the gentleman who was working the car and asked
him if he had been running the car and driving it on the roadway; he
refused to answer,,. Officer De Lucia testified he continued to talk
to him for several minutes and received no response; he kept on
working as though he did not hear, however, Officer De Lucia is sure
he heard; he was advised there could be problems disturbing the
peace from the neighbors on the hill and that running the car on the
roadway was highly illegal;; it is not road equipped. Officer De
Lucia testified that this subject was male, does not recall his
height, bearded, long hair and slightly more than medium build.
Officer De Lucia testified that he got in his car and traveled two
blocks away and concealed his car; Officer Pinner, who was working
that beat, came by and saw Officer De Lucia and joined him; they
were talking when the subject started his vehicle again; at that
time Officers De Lucia and Pinner were about two blocks away and
during their conversation they could not hear one another speak over
the noise created by the vehicle; they were to the north away from
the wind; they were not downwind and their conversation was inter-
rupted; he did not get out on the street again that night.
OFFICER CHARLES LEMM( , was present and testified that he was
8/28/73
145
instructed to see a William Jupp, Triad Corporation, 118 West 35th
St., concerning noise coming from the premises of Ballinjack on
January 11, 1973; he contacted Mr. Jupp and spent considerable time
that afternoon in that area talking with the neighbors of Ballinjack
Choppers and also to the people in Ballinjack themselves; Mr. Jupp
and Officer Lemmon talked for some 20 minutes; Mr. Jupp reported
that on numerous occasions the individual who owns the off -road
vehicle, Mr. Bonamo, had been operating the vehicle up and down the
parking lot directly behind the businesses; Mr.. Jupp did not object
to the driving of cars in the parking lot, but the manner in which
the car was driven and the noise created while driving it; Mr. Jupp
told Officer Lemmon that on two occasions his forklift operator
reported to him that he very nearly took out something in the neigh-
borhood of $40,000 to $70,000 worth of electronics gear; as the
forklift was offloading gear from the trucks and bringing it into
the business and when he bactthe forklift out this guy comes down
through the parking lot and he, the forklift operator, has to jam
on the brakes to avoid a collision; this stuff is very delicate and
any jarring, or should it be dropped, that would be the end of it;
there would be $40,000 or $70,000 in electronics gear lost and no
insurance to take care of it. Officer Lemmon testified he talked
with the forklift operator for a few minutes and he corroborated
Mr. Jupp's report. Officer Lemmon testified that there was a female
employee at the business who reported to Mr. Jupp that as she got
out of her car at noon that day and started across the parking lot
to come to work; the car came within about one and half feet of her
at about 60 mph. Officer Lemmon said that to him this was a complete
disregard for anything having to do with human lives, property.
Officer Lemmon testified that he then contacted Mr. Bonamo; at that
time his machine was not in operation; it was slightly torn down
and he was doing some kind of repair work; he also had contact with
the other owner of the property; he did not recognize him (the other
owner) and he did not tell Officer Lemmon who he was but he has
since learned who he is; his name is Jack Powell; most of his con-
versation was with Mr. Bonamo because he had the biggest problem;
he talked with him for about an hour; he was interrupted during that
time by Mr. Morgan (Mayor Morgan) who came down evidently as a
result of complaints he had received; he apprised Mr. Morgan of the
situation; everything he suggested to Mr. Bonamo was unacceptable;
the man was totally uncooperative. Officer Lemmon continued the
other man, Jack Powell, came out and spoke to him and he too was
uncooperative; he said the zone is C.zone; they are licensed to do
this kind of thing in the City of National City; nobody can tell
them they cannot. Officer Lemmon testified that he told Messrs.
Powell and Bonamo that if they ran the car on the parking lot and he
observed them driving in a reckless manner that he would do some-
thing; he also apprised them of the noise ordinance in the City,
stating that any unusual noises, it does not matter where it is,
whether it is on a business street or residential street or on
business property or residential property, is subject to citation
under 5522.1 of the Municipal Code; this did not affect them; he
told them that the violation could cost them as much as $40 and he
said, "Write your ticket, if I have to pay the $40, I will pay the
$40; I am going to run this car;" this is how uncooperative they
were. Officer Lemmon testified that he did run the car (Officer
Lemmon was about a block and a half away waiting for him) ; he came
out of the building...out into the open field at probably a speed
of 50, 60 or 70 mph; the noise was unbelievable; the engine in the
car is a 125-hp Evinrude outboard motor which has been modified and
put in this car.....it has no muffler, it goes into a straightbellows
system which increases the noise; from a block and a half away he
could not have conducted a conversation; he could not hear his radio;
...he moved into a position where he could catch him and talk to him
when he came back to the business and when he did come in off the
field, he was coming in a such a clip that Officer Lemmon could not
get in his way; he went into the business and slammed the door.
8/28/73
146
Officer Lemmon stated he could not see who was behind athe whend elwof
the vehicle; he hit the door as soon as riictitwdetedr�om�e which one had
e
three fellows standing inside; he
been driving the car; one of the fellows was
e Mr.werBona two other;they wore
n hat
the biggest smiles you have ever seen; there
he associated with the business; they were inside the Ballinjack,
138 West 35th Street, Suite W.
The CITY ATTORNEY called the following witnesses, all residents of
Al's Trailer Haven, 4 Broadway, Chula Vista,.
BOB ROSS testified the activities at the Ballinjack Choppers at 138
West 35th Street have disturbed his peace and quiet; Council heard
the tape recorded in his trailer atthe time; this inhumane torture
put him in the hospital on June 3 with a rupturedulcer which hddid
not know he had; this has been building up ever since the timethey
opened that business and started building those cars; there have
been motorcycles racing around there, stopping with their feet on
the ground, holding the cycle up and gunning the thing
this has been going on ever since the place opened almost a year;
a.m. 2:00
this occurs at 6 a.m.,, noon, 4 p.m., 2:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m.; he cannot
sleep; it is impossible to live in peace with that going on; you
s so
cannot hear television or radio; when it does happenit
week, bad
dicee
times
is shaking all over; it is usually two or three
they have received the notice, they have been noticably quieter.
HUGH MACDONALD, testified that his wifeand he have stood on the
hill and watched and listened to the noise made at Ballinjack
Choppers, 138 West 35th Street in National City, going on for hours
sometimes; this has been going on from around the first of the year;
they can get no sleep because of the noise coming from the Chopper
shop; these vehicles they repair or are fixing are causing the noise;
they cannot turn on the television and listen and enjoy
ithits aga and he
all;
he cannot get any sleep; he had an operation a few
must take pills to get to sleep but the noise still wakes him even
after having taken a sedative; his health is very bad.
MRS. MELBA MCKAY testified that her husband and she own and operate
the triler park; the noise from the Chopper Shop 138 West 35th
snd3,,
Street in National City bothers them, particularly
Y on
Sunday afternoons when they have no peace at all; veryofteoutn
itto see
occurs at night; she has on occasions gotten up gone
where the noise was coming from; it was caning from the Ballinjack
Chopper Shop, 138 West 35th Street; the lights were on; the doors
were open; the noise was coming from a car inside theshop;the
dx dis-
turbances doorwas up; they were working on it or playing with it; these
turbances were most noticable to her at night 2:00, 4:00 and it goes
on for hours; it is impossible to have any rest; she is unable to do
her bookkeeping when this is going on; this has been going on since
about Christmas last year about two or three times a week.
MARGARET MACDONALD testified on numerous occasions at 2:00 and 4:00
o'clock in the morning, different times during the day this terrible
noise has been going on for months and months; it is torturous, and
comes from the Ballinjack Chopper at 138 West 35th Street; souped»
up engines and more than one car; they (Mr. and Mrs. MacDonald)
overlook the business; they look right onto the Ballinjack Chopper
shop; they have even gone down and circled the building and these
vehicles are circling just as that officer said; they are not stay-
ing to their parking they are circling on the field; she saw people
working on vehicles in the business; they have been kept up all
night and have to go to work with no sleep at all; this has been
going on since they opened the place.
HAZEL CARTER testified the noise she noticed mostly coming from the
business, Ballinjack Chopper, was at night; around 4:00 o'clock in
the morning or just as soon as you get to sleep, this terrible noisq
of a motor will wake you; she lives right on the end of the trailer
park and she can look over the bank and see the lights and the cars
in front; she can see the cars making thenoise;
f h sor has
been
week
going on for about 10 months with a frequency
at least, 8/28/73
147
MARION ROBERTSON testified that she is opposite the Ballinjack
Choppers and she gets the full benefit of all the noise they are
making; she has watched them; she remembers a particular occasion
when they were open all day on a Saturday and all evening until
5:00 a.m. on Sunday; she got out of bed to watch; she could see them
with the lights on; she could see the cars and hear the noise; she
cannot sleep with this noise going on; it has affected her sleep
for a good many months, nearly a year.
MYRTLE RADCLIFFE, testified that she lives on the cliff right across
from the Ballinjack choppers, that noise goes right through you; you
can't hear your television; it is bad; she is maybe two blocks fran
this business; it wakes her at all hours; in the daytime she can see
it and in the evening they have the lights on; they have different
kinds of vehicles; it is not just one; they are from this same place,
Ballinjack; they have only lived there since April; they were warned
before they moved there that perhaps the noise could bother them;
another neighbor warned them of this and said "...there is a lot of
noise and maybe I would be unable to stand it;" she did not realize
there would be that much noise; early in the spring it was practi-
cally four or five times a week, especially Saturday and Sunday it
was real bad; maybe it will slack down a little bit on the work or
something but you never know when they are going to pick it up again.
MONTY RADCLIFFE testified he lives opposite the Ballinjack where
this noise is caning from, where this operation takes place; he has
a bird's-eye view from where he lives, across to where this activity
is taking place; the sad part of the whole thing is it is an indus-
trial complex and everyone knows and expects a normal industrial
operation; there is a little bit of an echo in that cavity; the
trucks and the industrial noise, you don't even hear; the sad part
of this setup is that at the end of the business day at 4:30 or
5:00, these characters will gather in the back of this particular
shop and they all have high --powered motorcycles; he supposes they
are making adjustments on their vehicles, playing with them,
tinkering with them.
CITY ATTORNEY MCLEAN said the question for Council is to decide
whether or not the business license should be revoked because the
business is a public nuisance and/or the business results in the
breach of peace and/or the business is a jeopardy to public health,
peace or safety; if Council does decide that those conditions exist,
the staff should be instructed to take steps to close the business
down. Moved by Waters, seconded by Reid, the public hearing on the
notice of inters to revoke license be closed and we find this
business to be apublic nuisance and affects the health and welfare
of surrounding community and that it be handed over to the City,
Attorney for the proper, procedures to revoke the business license
and take steps to close the business down. Carried by unanimous
vote. (A verbatim transcript of the above proceedings is on file
in the office of the City Clerk,)
REPORTS
CITY MANAGER OSBURN reported receipt of a notice from the League of
California Cities regarding the Annual Conference in San Francisco
October 21.24; they requested designation of a voting member of the
City, preferably the Mayor or Councilman, be there and an alternate
member as a voter. Mayor Morgan said he would be there as the
voting member. Moved by Waters, seconded by Reid, the Vice Mayor
be the alternate. Carried by unanimous vote,
CITY MANAGER OSBURN requested permission to hold a public auction
of a number of unclaimed and repossessed items that the Police
Department has in their custody„ on September 8, Moved by Waters,
seconded by Camacho„ in favor of the Ci Mana er's re uest t at
the auction be held
by unanimous vote.
8/28/73
148
CITY MANAGER OSBURN reported receipt of a letter from MAAC Project,
Mr. Valderama, requesting the use of a 7 / x 12 / flatbed trailer.
Moved by Camacho, seconded by Reid, this request be granted.. Carried
by unanimous vote.
CITY MANAGER OSBURN reported receipt of authorization to advertise
for bids from the Department of Transportation on our TOPICS project;
this includes the traffic signals at 18th and "D;' the drainage pro-
ject in that area„ the signal lights at 8th Street and Palm Avenue
and 16th Street and Palm Avenue and requested permission to go to
bid on these items. Moved by Camacho, seconded by treaters, in favor
of the Ca't ,,Manac er's request. Carried by the following vote, to -
wit:
� Ayes: Camacho, Pinson„ Reid, Waters.. Nays: None. Abstaining:
Morgan.,.
CITY MANAGER OSBURN said he has a request from Mr. Shotwell, owner
of the West Coast Radiator Company, 105 West 18th Street, for the
lease of the City -owned parcel of land which is north of his store
and next to the drainage ditch; the property is triangular, 751 on
one side going down to nothing at the other end; it is 5, 625 0 1 ;
Mr. Shotwell wants to fence it and use it for parking fox both -
his store and Brown Motors; since the City made an agreement to
lease this to Brown Motors sometime ago for $1 a year, if it is still
the recommendation of the City Council, staff would prepare a lease
and cover it with the proper insurance. There was discussion.
Moved by Camacho, seconded by Waters, to lease this land for $50
monthly. Carried by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Camacho,
Reid, Waters, Morgan. Nays: None. Abstaining: Pinson.
COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
COUNCILMAN WATERS inquired about the "D" Avenue paving improvements;
and said those people who are responsible should be instructed to
move the utility poles out of the middle of the sidewalk; school
will begin soon and it is dangerous for the kids; activities go on
in these schools at night; the City is responsible for this. City
Manager Osburn said he would check on this. Councilman Waters said
the people who are holding up the landscaping of their parkways
pending the widening of the street should be notified so they can
go ahead with their landscaping. City Manager Osburn said the only
place that is going to be widened is in the vicinity of 18th Street;
he will check into this. Mayor Morgan said he abstained from voting
earlier in the meeting because he owns the corner at 18th and "D"
and they also put a utility pole in the middle of this sidewalk;
they then asked him to deed them property back on his property so
they would have room for people to get around the corner; he thinks
that is what they intend to do; he gave the property to the City;
they have more of the sidewalk area than you see today. Councilman
Waters said on the side across from the Fire Department, the south
side of l6th Street, there are two poles, side by side, in the
middle of the sidewalk. City Manager Osburn said when the poles
were put there the City and the Gas company intended to go ahead at
that time; the Government cut off our portion of the TOPICS project.
COUNCILMAN REID asked the City Manager if ever there is extra black-
top available, would there be any chance of...there is lots of
traffic on that "L", especially when you leave 24th and go to 30th;
it is getting pretty bad through there; could that be checked to see
if there is any chance of trying to.**
MAYOR MORGAN said he would appoint the Senior Citizens Advisory
Committee tonight: Mrs. Mary Preston, 2712 E. 8th St.; Mrs. Shirley
La Rue, 1933 "0" Avenue; Mrs. Cornelia Thoe, 1605 "L" Avenue, Mrs.
Eva Carlo, 127 W. 15th Street; Mrs, Rosa Enriquez, 1414 Harding.
Moved by Waters, seconded by Camacho„ in favor of the Mayor's
ecommendation. Carried by unanimous vote. 828/73
149
MAYOR MORGAN asked City Engineer Foster when we are going to bid on
Division Street; he has asked several times over the past...City
Engineer Foster said 6 weeks or 2 months; we do not have the right-
of-way yet. Mayor Morgan said he thought it was condemned; the
Attorney has filed a complaint on that to take this property. City
Manager Osburn said he was notified and had not yet notified
Mr. Foster.
MAYOR MORGAN told Planning Director Gerschler that he has had
several complaints on apartments; when they put in these apartments
they don't put in sufficient lighting; he has received complaints
of people ransacking automobiles parked in the streets; are there
lighting requirements for apartment buildings? Planning Director
Gerschler said under Ord. 1306 we do require outdoor lighting; before
1306 (it is a little over a year old now) there were no requirements
for security lighting; the Planning Department has received the same
complaints; you may want to consider an ordinance that would require
the placing of security lighting on some of the older apartment
houses; this could probably be done in a reasonable time period; he
will prepare a report.
MAYOR MORGAN informed the audience that he has been Mayor and
Councilman for a long time and has never voted for a tax raise..
Moved by Reid, seconded by Camacho, the meeting be closed. Carried
by unanimous vote. The meeting closed at 9:35 p.m.
City 4 lerk
City of Nation- City, California
The foregoing minutes were approved by the City Council of the City
of National City at the regular meeting of September 4, 1973..
r___1 No corrections
Corrections as noted below
...► ter.
Mayors ity of a Tonal City, California
8/28/73