Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1966 02-08 CC MIN98 MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NATIONAL CITY, CALIFORNIA FEBRUARY 8, 1966 The regular meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Gautereaux at 7:30 p.m. Council members present: Allen, Hogue, )Morgan, Gautereaux. Council members absent: Colburn. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIALS PRESENT: Carstens, Deputy city Attorney Dotson, Foster, Huffaker, Minogue, Osburn, Stockman. The meeting was opened with salute to the Flag led by City Manager Osburn, followed with invocation by Councilman Hogue. MAYOR GAUTEREAUX recognized Mrs. Loretta Minogue, of New York, Joe Minogue's 83-year old mother, (Councilman Colburn arrived and took his place at the meeting) and presented a "Key to the City" to her. MOVED BY ALLEN, seconded by Colburn, the minutes of the regular meeting of February 1st be approved with the following addition: Add paragraph on page 97, immediately prior to the close of the meeting that the City Treasurer's report for the month of January was approved and ordered filed. Carried by unanimous vote. RESOLUTION NO. 9065, "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING MAYOR TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT (Robert Dearie)," was read. Moved by Allen, seconded by Hogue, the Reso- lution be adopted. City Manager Osburn stated the agreement covered the disassembling of 5 buildings in the Olivewood Housing project. Carried, by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Allen, Colburn, Hogue, Morgan, Gautereaux. Nays: None. RESOLUTION NO. 9066, "RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF CORPORATION GRANT DEED (CONTANINA CONVALESCENT CENTERS, INC.)," was read. Moved by Colburn, seconded by Alien, the Resolution be adopted. Carried, by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Allen, Colburn, Hogue, Morgan, Gautereaux. Nays: None. RESOLUTION NO. 9067, "RESOLUTION DEDICATING STREET ("B" AVENUE)," was read. Moved by Allen, seconded by Colburn, the Resolution be adopted. The City Manager stated it was between 24th Street and 25th Street. Motion carried, by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Alien, Colburn, Hogue, Morgan, Gautereaux. Nays: None. Resolution No. , Resolution requesting Legislation to increase salaries for elective Mayors in General Law cities, was presented. Moved by Hogue, seconded by Allen, the reading of the Resolution be waived and it be adopted by reading of the title only. Carried by unanimous vote. RESOLUTION NO. 9068, "RESOLUTION REQUESTING LEGISLATION TO INCREASE SALARIES FOR ELECTIVE MAYORS IN GENERAL LAW CITIES." Moved by Hogue, seconded by Colburn, the Resolution be adopted. City Attorney Carstens stated, in regard to Councilman Morgan's question, the Resolution would be forwarded to the Legislature requesting amendments to specific Government codes for changes or additions in the law to allow General Law cities to pay the Mayor a salary if they so choose. Motion carried, by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Allen, Colburn, Hogue, Gautereaux. Nays: Morgan. Ordinance No. , an ordinance adopting by reference the Uniform Housing Code, 1964 edition, and appendix thereto; prescribing regulations governing hazards to life and property from substandard (residential) housing con- ditions, was presented for the second reading. Moved by Colburn, seconded by Hogue, the reading of the Ordinance be %waived and it be adopted by reading of the title only. Carried by unanimous vote. ORDINANCE NO. 1124, "AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING BY REFERENCE THE UNIFORM HOUSING CODE, 1964 EDITION, AND APPENDIX THERETO; PRESCRIBING REGULATIONS GOVERNING HAZARDS TO LIFE AND PROPERTY FROM SUBSTANDARD (RESIDENTIAL) HOUSING CON- DITIONS." Moved by Hogue, seconded by Colburn, the Ordinance be adopted. 2/8/66 99 Councilman Morgan asked the City Attorney if the Preface to the Code would be included in the Ordinance. City Attorney Carstens stated the Code started on Page 7;and it alone would be adopted by reference; the Preface had no legal effect. Motion carried, by the following vote„ to -wit: Ayes: Alien, Colburn, Hogue, Morgan, Gautereaux. Nays: None. COUNCILMAN COLBURN requested the Engineering Department report on Euclid Avenue north of Division: cost of surfacing or filling in chuck holes, and re -doing the white line, the street could support four lanes but there is only a center line. Moved by Colburn, seconded by Morgan, the Engineers office study the situation and report. Carried by unanimous vote. Councilman Colburn stated therewere some areas in the City where there could be slots for left turn lanes, excepting the areas where businesses felt parking would be interrupted or done away with. Moved by Colburn, seconded by Alien, the Engineer's office locate all intersections where left turn lanes were necessary and proceed with those lanes unless they felt it would be a controversial intersection, and then bring a report back to the Council. Vice Mayor Allen suggested the motion eliminate the word "proceed", a report should be brought back. Included in the motion and second. Councilman Colburn stated the left turn lanes on Highland at Plaza Boulevard were under study and were not included in the motion. Mayor Gautereaux recommended the report come from the Traffic Safety Committee to the Engineering Department, and then to the Council. Moved by Colburn, seconded by Allen, the motion be restated to accept the Mayor's recommendat- ion. Vice Mayor Allen stated it should be a joint study, so the Engineering Department can catch any of the intersections the Traffic Safety Committee does not. Carried by unanimous vote. COUNCILMAN COLBURN stated in regard to Acme Chevrolet's offer to purchase Parcel No. 7 at 24th and National, the sale was dependent on the Planning Commission's approval of zoning; the Planning Commission%.recommended the zones change; the Council should reconsider and accept Acme's offer and notify the developers (Gersten) Parcel No. 7 was sold, and inform them the sale was made prior to their offer. Moved by Colburn, seconded by Morgan, the Council reconsider the sale to the developers and accept the offer of Acme Chevrolet for Parcel No. 7. Councilman Colburn stated the Council upheld a point in regard to a matter - on private property; and it was based on a statement made by an employee; in the matter of Acme Chevrolet there was more than just a discussion; he felt the Council accepted the offer of Acme Chevrolet; the developers had ample time and facilities available to find out there was such an offer standing; the Council should act on this matter immediately, and the City Attorney should be asked on the legality of selling this property twice, if the motion does not carry. Motion failed by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Colburn, Morgan. Nays: Allen, Hogue, Gautereaux. Moved by Colburn, seconded by Morgan, the City Attorney rule whether or not the Council was obligated to carry out the sale to Acme Chevrolet. Motion carried, by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Colburn, Hogue, Morgan, Gautereaux, Nays: Alien. COUNCILMAN MORGAN stated in regard to the alley at 20th Street and L Avenue, rain water runs from the alley into the basement of a house on the corner; the Council should study the problem and alleviate it, Moved by Morgan, seconded by Colburn, a study be made by the City Manager. and a report be brought back. Vice Mayor Allen stated that the house was built over a pond and he did not know if anything could be done about it. Motion carried by unanimous vote. COUNCILMAN MORGAN stated the Downtown Association discussed a hotel over the proposed Civic Auditorium to help pay for it; and the Association wanted to know whether or not the Council would favor such a project, Councilman Hogue stated tie committee (Councilman Hogue, Councilman Morgan, PRAB and the Director of Planning) studying the Civic Auditorium, was interviewing companies capable of making a feasibility study on the proposed project; they would eventually ask the Council to hire a firm to make a feasibility report. Councilman Morgan stated if the voters would not have 2/8/66 100 to approve a bond for the project, they would be more likely to accept it. Msyor Gautereaux stated it pleased him to know the committee had conducted interviews that could result in the retention of a consulting firm to make a study, and asked the Council to authorize the committee to conduct the interviews and come back with a recommendation as a result of the interviews. Moved by Allen, seconded by Colburn, the Mayor's recommendation be approved. Councilman Hogue stated one company offered to include the idea of a hotel in the study at no extra charge. The Mayor asked if there was an anticipated time schedule. Director of Planning Stockman . • stated letters were sent out to approximately eight companies, and all but two had answered; with the consent of the two Councilmen and the Park and Recreation Advisory Board, she was setting up interviews, and she might have something to report around the first of March. Mrs. Stockman stated the communication sent to the consulting firms contained a broad statement: (phase 1) a study of the need and whethor or not such a project could be a success in National City, (phase 2) how it might be financed, (phase 3) different ways it could be financed, and how all matters would be given consideration. Motion carried by unanimous vote. MOVED BY ALLEN, seconded by Hogue, the corner of 13th Street and Roosevelt be studied by the Traffic Safety Committee in regard to a two or four-way stop, due to recent accidents. Carried by unanimous vote. MAYOR GAUTEREAUX stated he was notified by City Manager Osburn that Byron Reid would no longer be serving as a member of the Board of Appeals in the plumbing industry, and it was recommended Leslie L. Dries, 333 "F" Avenue (dba Fixit Plumbing Co.), fill the vacancy. The Mayor suggested the Council make a point of meeting Mr. Dries prior to the ratification of his appointment, and recommended the Council send a certificate to Mr. Reid for his service on the Appeals Board. Moved by Morgan, seconded by Allen, the Mayor's recommendations be approved. Carried by unanimous vote. JOE ROBNETT, 408 E. 30th Street, was present, and stated he was supposed to install a curb and sidewalk in front of his house. Mr. Robnett requested the Council waive the installation of the sidewalk, as it would run into his neighbor's house. The Mayor stated the installation of the sidewalk and curb was waived last year when he built his house and was to have been completed within a year, but the houses on the south side of 30th Street would have to be set back in order for the sidewalk to be installed; the curbs would miss the buildings. Moved by Morgan, seconded by Alien, the request be granted. Mr. Robnett suggested that after the curb is installed, it would be advisable to install a four-way stop sign at the corner of 30th and D. The Mayor stated notice would be made of it. Motion carried by unanimous vote. BOB MILKS, President, National City Police Officers Association, was present, and requested the passage of an ordinance providing survivor's benefits for safety service personnel (the "widows clause"). 'dice Mayor Allen stated this item and an item on increasing retirement pay.. for persons retired prior to January 1, 1962, was to come up under New Business with a recommendation from City Manager Osburn the items be considered at budget time and if monies were available, they be added to our existing retirement at that time. Moved by Alien, seconded by Morgan, fhp rrocnm- mendation of the City Manager be approved Carried by unanimous vote. E. H. ALSDORF, 2105 J Avenue, was present, and stated that at one tixn effort was made to close the alley at 20th & L, between 20th and 21st, and suggested the alley not be closed, but left open for drainage. H. J. CORNELIUS, 2926 Grove Street, was present, and stated he had been annexed to the City and was glad to be in National City; the County asked him to furnish a five-foot right of way or easement across his property for a sewer line; he understood National City had given the County the right to cross any and all land in National City for sewer line installation. Mayor Gautereaux stated the County was proceeding with an improvement district, and under an improvement district they have to acquire rights 2/8/66 an 101 of way for their sewer; National City could not give them permission to cross any properties in that regard; they have to negotiate for those rights of way. Mr. Cornelius stated the property adjoining his was in the County, and had no improvements on it, the County should use County land for their sewer. Councilman Hogue stated the County would have to negotiate with him. The Mayor said, in answer to Mr. Corneius' question, the Council gave the County the right to negotiate on behalf of the City relative to the District, and advised Mr. Cornelus he would have to negotiate with the County. B. J. GAUTEREAUX, 2019 Highland Avenue, was present, and stated in regard to the newspaper article about the 50 lost and found trees; the trees were purchased by the Kiwanis Club about two years ago; they were carefully put away within the confines of a fence in the shuffleboard court area; the trees were properly tended, watered, etc., until such time as the wishes of the Kiwanis Club could be carried out by planting the trees in El Toyon Park; the trees were not in a condition at the time of purchase to put out; they are not ready at the present time to be put out. Mr. Gautereaux suggested the trees be cared for to encourage their growth by removing them from the containers they are in presently, and put them in proper containers and hdld them a while longer_•• he further recommended that when the turf is in condition and win the weather permits the trees be planted. Mr. Gautereaux stated the trees were never lost, they were in good hands and safe keeping all the time. Moved by Morgan, the problem be turned over to the City Manager. Motion died for lack of second. Mayor Gautereaux stated there was no problem, if there had been a problem the City Manager would have brought it to the attention of the Council. PAYROLL AUDITED BY THE FINANCE COMMITTEE in the amount of $64,306.78 was presented. Moved by Allen, seconded by Colburn, the payroll be approved and warrants ordered drawn for same. Carried, by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Alien, Colburn, Hogue, Morgan, Gautereaux. Nays: None. A COMMUNICATION PROM DONALD H. FREEMAN, Attorney for Acme Ambulance Service, in regard to a request the Council review Section 29, Ordinance No. 1122, was presented. City Manager Osburn recommended the Council wait to see if a problem in ambulance service arose before changing the Ordinance. Councilman Morgan asked if other cities charged $50.00 for licensing ambulances; it seemed like the ambulances were being penalized. Moved by Allen, seconded by Hogue, the City Manager's recommendation be approved. Donald H. Freeman, 225 E. 8th Street, was present, and stated the ambulance services in the City kept ambulances available for normal ambulance calls, however, once in a while there would be an emergency call where it would be necessary to bring an exta ambulance into the City; the ambulance services would like to have the ability to bring the extra ambulances into the City in case of an emergency, but if there was a $50.00 fee for each additional ambulance, it would discourage the ambulance companies from doing so. Mr. Freeman suggested the ambulances be charged like any other business, according to gross income, etc. Mayor Gautereaux asked if the City -maintained Police ambulance could not be used in an extreme emergency. Mr. Freeman stated it was true, but there were times when even additional ambulances were required. Mayor Gautereaux stated he concurred with Mr. Osburn's recommendation, but there might be an area where the Council would want to give attention to providing for an extra ambulance under emergency conditions or when an ambulance might be under repair, maybe there should be an exemption for such equipment if it is needed on a temporary basis. Councilman Morgan stated the $50.00 license fee discourages the ambulance companies to have an ambulance on call at all times in case of emergency. City Manager Osburn stated the City had an ambulance, Acme and Bay Cities have an ambulance each; when a call is made to the police department, unless a certain company is specified, the first half of the month one ambulance service is called, and the second half of the month the other ambulance service is called; there are almost always one or two ambulances available. Mayor Gautereaux recommended the item be laid over for a week, and the City Manager have an opportunity to study the situation further as to an alternate means of either an exemption of a standby ambulance or a nominal fee for a standby ambulance, as long as the first ambulance is licensed. Moved by Morgan, seconded 2/8/66 102 by Allen, the Mayor's recommendation be approved. Mr. Crawford, Acme Ambulance, was present, and stated the raise in the license fee from $4.00 to $50.00 was excessive; in the cities where the license fee was $50.00, they had all of the business; the Police Department does not handle any of the ambulance calls. Motion carried by unanimous vote. A COMMUNICATION FROM CITY ATTORNEY CARSTENS in regard to leave of absence from Council meetings of February 22nd and March 1st, was presented. Vice Mayor Allen stated that Tuesday, February 22nd was a holiday, and asked if there would be a Council meeting on another day. Mayor Gautereaux stated he favored a vacation. Moved by Morgan, seconded by Hogue, the request be granted. Carried by unanimous vote. A COPY OF PROTEST TO ABC (on -sale general license Thomas E. Groeschel) by E. H. Alsdorf, and a Notice of withdrawal of application for on -sale general license by Thomas E. Groeschel, were presented. Ordered filed by unanimous vote. A COMMUNICATION FROM THE SOUTH BAY OPTIMIST CLUB requesting permission to hold a circus and waiver of fees for the circus to be held Saturday, March 9th, South Bay Plaza, was presented. Moved by Hogue, seconded by Morgan, the request be granted. Mayor Gautereaux asked if an ordinance covered this and it had to be reviewed. Vice Mayor Allen stated it was a: recurring thing and the Optimist Club knew the information. Motion carried by unanimous vote. A COMMUNICATION FROM WARREN C. CHAMBERS, Secretary, Park and Recreation Advisory Board, requesting permission for two members (Mrs. Ann Guerrini and Mrs. Jeanne Johnson) to attend the Park and Recreation Conference in Los Angeles, March 5-9, was presented. Moved by Alien, seconded by Hogue, the request be granted. Carried by unanimous vote. A COMMUNICATION FROM CHIEF BUILDING INSPECTOR BIGGS recommending the $50.00 performance bond be refunded to E. Everett, 1345 "K" Avenue, was presented. Moved by Morgan, seconded by Allen, the request be granted and warrant ordered drawn for same. Carried, by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Allen, Colburn, Hogue, Morgan, Gautereaux. Nays: None. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE CITY CLERK AND CITY TREASURER in regard to the vaults in the new Civic Center, were presented. City Manager Osburn stated the vaults in the building were as stated in the letters, however, they would be in a better secured building than this building and there would be the same amount of security in those vaults in regard to fire as there is in the vaults in this building, due to the type structure of the new building. The City Manager said there were two small safes in the Housing which would be free, and recommended they be moved into the new building; a burglar alarm could be installed to the Police Station. The City Manager stated that somewhere along the line the vaults were changed from the original plan. Moved by Allen, seconded by Hogue, the City Manager's recommendation be approved. Councilman Morgan asked about a concrete or block wall being put in. The City Manager, in answer to Mayor Gautereaux's question, stated his interpretation was the vaults were installed mainly against fire; there would be a safe for cash or small valuables. Councilman Colburn stated it would have to be considered what would be the advantage of anyone breaking into the vaults. Council- man Colburn asked if the City Manager could inquire in regard to having an alarm system installed. Mr. Osburn stated the architect was checking into the cost of installing an alarm system. Moved by Morgan, seconded by Colburn, the item be tabled for two weeks. Carried by unanimous vote. A REPORT ON OLIVEWOOD HOUSING for the month of January, 1966, was presented. Moved by Alien, seconded by Colburn, the report be approved and filed with the City Manager. Carried by unanimous vote. CITY MANAGER OSBURN presented a Certificate of Insurance for the Western Lumber Company of San Diego, and stated they were doing work on the Civic Center, and recommended it be filed with the City Clerk. Ordered filed by unanimous vote. 2/8/66 103 THE CITY MANAGER presented seven items: Police Radio Control System, Police Radio Recording System, Surveillance Recording System, Jail Surveil- lance System, Silent Alarm Facilities, Status Display and Controls, and Dispatch Console, which were left out of the Civic Center when it went to bid the second time; the items would amount to approximately $10,000.00, and recommended they be added to the building. Moved by Morgan, seconded by Allen, the City Manager's recommendation be approved. In answer to Councilman Hogue's question on the cost of the Civic Center, City Manager Osburn stated it amounted to $1,017,000.00. Motion carried, by the follow- ing vote, to -wit: Ayes: Alien, Colburn, Hogue, Morgan, Gautereaux. Nays: None. CITY MANAGER OSBURN reported receipt of a request for an overwidth drive- way at 2830-40 National Avenue, and recommended it be held over for one week. Moved by Hogue, seconded by Gautereaux, the request be granted. Carried by unanimous vote. THE CITY MANAGER reported receipt of the minutes of the meeting of January 13th of the San Diego County Water Authority, and recommended they be filed with the City Clerk. Ordered filed by unanimous vote. THE CITY MANAGER presented step increases for Charles Palomino and Clarence Wright of the Fire Department; Mary Drake and Helen Mueller of the Police Department, and stated they were approved by the department heads and the City ManagefArecommended they be approved. Moved by Morgan, seconded by Colburn, the City Manager's recommendation be approved. Carried by unanimous vote. CITY MANAGER OSBURN stated the City was attempting to purchase rights of way for 24th Street on the west side of the freeway, and said they had an offer to sell from the Arnbro Corporation, and asked if the item should be brought before the Real Estate Committee. The City Manager stated the offer was the appraised price of $14,600.00 plus $150.00 for tearing down a building existing in the right of way, and the sewer connection. The City Manager stated this was only one section of the right of way; it was one half of the street for about one half of a block. Mayor Gautereaux recommended the Council consider the sale when all of the rights of way had been brought back. Councilman Morgan suggested the Mayor appoint a committee to go with the City Manager to talk to the owners. Moved by Morgan, seconded by Allen, the Mayor's recommendation be approved. Carried by unanimous vote. CITY MANAGER OSBURN reported in regard to the meeting of representatives of the City, California Water and Telephone Company and the South Bay. Irrigation District, and stated nothing would be done with the contract with the California Water and Telephone Company at the present time; it would be in effect automatically unless the City made a change by the 31st of March. Mayor Gautereaux asked if consideration was given (because of the water rate increases in the City) to the possibility of revoking the contract unless they give consideration to the reduction of water rates. Councilman Hogue, who was a representative at the meeting, stated it was best to take no action on the contract pending the outcomeof the sale of the Company.and its actual worth was determined. The Mayor said that if the City does nothing the contract of selling our water to the Water Company would remain in effect, the City would have to live with the contract until it expired; in the meantime there was nothing to preclude them of disposing of the Company four or five times; we have the most exorbitant water rates of any entity in San Diego County; this was an opportunity for the City to negotiate for price reduction to the water consumer. Councilman Hogue stated he suggested we just not renew the contract at this time, but it was felt we might not get a true value of the Water Company. Mayor Gautereaux asked the City Attorney if the City does not have certain interests in this contract, then it is only ministerial and there would be no contract. City Attorney Carstens stated it was a 10-year contract with provision that it automatically renewed in increments of two years unless notice was given by one party or another in advance of termination; the City has the right to terminate the contract by taking action before March 31st. Vice Mayor Allen stated the reason 2/8/66 104 no definite action was taken by either side was they hoped to have a complete report within three weeks; within this period of time they would also know the outcome of the Public Utilities Commission decision on whether or not the sale of the Company would go through; it gave the City three weeks to act affirmatively or negatively. City Attorney Carstens stated, in answer to Councilman Morgan's question, cancelling the contract had no connection with the rates; any rate setting would be done through application to the PUC; we couldn't sit down and negotiate with the Water Company "over the table," it has to be done through proper application. Mayor Gautereaux stated the Water Company was getting a 300 percent mark- up on the water the City sold them; if the City were to get a higher rate for its water the City could, in turn, refund to the consumer the increase in cost per acre foot. The Mayor recommended the Council postpone this and try to come up with something that would be in the best interest of the water consumer. Moved by Morgan, seconded by Alien, the Mayor's recommendation be approved. Carried by unanimous vote. CITY CLERK MINOGUE reported receipt of a letter from the office of the Clerk, Supreme Court of California, acknowledging receipt of the Resolution inregard to the boundaries of the Senatorial Districts, which stated the decision of the Court was filed discharging the alternative writs of mandate theretofore issued and denying the petitions for writs of mandate. THE CITY CLERK reported receipt of a letter from Senator George Murphy in regard to Fort Rosecrans,National Cemetary stating the Naval Electronics Laboratory needs the land for development. CITY ENGINEER FOSTER presented a plan of A Avenue behind the new Civic Center, and stated it was developed in conjunction with the architect of the building for the improvement of the street, including curbs, gutters, retaining wall, tree removal, and paving around the new Civic Center. Mr. Foster stated the estimated cost of the project would be $30,000.0O, and requested authority to advertise for bids. Moved by Morgan, seconded by Colburn, the City Engineer's recuest be approved. Carried, by the following vote, to -wit: Ayes: Allen, Colburn, Hogue, Morgan, Gautereaux. Nays: None. MOVED BY ALLEN, seconded by Morgan the Council consider the addition of the 2 3/4 blocks east of D Avenue to F Avenue, and from 13th to 15th Streets, to Kimball Park. Carried by unanimous vote. MOVED BY MORGAN, seconded by Hogue, the meeting be closed. Carried by unanimous vote. The meeting closed at 9:17 p.m. ATTEST: ITY CLERK CITY i�A�IONljIL CITY, CALIFORNIA 2/8/66