HomeMy WebLinkAbout1960 03-22 CC MINNational City, California, March 22, 1960
Regular meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor
Hollingsworth at 1:30 o'clock p.m. Council members present: Allen,
Fessman, Hart, Reid, Hollingsworth. Council members absent: None,
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIALS present: Alston, Bird, Curran, Gautereaux,
Holgate-Kerr, Lill, Stockman.
The meeting was opened with pledge of allegiance to the Flag by City
Manager Bird, followed by invobation by Rev. Daily.
Moved by Allen, seconded by Reid, the minutes of the regular meeting
of Mareh 15, 1960, be approved. Carried, all the Council present
voting aye.
RESOLUTION NO. 7701 was read, "RESOLUTION A DOPTING PLAT SHOWING
EXTERIOR BOUNDARIES OF ASSESSMENT DISTRICT (Hoover Avenue from 13th
Street to 18th Street)." Moved by Fessman, seconded by Hart, the
Resolution be adopted. Carried, all the Council present voting aye.
RESOLUTION NO. 7702 was read, "RESOLUTION ADOPTING PLANS AND SPECI-
FICATIONS (Hoover Avenue from 13th Street to 18th Street)." Moved by
Allen, seconded by Fessman, the Resolution be adopted. Carried, all
the Council present voting aye.
RESOLUTION NO. 7703 was read, "RESOLUTION DIRECTING REASSESSMENT
(Harding Avenue from 13th Street and 20th Street from Harding Avenue
to Wilson Avenue)." Moved by Fessman, seconded by Hart, the Resolu-
tion be adopted. Carried, all the Council present voting aye.
RESOLUTION NO. 7704 was read, accepting a Covenant Running With Land
from Doris and Eldon D. Brazell. Maned by Allen, seconded by Hart,
the Resolution be adopted. Carried, all the Council present voting
aye.
RESOLUTION NO. 7705 was read, "PRELIMINARY DETERMINATION OF LEGISLA-
TIVE BODY UNDER "SPECIAL ASSESSMENT INVESTIGATION, LIMITATION AND
MAJORITY PROTEST ACT OF 1931" (Hoover Avenue from 13th Street to
18th Street)." Moved by Allen, seconded by Reid, the Resolution be
adopted. Carried, all the Council present voting aye.
RESOLUTION NO. 7706 was read, "RESOLUTION FIXING HEARING ON CHANGE
GRADE (8th Street from L Avenue to Sanitarium Avenue)." The hearing
was set for 2:00 o'clock p.m. on the 12th day of April, 1960. Moved
by Fessman, seconded by Hart, the resolution be adopted. Carried,
all the Council present voting aye.
RESOLUTION NO. 7707 was read, "RESCOLUTION ESTABLISHING NATIONAL CITY
PARK AND RECREATION ADVISORY BoMnjo." Moved by Hart, seconded by
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Fessman, the Resolution be adopted. Carried, all the Council present
voting aye.
RESOLUTION NO. 7708 was read, "RESOLUTION APPROVING ENGINEER'S REPORT
AND FIXING HEARING DATE (Hoover Avenue from 13th Street to 18th Street)
The hearing shall be held by the City Manager and City Engineer on
the 2nd day of May, 1960, at 8:00 o'clock p.m. in the City Council
Chambers. Moved by Fessman, seconded by Reid, the Resolution be
adopted. Carried, all the Council present voting aye.
CITY CLERK ALSTON stated with reference to the resolution fixing the
hearing on change of grade on 8th Street from L Avenue to Sanitarium
Avenue, the hearing was scheduled for 2:00 o'clock on the 12th day
of April which is our election day, and if there should not be a
quorum present it would be necessary to readvertise the hearing; and
asked if it was the desire of the Council to change the hearing date.
ATTORNEY CURRAN stated then it might be better to change it to
April 19th. Moved by Allen, we follow the recommendation of the City
Attorney and postpone the hearing until April 19th. MAYOR HOLLINGS-
WORTH stated on April 19th we would have the absentee ballots to
count and the ballots to be canvassed. CITY CLERK ALSTON stated it
would be best to have it on April 12th than the 19th, her only thought
was there might not be a quorum present. Motion died for lack of a
second. MAYOR HOLLINGSWORTH suggested we have a meeting on April 12th
but limit it to the important matters and not have a full agenda. It
was the concensus of opinion of the Council members that the meeting
of April 12th have a limited agenda for business purposes only.
CITY ATTORNEY CURRAN stated at the last meeting there was a first
reading of an ordinance to amend the Civil Service Ordinance, however,
subsequent to the first reading there was action by the City Council
setting up a meeting requested by the City employees, therefore he
requests instructions whether or not the Council wants the matter
brought up for a second reading at this time. Moved by Alien, sec-
onded by Reid, the second reading of the ordinance be postponed until
after the meeting with the employees,ahioh will be tonight. Carried,
all the Council present voting aye.
ATTORNEY CURRAN stated Pep's Kerosene has submitted an insurance
policy which does not comply with the requirements of the lease with
National City for certain portions of the tidelands, it does not
protect either Pep's Kerosene or the City with reference to the
premises under lease, and recommended the City Manager be authorized
to notify Pep's Kerosene of the defect and to immediately secure and
file a copy of a policy in accordance with the terms of the lease.
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Moved by Fessman, seconded by Hart, the City Attorney's recommendation
regarding Pep's Kerosene Service insurance policy be approved. Car-
ried, all the Council present voting aye.
ATTORNEY CURRAN stated at the invitation of the Counsel for the League
of California Cities he joined in with the Attorney General and cer-
tain other city attorneys throughout the State of California in fil-
ing a brief in support of the position of the City of Los Angeles in
a case before the Supreme Court of California which is entitled
"Abbott vs the City of Los Angeles". The reason the City Attorney
did this was because the decision casts grave doubt upon the juris-
diction of any City Council to pass certain ordinances under circum-
stances in which it may be indicated the State has taken action but
the action of the State is not clear. It is a matter which goes to
the heart of home rule as to whether or not cities shall have the
authority by ordinance to enact measures when the State Legislature
has not done so. The three Justices of the Supreme Court have auth-
orized the filing of this brief.
ATTORNEY CURRAN stated he received the transcript of Volume I of the
testimony of proceedings which were taken before the Assembly Interim
Committee on Municipal and County government in San Diego with ref-
erence to annexation and relative incorporation problems. This will
constitute a valuable piece of information in the City's library with
reference to the proposals which may come up at the next session of
the legislature regarding changes in our annexation law.
ATTORNEY CURRAN stated the case being litigated in the Superior Court
involving the payment of relocation costs on Highland Avenue between
4th Street and 8th Street has been taken under submission by Judge
Sherry who will decide the case after the City files a brief, the
California Water & Telephone files a reply brief and the City has an
opportunity to file a closing brief. The estimated cost of this relo-
cation work, at the time the contract was made between the City and
the California Water & Telephone Company, was $3,100.00, the actual
cost is $5,600.00 so there is considerably more money involved in
this litigation than first appeared. Because of this litigation and
also because of the letter dated March 1, 1960 which the California
Water & Telephone Company filed with reference to the proposed change
of grade on 8th Street between "L" Avenue and Sanitarium Avenue, the
City Attorney spent the entire day last Wednesday in Wilmington at
the Federal records center going over the files in certain litigation
which was conducted in the Federal Court back in the 1890's. In 1887
when the City of National City was first formed the City had the
authority to issue franchises to water companies and it also had the
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authority to fix the rates.yo350
franchise to the San Diego Land and Town CompanyNat�.ona1 City did issue a
series of ordinances fix the rate. Some of tee litigation which the
City Attorney checked involved cases involving these rates; two of
them were cases in which the San Diego Land and Town Company had
brought suit against National City and the National City Council,
Certain of the matters which appear in the year 1950 in dispute between
California Water & Telephone Company and the City of National City at
that time are discussed in those early cases. The right as a water
company for operation of Sweetwater Dam and the distribution system
by the San Diego Land and Town Company is now claimed by the Califor-
nia Water & Telephone Company. The result of the checking of these
records and also the large amount of legal research which the City
Attorney has done from time to time over the past six years on this
problem, it is the City Attorney's recommendation the demand of the
California Water & Telephone Company for payment of the sum of
$20,500.00 which is contained in this letter of March 1st be denied
and the City Attorney be authorized to bring suit against the Cali-
fornia Water & Telephone Company to have the Superior Court of San
Diego declare the claims for any such sums from the City is without
any legal right and that the California Water & Telephone Company has
no right in any way to interfere with the proposed improvement by the
City of National City of 8th Street between "L" Avenue and Sanitarium
Avenue. Moved by Fessman, seconded by Hart, the City Attorneys
recommendation in regard to the suit between the California Water &
Telephone Company and the City of National City, be approved. Car-
ried, all the Council present voting aye.
ATTORNEY CURRAN stated the next matter under his report involves the
last item on the minutes of the last meeting which pertained to the
statement by Councilman Allen regarding the hearings which were to be
set on annexations, and he would like to be advised whether there is
more than one annexation in mind when this statement was made. COT„
OILMAN ALLEN stated there was; there was the Hobson and Rosenbaln;
and he was under the impression there were two that were being held
up, because of something that was not explained or brought before the
City Planner. ATTORNEY CURRAN stated the point he is raising is
whether by Council action they have been referred to him so he has
some obligation to be doing something about it. Attorney Curran
stated if the question is with reference to Sweetwater Annexation
No. 1 and the other annexations, that is not a matter of being
annexed to National City, it is a matter of changing the zone, or more
properly of the establishing the first time the zone which these three
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annexations shall receive; there is the Hobson, Hynum and Sweetwater
No. 1; that is not a matter of being annexed to National City, it is
a matter of having hearings to establish zones. COUNCILMAN ALLEN
asked if all the information is now in the hands of the City Planner
so she can set the hearings. ATTORNEY CURRAN stated it is not.
ATTORNEY CURRAN stated the reason he has raised any question about
this is in reading the minutes and no.t being present at the time it
appeared to him a question was being raised with reference to the
proposed annexation of Sweetwater No. 2. ATTORNEY CURRAN also stated
so there will be no possible question with reference to the proposed
annexation known as Sweetwater Annexation No. 2, the matter was
referred to the City Attorney for preparation of a resolution, the
resolution was immediately prepared, however, it could not be sub-
mitted to the Council at the following meeting and still cannot be
because upon examination of the file it appears the proponents have
failed to satisfy certain requirements and the resolution cannot be
acted upon until they have done so.
MARTHA CLARK, 2133 National Avenue, was present, and stated she has
noticed a number of signs for the candidates who are running for
office and they are in places where they are in certain zones where
they cannot have signs. CITY PLANNER STOCKMAN stated there was
referred to the Planning Commission a request for a sign on the North-
east corner of 8th & Palm and that matter will go before the Planning
Commission at their next meeting; and at that time some of the parti-
cular signs Mrs. Clark is referring to will be discussed. There are
some of the signs Mrs. Clark is talking about which are located in
R-1, R-2, and R-4 zones. The R-4 zones will permit certain size signs
however in the R-1 and R-2 you are limited to a six square foot sign,
which pertain to the rental or sale of the property, and are permis-
sible. Moved by Fessman, seconded by Allen, the City Manager be
authorized to have the Street Department in conjunction with the Plan-
ning Department, or the Building Department or anyone else charged
with enforcing this sign ordinance to go around town and any of the
signs illegally placed to remove them and keep track of the names of
the people on the signs and those persons be billed for the expense
of removing the signs, and this to be done forthwith, not wait until
a meeting of the Planning Commission. CITY MANAGER BIRD stated as he
understood the motion, he was to go on private property and take down
these signs and bill the individual named on the sign, and he would
like to know what right the City Manager has to go on private property.
Councilman Fessman, with the approval of his second, Councilman Allen,
amended the motion, that the City crews remove those signs that are
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on public property, and the Building Inspector and tae ilazxcix ucm-
mission red tag the others on private property and notify the owners
to dispose of them immediately. Carried, all the Council present
voting aye.
VINCENT DE LUCIA, 1930 Granger Avenue, was present, and stated there
has been quite some discussion about garbage collection and disposal
with regard to taking in the cans at a certain time, and he thought
perhaps when the contract was let for the collection of garbage some
restriction is made on the time the contractor collects the garbage
it would prove more satisfactory. If the people are to be restricted,
the collector should also be restricted. The treatment the garbage
cans get is something that should be taken care of; he said he would
advocate the garbage collector furnish the can and he would be willing
to pay once a year for a new can if they were kept in condition.
COUNCILMAN ALLEN stated the City Manager has directed the field rep-
resentative in charge of this type of matter to take a record of what
is happening over the various routes and make a report to the Council
so action can be taken on it.
MR. DE LUCIA stated there always seems to be a problem in regard to
the poundmaster picking up cats, dead or alive and the poundmaster
claims the regulations do not apply to cats and he thought this should
be taken care of. MRS. RICHARDS, 1411 E. 16th Street, was present,
and stated her husband has had to dispose of a dead cat and dead rab-
bit and there are big boxer dogs running loose and one attacked her
son recently, and nothing is done about it, and thought something
should be. COUNCILMAN ALLEN said he thought the Council should check
our animal ordinance and see if we can come up with some idea how this
could be changed to take care of such situations as stated. EVE
BISBERG, 1826 E. 8th Street, was present, she wished to say in defense
of the Police Department and the poundmaster that at any time she has
called, and 8th Street is a good place for disposing of cats, they
have been very cooperative in picking them up.
CITY CLERK ALSTON stated on March 16th there was a claim filed against
the City of National City, Thomas W. Baker and Doe One through Doe
Five, which was referred to the City Attorney, as per Council instruc-
tions, and asked that her action be ratified. Moved by Fessman, sec-
onded by Hart, the City Clerk's action in transmitting a summons to
the City Attorney be approved. Carried, all the Council present
voting aye.
COMMUNICATION FROM C. H. LUSTER 1,.ND EVE F. BISBERG, was read, regard-
ing the appointment of a Civil Service Commission member to a salaried
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public office or employment, for a period of one year after he has
been a member of the Commission. They question the action of the
Council in appointing Luther G. Reid to the City Council because at
the time of appointment he was Chairman of the Civil Service Commis-
sion. COUNCILMAN HART stated it was his understanding the Ordinance
was intended for anyone that would be appointed to a salary job as an
employee and when Ed Ingalls was appointed to the Council after having
been on the Civil Service Commission, it was explained at that time
by the then City Attorney. MRS. BISBERG stated she is not a member
of the bar, but as a citizen of the United States she has a right to
question any of the Council's actions. Moved by Allen, seconded by
Hart, this letter be referred to the City Attorney and if he can give
us a legal answer on it at this time to so do, if he cannot we will
have to wait until he can give us a legal answer. C. H. LUSTER, 1027
E. 24th Street, was present, and stated as citizens they have a right
to question things that are done, and they do not wish to embarrass
Mr. Reid, but want to know why the Council does not stand according
to its own ordinance. Carried, all the Council present voting aye.
MAYOR HOLLINGSWORTH asked Mr. Curran if he was ready to give his
opinion today. CITY ATTORNEY CURRI.N stated although he ordinarily
would not be but inasmuch as he was advised of the communication and
also advised of the fact there has been a previous occasion in which
a member of the Civil Service Commission had been appointed, this
morning he contacted on the telephone his predecessor and found that
Mr. Edwin Campbell was very cooperative in discussing with him the
problem that had been considered when he was City Attorney at the
time Mr. Ingalls was appointed. Mr. Campbell said at that time he
concluded Ordinance No. 712 did not prevent a member of the Civil Ser-
vice Commission from being appointed to the City Council; he did that
on two grounds. The language of Ordinance No. 712 states that no
member of the Civil Service Commission shall be appointed to a sal-
aried position; the first question Mr. Campbell raised was whether or
not the $10.00 a month which is provided for the City Council is an
emolument of office or whether it is within the meaning of Ordinance
712 a salaried position. Mr. Campbell ruled at that time he did not
think it was, however, he felt even a stronger reason to hold that a
member of the Civil Service Commission could be appointed to the City
Council was the fact that inheritly the City Council is a body of
limited jurisdiction and when a City Council attempts in effect to
limit its own competition so that it prescribes certain limitations
on its citizens and his right to be either appointed or elected to
the City Council itself, he felt any provisions in the orddinance itself
would be illegal, and felt that was sufficient grounds to hold that
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Ordinance No. 712 did not preclude the appointment of a member of the
Civil Service Commission to the City Council. At this time we have a
situation wherein in the past several years, on at least two occa-
sions, the City Council has felt that one member of the Civil Service
Commission should be elevated to the City Council; it seems clear
that except for this provision which is subject at the very least to
interpretation, there is no reason why service on the Civil Service
Commission would prevent a member from being appointed to the City
Council. It was the recommendation of the City Attorney, in order
there be no further questions about this in the future the, City Coun-
cil authorize the amendment of this ordinance to provide specifically
it does not apply to the appointment to the City Council. Moved by
Allen, seconded by Fessman, Ordinance No. 712 be amended to include
the language as recommended by the present City Attorney, Carried,
all the Council present voting aye. COUNCILMAN FESSMAN asked Attorney
Curran if he concurred with Mr. Campbell's thinking in the matter of
this Ordinance. ATTORNEY CURRAN stated he has not had the opportu-
nity to study it at length as Mr. Campbell did, however, after dis-
cussing it with him and listening to his reasons, he certainly can-
not quarrel with his conclusions. Moved by Fessman, seconded by
Allen, this Council go on record as accepting these opinions as ren-
dered by both Attorneys. Carried, all the Council present voting aye.
REPORT FROM CITY ENGINEER LILL was read, recommending acceptance of
Paradise Creek Drainage Project Unit 3-B, and a Notice of Completion
filed. CITY MANAGER BIRD recommended the report be accepted and the
City Attorney be authorized to prepare the necessary resolution of
acceptance. Moved by Fessman, seconded by Hart, the City Manager's
recommendation to have the Notice of Completion filed and a resolu-
tion prepared, be approved. Carried, all the Council present voting
aye.
COMMUNICATION FROM HARRY FARB was read, requesting permission to
widen an existing driveway on the Northwest corner of 10th and High-
land Ave. CITY MANAGER BIRD stated this request came in late and
recommended it be referred to the City Manager and the City Engineer
for a report at the next regular meeting. Moved by Hart, seconded by
Fessman, the recommendation of the City Manager be approved. Carried,
all the Council present voting aye.
COMMUNICATION FROM REYNOLDS METAL COMPANY was read, thanking the City
Manager for the time and assistance given by several of the Manager's
associates. This letter is to further confirm their understanding
regarding certain modest requirements *Which the City departments will
require. They are unable to ascertain from the City Engineer's office
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when improvements for 24th Street might be completed in order to com-
plete their engineering work and possibly to consider how that con-
struction work might effect their future daily operations in the new
facility they would like to know the City's plans in this regard.
They are looking forward to the completion of this work and the estab-
lishment of a warehousing facility in the growing industrial area of
National City. CITY MANAGER BIRD stated the question which is asked
here is in relation to 24th Street, that portion of 24th Street lying
between what would be Harrison Avenue and Tidelands Avenue. We made
an agreement sometime ago with the Santa Fe Railway Company through
the instance of our Chairman of the Harbor Committee, and at that time
it was proppsed and agreed upon, the Santa Fe who owned the property
abutting on their sides of 24th Street would pay for the improvement
:f the street with the exception of the center strip. That agreement
with Santa Fe still holds. Santa Fe is selling their property to
Reynolds Metal Company on what would be the Northwest corner of Haffly
Avenue and 24th Street. In the meantime Santa Fe has sold to the
Safeway Corp. all of the property with the exception of the portion
occupied by the Tidelands Supply Company of Nelson Materials, so it
is up to the Santa Fe to provide this improvement to the people who
purchased the property from them, with the exception of the center
24 feet as declared by policy of the Council. It was the recommenda-
tion of the City Manager the Engineering Department be authorized to
prepare plans when necessary, and work with the Safeway Corp., the
Santa Fe and the Reynolds Corp. This job will have to be out of the
way by at least nine months, at that time the Santa Pe will have
another occupant and Reynolds and Safeway's warehouse will be occu-
pied. Moved by Fessman, seconded by Hart, the City Manager's recom-
mendation be approved with this difference, he should be authorized
to advise Santa Fe immediately we would like to have them improve that
street and see if we cannot get the job done this summer before the
rains next w inter, so it will not be delayed too long. COUNCILMAN
FESSMAN stated Santa Fe did indicate they would pay for it whenever
we were ready to ask them to do it, so if we ask them he is sure they
would come forthwith. Carried, all the Council present voting aye.
COMMUNICATION FROM LOREN A. TOMLINSON was read, requesting refund of
$25.00 posted in lieu of bond for installation of a sidewalk. The
sidewalk is completed and has passed final inspection by the Engin-
eering Dept. REPORT FROM CITY BUILDING INSPECTOR BIGGS was read,
recommending the request for the refund be approved. Moved by Allen,
seconded by Reid, the recommendation of the City Building Inspector in
regards to a refund for sidewalk deposit be approved. Carried, by the
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following vote to -wit: Ayes: Allen, Fessman, Hart, Reid, Hollings-
worth. Nays: None. CITY MANAGER BIRD asked if that motion included
authorization for the City Clerk to draw the warrant for the refund.
Councilman Allen stated it did.
CITY MANAGER BIRD stated he received a letter from the San Diego
County Water Authority submitting to the agency of National City
their "Report on Proposed Operation of San Diego County Water System
on Completion of Second Aqueduct Construction and Resulting Need for
Storage Capacity". It was the City Manager's recb mendation the report
be received and placed on file with the City Clerk. Moved by Allen,
seconded by Fessman, the recommendation of the City Manager be
approved, and the report be placed on file. Carried, all the Council
present voting aye.
COMMUNICATION FROM RICHFIELD OIL CORPORATION was read, stating they
would be interested in purchasing or leasing the Northeast corner of
National Avenue and 24th Street, if available. Approximate size of
property 125 feet by 125 feet. They request the opportunity to dis-
cuss terms at the convenience of the Council. Moved by Fessman,
seconded by Reid, the communication be referred to the Finance Com-
mittee. Carried, all the Council present voting aye.
COMMUNICATION FROM LEAGUE OF CALIFORNIA CITIES relative to sales and
use tax exemptions, was read. SB 4 would exempt all "medicines" from
the sales and use tax. SB 8 and AB 2 would exempt those medicines
dispensed on prescription; and AB 6 would exempt medicines dispensed
on prescription and in addition would exempt from the sales and use
tax prosthetic, ophthalmic and ocular devices. Moved by Fessman, the
City Council go on record as approving the League of California Cities'
request on No. 1 and disapproving their request on the next three
items. Motion died for lack of a second. Moved by Alien, seconded
by Hart, this body go on record to the League of California Cities in
opposition to these bills. Carried, by the following vote to -wit:
Ayes: Allen, Hart, Hollingsworth. Nays: Fessman, Reid.
PETITION signed by fourteen employees of the Housing Division of the
City was read, petitioning the City Council to place all City
employees of National City under Civil Service that are not now so
classified, as recommended by the Civil Service Commission. CITY
MANAGER BIRD recommended the petition be referred to the committee
meeting tonight, Moved by Fessman, seconded by Allen, the recommen-
dation of the City Manager be approved. Carried, all the Council
present voting aye. COUNCILMAN ALIEN stated he would suggest these
people who signed the petition be notified of the meeting this evening.
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CITY MANAGER BIRD stated every one of the non Civil Service employees
of the Gity has been personally notified of the meeting tonight, to be
held here at 7:30.
COPY OF COMMUNICATION FROM THE ATCHISON, TOPEKA AND SANTA FE RAILWAY
COMPANY, addressed to the Public Utilities Commission, was presented.
It was the recommendation of the City Manager this copy be referred
to the City Attorney for his perusal and a report made on it, then
it can be filed with the Gity Clerk. Moved by Allen, seconded by
Fessman, the recommendation of the City Manager to refer this to the
City Attorney be approved. Carried, all the Council present voting aye.
COUNCILMAN ALLEN excused.
CITY MANAGER BIRD reported he is in receipt of a Notice of Hearing
of 1911 Improvement Act on 28th Street Between National Avenue and
"B" Avenue. The City of National City owns five parcels of ground,
and recommended these be received by the City Clerk and placed on
file. Moved by Hart, seconded by Reid, the five notices of the hear-
ing of the improvement on 28th Street Between National Avenue and "B"
Avenue, be received by the City Clerk and placed on file, as recom-
mended by the City Manager. Carried, all the Council present voting
aye.
COUNCILMAN ALIEN present.
CITY MANAGER BIRD recommended the City Clerk be authorized to adver-
tise for bids for traffic signals to be located on Highland Avenue
125 feet North of 12th Street. Moved by Hart, seconded by Reid, the
recommendation of the City Manager be approved in regard to the traf-
fic signals on Highland avenue. Carried, all the Council present
voting aye.
CITY MANAGER BIRD reported that after many months of negotiation he
has received a firm offer from the San Miguel Board of Directors.
COMMUNICATION FROM GEDRGE V. JOHNSON, CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIREC-
TORS, SAN MIGUEL SCHOOL, was read, stating the Board of Directors
authorized him to negotiate the sale of the property known as their
athletic field for the sum of $15,000.00. CITY MANAGER BIRD stated
this is in relation to our drainage project, and is approximately
four acres which comprises the athletic field of San Miguel and is
adjacent to, and a part of our Las Palmas Park. The daylighting of
our present existing canal in there will cost us between $10,000.00
to $15,000.00. Engineering has studied the project, and it is our
opinion this is a very reasonable purchase, it is property which the
City should have, not only to save money on the alignment of the
drainage canal, as proposed, but also to add those four acres to the
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City Park which in turn will perhaps allow us at a later date, if at
any time the City wishes to carry an outlet on Palm Avenue we would
then have the property required. It was the recommendation of the
City Manager the City Attorney be authorized to prepare the necessary
resolution of purchase for the price of $15,000.00 for the continua-
tion of that drainage area. Moved by Fessman, seconded by Reid, the
City Manager's recommendation be approved to have the City Attorney
prepare a resolution to accept the offer of the San Miguel School to
purchase the property. Carried, by the following vote to -wit: Ayes:
Allen, Fessman, Hart, Reid, Hollingsworth. Nays: None.
CITY MANAGER BIRD stated some time ago we received a communication
from the Census Bureau following a bulletin from the League of Cali-
fornia Cities. In discussing it with the City Planner we felt it was
of sufficient merit the Planner should write to the Washington, D. C.
office and inquire as to costs of this particular service which we
would need. This is a service which the Federal Census Bureau will
take in conjunction with the survey now underway, wherein they will
enumerate and setforth for us everyone of our substandard structures
in National City, the cost between 25,000 to 50,000 population is a
charge to us by the Federal Government of $2,500.00. CITY PLANNER
STOCKMAN stated the City of National City, in working with her census
committee and the Federal Census has been set up into eight census
tracks, that then being cut down into approximately four enumeration
districts, or some thirty-two enumeration districts in the entire
city limits of National City. This particular tabulation is pro-
vided by the Federal Census Bureau, which will mean these figures
from each enumeration district will pinpoint it down very closely as
to where these substandard houses are. They will provide the infor-
mation as to structural and occupancy characteristics, color and age
of occupants, rents, income, and a great deal of other information.
Mrs. Stockman stated in discussing this with other departments it was
felt it would be of great value to not only the Fire Department,
Police Department, Building Department but also the Planning Depart-
ment in many ways. COUNCILMAN FESSMAN questioned the value of any
suchszrvey. ROBT. STODDARD, Secretary -Manager of the Chamber of Com-
merce was present, and asked if this survey includes commercial and
industrial property as well. CITY PLANNER STOCKMAN stated it is her
understanding it would be residential. MR. STODDARD asked if this
could be made to include commercial and industrial property. MRS.
STOCKMAN said not under the contract they have sent her. MAYOR
HOLLINGSWORTH stated she could see how the survey would be invaluable.
Moved by Allen, seconded by Hollingsworth, the City Manager and the
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359
City Planner, and if necessary from the legal aspects, the City Attor-
ney, prepare the contract and get the information in immediately pro-
viding the City Manager has funds available. Motion lost, by the fol-
lowing vote to -wit: Ayes: Alien, Hollingsworth. Nays: Fessman,
Hart, Reid.
CITY MANAGER BIRD stated he is in receipt of the first report from the
War Against Litter Committee.
CITY MANAGER BIRD requested he be granted a leave of absence during
the week of March 28th so he can use the remainder of his earned 1958
leave. Moved by Fessman, seconded by Alien, the City Manager be
granted the remainder of his 1958 leave during the week of March 28th.
Carried, all the Council present voting aye.
CITY CLERK ALSTON presented the Affidavit of Publication of the meas-
ures and nominees for the General Municipal Election. Moved by Fess-
man, seconded by Hart, the Affidavit be filed. Carried, all the Coun-
cil present voting aye.
REPORT FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION was read, recommending acceptance
of grant deed, slope easement and covenant received from Harry Lee
Murphy for twenty feet on the West side of "Q" Avenue, South of 6th
Street. Moved by Alien, seconded by Hart, the recommendation of the
Planning Commission be approved, and the Attorney be instructed to
prepare the necessary resolution. Carried, all the Council present
voting aye.
RESOLUTION NO. 7709 was read, accepting work done by Johnson Western
Constructors for construction of Paradise Creek Drainage Project,
Unit 3-B, and authorizes the filing of a Notice of Completion, and
orders that payment for said work be made in accordance with said
contract. Moved by Allen, seconded by Reid, the Resolution be adopted.
Carried, all the Council present voting aye.
CITY CLERK ALSTON announced there will be no Council meeting next week
as it will be the fifth Tuesday.
Moved by Allen, seconded by Reid, we thank the Justice Court for put-
ting up the new Flags. Carried, all the Council present voting aye.
Moved by Allen, seconded by Fessman, the meeting be adjourned until
7430 p.m. this evening. Carried, all the Council present voting aye.
Meeting adjourned at 3:28 p.m.
MAYOR, C OF NATIONAL Cltl'X, CALIFORNIA
ATTEST:
CITY CLERK 3-22-60
360
National City, California, March 22, 1960
Adjourned meeting of the City Council was called to order at 7:30 p.m.
in the Council chambers by Mayor Hollingsworth. Council members pres-
ent: Allen, Fessman, Hart, Reid, Hollingsworth. Council members
absent: None.
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIALS present: Bird.
John McCartney, Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, L. M. Grounds,
and Thelma McKeen, members of the Civil Service Commission were also
present.
First order of business on the agenda was Civil Service. PAUL D.
BUSSEY, representing the employees of the City Manager's office,
Building Inspector's office, Planning Department and Engineering
Department, presented the case of the employees against their inclu-
sion in the competitive service. Mr. Bussey asked questions: 1. Was
this to be a union without representation? 2. Doing away with depart-
ments? 3. Questions the statement that Civil Service wants to pro-
tect us. Mr. Bussey pleaded for a complete and comprehensive study
of the question regarding possible redrafting of the ordinance and
whether or not there was any other type of system more desirable for
the employees of the City.
COUNCILMAN HART was given the opportunity to answer some of the ques-
tions and said he was against the "spoils system" and further, he was
for the unions. COUNCILMAN FESSMAN requested that the entire discus-
sion be confined to the question at hand. MAYOR HOLLINGSWORTH said
that salaries are set by the City Council,
JUDSON T. NAIMAN of the Engineering Department spoke against inclusion
in the competitive service as did Bella J. Bussey, Christabel Stearns,
Robert 0nley, Alfred Roberts, Oscar L. Sims and Velma Swales, all of
whom brought out the question of classifications.
WILLIAM DEES, representing Housing Department employees, requested
that Housing employees be under Civil Service.
It was agreed that no decision would be rendered until a meeting
between the Civil Service Commission and the City Council is held.
Chairman McCartney of the Civil Service Commission was called upon
and stated emphatically that it was not the desire of the Civil Ser-
vice Commission to take anything, any rights, whatsoever away from
the employees. With concurrence of all the Council present and the
Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, it was agreed that e meeting
between both bodies would be held April 19, 1960 at 7:30 p.m.
3-22-60
361
It was moved by 411en, seconded by Fessman, that Councilman Reid be
granted permission to leave the State of California. Carried, all
the Council present voting aye.
The matter of a survey of substandard housing units was brought before
the Council by Mayor Hollingsworth. ROBERT STODDJRD, Manager of the
Chamber of Commerce, appealed to the Council for the expenditure of
the survey, stating said survey was a desirable thing for the City.
Moped by Fessman, seconded by Reid, that City Manager Bird be appointed
Clerk Pro Tem for this adjourned meeting. Carried, all the Council
present voting aye.
Moved by Hart, seconded by Fessman, the meeting be closed. Carried,
all the Council present voting aye. Meeting closed at 9:45 p.m.
ATTEST:
CLERK PRO TFM
3-22r60