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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1956 12-26 CC MIN170 National City, California, December 26, 1956 Regular meeting of the City Council was called to order by Mayor Hodge at 1:30 P.M. o'clock. Council members present: Fessman, Hart, Heck, Hollingsworth, Hodge. Council members absent: None. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICIALS present: Alston, Bird, Curran, Lill. The meeting was opened with pledge of allegiance to the Flag, followed by invocation by Mayor Hodge. Moved by Hollingsworth, seconded by Fessman, that the minutes of the regular meeting of December 18, 1956, be approved. Car- ried, all the Council present voting aye. RESOLUTION NO. 6822 was read, "RESOLUTION OF INTENTION NO. 6822, IN THE MATTER OF CONSTRUCTION OF STREETS AND IMPROVEMENT OF "I" AVENUE FROM TWENTY-FIRST STREET TO TWENTY-FOURTH STREET, TWENTY- SECCND STREET AND TWENTY-THIRD STREET FROM HIGHLAND AVENUE TO "I" AVENUE". The hearing was set for January 29, 1957. AT- TORNEY CURRAN stated the hearing should be held on February 5, 1957 instead of January 29th, and with that amendment the Reso- lution is ready for adootion. Moved by Heck, seconded by Fess- man, that the Resolution be adopted, as amended. Carried, all the Council present voting aye. ATTORNEY CURRAN reported that Home Indemnity Company has issued its Bond No. N 25-67-80, which is an Auctioneer's Bond for Arnold G. Fischer, doing business as Fischer Auction Co., as Principal, and recommended the bond be approved and filed. Moved by Hart, seconded by Hollingsworth, that the Attorney's recommendation be followed. Carried, all the Council present voting aye. ATTORNEY CURRAN reported that Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company has served notice of cancellation of Bond No. 2893285, which is a Sidewalk License Bond with William Hammer as Principal. Mr. Hammer should be notified to place an additional bond in the thirty day period allowed, otherwise his license will have to be cancelled. Moved by Heck, seconded by Hart, that the Attorney's recommendation be allowed, and the City Clerk so notify the party concerned. Carried, all the Council present voting aye. ATTORNEY CURRAN REFERRED TO THE LETTER FROM Schwabacher & Com- pany regarding possible interest in the financial setup in the proposed agreement made with the South Bay Irrigation District, and stated we have had other letterset that nature. There is no action necessary, the letter can be kept in his file on this matter. ATTORNEY CURRAN stated there was referred to him a communication dated Dec. 13, 1956, from Mohr Adams Plourde Company which rec- ommended that the cities of National City and Chula Vista take immediate steps to initiate bills in the next session of the State Legislature to permit legislation to exchange certain tidelands property for fee owned lands. Mr. Curran stated he has considered this proposal on the merits he had no information, he knows not whether it is or is not a good idea, and is assum- ing that it would be good, and on that assumption it raises the question which is fundamentally a question of policy for the Council to decide. However, it has some legal implications, and that is the very thing which is suggested that National City and Chula Vista do here, is exactly the same thing which got the City of Long Beach in trouble. It is very clear that all of the 12/26/56 171 trouble which Long Beach got into, came about as a result of a bill which Long Beach itself submitted to the Legislature in- volving the getting of more local economy to Long Beach in the control of the tidelands. We might well have the lesson of Long Beach in mind before we authorize anybody on behalf of National City to submit any bill, particularly a skeleton bill. HEARING ON 1911 ACT IMPROVEMENT OF HOOV7R AVENUE was held at this time. COMMUNICATION FROM MABEL and GLEN HENDERSCHILDT was read stating they are not in favor of the improvement if the entire cost is to be paid by the property owners. CITY CLERK ALSTON stated that due to the fact that 37% will be paid by the City, the communication does not actually constitute a protest, and City Engineer Lill stated that if it was consid- ered a protest there is only 4% protesting as this is the only written protest received. Moved by Heck, seconded by Fessman, that the 1911 project on Hoover Avenue between 8th and 13th Street be continued, and the Attorney prepare the necessary resolutionssfor the continued steps. Carried, by the follow- ing vote to -wit: Ayes: Fessman, Hart, Heck, Hollingsworth, Hodge. Nays: None. REQUEST OF FREDERICK T. BLAKELY requesting decision of zone for his property was discussed at some length. Moved by Hart, seconded by Fessman, that it be held over until the next meet- ing. Carried, all the Council present voting aye. CITY CLERK ALSTON announced that the Council received a Christ- mas card from the Oceanside City Council and one from the Staff of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors. CITY ENGINEER LILL reported that Mr. Haffly of the Santa Fe Railroad Company requested authorization to close 13th Street while they repair the intersection. They intend to put in tim- ber guard rails on both sides of the track, and thinks it might take as long as three days. He also stated they can do a much better job if they close the entire intersection. Mr. Lill said he thought in order to do a good job, it would be sat- isfactory to close the street for that length of time. COUNCIL- MAN FESSMAN stated it is his understanding that Mr. Haffly pro- po5es only to repair the crossing at 13th Street and Cleveland Avenue, and while the street is closed for those three days, suggested that he be asked to repair the one at 13th and Har- rison at the same time. CITY MANAGER BIRD recommended that request of the Santa Fe be granted, provided that all of the occupants using the street be given proper notification as to the date when it will be closed and the length of time. Moved by Fessman, seconded by Hart, that the City Manager's recommend- ation be approved, and that the notification include the Navy. Carried, all the Council present voting aye. COAill'4UNICATION FROM CHAMBER OF CONDERCE was rea requesting that the City accept title to one new Christmas/ssianed, making a total of 41 strands, 40 of which is already City owned. In considering storage, Hunt and Johnson state that they will store the 41 strands for the same price as the 40 last year, which amounted to $313.50. The second item requests that the City accept title to the City -Chamber float. COUNCILMAN FESSMAN asked where the float would be stored. CITY MANAGER BIRD stated at the present time he does not know. Moved by Hollingsworth, seconded by Hart, that the request by the Chamber of Commerce be laid over until the next meeting so that the City Manager can find out the size of the float, and ascertain whether or not we can assume storage, and whether we can store the Christmas 12/26/56 172 strands, and the City Manager to bring in a report. Carried, all the Council present voting aye. REPORT FROM CITY ENGINEER LILL on bids received for pavement of Euclid Avenue and Division Street, was read. Three bids were received as follows: THE GRIFFITH COMPANY, $10,117.82; V. R. DENNIS CONSTRUCTION, $10,540.28; R. E. HAZARD, .10,349.50. The cost of the improvement is to be paid by the City and by Silbert Fritz. It is recommended that the low bid be accepted. The division of costs would be as follows: City, $5,861.25; Gilbert Fritz, $4,256.57, total $10,117.82. Mr. Fritz deposit- ed $4,256.57 on December 24th to cover his share of the cost. CITY MANAGER BIRD recommended that the bid of The Griffith Company be accepted. and the proper official be authorized to sign the necessary contract. Moved by Hollingsworth, seconded by Hart, that the bid of The Griffith Company be approved, and the necessary resolution prepared. Carried, by the following vote to -wit: Ayes: Fessman, Hart, Heck, Hollingsworth, Hodge. Nays: None. RESOLUTION NO. 6823 was read, requesting that the Veterans of Foreign Wars services offices be reinstated in the San Diego area. Moved by Hart, seconded by Heck, that the Resolution be adopted. Carried, all the Council present voting aye. COMMUNICATION FROM TRAFFIC SAFETY COMMITTEE was read stating they have attempted to make the best possible recommendation regarding all traffic safety problems that come before them. Of all the problems brought to their attention, requests for stop signs and signal lights are most numerous and in every instance a thorough study is made prior to any recommendation. Their decisions arc a result of the combined efforts of the Police Department, Engineering Department and their Committee from such,s. priority list for signal lights was sent to the City Council as of June 20, 1956. The number one spot on their list was 8th and Roosevelt which has been taken care of, however, the Committee is at a loss to know why signal lights were in- stalled at 16th and Highland Avenue since they had made no rec- ommendation for such and have been unable to find any author- ization to install these signals in the minutes of past Council meetings. Traffic on 16th Street has been light, especially east of Highland,therefore the new signals, stopping north - south traffic on Highland are a hindrance rather than a help. Realizing the cost of signal installations to be great, they urge the Council to refer to their priority list each time the City can afford new signals in order to have them installed at intersections where traffic hazards are greatest. COUNCILWOMAN HOLLINGSWORTH asked if they have recommended the location for the next traffic light, and did they furnish the Council with a list. CITY MANAGER BIRD said the communication of June 20, 1956 sets the priority at Roosevelt and 8th, requested not the installation of a signal at 8th and Palm at the present time due to the drainage condition; requested not the installation of the traffic signal at 18th and "D", and wanted further study for a signal at 8th and Harbison. There are two other signals which have been setup in the current budget which the Council can proceed with anytime they so desire. COUNCILMAN FESSMPN stated in regard to the signal at 16th and Highland, he talked with some of the traffic officers and some of our firemen, and they are all unanimous in being very grateful for the signal at that intersection. Mr. Fessman said he thought their action was right on the installation of that signal. COUNCILMAN HECK said he feels that the signal at 16th & Highland is nothing but a bottleneck, and is ♦pposed to it. COUNCILWOMAN HOLLINGSWORTH stated in regard to the letter from the Traffic Safety Committee 12/26/56 173 she thought they were well justified in their stand. CITY MANAGER BIRD requested permission to attend the Spring Managers' Meeting in Palo Alto, February 13th to 15th inclusive. Moved by Hollingsworth,seconded by Hart, that the City Manager's request be granted. Carried, all the Council present voting aye. REQUEST OF PAUL V. KAESSER for a zone variance was presented, which was referred to the Finance Committee at the last meet- ing. COUNCILWOMAN HOLLINGSWORTH, Chairman of the Finance Com- mittee stated the Committee met last week immediately following the Council meeting to discuss the application of Mr. Kaesser. It was moved by Heck, seconded by Fessman; that the Finance Committee recommend to the City Council that the application be denied. It was further recommended that the City proceed to take legal steps necessary to acquire the opening of 24th Street from Cleveland to Harrison Avenue. Carried, by the following vote: Ayes: Fessman, Heck, Hollingsworth, Nays: Hart. It was their recommendation that the request to the Planning Com- mission and the Council for the operation of a slaughter house be denied. It was also the recommendation of the Finance Com- mittee that they request the City Manager to negotiate with the County Road Commissioner about any possible intersection con- necting with Montgomery Freeway, and that the City Manager also contact the Division of Highways to ascertain what their plans are for 2Lth Street before we proceed with any legal steps in acquiring the 4,-) feet of Mr. Kaesser's to reopen 24th Street from Harrison to Cleveland. Moved by Hollingsworth, seconded by Heck, that the recommendations of the Finance Committee be ac- cepted. Carried, by the following vote to -wit: Ayes: Fessman, Heck, Hollingsworth, Hodge. Nays: Hart. PAUL V. KAESSER, owner of the property in question, was present and stated he was ask- ing for a variance. It is not really a variance, just permis- sion to reopen his slaughter house, Mr. Kaesser said he could build practically on the whole area of the street, and to his knowledge the Council would have no voice. CITY CLERK ALSTON reported that she mailed notices December 2lith of the hearing on the improvement of Harbison Avenue from L}th to 6th Street. ATTORNEY CURRAN referred to his report regarding the recommend- ations of Mohr Adams & Plourde. In checking the minutes, the action of the City Council was to refer the matter to the City Attorney so he can prepare a skeleton bill to be forwarded to the Legislature. In view of this action, it would appear ap- propriate that some directions be given to him. COUNCILMAN FESSMAN stated it became evident in the committee meetings with Mohr Adams and Plourde that in the development of olans for Tideland Avenue, there was going to have to be some realignment of property lines along the mean high tide line. It was thought best that if that alignment could be straightened out, which would mean straightening out of the mean high tide line, and we could realign the mean high tide line on a basis where the Santa Fe, the cities involved, and the State could trade square foot for square foot, then these parcels of property could be made in squares or rectangular pieces of property where it could be used and the business deals of leasing or sales could be handled without any difficulty. The way it is now, a lessee or tenant would have to lease from the City and buy from the Santa Fe, which could cause a lot of trouble in the future. It was thought that by realigning this tide line, the property along Tidelands Avenue, which they contemplate will run frond 13th Street to below "L" Avenue in Chula Vista and possibly to Palm Avenue 12/26/56 1 17 in Palm City, would help matters considerably. Permissive legislation could be written in such a way that it would be tied down very closely so that we could not possibly get in the same mix-up that the City of llong Beach did. It is almost necessary that something be done to resolve that oroblem of straightening the alignment of those property boundaries. COUNCILWOMAN HOLLINGSWORTH stated she thought Chula Vista has a greater problem than National City, and suggested that the City Engineer go over the map with the City Attorney so he can see what we need as far as National City is concerned, and Chula Vista's City Attorney can perhaps work with Attorney Curran as far as what is needed in Chula Vista. ATTORNEY CURRAN stated it has become more clear after this discussion that the matter needs further study. It is not necessary that we con- tact the Legislators before they go to Sacramento because it is something that needs to be worked out with the office of the Legislative Counsel; just so it gets in soTetime during the time the Legislature is in session in January. The matter warrants a great deal more consideration. RESOLUTION NO. 6824 was read, accepting the bid of The Griffith Company in the amount of $10,117.82 for the paving and resur- facing of Euclid Avenue and Division Street and Vicinity, and the Mayor is authorized and directed to execute the contract. Moved by Hart, seconded by Fessman, that the Resolution be adopt- ed. Carried, all the Council present voting aye. Moved by Hollingsworth, seconded by Hart, that the meeting be closed. Carried, by the following vote to -wit: Ayes: Fessman, Hart, Heck, Hollingsworth, Hodge. Nays: None. Meeting closed at 3:11 P.M. MAYOR, CITY OF NATIOJPAL CITY, CALIFORNIA ATTEST: