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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-06-19MINUTES CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY Hawes Elementary School 9682 Yellowstone Drive Huntington Beach, California Saturday, June 19, 1993 A videotape recording of this meeting is on file in the City Clerk's Office. Mayor Winchell called the regular meetings of the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Huntington Beach to order at 8 a.m. in the courtyard of Hawes Elementary School. PRESENT: Bauer, Moulton -Patterson, Winchell, Sullivan, Leipzig ABSENT: Robitaille, Silva PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, FLAG CEREMONY AND INVDCATION The Pledge of Allegiance was given by all present. NITY OUTREACH MEETIN The Mayor thanked Rich Barnard, Deputy City Administrator, and staff for their planning arrangements for this Community Forum Program. Mayor Winchell welcomed the citizens in attendance. She reported on the purpose of the Community Forum and stated that the City Council wants to be aware of needs and issues in the community. The Mayor announced that several speakers from the community were present to address Council. PUBLIC COMMENTS Marie $Mith, Principal, Hawes School, thanked the Council for choosing Hawes School as the site for the first Community Forum. She spoke about the Importance of the DARE Program. Mike Uberuaaa, City Administrator, stated he hoped this forum would prove successful and that staff was there to listen to concerns of the community. Police-Lt. Jeff Cope, Area Commander, spoke regarding the Police Department's role in the community. He explained the concept of "Community Oriented Policing". 190 Page 2 — Council/Agency Minutes — 6/19193 Jean _Abel, Manager, Village Townhomes, stated that adequate funding for police, fire and paramedic services was a main concern. She also displayed a piece of crumbling street stating the streets were not in just a little need of repair but were falling apart. She stated that there was a feeling of residents that the area was being ignored; that there had been no response to a petition which had been submitted. She stated that the downtown area development should not take precedence in funding. She stated that infrastructure shall be looked at before the city builds more. The present infrastructure should be maintained. She stated the children want help in building a skateboard park. Bob Riedesel, President of Meredith Gardens Homeowners Association, stated that copies of their associations comments would be provided to Council; that a report card on city services had been prepared at a Directors Meeting. Mr. Riedesel read the comments contained on the report card for Council and several departments. Bruce White, Activities Director, Meredith Gardens, spoke with reference to the fine services provided by the Police, Fire and Paramedics. He also spoke regarding the fine library services and the good progress on the Cultural Arts Center. He suggested that, in regard to the Art Seawall, the possibility of lead going into the sand and being eaten by children should be looked into. Mr. White stated that Paragon Cable rate increases were of concern as were trucks going through their subdivision as a shortcut to their work on the Santa Ana River. He stated that bicyclists were almost hit and that pets were hit on Craibet Drive. Ed Kerins, Civic Affairs Chairman, Meredith Gardens, stated that the city did a good job in landscaping in general; however, medians need attention as they become receptacles for debris; the blighted lot at the northeast corner of Brookhurst and Adams is of great concern and that the residents would like utility undergrounding in this area. Mr. Kerins stated that driving north on Brookhurst in Fountain Valley a noticeable difference could be seen. The need for the city to create an ordinance to prevent abandoned gas station sites from becoming eyesores. Mr. Kerins stated their concerns that entertainment establishments not be permitted near residential areas, causing fights, crimes and helicopter surveillance. The need for an ordinance to be developed regarding oversized vehicles in front yards was stated. The need to revise priorities and give southeast Huntington Beach its share of services was stated as well as for the residents to be kept advised on the Ascon Mud Dump (NESI Site), the Metropolitan Water District Desalting plant, the proposed bridge over the Santa Ana River and the General Plan Updates. Meg --Watson, a resident of Fashion Stores, spoke regarding the concern over the Ascon Mud Dump (NESI). Also the city's responsibility to protect beaches and wetlands. She spoke regarding the importance of the city maintaining its facilities. Ms. Watson stated there is a need for signs informing the public when cars must be moved for street sweeping. She thanked Council for holding the public forum. Brian Rechsteiner, member, Huntington Beach City School District, thanked Council for the outreach program. He introduced Shirley Terry and Jerry Buchanan, Assistant Superintendent, Huntington Beach City School District. He spoke regarding graffiti stating that it should not be called tagging as it is vandalism. Involving children in cleanup is necessary as well as the parental involvement besides monetary. 191 Page 3 — Council/Agency Minutes — 6/19/93 Jerry Buchanan, Assistant Superintendent, Huntington Beach City School District, informed Council that he had brought a master plan of the school district's plans and spoke regarding the areas of anticipated growth in districts. He stated his district was working closely with other districts in the area. He thanked the Council for making the School Districts part of the General Plan Amendment. In response to a question by Mayor Pro Tem Moulton —Patterson, Mr. Buchanan reported on budget cuts the county was making. David man, Huntington Beach Postmaster General, stated that as a newcomer to Huntington Beach he perceived the city to be a very vibrant community. He spoke regarding the goals of the post office. Cathy Stan, Neighborhood Watch representative, explained the program and invited people to join. She requested people to inform her of Neighborhood Watch signs in need of replacement. She spoke regarding the graffiti problem and stated the city's graffiti hot line is one of the best programs established. Frank PucCilli, Florida/Utica Task Force, spoke regarding the traffic needs in the Florida/Utica. Florida/Yorktown area. He referred to material that he had provided to Council on their table. Jerry Dominguez, customer service, Southern California Edison Company, spoke regarding his company's role In the Community including providing rights —of —way for parks. He reported on power outages as well as illegal signs on utility poles. Tom Dawes, General Manager, Orange County Sanitation District, spoke regarding their goal of upgrading the plant so that it will resemble one of the best kept industrial parks. Marsha Rechsteiner, PTA Co —President, Eader School, thanked Council for the forum, stating that is was almost like being in a small town being able tc meet with people we know such as Cathy Stan, police officers and postmaster. Ms. Rechsteiner stated the community's concern with the empty businesses and downgraded appearance of Brookhurst/Adams, particularly the empty service station site. Gary Gorman, Planning Commissioner, presented information on the Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy and the acreage at Brookhurst and PCH. Dory Colhurst spoke regarding problem of oversized vehicles parked on property and that Costa Mesa had adopted an ordinance dealing with this problem. He suggested that the city provide a decal to residents who do not want unsolicited material which is left on doorsteps, inviting burglaries. He stated an administrative fee could be imposed on homeowners to pay for enforcement. He stated the need for parking meters for people at the beach, parked on Brookhurst. Shirley Carek, President of the Huntington Beach City School Board, stated her concerns about proposed cuts at the community center. TQpp gr_Horack stated that the NESI Site (Ascon Dump) was a main concern of the residents and that the site should be left as is. He brought Council's attention to the good news that Eader School was the recipient of the Distinguished School Award. 192 Page 4 - Council/Agency Minutes - 6/19/93 Tracy Gaglio, Park Huntington, spoke regarding the problem of recreational vehicles on private property and on streets; that the street cleaners cannot clean and that there is difficulty in obtaining petition signatures required for cleaning. WsIrd Pizurs1k, Costa Mesa resident, stated he believed Huntington Beach was setting a positive example with this forum. He stated he, was a member of the Costa Mesa Bridge Alternative Study Committee and he hoped the cities of Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Newport Beach and Huntington Beach could work together so that bridges are not necessary and alternatives can be found. Nancy O1 ni k, resident of Newport Beach, and Alan Beek spoke regarding potential impact of the proposed bridges and the impact on Newport Beach. They spoke regarding their interest in working with Council. Dean Ryan, Newport Beach, stated he believed the rough draft of the cooperative study showed a spirit of cooperation and shows alternatives can be found. He spoke regarding the proposed bridges which he did not believe were warranted. He stated the City of Newport Beach has a very effective ordinance prohibiting distribution of leaflets and door-to-door soliciting. Cathy Stan spoke regarding the problem of leaflets left on doorsteps but stated she did not believe an ordinance was necessary. She stated she would be glad to lend her assistance in this matter. Ray Shey stated he lives near the park, monitors police calls and spoke regarding the police problems. He spoke regarding the fast traffic on Everglades Lane and his concern for children's safety especially on rainy days. He requested a traffic study immediately. He suggested the graffiti problem might be reduced if the school lights were left on until midnight. 10:25 A.M. There were no further public comments. Members of Council commented briefly. 10:30 A.M. - The Mayor declared a recess of Council. She stated that the Council/Staff tours of the neighborhood would commence. 1:00 P.M. - RECONVENE The following teams reported on their neighborhood tours and resident sur- veys: Councilmember Victor Leipzig and Fire Captain Chuck Reynolds; Mayor Pro Tem Linda Moulton -Patterson and Police Lt. Jeff Cope, Daryl Smith, Superintendent of Parks, Trees and Landscapes Division of the Department of Public Works, and City Treasurer Don Watson; Planning Commissioner Debbie Cook and Assistant City Administrator Ray Silver; Planning Commissioner Shirley Dettloff and Library Director Ron Hayden; Planning Commissioner Roy Richardson and Deputy City Administrator Rich Barnard; Councilmember Dave Sullivan and Planning Director Howard Zelefsky; Councilmember Ralph Bauer and Stephen Kohler, Project Manager, Economic Development Department; Jim Engle, Superintendent of Park Development/Recreation Division of the Community Services Department and City Clerk Connie Brockway; Bob Winchell, citizen, and Gary Gorman, Planning Commissioner; Mayor Grace Winchell, Deputy City Administrator/Administrative Services Robert Franz, and City Administrator Mike Uberuaga. 193 Page 5 - Council/Agency Minutes - 6/19/93 Topics of discussion and items of concern encountered by the teams included: An overall positive image of Huntington Beach and city services, particularly the safety services. Concern with graffiti problem; supportive of graffiti hotline. Need to preserve wetlands; crowds downtown on Friday and Saturday nights - not breaking law, but intimidating to older people. Florida Street - concerned with lack of sidewalks and speeding vehicles. Need for information to citizens regarding Bartlett Park. Suggestion that city look at SCORE Program in effort to assist emerging businesses. School vandalism next to Newland School. Need for information as to how taxes are used by the city. Traffic light needed at Brookhurst and Constitution. Good comments on building process and satisfaction with services in Community Development. Excellent park system; need to remove billboards on PCH; gang activity. Street repair necessary in Meredith Gardens, unawareness of recycling program; development of Gisler Park; seawall controversy. Suggestion for a dog park; satisfaction expressed with downtown develop- ment. Need for road maintenance in Continental Townhomes; the cost of new things at the expense of not keeping the old up should be explored. Willingness to pay a surcharge for upkeep of Bushard School site expressed. Speed bumps needed on Innsbruck as cars roar down street; bottle brush trees not appropriate plantings; endorsement of seawall art program. Garfield and Newland visibility problem. Delivery problems downtown (no place to park and ticketed in loading zone; that a parking permit process is needed). Speed reduction on Garfield needed. ChuckReynolds stated that he would like to add that a resident took Councilmember Leipzig and him to Garfield Avenue between Magnolia Street and Newland Street and stated that trees that are quite a ways down the street are growing up and creating a visibility problem to cars approaching the median. Captain Reynolds stated this needs to be addressed in the development of medians. He also reported that a resident stated that the city tree trimming crews were much more efficient than the private contractors hired the previous year. Prior to adjournment, a Neighborhood Watch Block Captain spoke regarding the Bushard School site and 7-Eleven School serving as a magnet for unwanted activity. 194 Page 6 - Council/Agency Minutes - 6119/93 ADJOURNMENT - COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY Mayor Winchell adjourned the regular meetings of the City Council and the Red- evelopment Agency of the City of Huntington Beach to Monday, June 21, 1993, at 5:30 P.M. in Council Chamber, Civic Center, Huntington Beach, California. ATTEST: �� 4��n City Clerk/Clerk Clerk of the Redevel opoWnt Agency and City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach, California Mayor/Chairman 195