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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1995-10-14 (8)MINUTES CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY CITY OF HUNTINGTON BEACH 8:30 A.M. - Talbert Room Central Library 7111 Talbert Avenue Huntington Beach, California Saturday, October 14, 1995 Call To Order Mayor Pro Tempore Sullivan called the adjourned regular meetings of the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Huntington Beach to order at 8:30 a.m. in the Talbert Room, Huntington Central Library. The purpose of the meeting is to conduct an outreach to the community through visits to the neighborhood by City Councilmembers, Planning Commissioners, Department Heads and staff members. City Council/Redevelopment Agency Roll Call Present: Harman, Bauer, Sullivan, Dettloff (Leipzig, Green, Garofalo arrived later in the day) Absent: None Rich Barnard, Deputy City Administrator, reviewed the packet of material provided to each team. He stated that upon reconvening the meeting, team presentations will be made and requested that staff make notes of comments made which affect their departments. Community Outreach Teams Scheduled For Neighborhood Walks Mayor Victor Leipzig and City Administrator Mike Uberuaga Councilwoman Shirley Dettloff and Deputy City Administrator Rich Barnard Councilman Dave Sullivan and Fire Chief Mike Dolder Councilman Dave Garofalo and Economic Development Director David Biggs Councilman Ralph Bauer and Community Development Director Melanie Fallon Councilman Peter Green and Deputy City Attorney Joe Barron Parks, Tree and Landscape Superintendent Daryl Smith and Community Services Director Ron Hagan 532 Page 2 - City Council/Redevelopment Agency Minutes - 10/14/95 Assistant City Administrator Ray Silver and Police Captain Ed McErlain Deputy City Administrator Robert Franz and Library Services Manager Jan Halvorsen Maintenance Operations Manager Don Noble and City Clerk Connie Brockway Recess -Reconvene Mayor Pro Tempore Sullivan called a recess of the City Council and Redevelopment Agency meeting at 9:15 a.m. and the groups proceeded to the neighborhood visits. The meeting was reconvened at 12:30 a.m. by Mayor Leipzig in the Talbert Room. In addition to the aforementioned teams the following persons reported on neighborhood visits: Councilman Dave Garofalo, Planning Commissioner Tom Livengood and Public Information Specialist Jim Hanggi. Discussion Of Community Visits Issues And Comments Reported On By City Officials And Staff Included The Following: City Administrator Uberuaga reported on the area between Warner Avenue, Los Patos Drive, Green Street, and Sims Street. He stated that the Bolsa Chica area was the prime concern of the residents who believe the proposed development will be too dense; that it is unfortunate that the city is not in charge of the development process. He stated that some residents suggested a bond issue to finance the purchase. More constructive activities for youth were suggested. The planning permit process was mention as being bureaucratic. Mr. Uberuaga reported that the primary complaint of business was the median island on Warner Avenue lacking a cut to go into the businesses. Mr. Uberuaga stated that it showed him that to be pro - business the city must be sensitive as to how a small thing such as lack of curb cuts can affect businesses detrimentally. Councilwoman Dettloff and Deputy City Administrator Barnard reported on the area east of the Library between Slater and Warner Avenues beyond Edwards Street. They reported on the impact from the torn up streets along Slater Avenue/Edwards Street/Talbert Avenue; that schedules should be planned so three streets are not torn up at the same time. Reluctance to change. Huntington Central Park was expressed with unused school sites as potentially good locations for parks mentioned. More public use and improvement of the gun range was recommended. A person expressed concern regarding undocumented workers at Beach Boulevard and Slater Avenue being detrimental to his business. The difficulty of getting to the beach restrooms on rollerblades was mentioned. Trash scavenging was reported as a problem. Persons "hanging around" downtown was mentioned unfavorably, however, the downtown improvements and outdoor dining received approval. A number of people expressed a desire for a standard of cleanliness in the city as they believe cleanliness has been in decline over the years. A new resident, from Moscow, Russia, loves living here and had good things to say about the schools. OR Page 3 - Council/Agency Minutes - 10/14/95 Councilman Sullivan and Fire Chief Dolder reported on the area bordered by Slater Avenue, Talbert Avenue, Edwards Street and the Bolsa Chica area. They reported on residents desire that there not be development of the Bolsa Chica area. Residents on Varsity Lane wondered if they had been skipped on the street rejuvenation. People expressed a desire for street sweeping and stated they would work with the city to move their cars to have it accomplished. Some people stated that they would be willing to pay $50 to $60 per year for youth needs. Concerns were expressed regarding undocumented workers in the Slater Avenue area. The desire to shop in Huntington Beach was expressed in relation to the deterioration of Huntington Mall. A resident expressed appreciation for the Police RSVP Program. The residents liked the Police Department presenting public information in the schools. Support for a youth complex and a fear that sports fields will disappear was expressed. Concerns were stated in a very positive way. Councilman Garofalo and Economic Development Director Biggs reported on the area bordered by Slater Avenue, Talbert Avenue, Newland Street and Gothard Street. They reported that they had stopped at City Hall for an event for Neighborhood Watch Volunteers. The area covered contained industrial, mobilehome, residential and a hospital and the biggest group of comments reflected that people love living in Huntington Beach. Tremendous infrastructure problems and housing stock in bad repair was noticed by Councilman Garofalo. The residents in the mobilehome park on Talbert were pleased to hear of a second Police substation for the area. Concern was expressed regarding day laborers in the area and the residents were glad to hear of the planned day labor site. The need for tree trimming was expressed. Resident were pleased to hear that the city is taking proactive steps regarding the Fourth of July problems. Councilman Bauer and Community Development Director Fallon reported on three areas, one at the bottom of Edwards Street hill, a small area north of Talbert and a small area south of Talbert. They reported that their area covered was a pleasant well maintained area, a portion of which is near Central Park. A concern was expressed that there be no development in the Bolsa Chica lowlands and when will the Linear Park be built. Most residents of the area covered had lived in the city for a long time. Positive comments about Huntington Central Park and the Dog Park were received; however a request for more benches at Dog Park was made. The Public Works Department received expressions of appreciation for their quick repair of the drainage problem at the corner of Inlet Drive and Westlake Circle. A report was made that the downtown area be made more conducive to visits by seniors. Concern was expressed regarding traffic speed on Edwards Street as three fatal accidents had occurred at Varsity Avenue and Edwards Street and at night people could hear the traffic gong through stop signs and moving too quickly on Edwards Street. People were anxious for Slater Avenue street improvements to be finished. A suggestion was received that perhaps the RSVP Program could continue the bike patrols at Central Park at least on weekends throughout the rest of the year. 1534 Page 4 - City Council/Redevelopment Agency Minutes - 10/14/95 Councilman Green reported on the Amigos de Bolsa Chica 10 K Run Fund-raiser. Deputy City Attorney Barron reported that he had stayed at the entrance to the Central Library and met people who had been in the city from two days to 50 years. He reported that people had expressed a desire for the engineering and technical areas of the library to be built up. One resident stated that he would like a sidewalk on Beach Boulevard between Atlanta Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway so one could walk to the beach. Councilman Harman and Police Captain McErlain reported on the Seacliff area located at Goldenwest Street and Yorktown Avenue and the Seapoint Street area. They reported that residents were positive about the city and city government in general. It was found that residents would like to shop at Huntington Mall if it were upgraded or revised. Citizens reported that they would be willing to pay for a Beach -Park Improvement District; even the residents with grown children. Maintenance Operations Manager Noble and City Clerk Brockway reported they had walked in the Seacliff and Beachwalk areas and had met many long time residents of the community. Concern was expressed regarding speeding at Palm Avenue and Ofelia Lane. Concern was expressed regarding dogs in the downtown area and the potential for dog bites. Satisfaction was expressed with schools and the Police Department's rapport with youth. A resident reported on his long attempt to get his street address changed from a Little Harbor Drive address to Seacliff Lane but his otherwise great satisfaction with living in the city. More selective police enforcement in Beachwalk was requested. The overwhelming concern of residents in the Seacliff area is speeding along Palm Avenue; that many families with young children are moving in, that the stop signs are not working, also reported was the signalization at Goldenwest Street and Palm Avenue where there has been three accidents. Synchronized intersections along Goldenwest Street specifically at Warner Avenue and at Edinger Avenue need timing changes in the early morning hours. Planning Commissioner Livengood covered the area bordered by Graham Street, Warner Avenue, Springdale Street and Slater Avenue and reported that overall, great satisfaction with the city was expressed. The need for a larger city swimming pool was expressed. Concern was stated regarding recreational vehicles parking on the street and people living in them, break-ins and a problem of a drug house. Public Information Specialist Hanggi reported on the area between Edwards Street and Goldenwest Street which backs up to Central Park. He reported that residents liked the idea of the Linear Park and Seapoint Street going through. Concern was expressed regarding the speed on Alta Mirano Lane, that there are no stop signs along the stretch and it borders the park. They stated that people have lost control of their cars in the past six months and the residents have concern for safety of their children. The residents wondered if the city could post stop signs along the way or have "children at play" signs. A desire was stated for more parking spaces on the west side of Goldenwest Street at Central Park to keep parking from spilling over to the residential area. 535, Page 5 - Council/Agency Minutes - 10/14/95 Deputy City Administrator Franz and Library Services Manager Halvorsen stated they had covered the quarter section of the Equestrian Estates (Edwards and Ellis) and going east to Five Points area including the Wycliffe Gardens. They reported that former residents of the City of Irvine had expressed that they had a real feeling of community in Huntington Beach. Concern was expressed that parks are becoming so popular as to cause parking on residential streets. Difficulty in reaching accord within Homeowners Associations was reported. Concern was expressed regarding seniors crossing at Florida Street from Huntington Terrace to the medical offices and hospital due to speed of vehicles on Florida Street and the number of cars parked there that obstruct vision. Seniors expressed desire for curbs painted red, speed bumps on Florida and a crosswalk, and more frequent patrol as they have sight and hearing difficulties making it difficult to cross the street. Some residents of the equestrian estate had no interest in having horse trails. Residents stated they were looking forward to the Big 5 coming in. Community Services Director Hagan and Park, Tree and Landscaping Superintendent Smith, reported they had covered the commercial area along Beach Boulevard, the Emerald Cove area and the residential area behind Crest View School and the Oakview area. They reported that residents liked Dog Park. Infrastructure maintenance was reported as a big concern. A desire that street sweeping signs and fines for non-compliance was stated. Traffic speeds on residential streets was a concern expressed. One resident stated that he had been opposed to the rebuilding of the pier but that he was now glad it was built. People in general were very satisfied with the living in the city. Public Comments Robert Cronk informed Council that he had been a city resident since 1972. He stated that he is awaiting the sports complex for youth as the Central Park has places to walk and play but lacks sports fields. He stated that he believed one of the best decisions made was the bringing on of the current City Administrator, as when city departments are contacted a response is received. He stated that he did not believe the gun range was conducive to Huntington Central Park. He spoke regarding the noise from the range. He stated that the residents wanted Crest View School to remain a school or open space, that they do not want eight year old children crossing Beach Boulevard to go to a park. He questioned the change of Beach Boulevard to commercial when it should be residential. He stressed that school issues were different from city issues. Mr. Cronk applauded the Council for holding the line on salaries. 0 7 r-U 8 I k_) Page 6 - City Council/Redevelopment Agency Minutes - 10/14/95 Dean Albright stated that he was an electrician at Long Beach Naval Shipyard and that he is working on the shutdown of the yard. He stated his involvement with the various city boards and commissions through the years. He stated that he believed the city was causing the residents to pay twice for recycling as the state already charges. Mr. Albright stated that he believed the developers were having the biggest impact on the water resources and should have to pay for the water improvements. He spoke regarding the need for economic development stating his disagreement with the indoor swap meet as there is not a big area remaining for industrial use. He suggested a tax break be given to businesses to come into the city as the City of Camarillo did. He stated that he believed the results of the survey should be published and a write-in survey should be requested. Mayor Leipzig informed Mr. Albright that the fees were mainly to be charged to developers. The Mayor stated that the city has a new Economic Development Director who will continue to aggressively solicit businesses to the city. The Mayor stated that the results of the survey will be published. ADJOURNMENT - CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY The Mayor adjourned the adjourned regular meetings of the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Huntington Beach to Monday, October 16, 1995 at 5:00 p.m. in Room B-8, Civic Center, 2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, California. ATTEST: City Clerk/Clerk 537 City Clerk and ex-officio Clerk of the City Council of the City of Huntington Beach, and Clerk of the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Huntington Beach California Mayor/Chair an