CITY OF GRAND TERRACE
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES TO BE APPROVED
FOR THE REGULAR MEETING - OCTOBER 26, 2006
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES TO BE APPROVED
FOR THE REGULAR MEETING - OCTOBER 26, 2006
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace was called to order in the Council Chambers, Grand Terrace Civic Center, 22795 Barton Road, Grand Terrace, California, on October 26, 2006, at 6:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Maryetta Ferré, Mayor
Bea Cortes, Mayor Pro Tem
Lee Ann Garcia, Councilmember
Herman Hilkey, Councilmember
Jim Miller, Councilmember
Tom Schwab, City Manager
Brenda Mesa, City Clerk
Steve Berry, Assistant City Manager
Richard Shields, Building & Safety Director
Lt. Hector Guerra, Sheriff's Department
John Harper, City Attorney
ABSENT: Larry Ronnow, Finance Director
Gary Koontz, Community Development Director
The City Council meeting was opened with Invocation by Pastor Salim Elias, Azure Hills Seventh-Day Adventist Church, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Mayor Pro Tem Bea Cortes.
CONVENE CITY COUNCIL MEETING
ITEMS TO DELETE - None
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
Steve Berry, Assistant City Manager, introduced Lt. Rich Solemento, San Bernardino County Fire Department.
Rich Solemento, San Bernardino County Fire Department, thanked the residents of Grand Terrace, Steve Berry, and Barrie Owens for being the driving force behind the new adventure in the City of Grand Terrace. It was an honor to be a part of the instruction staff and seeing how the group was able to progress. He thanked all the CERT Trainers for their participation and he hopes that the success of the team will be an asset to the City of Grand Terrace and to the Emergency System if they are called upon.
Mayor Ferré, introduced all of the CERT Training Graduates and presented them with a certificate.
Margie Miller, on behalf of the City News presented to each of the graduates a framed front page of the City News with their individual names on them.
Assistant City Manager Berry, stated that these graduates spent 21 hours going through pretty intense training. He thanked the instructors for doing a great job.
An Oath was given by City Clerk Mesa to all of the graduates.
CONSENT CALENDAR
CC-2006-112 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER GARCIA, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER MILLER, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the following Consent
Calendar Items with the removal of item 3A.:
3B. Waive Full Reading of Ordinance on Agenda
3C. Approval of 10-12-2006 Minutes
ITEM REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR
3A. Approve Check Register Dated October 26, 2006
Patricia Farley, 12513 Michigan Street, indicated that she is a busy person and doesn’t like to keep getting up to speak at Council Meetings. She realizes that Council has a busy job and that they receive a lot of paperwork. One of the reasons that she doesn’t run for Council is because she can't make the commitment to know all of facts and look through all the material for approving things, however, when citizens make the effort to do that they should be supported. One of her concerns is that at every meeting these check registers are passed and she really doesn’t believe that they are actually looked over and understood. Also, when she asks questions they are not answered or at least not on public record. They have been told that Mr. Rollins is not an employee of the City, however, the City continues to issue checks for work that he has done for the City and he received a $50.00 birthday bonus. She appreciates the citizens that are looking at more than what the Council Members are looking at.
CC-2006-113 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER MILLER, SECOND BY COUNCILMEMBER GARCIA, CARRIED 5-0, to approve the following Consent
Calendar Item:
3A. Approve Check Register Dated October 26, 2006
PUBLIC COMMENT
Council Minutes October 26, 2006 Page 3
Bills Hays, 22656 DeBerry Street, stated the following:
Why is the public being misled on the type of Senior Housing planned on Grand Terrace Road in Grand Terrace?
It is not what was published in the media and presented by staff or the developer at Public Hearings.
It is not the low and moderate income senior housing that Grand Terrace seniors were promised and is referred to in the Housing Element of the General Plan as affordable housing and required.
There will be no moderate income housing. It states in a Regulatory Agreement approved on October 27, 2005, that almost 90 % of the units will be leased at very low and lower income levels. They appear to be in totally different categories. Only 10% will be at market rate.
In a Ground Lease Agreement approved on September 22, 2005, it describes the maximum monthly rental for the required lower income units to be rented to very low income households shall be established at one-twelfth (1/12) of thirty percent (30%) of fifty percent (50%) of San Bernardino County Medium Income for a household of a size appropriate to the housing unit.
The maximum monthly rental amount for the required lower income units to be rented to lower income households shall be established at one-twelfth (1/12) of thirty percent (30%) of sixty percent (60%) of the San Bernardino County medium income for a household of a size appropriate to the housing unit.
Also in the Ground Lease Agreement it also defines Amedium income, as the medium income for the area as most recently determined by the secretary of housing and urban development under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended, or, if programs under section 8 are terminated, medium income for the area determined under the method used by the secretary prior to such termination.
According to these agreements that have already been approved by our City Council, many of our Grand Terrace seniors may not qualify. They were supposed to be provided for and have first priority. That does not appear to be what City Staff, Officials and the Developer really have planned for most of the seniors living in our City.
Seniors need to become involved and fight for what they are entitled to regarding Senior Housing. All types of senior housing should be made available and not just cater to only certain categories. Priority should be only given to what is needed most in our City and nearby homes should not be impacted regarding property values or zoning.
Council Minutes October 26, 2006 Page 4
If there needs to be more apartments in Grand Terrace after most people in the City did not want any more, everything has to be taken into consideration and planned more carefully. The Senior Housing should also have been located in a much more convenient location to everything, like it was planned years ago in the General Plan.
He thanked Herman Hilkey for his service to the community. He and Herman never agreed on anything but at least he was fair and would debate with him.
R. A. Barney, Barnett, 474 Prospect, Highgrove, congratulated the CERT graduates. He indicated that for the last five years they have been working on a Metrolink Station for Highgrove. Grand Terrace passed a Resolution supporting a Metrolink Station in Highgrove back in 2002. There is a renewed interest because they have an ideal location for it. He knows that two of the City Council Members have been to visit the site. They are trying to educate everyone and let them know about the location. He reported that tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. he will be meeting the Mayor of Loma Linda to show him the location. Anyone that would like to join them can meet at City Hall in Grand Terrace. He stated that transportation issues are going to affect Highgrove and Grand Terrace and this is a prime location for a Metrolink Station. They need help from Grand Terrace. He encouraged people to come and see the site and contact him if they would like to get involved.
Anne Wade-Hornsby, 22656 Brentwood Street, indicated that she gave each of the Council Members a packet from the Senior Housing Developments in Riverside, some of which are section 8 housing and some of which are not. She has been to all of them and there is a big difference between the two. She expressed her concern with the Senior Housing Project being built behind Brentwood affecting their home values. At the last Council Meeting she questioned discrepancies in the financial support given to the development. She stated that she has concerns with the requirements of residents of the housing project. She requested that the Council look at the financial requirements of residents for the project.
Patricia Farley, 12513 Michigan Street, pointed out that she and other residents are expressing items publicly that are public questions that need to be answered publicly not privately. She expressed her concern with small agendas right before the election when there are many things that need to be taken care of. She stated that the Housing Element has never been certified. The Housing Element requires that the City provide for all of the Senior Citizens in the appropriate percentages. The General Plan says that the Senior Housing is not called Senior Housing unless it is 65 and older. She feels that there are games going on and guidelines that are not being followed. She feels that City Staff should be able to tell residents what the medium income is. She stated that Cynthia Bidney presented to the Council an Eminent Domain proposal to support and they have been stalling. Measure O has nothing to do with Grand Terrace. Grand Terrace must have an Eminent Domain Proposal for Grand Terrace to protect Grand Terrace and she expects that to come back on an Agenda. They have questions and they want answers. She feels that the Council should support
Council Minutes October 26, 2006 Page 5
people coming up and taking the time to look at documents and bringing item to their attention and not be slamming them as if they are trouble makers. They have taken a lot of time to look at these items and they are trying to help to alert them. More people in Grand Terrace need to be involved and the Council has an obligation to answer the questions and to answer them publicly. They are important and if you can=t answer them or won=t you are not serving the public. She reported that on Wednesday, November 1, 2006 at 7 p.m. in the Community Room at City Hall candidates running for City Council will be there to talk to residents and answer questions.
City Manager Schwab, stated that in regards to the Check to Richard Rollins, he stated that he is not a City Employee, however, the City has paid him for the last 10 years to open and close the parks. Mr. Rollins is out there at 7 a.m. and back to close them. Mr. Rollins is 86 years old and my not be able to do that for much longer. If anyone has an interest in going out there seven days a week and performing those duties we may be looking for someone soon.
On the Senior Housing Project, these homes are for low income seniors. Most seniors by definition are low income. One thing that Grand Terrace has done that he has not seen with other Senior Housing Projects, is to set aside 10% of the units for market rate seniors. If the Council would like staff to have CBH decifer what medium income means in terms of actual dollars rather than the formula, he will do that.
REPORTS
5A. Committee Reports
1. Crime Prevention Committee
a. Minutes of September 11, 2006
CC-2006-114 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER GARCIA, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM CORTES, CARRIED 5-0, to accept the September 11, 2006 Minutes of the
Crime Prevention Committee.
5B. Council Reports
Councilmember Hilkey, reported that there is a meet and greet the candidates on November 1, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. He noticed some pavement cuts on Preston and questioned if this is a foreshadowing of the traffic control or lights. He questioned the status of the sequencing of the lights and the project to put a light at Barton and Westwood.
Richard Shields, responded that he attended a pre-job conference with SANBAG last week and the Honey Hill light is set for February and March. The whole process for tier 2 has already started and will go through June. He stated that it is not just Barton Road that they are working on, there are other communities that are having work done as well. There will be new cabinets put on at each intersection all the way to the 215 freeway. He has given a brief scenario for the website.
Council Minutes October 26, 2006 Page 6
Assistant City Manager Berry, stated that the cuts on Preston were a direct result of Mr. Miller’s question on the loops and they have been replaced. They had to do a sidewalk cut to get the new two inch pvc pipe in. All of these loops have been completed.
Councilmember Hilkey, stated that he would like clarification on what the threshold is for the Senior Housing Project and questioned if children will be allowed to live there. He would also like it explained to him how section 8 works with this project. He feels that it is a super project and is 100% for it, he just wants to be sure to understand everything.
City Manager Schwab, responded that children will not be allowed to live in this project. He stated that he will have Corporation for Better Housing come to the Council meeting to explain the formulas.
Councilmember Garcia, stated that it’s that special time of year and that there are a lot of neat things happening in town. The Library will be having an alternative to Halloween for the little ones. She reported that the Friends of the Library meet on the third Wednesday at 2 p.m. She reminded everyone that the Halloween Haunt will be held on Tuesday, October 31, 2006 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Calvary, the Brook Church is wanting to build a church so they are having a fund-raiser, the Brooks Autumn Twilight Dinner on Wednesday, November 1, 2006 at the Castaways. On October 31, 2006 from 4:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at Pico Park for the installation of the new playground equipment. She reported that the Country Fair will be held on Saturday, November 4, 2006. She feels that it is important to stay well involved in the Metrolink Station in Highgrove. She appreciates the comments on the Senior Housing Project. It is important to make sure that all of the requirements that we want to go into that project are there. She stated that Housing is very controversial, the State wants the additional housing not the local cities. She stated that local cities are not pushing for increased density and increased housing in our area it is the State. She expressed her sympathy to Bill Hays for the passing of his mother. She wished everyone a safe Halloween.
Councilmember Miller, reported that the Traffic Mitigation Committee is winding down. They had a meeting this past Monday and they will have one more meeting in December. Staff will consolidate all of their ideas that they feel would be best and they will be brought to the Council for action. This should be brought to the Council at the December meeting. He questioned when the list started for those who are going to pay the market rate for the Senior Housing Project.
City Manager Schwab, responded that currently there is an interest list for the Senior Housing Project only. There has not been an application process to date. This is a list of individuals that have said that they are interested in the project only. When the time comes where they are close enough to where they are going to start their marketing, those individuals on the list will be contacted first. Since the project is much farther away, the list
Council Minutes October 26, 2006 Page 7
will have to be updated since it has been compiling for the last six or seven months.
Councilmember Miller, questioned who will be making the decision on who will move into the facility.
City Manager Schwab, responded that it will not be staff. The project will be administered by Corporation for Better Housing, however, there is input from the City.
Councilmember Miller, feels that it was worth while to go out and look at the site for the Metrolink Station. He felt that it was educational. He feels that it is an exciting project and he hopes that it works.
Mayor Pro Tem Cortes, reported that the Grand Terrace Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament is tomorrow and that they still have some openings. She reported that the Country Fair will be held on November 4, 2006. The Friends of the Library will be having their book sale at very low prices. She reminded everyone that Free Dump Day will be held on Saturday, October 28th and requested that Assistant City Manager Berry give the details.
Assistant City Manager Berry, announced that the Free Clean-up Day will be held on Saturday, October 28th from 8 a.m. to 12 noon on Canal and Mt. Vernon. This is a good opportunity for residents to clean up their property and bring it to the dumpster. He requested that residents do not bring construction material or hazardous waste, this is for trash and garbage only. The Clean-Up Day is free.
Mayor Pro Tem Cortes, announced that Calvary, the Brook was asking for assistance with door prizes for their fund-raising event and that she was going to donate some. She introduced former Councilmember Don Larkin and announced that he has received orders to go back to active duty and will be leaving in a week.
Don Larkin, stated that he has been in the Military for 22 years, 10 of which were active duty. He indicated that many people have asked him how he feels about being activated and the possibility of being deployed to Iraq. He stated that he has answered that question many times throughout his career. He was given an Oath that he has to fulfill. It is an Oath that many have made before him and many have died fulfilling. It is an Oath that still many are doing now and some are also making the ultimate personal sacrifice and it is because of their sacrifice we live in this free country. The simple fact is, the freedom that were having to even have this meeting is a freedom that doesn’t exist in many other countries. It is because of the Oath that people have taken. In that Oath, as others have done, we solemnly swear to support and defend the constitution of the United States. We are not talking about a bunch of weathered pieces of paper but really the freedoms and rights and what makes this country great. Against all enemies foreign and domestic. The interesting thing about that Oath, especially in this time when people are trying to separate church and state, it still ends with so help me God. Sometimes you hear people say AND So Help Me God, almost as a threat, in
Council Minutes October 26, 2006 Page 8
this case when he makes his Oath, he makes it as a prayer. So help me God, make me fulfill this Oath and honor. He stated that he is very proud that he may be going to Iraq. He asked for help in finding out who from Grand Terrace is serving in Iraq. He would like all individuals serving our Country to be recognized. He stated that many people say that they support our troops but they question the President or policy. He questions how can you say you support our troops if you don’t support what they are doing or the reason they are doing it.
Mayor Ferré, announced that there will be some entertainment at the Country Fair this year. There is going to be a quartet out on the front lawn from 11 to 12 on the corner of Vivienda and Barton. At 12:30 inside the auditorium there will be a karate performance. At 1:30 there will be a square dancing performance. So not only is there an opportunity to buy food to eat, people to see, books to buy but entertainment as well. She thanked the Historical and Cultural Activities for all of their hard work. She visited the site for the Metrolink Station with Barney Barnett and found it very enlightening and an important thing to do. She thanked the Traffic Mitigation Committee. It is a great commitment from our community volunteers for a very important situation in Grand Terrace.
PUBLIC HEARING - None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None
NEW BUSINESS
8A. Approve Pope and Associates as the Landscape Architect for the Passive Park on Mt. Vernon and DeBerry
CC-2006-115 MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER HILKEY, SECOND BY MAYOR PRO TEM CORTES, CARRIED 5-0, to approve Pope and Associates of San Bernardino as the landscape architects of the Mt. Vernon/DeBerry passive park, to authorize staff to negotiate a contract with Pope and Associates and to appropriate $11,600 from Fund 13, Parks Development Fund, derived from Development Fees.
MR SCHWABS DETAIL ON HOW THE BID WAS SELECTED SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE MINUTES AS IT IS A RESULT ON NON OPEN BIDDING SELECTION FOR A CONTRACT OVER 5,000.00.
CLOSED SESSION - None
Mayor Ferré adjourned the meeting at 7:17 p.m., until the next CRA/City Council Meeting which is scheduled to be held on Thursday, November 9, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.
CITY CLERK of the City of Grand Terrace
Council Minutes October 26, 2006 Page 9
MAYOR of the City of Grand Terrace
