MINUTES
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 9,
2008 - 6:00 p.m.
CALL TO ORDER
The
regular meeting of the City Council and Redevelopment Agency of the City of Highland was called to order at 6:07 p.m. by
Mayor Lilburn at the Donahue Council Chambers,
27215 Base Line, Highland, California.
The invocation
was given by Reverend Wayne Reynolds of Immanuel Baptist Church and the Pledge
of Allegiance was led by Councilman Timmer.
ROLL CALL
Present: Jones,
McCallon, Scott, Timmer, Mayor Lilburn
Absent: None
Mayor Lilburn
presented a Proclamation to Tina Chenevert Branch
Manager of the Highland Sam Racadio Library and Environmental Learning Center,
proclaiming September 8, 2008, as Literacy Day in the City of Highland and in
conjunction with International Literacy Day.
COMMUNITY INPUT
None
CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
CONSENT CALENDAR
A MOTION was made by Councilman
McCallon, seconded by Councilman Timmer, to approve the consent calendar as
submitted with the exception of Item #5 being removed for further discussion
and with Councilwoman Scott abstaining from Item #2 and Item #3. Motion carried on a roll call vote, 5-0.
1. Waive
the Reading of All Ordinances
Waived the
reading of all Ordinances in their entirety and read by title only.
2. Minutes
- July 22, 2008 City Council Regular Meeting
Approved Minutes
as submitted.
3. Minutes
- July 22, 2008 RDA Regular Meeting
Approved Minutes
as submitted.
4. Warrant
Register
Approved Warrant
Register No. 468 for September 9, 2008, in the amount of $3,929,690.94 and
Payroll of $151,443.45.
6. Easement
Acceptance/9th Street Sidewalk Improvements
1. Accepted
the Grant of Easement for Road and Drainage Purposes from Teresa Martin; and
2. Directed
the City Clerk to record the Grant of Easement.
7. Easement
Acceptance/TREH-Partners (CUP 007-003/Highland Crossings)
1. Accepted
the Grant of Easement for Road and Drainage purposes from Greenspot Village
& Marketplace, and Loma Linda Village Center; and
2. Directed
the City Clerk to record the Grant of Easement.
8. Award
of Bid Number 2008-11 “Courtyard Shade Cover” for the Highland Sam Racadio
Library and Environmental Learning Center to USA Shade Fabric Structures
Awarded Bid
Number 2008-11 “Courtyard Shade Cover” for the Highland Sam Racadio Library and
Environmental Learning Center to USA Shade Fabric Structures.
ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT CALENDAR
5. Sheriff’s
Department Schedule “A” Contract for FY 2008-2009
Councilwoman
Scott stated she has some concerns regarding the addition to the new contract,
adding $5 million to the contract.
Mayor Lilburn
stated it is the contract. There are no
additions. It is the total amount of
the contract renewal.
City Manager
Hughes stated the only change is the increase of $34,324 and the Sheriff’s
office will now be billing the City of Highland on an actual basis for the
maintenance of the vehicles.
A MOTION
was made by Councilman Timmer, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Jones, to authorize
the Mayor to execute the Schedule “A” contract for Law Enforcement Services
with the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department.
Motion carried, 5-0.
CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
PUBLIC HEARING
9. Application by Cal Disposal Company,
Inc., and Burrtec Waste Industries, Inc., for an Adjustment in the Commercial
Refuse Collection Rates in Accordance with the Current Franchise Agreements
dated November 1, 2006
Mayor Lilburn
opened the public hearing.
Public Services
Manager Morgan stated she brings the annual rate adjustment on our commercial
and residential solid waste rates.
First she would like to highlight that staff is not proposing to
increase the residential component of the rates. What it actually has done since we have gone automated because of
the decrease in the total disposal of solid waste and the increase of recycling
collected, it has created a $0.59 per household per month credit to the
account. The subcommittee recommended
instead of reducing our rates, to hold the rates the same and create a rate
stabilization fund. These monies then
will be turned over to the city at the time of the franchise fee payment and it
would create a fund that if for some reason disposal increases in the future,
we could keep the rates at the same rate so they wouldn’t increase. The only increase is to the commercial
sector. The increase is that of the
annual CPI increase. It is the increase
in the tipping fee from the County and then there was a special fee instituted
by the County for roll off’s; a $10 recycling fee that they are charging all
roll off’s coming into the landfill which was the subject of Amendment No. 3 to
the WDA Agreement that was brought before the Council at a previous time. This the basic highlight of the rate adjustment.
Mayor Lilburn
stated if the applicant is present to speak.
Public Services
Manager Morgan stated a representative from Burrtec is here, Mike.
Mayor Lilburn
inquired if he would like to add anything.
Mr. Mike Aragon,
Vice President, Burrtec Waste Industries stated first of all, he would like to
commend the City of Highland. What
Melissa was speaking about was exactly what we are trying to accomplish with
our automated programs, recycling program throughout Southern California. It’s to get to a point to where not only are
we able to make our adjustments for CPI and whatever disposal components but
then dollars or cents are left over that can stabilize the rate and eventually
lower the rate and keep an increase from happening. $0.59 may not seem like a lot but as we’ve looked at increasing
in the past through the solid waste committee, that is a pretty decent chunk to
hold your rate and that still incorporates from your hauler’s standpoint. They still are able to get their CPI
increase and still able to adjust the disposal and the amount that is left
over. It is a win-win for both sides
and we are very proud of that. He is
very proud of the city for participating and showing they can recycle. We’ve got some great conversion numbers that
continues to grow and new projects on line that is showing more and more
conversion. We are very pleased and
hopefully the city is as well.
Councilwoman
Scott stated on the residential bins, she noticed in the report to Council,
there are different sizes and they were different prices. If you don’t use that great, great big waste
ones, not the recycle and not the lawn but if you have the great, great big one
would it be beneficial for someone to go to the smaller one.
Mr. Aragon stated
he thinks they do have a 40-gallon container and there is a smaller container
that would reflect less disposal and a lower rate as well. So for residents who are in the eligibility
for the senior rate, yes, absolutely.
Mayor Lilburn
stated she remembers when the rate was talked about and the different size containers
when we were going to the automation.
There were a couple ladies here who were single women and they talked
about the lack of trash they use. I
thought we talked about a rate not only for the seniors.
Public Services
Manager Morgan stated yes, you are right.
She thinks it was two of the Council meetings where we were talking
about automation. There were some
residents who wanted to see basically a pay as you throw program where a
resident could choose from a menu what they wanted. At that time of going automated, the subcommittee discussed
several times and it was chosen that we would not do that at this time because
then people start playing with the system.
That is what we found, they get the smaller rate, they get the smaller
bin and then when their trash bin is full where does trash end up going, it
goes into the recycling cart. We wanted
to try and combat that.
Mayor Lilburn
stated okay but you did look at it and take into consideration. She has no speaker slips in favor of the
proposal. She does have a speaker slip
in opposition to the proposal.
Mr. Bernardino
Castaneda stated the reason he is in opposition of this is because way back in
January into March of 2007, he opposed the containers. First of all do you people realize what they
are picking up out there when the hydraulics pick up the trash. They don’t, he has seen throughout the City
of Highland. It’s all mixed garbage. It’s strange the recycling centers are not
complaining about what they are getting out there. The reason he is here is not the value of what they are going to
charge, he can afford it but some seniors can’t afford it. In March of last year he requested a bin,
1.5, to take care of all my trash, and he can guarantee that the 1.5 is half
full. It started at $36.58 per month,
regular trash, when he requested the bin they gave him a bill for $129.72. It was supposed to be $92.39. It went on for about two consecutive months
and in the fourth month he was paying $17.48 more. He questioned it. The
thing is he didn’t even know they were going to make this raise. Now from July 2007 to present date it is a
$109.87. Now they want me to give them
$3.48 more. That is a $20 and some cents raise
again. When they pick up his trash it
only takes one truck. When they pick up
recycle, trash and the green it takes three trucks. We were better off when we had the helpers picking up the trash
because they knew what they were picking.
Now they don’t even know what they are picking. That it is his complaint and he doesn’t mind
paying. His question now is how come he
is paying a commercial rate. When this
first started, they said there wouldn’t be any more raises for our trash.
Mayor Lilburn
closed the public hearing.
A MOTION
was made by Mayor Pro Tem Jones, seconded by Councilman McCallon, to adopt
Resolution No. 2008-042 establishing rates for residential and
commercial/industrial refuse collection and rescinding Resolution No. 2007-057
effective October 1, 2008. Motion carried,
5-0.
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-042
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
HIGHLAND, CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING RATES FOR RESIDENTIAL AND
COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL REFUSE COLLECTION AND RESCINDING RESOLUTION 2007-042,
EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2008
CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
LEGISLATIVE
10. Appointment
to the Design Review Board
City Clerk Hughes
opened the floor for nominations.
Councilman Timmer
stated he would like to have the item be re-advertised.
Mayor Lilburn
stated she would like to re-advertise as well as she would like to see an
applicant who is involved in the community.
Councilman
McCallon inquired if there have been any quorum issues for the Design Review
Board.
Community
Development Director Jaquess responded no there hasn’t been any recent quorum
issues.
A MOTION
was made by Councilman Timmer, seconded by Councilman McCallon, to re-advertise
the vacant position for the Design Review Board. Motion carried, 4-1, with Councilwoman Scott abstaining.
11. Design
Review Application Submitted by the City of Highland for the City’s New Police
Station (DRB-008-005)
Mayor
Lilburn stated she is going to abstain from this item and stepped away from the
dais as her residential property is within 500 feet of the proposed site.
City
Manager Hughes gave a brief review of the staff report.
Councilwoman
Scott stated she has a serious concern with the vehicles coming down Base Line,
turning onto Olive Tree Lane and will see an automatic gate.
City
Manager Hughes stated something to lessen the impact on Olive Tree is we could
maintain the entrance on Olive Tree but also make a Base Line entrance be a two
way entrance. Therefore, it will soften
the number of cars coming in off of Olive Tree and we could use Base Line as an
in and out.
Councilwoman
Scott stated Base Line only has a two way entrance and exit for the public.
City
Manager Hughes stated the existing exit can be adjusted to an in and out
because it is wide enough for it. Olive
Tree will only be an entrance as we do not want vehicle lights shining into the
residences. Olive Tree is not a public
entrance. It is for police vehicles and
employee vehicles only.
Councilwoman
Scott asked where will the people on probation enter at?
City
Manager Hughes stated there will be parking in front of the building and, if
there is a concern, he believes we could red curb Olive Tree Lane along the
side of the facility.
City
Engineer Wong stated any designation for no parking will go through the Public
Safety Subcommittee first for discussion and then to Council for approval.
Councilwoman
Scott stated she did not see a media room in the drawings.
City
Manager Hughes stated there is a room upstairs for this type of meeting and
does have a secured access to this room.
Councilwoman
Scott stated who will be responsible for the landscape upkeep for this
facility.
City
Manager Hughes stated the city will be responsible.
Councilman
Timmer stated one of the things the Public Facilities Subcommittee recommended
was the landscaping be low water, low maintenance types of plants. It will not have a great grass area but will
have bushes and plants that will not require a lot of water and maintenance.
Councilman
McCallon stated what we are doing to make this a green building.
City
Manager Hughes stated we will be utilizing solar energy for the building. The construction methods will be green. The materials will be recycled products as
much as possible. When we construct the
building we will be recycling similar to the construction of the Library where
we ended up with 98% recycled content.
The glazing used is all energy efficient.
Councilman
McCallon stated if we are going to install solar panels, will we make sure the
trees that are to be planted will not be in the way of the panels.
City
Manager Hughes stated the trees, especially along the frontage, we do not want
any trees that canopies over the building.
This becomes a security issue.
Not only does it impact the solar panels, it becomes a security issue where
people will be able to climb the trees and access the building. We are looking at trees that will have a
very small canopy along the frontage.
Councilman
Timmer stated now we are going to be installing a canopy over the fueling
island. Are we going to design it in a
sense that it will accommodate fire engines as well?
City
Manager Hughes stated yes it will be designed for the considerations of the
turning radius of fire engines and getting under the canopy.
A MOTION was made by Councilman McCallon, seconded by
Councilman Timmer, to:
1. Approve
the Site Plan, as amended;
2. Approve
the Precise Grading Plan, as amended;
3. Approve
the Overall Exterior Elevations; and
4. Approve
the Preliminary Planting Plan for the City’s new Police Station, all subject to
the Conditions of Approval. Motion
carried, 3-1, with Councilwoman Scott dissenting.
12. Second
Reading of Ordinance Nos. 329, 330 and 332 for a City-initiated Zone Change
(R-2C [Corridor Residential] and PD [Planned Development] Modifications
Consistent with General Plan Amendments), and Various Municipal Code Amendments
to Title 16, Land Use and Development Code.
Zone Change (ZCO-007-001) and Municipal Code Amendment (MCA-008-005)
Community
Development Director Jaquess gave a brief review of the staff report.
Item #3,
Ordinance 331, will need to be continued to the September 23, 2008 Council
meeting, due to the fact it needs to be published as a summary.
A MOTION was made by Mayor Pro Tem Jones, seconded by
Councilman Timmer, to conduct a second reading of;
1. Ordinance
No. 329, Amending the City’s Official Zoning Map consistent with the General
Plan Amendments related to R-2C (ZCO-007-001);
2. Ordinance
No. 330, Amending Section 16.08.150 Nonconforming Parcels, Uses and Structures,
and Repealing Section 16.08.155 Special Nonconforming Uses and Structures
Permitted as Conditional Uses of Title 16 (Land Use and Development) of the
Highland Municipal Code;
4. Ordinance No. 332, Amending Section 16.40.030, Accessory Structures; Section 16.40.010, Fences and Walls; Section 16.40.160 Lighting; and 16.68.220 Lot Merger of Title 16 (Land Use and Development) of the Highland Municipal Code and the continuance of Ordinance No. 331 to be read at the September 23, 2008 Council Meeting. Motion carried, 5-0.
ORDINANCE
NO. 329
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HIGHLAND, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP AS ADOPTED BY THE CITY OF HIGHLAND
ORDINANCE NO. 330
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HIGHLAND, CALIFORNIA
AMENDING SECTION 16.08.150 NONCONFORMING PARCELS, USES AND STRUCTURES, AND
REPEALING SECTION 16.08.155 SPECIAL NONCONFORMING USES AND STRUCTURES PERMITED
AS CONDITIONAL USES OF TITLE 16 (LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT) OF THE HIGHLAND
MUNICIPAL CODE [GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT (GPA-008-001), ZONE CHANGE
(ZC0-007-001), AND MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT (MCA-008-005)]
ORDINANCE NO. 332
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF HIGHLAND, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 16.40.030 ACCESSORY STRUCTURES; SECTION 16.40.100, FENCES AND WALLS; SECTION 16.40.160 LIGHTING: AND 16.68.220 LOT MERGER OF TITLE 16 (LAND USE AND DEVELOPMENT) OF THE HIGHLAND MUNICIPAL CODE [GENERAL PLAN AMENDMENT (GPA-008-001), ZONE CHANGE (ZC0-007-001), AND MUNICIPAL CODE AMENDMENT (MCA-008-005)]
13. Update
from the Highland Family YMCA and the YMCA Ad Hoc Committee on the Status of
the Lease and Operations of the Jerry Lewis Community Center and the Highland
Athletic Center
Mayor
Lilburn stated she will need to abstain from this item as well because the
Senior Center has a lease with the YMCA which creates a conflict. Does she need to abstain from items 2 and 3
or just item 1 because she is involved in the lease?
City
Manager Hughes stated this item has been worked on with the YMCA Ad Hoc
committee and Highland YMCA. Basically
the YMCA came to the Ad Hoc committee to give an update of their status,
programs they have been providing and their financial status. The Ad Hoc committee requested the YMCA come
back and propose some alternatives that would essentially make the YMCA whole
financially. As it stands right now the YMCA is not generating enough
revenue. They have to subsidize the
programs at the facility and all at the YMCA speak of these particular issues
and numbers. The Ad Hoc committee
requested the YMCA to come back with some alternatives. The YMCA came back with
three alternatives. Option A is just to
leave things basically as they are and what it would cost to do that. Option B was for some increased services at
some level. Option C was to do a
greater increase service level and reduce the fees to the public. The logic behind that was if we reduce the
fees and get more people to come to the YMCA and use facilities and make it a
successful operation. Part of the
package on this was also looking at solar power to get the costs of the
facility down and as well as using some more capital into the area with the
construction of the competitive pool and a play pool that would be an indoor
structure. He does not know how to
split those two items out so Mayor Lilburn could discuss these two. That concludes staff’s presentation. We have representatives from the YMCA here
that can discuss their plans. He would
like to point out we are proposing the construction of the solar panel and the
pool be redevelopment agency funding.
Mr.
Sam Racadio, Board President of the YMCA, stated he would like to make a
personal statement. He appreciates the
support that was expressed by Council members and staff regarding the passing
of his mother. The Board Members are
present this evening. The members are
dedicated to the community and do not get paid for their services. In fact, members are expected to pay fees
too. Also, we have other supporters
present. He would like to state the out
of the box thinking the city has done with the YMCA, private/public partnership,
is unique and is unique to Highland. We
should be, as a community, congratulated for the willingness to look at a
different way of providing services. As
all of you well know when this city incorporated, LAFCO stated within a year
and half Highland would be bankrupt.
Council knowing that recreation was a very expensive proposition and
highly subsidized, they looked at this opportunity to provide a public/private
partnership to provide recreation in a meaningful way. This Plan C, the board has reviewed, and is
very supportive of Plan C, of increasing the service level, reducing the
membership fees and providing a higher level of service to the community. Items A and B are also very positive and
support that. He just wants Council to
know that from the Board’s perspective, we support this 100%.
Ms.
Ursula Walsh, Executive Director YMCA, stated one of the big things we wanted
to make sure was that there was access to everyone. Certainly the mission on both sides, the City of Highland and the
YMCA, is to build those strong kids and bring them into our community and make
them feel welcome. One of the things
we’ve talked about on multiple occasions whether it was here for grants or
other activities, maybe it was a special event, is how can we get this best
kept secret to everyone and make sure they are really utilizing the YMCA. She is here today to answer any questions
and hope we can move forward with some great opportunities to certainly put our
focus with our local residents especially within a two mile radius with some of
the activities we are doing. Certainly
strengthen our special events by bringing our community closer and being able
to collaborate on multiple things. Our
teen program, we are looking to expand and offer as a free service. Getting the middle school, high school early
year kids into the facility so they can get some mentoring, leadership
development as well as to give them some opportunities to build a healthier
spirit, mind and body. So, that is what
we are focusing on. We hope that we
continue to make the changes that are going to meet the needs of this local
community and she thinks with the Ad Hoc committee we have been able to address
a plan that hopefully will take us into the future.
Mr.
Sig Delhime, stated he wasn’t originally planning on speaking on behalf of the
YMCA but he thought he should add his comments. When he was a young teen he was a YMCA child. He went swimming at the YMCA, he was
involved in the teen programs at the YMCA and he became involved as a swim
instructor at the YMCA. So he has been
a long time individual committed to the value and purpose of the YMCA. There is a great meshing between the YMCA
and what the city stands for and for the YMCA to continue its role here and for
them to be more successful than it has been.
They definitely need Council’s support and he encourages Council to vote
for Option C.
Ms.
Ronna Kibisto stated she is a member of the Board and a private citizen. One of the things the Board wanted to say is
that we want to have these events and programs and the services but we want to
have the best programs and best events to attract all of the people of Highland
from east Highland to west Highland, the entire community. It’s been her suggestion to Ms. Walsh to
work with her on the Board to develop a strategic plan for the YMCA in which we
can identify the greatest needs. In
doing so, we can then develop a potential list of donors that we can work with
to expand the advisory board, work with these donors to raise funds at a higher
level and looking at a button campaign that would reconnect people through our
programs. Through the fundraising
campaign we can show this is what we do.
She also has suggested that they have a series of house parties
throughout Highland in people’s homes that are supporting the YMCA in which
they invite their friends in to basically hear about what the YMCA is and what
the programs are. This is just to
educate and get people on board and get them excited about what they YMCA does
and then they could follow with an ask later but you have to educate people,
you have to engage them and you have to get them on board. Once you do that the ask is rather
easy. She is hoping Council will
support that and is hoping that they will see that the YMCA Board is active and
that they are going to work hard next year to do all these things to become
more independent and more service oriented for the entire community.
Mr.
Bernardino Castaneda stated he too was a member of the YMCA Board. The YMCA has come long way. At the time he did not have to pay anything
to join the YMCA and now were faced with a situation where funds need to be
donated. If it could be affordable for
senior citizens, under privileged youngsters, he would be willing to
donate. He understands the initiation
is about $400 and that is a lot of money for some of these individuals. It is a good organization. He remembers he used to sell candy and
peanuts.
Ms.
Margaret Hill stated if the YMCA could provide everything free they would
because that is the kind of community we have in Highland but she tells you had
it not been for the YMCA, San Andreas High School would not have any place to
play their home basketball games and they have done that ever since we’ve had
the Jerry Lewis Center. So, she wants
the Council to know that there are some concerns that we can’t provide free
services. She guarantees that if a member of the Board would win the lottery we
would donate money so we could give a lot more scholarships but until then
please support the YMCA and the good works it’s doing for the community.
Mr.
Al Newman stated he is a member and Board Director of the Highland YMCA. He was on the Ontario YMCA for many
years. He started the YMCA at eight
years old and has gone to seniors. He
went to camp and he’s been a camp director.
Every city he has worked with has helped support the YMCA. He is working with YMCA now and is going to
be doing a lot more. He is going to
rumble because he wants the YMCA here and he wants it to work. One of the biggest problems we have, in his
place of business, he talks about the YMCA people say they didn’t know we had a
YMCA in Highland. He gets this
constantly. We have to do more with
the city and the advertising to help bring more children to the YMCA to support
them and take care of them. With
Council’s help and the Board’s help he thinks we can do that.
Mayor
Pro Tem Jones stated he too has a long history with the YMCA. As a matter of fact he used to pay 10 cents
to swim. This was when the YMCA was
only for men. He can also say every one
of his children was taught to swim at the YMCA’s Mommy and Me Program. He started them swimming at six months of
age. Councilman Timmer and he had the
privilege of working with the YMCA and attempting to bring this facility
forward to a new expectation that he thinks we are going to have to come to the
realization that we are going to have to achieve or it’s not going to
succeed. The YMCA has proven that we
are just not attracting the number of individuals that we need to attract to
make the facility work. We are also not
able to then teach the skills of the other things that are critical within our
own community. He thinks it is
important that we recognize that we have today competition that we never had
before of facilities that are similar, not all programs but are similar for a
whole lot less money. That begins to
cut into the pocketbook and the realization that is important.
Councilman
Timmer stated it is always difficult when we are asked, as a city, to spend
more money. However, one of the things
that excited him about Proposal C, which is the recommendation of the
committee, was that it reduces some of the fees to allow more folks to
participate in the programs. Another
thing was the aquatic center. Initially
he said well a swimming pool is a swimming pool but here recently, in fact it
was last week, he was in Jackson, Wyoming, and the federal shower facilities
were lacking. The opportunity arose for
us to go into the local recreation facility and it happened to have an aquatic
center and when he saw the families playing in there he said Highland has to do
this.
Councilman
McCallon stated he would like to thank the Ad Hoc Committee for the work they
have done and brining this recommendation forward. He would move for the committee recommendation.
Councilwoman
Scott stated her first thought when she was reading the material is the
executive summary that we were getting.
To her it was another year of another excuse. She’s sorry. Every one of
the Board Members are absolutely precious and she knows that they care about
this community and that you care about the kids and you have for years. Something is wrong. You have been given a beautiful facility for
over five years for a dollar a year and you asking for almost half a million
dollars. After reading the executive report, she thought if you can’t compete
with competition when you’re being subsidized with taxpayer’s money, then maybe
you need to get out of the business.
She has noticed that in our packet we had 31 pages that were dedicated
to the Colton Recreation Facility. Last
year when she had some real concerns about the YMCA and the inability to do
anything except have the hand out some more, she went over to Colton and she
talked the Mayor into coming along as well and going through their recreation
program. That is a program. You can’t just have a program with the
exercise equipment, a pool and a basketball court. You’ve had X number of years to do something more with it. The pool idea, she was all for the pool, but
at this time she is not willing to pour any more money, good money after bad
money, she is just not wiling to do it.
If each one of the Council Members and the Board and our citizens, if
were given, personally, a facility like that for a dollar a year and then we took
our own personal funds for five years of almost a half million dollars and we
didn’t have any more to show for it than gee, we are in the red and we need
more and we want you to give us more money for more programs. She doesn’t think anyone would do it. She wants to see some results or that’s
it.
Mayor
Pro Tem Jones stated several of the goals the committee had was number one, we
wanted to reduce the costs. We cannot
compete. The YMCA, under the current
costs of the program and we recognize that and the YMCA recognizes that very
fully. This is the reason we asked them
to go back and come back with some alternate proposals that in fact would allow
us to accomplish this task of reducing the costs so more people within the
community, in fact, could participate and be able to utilize more programs that
we currently don’t have on the docket for them to use. We also were concerned with the necessity of
increasing access to the facility by more people. We unfortunately are not attracting a large portion of the
community. He has a real problem with
that because it is in fact all of the community who paid for this facility and
will pay for the additional facilities and if in fact all of them are not using
it then he thinks it is a gross misuse of funds in that perspective. We also said that we needed to improve the
amenities and the things that are there and reduce the operating costs, over
$100,000 a year in the current budget and the proposed budget will go to
utilities. That’s when we proposed to
use the solar panels to reduce the costs so that we can get rid of the overhead
costs and be able to put that money back in to programs and change that whole
process so that more benefit is going to be initiated or realized by the
individual citizens who in fact will be invited to use it. Then of course we
have a lot of talented individuals who both want to learn skills and want to
improve their skills that don’t have the facilities currently within our
community. Now, the skills are more
important than the recreation portion for him but recreation is very
important. This in fact establishes
attitudes and we certainly need to make some contributions to that within our
community. That being said he will
second the motion Councilman McCallon made.
Councilwoman
Scott stated all three.
Mayor
Pro Tem Jones stated all three.
Councilman
McCallon stated his motion includes all three.
Councilman
Timmer stated let’s give the Mayor an opportunity for input.
Councilwoman
Scott stated the first one is the only one that Mayor Lilburn is being excluded
from. She can participate in items two
and three.
Councilman
McCallon stated he will move item number one.
A MOTION was made by Councilman McCallon, seconded by Mayor
Pro Tem Jones, to approve the modification of the Lease with the YMCA of the
East Valley to include Budget Plan “C” as provided for in the Highland Family
YMCA 2008-2009 Budget Presentation and authorize the City Manager to sign the
modified Lease Agreement once approved by the City Attorney. Motion carried, 3-1, with Councilwoman Scott
dissenting and Mayor Lilburn abstaining.
Mayor
Lilburn rejoined the meeting and returned to the dais.
A MOTION was made by Councilman McCallon, seconded by Mayor
Pro Tem Jones, to instruct staff to request a proposal from STK Architecture
for the design of adding solar power to the Jerry Lewis Community Center and
the Highland Athletic Center. Motion carried, 5-0.
Mayor Lilburn stated she would like a reason why we are going to build
an indoor competition pool and what is the reasoning behind it. She would like to hear why the committee
proposes we come up with additional monies to spend down there.
Mayor Pro Tem Jones stated the answer to this is the only way we are
going to get others to participate on a larger number is to provide a facility
that is not available anywhere else in the community. There is no aquatic center in the Inland Empire that is available
for the uses and we’re recommending it be built here. We have a very active swim team in east Highland that in fact has
outgrown the facilities they are currently using and have repeatedly come
before this Council and asked if there were some way that we could address some
of their needs. We have not done so and
we probably have more that desire to get involved in that type of learning
skill. Our goal is to also to increase
attendance. The only way we are going
to get attendance and more people using the facility is to provide facilities
that they cannot have anywhere else.
People are not going to come and use the YMCA facility if they can exercise
only and they can do it over at Fitness 19 for $12 a month. Why come over here and pay more? They won’t do it. LA Fitness will be soon open and when it opens they are going to
compete with those same prices and they will have the programs we are offering
and have the facilities that maybe Fitness 19 has. We have to modernize what the facilities are and what the
amenities are or we are not going to attract more people.
Councilwoman Scott stated you are saying the only way we are going to
get more people over there is to spend many dollars to build a great big pool
with slides and all of that. You’re
saying if we build it, they will come.
Well if you build it, you’re still going to have to pay it off and it’s
going to take years for that to happen but in the meantime you can have other
programs, again, she is going to refer to what they have at Colton. It doesn’t take a lot of money but it takes
a lot of work and people that are doing things, having different programs
besides the exercise equipment, besides the swimming pool.
Mayor Pro Tem Jones stated that is the reason we went to the YMCA Board
for them to come back with alternate proposals because we wanted to increase
the various different types of programs that were being offered today to a
greater level and entering into some areas that we weren’t even addressing at
all.
Councilwoman Scott stated don’t you think we should see how they do with
that increase. It’s not going to hurt
for one year to wait on the aquatic center and see how they do in one year with
what they said they will do since they’ve been approved tonight.
Mayor Pro Tem Jones stated he thinks we should, yes.
Mayor Lilburn stated so what she is reading here is clear instructions
to go forward immediately.
Councilman McCallon stated, no, all it’s doing is asking for a design to
drafted.
City Manager Hughes stated a proposal for design. We will bring the
proposal back to City Council for approval.
Councilman Timmer stated again he’s going to refer to Jackson, Wyoming,
and the numbers of kids and families that were there and he looked into the
basketball court which was attached and no one was there but there were dozens
and dozens of kids at the pool. He sees
this as being an integral component in attracting families and kids into this
aquatic center. This will in turn spill
over into the other activities being offered.
One without the other he thinks won’t work. It’s not going to be a good enough draw to get folks in but it’s
going to take many, many months to go through this process if we decide to do
the pool.
Mayor Pro Tem Jones stated a great comparison to this is the pool at
Lompoc. Lompoc had a regular swimming
pool that was very old and very costly to operate. They were contemplating shutting the doors and tearing it down
because they couldn’t continue to maintain it.
Instead they chose to put it out to the community where the community
decided they wanted to build an aquatic center then they went ahead with an assessment
district where in fact they charged every citizen within the community $19 a
year to pay for the aquatic center. If
you go there today they built a facility that is so overwhelmingly being used
by the community because it’s not available anywhere else. These are the things that attract individuals
to come and participate.
Mayor Lilburn asked do we think this pool is going to save all?
Councilman Timmer stated no, it’s not the pool by itself. It’s not just a pool, it’s an aquatic
center. It’s a family function
opportunity where you can bring little kids, big kids and they all have an area
to swim laps or just to play. The big
component is also the additional programs that Plan C adds. One without the other does not go. His point is if we leave the facility as it
is today, without the ability for citizens to do something they can’t do
anywhere else, we need to shut the doors.
We’ve got to create an environment, a facility, which people can come
say you know I can’t go anywhere else in the Inland Empire with my kids and do
this.
Councilwoman Scott stated what it is going to hurt to wait and see. They’ve promised certain things with this
new contract, now. Certain outreach
things that don’t include the pool.
Councilman Timmer stated we are not building a pool. All we are doing is getting a proposal on
what it would cost if want to do this.
Councilwoman Scott stated okay, why do we have to do the aquatic center
tonight. Why are we spending money for
the RFP?
Mayor Lilburn inquired if there is a fee for the RFP.
City Manager Hughes stated no, the only cost is him picking up the phone
and asking STK to provide a proposal to bring to Council for consideration of
the design. We are not going out to bid.
A MOTION was made by Councilman McCallon, seconded by Mayor
Pro Tem Jones, to instruct staff to request a proposal from STK Architecture
for the design of a new indoor competition pool and play pool including solar
water heating and solar power. Motion
carried, 5-0.
14. Request
to Become a Co-Host of the State of Santa Ana Watershed Event
A MOTION
was made by Councilman McCallon, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Jones, to approve
becoming a Co-Host for the State of the Santa Ana Watershed Event. Motion carried, 5-0.
15. Patriotic
Themes for Council Chambers and Proposed Resolution No. 2008-43 for Supporting the Display of the
National Motto “In God We Trust” in the Highland City Council Chambers
City Clerk Hughes
gave a brief review of the staff report.
Councilwoman
Scott stated what was the Committee’s recommendation.
Councilman McCallon stated he is favor of the Arial font, in italics, In God We Trust, with quotation marks in black.
A MOTION
was made by Councilman Timmer, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Jones, to adopt
patriotic themes in arial, black and italics; remodel logo format of the
Council Chambers and to approve Resolution No. 2008-43. Motion carried, 5-0.
RESOLUTION NO. 2008-043
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HIGHLAND, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING THE DISPLAY OF THE NATIONAL MOTTO “IN GOD WE TRUST” IN THE HIGHLAND CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
16. Public
Facilities Naming Policy
City
Clerk Hughes gave a brief review of the staff report.
A MOTION
was made by Councilman McCallon, seconded by Councilman Timmer, to adopt a
policy on the naming of public facilities.
Motion carried, 5-0.
17. State
Budget Fiscal Year 2008-2009
City Manager
Hughes gave a brief review of the staff report.
Councilman
McCallon stated on the next agenda, he would like to have the bylaws changes that the League is going to present
at the annual conference.
A MOTION
was made by Councilman McCallon, seconded by Councilwoman Scott, to adopt
Resolution No. 2008-044 opposing fiscally irresponsible state budget decisions
that would “borrow” local government, redevelopment and transportation
funds. Motion carried, 5-0.
RESOLUTION
NO. 2008-044
A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HIGHLAND, CALIFORNIA, OPPOSING
FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE STATE BUDGET DECISIONS THAT WOULD “BORROW” LOCAL
GOVERNMENT, REDEVELOPMENT AND TRANSPORTATION FUNDS
18. Update
on SANBAG, SCAG, Omnitrans, Work Program and Regional/Legislative
Issues/Development Issues/Subcommittees/AB 1234 Updates
Councilman
McCallon stated SANBAG is in the middle of strategic plan development. He is on the Ad Hoc committee and they have
been talking about how they will deliver all the freeway projects and the local
roads which are included in Measure I Extension. As far as the freeway projects go, it appears that there really
is no way to deliver those fully in a reasonable time period. SANBAG is looking
at bonding strategies and included in that is some reduction in scope on some
of the freeway projects with none being SR210 from Highland Avenue to I10.
SCAG had a
meeting regarding AB32.
Mayor Pro Tem
Jones stated he had Mayor Lilburn send a letter on his behalf regarding AB2567
to Governor Schwarzenegger.
19. San
Bernardino International Airport Authority and IVDA
None
ANNOUNCEMENTS
None
CLOSED SESSION
None
ADJOURN
There
being no further business, Mayor Lilburn adjourned the meeting at 8:38 p.m.
Submitted by: Approved
by:
____________________________ _________________________________
Betty Hughes, CMC Penny
Lilburn
City Clerk Mayor