Minutes 2000-04-17476
MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CYPRESS CITY COUNCIL
HELD
APRIL 17, 20O0
The Adjourned Regular Meeting of the Cypress Clty Council was called to order at
7:04 p.m. by Mayor Piercy at the Cypress Community Center, 5700 Orange Avenue,
Cypress, California, for the purpose of conducting a Town Hall Meeting.
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Councilmember Keenan, Mayor Pro Tern McGilI, Mayor Piercy
Councilmembers McCOy and Sondhi
ALSO PRESENT: Interim City Manager Storey, and staffmembers Liu, Hensley, DeCarlo,
Sinn and Commerdinger.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Piercy led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Mayor Piercy welcomed everyone and invited
those present having concerns to approach the podium and speak. The following
individuals provided Input:
Edward Flanders, 5471 Myra Avenue, Cypress. Mr. Flanders said he has written
several letters regarding the issues of: (1) sidewalk repairs; (2) speeding on Myra Street in
front of Damron; and (3) trees. He reported that his suggestion of installing speed bumps
had been rejected, and asked about the feasibility of installing Botts Dots as an
alternative method of slowing down the speeders, who travel at speeds well over 35
mph.
Mr. Flanders also questioned when the sidewalk repairs in his neighborhood will be
completed. Said he had written letters to the councilmembers previously, but nothing
had yet been accomplished.
Finally, Mr. Flanders said that trees in his neighborhood are in desperate need of
trimming, and that he has to stoop to avoid hitting his head on branches when walking
his dog.
Mr. Flanders summarized by mentioning the existing liability exposure to the City
if these areas are not corrected.
Councilmember Keenan responded that provisions for repair of the sidewalks had
been made in the Capital Improvement Program (ClP) for the 2000-2001 fiscal year. The
amount allocated for sidewalk repair had more than doubled, in order to bring Cypress
sidewalks up to standard.
Chief Hensley advised that the Police Department should be notified of existing
speeding problems. He said that the Department maintains a chart of traffic "hot spots"
which will be monitored closely, once they have been made aware of where they exist.
The Public Works Department will follow-up with Mr. Flanders to address his
concerns regarding when sidewalk repair will be effected In his neighborhood, and the
meeting location and times of meetings of the City's Traffic Commission.
Next to address the Council was Bill Wethington, 9442 Lime Circle, Cypress. Mr.
Wethington noted that he had been a resident of Cypress since 1963, and that the truck
traffic on Valley View Street had Increased tremendously over the years. He stated that
the diesel fumes exuded by the trucks are dangerous, the trucks are noisy, and the
reverberations they generate are distracting. As a former trucker, he said that this is the
only route he is aware of that allows passage of trucks adjacent to a high school and a
college. Mr. Wethington suggested that the trucks be re-routed to Highway 39.
Staff and Councilmember Keenan responded there is no method of successfully re-
routing the trucks. Mr. Slnn stated that even if the City attempted to regulate the flow,
the trucks have the right to travel that corridor. Valley view Street has been designated
as a "super street" which will link the 91 and 22 Freeways. Traffic control provisions and
codes regulating the trucks will be sent to Mr. Wethington.
CITY COUNCIL TOWN HALL MEETING
APRIL 17, 2000
477
Joann West, 9375 Cambridge, Cypress, next addressed the Council. Ms. west had
questions regarding the progress of creating the non-profit foundation, legislation
passed by the State to return local funds, revenues from retail sales and the progress of
plans for the skatepark facility.
She was advised by Council and staff that a workshop will be presented on a future
date to consider the formation of the non-profit foundation. She will be advised when it
has been scheduled.
Councilmember Keenan informed her that at least five different plans are being
considered by the State for redistribution of funds to local agencies.
Mr. Storey advised that retail sales are lower, but business-to-business revenues
have increased.
Mayor Pierc¥ reported that the Council had voted to install a skate facility at
Veterans Park, and that plans are currently under development for same. Ms. West felt
that skateboarding is a fad, and that placing a skate facility In Veterans Park would take
away too much land from the park, and that additional parking should be considered as
an alternative to the skate facility.
Mayor Pro Tern McGIII advised that the skate facility would only be the size of a
volleyball court, and would be designed in an aesthetically-pleasing fashion.
Chris Phernumburg, 4673 Santorini Drive, Cypress, next addressed the Council. He
commented on the "awesome job" done on Lincoln Avenue. Asked how the installation
of the skate facility will impact property values for the adjacent residences. The Mayor
responded that the answer to that differs according to one's personal opinion.
Howard Cromer, 6634 TeakwOOd, Cypress, asked about the status of community
policing. He said he had lived in southern Cypress for 30 years, and didn't see too many
black-and-white units in the area.
Mr. Cromer said he resides near a park, and has observed people disobeying the
curfew. For this reason, he would like to see a police unit in the area more often.
Chief Hensle¥ responded, explaining that city officers are assigned to a specific
beat for a period of six months at a time, and that there are three beats in Cypress. He
also said that most of the police activity is based upon calls for service. In other words,
during peak hours, more units are available for service. The Chief told Mr. Cromer that he
would have the officer working the beat in his neighborhood stop by and introduce
himself.
NeXt to speak was Janet Spurgeon, 4207 Sussex Circle, Cypress. Ms. Spurgeon
wished to discuss sidewalk repair. She said that she had Injured herself in February, when
tripping on an uprooted sidewalk. Mrs. Spurgeon advised that someone from the City
came out and ground it down, but that it still sticks up, and she would like to see the
matter resolved.
Chris Phernumburg remarked that she should be pleased that she has sidewalks, as
there are none in an area near Orange and Lincoln on Moody.
Howard Cromer noted that sidewalk repair is not a new Issue, and that his area had
a problem with roots from Magnolia trees about 15 years ago.
Kathy SCOtt, reporter for the NeWs-Enterprise, asked if the Council will be working
on a sign ordinance in the coming year. She was informed that project was included in
the Council's work plan. Councilmember Keenan commented that the Council planned to
address the issue of lowering pole signs on LinCOln Avenue, as well as address other
signage issues.
Ed Flanders again addressed the Council. Mr. Flanders noted there was a number
of abandoned vehicles in his area, and suggested that enforcement efforts to eliminate
these be intensified. He said that the police or code enforcement officer should walk the
area to identify these, rather than just drive around. Mr. Flanders was Informed that the
information will be passed along the Code Enforcement Officer, who will be asked to visit
Myra and review the problem.
Councilmember Keenan announced Arts Week will be April 30 - May 5, 2000. Also,
an Easter Egg Hunt will be held at Oak Knoll Park on Saturday, April 22, 2000 at 10:30 a.m.
cFr'Y COUNCIL TOWN HALL MEETING
APRIL 17, 2000
Mayor Piercy adjourned the meeting at 8~
ATTEST: ~ MAYOR OF THE CIT~ OFCy~~'
CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS