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Minutes 97-05-05 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR AND TOWN HALL MEETING OF THE CYPRESS CITY COUNCIL HELD May 5, 1997 The Adjourned Regular meeting of the Cypress City Council was called to order at 4:35 p.m., Monday, May 5, 1997 in the Administrative Conference ROOm, West Wing Of the Cypress City hall, 5275 Orange Avenue, Cypress, Mayor Tom Carroll presiding. PRESENT: Councilmembers Jones, Keenan, Piercy and Carroll ABSENT: Councilmember Bowman Also present were the City Manager, City Attorney and staff members Christoffels, DeCarlo, Davis, Kelly, Krauss and Storey. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: No one spoke. COUNCILIVIEMBER BOWMAN ARRIVED AT 4:36 P.M. WORKSHOP SESSION: FY 1997-98 Annual Budget. The Council had been provided with preliminary budget documents prior to this meeting. The City Manager then presented the Operating Budget for FY 1997-98, which is balanced and projected a safe margin between revenues and expenditures in the General Fund and the total Operating Budget. He introduced the proposed budget, provided an overview of the programs, enhanced by viewgraphs, services and resources available for the coming year. Questions from the Council were responded to by the City Manager and members of the City staff. RECESS: Mayor Carroll recessed the meeting at 6:35 p.m. to enable the Council to reconvene at the Cypress Community Center, 5700 Orange Avenue, Cypress. The TOwn Hall meet(ng convened at 7:05 p.m. with all Councilmembers present except Councilmember Bowman. Also present were the City Manager and City Attorney and staff members Bacock, Christoffels, DeCarlo, Kelly, Krauss and Storey. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge was led by Councilmember Keenan. COUNCILMEMBER BOWMAN ARRIVED AT 7:10 P.M. Mayor Carroll opened the meeting with some comments about the City of Cypress and then each Councilmember made their introductory remarks. The Council then heard comments and questions from the citizens. Ms. Betty Grimm and Ms. Star Johnson commented about being pleased with the proposed plans for Lincoln Avenue because too much money has been concentrated on Katella and Valley View; the police should be citing motor homes for parking on City streets; and lack of trees and their maintenance. £~.omments were made about the lack of trees on many city streets; the lack of interest in tile type, maintenance and planting of trees and extending them down Ball Road. l'he City Manager advised that trees are a workshop subject that the City Council has asked for to consider alternatives to the current policy. Mr. Don Wesling commented that if a Councilmember is involved in real estate and has a conflict of interest, they should eliminate themselves from the vote on that issue for the entire term of their office. He also commented about parkway trees uprooting the sidewalks and citizens who would volunteer to serve on a City Planning Commission. MS. Patricia Langfin expressed concern about the consolidation of the Cypress Public Library with the Cypress College library and found it difficult to comprehend how one library would accommodate all the people. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 5, 1997 Councilmembers replied that this was not a concept and the college felt that a joint venture might not be feasible. Mr. Ed Flanders spoke about the budgeted money for sidewalk repair and he has noted several areas in his neighborhood that need repair because they are creating safety hazards. The trees are causing sidewalk damage because the tree selection is wrong. He also mentioned the railroad tracks on Walker Avenue between Cerritos and Katella Avenues are in bad condition and he wondered how much longer it would be before an accident occurred. He asked the City to talk to the railroad company. The City Manager asked Mr. Flanders to leave the list of locations with the Public Works Director for follow-up. The City Manager explained that the sidewalk repair budget had been doubled and there still wasn't enough money for all the repair. Relating to the condition of the railroad tracks, the Public Works Director said that the railroad company advised that the City has to supply the materials, the entire street has to be closed for four continuous days for installation with five days advance notice. A citizen asked about the revitalization of some of the neighborhoods and code enforcement to cite vehicles parked on lawns, inoperative vehicles and boats. He asked if neighborhoods are patrolled bv code enforcement officials and are cited before neighbors have to issue a formal complaint. He also asked if it was a code violation to leave trash cans in the public view. He said that the City of Cypress is running 12 to 13% behind in real estate sales which may be a reflection of these code violations. Councilmember Keenan responded that it was the consensus of the Council that code enforcement should be more aggressive. The present code enforcement is good but it is reactive and he would like to see a proactive code enforcement. He would suggest a volunteer team for code enforcement of homes and businesses. The City Manager explained that the City has a reactive code enforcement response and the reasons are funding and philosophy. The Council has expressed an interest in a more proactive code enforcement program. He asked the members of the audience if they have particular items they want followed up on to provide their lists to City staff members. Councilmember Jones mentioned the revitalization of homes, targeting low and moderate income families. Councilmember Bowman provided some real estate sales volumes and prices. Mr. Sam Wyman remarked about the increased population density, multi-family units and he hoped that the Council would place a moratorium on zoning changes. Councilmember Bowman said that the concern was shared; however, the communities do have to provide for adequate housing and job opportunities. This City provides fairly low density compared to other cities. Mr. Chaprails said that the sidewalks on Orangewood were repaired and no one walks there. The sidewalks inside the tracts should be repaired because that's where people walk. He mentioned the major street repairs and asked if all the streets were being repaired. The City Manager said that the City has a comprehensive street repair program to maintain the infrastructure and the ability to fully fund the street maintenance needs. Mr. Chaprails also mentioned the steam rollers and tractors on Holder Street should be parked elsewhere. They start working at 4:30 a.m. and he asked that something be done. The City Manager asked the Public Works Director to review and determine if there is a better location for the equipment. The early working hours do violate the code and it will be enforced. Mayor Carroll recommended that these people that start working before 7 a.m. be given a citation. Mr. Bill Wostenberg felt that CC&Rs weren't being passed along to the homeowners regarding code enforcement. He asked each Councilmember what commitment they CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 5, 1997 were prepared to make to work as a team to represent the citizens of Cypress and move the City into the 21st century. Councilmembers responded that they are making the effort to work together and it can be difficult because each individual has their opinion. MS. Grimm spoke about the strip mall vacancies and something should be done about them. Councilmember Bowman said that strip malls are in trouble and it is very difficult for them to obtain tenants. Mrs. Kitty Gritchen commented on the anonymity of code enforcement and her experience has been positive so the citizens shouldn't be afraid to call. Councilmember Jones recommended that an article on code enforcement be written for the City newsletter. Mr. Mike Gritchen commented that debate on the Council is good and there could be bigger problems if the votes are all unanimous. Fie asked why the customer had to pay for a smaller trash can if a smaller can could be obtained gratis. The City Manager will obtain a suitable answer from the hauler. Mr. George Hallak referred to code enforcement and that it is not anonymous. Ms. Joanne West also spoke on code enforcement activities and wanted a code against putting flyers on car windshields. Ms. Marie Hall said she didn't believe Lincoln Avenue was the only concern and major malls are having problems with their tenants. She suggested that the City consider hiring a Business Development Director. The City Manager responded that the position is in the upcoming budget. Mr. Jim William expressed two concerns, the first being the graffiti and the situation at Maplegrove Park north where groups congregate and don't allow the neighbors to use the park. The park is being used as a restroom and motel during the day. He asked the City Council to look into the situation and perhaps increase the police surveillance. At the Mayor's request, the Acting Police Chief and Recreation & Park Director explained the new patrol system, monitoring the parks and working with the police. The City Attorney said that the parks are public facilities and walls cannot be put up to keep people out. There needs to be greater cooperation and enforcement in the community to keep the parks clean and send the message that prosecution will result if there is damage to the facilities. Ms. Linda Keenan commented on people who walk their dogs and do not clean up after them and suggested that an ordinance be passed in this City. Councilmember Keenan answered that the City is working toward developing an ordinance. Mr. Wayne Reynolds also commented on the dog droppings. The City Manager advised that this problem has been brought to the attention of Council and staff has been asked to develop an ordinance to prohibit that activity and have the person whose dog is responsible cited. Mr. Wostenberg asked about the status of Wicker Drive property. Mayor Carroll replied that funds have been included in the budget to clean up the property and perhaps seed and maintain it. Ms. Verna Dodson said she was hoping the City could find money for an Adult Day Care facility. She also brought up the lack of adequate parking for the handicapped at the Senior Center and the use of blowers by gardeners asking that something be done about them. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES May 5, 1997 Mayor Carroll announced that a task force has been commissioned to study the adult day care issue. In response to a question about Wicker Drive, Councilmember Bowman commented that originally, the only feasible project would have been senior housing. The reality now is that the community needs to utilize the property. Councilmember Jones stated the use of the property will be determined after a financial analysis and input from the public. Mrs. Paula English remarked that the Acacia facility in Garden Grove has been receiving grant money for servicing Cypress. She suggested that when the task force is established, someone should contact Acacia about providing transportation to Cypress seniors. Mr. Gritchen stated that, in his estimation, the cable companies in this City are probably the worst in Southern California. There have been three different owners and the service and performance to the community results in a useless system. He asked the Council, as well as the CATV Commission, look into the situation being experienced now and asked for more community participation from them. He would like to see them cover an event like this Town Hall meeting. The City Manager explained the franchising process for Cable companies and the citizens concerns will be considered in the renewal of the service. Mr. Wayne Reynolds complained about the extremely poor service generated by Continental Cable and all their operations have been moved out of the City. Mayor Carroll said he has heard many complaints about cable television and if the citizens have a complaint, write to the City Manager with the complaint. Councilmember Jones commented that Pac Bell is now testing a satellite system and will soon be in competition with cable companies. Ms. Dodson asked how much the City make on the annual community festival and she believed that this information should be made available to the citizens. A citizen who lives on Barbados Avenue has a berm and bike lane in back of her home. She said there are problems with the landscaping and the trees are dying for lack of water. The bike path is not safe, it is noisy and last week something was thrown at their window. Mrs. Connie Wesling brought up the traffic in front of Cypress High School and asked if anything was being done about the problem. The City Manager reported that the Traffic Engineer and the Public Works Director have been meeting with the principal of the high school. The issue will be reviewed by the Traffic Commission for ways to improve egress, ingress and circulation. IV)rs. Wesling commented on the small size of the exercise room at the Senior Center. Mayor Carroll thanked all the citizens for their comments and their attendance at the TOWn Hall meeting. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Carroll adjourned the meeting at 9:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday, May 12, 1997 in the Administrative Conference ROOm. ATTEST: MAYOR OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF CYPRESS