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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-09-1991 Minutes MINUTES MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO and the MAYOR AND COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HIGHLAND JOINT ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 9, 1991 THE MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT 1300 E. HIGHLAND AVENUE SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA This is the time and place set for a joint adjourned regular meeting of the Mayor and Common Council of the City of San Bernardino, and the Mayor and Council of the City of Highland, at a regular meeting held at 8:30 a.m., Monday, December 2, 1991, in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 300 North "0" Street, San Bernardino, California. The City Clerk has caused to be posted the order of adjournment of said meeting held on December 2, 1991, and has on file in the office of the City Clerk an affidavit of said posting together with a copy of said order which was posted at 11:30 a.m., Tuesday, December 3, 1991, on the door of the place at which said meeting was held. The joint adjourned regular meeting of the Mayor and Common Council of the City of San Bernardino, and the Mayor and Council of the City of Highland was called to order by Mayor Holcomb, City of San Bernardino, at 6:45 p.m., Monday, December 9, 1991, at The Mediterranean Restaurant, 1300 E. Highland Avenue, San Bernardino, California. City of San Bernardino, California: ROLL CALL Roll call was taken by City Clerk Krasney with the following being present: Mayor Holcomb; Council Members Estrada, Reilly, Hernandez, Maudsley, Minor, Pope-Ludlam, Miller; City Attorney Penman, City Clerk Krasney, City Administrator Clark. Also present were: Fred Wilson, Assistant City Administrator; Timothy Steinhaus, Agency Administrator, Economic Development Agency. 1 12/9/91 City of Highland, California: ROLL CALL Roll call was taken with the following being present: Mayor Johnson; Council Members Wheeler, Rissmiller, Scott, Tully-Payne; Deputy City Clerk Anderson, City Manager Racadio. Also present were: Ron Telles, County of San Bernardino Sheriff's Department; Bruce Coleman, Director, Community Development; Steve Lilburn, Chairman, Planning Commission; Sue Shenkman, Planning Commission Member. DISCUSSION OF ITEMS OF GENERAL INTEREST (1) Mayor Johnson, City of Highland, felt that the residents of the cities of Highland and San Bernardino should work together in a spirit of cooperation to solve the problems common to both cities. He felt that problems such as crime could not be solved in one meeting; however, felt that a joint committee could be established to address the problems impacting the area. He felt that the limited resources that the two cities have should be pooled to work on solving the problems. Mayor Holcomb, City of San Bernardino, concurred with Mayor Johnson that many issues could be addressed by having the two communities working together. JOINT USE/DEVELOPMENT OF PARKS LITTLE LEAGUE (PATTON PARK, ETC.)- (lA & B) Mayor Johnson, City of Highland, expressed opposition to the sale of the Patton Park property for development, and felt that it should be developed into a usable open space park. A discussion ensued relative to the use of the Little League facilities by residents of Highland, and whether the City of Highland should contribute funding to the maintenance of the facilities. It was the consensus of the City of Highland Council that an agreement be developed for the City of Highland to fund a proportionate fair share of the costs of operating and maintaining parks and their facilities. Mayor Holcomb, City of San Bernardino, recommended that a consultant be hired to determine the proportionate fair share. He felt that the amount would be substantial, and expressed support for either deferring payment of the fair share amount until the City of Highland's tax base can be broadened, or loaning the City of Highland money to fund its portion of the fair share. He felt that the park facilities are primarily utilized by Highland residents. He stated that if a 2 12/9/91 proportionate fair share funding agreement could not be reached, that he would advocate selling the park and using the funds to develop other park facilities in the City of San Bernardino. Mayor Johnson suggested that a master plan be developed for the park and surrounding neighborhoods, and that joint ownership be negotiated as part of the proportionate share agreement. Mayor Holcomb recommended that the item be continued, and that staff be directed to prepare recommendations based on the issues raised this evening, and return with recommendations in approximately four to six weeks. Mayor Johnson explained that Highland was utilizing work release program participants to little league facilities. investigating maintain the Mayor maintenance maintenance Holcomb explained that many of the facilities' tasks, such as trash removal, required daily and could not be performed only on weekends. SENIOR CENTER (lC) Discussion was held relative to the Highland Senior Center being jointly utilized by residents of the City of San Bernardino, Highland, and the County of San Bernardino. It was pointed out that the Center is funded by the City of San Bernardino. Although there seems to be joint use of the facility, there is not joint responsibility or funding. ATTORNEY BRUNICK, LEGAL COUNSEL, CITY OF HIGHLAND ARRIVED Attorney Brunick, legal counsel, City of Highland, arrived and took his place at the council table. NORTON UPDATE (lD) Mayor Johnson, City of Highland, expressed support for an out of court settlement in the lawsuit relating to the reuse of Norton Air Force Base. He expressed support for an airport authority which would be an ad hoc committee whose responsibilities would include enforcing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations at the base. It is proposed that the airport authority would have a seven-member board representing the cities of San Bernardino, Redlands, Highland, Loma Linda, and Colton, and that a seventh lay member be chosen from the public. He expressed concern that no agency has adequate information relative to the infrastructure on the base. He stated that the City of Highland desires a one/seventh (1/7) vote in determining how the base is utilized once the Air Force leaves. He felt that Norton Air Force Base was vital to the Inland Empire, and that it should become a central west coast 3 12/9/91 airplane rehabilitation facility. Mayor Holcomb, City of San Bernardino, stated that the plans that are being formulated for the reuse of Norton Air Force Base are comprehensive, and he felt San Bernardino's plan was one of the best in the country. He stated that there are plans to meet with aerospace companies who perform rehabilitation services. He stated that the Inland Valley Development Agency desires an operational airport before the Air Force leaves. Mayor Holcomb stated that any proposal that would give Highland one vote out of seven was unacceptable since the City of San Bernardino encompasses all of the base property and provides all of the public services. Mayor Johnson explained that the Department of Defense has advised Highland that regional participation is necessary to be successful in the conversion to civilian use. He felt that the Department of Defense would be hesitant to turn over the base with any lawsuit pending. He explained that Highland's concerns were relative to safety, potential liability, noise, hours of operation, flight schedules, and lighting. He expressed Highland's support for the continued use of the base as an airfield, but that their concerns need to be addressed. He felt that Norton was vital to the area, but that the lawsuit needed to be settled equitably. Discussion ensued regarding the voting structure of the Inland Valley Development Agency. Mayor Holcomb stated that the City would not consider having less than three votes for the City of San Bernardino on the Board of the Inland Valley Development Agency. Mayor Johnson expressed support for an agency to manage the reuse of Norton Air Force Base on a regional level so that one city does not have sovereignty over the base. GANGS/DRUGS - COORDINATED APARTMENT ORDINANCE (IE) Mayor Johnson, City of Highland, explained that the City of Highland would like both cities' ordinances relating to apartments to be compatible. He stated that the City of Highland was attempting to develop a standard application form for all rentals. The purpose of the project is to develop a private and public alliance with the San Bernardino Board of Realtors and local real estate agents so that a standard application form would be used for rentals to facilitate a more complete background check on applicants. He felt that a substantial portion of crime originates from rentals, and that crime should be attacked at its source. He stated that crime crosses all borders. He stated that there would be a charge for the 4 12/9/91 application, but felt that most rental property owners would not mind the expense. He expressed concern that a policy appears to exist, whereby when criminals are sentenced they may be given terms which include moving into another jurisdiction or moving a certain number of miles out of the jurisdiction from which they were sentenced. He felt that this type of policy simply moves criminals from one jurisdiction to another and does not address the problems of crime and how to eradicate them. Discussion ensued relative to the problems created when a gang member controls a rental property. It was stated that gang members are not normally the tenants renting properties. The property is rented by a tenant and then a gang member moves into the property with the tenant who may be their relative or friend. The gang member is not listed on the lease; however, when they move into the rental they then control the premises by subterfuge. A discussion was held relative to solving gang and drug problems. It was felt that no single action would solve the problems; however, each improvement would reduce the problems. Substantial teamwork and a cooperative effort among city and county agencies would help solve the problems. City Attorney Penman, City of San Bernardino, expressed opposition to moving gang members between cities because they would continue to commit crimes locally. He stated that when his office relocates tenants, they are primarily not gang members or drug dealers, but poor people living in dangerous conditions. The office assists them in finding safe housing; however, special attention is given to gang members and drug dealers who are relocated. Those individuals are offered inducements to relocate outside of San Bernardino County, and the office keeps track of residents that are relocated. Currently we know where approximately 85% of those individuals are. Mayor Holcomb, City of San Bernardino, recommended that the item be continued, and that the City Attorneys for San Bernardino and Highland prepare coordinated ordinances, and return with recommendations at a later date. Ron Telles, County of San Bernardino Sheriff's Department assigned to the City of Highland, explained that Highland has a citizens patrol program. These participants donate four hours a month to patrol. He stated that currently thirty-two residents participate, and that the patrols are very effective. He explained that Highland utilizes a concept that emphasizes that crime is not only a problem for law enforcement, but also a problem of every citizen and every City Department. Mayor Holcomb recommended that the two cities establish a committee consisting of the two City Councils to address the 5 12/9/91 issues of public safety and protection, and prevention of crime. He felt that this joint effort was needed to develop new approaches to solving the problems common in both cities. JOINT BLIGHT ERADICATION - WEED ABATEMENT (IF) Mayor Holcomb, City of San Bernardino, explained that many of the major thoroughfares that run in and out of both Highland and San Bernardino are not being maintained adequately. He recommended that an agreement be developed designating each city the primary responsibility for maintaining certain streets. The agreement should cover such items as graffiti abatement, parkway cleanup, removal of abandoned cars, and other similar eyesores. The agreement should outline the costs involved which could be a flat fee. He felt that visitors and residents often have a bad image of the two cities because of the blight that frequently occurs on these highly traveled thoroughfares. A discussion was held relative to amending the boundaries of the two cities. It was felt that by making the boundaries less confusing, a duplication of services could be avoided thus saving both cities funds. Mayor Johnson, City of Highland, recommended workshop be scheduled to review the boundaries city's interests could be taken into consideration. that a joint so that each Mayor Holcomb recommended that a consultant be hired to analyze the issues inherent to amending city boundaries, and that once the study is completed that a committee be established to make recommendations and determine the best approach. Concern was expressed that amending the boundaries would be an emotional issue, and that the residents should be consulted before any money is spent for consultants or any committee time is invested. Bill Brunick, legal counsel, City of Highland, stated that a Sacramento court had issued a restraining order that prohibits the County of San Bernardino from collecting booking fees from cities; however, the court advised cities to set aside the funds to pay the booking fees, plus ten percent interest on those fees. He recommended that cities budget and plan to pay the booking fees. RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH BERT C. UPSON RELATING TO LANDSCAPING INSTALLATION. (2) It was the consensus of the Council that this continued to December 16, 1991, in the Council Chambers Hall, 300 North "D" Street, San Bernardino, California. item be of City 6 12/9/91 ADJOURNMENT (3) At 8:57 p.m., Council Member Maudsley made a motion, seconded by Council Member Estrada, and unanimously carried, that the meeting be adjourned to 8:30 a.m., December 16, 1991, in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 300 North "0" Street, San Bernardino, California. V(~~ RACHEL KRASNEY CITY CLERK No of Items: 7 No. of Hours: 2 7 12/9/91