Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout111991 CC MinutesMINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE TEMECULA CITY COUNCIL HELD NOVEMBER 19, 1991 An adjourned regular meeting of the Temecula City Council was called to order at 5:42 PM in the Main Conference Room, City Hall, 43142 Business Park Drive, Temecula, California. Mayor Ronald J. Parks presiding. PRESENT 4 ABSENT: 1 COUNCILMEMBERS: Birdsall, Lindemans, Moore, Parks COUNCILMEMBERS: Mu~oz Also present were City Manager David F. Dixon, City Attorney Scott F. Field, and City Clerk June S. Greek. EXECUTIVE SESSION Mayor Parks declared a recess to an executive session pursuant to Government Code Section 54956 (a), (b) and (c) to discuss Pulte Homes vs the City of Temecula and potential litigation. The meeting was reconvened at 7:04 PM in regular session by Mayor Parks with all Councilmembers present. INVOCATION The invocation was given by Pastor Lucille Murray, the Center for Life Enrichment PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The audience was led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Councilmember Mu~oz. PUBLIC COMMENTS Chris Proud, 44582 LaPaz Road, addressed the Council speaking in opposition to the suggestion that a 9:00 PM curfew and $500. fine for violators be instituted in the City. In response to Councilmember Lindemans, he said that a later curfew would be a better solution for the young people who work evening jobs and have high school activities which do not end until after nine or ten in the evening. In response to a question from Mayor Pro Tem Birdsall, he stated he thought the formation of a Teen Council would be a good source for receiving input from the youth in the areas regarding problems they face and programs which would be of interest and benefit to them. He also said he would be willing to serve on a committee of this sort. Sydney Vernon, 30268 Mersey Court, spoke in opposition to having several organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Club and the Community Recreation Center Organization working on the same type of project. Minutee\l I 1991 -1- Citv Council Minutes November 19. 1991 John Hunnemen, 39557 Del Val Drive, Murrieta, speaking as a private citizen, stated that he has been discussing the lack of recreational facilities for 12 to 17 year old residents with the public and particularly the young people. He asked the City Council to address the issues of gangs, drugs and crime before there are more serious problems in these areas. He finalized his remarks by commending the City's newly instituted Police Bicycle Officer program for its effectiveness. COUNCIL BUSINESS 1. Policy Direction to the Planning Commission Mayor Parks asked that the City Council come to some consensus on the guidelines that will be presented to the Planning Commission at a joint meeting scheduled for Monday, November, 25, 1991. Mayor Pro Tem Birdsall stated that recent economic factors have changed some of the initial direction given to the Commission and she believes that while the Council has modified some of their actions as a result of these factors, they have not shared the reasons for their decisions with the Planning Commission. Councilmember Mu~oz stated he feels the Planning Commission has operated in an exemplary manner and he believes the should be treated as an advisory body not as a rubber stamp of the City Council. Mayor Parks stated his concerns are that denials are being made without the Commission explaining their reasons for voting for denial. Councilmember Mu~oz stated he is concerned that the minutes may not be reflecting the statements of the Planning Commissioners with regard to reasons for voting in a specific way. Councilmember Lindemans stated he believes individuals have every right to develop their property and unless there are valid objections from the members of the neighboring properties, or development can not be reasonable accomplished due to ecological concerns, they should not be denied that right. He said he particularly objects to decisions being made based upon matters of personal taste. Mayor Parks said he has received complaints from project applicants that they have been limited, by the Commission in making presentations and in giving rebuttals. He added he feels the Planning Commission should serve as the primary body for conducting Public Hearings and at present the Council is having to hear too many appeals. Minutes\l I 1991 City Council Minutes November 19. 1991 Councilmember Moore stated she feels that the City Council is receiving many more public comments during public hearings than the Commission. She said her concerns are that the minutes of the Commission do not reflect enough attention to public input. Councilmember Mu~oz said he would like the Commission to be more responsive to the wishes of the public. Councilmember Lindemans stated that as elected officials, it is the City Council's responsibility to know and to serve the will of the public and the Planning Commission has the responsibility to advise the Council on planning and land use matters. City Manager David Dixon suggested that the role of staff also be discussed during the meeting of November 25, 1991. He asked that the City Council consider direction to staff for dealing with administrative procedures. Mayor Parks asked if the Planning Commission has been given opportunities to attend educational meetings and seminars for Commissioners. Planning Director Gary Thornhill responded that the Commissioners attend the League of California Cities Planning Commissioner's Workshops annually and are encouraged to attend other meetings. Mayor Pro Tern Birdsall suggested that the Planning staff might make an effort to standardize the first 10 or 20 conditions contained in Conditions of Approval. She felt it would be helpful to know where to look numerically for a specific condition. Mayor Parks expressed his belief that "personal attacks" have no place in official meetings. Mayor Pro Tern Birdsall questioned if having a strong personal interest in a project, even if it was not of a financial nature, could be a reason for abstaining on a matter. City Attorney Scott Field advised that to abstain on those grounds would cause a serious problem since it, in fact, would affect the quorum and would constitute a "no" vote. Mayor Parks said he would like to have the Planning Commission "buy into" the City Council's "fast tracking" programs for industrial growth within the community. He expressed the concern that mixed messages are being sent to industrial developers interested in the area. City Manager Dixon advised that in most cases the Planning Commission has done a fine job in helping expedite projects such as the ACS, Professional Hospital Supply and Costco developments. He added it is very important that on the occasions when this does not happen, the reasons need to be investigated to determine how to correct such situations. Larry Markham, Markham and Associates, 41750 Winchester Road, stated that in the ACS situation, the problems were in the transition of the project from the County of Riverside to the City of Temecula. He said when the project came into the hands of the current City staff, it was handled very expeditiously. He also observed that the City Minutos\l 11991 -3- City Council Minutes November 19. 1991 gets excellent citizen participation but that applicants are not given adequate time to make presentations before the Planning Commission. Mr. Markham advised the Council of the need for establishing architectural guidelines to help avoid the problem of subjective opinions, based on personal taste, being used to make decisions. CITY MANAGER REPORTS City Manager Dixon reported that staff will make a presentation at the next regular Council meeting addressing an action plan for programs directed to young adults in the community. He also advised that Dr. Novatney of the Temecula Unified School District has asked to have a joint meeting of the School Board and City Council scheduled. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS City Attorney Scott Field advised that the Pulte Homes vs the City of Temecula case is nearing a possible settlement and will be appearing on an agenda in the next few weeks. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS Councilmember Mu~oz stated the RTA Route 23 figures show a ridership in excess of 1,000 for the month of October and he asked that the Council give some thought to ways to enhance the service. Mayor Parks said he has issued a complaint to staff regarding the quality of the video coverage of the City Council meetings and that staff is following up on this with the video recording company and the cable operator. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by Councilmember Lindemarts, seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Birdsall to adjourn at 8:45 PM to a meeting to be held jointly with the Planning Commission on Monday, November 25, 1991 at 7:00 PM in the Main Conference Room, City Hall, 43174 Business Park Drive. The motion was unanimously carried. ATTEST: [SEAL] Ronald J. Parks, Mayor Minutes\l 11991 -4-