ANTIOCH
CITY COUNCIL
ANTIOCH DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MEETING MINUTES
Regular Meeting
June 27, 2000
7:00 p.m.
City Council Chambers
CLOSED SESSIONS:
PUBLIC
EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT: Director of Economic Development. This
Closed Session is authorized by Government Code §54957.
Mayor Pro Tem Davis called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m., and City Clerk Martin called the roll.
Present:
Council Members Freitas, Davis, and Soliz
Absent: Mayor Rocha
Mayor Rocha arrived at 8:10 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Soliz led the Council and audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
City Manager Ramsey gave a brief summary of action taken during the Closed Session. He concluded with the announcement of the appointment of Eli Naffah to the position of Economic Development Director, stating he would start working on August 14, 2000
PRESENTATION to Dr. Thomas J. Dozier
Mayor Pro Tem Davis presented Dr. Dozier with a plaque honoring him for his numerous contributions to Antioch. Dr. Dozier thanked the City of Antioch for the recognition.
Nancy Monfort, speaking on behalf of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, stated it was a pleasure to be honoring Dr. Dozier and thanked him for the many lives he had touched.
Roger Henry, speaking on behalf of the Association of Responsible Citizens, wished Dr. Dozier well on his return to Southern California and thanked him for all he had done for the community.
In honor of Dr. Dozier, Mayor Pro Tem Davis declared a recess at 7:17 P.M., inviting the community to enjoy some refreshments in the City Hall lobby. The meeting reconvened at 7:34 P.M., with those Council Members in attendance present.
ANNOUNCEMENTS OF CIVIC AND COMMUNITY EVENTS
Jean
Kuberra announced State Senator Richard Rainey's Town Hall meeting regarding
transportation on June 28, 2000 in the Brentwood City Council Chambers.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Rick
Carraher, Chairman of Antioch's Fourth of July celebration, reviewed the
schedule of events including a classic car show, home town parade, 5K Fun Run,
food vendors, entertainment, and fireworks display. He thanked the City of
the opportunity to host this celebration and presented the City Council with
posters and buttons.
Public Works Director Brandt invited the public to attend the dedication of the Compy Compomizzo Municipal Fishing Pier on July 4, 2000.
Elvin Scott discussed the program schedule for Channel 29's broadcast of misuse of military pensions and other issues.
Jim Conley announced Assemblyman Tom Torlakson's Legislative Bill AB 2929 passed out of Committee with an 8-1 non-partisan vote. He urged the community to contact Assemblyman Torlakson, Senator Rainey, Mayor Rocha, and Governor Davis to let them know of the importance of this Bill becoming law.
Judy Trapanese and Denise White, volunteers from the American Cancer Society, announced the Relay For Life which took place on June 17 in Antioch was a success, raising $72,000. They thanked the City of Antioch and the community for their support. She noted Channel 26 would be broadcasting the event on July 7 at 4:30 P.M.
Jean Kuberra discussed the use of City Council meetings to promote political careers, noting the purpose of public meetings was to conduct the business of the City. She referred to a letter from Arne Simonsen in the Daily Ledger on this same issue.
Allen Payton announced his candidacy for Mayor of the City of Antioch in the November, 2000 election.
Martha Henry stated she was pleased that AB 2929 passed out of Committee and urged the communities continued support of this item.
Carmen Ochoa discussed a situation that occurred at the Antioch Animal Shelter involving the adoption of a kitten that had been spayed, and after complications arose, had to be euthanized. She requested the City look into this matter.
COUNCIL REGULAR AGENDA
REQUEST BY VERNE ROBERTS TO RELOCATE U. S. CONSTITUTION PLAQUES TO RIVERVIEW UNION HIGH SCHOOL MUSEUM
Public Works Director Brandt presented the staff report dated June 20, 2000, recommending the City Council direct staff as to Council's desired course of action.
Verne Roberts gave a brief history of the Committee's efforts to educate Antioch students by offering school tours of the Antioch Rivertown Historical Museum where the plaques would be displayed, stipulating that these tours would be free of charge.
Joel Keller thanked the City Manager for the recommendation to move the plaques. He thanked Mr. Roberts and members of his Committee for their service to the community.
On motion by Council Member Freitas, seconded by Council Member Soliz, the Council voted unanimously to approve the relocation of the plaques to the Historical Society's Museum requesting staff to discuss with the Antioch Historical Society the possibility of a reciprocation program to bring art and artifacts to City Hall for display.
Mayor Rocha arrived and gave her apologies for being late this evening, noting she was at an event which conflicted with the City Council meeting. She thanked Mayor Pro Tem Davis and Council Members for conducting the business of the City in her absence.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
RESOLUTION EXPRESSING COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT BOND TO ALLOW A LOCAL, EXISTING BUSINESS AT 3810 DELTA FAIR BOULEVARD TO EXPAND, WITHOUT COST TO OR FINANCIAL OBLIGATION OF THE CITY OF ANTIOCH (BROWN COW, INC.)
Assistant to the City Manager Gegg presented the staff report dated June 6, 2000, recommending the City Council approve the Resolution authorizing the issuance of $400,000 in tax-exempt Industrial Development Bonds (IDB's); the issuance to be accomplished through the California Statewide Communities Development Authority for the purpose of purchasing equipment.
Mayor Rocha opened and closed the public hearing with no speakers requesting to speak.
RESOLUTION NO. 2000/83
On
motion by Council Member Soliz, seconded by Council Member Freitas, the Council
unanimously approved the Resolution.
APPEAL OF RESIDENTS OF SAINT CLAIRE DRIVE REGARDING PLANNING COMMISSION'S APPROVAL OF A USE PERMIT FOR GATEWAY CHRISTIAN CENTER LOCATED AT 1726 SAINT CLAIRE DRIVE (FILE: UP-00-11/A)
Community Development Director Ward presented the staff report dated June 27, 2000, recommending the City Council deny the appeal, and uphold the decision of the Planning Commission regarding the church, preschool, and private elementary school.
Public Works Director Brandt discussed the situation with egress and ingress. He stated at Council's direction, they would work with the applicant to complete East 18th Street and provide a Deferred Improvement Agreement for the eventual construction of St. Claire Drive.
City Attorney Galstan outlined procedure of the public hearing for the audience.
Mayor Rocha declared a recess at 8:36 P.M. The meeting reconvened at 8:48 P.M., with all Council Members present.
Mayor Rocha opened the public hearing.
OPPONENTS
Don Burkard, speaking on behalf of the residents of St. Claire Drive, stated they felt the proposed use was unsafe, incomplete, and unworkable. He noted their concerns included the lack of East 18th Street improvements, the construction of a two-lane road next to a dirt lane, the location of the deceleration lane, overflow parking from the site, and parents not dropping their children off on the school property as provided for in the approval. He urged the City Council to listen to the neighbors and consider the facts before making a decision.
Michael Lantrip expressed his concern regarding the 45 MPH speed limit on East 18th Street, the location of the deceleration lane, and the height of the sound wall.
Carol Ray stated that she felt granting the proposed use permit for this property was a threat to public safety, and collaborated her concern with pictures of the current school bus drop-off area. She read a passage from the General Plan regarding land use compatibilities, adding she did not feel this was the right location for a school.
Johnny Ray stated the use of modular buildings on this site would negatively impact their property values. He also felt an independent environmental study should be prepared for this site, and questioned which assessment district would be paying for the site's sewer and water.
General
William Leroy expressed concern for potential traffic accidents occurring at this site.
Rich Trabold stated he felt there was not sufficient room for a church on this site, and was concerned about the negative impacts this project would have on property values. He expressed his support of those speakers opposed to the project.
Carmen Ochoa stated that East 18th Street had enough traffic, noting previous fatalities near this proposed church should have been incorporated into the traffic report. She felt this property should be preserved as a country setting.
Douglas Tokes noted the property was zoned single-family R-1, and the General Plan designation was Medium/Low Density, therefore this proposal required a modification of the General Plan to allow this church and it was unfair to the residents. He felt the improvements to East 18th Street would need to be completed prior to occupancy should the Council deny the appeal and allow the project.
Jim Conley, speaking as a citizen, voiced his support of eliminating the two-lane road and provide a deceleration lane with egress and ingress to this site from East 18th Street.
PROPONENTS
Pastor Larry Navihon gave a brief history of the church. He stated their new facility would be a benefit to the community by providing a preschool and elementary school. He noted the modular buildings would be painted and trimmed. He further noted, written within the framework of the student handbook would be a requirement to sign a parking agreement, stating students would be dropped off and picked up in the school's parking lot. He stated they had honored the process and complied with staff's wishes. He asked the church members in attendance to stand in support of this project, while he read a letter of support from Gwen Burnes.
Erik Hansen stated the church and school would enable them to reach out more to the community. He encouraged the City Council to deny the appeal and approve their project.
Roxanne Cunningham stated that adding buildings and installing clearly-marked signs would increase visibility and improve the situation for safe entry and exit from St. Claire Drive. She reviewed her letter of support contained within the staff report. She requested the City Council deny the appeal and provide Gateway Christian Center with a new home.
Casey Allen stated the residents have valid concerns, noting he felt comfortable through the process that City staff and the traffic report had addressed those concerns. He urged the City Council to move in favor of the Gateway Christian Center.
Gwen Burnes voiced her support of the Gateway Christian Center.
Mike Malody stated the Pastor could require the parents to drop-off and pick-up students in their parking lot, and felt the parking was adequate for this proposal, adding Antioch does not have a lot of sites available for churches and schools. He noted the City's Traffic Engineer had devised a plan to address the traffic concerns and the six-month review would be adequate to address any future concerns.
REBUTTAL
Don Burkard felt the questions had not been answered and urged Council to weigh the issues and facts before deciding whether the site would be safe for the proposed use.
In response to Council Member Freitas, Pastor Navihon stated when the church/school grew beyond the bounds of their physical facility, they would implement multiple services.
Public Works Director Brandt clarified for Council Member Freitas that he felt this was a safe project on a major arterial, noting he did not share the concerns expressed regarding safety of egress in ingress into the site.
Discussion ensued regarding the blacktopped two-lane road with Council Member Freitas stating he would like to maintain the rural nature of St. Claire Drive while accommodating the proponents, suggesting egress and ingress from East 18th Street and deferring the two-lane road on St. Claire Drive.
City Manager Ramsey suggested a recess to provide staff time to word the Resolution to reflect Council Member Freitas' recommendations.
Mayor Rocha declared a recess at 10:24 P.M. The meeting reconvened at 10:51 P.M. with all Council Members present.
RESOLUTION NO. 2000/84