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HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1971/10/13 MINUTES OF AN ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF (~ VISTA, CALIFORNIA Held Wednesday October 13, 1971 An adjourned regular meeting of the City Council was held on the above date beginning at 3:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Civic Center, 276 Fourth Averme, with the follow- ing Councilmen present: Scott, Hobel, Hamilton, Hyde Absent: Councilman Egdahl Also present: City Manager Thomson, City Attorney Lindberg and Assistant City Manager Bourcier TIA JUANA RIVER FLOOD CONTRDL PROJELT Mr. Mike Aulick, Associate Planner, Compre- hensive Planning Organization, explained the project, which he stated would cost $30,000,000, had its first public hearings in 1964-65. Re- ferring to a map, Mr. Aulick noted the route of the proposed channel, indicating that 75% of the water shed is in Mexico and 25% in the United States. There are presently 2600 people residing in the flood plain area at this time; the rest of the area is undeveloped except for some farm houses. Mr. Aulick spoke of the estuary which was named one of the most natural in the State of California. The State Department of Parks & Recreation has reconmended that the estuary and an additional 1300 acres be set aside for environmental protection. There is sc~e conflict between What San Diego and Imperial Beach want to do and what the State and the Environmental groups want to do. Mr. Aulick remarked that the main question was whether or not to urbanize the flood plain. San Diego has stated that they do intend to urbanize the flood plain and therefore want flood protection for it. CPO has a flood plain study gnd report which states in part: "there is more than enough land in the region suitable for development to meet all projected urban requirements without urban encroachment on flood plains." Congress has appropriated $2,000,000 to begin construction on the channel. Congressman Van Deerlin has a bill pending to increase the federal authorization for the channel from $12,000,000 to $21,000,000. CPO's action at tJ~is time (Policy Cormnittee) has asked the City of San Diego to re-evaluate the border area plan with special consideration of the value of the Tia Juana estuary to the region as a whole. The direct effect of the channel is almost nil on the environment. Mr. Aulick showed a picture of a channel along the Los Angeles River which he stated is of the same dimension and construction as the pro- posed Tia J~ana channel. Mr. Aulick then noted the votes on the motion introduced by a counciL~an from Imperial Beach to back the construction of the proposed channel as proposed by the Corps of Engineers. Both this motion and a motion to study alternatives failed. Council discussion The proposed channel was discussed by the Council. In answer to Councilman Scott's inquiry, Mr. Aulick remarked that CPO has taken no stand on the question. The Council concurred that flood protection has to be provided in that area and unless direction is given by someone, the concrete channel will be constructed. Councilman Hyde's suggestion Councilman Hyde suggested writing to Congress- man Van Deerlin and ask him to withdraw his bill. Councilman Scott suggested going to the ~nvironmental Protection Agency and asking them to intercede (Mr. Rufflehouse). Another suggestion was made to write to the Senators and even to the President. CPO agenda Councilman Hobel noted that this item was not on the CPO agenda for the meeting scheduled for Monday, October 18, 1971. He indicated that Chula Vista needs the support of other cities before attempting any action of this kind; Oceanside, Carlsbad, National City, Coronado and San Marcos. Motion to write letters It was moved by Councilman Scott, seconded by Councilman Hyde, that letters be written to our C~ngressman, Senators, Environmental Pro- tection (Mr. Rufflehouse), Secretary of State, Secretary of Interior, and the President of the United States, stating that the Council believes alternative methods of protecting life should be considered, other than a con- crete channel. Speaking against motion Councilman Hobel stated he was speaking agairmt the motion as he felt the City should have the support of the other cities involved, rather than going it alone. He asked that the motion be withdrawn and the vote given to him to act upon at one more CFO meeting. In the meantime, he will talk to the other entities involved in the alternate vote, and then, perhaps, CPO can act on it as the regional body. Motion carried The motion to write the letters · as directed· passed by the following vote, to-wit: AYES: Goun¢ilmen Scott, Hyde, Hamilton Noes: Councilman Hobel Absent: Councilman Egdahl EXECUTIVE SESSION In was moved by Mayor Hamilton, seconded by Councilman Hobel and unanimously carried that the Council adjourn to Executive Session for discussion of pending litigation (Sweetwater Valley Annexation). The Council adjourned at 4:20 p.m. and reconvened at 4:45 p.m. A~BULANCE SERVICE City Attorney Lindberg explained the present operational service in the City.. He has re- cently received calls from MEDICAL questioning the fact that outfits such as Kaiser Founda- tion had contractual relationships with ambu- lance services which had lower costs than the City of Chula Vista and that those ambulances were not allowed to make pick-ups in this city. They felt that it was not fair. Calls were also received from a Mr. James Gleason, a city employee on loan to the County, registering objections to the fact that ambulances sent AMBULANCE SERVICE (Continued) out from University Hospital with a team of doctors had been stopped by our Police, and there was a slight delay in returning with their patients to the University Hospital. This happened on two occasions--one was a cardiac case and the other a burn case. Mr. Lindberg indicated that the Council should consider whether or not to continue this same type of ambulance regulations - with the under- standing that only this City and Escondido operate under this form of certification of convenience and necessity. Mr. Steve Ballard Mr. Ballard noted the calls he handles from Bay Cities Ambulance University Hospital. Up until the first of October, where team calls were made, a call was put in to the Police Department informing them of the call. On October 1, ~DICAL came up with new legislation stating you cannot transport patients from one hospital to another, that you receive compensation for, tmless there is a medical reason that the primary receiving hospital cannot handle it. Mr. Ballard com- mented that he has handled all these cases in the past, but that this is now something new with the team; and they should be allowed to come into the city to make the pick-up. Since 1964, Mr. Ballard continued, he has had a contract with Kaiser to make the necessary pick-ups in San Diego County. He sold this contract one year ago. A Mr. Walter Chaver bought out Gold Cross Ambulance Service and now makes these pick-ups. A 20% discount is subtracted from the billing price for this service. Mr. Ballard declared he is able to make these pick-ups in the City and would subtract the 20% discount, which he has been doing for the last five or six years. Violation of ordinance In answer to Counci~nan Hobel's inquiry, City Attorney Lindberg stated Gold Cross is in violation of this City's ordinance and they could be made to cease and desist. Number of calls Mr. Ballard declared that 40% of the calls he gets are unpaid for--this is because of the number of drug problems. Council discussion ensued on changing the ordinance to make allowance for the special teams to c~ne into the City. City Attorney gindberg stated this could be done on an administrative basis. Councilman Hobel commented on picking up those cases whic]~ are not reimbursed. He asked the staff to look into this. City Manager Thomson stated he would, but that it would require a great deal of study, as this is on regional basis. Motion to refer to staff It was moved by Councilman Hyde, seconded by Councilman Hobel and unanimously carried that this matter be referred to the City Manager and the City Attorney to investi- gate further and to advise the City Council as to what changes, if any, are needed. Also, th~ staff should see that the grace period be stopped provided arrangements are made for the emergency teams to come into the City. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Hamilton declared the meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. to the m~eting scheduled for Tuesday, October 19, 1971 at 7 p.m. City Clerk