Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutcc min 1987/08/17 MONTGOMERY FORUM II MINUTES OF THE OTAY COMMUNITY FORUM MEETING OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA Monday, August 17, 1987 Otay Community Center 7:00 p.m. 1671 Albany Avenue Chula Vista, CA 9201 MEMBERS PRESENT: Mayor Cox; Councilmembers Nader, Moore, McCandliss, Malcolm MEMBERS ABSENT: None STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Goss, Assistant City Attorney Rudolf, Deputy City Manager Morris, City Clerk Fulasz, Planning Director Krempl, Deputy Director of Public Works/City Engineer Garibay, Library Director Lane, Director of Parks & Recreation Mollinedo, Assistant Community Development Director Gustafson, Director of Public Safety Winters, Deputy Public Works Director/Operations Swanson, Principal Planner Pass, Senior Electronic Technician Albrektsen, Deputy City Manager Thomson, Housing Rehabilitation Administrator Ciotti, Administrative Clerk Kemp Mayor Cox announced that Alice Kemp was present to assist anyone needing help with Spanish translations. Mayor Cox then introduced the members of the Council and staff. He spoke briefly on the events and actions which have happened since the annexation of the Montgomery area noting that Council is holding the Forum here tonight to apprise the people of these actions and to hear their comments. Mayor Cox noted that Helen Motto, who passed away last year, was a great promoter of the annexation a dedicated worker in this area. Today would have been her birthday and she was "here in spirit." Mayor Cox noted that the City employs approximately 675 employees; when the Montgomery annexation came in, an additional 88 employees were hired. Mayor Cox introduced Lynn Pankhurst, President of the Montgomery Civic Council, noting that this organization was co-sponsoring this Forum. Mrs. Pankhurst welcomed the community and staff to the meeting this evening. Minutes - 2 - August 17, 1987 Otay Community Forum Director of Planning George Krempl discussed the status of the Specific Plan work, specifically for the Montgomery area. He introduced Bill Heiter, Contract Planner, who is working on this plan. The City is redoing the entire General Plan for the City which will be completed by the end of this year. Nancy Palmer, Chairman, Montgomery Planning Committee, discussed the work the Committee has done so far on this Plan. She indicated that Parts I and II are now available for public review and are located at the City Hall, Public Services Building, Library and the Community Centers. It is a draft document which will have a public hearing on September 2 at 7:00 p.m. She urged all in the audience to attend this public hearing and give their input. Mrs. Palmer stated that the regular meetings of the Montgomery Planning Committee are held at the Lauderbach Center on the first Wednesday of each month. The second meeting is on the third Wednesday of the month and it is held in the Public Services Building. Mrs. Palmer announced there will be 4 seats up for appointment at the end of this calendar year and urged anyone interested in filling those vacancies to contact the City Clerk for an application. City Manager Goss presented transparencies noting the budget commitments for the Montgomery area; the various positions filled; the installation of the traffic signals in the CIP program; the "neighborhood revitalization program" which he stated comprises housing needs, street needs, parks and library. Assistant Director of Community Development Dave Gustafson presented transparencies and discussed the Community Development Block Grant Program for the Montgomery area. Mr. Gustafson noted that for the next fiscal year Block Grant funds, there will be public hearings held on this subject. The notices will be given in the newspaper and posted at the Community Centers. In response to a question from the audience regarding a traffic signal at Second and Palomar Streets, the Councilmembers explained that the original vote to install the signal was defeated; however, a second motion made recently passed by a 3-2 vote. The money to appropriate the funds for the traffic signalization will be on the Council docket on August 25, at which time it will require a 4/5ths vote of the City Council. Mr. Frederick A. R. Drew, discussed his request to install a traffic signal at Second and Orange Street. Mr. Ben Storita, 1319 5th Avenue, Chula Vista questioned an illegal business being operated in his residential zone at 1316 Fifth Avenue. Mr. Storita stated that he talked to the Deputy City Manager and the City Manager on numerous occasions telling Minutes - 3 - August 17, 1987 Otay Community Forum them of this auto-repair and tow service business. There are as many as 15 and 16 automobiles that park in front of this home and along the street 7 nights a week. He has been complaining about this business for the past 5 months and has never received a call back from any of the staff on this. Deputy City Manager Morris stated that he did receive this complaint; the owner of the property was contacted and asked to evict the tenant; it is now in the hands of the City Attorney and must go through due process. Mr. Joe Berlanga, Member of the Montgomery Planning Committee, stated that as the Committee, they are ready to hear and help all of the people in the area who have any problems or complaints whatsoever. Mayor Cox noted the pamphlet "Guide to City Services" on the table and urged all the people to pick up a copy. It contains all the information and the names and numbers of Department heads. Another question from the audience pertained to the area on Nixon Street which is "fast becoming a ghetto." The lady complained that they are now being surrounded by apartments and Nixon Street is being used as a drag strip. She also reported that there are people living in her apartment complex who are selling drugs to children as young as 10 years old. Mayor Cox explained the zoning which must take place in the area to permit apartments and noted the General Plan Update, urging again that the people come to the public hearing on September 2 - if the zoning for their area is not what they want, they should speak up on this. As to the drugs, the Mayor stated that it takes a lot of community help to make any impact on the drug problem. He urged these residents to get together with the Director of Public Safety. Other questions from the audience pertained to establishing a moratorium in the area in order to halt the impact of overpopulation; the environmental impact on the various businesses in the Otay River bottom; whether or not there will be a traffic signal at either Orange/Second or Orange/Albany. Mr. A. Y. Casillas, stated he is a candidate for Council. He noted that the Montgomery area is a new segment of the City of Chula Vista and therefore, there needs to be more communication between these citizens and the City staff. Mr. Casillas asked that of the 88 new people hired to take over the additional roles in the Montgomery area, how many were residents of Montgomery. He further urged that more communication and notices go out for the public hearing scheduled on September 2 on the General Plan Update. Minutes - 4 - August 17, 1987 Otay Community Forum City Manager Goss stated he did not have the information as to how many of the 88 new employees hired were residents of Montgomery but he would look this up and contact Mr. Casillas. Mr. Ted O'Harrel, resident of the Orange Tree Mobilehome Park thanked the Council for the financial help given to this Mobilehome Park acknowledging the tremendous help to all the citizens living in that park. Mayor Cox thanked Carmen Barron, Center Director for allowing the Council to meet there and for providing the coffee and punch. He noted that the Chula Vista Quarterly was also on the table of handouts and if any person wanted their name on the mailing list they should contact the City Clerk. Another complaint from the audience concerned the Happy Landing Bar on Main Street which, the speaker claimed, is a center for prostitution and drug dealing. Director of Public Works Winters noted the problems Police face in going after drug dealers and users. He explained that the main thing is to go after the license of the bars that have these activities going on. A gentleman from the audience stated that one solution to the drug problem would be a drug prevention program in the City and to develop more recreational programs for the youth. Another gentleman, residing on Zenith Street stated that the apartment building next to him has a lot of drug activity going on whereby young people are "going into the bushes to shoot up." Councilwoman McCandliss said she is a member of the Committee that has recently formed a drug prevention task force. They are working with the various school districts on this Committee. It will be a "community taking care of themselves" type of program. She noted the Community Promotions to which the Council budgets a certain amount of money every year. Last year, an amount of money was budgeted for substance and child abuse programs. She added that the Crime Suppression Unit of the Police Department will be working on the enforcement level of the drug program. COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilman Nader noted the drug problems encountered and legislation being proposed to curb some of this. He stated that as a Deputy in the Attorney General's Office, he is well aware of the need for stricter legislation. He suggested that there be more publicity and more of a community outreach program. Minutes - 5 - August 17, 1987 Otay Community Forum Councilman Moore recounted what took place this evening: (1) concern about zoning and density going into the Montgomery area. He too, urged people to spread the word that there will be a public hearing on September 2 at 7 p.m.; (2) a moratorium; (3) people had complaints and they should be heard. If they cannot get answers from staff, they should call Council; (4) Rehabilitation of the Housing Program and introduced Tony Ciotti, the coordinator of this particular program; (5) Police and crime declaring there will never be enough Police Officers to respond to every complaint in the City. The community as a whole needs to get involved. Councilwoman McCandliss stated that anyone can call her at City Hall or at her home and she will return the call within 24 hours. Council needs to hear more from the citizens regarding their complaints. She stated that all job announcements will be posted at every Community Center as well as the Council agenda. Councilman Malcolm remarked that Council inherited many problems when Montgomery was annexed. The City is spending millions of dollars in this area putting in sidewalks, streets, curbs, gutters and parks. The Council is very much concerned with the quality of life in the Montgomery area and they need to work with the citizens here. He also urged all the residents to call him at his office or home if they have any complaints or problems. Mayor Cox, in his closing remarks, stated the Montgomery Annexation was one of the largest in the history of the State of California with over 24,000 people and approximately 3-1/2 square miles. The Council is pleased to have Montgomery in the City of Chula Vista. Certain commitments were made to the people prior to the annexation one was that all revenues generated in the area would be spent in the area and this is being done. Public improvements are being put in; however, this cannot happen overnight, it will take a number of years. He urged the residents to allow Council the opportunity to serve them. They are the elected officials and are ready to answer any calls or letters from the public. Mayor Cox noted there are a number of vacancies coming up on the various Boards and Commissions in the City and urged the people to apply for these vacancies. He again thanked Carmen Barron for her help in organizing this meeting and Lynn Pankhurst for co-sponsoring the meeting. The Forum adjourned at 9:00 p.m. 1072C