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2011/03/08ANAHEIM CITY COUNCIL REGULAR AND REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING OF MARCH 8, 2011 The March 8, 2011 regular meeting of the Anaheim City Council was called to order at 3:00 P.M. and adjourned to 4:00 P.M. for lack of a quorum. The regular adjourned meeting of March 8, 2011 was called to order by Mayor Tait at 4:04 P.M. in the Chambers of Anaheim City Hall located at 200 South Anaheim Boulevard. A copy of the agenda was posted on March 4, 2011 on the kiosk outside City Hall. PRESENT: Mayor Tom Tait and Council Members: Gail Eastman, Lorri Galloway, Kris Murray and Harry Sidhu. STAFF PRESENT: City Manager Tom Wood, City Attorney Cristina Talley, and City Clerk Linda Andal WORKSHOP — BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE (BNSF) GRADE SEPARATION PROJECTS Public Works Director Natalie Meeks announced Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) had been working on large scale grade separation projects along the BNSF rail corridor and Joel Tulley, OCTA Program Manager along with Tresa Oliveri, OCTA Public Outreach Manager, would update Council on the status of the projects specific to Anaheim. Mr. Tulley remarked OCTA had been working closely with Anaheim staff to move these projects to their current stage. BNSF, the owner of this corridor, was currently operating close to 70 trains /day and in 2007/08 operated about 105 trains /day with plans to expand service to 130 trains by 2030. Those train lengths, he remarked, could be as much as two miles in length and with many of the County's major arterials running 20,000 to 25,000 vehicles per day, the faster traveling time resulting from these grade separation projects would be significant, along with enhanced safety as vehicles and pedestrians were separated from train traffic, improved emergency vehicle response times and environmental improvements related to air quality and noise. He provided a brief overview of the seven projects under construction in the corridor with locations in Anaheim, Fullerton and Placentia. Five of these projects would be directly implemented by OCTA through design, construction management, and public outreach. Those five projects were the two underpasses at Kraemer Boulevard and Placentia Avenue, and three overcrossings at Orangethorpe, Tustin Avenue /Rose Drive and Lakeview Avenue. He noted the city of Fullerton with OCTA's input would be overseeing two undercrossing projects in Fullerton located at Raymond and State College Boulevard. Funding for these projects, he explained, came from the Renewed Measure M legislation in which a half -cent sales tax was extended to fund transportation projects throughout Orange County. Part of those voter - approved funds had been identified to support the design and construction of five bridges, now designated as the O.C. Bridges Program. In January 2008, he indicated, OCTA applied for and was granted roughly $182 million of project funds from TCIF (Trade Corridor Improvement Funds) which was part of 1 B passed by California voters. He added OCTA also developed a plan that included federal funding sources to complete the funding scenario. The total cost for all seven projects amounted to $590 million which included environmental review, right -of -way acquisitions, design, and utility relocation, all components of Council Meeting Minutes of March 8, 2011 Page 2 of 12 the projects. The grade separation projects ranged from $70 to $120 million each. He explained that sequencing and scheduling of all projects was critical and took into account the need to maintain emergency response during construction, and the fact that TCIF funding had a mandatory award for construction dates by December 31, 2013. The overall project was scheduled in three phases with Phase 1 construction beginning this summer for Placentia and Kraemer. Phase 2 was Orangethorpe and Tustin Road, beginning mid -2012 with Lakeview, Raymond and State College designated for Phase 3 with construction beginning mid -2012. For the Kraemer Boulevard project, Mr. Tulley indicated design plans were completed, utility relocations had begun and advertising of bids was expected to take place in April 2011. He reportedf this was an underpass with the roadway lowered to separate vehicular traffic from train traffic. A rendering of the completed project was shown with Mr. Tulley remarking OCTA had worked with City staff and an Aesthetics Committee and had come up with some features that would be incorporated throughout the entire project. The Orangethorpe Avenue overcrossing would be elevated up and over the BNSF tracks, with design plans currently 65 percent completed; he stated that staff is in the process of acquiring right of way properties. The Tustin Avenue /Rose Drive overpass design was also 65 percent completed and expected to begin construction in mid -2012. He added the Lakeview Avenue overcrossing was also 65 percent complete in the design process, including adjustments recommended by City staff based on outreach meetings, remarking construction was anticipated to begin in mid 2013. The next step in the process, he explained, along with completing the remaining design plans and acquiring right -of -way in order to build the projects, was to advertise for construction of Placentia Avenue within the next few weeks and Kraemer in the next month. Tresa Oliveri, Public Outreach, stated the purpose of community outreach was to facilitate contact between OCTA and the community. She added these were large projects with impacts to the community and OCTA had established a method to help facilitate conversations. The initial focus was to establish OC Bridges as the project branding and then introduce OCTA as the lead agency in building the projects. She added that staff had been to the communities in a variety of venues to help educate the public and receive feedback from those who live and work near the projects. She added that this was helpful in figuring the best way to move forward with project design. Further, OCTA would continue to make contact with the community and discuss practical aspects of how to adjust travel patterns during construction with the end result being a significant investment in Anaheim to provide a safer and faster way to move across this corridor. Mayor Pro Tern Sidhu requested clarification regarding funding of these projects. Mr. Tulley responded OCTA had approval for funding which obligated dollars for certain years but still had to apply separately for each project. For Kraemer and Placentia, he remarked, OCTA requested an obligation through California Transportation Committee (CTC) which was approved, however, there was a delay due to the sale of the bonds. Those funds were now obligated for the two projects. As the remaining projects moved forward, he explained, OCTA would request obligation for those funds as well and if future bonds could not be sold, a Letter of Prejudice would be provided and OCTA could replace those monies with another source with CTC repaying the funds when the bonds were sold. Mayor Pro Tern Sidhu asked if the smaller amount of revenue anticipated from Renewed Measure M would impact projects. Mr. Tulley replied OCTA was committed to pushing these projects forward and as they were shelf ready, it was anticipated they would move forward. Mayor Pro Tern Sidhu then inquired if BNSF was contributing to the funding with Mr. Tulley responding that BNSF was required, where there were federal funds involved, to contribute five percent of the project cost into construction. If no federal funding was involved, they would be required to contribute ten percent of the project cost and in this case, BNSF would contribute five percent of the project cost. He also asked what Council Meeting Minutes of March 8, 2011 Page 3 of 12 concerns the public had with these project and how their concerns were addressed. Ms. Oliveri replied the public was concerned about night work, noise, traffic congestion and dust. She pointed to a variety of construction mitigation measures built into the contracts to mitigate those concerns. Mr. Tulley added that the projects were hop- scotched so not all arterials were closed or open at the same time. Kraemer would be constructed under closure, Placentia had a bypass road, State College would be closed and Raymond had a bypass road which allowed for traffic management during peak scenarios when all projects were in some phase of construction. Mayor Pro Tern Sidhu asked what would happen in a where case the funds budgeted did not correspond to allocations. Mr. Tulley remarked this problem already occurred and OCTA had sought federal funding reserves, had received RSTB funds and were able to put those into a project which was approved by the OCTA Board because they were committed to getting these projects done. He added that with the current economy, contractors were hungry and came in well under bid and he anticipated seeing construction savings rather than increases. Council Member Murray remarked that she recognized this was a multi- county effort that had been decades in the making and that this bridge program would restore livability along this corridor and was a valuable use of Measure M funding as it benefited the entire Orange County community. She indicated the Canyon business community had questions related to the grade separation projects. Mayor Tait added that some of the businesses along Lakeview had also expressed concerns. ADDITIONS /DELETIONS TO CLOSED SESSION: None PUBLIC COMMENTS ON CLOSED SESSION ITEM: None At 4:31 P.M., Council recessed to closed session to consider the following item. CLOSED SESSION 1. CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS (Subdivision (a) of Section 54957.6 of the Government Code) Agency designated representative: Kristine Ridge Name of employee organizations: Anaheim Police Association, Anaheim Municipal Employees' Association and Anaheim Fire Association At 5:30 P.M., City Council session was reconvened. INVOCATION: Scholar Mahesh Bhatt, The Consciousness Center FLAG SALUTE: Scout Troop 824 PRESENTATIONS: Recognizing the 2010 Eagle Scouts in the City of Anaheim Those Anaheim eagle scouts being honored were introduced by Jorge Ruiz de Somocurcio, Boy Scouts Council. ACCEPTANCE OF OTHER RECOGNITIONS (To be presented at a later date): Proclaiming March 13 -19, 2011, as Paint Our Town Purple Week and May 14 -15, 2011, as Relay for Life Days in Anaheim Council Meeting Minutes of March 8, 2011 Page 4 of 12 Tony Bertocchini accepted the proclamation on behalf of a friend who was actively involved in raising funds for the American Cancer Society and had recently passed away. He indicated that the Relay for Life Days event had raised $125,000 for ACS and he hoped to make it a continuing successful event. Recognizing the Toastmaster SpeechCraft Program participants Dr. Patricia Adelekan representing Toastmasters, thanked Council for this recognition, explaining that the SpeechCraft participants were part of an educational program to improve areas of communication, build esteem, and leadership. This program, she added, was designed for those over the age of 60 to share their memories and experience with one another and with the young. ADDITIONS /DELETIONS TO THE AGENDAS: None PUBLIC COMMENTS (all agenda items except public hearings): Cecil Jordan, outreach ministry, discussed gang activity and the need for all facets of the community to work together towards a resolution. Brian Beger, Anaheim Municipal Employees Association (AMEA), announced this was the largest employee union in the City with nearly 50 percent of the members living in Anaheim and part of the local community. Over the years, he remarked, AMEA had made significant changes to their benefits, including the retirement medical plan which was now utilizing a retirement health savings plan. In addition, AMEA had worked with the City to reduce more than 100 positions along with outsourcing jobs and would continue to work with the City during these challenging economic times. Rosa Ferreras, resident, requested the City make note of MS Awareness Week, March 14 -20 on the City's website. Council Member Eastman stated she would like to assist Ms. Ferreras with this request. William Fitzgerald, resident, objected to loss of police officers as that loss resulted in increased crime, graffiti, and gang activities. Dawn Usher, Unitarian Universalist Church, Anaheim Poverty Task Force member, announced she was here to request the City partner in a five -year plan to address the issue of homelessness in Anaheim. She provided 200 cards of individuals in support of this effort and offered statistics on Orange County homeless population as well as data specific to Anaheim. Jonathan Valencia, Servite High school student, also represented 200 people who supported the Poverty Task Force plan. As assistant director of the Servants Kitchen, operated by Servite high school students to help feed the homeless around La Palma Park each Thursday, he offered his perspective on the homeless and their needs. Tobia Claire, representing San Antonio Catholic Church and the Poverty Task Force, also represented 200 persons in full support of the homeless initiative. Jim Carter, Vice President of Finance /Operations at Servite High School, announced that for the last three years students had been offering a hot cooked meal, clothing and blankets to the homeless in La Palma Park, having served approximately 16,000 meals. He pointed to the fiscal benefits in providing shelter to the homeless now, even in these hard economic times, with decreased police and ambulance calls for service. Council Meeting Minutes of March 8, 2011 Page 5 of 12 Cristina Stevenson, homeless, also provided cards representing 200 people in support of the Poverty Task Force Plan. She urged a shelter be built and talked of her experience as a homeless woman. Another individual in support of the Poverty Task force plan provided 200 cards in support of this effort. The plan contained three main elements: creating service, shelter and support. The service would connect homeless with emergency services, life skills and job training, the shelter would move the homeless into other options and the support would provide services that were effective in making sure people change. Deacon Doug Cook, Parish Ministry, also provided 200 cards in support of the Poverty Task Force 5 -Year Plan. His organization assisted the homeless, moving them into permanent housing and providing the first month rent, utilities turn -on, furniture and mentoring of families for a period of time to assure success. He added his organization focused on families with children and was in its 25 year, distributing almost $2.4 million in assistance and getting over 7,500 people off the street. All of this was funded, he emphasized, through a local parish community of 4,000 families and he strongly supported the task force's efforts. Patty Long, Mercy House, encouraged support for the 5 -Year Plan as well as providing signature cards in support of the effort. She thanked the City for years of collaboration for Mercy transitional living centers which allowed the organization to move forward its mission of ending homelessness. She added Mercy House had been able to successfully prevent 90 Anaheim residents from becoming homeless and had re- housed 47 residents who did lose their housing. Eric Kroddle, San Antonio Church, spoke in support of the Task Force effort and offered 200 signature cards in support as well. He stated the task force was not asking the City to take the lead in funding the shelter, but to accept that more needs to be done. Reverend Kathleen Green, Unitarian Universalist Church of Anaheim, provided 200 cards in support of the task force recommendations, which represented a total of 2,000 signatures. She asked those in support of the plan to stand and be counted, remarking that the reality was that homelessness was getting worse and the community had a choice as to how to address this reality. Mallory Vega, ACACIA, addressed her comments to the annual CDBG grant recipients. She stated ACACIA provided day services for older adults who needed extensive social and health services to stay at home, enabling their caregivers to provide care and keep families together. She supported the CDBG funding recommendations of the Community Services Board and the Community Development Advisory Committee and appreciated the past and future relationship with the City. David Peng, AMEA, commented on comments provided by the Poverty task force and stated he supported their efforts. He then spoke about the benefit reductions the employee union had already undergone. Working with the City, AMEA had laid off and outsourced positions and its members had taken no overtime, no vacation buyback, and no wage increases for the next three years while doubling workloads. He added a voluntary furlough program was also initiated which saved the City thousands of dollars and resulted in a five percent net reduction of personnel pointing out that AMEA members had been sharing the cost of their retirement Council Meeting Minutes of March 8, 2011 Page 6 of 12 pension for many years. After doing all this, he stated, the organization was committed to working with staff and Council to relieve the financial problems the City faced. Bill Dalati, businessman, urged Council to adopt the Five Year Poverty Task Plan, which looked for solutions to the homeless problem. Fernando Negrete, Eli Home, addressed his statements to Item No. 9, CDBG funding recommendations. His Board of Directors requested Eli Home be removed from funding consideration at this time because of a potential perception of conflict with Council Member Galloway's relationship to the organization. He added, Anaheim City Attorney opinion stated there was no conflict, however, Eli Home's directors wished to avoid any perception of conflict. He thanked the Community Services Board and Advisory Committee for their support and acknowledgement of the East Street Community Renewal Initiative (ESCRI) which focused on empowering a three -mile area of Anaheim with predominantly low income, densely populated and with recurring gang and graffiti issues. Charles Horine reported his HUD assistance was reduced dramatically this year since he lived in a mobile home versus an apartment and requested the City's help. Executive Director Elisa Stipkovich would provide assistance to Mr. Horine. At 6:00 P.M., Mayor Tait thanked the community for their comments and briefly recessed to address the agendas of the Public Financing Authority, Redevelopment Agency and Housing Authority. Council session was reconvened at 6:50 P.M. CONSENT CALENDAR: Council Member Eastman removed Item No. 8 from the consent calendar for further discussion, Mayor Tait pulled Item No. 9 and Mayor Pro Tem Sidhu removed Item No. 13. Mayor Pro Tem Sidhu then moved to waive reading in full of all ordinances and resolutions and to adopt the consent calendar in accordance with the reports, certifications and recommendations furnished each council member and as listed on the balance of the consent calendar, seconded by Council Member Eastman. Roll Call Vote: Ayes — 5: Mayor Tait and Council Members: Galloway, Eastman, Murray and Sidhu. Noes — 0. Motion Carried 7. Receive and file minutes of the Park and Recreation Commission meetings of October 27, 2010, December 1, 2010 and January 26, 2011, Golf Commission B105 meeting of December 2, 2010, Library Board meeting of January 10, 2011, Community Services Board meeting of January 13, 2011, and Public Utilities Board meeting January 26, 2011. 10. Accept the low bid and approve an agreement with Come Land Maintenance Company, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $1,386,890, for custodial services for AGR -6683 a two year period, with up to five one -year renewal options, and authorize the Purchasing Agent to exercise the renewal options, in accordance with Bid #7417. 11. Accept the low bid of Allstar Fire Equipment, Inc., in the amount of $666,759.85 D180 (including taxes), for the purchase of Scott AV3000 sure seal face masks and accessories for the Fire Department, in accordance with Bid #7487. 12. Award the contract to the lowest responsible bidder, General Pump Company, Inc., in the amount of $188,970, for the Abandoned Well Destruction project and AGR -6684 authorize the Finance Director to execute the Escrow Agreement pertaining to contract retentions. Council Meeting Minutes of March 8, 2011 Page 7 of 12 14. Approve the Agreement of Acquisition of Real Property with Mike Mendonis and Rochelle L. Mendonis, in the acquisition payment amount of $330,000, for the AGR -6685 purchase of real property located at 1512 South Brookhurst Street for the Brookhurst Street Widening project (R/W ACQ2009- 00357). 15. Approve Cooperative Agreement C -1 -2448 and Amendment No. 1 to Cooperative Agreement C -8 -1156 with the Orange County Transportation Authority for the Anaheim Rapid Connection (ARC) fixed guideway project and AGR - 5316.1 adjust the Department of Public Works' revenue and expenditure appropriation AGR- 5316.1 by the amount of Anaheim Transportation Improvement District funding approved for the ARC project, in the fiscal year it is approved. 16. Approve and ratify the Account Management and Data Certification of AB32 Cost of Implementation Fee Regulation (COI Regulation) for calendar years 2008 and 2009, authorize the Public Utilities General Manager to annually report and D182 certify the Public Utilities Department's greenhouse gas emissions associated with its operations, to take such actions as are necessary to implement and administer the COI Regulation including execution of any and all COI Regulation documents, including certifications, and to annually pay COI Regulation invoices, subject to City Council budget approval. 17. Approve minutes of the Council meetings of February 8, 2011 and February 15, 2011. 18. RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -021 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM authorizing the Public Utilities General Manager or her designee to submit a cost sharing matching grant application for the D110 development of a feasibility study under the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program, to accept such funds as awarded, on behalf of the City of Anaheim, from the United States Department of the Interior Policy and Administration Bureau of Reclamation, to take such actions in furtherance of the grant, and amending the budget for fiscal year 2010/2011. 19. RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -022 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM vacating two public utility easements located at Pilo 2612 and 2622 West Lincoln Avenue pursuant to California Streets and Highway Code Section 8330, et seq. - Summary Vacation (Abandonment No. ABA2011- 00216). 20. RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -023 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM accepting certain deeds conveying to the City of P124 Anaheim certain real properties or interests therein (City Deed Nos. 11396, 11397, 11398, 11400, 11401, 11402 and 11403). 21. RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -024 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL P124 OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM accepting certain deeds conveying to the City of Anaheim certain real properties or interests therein (City Deed No. 11404). Council Meeting Minutes of March 8, 2011 Page 8 of 12 22. RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -025 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM approving the submittal to the California R100 Department of Transportation applications for funding of projects that improve safety and convenience for bicycle commuters under the bicycle transportation account. If awarded, increase the Department of Public Works' revenue and expenditure appropriation in the amount of such funding received in the corresponding fiscal year. 23. RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -026 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL R100 OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM designating certain persons to execute documents in connection with Federal Civil Defense Programs. 24. ORDINANCE NO. 6205 (INTRODUCTION) AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM approving Power Sales D182 Agreement between the Southern California Public Power Authority and the City for the La Paz Solar Tower Project. END OF CONSENT: 8. Appoint Maritza Rodriguez Farr to the Anaheim Workforce Investment Board B105 representing a public sector agency to an unexpired term ending June 30, 2013. Executive Director Elisa Stipkovich reported Item No. 8 was a request by staff for Council to approve an appointment to the Workforce Investment Board. The Workforce Investment Board had a variety of positions mandated by State law and 51 percent must represent the business community. The County of Orange Social Service Agency nominated Maritza Farr to represent them and staff was bringing this matter forward for Council's ratification of the appointment. Council Member Eastman moved to approve item No. 8, seconded by Council Member Murray. Roll Call Vote: Ayes — 5: Mayor Tait and Council Members: Eastman, Galloway, Murray and Sidhu. Noes — 0. Motion Carried. 9. Approve the fiscal year 2011 -12 Annual Action Plan for federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnerships (HOME) and Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds totaling $7,995,000, and designate and D155 authorize the Community Development Executive Director as the certifying official authorized to execute all documents related to the administration, management and implementation of the CDBG, HOME and ESG programs. Council Member Galloway left the dais due to a potential conflict. Mayor Tait stated Eli Home withdrew their request for funding due to a perception of a conflict of interest and moved to remove the Eli Home from consideration of CDBG funds, seconded by Council Member Murray. Roll Call Vote: Ayes — 4: Mayor Tait and Council Members: Eastman, Murray and Sidhu. Noes — 0. Abstention — 1: Council Member Galloway. Motion Carried and Eli Home removed from the funding recommendations. Mayor Tait asked Council Member Galloway to return to the dais as a result of no further potential conflict. Council Meeting Minutes of March 8, 2011 Page 9 of 12 Mayor Pro Tem Sidhu recommended the $15,000 surplus be reallocated to the Boys and Girls Club, seconded by Council Member Murray. Roll Call Vote: Ayes — 5: Mayor Tait and Council Members: Eastman, Galloway, Murray and Sidhu. Noes — 0. Motion Carried. Mayor Pro Tem Sidhu then moved to approve the remaining funding recommendations listed in Item No. 9, seconded by Council Member Murray. Roll Call Vote: Ayes — 5: Mayor Tait and Council Members: Eastman, Galloway, Murray and Sidhu. Noes — 0. Motion Carried. 13. Waive the sealed bid requirements of Council Policy 4.0 and authorize the Purchasing Agent to issue a new master agreement to Golf Ventures West, LLC, D180 at a cost of $10,500 per month, for the rental and maintenance of park maintenance equipment for up to one year. Community Services Director Terry Lowe reported this item was an agreement to extend an existing contract for the leasing of park maintenance equipment. It was much more cost effective, he stated, for the City to lease rather than purchase equipment. He added that leasing equipment allowed the city to keep state -of -the art equipment in use. Over the last couple of years, some functions had been privatized and one of the cost savings was that a contractor supplied their own equipment so it was no longer necessary for the department to carry an inventory of equipment. This agreement, he added, was in place since 2005 and was set to expire, and at this point, since the Department was still considering other alternatives to delivery of services, staff was proposing a month -to -month contract for not more than a year and evaluate how that service was delivered and rebid, if necessary, through a competitive bidding process. This method, he explained would offer the department time without a significant investment in equipment. Mayor Pro Tem Sidhu asked how staff determined whether the $10,500 was competitive. Mr. Lowe responded the department had reduced inventory of equipment significantly since the contract began and he believed the price was still competitive. Carole Ayuso, Purchasing Agent, replied the $10,000 represented a fraction of the equipment that had been on lease for the last six years and it was based on the previous lease price which was awarded through a competitive bid process to the lowest bidder. The monthly price, she explained, was comprised of unit prices for every piece of equipment listed. Mayor Pro Tem Sidhu indicated he would support the item and moved to approve Item No. 13, seconded by Council Member Eastman. Roll Call Vote: Ayes — 5: Mayor Tait and Council Members: Eastman, Galloway, Murray and Sidhu. Noes — 0. Motion Carried. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 25. This is a public hearing to consider approval of a resolution creating Underground District No. 59 located at Brookhurst Street and Katella Avenue. T107 RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -027 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM creating underground District No. 59 (Brookhurst /Katella). 26. This is a public hearing to consider approval of a resolution creating Underground District No. 60 located at West Street and Westmont Drive. T107 RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -028 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM creating underground District No. 60 West/Westmont). Item No's. 25 and 26 would be considered together. Council Meeting Minutes of March 8, 2011 Page 10 of 12 Dukku Lee, Public Utilities Department, indicated Item No's. 25 and 26 were projects in the City's underground conversion program. He reported the City collected an additional four percent on top of the electric bill to fund the City's underground conversion program to replace overhead electric circuits along the major transportation corridors in the City. This effort provided increased electric reliability as well as improving the aesthetics of arterials. The program, he noted, was in its 21"year and the Department had now undergrounded 100 circuit miles, a significant achievement, with 120 more circuit miles remaining. Each year, he explained, Council reviewed and adjusted the program taking into consideration all coordination activities for these projects. The next plan update was scheduled for July, 2011. Item No's. 25 and 26 would form two new underground districts, approved in the Five Year Plan of July, 2010. Item No. 25, Underground District No. 59, was for Brookhurst from Katella Avenue to Orange, 1.5 miles of undergrounding implemented in coordination with Edison lines. He explained that Edison had agreed to remove 15 percent of the overhead lines in the City and had already removed an old transmission line along the southern part of the City. Edison, he added, was also working with staff on a project along Lincoln from the west City limit to Magnolia and this project on Brookhurst would fulfill its obligation and would coordinate with a street widening project along Brookhurst from Katella Avenue to Ball Road. He added the Utility tried to coordinate activities with the Public Works Department, instead of relocating poles and having to come back at a later time to underground the lines. The estimate schedule for construction to start was September 2012 to conclude in November 2013. Item No. 26, Underground District No. 60, was for West/Westmont, along West Street from Lincoln to La Palma and along Westmont from Loara to West Street. This was also a 1.5 mile project with construction scheduled to take place between August 2012 through October 2013. All utilities with overhead facilities had been notified of this project and as with every project, he remarked, great care was taken into notifying and working with affected property owners. Mayor Pro Tem Sidhu requested clarification on construction. Mr. Lee responded this was a joint trenching project and the City looked to minimize construction on this street. As the electric utility, the City took the lead in providing one trench and an opportunity for every other utility to join in that trenching, remarking most utilities took advantage of that offer. Staff had discussed joint trenching with Edison; however he added there was a concern they might need a separate trench. He added staff had also worked with Edison to identify street limits and where the project would be located, and they then had the ability to design and plan for their facilities as well. He added Edison lines pass through the City and did not serve Anaheim customers. Council Member Murray remarked this program provided tremendous value to residents and businesses by improving reliability and infrastructure as well as improving property values. Mayor Tait opened the public hearings on Item No. 25 and Item No. 26. Jerry Resh, Westmont resident, stated he had not yet been informed on construction matters. Mr. Lee responded that the district formation and public noticing to indicate the general schedule and time frame along with a brief description of activities was the first step. The specific traffic impacts would not be addressed until the actual design phase when staff had a clearer understanding of the project and the property easements required. The construction Council Meeting Minutes of March 8, 2011 Page 11 of 12 process, he reported, took one year and there would be construction signs and notices available for the residents during that time period. With no other comments offered, Mayor Tait closed the public hearing. Council Member Eastman shared that her street was going through an undergrounding project, remarking that the process had been good, with communication from the City, no blocked driveways, as promised, and that she was looking forward to the improvement when the project was completed. Mayor Pro Tern Sidhu moved to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -027 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM creating underground District No. 59 (Brookhurst/Katella), and to approve RESOLUTION NO. 2001 -28 OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ANAHEIM creating underground District No. 60, (West/Westmont), seconded by Council Member Eastman. Roll Call Vote: Ayes — 5: Mayor Tait and Council Members: Eastman, Galloway, Murray and Sidhu. Noes — 0. Motion Carried. Report on Closed Session Actions: None Council Communications: Council Member Murray discussed the YMCA "100 years of Caring" Art Exhibit and Auction on February 24 and the Danbrook Elementary School celebrating "Read America Day." She also recognized Keith Olson for his many acts of kindness to the community. She announced the following upcoming events: Anaheim Community Anti- Graffiti Effort forum to be held on March 15 Anaheim Beautiful "Keep Anaheim Beautiful" conference to be held on March 10 and the 4 th Annual Anaheim Lady Ducks fundraiser for Children's Hospital of Orange County to be held on March 14 She expressed her condolences to the family of Sgt. Jason Weaver. Council Member Galloway addressed the Poverty Task Force's recommendations on homelessness and the stories relayed by each speaker. She understood the fiscal constraints the City faced but also recognized the responsibility to take care of those less fortunate. She asked the City to be willing to address the issue believing the solution would reveal itself. Mayor Pro Tern Sidhu spoke of his attendance at the 34th Annual Police Chiefs Association Conference, thanking them for choosing Anaheim as the site of their event. He announced this was the 100 Anniversary of International Women's Day, an event which recognized Meagan Shigo, Sandra Rosenberg and Frances Norbourgh. He also requested the City declare May as "Historic Preservation Month" and adjourn this meeting in memory of Sgt. Jason Weaver, an Anaheim soldier who lost his life while on foot patrol in Afghanistan. Council Member Eastman concurred with Mayor Pro Tern Sidhu's request to declare May as "Historic Preservation Month" and also addressed the citizens that spoke of the Poverty Taskforce and its recommendations. She was supportive of this cause and would like to join with Council Member Galloway in developing ideas, believing the money would follow if the cause was sound. Mayor Tait thanked staff for helping launch a "kindness" mind -set throughout the City, reporting over 29,000 members of the public had contact with Community Services staff wearing "kindness" buttons and providing kindness awareness. In addition, over 2,000 children and family members attended related events at libraries, 590 participated in related activities at Council Meeting Minutes of March 8, 2011 Page 12 of 12 recreation facilities and over 28 programs citywide had occurred during the month of February to promote kindness. He added four "Be Kind to Your Neighbor" cleanups were scheduled for March along with media articles and magazine features to be distributed to over 100,000 residents. Mayor Tait had also attended the opening of Ponderosa School and seen the pride that elevated the students and community. He also announced the new soccer team in town, the Anaheim Bolts, scheduled to play at the Convention Center Arena. He announced the 13 MEU was deployed to assist with operations in the Middle East, and that interested individuals could check the City's website for updates. Adjournment: AT 7:45 P.M., with no other business to conduct, Mayor Tait adjourned the meeting in memory of Army Sergeant and Anaheim resident, Jason Weaver. R pectf ` Ily submitted, Linda N. Andal, CMC City Clerk