1964 FEB 03 CC MINX 1657
E1 Segundo, California
February 3, 1964
An adjourned regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
E1 Segundo, California, was held in the Council Chamber of the City Hall
of said City on the above date. The Clerk reported that a copy of Notice
of Adjournment had been posted as required by law, and affidavit of posting
was on file. Prior to calling the meeting to order, those present joined in
pledging allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, following
which an invocation was given by Councilman Edward H. Tandy.
The meeting was then called to order by Robert W.' Frederick,
Mayor pro tempore, the- hour being 7:00 o'clock p. m.
ROLL CALL
Councilmen Present: Kimport, Swanson, Tandy and
Mayor pro tem Frederick;
Councilmen Absent: Mayor Baker.
READING OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the regular meeting of the City Council of the City
of El Segundo, California, held January 27, 1964, having been read and no
error or omission having been noted, it was moved by Councilman Tandy,
seconded by Councilman Kimport, said minutes be approved as recorded.
Motion carried.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
1. MR. H. L. TROUTMAN, UTAH CONSTRUCTION & MINING CO.,
being a letter of commendation of Mr. Herbert Dodenhoff of the Building
Safety Department. Copy having been posted in the Building Department
and one copy given to Mr. Dodenhoff, this communication was ordered filed.
2. PLANNING COMMISSION, transmitting copy of its Resolution
No. 578, granting a variance to increase from 5 to 12 employees at any one
time, during an 8 hour period, requested by Varig Airlines, Inc, and Dobbs
Catering Co. for property located at 1300 E. Imperial Ave. Ordered filed
pending expiration of appeal period.
3. MR. HARRY H. WEBER, DIRECTOR OF FINANCE, being a
request for permission to cancel Warrant #4403 in the amount of $45. 78 due
to cancellation of special insurance policy. Motion made by Councilman
Kimport, seconded by Councilman Tandy that permission be granted to cancel
Warrant #4403 in the amount of $45. 78. Motion carried.
4. MR. LOUIS M. BARNES, 424 Via la Selva, Redondo Beach, being
a request to occupy the front single apartment of a duplex .1.o -cated at 211 -213
Eucalyptus Drive, E1 Segundo for office purposes. This matter is set for
hearing before the Board of Appeals on February 24, 1964.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
PETITION signed by Mr. Harold Wray and 66 others objecting to the conditions
on Center Street caused by the construction work being done by James S. White
Company in connection with the storm drain system. The petitioners pre-
sented a series of 12 questions to be answered by the Council as follows:
1) Q. What was the original completion date of the contract awarded
to James White to install a storm drain System on Center
Street E1 Segundo?
A. January 9, 1964 was the original completion date which was
extended to January 28, 1964 due to weather conditions.
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2) Q. Had Mr. James White any previous experience installing
a storm drain system of this particular nature? If so,
when and where?
A. Mr. White has had previous experience in work for the
State such as dams, bridges, etc. as well as some work
for the Los Angeles County Flood Control District.
3) Q. Is there a clause in the contract with Mr. White that re-
lates to the project not becoming a public nuisance?
A. There is a clause that requires the contractor to take all
the necessary safety precautions. Any time streets are
dug 'up for any reason, it is an inconvenience for residents
of the area. However, this is a necessary project and
will benefit the residents in the future.
4) Q. What provisions are in the contract for penalties of non-
performance, and what member of our City Administration
imposes or takes action against the contractor for non
performance?
A. Mr. White was called into the office for a conference with
Mr. Sailors, City Manager, Mr. Webb, City Engineer and
Mr. Frederick, Councilman, when the completion date
was not met. He was put on notice and is now being
penalized $100. 00 per day until the contract is completed.
5) Q. If inspection by the City Engineering Dept. was performed
during excavating and filling, why was it necessary to
open and close the street twice, still leaving water supply
lines exposed?
A. When a contractor is given a job, the Engineering Dept.
can advise him as to method but cannot tell him what to j
do. The method chosen by this contractor, against the i
advice of the Engineering Dept. , was proved to be wrong
and so it was necessary to dig up the street again and do'
it right to avoid future trouble which would necessitate
digging up the street again in a few years.
6) Q. Did the members of the City Council or the contractor
give any consideration to the fact that in the event of fire
or other emergencies, there would be no access to homes
by fire equipment or ambulance?
A. Fire Chief Gates answered this question by stating that
there is no problem in this area. The fire department has
responded several times in the area and found no trouble
in getting to the homes. If it were ever, made impossible
for the fire equipment to be brought up to the homes,
emergency measures could be taken with no difficulty so
this should be no cause for concern among the residents.
7) Q. Before the streets were closed off or made impassable,
was any investigation made regarding person or persons
requiring the use of wheel chairs as means of getting in
and out of their homes?
A Mr. Webb called attention to a letter sent by the contractor
(as required by the contract) to the residents of the area,
stating that the street would be closed and asking them to
contact the Public Works Department if this construction
was going to cause a hardship of this type and every effort
would be made to assist them. The Public Works Depart-
ment received no calls to this effect.
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petition:
8) Q. Are the members of the City
Department able at this time
of this project? If so, when?
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Council or the City Engineering
to arrive at a completion date
A. The Council is unable to give an exact date. However, Mr.
White is aware that he is being charged a penalty of $100. 00
per day and the Council is reasonably certain he will do
everything he can to complete the project at an early date.
9) Q. Many homes suffered damage to their parkway lawns,
shrubbery and private property, such as carpets, draperies
and paint. Is it the responsibility of the contractor to make
replacements or restitution?
A. The contractor is required to repair any damage to parkways,
sidewalks, etc. in order that they be left in the same
condition in which he found them. City Attorney Bush in-
formed the residents that if any of them wish to file a claim
against the contractor for damage to private property, they
may do so. The statute of limitation on this is three years.
All shrubbery will be replaced by the contractor.
10) Q. Why is it necessary to continue the sump hole on the south-
east corner of Center and Maple with storm drains installed
on both Center and Maple ?
A. The retention of the sump in the. southeast corner of Center
and Maple is added insurance against flooding of streets and
homes in the event of extremely excessive rainfall. The
County Flood Control District is contemplating a new bond
issue for the construction of storm drains. If this is passed
by the voters, El Segundo's share could be used to construct
a relief line in Imperial Highway in the City of Los Angeles.
This relief line would then permit the abandonment of the
sump provided that other downstream drain facilities would
compensate for this loss of capacity.
11) Q. Was it included in the original contract to install an overflow
pipeline to the sump hole on Center and Maple?
A. Mr. William Lewis of Alderman & Swift, Consulting Engineers
for the City of El Segundo, stated that this overflow pipeline
was included in the plans.
12) Q. What provisions has the City Council or the City Engineering
Department made to avoid a recurrence of the Center Street
situation?
A. These contracts are given to the lowest bidder unless we can
show cause why they should not be, due to poor performance
in the past. Because these contractors are bonded, it must
be assumed that they are qualified. The Council is no more
pleased with this situation than the residents are and every-
thing possible will be done to avoid this type of situation in
the future.
The following persons present in the audience spoke in support of the
Mrs. Willa J. Armour, 807 Center Street
Mr. & Mrs. Leo Abrams, 740 Center Street
Mrs. Donald Elliott, 335 Center Street
Mr. R. V. Andrews, 726 Center Street
Mr. Joseph Dubie; 825 Center Street
Mr. P.W. Blackwill, 812 Center Street
Mr. Martin Greenhalgh, 763 Center Street
Mrs. Lila Kent, 801 Center Street
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These residents gave an account of shoddy practices used by this con-
tractor of dangerous situations created by exposed pipes, holes left open
in the streets making it impossible for residents to get into their drive-
ways without damaging their cars, dirt piled as high as the houses in
some places, etc. The residents were assured that Mr. White would be
called into the office the very next day and informed that he must take care
of all these complaints and make every effort to get this contract completed
and order restored to the area at the earliest possible time. The Director
of Public Works was instructed to call this meeting.
REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES
CITY MANAGER SAILORS MADE REPORTS AS FOLLOWS:
1. Reported that bids had been solicited for the Water Department
covering 440 pieces of 6" diameter, 18' long cast iron pipe to be used as
stock and charged to jobs as used, and these bids were as follows:
Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Co. . . . . . . . . $ 15, 642.00
United States Pipe & Foundry Co. . . . . . . . . $ 16,061. 76
In view of the fact that Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Company sub-
mitted the lowest bid, recommended that a purchase order be issued to
them for this material. Motion made by Councilman Tandy, seconded by
Councilman Kimport that the bid of Pacific States Cast Iron Pipe Company
in the amount of $15J.642. 00 be accepted and a purchase order in this amount
be issued to them. On roll call, motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmen Kimport, Swanson, Tandy and
Mayor pro tem Frederick;
Noes: Councilmen None;
Absent: Mayor Baker.
2. Suggested that due to the fact that the library addition is soon
to be completed, a date be set for an Open House. The Quota Club has
volunteered to act as hostesses for this affair and April 5 was suggested
as a date. Mayor pro tem Frederick asked Mr. Sailors to work out the
details for this Open House with the Librarian, Dorothea Fitzgerald.
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS WEBB MADE REPORTS AS FOLLOWS:
1. Reported to the Council that the Los Angeles County Flood Con-
trol District was proceeding with the construction of the West Basin Barrier
Program. In view of the fact that sea water intrusion has proceeded
easterly almost to Sepulveda Blvd, in the City of E1 Segundo, the West and
Central Basin Replenishment Districts believe that a realignment of the
chain of wells to provide the barrier within the City of E1 Segundo should be
relocated from the sand dune area to an alignment along the Edison right -of-
way near Washington Street. He stated that this change in the barrier
location is under study by the Replenishment District through their consulting
engineers and that a report and advice on the change would be available on
February 7. This new alignment would affect five wells owned by the City of
E1 Segundo and would require a permit from the City for this new construction.
Mr. Webb further stated that this was merely a progress report and that the
Council would be kept advised of further developments.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Councilman Tandy reported that some time ago, he and Mr.
Kimport met with the Planning Commission on the matter of finding a
suitable person to act as Planning Consultant. This work is progressing
satisfactorily and by the next regular meeting to be held February 24, 1964,
they should have a concrete proposal to make.
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2. The City Attorney read the title of the ordinance relating to
moving buildings, entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EL SEGUNDO,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING "EL SEGUNDO CITY
CODE, 1958, " BY AMENDING "CHAPTER 27" OF
SAID CODE, RELATING TO MOVING BUILDINGS:
AND AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 603 OF SAID
CITY, AND THE "WESTERN PLUMBING OFFICIALS
UNIFORM PLUMBING CODE, 1961 EDITION"
THEREIN ADOPTED.
Upon motion duly made and unanimously carried, the further
reading of Ordinance No. 616 was waived.
Following motion by Councilman Tandy, seconded by Councilman
Kimport, Ordinance No. 616 was adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmen Kimport, Swanson, Tandy and
Mayor pro tem Frederick;
Noes: Councilmen none;
Absent: Mayor Baker.
2. The City Attorney read the title of the ordinance relating to
auction and disposal of unclaimed property in possession of the Police
Department, entitled:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EL SEGUNDO,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING "EL SEGUNDO CITY
CODE, 1958, " BY AMENDING CHAPTER 4 OF
SAID CODE BY ADDING THERETO, ARTICLE III
ENTITLED, "AUCTION AND DISPOSAL OF UN-
CLAIMED PROPERTY IN POSSESSION OF THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Upon motion duly made and unanimously carried, the further
reading of Ordinance No. 617 was waived.
Following motion by Councilman Swanson, seconded by Council-
man Tandy, Ordinance No. 617 was adopted by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmen Kimport, Swanson, Tandy and
Mayor pro tem Frederick;
Noes: Councilmen none;
Absent: Mayor Baker.
PAYING BILLS
The following demands, having had the approval of the Committee
on Finance and Records, were read: Warrants No. 4405 to 4439 inclusive:
General Fund . . $ 89, 073. 05
Water Operating Fund 1,051.50
Water Consumers Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . 44.41
Trust Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 573.80
TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 90, 742.76
Moved by Councilman Tandy, seconded by Councilman Kimport
the demands be allowed and warrants ordered drawn on and paid out of the
respective funds covering the same. Carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmen Kimport, Swanson, Tandy and
Mayor pro tem Frederick;
Noes: Councilmen none;
Absent: Mayor Baker.
No further business to come before the Council at this meeting,
it was moved by Councilman Tandy, seconded by Councilman Swanson, the
meeting adjourn, the hour of adjournment being 8:30 o'clock p.m. Motion carried.
Res ectfully submitted,
APPROVED:
i er
Mayor -5-