1991 NOV 19 CC MINMINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE EL SEGUNDO CITY COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 19, 1991
CALLED TO ORDER by Mayor Jacobson at 7:00 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Mayor ProTem Dannen.
INVOCATION given by Reverend Donald Chisholm, Church of Christ.
PRESENTATIONS
ROLL CALL
Councilman West
Councilman Wise
Mayor ProTem Dannen
Mayor Jacobson
NONE
- Present
- Present (Arrived at 7:08 p.m.)
- Present
- Present
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS - (City Business Only - 5 minute limit)
Two individuals addressed the City Council.
Dorothy Kent, 909 Dune Street addressed Council stating she
believed on November 14 a new program was supposed to be in affect.
She stated concerns with three fly overs from LAX on November 18
from 12:30 am to 12:45 a, and during the middle of Sunday afternoon
three fly overs occurred directly over her house.
Mayor Jacobson asked City Manager Cano to research into this
situation.
Willard Krick, 1414 E. Mariposa Avenue addressed Council regarding
building height east of Sepulveda Boulevard and the General Plan.
Mayor Jacobson closed this portion of the meeting.
A. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS
1. Public Hearing - First reading of an ordinance for a Voluntary
Toilet Retrofit Program.
Mayor Jacobson opened the public hearing asking Deputy City
Clerk Freeman if proper public noticing had been done, and
whether any written communications had been received by the
City Clerk's Office; Deputy City Clerk Freeman responded that
proper noticing had been done by the Public Works Department,
and that no written communications had been received by the
Clerk's Office.
City Manager Cano presented a brief report stating in the
interest of a water conservation program, City staff has
presented a voluntary retrofit program ordinance which would
allow for the placement of a low flow toilets to replace
standard toilets; providing monitory rebate program in
coordination with the Municipal Water District. On November
5, Mayor Jacobson requested clarification with regard to the
current program being administered by the City of Manhattan
Beach. Based upon staff's discussions with the City of
Manhattan Beach, they decided to tailor the City of El
Segundo's in a way which would be most responsive to the City
itself.
Mayor Jacobson asked if anyone wished to address this public
hearing; seeing none, he asked for a motion to close the
public hearing.
MOVED by Mayor ProTem Dannen; SECONDED by Councilmember Wise
to close the public hearing. MOTION PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOICE
VOTE 4/0.
City Council Minutes
1 November 19, 1991
MOVED by Mayor ProTem Dannen; SECONDED by Councilmember Wise
to read by Title Only. MOTION PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE
4/0.
City Attorney Dolley read Title as follows:
ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EL SEGUNDO AMENDING
ORDINANCE NO. 1160 THE MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION
ORDINANCE TO ESTABLISH A VOLUNTARY TOILET RETROFIT
PROGRAM.
INTRODUCED by Councilmember West.
MOVED by Mayor ProTem Dannen; SECONDED by Councilmember Wise
to put off this ordinance indefinitely. MOTION PASSED BY THE
FOLLOWING VOICE VOTE 3/1: AYES: Mayor ProTem Dannen,
Councilmembers Wise and West. NOES: Mayor Jacobson.
Mayor ProTem Dannen stated the basis for not approving this
plan was due to the City already planning on spending a large
amount of money in facilitating a Water Reclamation Plant
within the City.
Councilmember West stated that although he agrees with the
concept in general of this type of program, he has concerns
regarding root problems, and the ability of these retrofit
toilets actually functioning properly in processing debris
into the main drain. He further stated that should the water
crises continue, he stated he would want to look into this
program again.
Councilmember Wise stated he was concerned with root problems,
and the low- flush /low- volume of the retrofit toilets, and
whether they would actually be able to process debris into the
main drain.
2. First reading of an ordinance supporting the South Coast Air
Quality Management District's imposition of an additional
Vehicle Registration Fee, and to receive fee revenues for
implementing programs to reduce air pollution from motor
vehicles.
City Manager Cano presented a report stating Assembly Bill
2766 signed into law by the Governor on September 30, 1991
allows the South Coast Air Quality Management District to
collect an additional $2 /year for vehicle registration
effective April 1, 1991, and then goes up to $4 /year effective
April 1, 1992. Should the City want to gets their share of
this, they must pass an ordinance in support of the program -
and set up a segregated fund to account for those monies.
Mayor Jacobson stated that there are 83 out of the 88 cities
that are already participating.
MOVED by Mayor ProTem Dannen; SECONDED by Councilmember Wise
to read Title Only. MOTION PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE
4/0.
City Attorney Dolley read Title as follows:
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL
SEGUNDO SUPPORTING THE SOUTH COAST AIR QUALITY
MANAGEMENT DISTRICT'S IMPOSITION OF VEHICLE
REGISTRATION FEE PURSUANT TO AB2766 (1990) AND TO
RECEIVE FEE REVENUES FOR IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMS TO
REDUCE AIR POLLUTION FROM MOTOR VEHICLES.
INTRODUCED by Councilmember Wise.
City Council Minutes
2 November 19, 1991
B. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Second reading of an ordinance amending the El Segundo
Municipal Code sections regarding municipal revenue sources,
raising business license flat taxes, and effecting procedural
changes.
Councilmember West stated his family has three of these
licenses, and asked clarification from City Attorney Dolley on
whether this was a citywide ordinance and whether he was
allowed to discuss and vote on this issue; City Attorney
Dolley responded that this was a citywide ordinance and
Councilmember West could speak and vote on the item.
Councilmember Wise stated that the Chamber of Commerce and
City Council Subcommittee's have worked very hard to come up
with something to suit the majority, and that he was
sympathetic with the small businesses located within the Smoky
Hollow district; Mayor ProTem Dannen concurred.
Councilmember West stated he would like to continue the item.
Councilmember Wise stated this was just a clean -up ordinance,
and would rather vote on the issue this evening.
MOVED by Councilmember Wise; SECONDED by Mayor ProTem Dannen
to read Title Only. MOTION PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE
4/0.
City Attorney Dolley read Title Only:
ORDINANCE NO. 1168
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EL SEGUNDO, CALIFORNIA
AMENDING SECTIONS 5.04.100, 5.04.110, 5.04.220,
5.08.018, 5.08.030, 5.08.040, 5.08.050, 5.08.060,
5.08.070, 5.08.078, 5.08.080, 5.08.085, 5.08.090,
5.08.130, 5.08.140, 5.08.150, 5.08.170, 5.08.180,
5.08.200, 5.08.210, 5.08.220, 5.08.230, 5.08.235,
5.08.236, 5.08.237, 5.08.238, 5.08.240, 5.08.250,
5.08.270, 5.08.280, 5.08.300, 5.08.310, 5.08.320,
5.08.340, 5.08.350, 5.08.360, 5.08.365, 5.08.370,
5.08.390, 5.08.410, 5.08.420, 5.08.440, 5.08.460,
5.08.490, 5.08.525, 5.08.530, 5.08,540, 5.08.550,
5.08.560, 5.08.580, 5.08.590, 5.08.600, 5.08.620,
5.08.630, 5.08,640, 5.08.650, 5.08.660, AND
5.08.661 ADDING NEW SECTIONS 5.08.021, AND
5.08.025, AND DELETING SECTIONS 5.04.022,
5.04.220.1, 5.04.221, 5.04.270, 5.08.190, 5.08.510,
REGARDING THE CITY BUSINESS LICENSE TAX.
MOVED by Mayor ProTem Dannen; SECONDED by Councilmember Wise,
with discussion, to adopt Ordinance No. 1168. Councilmember
Wise asked that staff invite the businesses in the Smoky
Hollow district to review any future items as they relate to
this issue. MOTION CARRIED BY THE FOLLOWING VOICE VOTE 3/1:
AYES: Mayor Jacobson, Mayor ProTem Dannen, and Councilman
Wise. NOES: Councilman West.
C. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
1. Results of Noise Abatement Committee survey of residents in
Noise Impact Area regarding airport noise.
Don Harrison presented the results of the Noise Abatement
Committee Survey of Residents in Noise Impacted Area Regarding
Airport Noise, which asked the residents about the following
concerns: degree of disturbance, most annoying type of
airport noise, the West Imperial Terminal, home sound
insulation, changes in airport noise, early turns, "the sign ",
planned new facilities, and production of an informative
series of video programs.
City Council Minutes
3 November 19, 1991
Results showed opinion to be divided - and complete results
were: 56% of respondents found the degree of bother from
airport noise to be high, 30% found it to be medium;
respondents rated types of airport noise in terms of impact
from most bothersome as: 1) take -off of large jets, 2) take-
off of small jetliners, ground noise, and reverse thrust on
landings; 54.6% do not believe the Imperial Terminal or Pan Am
cargo facility should be closed; the top three responses
regarding home sound insulation were: 1) 36.9% - not
interested, 2) 35.4% - City pays 20% of cost, and 3) 14.2%
grant avigation easement; 61.5% believe airport noise
increased over the past 5 years; 77.6% believe the early turn
issue is very important, and lastly regarding the "UNSAFE AREA
FOR JETS" - 49% - remove it, 31.4% - uncover it, and 19.6% -
change the wording.
D. CONSENT
All items listed are to be adopted by one motion without discussion
and passed unanimously. If a call for discussion of an item is
made, the item(s) will be considered individually under the next
heading of business.
1. Warrant Numbers 36850 -37172 on Demand Register Summary Number
8 in total amount of $1,365,219.27.
Approved Warrant Demand Register and authorized staff to
release. Ratified Payroll and Employee Benefit checks; checks
released early due to contracts or agreements; emergency
disbursements and /or adjustments.
2. City Council meeting minutes of November 5, 1991.
Continued to City Council meeting of December 3, 1991.
3. Resolution for limited and temporary authority to expend City
funds pending approval of the FY 91 -92 City Budget.
Adopted Resolution No. 3731.
4. Request for the City Council to approve lowest bid for Police
uniform and safety equipment for the City of El Segundo. The
amount of the bid is not to exceed $30,000.
Approved lowest bid of Long Beach Uniform, Inc., and rejected
all other bids.
5. Reaffirm Citv Council direction on Golf Course Proiect.
Reaffirmed their direction to proceed with the design and
construction of a nine hold golf course in conjunction with a
golf driving range, and to work closely with the West Basin
Municipal Water District utilizing reclaimed water for the
project.
6. Approve emergency purchase of Jail Monitoring Equipment in the
amount of $3,247 to be funded from Asset Forfeiture money.
Ratified City Manager approval of emergency equipment
purchase.
7. Installation of traffic signal pre - emption devices at various
traffic signals (Specifications No. PW 90 -6).
Approved Change Order No. 1 in the amount of $6,570.81.
8. PULLED FOR DISCUSSION BY COUNCILMAN WISE.
9. PULLED FOR DISCUSSION BY MAYOR JACOBSON.
10. PULLED FOR DISCUSSION BY COUNCILMAN WEST.
CALLED ITEMS FROM CONSENT AGENDA:
8. Pavement renovation and asphalt concrete overlay on various
streets (Specifications No. PW 91 -9).
Councilmember Wise asked staff to make sure that once they
pave the streets that they will not need to go back later and
dig the street up for pipes, etc.
City Council Minutes
4 November 19, 1991
MOVED by Councilmember Wise; SECONDED by Mayor ProTem Dannen
to approve request. MOTION PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE
4/0.
9. Replacement of irrigation systems for Recreation and Hilltop
Parks (Specifications No. PW 91 -7).
Mayor Jacobson asked if the irrigation system will have
moisture sensors.
Rollie Wright, Director of Recreation and Parks, stated that
it did not, but staff could look into having moisture sensors.
MOVED by Councilmember Wise; SECONDED by Mayor ProTem Dannen
to approve with direction to staff to research moisture
sensors. MOTION PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE 4/0.
10. Resolution adopting "Standard Specifications for Public Works
Construction, 1991 Edition ".
Councilmember West questioned if there were special E1 Segundo
specifications or rules.
Ken Putnam, Director of Public Works responded only the Green
Book, and there was not an E1 Segundo rule book.
MOVED by Councilmember West; SECONDED by Councilmember Wise to
adopt Resolution No. 3732. MOTION PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOICE
VOTE 4/0.
RECESS at 8:00 p.m.
RECONVENED at 8:10 p.m.
ROLL CALL All Councilmembers present.
E. NEW BUSINESS - CITY MANAGER
1. Submission and discussion of recommended 1991 -96 CIP.
Council consensus to schedule December 9 and 10 for CIP
Workshops - both to start at 7:00 p.m.
2. Resolution to implement a proposed Management Compensation for
Performance Incentive Plan as a "REPLACEMENT" to the across -
the -board yearly Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and as a
means to promote efficiency, effectiveness and cost savings in
local government.
City Manager Cano presented a report summarizing the efforts
to strengthen the management team's effectiveness by revamping
and revitalizing the compensation program for management
employees. He stated the first objective to the proposed
"Management Compensation for Performance Incentive Program" is
tied directly to management performance and productivity, and
the intent is to initiate a process whereby satisfactory and
exemplary performance can be recognized through a structured
and objective incentive system. The second objective is to
prevent salary compacting between management and subordinates
and to assure that the City remains competitive in the public
sector labor market, and will be accomplished by allowing an
annual adjustment to each management salary range equal to the
highest across - the -board adjustment granted by contract to
represented units.
Mayor ProTem Dannen left dais 8:32 p.m. to 8:35 p.m.
Mayor Jacobson left dais 8:36 p.m. to 8:37 p.m.
Discussion ensued regarding the proposed program's budgetary
cost impact for FY 1991 -92.
Councilmember Wise concurred with the incentive program, but
felt the beginning percentage was too high.
City Council Minutes
5 November 19, 1991
Mayor ProTem Dannen recommended $126,528 as a total dollar
amount, to include benefits, for the entire package.
City Manager Cano asked Council's consensus to discuss this
during Closed Session discussion later.
Council consensus to continue discussion during Closed Session
this evening.
3. Oral briefing on Disaster Preparedness Incident Command System
Workshop conducted October 24. 1991.
City Manager Cano stated on October 24 staff conducted a
workshop. It is a very complex system which is designed on
duties and responsibilities not reliant with people on the job
to respond to an incident. The systems two coordinators
appointed to work with the designated City employees to
implement this system are Police Department Lieutenant Robin
Radford and Fire Department Battalion Chief Gary Chandler.
This workshop was to implement the program and find out how
the system works.
Mayor ProTem Dannen left dais at 8:51 p.m. to 8:52 p.m.
Lt. Radford briefed Council on the system workshop stating
last year the City hired the California Specialized Training
Institute conducted a disaster exercise in an effort to test
our state of readiness. Two things staff learned from this
exercise were 1) we needed to develop our own exercise
designed to test specific areas of emergency preparedness, and
2) to use the Incident Command System to manage our
emergencies. With that in mind, an exercise was designed with
established training goals. The first goal was to implement
DPICS, and the second goal was to improve disaster
preparedness. In the future, exercises will be performed
every six months with a major exercise every eighteen months,
and there will be quarterly meetings with the sections.
Council received and filed report.
4. Replacement of two (2) Fire Department 1500 GFPM Triple
Combination Fire Pumper Apparatus (Engines).
Councilmember Wise complimented staff on a job well done.
MOVED by Councilmember Wise; SECONDED by Mayor ProTem Dannen
with discussion - to approve specifications and authorize
staff to advertise for competitive bids for replacement of
fire apparatus. MOTION PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE 4/0.
Mayor ProTem Dannen stated the City is replacing vehicles
purchased in 1968 and 1970, and also complimented staff on a
job well done.
5. National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System ( NPDES)
Program Permit NPDES No. CA0066654 (CD 6948) Permit Implemen-
tation Agreement.
City Manager Cano stated he would like to revise the
recommendation to read "concept" instead of "form ".
Mr. Putnam presented a report to Council stating that the
County has been working with cities for a long time without an
agreement, and now they have decided to prepare an agreement
for their Council's approval.
MOVED by Councilmember West; SECONDED by Councilmember Wise to
approve concept of agreement. MOTION PASSED BY UNANIMOUS
VOICE VOTE 4/O.
F. NEW BUSINESS - CITY ATTORNEY - NONE
G. NEW BUSINESS - CITY CLERK - NONE
City Council Minutes
6 November 19, 1991
H. NEW BUSINESS AND REPORTS - CITY COUNCILMEMBERS
Councilman West - NONE
Councilman Wise
2. Golf Course lighting.
Councilmember Wise asked staff to get pricing on lighting
the golf course, and an alternate on not lighting it at
this time but at least putting in the wiring and
circuiting.
Councilmember West requested staff to prepare a
conceptual report regarding lighting v no lighting.
City Manager Cano stated the bid for proposals sent out
includes the cost item for add or deduct for a conduit
and electrical work. In addition to that, staff is
recommending they move forward with a lighted course.
Council consensus for staff to research the cost for
installation of a conduit to light the project area.
3. Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA).
Councilmember Wise stated that there is a misconception
of what CRA's are about, and recommended the Council put
the CRA aside for now based on the fact that there are
more important issues coming up.
Council consensus to discontinue workshops regarding
redevelopment for the present time.
4. Oral briefing on meeting with the Chamber of Commerce
representatives, small businesses in the Smoky Hollow
area, and the Council Subcommittee.
5. E1 Segundo Unified School District Parcel Tax.
Councilmember Wise combined items 4 and 5 stating that
the small businesses within the Smoky Hollow area were in
favor of the El Segundo Unified School District Parcel
Tax, and were surprised that it did not pass. He was
disappointed in those individuals who did not vote.
6. Quarterly News Paper.
Councilmember Wise stated he would like to see a
quarterly news paper to the residents and businesses
updating and informing them of what is happening within
the City, and maybe having a Citizen's Organization
sometime. He asked that staff agendize this item for
discussion and possible action.
Mayor Jacobson - Out of order
1. Revised schedule for the General Plan revision project
and setting of a date for an additional Community
Workshop.
Mayor Jacobson stated at their last meeting the GPAC was
dissolved. The motion itself was for Council to sit as
the GPAC, and he had procedural problems with that. He
asked Council if they would consider the possibility of
turning over the GPAC to the Planning Commission, because
it is required in State Code as being the body before it
comes to the City Council. Therefore, the Council will
not prejudice what the Planning Commission looks at,
thinks, and does by giving them the Council's opinion.
City Council Minutes
7 November 19, 1991
MOVED by Mayor ProTem Dannen; SECONDED by Councilmember
Wise to turn over the GPAC to the Planning Commission.
MOTION PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE 4/0.
Mayor Jacobson stated he felt it would take more than one
public hearing and asked staff to add two Council
meetings to the revised schedule. He recommended the
Council approve the schedule as revised to include two
additional Council meetings, and another workshop.
MOVED by Mayor ProTem Dannen; SECONDED by Councilmember
Wise to approve the revised schedule and workshop date.
MOTION PASSED BY UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE 4/0.
Mayor ProTem Dannen
2. General Plan Public Review.
Mayor ProTem Dannen stated he has asked staff to transmit
five additional copies of the General Plan to him, and
informed those interested in reviewing or asking
questions on the Plan that he would be available
beginning November 27 from 6:00 -8:00 p.m. in the West
Conference Room.
RECESS at 9:20 p.m.
RECONVENED at 9:30 p.m.
ROLL CALL All Councilmembers present.
Councilmember Wise - continued
1. Report on minimum State requirements of City Clerk's
Office.
Councilmember Wise stated that although the City Clerk
had not arrived, he would like City Attorney Dolley to
begin his presentation.
City Attorney Dolley presented a report to Council
stating he would transmit a written report later.
Clerk's Duties: The City Clerk's duties are stated very
clearly in many places in Codes of the State of
California (i.e. Government Code, Election Code, etc).
City Council Authority Concerning Clerk's Duties: Would
be to either assign or not assign duties that are not
covered by State Code. He stated he could provide
Council with a lengthy list of those duties required by
State Code. In general, they include such duties to the
Fair Political Practices Act - filing duties, limited
enforcement duties should anyone fail to file. In
addition, the City Clerk has the responsibilities under
the Government Code certain record keeping functions
(i.e. filing adopted ordinances, proceedings of the
Council, and make certain certified copies of census
data. The City Clerk has certain administrative duties
dealing with the running of elections; ordinances being
published after adoption, and also publishing certain
notices regarding hearings of the City Council. There
are other duties rather ministerial in nature. Stated
that the State Code has specific duties which cannot be
changed, but the City can change those duties bestowed
upon him by the Council itself.
July. 1990 City Clerk Staff Report: This report outlined
the City Clerk's mandatory and customary duties. At that
time, Council agreed it was an accurate list of his
duties. As far as enumeration of the City Clerk, that is
entirely within the discretion of the City Council under
State Law.
City Council Minutes
8 November 19, 1991
Councilmember Wise questioned whether the City Clerk
could terminate a candidacy, and stated he felt that the
news release was politically motivated and recommended
the duties of the City Clerk be limited to those listed
under the State Code only - all other duties be given to
the City Manager, and that the City Clerk's wages to be
cut in half.
City Attorney Dolley responded that he has not thoroughly
researched this, but that he felt that the City Clerk did
not have this authority.
Councilmember West asked to differentiate the difference
between the Clerk's Office and the City Clerk, and stated
concerns regarding staff of that Office.
City Attorney Dolley stated during July, 1990 when the
staff report came up for review by the City Council,
there was discussion concerning authority over deputies
salaries and so forth. That matter was removed
ultimately, and although it was research, they never
rendered an opinion on that subject. It was their
conclusion that it was the City Council's authority
concerning the salaries and funding of the Office of the
City Clerk. As to the appointment of deputies, that
authority does reside only with the City Clerk.
Mayor ProTem Dannen asked the City Attorney to research
who could swear in a new Councilmember, and report back
to them as soon as possible.
Councilmember West stated concerns with the City Clerk
being an election officer and the fact that the news
release had the Clerk's name, title, seal on it. He felt
people may have been swayed, that the City Clerk was
wrong, and wants to know if disciplinary action can be
taken.
Mayor ProTem Dannen recommended to direct City Attorney
to present those State Duties by preparing an ordinance
which would codify the duties of the City Clerk, and to
research uses of the City "Seal ", policy, and use of
disclaimers. He stated that Section 2.04.220 - refers to
duties and responsibilities of the City Clerk to the City
Manager, and Section 2.12.090 - refers to report all
appeals to the Planning Commission.
Mayor Jacobson recommended a sunset clause be placed in
the ordinance relating to the wages, based on the outcome
of the election in April, 1992.
City Attorney Dolley asked clarification of whether the
Council wanted an ordinance dealing only with the State
Law matters; Council concurred.
Councilmember Wise stated he wanted to know if he has the
authority to terminate candidacies, and what is required
of committee's like the Citizen's Political Action
Committee.
City Attorney Dolley stated he could research this at the
direction of Council.
Mayor ProTem Dannen stated should someone question the
authority taken this evening they can look at Section
2.04.160 of the ESMC. He further stated that he had a
manual of the process in which to do this, should anyone
wish to review it.
City Council Minutes
9 November 19, 1991
Mayor ProTem Dannen - continued
1. Written Reports from City Clerk on a) Status of
codification and indexing of Council minutes, and b)
Status of $20,000 allocation to City Clerk's Office for
codification and indexing of Council minutes.
Mayor ProTem Dannen stated Council approved a project,
and allocated $20,000 for its implementation, which the
City Council minutes and the E1 Segundo Municipal Code
would be indexed. This would give the public the
opportunity to access the computer and obtain up -to -date
status of what was happening. The City Clerk accepted
the responsibility of implementing this project.
At their November 5 meeting, the Council supported a
request to have the City Clerk's Office provide a status
report on the indexing of City Council minutes, and
procedures set in place to maintain an updated Municipal
Code. In addition, they requested a full accounting of
the $20,000 allocated during FY 1989 -90 that was to be
used for the updating of the Municipal Code and indexing
files. It was the Council's desire to have this
information presented in a written report for their
November 19 meeting.
Mayor ProTem Dannen stated he was upset that Council was
not given a status report on the indexing of their
minutes, but instead they received a lengthy memo which
explains how to develop ordinances and resolution - not
the information which was requested two weeks ago. Since
the City Clerk just received the financial report from
the Finance Department today, he would continue this item
in order to give the Clerk the opportunity to review the
material and prepare a report.
Mayor ProTem Dannen asked City Attorney Dolley what the
City Council could do under State Law to make the City
Clerk perform his responsibilities, stating he is willing
to take it what ever extent necessary.
Councilmember Wise asked if the Council could reassign
the duties of the E1 Segundo Municipal Code.
City Attorney Dolley responded that he thought the
Council could reassign this duty to someone else.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS - (City Business Only - 5 minute limit)
Nancy Wernick addressed Council to thank them for their past
support of Measure B, and recommended an Election Seminar be
scheduled for the April, 1992 Election.
Frank Wong, 435 Valley Street addressed Council regarding their
discussions of the City Clerk and his wages. He stated he wished
to read a letter into the record: "According to you Janice
Cruikshank currently has 21 valid signatures attachment - that's
number two - I wish to challenge thirteen through seventeen under
the Election Code Section 22836, any person registered to vote at
the election may circulate a nomination paper, this clause
indicates only a registered voter capable of voting in the November
election would be legally able to circulate nomination papers. I
respectfully submit to you the signatures thirteen through
seventeen were not obtained by the person with the special
qualifications. Thus, nullifying the signatures in question."
This was written by Mayor ProTem Dannen. The letter the Council
has in question is called a news release by City Clerk Hart, and at
the bottom it states: "Jan Cruikshank signing a declaration under
the penalty of perjury that she was circulator for her nomination
petition - is an offense against the election process. Janice
Cruikshank did not obtain the signatures on her petition." The
City Council Minutes
10 November 19, 1991
other paragraph states, "The police investigation concluded that
the City employees circulated the petition, not Janice Cruikshank.
The report contains confidential, personnel records of the City
employees, and thus the City Manager has declared them exempt from
disclosure by the Public Records Act. If the police report were a
public record, I would be obligated to terminate Janice
Cruikshank's candidacy for violating Section 22838 and 29303 of the
California Election Code." This happens to be the documentation
from our City Clerk Ronald Hart, and all he could say was that he
stood by and watched the Clerk not know which way to go. He asked
Council's advice and guidance, and everyone let him stay dry and
hang. When he wrote this documentation, he wrote the truth. If
the Council is complaining, they know what the truth is, so does
the City Manager and everyone else.
Mayor Jacobson closed public communications.
City Clerk Hart arrived at 10:15 p.m.
Councilmember Wise stated he wanted to say something now that the
City Clerk has arrived. He stated his opinion was that the news
release was politically motivated, and he was going to do
everything in his power to get to the bottom of the truth - and if
the City Clerk compromises his position - he is coming. All this
Council has said is that the leaks from City Hall and trash
politics are going to stop, and he has two and one -half years left
and does not care whose toes he steps on or neck he steps on, to
make sure they stop.
City Clerk Ronald Hart addressed Council stating that it was
unfortunate that they had to rehash this, but the material was in
response to a letter in the E1 Segundo Herald. He stated when an
Attorney takes on an opinion, he isn't that sure that it could be
taken as a personal opinion instead of a legal opinion. The
information in the news release was information given to him by the
Secretary of State and by the Registrar- Recorder as to what rights
and /or duties he had. He stated he did not exercise those, and
would not, because he had no proof. Should he have been given
proof which had value, he would have been obligated to terminate
her candidacy. That is his job, and that is what the Code says he
has to do. He must enforce those codes. He stated he did not
presume that people would distribute this around town. One thing
that Ms. Cruikshank asked of him was that anything that he gives
out during this campaign - be given to her and everybody, and I
gave this to you. Further stating that he did not give Mr. Wong
that paper he flashed a few minutes ago, and he did not - and would
not - have the copies made utilizing City property or funds.
MEMORIALS
CLOSED SESSION
NONE
The City Council moved into a closed session at 10:25 p.m. pursuant
to applicable law, including the Brown Act (Government Code Section
54950, et seg.) as announced by the City Attorney, for the purposes
of conferring with the City Attorney on potential and /or existing
litigation and /or discussing personnel matters on the following:
54956.9(b) - (City might have significant exposure to litigation)
Two matters
Meet and Confer
one matter.
ADJOURNMENT to November 25 at 7:00 p.m.
C �
Lktira/Freeman
Deputy City Clerk
City Council Minutes
11 November 19, 1991