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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/17/1998 Minutes - Jt. Meeting with WVUSDCITY OF DIAMOND BAR SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCILIWALNUT VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETING J U LY 17, 1998 CITY COUNCIL CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Herrera called the meeting to order at 8:07 a.m. in Room CC -2, South Coast Air Quality Management District 21865 Copley Drive, Diamond Bar, California. SCHOOL DISTRICT CALL TO ORDER: Board President McPeak called the School District meeting to order at 8:08 a.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Mayor Herrera. 3. CITY COUNCIL ROLL CALL: Council Members Ansari and O'Connor, and Mayor Herrera. Council Member Huff and Mayor Pro Tem Chang were absent. SCHOOL DISTRICT ROLL CALL: Board Members Lee and Sykes, Clerk Hall, Vice President Healy and President McPeak. Also present were: Terrence L. Belanger, Diamond Bar City Manager; Ronald Hockwalt, WVUSD Superintendent; James DeStefano, Diamond Bar Deputy City Manager; Vernon Medeiros, WVUSD Assistant Superintendent; Bob Rose, Diamond Bar Community Services Director and Lynda Burgess, Diamond Bar City Clerk. (1) School District Property Use Dr. Hockwalt stated that the most recent proposal for Larkstone Park recommended an exchange for a 3+ acre gross piece of the canyon area at the bottom of South Pointe into a passive/interpretive area. C/O'Connor asked how many acres are located in the canyon bottom. WVUSD Land Use Consultant Rogers stated that the gross area is about 35 acres which includes the canyon sides and the Standard Pacific project abutment. The canyon bottom holds approximately 10 to 12 useable acres. BP/McPeak stated that the Council/School Board needs to address maintenance and liability concerns. CM/Belanger pointed out that liability issues continue to exist for the School District if nothing is done. If the intent is to improve the area (pathways, signage, trees, etc.) ongoing maintenance will be required. When both agencies are involved, the matter becomes an issue of joint liability. BP/McPeak offered that the School District could transfer Paul C. Grow Park JULY 17, 1998 PAGE 2 CITY COUNCILM/VUSD JOINT SPECIAL MEETING to the City in exchange for Larkstone Park. CM/Belanger responded to C/O'Connor that Paul C. Grow Park consists of five acres. The park land was built using Quimby funds for the building of homes. As a result, there would remain the issue of removing the park land from the area and placing it in a completely different area. BP/McPeak responded to M/Herrera that Quail Summit Elementary School students use the Paul C. Grow Park facility for school day activities. The City maintains the area. Responding to Clerk/Hall, CM/Belanger explained that Larkstone Park has a reversion on it to the County. The park was originally granted to the County and then to the City as a result of the building of homes. Therefore, the land is connected to the area and the City has always contended that the transfer of the acreage ought to be three acres for another three acres in the same vicinity because the County is involved. If the County signs off, the park land could be relocated to another area. There is no agreement between the City and the School District with respect to Paul C. Grow Park. The nature of Paul C. Grow Park has changed with construction and, as a result, the park will be used more as a school facility. CM/Belanger confirmed to VP/Healy that the school uses the park area between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. on school days. The agreement would need to call out time frames for liability purposes. For example, if a student is injured on City property during school hours, the agreement needs to define the primary liability during school hours and the primary liability during other hours. This is an ongoing concern with Paul C. Grow Park. C/O'Connor expressed concern that the citizens may assume that Paul C. Grow Park is a park facility for general use and belongs to the City and that the City may be giving up another 3 acres for a park that most people believe already is a park. BP/McPeak agreed that it is a perception problem as well as an equity issue. The liaison committee felt that the agencies need to settle the liability issues concerning Paul C. Grow Park regardless of whether the swap is completed. Clerk/Hall expressed concern that the School District and City need to reach an agreement regarding Paul C. Grow Park. CM/Belanger recommended that a date be set to discuss an agreement for Paul C. Grow Park. Dr. Hockwalt suggested that each agency independently consider the matter during their August sessions, review the proposed agreement at the first meeting in September, and adopt the agreement at the second meeting in JULY 17, 1998 PAGE 3 CITY COUNCIL/WVUSD JOINT SPECIAL MEETING September. M/Herrera and CM/Belanger concurred. MPT/Chang arrived at 8:30 a.m. Dr. Hockwalt proposed that the School District work with the City toward reaching a joint use agreement for use of the South Pointe land which would require a General Plan Land Use amendment from Open Space to Specific Plan. M/Herrera asked how the property would be accessed if it was designated for some other land use such as commercial? CM/Belanger responded that the property would be accessed via Diamond Crest Rd. Mr. Rogers explained the layout of the canyon area and stated that the slide has been remediated and the area certified as constructable property. M/Herrera stated that the City has spent a considerable amount of time marketing D.B. There is a parcel of undeveloped land on Grand Ave. and Golden Springs Dr. which the property owners have given the City permission to market. She explained that it is a prime piece of property and that a number of developers are interested in constructing a large complex. The area has freeway visibility and access and would create significant tax revenue for the City. The challenge is to interest the church to relocate. With the exception of South Pointe and Site D, there are not many large parcels of land available in the City. The City has committed to having site plans drawn to show the church how a particular property would work. BP/McPeak said that this matter was discussed during the recent liaison committee meeting. The information available was that the church would not consider moving to another location. CM/Belanger stated that the City continues to discuss the matter with the church. From the City's point of view, it is important that the property have its full potential realized. He suggested that the property be acquired through the foundation which would allow the property to become an economic engine for the school district over time. The church is not in a position to leverage its land because they paid too much for the property. If there is a possibility for exchanging these properties and involving the Redevelopment Agency to assist with financing the relocation of the church, it will be a win-win situation. Dr. Hockwalt explained that the School District is very interested in long-term benefits and is interested in pursuing the idea. CM/Belanger responded to M/Herrera that if the church relocates to South JULY 17, 1998 PAGE 4 CITY COUNCIL/WVUSD JOINT SPECIAL MEETING Pointe, a General Plan amendment will be required M/Herrera indicated that the church is concerned with freeway accessibility. Both South Pointe and Site D are accessible and convenient to freeways. BP/McPeak concurred with M/Herrera that the School District will consider Site D as well as South Pointe as an exchange property. CM/Belanger explained that because of community concerns and location, commercially zoned Site D is problematical. Dr. Hockwalt stated that the School District is interested in working with the City with respect to Site D. The District's primary concern is an ongoing revenue stream. He spoke about the possibility of relocating the Walnut School District Office and proposing a different use for the land. CM/Belanger stated the City would propose using redevelopment resources to relocate the school and administrative offices and convert the current location land use to industrial. Dr. Hockwalt responded to C/O'Connor that the School District would consider relocating the district offices to South Pointe or Site D. When there was discussion that the City may want a City Hall either at South Pointe or Site D, the School District considered co -habitation. Since the District recently invested $600,000 to renovate the school site, relocation may be problematic. Responding to M/Herrera, Dr. Hockwalt stated that the school site consists of about 9 acres. Mr. Rogers stated the total parcel acreage is 16.7, split as 8.7 acres for Walnut Elementary School and 8.0 acres for the district offices. He explained that the Del Paso Continuation H.S. and other uses occupy about 60% of the 8 acre site. Dr. Hockwalt stated that the District is also interested in moving the Del Paso site. M/Herrera suggested that the School Board prioritize alternatives. (2) Joint Park and Recreation Agreement with Walnut Valley Unified School District CM/Belanger stated that this agenda item was scheduled to discuss joint agreements related to the parks rather than a discussion of the Parks Master Plan. Dr. Hockwalt responded to CM/Belanger that adjacent neighbors are JULY 17, 1998 PAGE 5 CITY COUNCILNWUSD JOINT SPECIAL MEETING concerned about the lighting of the basketball and tennis courts at D. B. H. S. CM/Belanger explained that due to the way in which the property is situated, lighting of fields would not intrude into any residential neighborhood. CM/Belanger stated that AYSO is possibly interested in investing in lighting for the Chaparral site to make it more useful for soccer. Clerk/Hall said that the problem with AYSO offering to invest in lighting is that they would anticipate exclusive access to the facility. CM/Belanger indicated that D.B. has a similar problem in scheduling because of the numerous and diversified groups seeking facilities and park for their activities. (3) School Safety Traffic Study Dr. Hockwalt responded to C/O'Connor that it is the School District's intent to use Diamond Crest Lane to its maximum potential for busing students to South Pointe Middle School when the street is ready. CM/Belanger explained that signalization is proposed to be installed mid -fall which will provide ingress to Brea Canyon Rd. from the school site. Dr. Hockwalt pointed out that the latest update to the School Safety Traffic Study involves proposed changes for Evergreen Elementary School. CM/Belanger stated that, as a part of the 98/99 FY Budget, Council approved overtime hours for a L.A. County Sheriffs Department deputy to provide traffic safety enforcement for the schools on a non -sequential rotating basis in an attempt to raise the consciousness of individuals that create traffic at the schools and to provide more intensive enforcement for people who create safety problems. He explained the proposed traffic improvements for Evergreen Elementary School and stated that the related costs are contained within the matrix on Page 8 of the study. Dr. Hockwalt reiterated that the WVUSD is more than willing to work with the City through this process. He said he will attend the July 21, 1998 Council meeting to publicly confirm the district's intent. No objections will be raised. (4) Other Matters of Mutual Interest and Concern C/Ansari expressed concern regarding the School District's D.B. Sister City exchange program. Dr. Hockwalt explained that there are discussions regarding exchange of JULY 17, 1998 PAGE 6 CITY COUNCIL/WVUSD JOINT SPECIAL MEETING students from D.B. to the Sister City sometime this fall. There have been some political changes within the Sister City that may affect the program. He said he has had no discussion with Sister City officials. MPT/Chang stated that he and Council Member Huff plan to meet with Sister City officials in August, 1998. The new mayor was previously a delegate to D.B. and is very interested in continuing the relationship. M/Herrera proposed that the next joint meeting be held in October, 1998. BP/McPeak thanked Council for hosting this unique and historic joint meeting. She believed the ability to exchange ideas openly and freely was very beneficial to both parties and looked forward to a continuing collaboration for the mutual benefit of the community. 4. ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business to conduct, Mayor Herrera and President McPeak adjourned the Special Joint Meeting at 10:01 a.m. LY DA BURGESS, City Clerk ATTEST: �4� Mayor