CITY OF LOS ALAMITOS

3191 Katella Avenue

Los Alamitos, CA   90720

 

AGENDA

CITY COUNCIL

REGULAR MEETING

MONDAY, March 16, 2009 – 6:00 p.m.

 

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

This Agenda contains a brief general description of each item to be considered, and has been posted by the City Clerk as required by law.  Copies of relevant material for each item are available for review at the City Clerk’s office during business hours, and on the City’s website (www.ci.los-alamitos.ca.us) after posting and distribution to the City Council.  Except as provided by law, no action or discussion shall be taken on any item not appearing herein.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in a public meeting, please contact the office of the City Clerk at (562) 431-3538, extension 220, 48 hours prior to the meeting so that reasonable arrangements may be made to assure accessibility.  Assisted listening devices are also available.   Ask the City Clerk if you desire to use this device.

 

1.         CALL TO ORDER

 

2.         ROLL CALL

            Council Member Mejia

Council Member Stephens

Mayor Pro Tem Poe

            Mayor Edgar

 

3.         STUDY SESSION

 

            A.        City Priorities and City Council Meeting Effectiveness

Mayor Edgar requested that staff agendize a Study Session item for City Council discussion regarding improving the efficiency and effectiveness of City Council meetings, prioritizing City Council requests for agenda items, as well as other ideas that City Council may have regarding City Council meetings. 

 

Recommendation:  Action as City Council deems appropriate.

 

4.         PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE                                                                    Mayor Edgar

 

5.         INVOCATION                                                                   Council Member Stephens          

 

6.         PRESENTATIONS

 

A.           Presentation of a Commendation to “Our Los Al” members, Larry and Nancy Strawther, Diana Hill, Kristal Cheek and Scott Emmons

 


7.         ORAL COMMUNICATIONS

At this time, any individual in the audience may come forward to speak on any item within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City Council.  Please state if you wish to speak on an item on the Agenda.  Remarks are to be limited to not more than five minutes.

 

8.         REGISTER OF MAJOR EXPENDITURES

March 16, 2009.

           

Roll Call Vote

            Council Member Mejia

Council Member Stephens

Mayor Pro Tem Poe

            Mayor Edgar

 

9.         CONSENT CALENDAR

All Consent Calendar items may be acted upon by one motion unless a Council Member requests separate action on a specific item.

 

********************************CONSENT CALENDAR********************************

A.           Approval of Minutes                                                                        (City Clerk)

1.    Approve minutes of the Regular Meeting – February 17, 2009.

2.    Approve minutes of the Special Meeting – March 7, 2009.

 

B.        Warrants                                                                                                (Finance)

            March 16, 2009.

 

C.        Council Response to Grand Jury’s Findings and Recommendations pertaining to their “No County for Old Boomers”                 (Com.Dev.)

Council Response to Grand Jury’s Findings and Recommendations pertaining to “No County for Old Boomers.”

 

Recommendation:

 

1.  Approve the responses contained in the draft letter to the Grand Jury’s Findings        and Recommendations pertaining to their “No County for Old Boomers – When They Retire, Where Will They Live?” report; and,

 

2.   Authorize the Mayor to sign and transmit the response to the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court, with a separate copy to the Grand Jury.

 

D.        Website Upgrade                                                                           (Recreation)

This agenda item seeks to confirm the approval of a contract between the City of Los Alamitos and Active Network, Inc. to redesign the City’s website.

 

Recommendation: Reconsider approval of the upgrade of the City’s website pending additional research regarding on-line payment processing capabilities.

 

 

***************************END OF CONSENT CALENDAR***************************

 

10.       DISCUSSION

 

A.        Discussion on Golden State Water Company’s General Rate Case Application to the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC)   (PW)

Golden State Water Company (GSWC) currently has a pending application before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to increase its water rates over the next four years. The rate increases are significant, raising the  average residential rate from $47.79 (2008 rate) to $66.50 (2012 proposed rate). This is a little over 39% increase in four years. Due to the vast service area size and infrastructure needs in outlying areas, it is believed that Los Alamitos rate payers, served by GSWC, are being asked to front infrastructure costs that provide no benefit to our City. Staff is therefore recommending we join with other Orange County cities served by GSWC and oppose the rate increase.

 

Recommendation:  Direct staff to send a letter of opposition to the potential rate increase proposed by Golden State Water Company (GSWC).

 

B.        Update of 4th of July Spectacular                                               (Recreation)

Staff was asked to bring an update regarding the July 4th Fireworks Spectacular to the City Council.

 

Recommendation: Direct staff to work with Cypress to generate approximately $26,000 in additional revenue to offset anticipated expenditures for the 2009 July 4th Fireworks Spectacular.

 

11.       MAYOR AND COUNCIL INITIATED BUSINESS

            Council Announcements

At this time, Council Members may also report on items not specifically described on the Agenda that are of interest to the community, provided no action or discussion is taken except to provide staff direction to report back or to place the item on a future Agenda.

 

A.        City Council Assignments – Appointments of City Council Members as Representatives to Other Agencies

This report provides relevant information for City Council consideration regarding the filling of positions left vacant by the resignation of former Mayor, Dean Grose.

 

Recommendation:  Action as City Council deems appropriate.

 

B.        Consideration of the City Council Vacancy Created by the Resignation of former Mayor, Dean Grose

On March 2, 2009, former Mayor, Dean Grose resigned from his position on the Los Alamitos City Council, thereby creating a vacancy.

 


Recommendation:

 

1.         Discuss filling the vacancy created by former Mayor, Dean Grose; and,

 

2.         Action as Council deems appropriate.

 

12.       ITEMS FROM THE CITY MANAGER

 

13.       ADJOURNMENT

The next meeting of the City Council is scheduled for Monday, April 6, 2009, in the City Council Chambers.

 

  

 

 

 

 

I hereby certify, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California, that the foregoing Agenda was posted at the Community Center, Museum and City Hall not less than 72 hours prior to the meeting.  Dated this 13th day of March, 2009.

 

_________________________________

Susan C. Vanderpool, City Clerk