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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-13-1971MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA May 13, 1971 The meeting was called to order at 8:10 P,M~, in the Council Chambers of the City Hall Annex, 500 West Sixth Street, with the following Councilmen present: Wade Herrin, VernonSo Evans, J. Ogden Markel, JerryM. Patterson, Ray Villa, HarryKo Yamamoto, and Mayor Lorin Griset. Also present were City Manager Carl J. Thornton, Acting City Attorney James A,, Withers, Director of Public Works Ronald Wolford, Director of Planning Herbert Wieland, and Clerk of the Council Florence I. Malone° Representatives of the Press were also present. PUBLIC HEARING The Mayor announced BUS TRANSPORTATION STUDY that the purpose of the meeting was to hold a hearing with regard to a proposal on the Santa Aha Transit System prepared by Alan M. Voorhees & Associates, Inc. He stated that the Council recognizes that this study has become available only within the last week and a half, and consequently, although the announcement of the study had gone out to the various groups in the community who are interested in it, they had not had time to review it thoroughly. The Mayor requested representatives of Alan Mo Voorhees & Associates to present a summary of their investigation. Mr. Martin Bouman of Alan M. Voorhees & Associates, 5252 Balboa Avenue~ San Diego, orally reviewed the Summary of Findings and Conclusions contained in the report,, He stated that their investigation indicated that present transit service in the City of Santa 14ma is well below the desirable level of service in terms of area served, frequency of bus service, and age of equipment; that the Santa Ana Transit Corporation has good operating and management practices; that the 30~ fare is fair and proper; that the Corporation will suffer considerable financial deficit for 1970; that it can be assumed that the Orange County Transit District will become responsible for transit operations for all of Orange County sometime in the future; that the City of Santa Aha should assume interim, or "near-future" responsibility for providing its own transit service; that the best organizational method for the City to assist in the transit problem would involve City ox~rnership of the equipment with a lease to a private operator; that full advantage should be taken of federal transit grants; that bus frequency on all routes should be increased, and fares should be reduced to 25¢, with additional routes being provided; that the City should also strive for street and freeway system improvements; and that all efforts should be made to provide transit assistance within the City at the earliest possible date° CITY COUNCIL -156- May 13, 1971 PUBLIC HEARING BUS TRANSPORTATION STUDY (Continued) Mr~ Bouman then presented slides showing (1) number of passengers carried by the Santa Aha Transit Corporation, indicating a steady decline in the number of passengers; (2) a map showing present bus routes and frequency of service; (3) a map showing recommended additional service; and (4) a table outlining seven alternative transit plans suggested for the City's consideration~ Mr. George Cordier, Manager of the Santa Aha Transit Corporation, stated that in 1968 the Corporatinn reduced ali service to hourly and eliminated two routes; that in May of 1969 the fare was increased from 25¢ to 30¢; that in April 1970, Saturday .service was decreased to each 1½ hours; and that in April 1971, there was an additional ~are increase to 35¢. Mrs~ Janice Boer, 912 N. Lowell, stated that in the past the busses had not been allowed to use the bridge over the flood control channel, and asked if this permission would now be given° City Manager Carl J~ Thornton explained that the busses had not used that route because it involved crossing County territory and the Transit Corporation was not willing to have their busses operate outside the City limits. Public Works Director Wolf. rd indicated that this problem has been eliminated, since the property has been annexed to the City. In response to a question from Councilman Patterson, Mr. Bouman stated that there are many other plans that could be presented to the City for consideration in addition to the seven outlined in their report. Councilman Patterson stated he would like to see a plan falling some- where between Plans 1 and 2, with the number of busses as shown in Plan t and a time schedule as presented in Plan Z. RECESS At 8:55 P.M., a five- minute recess was declared. Council reconvened at 9:05 P,M., with all Council members present. PUBLIC HEARING (Continued) The Mayor opened the BUS TRANSPORTATION STUDY public hearing on the bus transportatinn study. Mr~ William Bayer, Santa Aha Chamber of Commerce, stated that although their committee had made some preliminary studies of the report, they will meet within the next two weeks for further study and to develop recommendations; that they would like to reserve comment until that time, CITY COUNCIL -157- May 13, 1971 PUBLIC HEARING BUS TRANSPORTATION STUDY (Continued) Mrs. Janice Boer, 912 N. Lowell, President of the Property Owners' Protective League, stated that they had not been furnished a copy of the report; that she would like to point out, however, that no matter which plan the Council adopted, they would be subsidizing the bus manufacturer; that there are not enough citizens in Santa Aha who are interested in public transportation to warrant this expenditure of funds; and suggested that consideration should be given to the possibility of subsidizing two or three taxis rather than a transit system. IVirs~ Marian Hixon, President of the Santa Aha Senior Citizens Club, 723 Hickory, stated that their Club has a membership of 800 and that more than 65% of their people use the busses; that they live in all areas of Santa Ana; that they use the busses in connection with service to other clubs and organizations on civic matters; that many of their members are of low income and cannot afford taxis; that the group is in favor of continuing the bus service. Mr~ Francis Cook, representing the Council of Churches, spoke on behalf of the FISH organization, a group of people who do voluntary emergency work. He stated that 90% of their service is in providing transportation for people who are elderly, ill, or handicapped, and that a good transportation system would aid them in their work. Mr. Burr Sharer of the City Center Association stated that the Association has not seen the report as yet; that they would like to obtain a copy to study at their next Board meeting; that the downtown merchants would like to see the bus service not only continued, but expanded, in order to furnish transportation to the shopping areas for people who are unable to drive themselves. Mr. Wayne Rash, 522 Wo First Street, stated that he believes such a transit system would benefit many persons and groups, such as commercial communities, elderly and very young people who are unable to drive, and that people who drive their own cars would find less congestion on the streets; that if the City Council decides to adopt one of the proposed plans, they should do so with a complete commitment to see it through and make a success of the program over the next five years; that to do less would only perpetuate the problems being discussed now~ Mr. Stu Allen, reporter for the Orange County News Bureau, requested information on deficits incurred by other cities in the operation of their transit systems; questioned the statement that a 33-passenger, air- conditioned bus could be purchased for $25, 000; and asked if the management contract would be open for competitive bids. The Mayor read from a report prepared by the City Manager showing annual losses by other cities, and stated that the management contract would be open for competitive bidding. Mro Bouman advised that in preparing their report, it was determined that the cost of the busses as described would be about $25,000 each. CITY COUNCIL -158- May 13, 1971 PUBLIC HEARING BUS TRANSPORTATION STUDY (Continued) Mrs~ Janice Boer spoke again, stating that before a decision is made~ consideration should be given as to how the plan would be financed; that she is not in favor of reviving the 5% utility tax~ The City Manager stated that the cost of the transit system has no relationship to the amount of revenue that would be realized from the utility tax. Mr John Kanel, Orange County Transit District, was present~ In response to questions~ he stated that the District plans to~)roi, ide a good transportation system for the entire County; that they will be eligible for federal funding; that they are cooperating with the Southern California Rapid Transit Di'~trict and the County of Orange in planning the system; that a 5% tax will develop several million dollars for the District; that there would be no conflict between the City system and the Transit system; that it is conceivable that in a few years the Orange County Transit District would be in a position to take over the Santa A_ua bus system, There were no further proponents or opponents in this matter, and the Clerk reported no written communications had been received. The Mayor declared the public hearing closed,, Councilman Villa's motion, seconded by Councilman Yamamoto, to continue the matter to Tuesday, June 1, at 7:30 PoM., carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: NO ES: ABSENT: Villa, Yamamoto, Patterson, Herrin, Markel None Griset, Evans Prior to voting on the motion, Councilman Markel stated that he felt there was not enough public interest shown in this matter and that he would not be in favor of the City expanding the bus system unless more enthusiasm is shown by the citizens. Mayor Griset and Councilman Patterson stated that in the hearing it was pointed out that one of the reasons people do not use the busses at the present time was because of the infrequent service and the raise in rate; that correcting these problems should encourage more people to use the system. Councilman Herrin stated that he agrees that more interest should be shown by the public before any plan would be put into operation, but that he believes everyone should have an opportunity to Study the Voorhees report, and therefore, was in favor of a continuance. Councilman Evans stated that no matter which plan is adopted, ultimately there will be a tax to support it, and that financing should be considered and determined before a decision is made. CITY COUNCIL -159- May 13, 1971 RECESS all Council members present. At 10:10 P. Ivl,, a five-minute recess was declared. Council reconvened at 10:Z0 P. lv[., with VA 71-17 A/ir. O.K. Earl was present H. & J. MABURY COMPANY and stated that he had sent a letter to the Council through the City A4anager in which he had suggested a modification in the plan for the 304-apartment development at 1851 E. Fruit Street, and requested reconsideration of the matter on the basis of the new proposal. Councilman Evans, who disqualified himself from participating in the consideration of the appeal on Variance Application 71-17 at the May B, 1971, hearing because of a conflict of interest, stated that his company has since completed its report and there is no longer a conflict of interest; and requested a determination as to whether it would be proper for him to vote on this matter at this time. The City Attorney stated that since Councilman Evans was not present to hear all the testimony at the previous hearing, he should refrain from participation at this time. Councilman Herrin' s motion, seconded by Councilman Yamamoto to reconsider the appeal of the Iq. & J. IV~abury Company on Variance Application 71-17, carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: Iqerrin, Yamamoto, Villa, Griset NOES: Patterson, Markel ABSENT: None ABSTAINED: Evans Councilman Patterson' s motion, seconded by Councilman Yamamoto, to set this matter for public hearing on June 7, 1971, at 7:30 P.M., carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: Patterson, NOES: Markel ABSENT: None ABSTAINED; Evans Yamamoto, Villa, Herrin, Griset EXECUTIVE SESSION At 10:35 P. M., the meeting was adjourned to Executive Session to consider a legal and personnel matter pertaining to the City. The meeting reconvened at 11:30 P. M. , with all Council members present. CITY COUNCIL -160- May 13, 1971 ADJOURNMENT and unanimously carried, On motion of Councilman Herrin, seconded by Councilman Markel, the meeting was adjourned at 11:35 P.M. Florence I. Malone Clerk of the Council CITY COUNCIL -161- May 13, 1971