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Home My WebLink About06-01-1971MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ANA~ CALIFORNIA June 1, 1971 The meeting was called to order at 7:35 PoMo, in the Council Chambers of the City Hall Annex, 500 West Sixth Street, with the following Councilmen present: Wade Herrin, Vernon So Evans, J. Ogden Markel, Jerry M. Patterson, Harry K. 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, and Clerk of the Council Florence I. Malone. Representatives of the Press were also present. Councilman Villa arrived at 8'20 P.M~ MINUTES On motion of Councilman Herrin, seconded by Councilman Evans and unanimously carried, Council ordered correction of the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 3, 1971, as follows: Page 149, in the matter of the Public Hearing on Appeal #265, H. & J. Mabury Company, paragraph 3, line 2, change "Avery" Street to "Mabury" Street; Page 150, change the roll call vote to reflect that Mayor Griset voted "No". PUBLIC HEARING The Mayor announced BUS TRANSPORTATION STUDY that the purpose of the meeting was to continue the public hearing on the Bus Transportation Study. He further announced that a letter dated May 24, 1971 had been received from the American Transit Corporation advising the City thai the present bus system will be going out of service on August 31, 1971, and read the following excerpts from the letter: "Since we cannot determine how we can furlher decrease our operating expenses and see no way to increase our revenues, we have no alternative than to advise the City that without some immediate relief or help we will no longer be able to provide transit service in the City of Santa Aha after August 31, 1971. "Santa Ana Transit Corporation will cooperate in every way with the City to accomplish a transition from private enterprise to public ownership or to negotiate a fair and equitable arrangement with the City for continued service after August 31 if the City so desires, "We have appreciated our good relationship with the City's governing body and regret that it becomes necessary to notify you of this decision." CITY COUNCIL -185- June 1, 1971 PUBLIC HEARING BUS TRANSPORTATION STUDY - (Continued) Mr. Martin Bouman of Alan M. Voorhees & Associates, 5252 Balboa Avenue, San Diego, briefly reviewed the report and alternate plans submittedat the May 13, 1971, meeti,ng. In addition, he presented a new plan lA as contained in Alan M. Voorhees & Associates' letter dated May 27, 1971, which was a combination of Plans 1 and 2, providing the same frequency of service as Plan 1, but reducing the number of new routes to the same as shown in Plan 2. He stated there are many more alternatives that could be introduced, and that the cost would be dependent upon the level of service the City wishes to provide. The Mayor opened the public hearing. Mr. William Bayer, Chairman, Trans-Air Committee, Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, requested that the Bus Transportation Study be continued in order that a survey of all residents of the City of Santa Ana could be made through the Newsletter which is sent to approximately 45, 000 homes on a monthly basis. He stated the Chamber is willing to ass ist in this project in any way possible. Mr. Burr Shafer, Secretary of the City Center Association, referred to a Resolution passed by the City Center Board of Directors on May 17, 1971, to the effect that the City of Santa Aha should not be without a system of transportation; that the City should take over the existing system and furnish funds; that with the proper equipment, routes, and promotion, more people would be encouraged to use the system. The following persons spoke on the matter: Mr. Lou Graham, 407 E. Vance Street Mr. Ed Borke, representing the Senior Citizens Club of Santa Ana Mrs. Marian Hixon, representing the Senior Citizens Club of Santa Aha Mrs. Katherine Davis, 1607 N. Flower Street Mrs. Bullington, Santa Aha Mrs. Hazel Fisher, 410 W. Second Street Mrs. Aileen Johnson, President, American Assoication of University Women Mr. Waycott, Santa Aha Mr. Baldwin Keenan, 1014 W. Bishop, representing the Delhi Association Mrs. Doris Jewell, Mission Viejo Mrs. Sally Posthill, Retired President, League of Women Voters The Rev. Galal Gough, Chairman, Human Relations Commission Mr. Clyde Musach, 13852 Gershon Place Mrs. June Naylor, 515 E. St. Andrews Proponents stated that public transportation is an absolute necessity for low- income people, young people, old people and physically disabled; that they need transportation to doctors' offices, hospitals, shopping centers, schools, jobs; that many people cannot afford to own automobiles, taxi fares are high, many elderly people are no longer allowed to have drivers' licenses; that as a result many must walk to their destination, or to bus stops which are CITY COUNCIL -186- June 1, 1971 PUB LIC HEARING BUS TRANSPORTATION STUDY - (Continued) many blocks away, and then must wait for 30 minutes or longer because of infrequent bus schedules; that it is very difficult to transfer from one bus to another because of lack of cooperation among the different bus lines; that if the Santa Aha Transit system is allowed to die, this will hold back development of the Orange County Transit System; that while federal funds are available for mass transit plans, local communities must themselves initiate the project and provide some funds. The speakers urged continuation of the operation of buses at a reasonable fare; suggested that many more people could participate in community affairs if public transportation were adequate; thai any survey should be concentrated among those without cars; that smaller buses could be used, which might be more comfortable and easier to operate; and that there should be more routes to the southern, industrial area so people could use them to get to and from work. Mr. Don Christensen of the Santa Aha Chamber of Commerce stated that the Chamber is 100% in favor of a public transportation system, but that they would like to receive in-put from the business and industrial community. Mayor Griset reported that the City's budget will be ready for presentation in approximately three weeks; that the studies of the Council will begin the latter part of June, extending through July and he would like to include the bus transportation sturdy. There were no further proponents or opponents in this matter, and the Mayor declared the public hearing closed. Motion was made by Councilman Villa, seconded by Councilman Evans, to refer the matter to staff and the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, Trans- Air Commission, to conduct a survey of the population and report back to Council on the extent of the need and estimated costs for a public transportation system in the City of Santa Aha. In discussion by the Council, the consensus was that there is a definite need for a good public transportation system in the City of Santa Aha, but that the extent of such need was not clear; that the cost of the system to be provided must be determined, as well as the means of funding. Motion carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOE S: ABSENT Villa, Evans, Herrin, Markel Griset, Yamamoto, Patterson None CITY COUNCIL -187- June l, t971 PUBLIC HEARING BUS TRANSPORTATION STUDY - (Continued} On motion of Councilman Villa, seconded by Councilman Patterson and unanimously carried, the Mayor appointed the following committee to work with the staff in designing the questionnaire to be used in the survey: Councilman Evans, Chairman Councilman Patterson Councilman Yamamoto ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Irving Freed, owner of the New Wild Hare, 501 South Grand Avenue, stated that he has applied for a dance permit in connection with remodeling his former beer bar into a dinner club and steak house; that the Police Department has denied the permit based on the number of police incidents at the beer bar in the past; that in the past few months there has been very little trouble at his restaurant and that he was appealing to the Council for the dance permit, or at least a temporary permit, in order that he might continue with plans for the grand opening of the new restaurant on Thursday, June 3rd, as advertised. RECESS at 9:55 P.M., with all Council members present. A,ten-minute recess was declared at 9:45 P.M. Council reconvened Mr. Freed spoke further, stating that the New Wild Hare will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner; that no liquor will be served, except beer or wine with meals; that he has completely remodeled the restaurant, including new furniture, carpeting and a small dance floor. Councilman Evans' motion, seconded by Councilman Herrin to grant a temporary dance permit to the New Wild Hare from Thursday, June 3, through Sunday, June 6, and to set a public hearing for the Regular Meeting of the Council on June 7, 1971, at 7:30 P.M., carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Evans, Herrin, Villa, Patterson, Markel Griset, Yamamoto None ADJOURNMENT On motion of Councilman Markel, seconded by Councilman Patterson, and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjcarned at 10:10 P. M., to Thursday, June 3, at 4:00 P.M., in the Mayor's Office, City Hall, 217 N. Main Street. CITY COUNCIL Florence I. Malone Clerk of the Council -188- June 1, 1971