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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989/09/12 - Minutes - Joint (Chamber of Commerce) September 12, 1989 CITY OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Joint Meetina (Joint Meeting of the City Council and the Chamber of Commerce) A. CAr.r. ~0 ORDER A joint meeting of the City Council of the City of Rancho Cucamonga and the Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce met on Tuesday, September 12, 1989, at the Lions Park Community Center, 9161 Base Line Road, Rancho Cucamonga, California. The meeting was called to order at 7:12 p.m. Present were Councilmembers: William J. Alexander, Deborah N. Brown (arrived at 7:34 p.m.), Pamela J. Wright, and Mayor Dennis L. Stout. Also present were: Jack Lam, City Manager; Linda D. Daniels, Deputy City Manager; Rick Gomez, Community Development Director; Brad Buller, City Planner; Joe Schultz, Community Services Manager; Diane O'Neal, Administrative Analyst; Susan Mickey, Administrative Aide; and Debra J. Adams, City Clerk. Present from the Cheer of Commerce was the Board of Directors consisting of: Tom Flynn, President; Michael S. Mitchell, Senior Vice President; Dale Frisby, Vice President; Jackie Amsler, Vice President; Bob McMaster, Treasurer; and Danielle Watson, Executive Director. Absent was Councilmember: Charles J. Buquet II. , , , , Mayor Stout welcomed the Chamber of Commerce, and mentioned that Councilwoman Wright had suggested this joint meeting with the Chamber to enhance our communication with them. , , , , , B. ITEMS OF DISCUSSION B1. Overview of Chamber Activities and Proqram of Action. (1180-09 CHAMBER) Tom Flynn, President, stated he appreciated the opportunity to meet with the City Council and stated that John Mannerino and Jim Medeiros could not be in attendance at this meeting due to previous commitments. He presented a hand-out to the City Council entitled "1989/1990 Program of Action" which briefly described the various committees the Chamber has, and what each Committee's plan of action entails. It also included a calendar of special annual events. (i) City Council Minutes September 12, 1989 Page 2 (2) B2. City Staff and Chamber Committees - How Can They Assist Each Other. (1180- 09 CHAMBER) Tom Flynn, President, stated they are asking the City Council how the Chamber can help the City through some of its Committees. He noted some of the events that take place in the City, and stated that they were on the back of the "Program of Action" which was distributed. He mentioned that the Business Expoand the Grape Harvest Festival continue to grow every year, and added that they may have to look for another location other than Guasti Park because the Grape Harvest Festival is growing so much and running out of space at Guasti. Councilman Alexander stated he can see where the City and the Government Relations Committee would continue to work together on various issues, and added that he felt this Committee can continue to promote what the City is trying to accomplish. Both Councilman Alexander and Board member Dale Frisby agreed it was important for new businesses to continue coming to Rancho Cucamonga. Councilwoman Wright welcomed the Chamber's input on child care issues, because the need for this was so important, and wanted them to advise the City what they perceive the needs to be, so the City could try to meet these needs for the community. She felt we should not assume the need for child care is being met, that we should watch out for problems that may arise. Jackie Amsler, Vice President, asked if the City Council had ever seen the Hi- Tech Society Report, which she thought had been put out through Charley College. Councilwoman Wright stated she had not seen it. JackieAmsler, Vice President, stated she had seen information in this report on the child care issue, and that she would look into this information and pass it on to Jack Lam, City Manager. Councilwoman Wright asked that Jack Lam, City Manager, follow-up on this with Jackie Amsler, Vice President. Dale Frisby, Vice President, asked what was the appropriate way to communicate concerns for either agency to the other. Councilwoman Wright stated she felt communication could be done formally or informally, either in writing or just to approach a Council member in person. Councilman Alexander stated he felt issues that the Chamber and City were working on jointly should be agendized as necessary, so the public would know that the City and Chamber are working together. Mayor Stout added that he did not feel the lines of communication between the Chamber and the City needed to be through formal procedures. City Council Minutes September 12, 1989 Page 3 Jack Lam, City Manager, added that if there is an ordinance or something that has an impact on the business community, the City makes it a policy to contact the Chamber regarding that issue. Councilwoman Brown arrived at 7:34 p.m. Michael Mitchell, Senior Vice President, stated he has looked at other cities and chambers, and felt they seem to work better together than the Rancho Cucamonga Chamber and City Council do. He felt both of Rancho Cucamonga's agencies were working toward the same goal, but each in their own separate direction. Councilwoman Wright asked what Rancho Cucamonga was doing for economic development. Jack Lam, City Manager, stated the City is basically working in the trade and promotional areas, and is trying to let people know who we are and where we are. He stated the City is not getting involved with tax incentives for the most part. Jack Lam, City Manager, further stated possibly the Chamber could send someone to these trade meetings that the City goes to in order for the City and Chamber to work together at one of these meetings. He stated that when the City goes to the trade meetings, the City always has good things to say about our Chamber of Commerce. Councilwoman Wright stated she liked Jack Lam's, City Manager, idea. Councilwoman Brown stated the City would like to get involved in some of the Chamber's events to promote economic development also. Councilwoman Wright stated that she and Councilwoman Brown have been working on various issues relating to the environment and recycling, and that the Chamber should also be involved in these issues, and asked for their input on any information they may have regarding this which might assist the City's new environmental commission. She further stated she hoped the community and the Chamber would get involved in "Earth Day" which would be held in April. She stated she hoped everyone could work together on all of these environmental issues. Councilwoman Brown stated she appreciated how both the Chamber and the City worked cooperatively on the CFC (chloroflourocarbon) issue, and how both agencies made this so successful. She further stated she felt it was the commercial group that would make or break the environmental issues, not just the residents. JackieAmsler, Vice President, stated she felt that more lead time was necessary to get some of the community events moving. Danielle Watson, Executive Director, stated that the lead time has been improving, but that it was sometimes difficult. City Council Minutes September 12, 1989 Page 4 (3) Councilman Alexander suggested that whenever the City and the Chamber do work together on an event or project, that the information be put in the Chamber's publication. Danielle Watson, Executive Director, stated that next year at the Business Expo, there should be a manufacturing booth to ehow the community what the City of Rancho Cucamonga actually does manufacture. She stated the Chamber is open to suggestions in order to make the Expo more successful. Councilwoman Wright felt that if the manufacturing booth could actually demonstrate something being manufactured, that this would really attract people, children especially. , , , , , B3. Review of Upcominq Special Events. (1180-09 CHAMBER) Tom Flynn, President, stated that the upcoming events were listed on the back of the "1989/1990 Program of Action" previously handed out. Councilwoman Brown asked about the possibility of the City incorporating into their Sign Ordinance the use of banners. She confirmed with Brad Bullet, City Planner, that this was not already in there. Brad Buller, City Planner, stated that it was not in the Sign Ordinance because our City Attorney said we could not do this. Danielle Watson, Executive Director, stated they have just put up a banner in the City of Ontario regarding the Grape Harvest Festival. She felt if banners could be allowed, it would triple the City's attendance at these types of events. Councilwoman Wright stated we should askquestions on how can we find a procedure for putting up banners in our City. The City Council concurred that banners would be excellent advertising, but that they would have to be approved by the City Council before being allowed to be put up. Councilwoman Wright asked if this can come before the City Council at a future meeting. Jack Lam, City Manager, stated he would speak with the City Attorney on how to find a way to allow banners in the City of Rancho Cucamonga. Councilwoman Wright stated she felt she did not know how the business community worked, and asked how she could learn what they do when she has free time from teaching school. The Chamber stated they would be happy to get together with Councilwoman Wright at her convenience. City Council Minutes September 12, 1989 Page 5 , , , , , B4. Review of Current Memorandum of Understanding Between the Chamber of (4) Commerce and the City. (1180-09 CHAMBER) Tom Flynn, President, stated he wanted to know how the City Council felt they were doing with regards to the Memorandum of Understanding. Mayor Stout stated he did not have any idea how the Chamber handles the problems or complaints they receive, that he did not know if they keep track of telephone calls received, or exactly how they handle these situations. Danielle Watson, Executive Director, stated she could not say how many calls they get per day, but stated that at Grape Harvest Festival time, the amount of calls definitely increases. She informed the City Council about the types of calls they do receive. Mayor Stout asked how they distribute the new business packages. Danielle Watson, Executive Director, stated they do hand these out as needed. Dale Frisby, Vice President, informed the Council about the Small Business packages that they also hand out. Councilwoman Brown asked if they hand out information about the City. Jack Lam, City Manager, stated yes, he knew that the Chamber did this, and also told about the City's video that is available. Jack Lam, City Manager, stated that the City does work cooperatively with the Chamber on handing out information to the community. Councilwoman Brown suggested that the City and the Chamber work together on the production of a video which would represent the manufacturing done in the City of Rancho Cucamonga. Councilwoman Wright asked who the representative was for number six as listed in the Memorandum of Understanding. The Chamber stated it was Councilmen Alexander and Buquet, and Jack Lam, City Manager. Jack Lam, City Manager, stated that after reviewing the contract between the City and the Chamber, he felt the Chamber was doing a very good job in every area listed in the contract. Michael Mitchell, Senior Vice President, asked if the City could let the Chamber know when there is going to be street improvements in progress so they could get the word out. Mayor Stout stated this was a good idea but the City only knows about one week ahead of the date the construction is to begin. City Council Minutes September 12, 1989 Page 6 Jack Lam, City Manager, stated the City could get the Chamber the schedule, but that the dates are not always accurate. He reiterated what the Mayor had said as far as the City only knowing about construction dates 1-2 weeks ahead of. the date construction is to commence. Jack Lam, City Manager, stated that some of the problems with street improvements are because they are improvements that a developer is doing in conjunction with his project. Dale Frisby, Vice President, suggested that before the Chamber's publication goes to press, that they contact the City to get the most up-to-date information. Councilwoman Wright asked how many acres were needed for the Grape Harvest Festival. Jackie Amsler, Vice President, stated they are in the process of working on a five-year plan for the Grape Harvest Festival, and that it is difficult to figure for certain how many acres they will need, but stated that they now use approximately 60 acres. Jack Lam, City Manager, asked if anyone has explored the use of Edison rights-of way for a Grape Harvest Festival site. The Chamber concurred this was something to check into. Councilwoman Wright asked if they could go on at Guasti for another ten years. JackieAmsler, Vice President, stated it depended on the Master Plan of the park. She further added they have looked into the possibility of using Chaffey College land for the festival. She added that they have changed the day of the mixer for the Grape Harvest Festival, that it would be on a Thursday, instead of a Wednesday, and would be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. which would allow the guests to enter the Grape Harvest Festival at that time. Councilwoman Wright asked if there was any way the banner issue could come back to the City Council prior to the Grape Harvest Festival. Jack Lam, City Manager, stated that it would not be in time for the Grape Harvest Festival because of the legal advertising involved. Danielle Watson, Executive Director, suggested that possibly the amendment to the Sign Ordinance would be approved prior to the Founder's Day Parade. Michael Mitchell, Senior Vice President, asked if the sales tax issue does not pass in November, which is for the funding of the freeway, has the City considered funding a major east-west thoroughfare in the City of Rancho Cucamonga. The City Council stated they have not discussed this issue at this point in time. Jack Lam, City Manager, stated there is a plan for an expressway, but it has not been discussed yet. City Council Minutes September 12, 1989 Page 7 Councilwoman Brown stated in addition to that, the commuter rail will hopefully be stopping in Rancho Cucamonga. Danielle Watson, Executive Director, asked about the replacement of the palm trees on Haven Avenue, stating there were some that needed to be replaced. Mayor Stout stated there are also some magnolia trees in Phase I that need replacement. Jack Lam, City Manager, stated this would be taken care of. There were none. C. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC De , , , , ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Moved by Alexander, seconded by Wright to adjourn. 4-0-1 (Buquet absent). Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Motion carried, Debra j~ui~u~~ City Clerk Approved: October 4, 1989