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<br />ADJOURNED COUNCIL MEETING
<br />September 29, 1976
<br />In accordance with notice duly and legally given, an Adjourned Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City
<br />of Colton was held on the above given date at 7:30 p. m., in the Council Chambers of City Hall, Mayor Beltran
<br />presiding.
<br />Rni i r.Qi i
<br />Council members present were Hayes, Cisneros, Rehrer, Gonzales, and Mayor Beltran. Also present were City
<br />Manager Huffaker, City Attorney Edwards, and City Clerk Ramos.
<br />Police Department
<br />Police Chief Phil Elliott addressed the City Council stating that he had received a copy of a letter that
<br />disturbed him personally, and affected the morale of the entire Police Department.
<br />Chief Elliott then read two letters, one dated September 27, 1976, regarding John Coelho, and the other dated
<br />August 31, 1976, regarding Randy Oliva, that had been written on City letterhead and signed by Mayor Beltran,
<br />requesting consideration on recent convictions of the two individuals.
<br />Chief Elliott felt that City letterhead should not be used to express personal opinions or requests in this
<br />regard, that it showed poor judgement on the part of an elected official, and concluded by asking the Council
<br />Members - (1) do they condone the shooting of a Police Officer, and (2) do they approve of narcotics violators?
<br />Randy Heusterberg, President of the Colton Police Officers Association, also addressed the City Council,
<br />reiterating comments as made by Chief Elliott on this issue.
<br />Mayor Beltran responded by saying he acknowledges that in this case he made an error in judgement and regretted
<br />the consequences which may result.
<br />Mayor Beltran continued that his letters were for the purpose of making known facts of the backgrounds of
<br />these families, who have been life-long friends, and, in this regard, it is sometimes very difficult to refuse
<br />a request for help when you are caught up in a very emotional situation.
<br />Mayor Beltran stated he appreciates Chief Elliott coming forward, personally, this evening on this matter, and
<br />realizes that the Chief must protect his people and officers.
<br />Mayor Beltran said he sincerely regrets these incidents and the mistake that has been made, and he would like
<br />to offer his public apology to Police Chief Elliott, the Police Department, and the Council Members.
<br />After discussion, on Council consensus the policy was established that City letterhead is to be used for
<br />official City business only.
<br />Transportation
<br />Dial -A -Ride
<br />9 a'� `-,
<br />Mr. Art Parlas, President of Yellow Cab Company in San Bernardino, gave the Council Members copies of a letter
<br />dated September 10, 1976, regarding implementation of a Dial -A -Ride system in the City of Colton.
<br />Mr. Parlas reviewed his letter with the Council Members outlining the operation and expense in using 3 cars, 5
<br />days per week, Monday through Friday, with a cost to the public of 50� per passenger. Mr. Parlas also outlined
<br />a proposed route that could be used to service the City of Colton.
<br />Mr. Parlas stated that a Dial -A -Ride system could be implemented in the City of Colton very successfully, and
<br />he is at the disposal of the City Council and personnel from S.B.T.S. to work out the arrangements.
<br />Mr. Paul Marsh, General Manager of the San Bernardino Transit System, stated he firmly believes there is
<br />definitely a place for Dial -A -Ride in the transportation system, and that Dial -A -Ride complements an existing
<br />transit service.
<br />Mr. Marsh then reviewed the existing bus service in the City of Colton, along with implementing a Dial -A -Ride
<br />system, advising that funds to begin a Dial -A -Ride system could be derived through Section 5 of Urban Mass
<br />Transportation Act of 1974 (UMTA), and SB -325 Local Transportation Funds (LTF).
<br />Mr. Marsh stated that S.B.T.S. is presently working on a model contract for a Dial -A -Ride system that can be
<br />used by all member cities for this service, however, the contract is not in final form as yet.
<br />Councilman Rehrer questioned what are the costs involved for these additional services.
<br />Mr. Marsh said the additional costs would be nominal, however, they are still making studies on these matters
<br />and are not certain at this point.
<br />Mayor Beltran spoke about the existing bus service in the City of Colton, stating that he has noticed certain
<br />routes have empty busses running and have little or no passenger use. Mayor Beltran asked if S.B.T.S. could
<br />make a study of this and possibly eliminate those routes that are not being used, whereby the City of Colton
<br />could realize a cost saving in this regard.
<br />Mr. Marsh answered yes, S.B.T.S. can make a study and report, and advise the City of Colton where the areas of
<br />less service are.
<br />Councilmen Hayes and Gonzales commented that the Dial -A -Ride system was badly needed in the City of Colton and
<br />should be started as soon as possible.
<br />Councilman Rehrer sai"d he also felt that the Dial -A -Ride system would be beneficial for the City of Colton,
<br />however, before the City proceeds with such a program, additional studies should be made and actual cost
<br />figures presented so that the City has a better picture of what they are getting into.
<br />c �- n 1 1976
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