HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/13/1971Pledge
Roll Call
Present
City Staff
MINUTES
ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
December 13, 1971.- 7.:30 P.M.
City Ha.1 1
Emmons Blake, John C. Brown, Myron Graham,
T. Keith Gurnee, Kenneth E. Schwartz
Present: J: H. Fitzpatrick, City Clerk; R. D. Miller,
Administrative Officer; D. Englert, Police
Captain; D. F. Romero, City Engineer; A. J. Shaw,
City Attorney; Lane Wilson, Parks Foreman;
R. D. Young, Planning Director.
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1. Consideration of request of Administrative Officer to augment the
revolving account budget by $20,000.00.
On motion of Councilman Gurnee, seconded by Councilman Brown, the follow-
ing resolution was introduced: RESOLUTION NO. 2250, a resolution -
increasing the 1971 -72 budget.
Passed and adopted on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Emmons Blake, John C. Brown, Myron Graham,
T. Keith Gurnee, Kenneth E.. Schwartz
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
2. The City Council "discussed the placement of a moratorium on the
enforcement of parking meters during the week prior to Christmas.
On motion of Councilman Gurnee, seconded by Councilman Graham, that the
City Council approve a moratorium on parking meter enforcement for the
period of December 20 through December 24 but that the two -hour time
limit be enforced including the parking lots. Motion carried with
Councilman Blake voting no.
3. R. D. Young, Planning Director, reported on a conference held with
Dallas Martin of the Department of Housing and Urban Development regard-
ing housing, open space and other Federal assistance programs available
to the City of San Luis Obispo. Also attending the conference were
Mayor Schwartz and Administrative Officer R. D. Miller.
R. D. Young stated that Mr. Martin was of the opinion that many of the
projects the city proposes to undertake would be eligible for HUD
assistance grants. He explained that Mr. Martin suggested that the
City submit a packaging program letter to HUD listing the programs the
City plans to undertake within the next few years. Such programs should
be of a nature that they could be completed within a one -year period.
Upon submittal of a letter of intent, the City would then be eligible
to make application for grant assistance for any of the listed projects.
The submittal of said letter does not obligate the City in any way.
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City Council Minutes
December 13, 1971
Page 2
Mayor Schwartz stated that the conference with the HUD representative was
very encouraging as far as possibilities of receiving financial help for
further development of Phase II of Meadow Park. It was his understanding
that Federal funds were available to protect creeks used as buffers. He
concluded that the HUD representative brought to the City's attention the
availability of Chapter 235 and 236 funds for housing and suggested that
the Housing Authority and the Citizens Advisory Committee look into these
funds and prepare a letter of intention for HUD. Mayor Schwartz suggested
that the staff be asked to develop a letter of intention for Meadow Park,
Phase II and also asked the Citizens Advisory Committee and Housing
Authority to establish standards for the HUD housing program.
4. The Council continued discussion of landscaping the railroad bridge
on Monterey Street proposed by the Obispo Beautiful Association.
D. F. Romero, City Engineer, reported the City could require installation
of curbs and gutters along Pepper Street between Palm and Higuera under
the public convenience and necessity ordinance. He stated the improve-
ments would be placed at full cost to the railroad company although the
City might finance on a temporary basis. (1) He estimated the cost of
the curbs and gutters at approximately $3,200 plus an additional $550 to
install an underground drainage pipe.to handle storm waters from the
railroad tracks. (2) If the site were to be graded prior to planting,
this could be done at an estimated cost of $100 for equipment rental with
the work to be done by the City. (3) It would be necessary to provide
two separate 112" water services at approximately $230 per service to
serve each of the planted areas. (4) Sand blasting of the stone masonry
bridge abutment would cost approximately $500.
Lane Wilson, Park Foreman, estimated it would cost $1740 to place
sprinklers on Pepper-Street from Higuera to Palm.
R. Dunin, Obispo Beautiful Association, stated that the organization was
ready to proceed with landscaping at this time up to a cost of $350.
Mayor Schwartz stated if the City Council approved the proposal of the
Obispo Beautiful Association, then (1) the City should prepare a letter
to Southern Pacific Company outlining the City's plan to move ahead and
request the Southern Pacific Co. to put in the curbs and gutters; (2)
the City should ask Southern Pacific to stop sterilizing the soil along
the tracks; (3) the City should ask Southern Pacific to paint the bridge;
(4) the City would install sprinklers; (5) the City to approve the
landscaping plan and.prepare the area for planting.
Councilman Brown felt the curbs were needed to control the landscaping,
but wanted to get a definite figure on direct cost to the City. He
recommended elimination of the sandblasting as proposed.
Councilman Graham felt there was no need for curbs adjacent to this strip
as he felt the plants should be allowed to grow with their natural beauty.
Councilman Gurnee felt the City should proceed with the proposal including
the sandblasting of the abutment.
Mayor Schwartz suggested that before doing anthing, the City should have
a clear understanding of all conditions with Obispo Beautiful Association
as to what each group would be required to contribute to this project.
Councilman Blake left the meeting due to a conflict of interest in this
landscaping project.
On motion of Councilman Brown, seconded by Councilman Graham, that the
City Council request the.City ATtorney to prepare a letter for Southern
Pacific concurrent with the Mayor to first clear with Obispo Beautiful
Association on conditions. Motion carried with Councilman Blake absent.
Councilman Blake returned to the meeting.
City Council Minutes
December 13, 1971
Page 3
5. The City Council again discussed the proposal of Francis Dean,
Landscape Architect, to prepare a master plan for development of Laguna
Lake Park together with a conservation and implementation program for
inclusion of the mountain area north of the lake and integration into
the Laguna Lake Plan.
Mayor Schwartz felt what was needed by the City was a single study
encompassing not only Laguna Lake Park area as developed but also San
Luis Mountain and Bishop's Peak and the saddle between so that a com-
prehensive program to protect these areas and make use of the area by
the public could be developed. He continued that the Hector Plan was
now out of date due to actions taken by the City Council over the last
several years in granting other uses and he also felt the Hector Plan
lacked a system for phasing in development.
The City Council discussed the best approach to getting a plan for
development of Laguna Lake Park and adjacent proposed open space.
Councilman Gurnee reported that within two weeks the County Planning
Department would present an open space report for the county including
the vicinity of San Luis Obispo for the Council's consideration. It
was the consensus of the Council that the City should wait for the
County's report on open space and also wait for the report from Simon
Eisner.
The City Council discussed ways and means to protect the mountains and
Los Osos Valley and also some way to control development as far as water
was concerned. After discussion, it was moved by Councilman Gurnee and
seconded by Councilman Graham, that the City Council reiterate its policy
of allowing no water service to building sites over 460' elevation with-
out prior approval of the City Council.
Councilman Blake felt the motion was unnecessary and the staff had now
informed developers of the limited water supply.
The City Council and staff discussed the implications of the policy
resolution regarding 460' elevation.
A. J. Shaw, City Attorney, suggested that if the City Council were con-
sidering a change in policy, this matter should be continued to a
public hearing so that the public could be heard.
On motion of Councilman Gurnee, seconded by Councilman Graham, the
following resolution was introduced: RESOLUTION NO. 2251, a resolution
of the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo declaring City Policy
restricting water service for developments above an elevation of 460 feet.
Passed and adopted on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Emmons Blake, John C. Brown, Myron Graham,
T. Keith Gurnee, Kenneth E. Schwartz
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
6. A. J. Shaw, City Attorney, presented for the Council's information
a draft of a program for tax relief or rebate to encourage and stimulate
maintenance, repair and renovation of existing privately owned structures
to avoid increasing urban blight. He stated a program of this type would
operate either by (1) imposing lesser taxes originally upon those parti-
cipating in the program or (2) by making direct payments from City funds
to those participants in the program. He continued that upon review of
case law and State law, there did not appear to be any way in which a city
could establish a system of lowering taxes for persons who have improved
their properties.
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City Council Minutes
December 13, 1971
Page 4
Therefore under State law, it appeared that all property owners must pay
property taxes on the same rate and have their taxes increased when their
properties are improved. The City Council might consider whether the city
desired to budget and expend public funds to partially reimburse property
owners for the cost of improvements to their property, based upon the
public purpose served by the improvement.
A.-J. Shaw then reviewed in detail the matters of public purpose, money
available and the requirements for such a reimbursement plan. He concluded
that it would be extremely difficult to arrive at an equitable program of
tax rebate.
The matter was continued for further study.
7. Discussion of matters to be considered in the 1972 legislative
session as requested by Assemblyman Ketchum was continued to a meeting
with the Assemblyman to be arranged at his convenience.
8. The City Council again discussed a possible increase in sewer
service charges and the affect of Phase II on any rate increases.
Mayor Schwartz again reviewed the recommendation of the Council sub-
committee that the ultimate sewer service charge should be $2.50 per
month per household and rates for service outside the City should cost
twice that amount.
A. J. Shaw, City Attorney, explained that under the Phase II controls,
the City might only be limited to a specific percentage increase in sewer
charges but if the City could prove that the actual cost to provide
services was higher than the present rate, then the higher rate might
be approved.
R. Dunin, Motel -Hotel Association, was opposed to any increase in sewer
service charges for the motels and hotels in the City. He claimed they
were presently in financial difficulty due to low occupancy and could not
afford greater burdens.
The City Attorney was asked to contact the Internal Revenue Service and
determine what percentage rate increase would be justifiable under the
Phase II conditions. It was the consensus of the Council that when this
information was received, the sewer service be increased 50¢ in each
fiscal period and not by the full amount at one time.
9. The City Council adjourned to executive session to discuss personnel
matters (commission appointments).
10. On motion of Councilman Blake, seconded by Councilman Graham, the
meeting was adjourned. Motion carried.
APPROVED: January 17, 1972jl'
f PATRICK, CITY CLERK