Loading...
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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. 1 1 FJ 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. 1 1 1 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