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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/16/20001 1 MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TUESDAY, MAY 16, 2000 - 4:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBER, 990 PALM STREET SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA ROLL CALL: Council Members Present: Council Members John Ewan, Jan Howell Marx, Dave Romero, Vice Mayor Ken Schwartz, and Mayor Allen K. Settle City Staff: Present: John Dunn, City Administrative Officer; Jeff Jorgensen, City Attorney; Lee Price, City Clerk; Ken Hampian, Assistant City Administrative Officer; Arnold Jonas, Community Development Director; Bill Statler, Finance Director; Ann Slate, Human Resources Director; Jim Gardiner, Police Chief; Bob Neumann, Fire Chief; John Moss, Utilities Director; Mike McCluskey, Public Works Director; Paul LeSage, Parks and Recreation Director; Wendy George, Assistant to the CAO; Terry Sanville, Transportation Planner; Whitney Mcllvaine, Associate Planner; Wayne Peterson, City Engineer; Neil Havlik, Natural Resources Manager; Karen Jenny, Risk Manager; Gary Henderson, Water Division Manager; Shelly Stanwyck, Economic Development Manager AUTHORIZE ADVERTISING FOR BIDS FOR THE RAILROAD TRANSPORTATION CENTER (RTC). Public Works Director McCluskey presented the staff report. Council Member Ewan stated that he has a business more than 300 feet from the project and that he has determined he has no conflict of interest. Council questions followed. Public Comments: Steve Devencenzi, SLOCOG staff, spoke in support of Staff's recommendation, and responded to Council's questions relative to SLOCOG participation and parking for Amtrak customers.. Mike Spangler, 664 Marsh Street, spoke in opposition to using Parking Fund money to help pay for this project, although he supports the project. He indicated he is concerned that more raids of the fund will follow and urged the Council to use the fund only for what it's intended: provide parking in the downtown. —End of Public Comments.- , Council discussion followed. Concerns by individual Council Members were expressed about using Parking Funds. City Council Meeting Tuesday, May 16, 2000 - 4:00 p.m. Page 2 Council Member Romero voiced objections using the parking and street maintenance funds, and added that he would not support the staff recommendation. He proposed the use of General Fund reserves; however, a majority of the Council did not support his suggestion. Staff agreed to look at the funding again in June and see if there is a way to pay back those funds. City Administrative Officer John Dunn will put it on the agenda for General Fund budget discussion on 6120. A ACTION: Moved by Marx/Ewan to 1) approve plans and specifications for the Railroad Transportation Center (RTC), Specification No. 99059. 2) Approve transferring $770,000 from various fund sources to this project's construction budget. 3) Authorize the Public Works Department to advertise for bids on the construction contract. 4) Authorize the City Administrative Officer to award the contract if the accepted bid plus contingencies is within the total project construction budget of $1,395,000; motion carried 4:1 (Romero). Community Development Director Jonas presented the staff report. Public Comments: Rich Kopeckv, County General Services, appeared ready to field questions about the design. —End of Public Comments — Council Discussion followed. ACTION: Moved by Schwartz/Romero to affirm the previous Architectural Review Commission and Community Development Director's recommendations regarding the proposed project. Council strongly recommended that the parking area be made available to the public during the evening, on weekends, and other times when the court is not in session. Additionally, Council strongly recommended that the County include the relocation of the traffic signal control equipment as part of the project at their expense; motion carried 5:0. 3. PRESENTATION BY STAFF OF THE NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) PHASE II PROGRAM. City Engineer Peterson provided the staff presentation. Brief Council questions followed. Council Member Marx suggested that ECOSLO, SLO Land Conservancy, Chamber of Commerce, Sierra Club, Cal Poly and Cuesta College be involved in the public education process. There were no comments from the public. ACTION: Report received. Break called at 5:55 p.m. CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - EXISTING LITIGATION 1 I City Council Meeting Page 3 Tuesday, May 16, 2000 - 4:00 p.m. Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9 ' Workers Compensation Claim: John Carson City Attorney Jorgensen reported that the Council authorized settlement; terms of which were not disclosed, as settlement is ongoing. PRESENTATIONS NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK. Mayor Settle presented a proclamation to Public Works Director McCluskey and Utilities Director Moss recognizing May 21 se through May 27th as National Public Works Week. Parks Supervisor Tolson announced activities planned for "Public Works Week." NATIONAL BIKE WEEK. Mayor Settle presented a proclamation to John Donovan from Rideshare recognizing May W to May 20th as "National Bike Week." PUBLIC COMMENT Art Murphy, Rockview Place resident, requested a copy of documentation certifying compliance relative to the Administrative Use Permit for the Saturn dealership on Broad Street. Brett Cross; 1214 Mariner's Cove, asserted that he objected to the Architectural Review Commission delving into planning and environmental issues. He also voiced concern about news racks on Higuera Street. Council directed City Attorney Jorgensen to return to Council with a status report on news racks. In addition, Mr. Cross noted that he opposes the proposed November 2000 revenue enhancement ballot measure, as well as the recommendation to a City Biologist. Josephine Malone. San Luis Obispo citizen, articulated her concerns regarding corporate advertising on vending machines in City parks and on news racks. Gary Fowler. 777 Mill Street, noted that the red curbing in his neighborhood is faded and expressed concern regarding disrepair of painted curbs throughout the City. Council directed staff to contact Mr. Fowler. CONSENT AGENDA ACTION: Moved by Schwartz/Romero to approve the consent agenda as recommended by the City Administrative Officer; motion carried 5:0. C1. COUNCIL MINUTES OF TUESDAY, MAY 2, 2000. ACTION: Moved by SchwartrJRomero to waive oral reading and approve as submitted; motion carried 5:0. ' C2. HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION (HRC) COSPONSORSHIP OF A TRI- COUNTY HATE CRIME TASK FORCE IN SAN LUIS OBISPO. City Council Meeting Tuesday, May 16, 2000 - 4:00 p.m. Page 4 ACTION: Moved by Schwartz/Romero to approve the HRC's request to cosponsor the Tri- County Hate Crime Task Force Forum to be held in San Luis Obispo on June 8, 2000; motion carried 5:0. C3. COOPERATIVE PURCHASING — OFFICE SUPPLIES. ACTION: Moved by Schwartz/Romero to approve cooperative purchasing for office supplies through the California Communities Purchasing Program/Los Angeles County Master Agreement, and authorize the Mayor to sign the contract with Office Depot; motion carried 5:0. C4. SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL GRANT APPLICATION. Council Member Romero asked that if the grant is approved, consideration be given to extending the flashing beacons on Los Osos Valley Road southerly to Royal Way. ACTION: Moved by Schwartz/Romero to approve Safe Routes to School Grant Application; motion carried 5:0. C5. PURCHASE OF GENERAL. PURPOSE VEHICLES FOR 1999 -00. ACTION: Moved by Schwartz/Romero to authorize Public Works to find suitable used sedans and pickup trucks to replace existing vehicles scheduled for replacement in fiscal year 1999 -00; motion carried 5:0. C6. JANITORIAL. SERVICE ADJUSTMENTS. - a ACTION: Moved by Schwartz/Romero to approve an amendment to add three rooms at the Recreation Center on the existing contract to furnish janitorial maintenance services under Specification No. 9737 (Contractor: Pacific Coast Building Maintenance. Additional cost: $335 per month.); motion carried 5:0. PUBLIC HEARINGS Human Resources Director Slate provided the staff report. Mayor Settle opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. Mayor Settle closed the public hearing. ACTION: Moved by Marx/Ewan to adopt Resolution No. 9043 and introduce Ordinance No. 1370 approving an amendment to the contract between the Board of Administration of PERS and the City of San Luis Obispo to provide military service credit as public service for fire safety members; motion carried 5:0. 5. AMENDING THE GENERAL PLAN WATER AND WASTEWATER ELEMENT POLICIES RELATIVE TO SILTATION AND SAFE ANNUAL YIELD. Utilities Director Moss and Water Division Manager Henderson presented the staff report Council questions followed. r� City Council Meeting Tuesday, May 16, 2000 - 4:00 p.m. Page 5 ' Mayor Settle opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. Mayor Settle closed the public hearing. ACTION: Moved by Schwartz/Marx to approve the Planning Commission's recommendation to adopt Resolution No. 9044 to amend the Water and Wastewater Management Element of the General Plan to annually account for reductions in safe annual yield due to situation and approve a negative declaration of environmental impact; motion carried 5:0. BUSINESS ITEMS continued 6. CITY'S LONG -TERM FISCAL HEALTH. Finance Director Statler presented the staff report. Consultants Catherine Lew and Richard Maullin presented an in -depth report on the results of a November 2000 revenue ballot measure feasibility study. Council questions followed. Public Comments: Bill Storm urged the Council to consider the concept carefully and look at the other issues on the ballot this year. Gary Fowler voiced opposition to the possible ballot measure. Carla Sanders compared to Consultant's survey results with results of a 1988 survey and concluded that growth and development, and traffic congestion are still the most important concerns. Richard Schmidt opposed the concept of spending public funds on this activity and argued that it is manipulative. —End of Public Comments.— Council discussion followed. ACTION: Report received. No support to proceed with a revenue ballot measure for November 2000 at this time. Staff directed to bring the matter back for consideration approximately 12 months before the November 2002 election. Break 9:50 p.m. Reconvened at 10:05 p.m. CITY BIOLOGIST POSITION. Assistant City Administrative Officer Hampian, Natural Resources Manager Havlik and Human Resources Director Slate presented the staff report. Public Comments: Richard Kreisa asked the Council to discuss the Natural Resources Inventory separately from the position of City Biologist. Council agreed to bifurcate the discussion. Dr. Kreisa voiced support for the recommendation (as modified by deleting "and initial priorities including the approach to completing the Natural Resource Inventory"), 2, 3 an 4." He City Council Meeting Page 6 Tuesday, May 16, 2000 - 4:00 p.m. argued, however, for greater educational qualifications and summarized recommendations submitted by members of the Environmental Quality Task Force. Gary Fowler asserted that the position may not be needed at this time and asked what the overall cost of the position will be. Phil Ashley expressed concerns about the inventory and the qualifications for the biologist. He argued that the qualifications will yield an apprentice biologist and spoke in favor of the hiring of a fisheries and wildlife biologist. He suggested that the job description be amended by adding a responsibility to establish habitat protection and management plans. Ray Belnap. Land Conservancy, said he supports the position and emphasized that the timing is right due to the City's recent acquisition of open space. Patricia Wilmore , SLO Chamber of Commerce, reported that the Board questions the expenditure mid -year. She proposed that it is fiscally irresponsible at this time and requested the Council delay approval until after the budget process. Carla Sanders remarked that open space is a priority and reminded the Council that protection is a goal set by Council five years ago. Kurt Kupper commented in support of the position and Dr. Krejsa's proposed modifications. —End of Public Comments— Council discussion ensued. Council Member Romero objected to adding this position at mid year, and proposed that the issue be deferred until the goal setting and budget approval process. Vice Mayor Schwartz proposed that the employment standards for the position be amended by adding a qualification that the individual have knowledge of urban and regional planning. The amendment to the job description was agreed to by a majority of the Council. 8. ACTION: Moved by Ewan/ Marx to 1) approve the establishment of the position of City Biologist, including its recommended organizational placement and overall scope of responsibilities as amended. Direct staff to include an appropriation of $68,800 in the 2000 -01 budget to support salary and benefits ($48,800 prorated for nine months), general budget support ($11,500) and "one- time" setup costs ($8,500) necessary for the position. 3) Direct staff to return with a policy resolution that reinforces the stewardship responsibilities of all City employees relative to major areas of shared responsibility. 4) Concur with the annual distribution of a "sustainable city progress report"; motion carried 4:1 (Romero). City Administrative Officer Dunn provided the staff report. There were no public comments. I u City Council Meeting Tuesday, May 16, 2000 - 4:00 p.m. Page 7 ACTION: Moved by Romero/Ewan to 1) authorize the Mayor to execute the Second 1 Amendment to the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement (ENA) with Chinatown -Court Street Partners, LLC in order to extend the ENA's term for an additional 45 -days. 2) Appropriate $25,000 from the Unappropriated General Fund balance to fund added consultant services necessary to complete the negotiations; motion carried 5:0. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS ( SLOCOG) Council Member Romero provided an overview of the May 3 r meeting of SLOCOG (see written report on file with the City Clerk). He summarized the draft business plan for a proposed high -speed rail system, which would provide service between San Diego at the southern end to Sacramento and San Francisco at the northern end. The SLOCOG and APCD boards viewed a presentation regarding PLACE'S (Planning for Community Energy, Economic, and Environmental Sustainability) GIS system overlay maps and tentatively approved the conceptual program. The SLOCOG board endorsed the state- of- the-art Intelligent Transportation System (ITS). Council Member Romero noted that the City of San Luis Obispo will receive approximately $250,000 from the Governor's Transportation Initiative. INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY Council Member Ewan reported on the May 10`° meeting of the San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority. Council Member Romero reported that IWMA recently received approval for a grant that will utilize ground up tires that can be used as a protective base on the playground at the Children's Museum. He also reported that he and Vice Mayor Schwartz attended a tour of the new Materials Recovery Facility (MFR) at the Cold Canyon Landfill. AIR POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD (APCD) Council Member Ewan reported that the APCD will meet on Wednesday, May 17, 2000. PERFORMING ARTS CENTER (PAC) Council Member Romero reported that the PAC Facilities Committee has reviewed a report from its consultant to prioritize (on a cost - benefit basis) a series of actions to improve all facets of operations at the PAC. City Administrative Officer Dunn announced that a joint meeting of the City Council, PAC Board and the Cal Poly Foundation Board will take place on June 15"'. COMMUNICATIONS TURNING POINT ACADEMY Mayor Settle announced that he and Vice Mayor Schwartz met with Colonel Neven and his assistant from Turning Point Academy to discuss issues of mutual concern. OBISPO BEAUTIFUL City Council Meeting Tuesday, May 16, 2000 - 4:00 p.m. Page 8 Vice Mayor Schwartz announced that on June 18` at 6:00 p.m. at the Monday Club three "Obispo Beautiful" awards will be presented to the City. Thirty -five projects in the community will be recognized, he added. There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Settle adjourned the meeting at approximately 11:30 p.m. to Tuesday, June 6, 2000 � at 7:00 p.nf. in a Council Chamber, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. A /' Lee Prit6, C.M.C. City Clerk APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 6120100 LP:dr 1 F