Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/08/20021 MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2002 - 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBER, 990 PALM STREET SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA ROLL CALL: Council Members Present: Council Members John Ewan, Christine Mulholland, Ken Schwartz, Vice Mayor Jan Howell Marx, and Mayor Allen K. Settle City Staff: Present: Ken Hampian, City Administrative Officer; Jeff Jorgensen, City Attorney; Lee Price, City Clerk; Wendy George, Assistant City Administrative Officer; John Mandeville, 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; Betsy DeJamette, Assistant to the City Administrative Officer; Philip Dunsmore, Associate Planner; Shelly Stanwyck, Economic Development Manager TOBACCO SETTLEMENT ISSUE County Administrative Officer David Edge presented an overview of the Tobacco Settlement Issue Ballot Measure (Measure A) set for the March 5, 2002 Election, summarized what Measure A will do, and discussed why the County Board of Supervisors are opposed to it. Public Comments: Dr. Stephen Hansen, 1744 Alisal, spoke in support of the measure. He contended that the money raised by this measure would ensure funding for important health care services for low- income citizens. Bill Storm. 3057 South Higuera, expressed support for the measure because it will benefit seniors. Mary Beth Schroeder, 2085 Wilding Lane, urged Council to use tobacco settlement money to educate the public about the harmful effects of tobacco use. –end of public comments— Council Member Mulholland questioned whether it is appropriate for the Council to hold a forum for debates about political issues that are coming forward as ballot measures. Mayor Settle replied that it is common and customary to receive informational presentations about ballot measures. Vice Mayor Marx pointed out that this issue will have an impact on City City Council Meeting Page 2 Tuesday, January 8,2002- 7:00 p.m. residents who benefit from services if tobacco funds are redirected as a result of the passage of the ballot measure. PUBLIC COMMENT Council agreed to hear Vice Mayor Marx's Communication item, "Potential Use of the Pacheco School" during the public comment portion of the meeting because several citizens from the Alta Vista Neighborhood were present and wished to discuss this item. Vice Mayor Marx urged Council to direct staff, pending school board action, to explore possible City use of the Pacheco School, open formal communication with the San Luis Coastal Unified School District, and report to Council with options within six months. Suzanne Lord, 299 Albert Drive, Martin Luschel.169 Kentucky, Brian Barnard. 281 Albert Drive, Maurice Heagren, 253AIbert Drive, Meridiith L. Baum, 236 Albert Drive, and Mary Beth Schroder. 2085 Wilding Lane, expressed concern about the closing of Pacheco School, possible uses for the school site and urged the Council to communicate with the school board about opportunities and options for the site. By consensus, Council agreed to direct staff to communicate with the school board, and based on the school board's decisions keep Council informed about possible options. Sifu Kelvin Berming Harrison, San Luis Obispo resident, reiterated claims of harassment and discrimination. Mary Beth Schroder. 2085 Wilding Lane, restated support for a senior citizen center at 1344 Nipomo. She also spoke in opposition to the development plan proposed for the Woodland Drive area (Item C-3) and the Kennedy Club Fitness proposal. She further asked Council to reconsider the Copeland development proposed for Court Street and to maintain the property as open space. CONSENT AGENDA Council Member Schwartz pulled item C-1 for discussion. Council Member Ewan pulled Item C-5 for comment ACTION: Moved by Mulholland/Marx to approve the consent agenda with the exception of items C1 and C5 as recommended by the City Administrative Officer; motion carried 5:0. C1. RESOLUTION REVISING THE ADVISORY BODY HANDBOOK. Council Member Schwartz pulled this item to suggest revisions proposed in his memo (on file In the Office of the City Clerk). Vice Mayor Marx also proposed certain modifications to the Handbook including the addition of language, relating to enviommental review, in the descriptions for the Architectural Review Commission, Cultural Heritage Committee, and Planning Commission. Council discussion ensued. ACTION: Moved by Ewan/Mulholland to adopt Resolution 9275 (2002 Series) as amended revising the City Council Advisory Body Handbook; motion carried 5:0. City Council Meeting Page 3 Tuesday, January 8,2002- 7:00 p.m. ACTION :. Moved by Mark/Mulholland to direct staff to bring back another revision of 1 the Advisory Handbook next year that would Include consistent descriptions of all the advisory bodies; motion carried 5:0. C2. NAMING OF POND AT JOHNSON RANCH OPEN SPACE IN HONOR OF BERT AND CANDACE FORBES. ACTION: Moved by Mulholland/Marx to adopt Resolution No. 9276 (2002 Series) naming the pond on the Johnson Ranch Open Space as "Forbes Pond," in honor of Bert and Candace Forbes, as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Commission; motion carried 5:0. 1 C3. FINAL ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE NO. 1406. AMENDING THE GENERAL PLAN C4. C5. LAND USE MAP AND ZONING MAP FROM SERVICES AND MANUFACTURING (C-S- S-H) TO PUBLIC (PF -H) FOR THE RAILROAD TRANSPORTATION CENTER AND SAN LUIS OBISPO RAILROAD MUSEUM LOCATED AT 950 HIGH STREET (GP/R/ER 14 00). AND REZONING THE WOODLAND DRIVE AREA FROM R -1 -SP TO R -1 (GP/R/ER 111 -01 ) . ACTION: Moved by Mulholland/Marx to grant final adoption to Ordinance No. 1406 (2002 Series); motion carried 5:0. ACTION: Moved by Mulholland/Marx to approve Specification No. 90312 for the purchase of 35 Self- Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units and 25 additional Individual face masks, authorize soliciting of bids and authorize contract award by the City Administrative Officer if the proposed contract amount is less than $112,500; motion carried 5:0. Council Member Ewan pulled to comment that he would vote in favor of the item, but is not fully satisfied that $75,000 is sufficient compensation for the loss of three homes. He expressed concern that this development will Increase jobs but decrease affordable housing stock and asked planning staff to carefully review the progress of this project. ACTION: 1) Moved by Mulholland/Marx to: 1) Adopt Resolution No. 9277 (2002 Series to consider abandonment of the street right -of -way (R/W) and set a public hearing for February 19, 2002.' 2) Accept the proposed payment of $65,000 to the Housing Authority as acceptable compensation for the value of the City-owned property and directing the sale in accordance with the procedures of the City's Property Management Manual; motion carried 5:0. C6. OSOSIISLAY/LEFF STREET REHABILITATION AND WATERLINE REPLACEMENT. ACTION: Moved by Mulholland/Marx to: 1) Approve plans and specifications for "OsosAslay/Leff Street Rehabilitation and Waterline Replacement" 2) Authorize ' staff to advertise for bids. 3) Authorize the City Administrative Officer to award the contract if the lowest responsible bid is within the engineer's estimate of $600,000; motion carried 5:0. City Council Meeting Page 4 Tuesday, January 8, 2002- 7:00 p.m. APPOINTMENTS Al. APPOINTMENT RECOMMENDATION TO THE HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION. ACTION: Moved by Mulholland/Marx to appoint Elise Wheeler to fill an unexpired term to begin immediately and end on September 30,2002; motion carried 5:0. BUSINESS ITEMS Council took Item 2 before Item 1. 1. STREET FURNITURE AND LIGHT STANDARD COLOR SCHEME AND FINISH. Associate Planner Dunsmore presented the staff report. Public Comments Mary Beth Schroeder supported the recommendation. —end of public comments— Council Member Schwartz voiced disappointment that the Architectural Review Commission had not been asked to evaluate a full spectrum of colors available in addition to Forest Green. He expressed dissatisfaction with the color differences between the street furniture and light standards. He argued that the Olive Sorrento Green was more compatible with the ' surroundings and expressed concern that the color change would require the City to incur substantial costs. Public Work Director McCluskev explained that the poles will be painted as they require replacement or repainting, at the discretion of staff. ACTION: Moved by Mulholland/Ewan to adopt Resolution No. 9278 (2002 Series) accepting the Architectural Review Commission recommendation that a Forest Green color scheme for light standards and related street furniture be adopted for the downtown; motion carried 4:1 (Schwartz). Council Member Ewan did not support a sidewalk design review but indicated he would support a crosswalk design review. Council Member Mulholland favored not doing a review at all unless there was a real need. Public Works Director McCluskey reported that previously staff was given Council direction to review materials used in Mission -Style sidewalks and crosswalks. Vice Mayor Marx noted that if the Architectural Review Commission wishes to proceed with a review of downtown sidewalks and crosswalks, Council should be supportive. ACTION: Moved by Ewan/Marx to provide staff with direction to pursue the Architectural Review Commission recommendations to study sidewalk and crosswalk designs in the downtown; motion carried 4:1 (Schwartz). 1 LI 1 City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 8,2002- 7:00 p.m. 2. Page 5 Economic Development Manager Stanwvck presented the staff report. PCC Chairperson Nicklas provided additional remarks in support of the recommendations. Dave Garth. Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, and Maggie Cox, Barnett Cox & Associates, responded to questions from Council. Public Comments m Greg Diliman (PCC Member and speaking as a private citizen), 1185 Pacific Street, spoke in support of the recommendations. Mary Beth Schroeder. 2085 Wilding Lane, opposed the additional expenditures for promotional marketing. —end of public comments — Council Member Mulholland expressed apprehension about added costs. She stressed the need to be more cost - conscious and not become overly concerned about recent declines in local tourism. Council Member Ewan spoke in favor of the plan and expressed hope that the City will receive the returns it seeks on this Investment. He asked the Promotional Coordinating Committee to carefully monitor the results. He suggested that an emphasis be placed on activities that will bring larger blocks of tourists to the area such as weddings or youth sports tournaments. Assistant City Administrative Officer George pointed out that this is currently coordinated by the Visitors Conference Bureau and Is being tracked. Council Member Schwartz voiced support and encouraged the PCC to explore additional ways to entice visitors to the area. ACTION: Moved by Ewan/Marx to: 1) Approve the Promotional Coordinating Committee recommendations as follows: a) Allocate $2,500 of Enhanced Promotional Funds to the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce for the production of 2,500 customized press kits. b) Allocate $2,500 of Enhanced Promotional Funds to the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce for the creation of an email visitor database using the www.visitsio.com visitor site. 2) Authorize the Mayor to execute Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement with the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce. 3) Approve the PCC recommendation to allocate up to $45,000 of Enhanced Promotional Funds to purchase new advertising in light of recent declines in our tourism industry. 4) Authorize the City Administrative Officer to execute an Amendment to the Agreement with Barnett, Cox and Associates (BCA) reflecting the actual amount of new advertising purchased, subject to the $45,000; motion carried 5:0. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS Mayor Settle reported on the League of California Cities Annual Conference held in Sacramento, December 18-20, 2001. . Council Member Schwartz circulated copies of the draft response from San Luis Obispo Council of Government (SLOCOG) to the State Department of Housing and Community City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 8, 2002- 7:00 p.m. Page 6 Development Draft Regional Housing Need for San Luis Obispo County. Council indicated support for SLOCOG's request for a reduction In the regional housing need. Vice Mayor Marx presented an update of the Dalidio Subcommittee's meeting with Mr. Dalido and his team when alternatives to the Marketplace project were discussed. Council Member Mulholland gave an overview of the January 8, 2002 Downtown Association meeting. COMMUNICATIONS Vice Mayor Marx expressed support for the Natural Resources Inventory Group (NRIG) review of the Conservation Element prior to public release of the draft. She also requested that Council direct staff to invite former Environmental Quality Task Force (EQTF) members to participate in the draft -level review. City Administrative Officer Hampian affirmed that in addition to NRIG review there will be widely - publicized open meetings to assure that interested citizens have the opportunity to provide input. Council directed staff to make a special effort to notify and attract a broad cross section of people interested in attending workshops on the draft element. City Clerk Price announced that the annual Advisory Body Member Recruitment has been opened and noted that applications for a variety of openings on City Advisory Bodies will be accepted until January 31 ". A recruitment fair for citizens interested in serving on an advisory body will be conducted on January 24"' at 5:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber. Lastly, the Clerk reported that the annual Avisory Body Member Recognition Event will be on March 14"' at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Settle adjourned at 10:58 p.m. to a Closed Session in the Council Hearing Room. CLOSED SESSION CONFERENCE REGARDING PROPERTY NEGOTIATIONS Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.8 Property: Lot 53, Morgantl Ranch at Los Osos Valley Road/Foothill Boulevard Negotiating Parties: City of San Luis Obispo — Neil Havlik Property Owner Representative: Mike Blum Negotiation: Whether to Negotiate/Acquire At 11:35 p.m., City Attorney Jorgensen announced that the Council authorized further negotiations. J City Council Meeting Page 7 Tuesday, January 8, 2002 - 7:00 p.m. There being no further business to come before the City Council, Ma or Se %"journed the meeting at 11:36 p.m. to Tuesday; January 22, 2002 at 7:00 p in cil C amber, 990 f1 . Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 1/22/2002 LP:mk 1 1 Lee Price, City Clerk