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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/03/2003MINUTES ' REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2003 - 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBER, 990 PALM STREET SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA ROLL CALL: Council Members Present: Council Members John Ewan, Ken Schwartz, Allen K. Settle, Vice Mayor Christine Mulholland and Mayor Dave Romero City Staff: Present: Ken Hampian, City Administrative Officer; Jonathan Lowell, City Attorney; Lee Price, City Clerk; Wendy George, Assistant City Administrative Officer; John Mandeville, Community Development Director; Bill Statler, Finance Director; Jill Sylvain, Personnel Analyst; Deborah Linden, Police Chief; Wolfgang Knabe, Fire Chief; John Moss, Utilities Director; Mike McCluskey, Public Works Director; Paul LeSage, Parks and Recreation Director; Betsy Kiser, Principal Administrative Analyst; Keith Opalewski, Parking Manager 1 PRESENTATIONS Mayor Romero presented a proclamation to Viv Dilts, San Luis Obispo Chapter NMA President, in recognition of National Management Association (NMA) Week. CAO Hampian was presented the NMA Silver Knight Award for the outstanding manner in which he handled the City's budget shortfall situation. Mayor Romero presented a proclamation to Lissa Beck (studio owner) and Leslie Baumberger (Artistic Director) of American Dance of SLO for "All American Dancers Day, June 7,2003." Leslie Baumberger invited Council to attend the "Dessert and Wine Reception at American Dance of SLO" on June 7`" from 7 — 9 p.m. Mayor Romero presented Certificates of Appreciation for community service to San Luis Obispo High School Students. Mila Vuiovich- LaBarre expressed appreciation for Council's support of the High School's 24 -hour relay. PUBLIC COMMENT Gary Fowler. 777 Mill Street, expressed appreciation and thanks to the Public Works Department for responding to and handling complaints. Willow "Walking Turtle" Kelly, 1121 Orcutt Rd., and Gerald Ma v, San Luis Obispo, spoke in opposition to the possible closing of the bus stop at Prado Road. They urged the Council to leave it open and make it more accessible, particularly to the homeless and disabled. Staff clarified that the potential closure is being examined as one of several draft recommendations outlined in the Short Range Master Plan, which is currently being reviewed by the Mass City Council Meeting Tuesday, June 3, 2003, 7:00 p.m. Page 2 Transportation Committee (MTC). He added that the plan will also be considered by the Planning Commission before it comes to the City Council for final adoption. Mary Beth Schroeder, 2085 Wilding Lane, hopes the Council will continue to tighten belts at City Hall. CONSENT AGENDA Vice Mayor Mulholland pulled Consent item 2 and Consent item 4. ACTION: Moved by Ewan/Settle to approve the consent agenda as recommended by the City Administrative Officer, with the exception of C2 and C4; motion carried 5:0. C1. APPROVE MINUTES OF TUESDAY, MAY 20. 2003 REGULAR MEETING AND MINUTES OF THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2003 SPECIAL BUDGET WORKSHOP. ACTION: Moved by Ewan/Settle to waive oral reading and approve as presented; motion carried 5:0. C2. RESCISSION OF COUNCIL'S APRIL 15 ACTION CONCERNING DRAFT CONSERVATION AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT AND PROPOSAL FOR A JOINT CITY COUNCIL - PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING. Public Comments: Jan Howell Marx, 265 Albert Dr., Richard Schmidt, 112 Broad, Eugene Jud, 665 Leff St., and Phil Ashley, 1586 La Cita Ct., urged the Council to table the consolidation effort of updates to the conservation elements of the General Plan and appoint a task force of qualified residents to work on a comprehensive update of the Conservation Element. Mary Beth Schroeder, 2085 Wilding Lane, urged Council to preserve open space. —end of public comments— ACTION: Moved by Settle/Mulholland to rescind the City Council's action of April 15, 2003 authorizing staff to prepare a memorandum to the Planning Commission regarding consideration of the draft Conservation and Open Space Element; rescind the memorandum of April 16, 2003; motion carried 5:0. Council discussion followed. Vice Mayor Mulholland argued in favor of moving Immediately ahead with Council consideration of appointing a citizen task force to work on an update to the Conservation Element. Council Member Settle concurred. Council Member Schwartz indicated a desire to conduct a study session with the Planning Commission, because they have the responsibility of making a determination on the draft conservation and open space elements. To do less would not be fair to the Planning Commission, he concluded. Mayor Romero agreed, adding there is a need to decide, with the Planning Commission's input, the fundamental issue of whether or not the City should continue with the effort of consolidating the updates. Council Member Ewan concurred. In response to inquiry, CAO Hamoian explained that it would be difficult to staff a new task force at this time, given staff vacancies and an on -going work effort in support of the ad hoc committee assigned to the Housing Element Update. He pointed out that it took three City Council Meeting Page 3 Tuesday, June 3, 2003, 7:00 p.m. Council meetings over a period of several weeks to form that task force, and that was at the ' beginning of the update process, whereas work began on the update of the conservation and open space elements three years ago. A motion made by Mulholland/Settle to agendize at the soonest possible time at the Council level a discussion about how to move forward, including a decision about whether or not we need a task force failed to pass (2:3, Ewan, Schwartz, Romero). ACTION: Moved by Ewan/Schwartz to direct staff to schedule a joint City Council - Planning Commission meeting, at the earliest possible date, recognizing that other priorities may push the session to the Fall, to discuss the status of the draft Conservation and Open Space Element, including the Planning Commission recommendation to seek task force assistance, and establish an agreed upon approach for completing the task; motion carried 5:0. C3. ZONE 9 CREEK AND FLOOD PROTECTION REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT. ACTION: Moved by Ewan/Settle to approve an agreement with San Luis Obispo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District Zone 9 for reimbursement of streambed clearing and exotics control/revegetation program and authorize the Mayor to sign; motion carried 5:0. C4. DONATION OF PARK IMPROVEMENTS AND OUTDOOR DINING AGREEMENT. Council Member Ewan recused himself due to a potential conflict of interest (business in the immediate area). Public Comment: Jan Howell Marx. 265 Albert Dr., voiced objections to the elimination of the demonstration garden and to the proposal to lease the park space to a commercial business. Mary Beth Schroeder. 2085 Wilding Lane, urged Council to keep the park as it was intended. —end of public comment— Vice Mayor Mulholland requested more information. Parks and Recreation Director LeSage presented the conceptual landscape plan and reported that it was reviewed, modified and approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission. He added that the next step is to send the plan to the Architectural Review Commission (ARC) for review and input. In response to inquiry, he noted the agreement includes a provision that requires the donor to maintain the park improvements. Council Member Settle pointed out that the change will generate some added revenue. Council Member Schwartz suggested that the ARC may wish to consider eliminating the turf and using drought - tolerate plants more sympathetic to the setting and stimulating to those interested in seeing this type of garden. He added that this use is not unlike current uses In the downtown. ' Mayor Romero emphasized the fact that the garden was not a park and argued in favor of the staff recommendation. Vice Mayor Mulholland indicated that she thought it was appropriate to allow outdoor dining in this area of town and that it will be an asset. City Council Meeting Tuesday, June 3, 2003, 7:00 p.m. Page 4 ACTION: Moved by Settle/Schwartz to 1) a) accept the donation of park improvements at 2163 Santa Barbara Street; and b) approve an Outdoor Dining Agreement for the rental of 800 square feet of the park site at a monthly rent of 56 cents a square foot. 2) Authorize the Mayor to execute an agreement to accept the donation and a second agreement approving the outdoor dining space rental; motion carried 4:0 (Ewan recused himself due to a potential conflict of interest). C5. DOWNTOWN TRANSFER CENTER PUBLIC ART, SPECIFICATION NO. 99267.90565. ACTION: Moved by Ewan/Settle to approve contract with James 0. Jacobson in the amount of $18,000 for the construction and installation of public art for the Downtown Transfer Center and authorize the Mayor to execute the contract; motion carried 5:0. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. EXPANSION OF ALTA VISTA RESIDENTIAL PARKING PERMIT DISTRICT. - Public Works Director McCluskey and Parking Manager Opalewski presented the staff report. It was noted that the proposed parking district was reviewed by SCLC. It was also reported that five property owners have changed their minds and have now registered opposition to be included. Council questions followed. Mayor Romero opened the public hearing. Speaking in opposition: Toni Ledford, 1706 Fredericks Street Jeannie Fuess, 1706 Fredericks Street Lindsey Barbierri, tenant at 1764 McCollum Speaking in support Emily Cletsoway, 1528 Fredericks Street Kenneth Jones, 1646 Fredericks Street Jan Howell Marx, 265 Albert Drive Keith Gibson. 1633 Fredericks Tom Kay. 369 Chaplin Frank Sheahan, 1632 Fredericks Street Camille Small, 711 Skyline Drive (Neighborhoods North of Foothill) Karen Adler, 1676 Fredericks Street, to include Fredericks Street. Eugene O'Connor, 1661 Fredericks Street, urged the Council to include Fredericks Street in the district Roger Keep, 1660 Fredericks Street, has no objections to the expansion of the parking district to McCollum, but does not want Fredericks Street included. Charles Greenall, 1631 Fredericks Street, concurred with the previous speaker. Charlie Nofflett 2134 Santa Ynez, said he not sure if he was for or against the expansion of the district, but wonders where it will all stop. Mayor Romero closed the public hearing. Brief Council discussion followed. City Council Meeting Tuesday, June 3, 2003, 7:00 p.m. Page 5 ACTION: Moved by Settle/Ewan to 1) adopt Resolution No. 9455 (2003 Series) expanding the Alta Vista residential parking permit district to include new properties as shown in Attachment 1 of the Council Agenda Report with restricted parking from 2 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. 2) Rescind Resolution No. 9283 (2002 Series); motion carried 5:0. Mayor Romero called a recess at 9:37 p.m. The meeting resumed at 9:49 p.m. BUSINESS ITEMS 2. CONTINUED REVIEW: PRELIMINARY 2003 -05 FINANCIAL PLAN. Public Comments Jan Howell Marx, 265 Albert Drive, summarized concerns expressed in her letter to the Council about the proposed suspension of open space funding (see letter on file in the Office of the City Clerk). Sara Home, President of the League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County, also shared concern about suspending open space funding. She urged the Council to continue to fund open space acquistion and not allow the money to be lost forever. –end of public comments - CAO Hampian and Finance Director Statler presented changes in the preliminary budget, as outlined in the staff report, and addressed Council questions regarding debt financed projects, City support for public art, open space funding, the Broad/Pismo Streets traffic signal, design phases for the Los Osos Valley Road/101 overpass, vehicle replacements in the Police Department, utility under - grounding, the status of the Morro Street bikeway and the Bishop Water Tank. Council discussed open space funding, the Monterey Plaza Improvements work program and the City's contribution to public art. ACTION: Moved by Ewan/Settle to accept the recommendation to suspend open space funding during this two year period; direct staff to come back semi- annually with a status report on the open space acquisition fund (at the 03-04 mid -year, with the adoption of the 04-05 budget and with the 04-05 mid year review); direct staff to bring back any reasonable acquisition, including funding options, for Council consideration; and indicate an intention to re -seed the fund in the next two year financial plan; motion carried 5:0. ACTION: Moved by SchwartzlEwan to amend the work program for the Monterey Plaza Improvements (page B -55 of the Financial Plan) and direct staff to make changes and bring the revised work program back on June 17th; motion carried 5:0. ACTION: Moved by Schwartz/Mulholland to reduce the City's contribution to public art by 1/4%, rather than 1/. %; motion carried 5:0. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS None. City Council Meeting Tuesday, June 3,2003,7:00 p.m. COMMUNICATIONS None. Page 6 There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Romero adjourned the meeting at 11:35 p.m. to Tuesday, June 17, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. / vo- Lee Price; C.M.C. City Clerk APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 6117/2003 LP: jo 1