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
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