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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/12/1980City Council Minutes August 12, 1980 - 7:30 P.M. Page 1 M I N U T E S ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 1980 - 7:30 p.m. COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 990 PALM STREET Roll Call Councilmembers ' PRESENT: Melanie Billig, Alan Bond, Ron Dunin and Mayor Lynn R. Cooper ABSENT: Gerald Munger City Staff PRESENT: Lee Walton, Administrative Officer; Geoff Grote, Legal Assistant; Wayne Peterson, City Engineer; Rudy Muravez, Finance Director: D.F. Romero, Public Services Director; Art Hird, Public Services Assistant; Pam Voges, Recording Secretary ------------ - - - - -- ------------------------------------------------------------ 1. The City Council considered a request from the Business Improvement Area for the City to participate in a revitalization and beautification program in downtown San Luis Obispo. Sandra Gillespie, Chairperson for the BIA, stated that the BIA had been concerned in and interested in beautification and revitalization efforts in the downtown area. She stated that the BIA had contacted the local chapter of the A.I.A. requesting proposals or presentations from interested organizations for downtown beautification programs. To date, only one company had responded; however, both the BIA Board and other representatives of the city who had seen their presenta- tion were very impressed with their proposal. This firm, Charles Page and Associates, seemed to have the experience and expertise to put together the type of program for the downtown that would integrate into one overall package, a place for sidewalks, landscaping, store fronts, street lighting, furniture and signing. She stated the BIA wished to proceed with the project so that the Naman Project and the parking structure could also be coordinated with the overall downtown plan. The BIA Advisory Board of Directors authorized $5,000 of the $25,000 fee for this program and were now requesting Council co- sponsor the remaining $20,000. Ken Porche, BIA Advisory member, spoke to the council in support of hiring the firm Charles Page and Associates as he had been extremely impressed with their presentation to the Board in May. En endorsed their proposal and stated the BIA's contribution of $5,000 towards this plan represented approximately 10% of their gross income and therefore felt the city could contribute the remaining necessary funds. Marcel Cote, downtown businessman, also spoke in support of the proposal and felt this has been needed for the downtown. Don Smith agreed with previous comments and would support the proposal. Lee Walton Administrative Officer, spoke to the question of where the needed $20,000 could come from. He suggested that if the council wished to support this project, they might wish to take $5,000 from "Sidewalk Repair" account as recent bids were below the bid estimate and felt $10,000- 15,000 could be taken from "Landscape I Improvements" account and capital contingencies. Councilwoman Billig felt it was time the city had an overall plan for the downtown. She felt this was a real plus and was pleased to see the BIA actively pursuing it. She felt the city needed to cooperate with the BIA as this was a shared responsibility. Councilman Dunin felt the emphasis was on "beautification" but wanted to know what was being done towards "revitalization" or "remodeling." City Council Minutes August 12,.1980 - 7:30 p.m. Page 2 Sandra Gillespie stated this proposal would give downtown shopkeepers and store owners guidelines and direction to follow. These guidelines would enable and give new owners - downtown a feeling as to what San Luis Obispo is. It would not only deal with store frontages,mbut with sidewalks, etc. Councilman Dunin stated he knew a lot'of stores were in process of remodeling but with no direction. Therefore, he would support the idea. He would like to see more involvement by the city, i.e., the ARC, Planning Staff, etc. Councilman Bond disagreed that the city should become too involved. He would rather see Page & Associates make their .own report and.if they required additional help or advice by city staff, then let them request. it. He did totally favor getting guidelines for the downtown so that the business reflected similar designs instead of the present hodgepodge. Mayor Cooper was concerned that if the council adopted this proposal, how would :it affect or delay. the Naman Project. Sandra Gillespie answered that this should not cause any significant delays as they would be working closely together. Ken Porche also hoped everybody involved would work together. 'Councilwoman Billig again stated she felt this would help the downtown business district immensely. On motion of Councilman Bond, seconded by Councilwoman Billig, to authorize the appropriation of the additional $20,000 and direct staff to bring back an agreement with Charles Page and Associates for adoption by Council. Motion carried, all ayes, Councilman Munger absent. Councilwoman Billig also requested Dave Romero to get together with the BIA to try to come up with a figure on how much it would cost per square foot to replace existing sidewalks in front of stores with Mission Plaza style sidewalks. She a$ ed hhat Mr: Walton and Mr. Romero come up with an understandable memo on city i waik po11is a d o o er it ith the BIA. : � p.m., May�r �oo er-�eclare a 5- minutes recess. 8:20 p.m, council reconvene in t e council hearing room with all councilmembers present except Council Munger. 2. The City.Council then reviewed with staff, Pat Linnington and other inter- ested citizens, the City Transit Systems including routes, scheduled, cost revenues, subsidied, gaps in present system, city's responsibility to regional transit needs, private franchise operation vs. publicly -owned system, strengths and weaknesses of the transit system and projections of future transit requirements. D.F. Romero, Public Services Director, stated that with regard to rates, he felt they would have to-be raised within the year unless there was a dramatic increase - -in ridership or decline in operating expenses. The City Council then discussed Mr. Romero's outline of matters of concern with the transit system as follows: 1 -) Funding of Operations a. Past funding; b. Projections; c. Grants Geoff Grote, Legal Assistant, spoke on State and Federal funding possibilities and alternatives. There were several sources available and he outlined each in detail (see G. Grote's memo dated August 8, 1980 to council). 2) Ridership a. Past ridership; b. Projections; c. Encouraging ridership Dave Romero stated the peak periods for ridership.were,,of course, mornings from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and afternoons when school lets out and end of work day. At that time, it would be helpful to have more buses available. The school system planned to adjust their schedules this fall so that more students would use school buses (they would adjust fares to be comparable to the city's so that it wouldn't be more advantageous to ride the city's bus) instead of city buses. Pat Linington, Operator of the Mass Transit System, felt that ridership throughout the rest of the day other than peak periods was at approximately 60 %. He felt it would be difficult to cut back on service but rather the emphasis was on increased service. City Council Minutes August 12, 1980 - 7:30 p.m. Page 3 Mayor Cooper felt..it might be necessary to increase the fares to keep up with the inflationary deficit, find ways to encourage increased ridership and rework programs and schedules to be more financial efficient. Geoff Grote submitted a written report (dated August 6, 1980 to Dave Romero) on Fare Box Support Ratios. He felt the council might wish to consider a "fare box ratio_' as one means to automatically increase fares as costs go up by adopting an ordinance that would require the city to remain at a fixed ratio. Another laternative would be to apply for federal funds to help defray the costs of bus replacements . by getting buses equipped with handicapped ramps, etc, which would help to qualify the city for federal application of funds. Councilman Bond felt if the city buses were scheduled such that they could get the working people to their jobs by 8:00 a.m., the city could increase ridership. Councilwoman Billig agreed and stated she would also.like to see the possibility of putting on a "commuter" bus in the mornings and evenings that would enable a rider to get downtown in much less time. She suggested that one route might only have two or three stops. She felt this .would do much to get increased ridership by the working class. She also suggested that the present public service ads could be made more "colorful" or given a "snappier" rhythem, etc. D.F. Romero stated the MTC was now considering both a commuter bus and a change in schedules to provide better service to the South Higuera /Laguna area. 3) Operator's Problems a. Short time contracts; b. Major capital expenditures for equipment; c. Need for a bus yard; d. Depot, transfer point; pass and token sales and information. D.F. Romero suggested that the present contract time be extended to upwards of 10 years to enable the bidders to give a better price as they would be in a better' position to finance additional or replacement buses, would be able to take a better depreciation, more willing and in abetter negotiating basis to lease or buy a bus yard, etc. He hoped the council would give thought to the needs for a bus depot and yard. Lee Walton suggested the use of UMTA funds towards the purchase of a corporation yard, thereby freeing the present corporation yard as a possible site for the bus yard. 4) Equipment considerations a. Size; b. Age; c. Fuel The council discussed with Dave Romero and Pat Linington the pros and cons of using natural gas vs. diesel in the larger and smaller buses. Councilwoman Billig stated she still favored the use of the smaller buses over the larger ones as they looked nicer, were not as hard on the streets, and would not be as noisy or polluting. 5) Contract Problems a. Current method of bidding; b. Method of accounting for fares; c. Excessive bookkeeping required. Councilwoman Billig stated she was concerned that there was usually only one bidder on the transit system and she would like to see either a.more equitable situation wherein others would be in a position to also bid competively or at least get comparable prices from other cities in the state so that there is some way to judge the validity of a bid. She felt a "cost per mile" or "per passenger per ride" figure was needed. Rudy Muravez, Finance Director; spoke to the problems involved with the fare system. He felt there could be a more full proff method of handling fares however he did not feel it would be cost effective. He felt the system presently used was a good one because the buses were contracted out. However, if the council were to approve a franchise in the future, then maybe the council would wish to chnage the procedure. 6) Level of Services a. Expansion of service areas; b. Reduction of headways; The council briefly discussed ways of improving the system. c. Fare lever City Council Minutes August 12, 1980 - 7:30 p.m. Page V D.F. Romero stated the MTC was actively sutdying the possibility of adding a fourth bus route in order to improve service to the South Higuera /Laguna area. 7) Bus Shelter D.F. Romero stated the old plans which the council had given conceptual approval to last year but which had been held up with the DRB and finally shelved because of lack of time to implement by the Poly students was again being talked about and hopefully, students this year can get them approved. 8) Regional Responsibilities and Projections a. Existing systems; b. Handicapped system; c. Additional systems. No comments. There being no further business to.come before the meeting, Mayor Cooper adjourned the meeting at 10:05 p.m., to Tuesday, August 19, 1980, at .4:00 p.m. J.H. FITZPATRICK, CITY CLERK MINUTES APPROVED BY COUNCIL ON: i �7 By Pam Vogel, ecording Secretary M I N U T E S ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1980 - 4:00 P.M. COUNCIL HEARING ROOM, CITY HALL, 990 PALM STREET Roll Call Councilmembers PRESENT: Melanie Billig, Alan Bond, Ron Dunin, Gerald Munger and Mayor Cooper ABSENT: None City Staff PRESENT: Richard Minor and Jim Stockton 4:00 p.m., City Council adjourned to Executive Session. 5:30 p.m., City Council reconvened in regular session with all councilmembers present. There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Cooper adjourned the meeting to 4:00 p.m. Thursday, August 7, 1980. IAPPROVED: J itzpatrick, City Clerk M I N U.T E S ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1980 - 4:00 P.M. COUNCIL HEARING ROOM, CITY HALL, 990 PALM STREET Roll Call 1 i 1 City Council Minutes August 12, 1980 - 4:00 p.m. Page 2 Councilmembers PRESENT:.,. Melanie Billig, Alan Bond, Ron Dunin and Mayor "Cooper: ABSENT: Gerald Munger City Staff PRESENT: Roger Neuman, Wayne Peterson and Gordon Johnson -------------------------------------------------------------- 4:00 p.m., City Council adjourned to Executive Session. p.m., City Council reconvened in regular session with all councilmembers present. There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Cooper adjourned the meeting at p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, Sugust 19, 1980. APPROVED: I Fitzpatrick, City Clerk M I N U T E S ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY'COUNCIL" CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TUESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1980 - 4:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 990 PALM STREET Pledge Roll Call Councilmembers PRESENT: Melanie Billig, Alan Bond, Ron Dunin, Gerald Munger and Mayor Cooper ABSENT: None City Staff PRESENT: Lee Walton, Administrative Officer; George.Thacher, City Attorney; J.H. Fitzpatrick, City .Clerk; Henry Engen, Community Development Director; Ken Bruce, Senior Planner; Roger Neuman, Police Chief; and D.F. Romero, Public Services Director -----7---7---------------------------------------------------------------------- Lee Walton, Administrative Officer, brought to the council's attention two emergency items to be considered.by the City Council. E -1 A proposal to correct:failuies'on._the steel casings -which carry.' city water supplies.from the Hansen and Gularte Creeks over and under Cuesta Grade. Cal Trans is presently doing a correctional project on the grade and this would be a requirement to replace these pipes before the paving is completed. Due to the limitation of time, the city contacted Bob Baker as to his recommendation for material to complete the work. Dave Romero, Public Services Director, recommended that.the City Council authorize the city to enter into a contract on an emergency basis with R. Baker Construction Company, with Cal Trans to pay the total cost of the project. After. review, it was moved by Mayor Cooper, seconded.by Councilwoman Billig that the city proceed with the improvements to the Hansen /Gularte.pipelines subject to a written approval.and acceptance of the contract by R. Baker, with a statement from Cal Trans saying they pay the cost. Motion carried. All ayes.