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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/14/1997City Council Meeting Page 2 Tuesday, January 14, 1997 - 7:00 p.m. Finance Director Statler presented an overview the fscal.outlook, stating that the financial position of the City is strong and the outlook for the region is favorable. He outlined three unfavorable factors affecting the City's budget: increased operating costs, maintenance and preservation of existing infrastructure and facilities; and the potential impacts of Proposition 218. He stated that there are five options available if Council wishes to fund new initiatives: 1) re- prioritize; 2) grow a better economy than currently predicted; 3) explore the limited options for raising new revenues; 4) make expenditure reductions; and 5) cut back on structural maintenance currently being done. Mayor Settle introduced Don Maruska of NovaQuest, who outlined the process and focus of tonight's meeting. He asked speakers to express not only what they are asking, but also why it's important to the community and how the goal can be accomplished Mayor Settle opened the floor to public comment. Brian Reynolds, Director of SLO City -County Library, asked the Council to support Library services with added funding. Debbie Jeter asked Council to fund a central individual or organization, such as a Youth Coordinator or Youth Task Force to address gang problems. John Baer, Music Education Committee Chair, requested funding through the PCC for musical programs for children. Sandi Sigurdson, Director of the SLO Symphony, asked for an increase in PCC funding for performing arts and the City's continued assistance. Dave Garth. SLO Chamber of Commerce, encouraged Council to keep strong economic growth as a major goal. Maggie Cox, SLO Association of Manufacturers & Distributors, asked for continued support of economic development. Bill Storm. SLO American Association of Retired Persons, asked Council to procure a new Senior Center with adequate parking, dedicate parking on Buchon St. for the current center or change the bus route so it would better accommodate Seniors traveling to the Senior Center. Jim Levy, Director of the Family Services Center, asked Council to increase the budget for the HRC over the next two years to $110,000 - $120,000 per year. Larry Batcheldor, Residents for Quality Neighborhoods asked for continued support of neighborhood services offices, then spoke as a private citizen, asking to increase funding to hire two new police officers. Dave Coronel. 2353 Del Campo, asked Council to direct more money toward street repair and maintenance. Brett Cross. 1217 Mariners Cove, asked Council to allocate funds to dredge Laguna Lake to preserve the habitat and recreational aspects of the lake. Bill Thoma, asked Council to develop a plan to acquire sports fields in conjunction with Cal Poly. He stated that $300,000 per year would allow the City to participate in that project. Frank Lebens, Cal Poly, spoke in favor of collaboration between the City and Cal Poly to build a sports complex. Jason Brooks. Cal Poly Student, spoke in favor of City participation in the sports fields project. Lisa Fraser, SLO, spoke in favor of City participation with Cal Poly in developing sports facilities and fields. Mike Spangler, suggested that if retail sales taxes from Cal Poly's store were City revenue, it would provide $200,000 per year to fund sports fields. He also suggested additional parking be provided to support the downtown. City Council Meeting Tuesday, January 14, 1997 - 7:00 p.m. Page 3 Geoffrey Land, 1957 Hope, asked Council to protect the environment and explore hiring a staff biologist. Brad Brown, 475 Pacific, spoke in favor of Public Access Television and asked Council to fund a pilot program. Diane Hull, SLO, spoke in favor of economic vitality, environmental protection, and community well being. She asked Council to adopt equal funding for environmental resources and economic development management. She spoke in favor of the Cal Poly sports fields project, airport area annexation and requiring users to pay for bikeways. Andrew Merriam, Chairman of the Chamber Land Use Task Force, asked Council to make economic development goals successful through airport annexation and broadening the economic base. John Ewan, SLO, asked Council to address transportation issues. Pierre Rademaker, 82 Chuparrosa, urged Council to support economic development to support the many proposed projects. Barry Karleskint. Planning Commission Chair, suggested that the General Plan be updated, the zoning regulations be modernized and streamlined, and encouraged open space preservation. Gary Felsmon. 2234 Santa Ynez, encouraged natural resource preservation, annexation of Cal Poly, and redevelopment of the Central Coast Mail and Madonna Plaza. Kathy Keller, 972 Buchon, asked Council to support alternative transportation, such as van pools. She encourage council to continue to acquire open space. Phil Ashley, 1586 La Cita Court, urged Council to ensure the continued survival of ECOSLO and additional environmental staff positions for fish and wildlife protection. Ken Schwartz. urged Council to: work toward acquiring a supplemental water supply; work with Cal Poly regarding student housing; continue to support downtown viability, including additional parking; use enterprise funds to increase opportunities in downtown to create more sales tax; and to use water & sewer funds to support airport annexation. Steve McShane. ASI, asked Council to support working together with Cal Poly to achieve goals, specifically the building of sports fields, and funding for a community development position to improve neighborhoods. Steve Dorsi, SLO, spoke in favor of funding the SLO Art Center cultural program. Chrissa Hewitt . 69 Benton Way, urged Council to support after school and adult education programs at the Art Center. Richard Kranzdort, 160 Graves, urged the Council to insure that the current subsidy for student transportation is diminished and suggested support for an on campus committee to address student housing problems. Jill Anderson. SLO Opera Company, requested continued support for the PCC and help with facility space. Gordon Jackson, 1750 Perfumo Canyon Rd., encouraged support for tourism and economic development, stating that increased tourism helps pay for community services. Doug Hendry, SLO, spoke in favor of participation with Cal Poly in the purchase of a sports complex. ' Penny Rappa. 3993 Hollyhock, encouraged council to continue and enhance programs already in progress, resume publishing the City Newsletter and pursue open space acquisition and additional youth sports facilities. Pat Dempsy. SLO, encouraged Council to add a parking lot to the Maino property and make it 1 1 City Council Meeting Page 5 Tuesday, January 14, 1997 - 7:00 p.m. There were no Council Communications. There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Settle adjourned the meeting at 10:40 p.m. to Tuesday, January 21, 1997 at 6:30 p.m. in the Library Conference Room, 995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 2/4/97 BG:dr Bo ie L. Gawf City lerk CLOSED SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TUESDAY, JANUARY 21,1997- 6:30 P.M. FINANCE CONFERENCE ROOM, 990 PALM STREET SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA ROLL CALL: Council Members Present: Council Members Kathy Smith, Dave Romero, Dodie Williams, Vice Mayor Bill Roalman, and Mayor Allen Settle City Staff Present: Jeff Jorgensen, City Attorney; John Dunn, City Administrative Officer; Ken Hampian; Mike McCluskey, Public Works Director City Council held a closed session to discuss the following issue: CONFERENCE WITH PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR - Pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 Property: Railroad Square/High Street San Luis Obispo Negotiating Parties: City Of San Luis Obispo: Mike McCluskey SPRR Property Owner Rep: Charles Gamble III Negotiation: Whether to Acquire Council authorized further negotiations. 7:00 P.M. Mayor Settle declared a recess to convene in open session in the Library Community Room, where a public report of the action taken in closed session was to be given. APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 2/4197 BLG:dr B nie L. Gawf ity er4