HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/02/1998MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 1998 - 4:00 P.MJ7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 990 PALM STREET
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
ROLL CALL:
Council Members
Present: Council Members Bill Roalman, Dave Romero, Dodie Williams, Vice
Mayor Kathy Smith, and Mayor Allen K. Settle
City Staff:
Present: John Dunn, City Administrative Officer; Jeff Jorgensen, City
Attorney; Bonnie Gawf, City Clerk; Arnold Jonas, Community
Development Director; Bill Statler, Finance Director; Bob Neumann,
Fire Chief; John Moss, Utilities Director; Mike McCluskey, Public
Works Director; Paul LeSage, Parks and Recreation Director; Wendy
George, Assistant to the CAO; Dave Elliott, Administrative Analyst;
Ron Munds, Utilities • Conservation Coordinator, Dave Hix,
Wastewater Division Manager; Gary Henderson, Water Division
Manager; Jeff Hook, Associate Planner; John Mandeville, Long
Range Planning Manager; Sue Baasch, Administrative Analyst
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no speakers under public comment..'
CONSENT AGENDA
Council Member Romero stated that, though he was absent at last meeting, he has read the
record and is thoroughly familiar with the issues surrounding items C2 and C3, so will be
voting on the final passage of those ordinances.
Moved by Smith/Williams to approve the consent calendar as recommended; motion carried
(5 -0).
C1. COUNCIL MINUTES
Council considered the minutes of:
Tuesday, May 5,1998 @ 6:00 p.m.;
Tuesday, May 5, 1998 @ 7:00 p.m.;
Tuesday, May 19, 1998 @ 6:00 p.m.; and,
Tuesday, May 19, 1998 @ 7:00 p.m.
Moved by Smith/Williams to waive oral "reading and approve minutes as amended; motion
carried (5 -0).
City Council Meeting Page 3
Tuesday, June 2,1998 - 4:00 p.m.
Council Member Williams asked for more detail regarding the general government cost
1 allocation to the enterprise funds, and Council directed staff to bring back a more detailed
report during the budget process to more fully explain how those allocations are
determined.
Council discussed whether it is appropriate to account for the golf fund as an enterprise
fund.
A. WATER FUND
Council held a public hearing to consider the 1998 annual water fund financial review.
Utilities Director Moss introduced the item, recommending that Council stay on the current
course. Water Division Manager Henderson outlined the details of the budget requests and
presented the Water Fund analysis.
Council discussed whether potential costs associated legal challenges to the Salinas Dam
EIR should be budgeted, and staff clarified that challenges to the CEQA process can only
begin after a Notice of Determination has been filed, and that action will not take place
before Fall, 1999.
Council discussed concerns that the amount of reserves may be excessive, and discussed
the possibility of delaying the scheduled increases for two years. Staff clarified that the City
is on the threshold of three major water projects, and it is prudent to increase rates
gradually to position ourselves for the associated expense.
' Mayor Settle opened the public hearing, and having no requests to speak, closed the public
hearing.
Council Member Romero stated that, given the level of the reserves, he cannot support
implementing the scheduled rate increase at this time.
After discussion, moved by Smith /Roalman to receive report and conceptually approve the
proposed operating program change request ($74,900) and capital improvement plan
requests ($848,100) pending the June 16, 1998 budget review; motion carried (3 -2, Romero,
Williams voting no).
B. SEWER FUND
Council held a public hearing to consider the 1998 annual sewer fund financial review.
Mayor Settle opened the public hearing, and having no requests to speak, closed the public
hearing.
After discussion, moved by Williams /Smith to receive report and conceptually approve the
proposed operating program change request ($45,000) and capital improvement plan
requests ($384,000) pending the June 16, 1998 budget review; motion carried (5-0).
C. PARKING FUND
Council held a public hearing to consider the Parking Fund Rate review.
Administrative Analyst Elliott presented the staff report.
City Council Meeting Page 3
Tuesday, June 2,1998 - 4:00 p.m.
Council Member Williams asked for more detail regarding the general government cost
allocation to the enterprise funds, and Council directed staff to bring back a more detailed I
report during the budget process to more fully explain how those allocations are
determined.
Council discussed whether it is appropriate to account for the golf fund as an enterprise
fund.
A. WATER FUND
Council held a public hearing to consider the 1998 annual water fund financial review.
Utilities Director Moss introduced the item, recommending that Council stay on the current
course. Water Division Manager Henderson outlined the details of the budget requests and
presented the Water Fund analysis.
Council discussed whether potential costs associated legal challenges to the Salinas Dam
EIR should be budgeted, and staff clarified that challenges to the CEQA process can only
begin after a Notice of Determination has been filed, and that action will not take place
before Fall, 1999.
Council discussed concerns that the amount of reserves may be excessive, and discussed
the possibility of delaying the scheduled increases for two years. Staff clarified that the City
is on the threshold of three major water projects, and it is prudent to increase rates
gradually to position ourselves for the associated expense.
Mayor Settle opened the public hearing, and having no requests to speak, closed the public I
hearing.
Council Member Romero stated that, given the level of the reserves, he cannot support
implementing the scheduled rate increase at this time.
After discussion, moved by Smith /Roalman to receive report and conceptually approve the
proposed operating program change request ($74,900) and capital improvement plan
requests ($848,100) pending the June 16, 1998 budget review; motion carried (3 -2, Romero,
Williams voting no).
B. SEWER FUND
Council held a public hearing to consider the 1998 annual sewer fund financial review.
Mayor Settle opened the public hearing, and having no requests to speak, closed the public
hearing.
After discussion, moved by Williams /Smith to receive report and conceptually approve the
proposed operating program change request ($45,000) and capital improvement plan
requests ($384,000) pending the June 16,1998 budget review; motion carried (5-0).
C. PARKING FUND
Council held a public hearing to consider the Parking Fund Rate review.
Administrative Analyst Elliott presented the staff report.
r
City Council Meeting Page 4
Tuesday, June 2,1998 - 4:00 p.m.
Mayor Settle opened the public hearing, and having no requests to speak, closed the public
hearing.
After discussion, moved b Williams/Smith to receive report and conceptual) approve a
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budget request to improve parking staff retention that will cost $7,300 in 1998 -99 and
$12,000 in 1999 -2000; motion carried (5 -0).
D. TRANSIT FUND
Council held a public hearing to consider the Transit Fund Rate review.
Administrative Analyst Elliott presented the staff report.
Mayor Settle opened the public hearing, and having no requests to speak, closed the public
hearing.
After discussion, moved by Smith /Roalman to receive report and conceptually approve the
portion of the budget request to improve traffic engineering which applies to the Transit
program and will result in a $22,100 annual savings in the Transit program; motion carried
(5 -0).
E. GOLF FUND
Council held a public hearing to consider to consider the Golf Course Fund rate review.
Parks & Recreation Director LeSage presented the staff report. He noted that the
recommendation is for an increase of approximately twenty -five cents per round. He
explained that the rates are comparable to other courses in the area.
Council discussed the appropriateness of designating golf course operations as an
enterprise fund, as the revenues do not cover all the associated expenses. Staff clarified
the policy on cost recovery for the enterprise funds. Council consensus was that there is a
benefit to scrutinizing the program at the level of an enterprise fund.
Mayor Settle opened the public hearing, and having no requests to speak, closed the public
hearing.
After discussion, moved by Williams /Roalman to adopt Resolution No. 8810 with the
following fees for the Laguna Lake Golf Course effective July 1, 1998: SeniorNouth
Weekdays - $5.25; General Weekdays - $7.25; Weekends - $8.00; SeniorNouth Weekend -
$6.00; 10 Play Cards: SeniorNouth - $47.50 for 10 rounds; 10 -Play Cards: General - $57.50
for 10 rounds; motion carried (5 -0).
BUSINESS ITEMS
2. RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL REFUSE RATE STRUCTURES (File No. 1204-05)
Consideration of residential and commercial refuse rate structure and commercial recycling
rate and fee.
' Utilities Director Moss introduced the item. •Utilities Conservation Coordinator Munds
presented details of the results of the community outreach. He noted that the reaction of
residential customers has been largely positive. Regarding the proposed commercial
City Council Meeting Page 5
Tuesday, June 2,1998 - 4:00 p.m.
recycling program, he explained that the cost of the service is an issue. Finance Director
Staffer addressed the issue of fairness in the rate structure.
Mayor Settle opened the public hearing, and having no requests to speak, closed the public
hearing.
After discussion, moved by Smith /Romero to provide approval of the: 1) modifications to
the residential solid waste service rate structure incorporating the previously approved
service options and in accordance with a unit pricing rate structure; 2) modifications to the
commercial refuse rate structure to establish a rate structure based on volume and
frequency of collection; 3) implementation of a volume -based commercial recycling fee to
be set at 25% of the commercial refuse rate for a comparable volume, the implementation of
a base fee for commercial recycling program services, and a per bag fee for office paper
and polystyrene collection; and 4) direct staff to complete the review of the 1997 -98 solid
waste base year application using the modified residential and commercial solid waste rate
modifications and the commercial recycling fees; motion carried (5-0).
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Settle adjourned the meeting at 5:45 p.m. to June 2, 1998 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council
Chamber.
REGULAR MEETING
Mayor Settle called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
All Council Members were present.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There were no speakers under public comment.
BUSINESS ITEM
3. NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES (File No. 812 -10)
Council considered the Neighborhood Traffic Management (NTM) Guidelines. (Continued
from 2117198 and 417198).
Public Works Director McCluskev presented the staff report, reviewing the Council's past
discussions and direction and associated changes to the plan.
Council Member Williams stated that she has reviewed the record of the last meeting where
NTM Guidelines were discussed, read the staff report and viewed the video, so she is
prepared to participate in tonight's discussion and take action on the item.
Mayor Settle opened the meeting for public comment.
1
Bill McLennan. 706 Meinicke, spoke in opposition to requiring the neighborhoods to finance
certain projects, stating that it is unfair. He spoke in opposition to establishing special '
assessment districts to pay for these projects.
City Council Meeting Page 6
Tuesday, June 2, 1998 - 4:00 p.m.
City Attorney Jorgensen clarified that the use of an assessment district would never arise
unless individuals in the neighborhood requested it:'
Wolfgang Gartner, 1635 Santa Rosa Street, spoke in opposition to requiring residents to
participate financially in NTM projects.
Susanne Gartner. SLO, stated that she is opposed to requiring assessment districts to finance
improvements associated with safety issues.
Ray Nordguist SLO, RON Board of Directors, spoke in opposition to requiring residents to
participate financially.
Mike Lacey. 965 West St, proposed changes to goals and policies and methods for defining
the study area.
Henry Case. 244 Albert Drive, said that the traffic problems are not always caused by the
people in the neighborhood, and he does not believe asking neighbors to assess themselves
will work.
Brett Cross. 1217 Mariner's Cove, asked for clarification about who would have to pay for
improvements to a particular street.
Mary Beth Schroeder, spoke in opposition to the plan.
Chris Overby. 1533 Oceanaire, asked Council for speck improvements to Oceanaire and
stated that he believes the City should pay for the improvements.
Lesley Halls. 1359 Oceanaire, agreed with previous speakers. She asked for speck
improvements on Oceanaire.
Jim Lopes, SLO, stated that the City should pay for high quality street improvements, but not
for frills.
Mayor Settle returned discussion to the Council.
After discussion, moved by RomeroWilliams to adopt Resolution No. 8811 approving the
NTM Guidelines, and 2) direct staff to bring back to the Council a report on the NTM
program and any recommended modifications to the NTM Guidelines, after 18 months of
observing the program's implementation; motion carved (3 -2, Settle, Roalman voting no)
PUBLIC HEARINGS
4. RAILROAD DISTRICT PLAN (File No. 209 -07)
Council held a public hearing to consider approving the Railroad District Plan.
Associate Planner Hook presented the staff report.
Mayor Settle opened the public hearing.
Brad LaRose, 1998 Santa Rosa Street, Chairman of the SLO Railroad Museum, said that his
group has been working with staff, and that the Planning Commission has endorsed the
City Council Meeting Page 7
Tuesday, June 2, 1998 - 4:00 p.m.
draft Railroad District Master Plan. He thanked the Council for allowing them to work with
staff and encouraged Council to support the plan.
Lynn Landwehr, SLO, County Historical Museum, stated that the museum staff is very
supportive of the plan.
Mark Johnson, 1265 Buchan St., asked that the Bishop Street undercrossing be included in
the plan. He said he is disappointed that he was not notified earlier of the plan.
Dale Kinney, 2125 Florence Avenue, spoke in support of the plan and asked that some of
the utilities be undergrounded. He said that there is a graffiti problem near the track.
Mayor Settle closed the public hearing.
Associate Planner Hook, clarified that the Bishop Street undercrossing will be included in
the plan.
Council Member Romero said that he supports the plan, but that the traffic on Santa
Barbara needs to be addressed in the plan with a plan line for street widening. He said he
could not support the plan without that inclusion.
City Attorney Jorgensen said that changing the plan line for Santa Barbara could not be
addressed as part of tonight's action, as it would be inconsistent with the circulation
element. Public Works Director McCluskey verified the current circulation element shows
Santa Barbara as a two lane street.
Council discussed specific changes to the EIR, relating to pedestrian crossings and traffic I
signals and the boundaries around the Albertson's site.
After discussion, moved by Settle/Williams to conceptually approve the Railroad District
Plan including the boundary adjustment, and including "and/or" under item #2 on page 4-18
and continue the public hearing to June 16 1998; motion carried (5 -0)
Council Member Romero stated for the record that he strongly supports the plan, but is
anticipating that the Santa Barbara Street widening issue will be addressed at a later time.
5. SALINAS RESERVOIR EXPANSION PROJECT (File No. 1202 -06)
Council held a public hearing to consider certification of the Final Environmental Impact
Report for the Salinas Reservoir Expansion Project.
Mayor Settle clarified that tonight's proposed action will certify the EIR, but not approve the
project, and is an important consideration in the protection of the City's water rights.
Utilities Director Moss presented the staff report.
Water Division Manager Henderson introduced consultants from Woodward -Clyde who
worked on the EIR: Robert Ray, John Grey, Biologist, and Bill Hutcheson, Hydrologist. He
gave an overview of the item and presented a slide show to illustrate impacted areas
around the lake.
Mr. Ray gave a summary of the additional studies that have been performed in conjunction '
with the EIR. He reviewed the types of alternatives that were analyzed.
City Council Meeting Page 8
Tuesday, June 2, 1998 - 4:00 p.m.
Mr. Grey addressed biological impacts, including the loss of habitat. He reviewed the
1 mitigation goals and opportunities.
Mr. Hutcheson detailed the downstream flow analysis, including surface flow impact
analysis.
Water Division Manager Henderson clarified the steps that will follow the certification of the
EIR: 1) Resolution of Protest to City's water rights permit (12 to 18 months); 2) transfer of
ownership from federal government to local agency (1'/7 -3 years); and 3) development of
mitigation and mitigation monitoring plans (1 -2 years). He reviewed the anticipated
schedules for both Nacimiento and Salinas reservoir expansion projects. He clarified that
the mitigation monitoring plan will be developed later,after, the approval of the EIR.
Mayor Settle opened the public hearing.
John McCarthy, Public Works Director for City of Paso Robles, stated that Paso Robles has
concerns about the EIR and asked Council not to certify it. He asked that a mitigation
program be put into place before certification.
David Broadwater, Atascadero, spoke in opposition to certification of the EIR.
Lorraine Scarpace, Paso Robles; spoke in opposition to certification of the EIR, saying that
it does not comply with CEQA.
City Attorney Jorgensen clarified again, that the mitigation measures are included in the
EIR, but the plan to carry out those measures is not required by CEQA until the project is
1 approved.
Don Foge, 440'/: Kentucky, spoke in support of the certification of the EIR. He noted that
even though some habitat will be inundated, a new environment will be created under
water.
E.J. (Tip) Martin said he has seen changes over the years at the lake and he believes the
project will be beneficial. He spoke in support of certification of the EIR.
On behalf of Holley Sletieland, Templeton, Steven Marx read a statement in opposition to
the certification of the EIR.
Steven Marx, spoke in opposition to the certification of the EIR.
Shelly Stanwvck, Chamber of Commerce, said that the Chamber does not have a position
on the certification of the EIR, but does support the Council moving forward with increasing
the city's water supply and urged the Council to move forward on this project in the
appropriate fashion.
Bob Rose. Templeton, spoke in opposition to the certification of the EIR. He asked for the
inclusion of a mitigation measure to protect the downstream user.
Otto Schmidt, Santa Margarita, spoke in opposition to the certification of the EIR, stating
that it is inadequate.
Phil Ashley, SLO, spoke in opposition to the certification of the EIR.
City Council Meeting Page 9
Tuesday, June 2, 1998 - 4:00 p.m.
Geof Land, 172 Broad, Director of ECOSLO, spoke in opposition to the certification of the
EIR.
Mayor Settle closed the public hearing.
Mayor Settle clarified that the Council is on record in favor of the Nacimiento project, but
that the Salinas project must remain a viable alternative on a parallel path.
At the request of Council, staff responded to specific concerns and comments made by
members of the public.
Council discussed the loss of oak woodland. Council Member Roalman asked Council to
make a finding that the loss of oak woodland is a significant unavoidable impact, and said
he would support certification if that finding were included in the EIR.
Council Members discussed the importance of the protection of San Luis Obispo citizens'
water rights.
After discussion, moved by RomeroWilliams to adopt Resolution No. 8812 certifying that
the Final Environmental Impact Report for the Salinas Reservoir Expansion Project is
adequate; motion carried (4-1, Roalman voting no).
Council Member Romero asked if Council would direct staff to complete a preliminary study
of the Madonna Road overpass with regard to pedestrian traffic in time for the item to be
considered with the upcoming budget. Council concurred.
By concurrence, Council also directed staff to bring back an item for consideration to add two
stop signs on Oceanaire, one at Balboa and one at Lakeview.,
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS
Council Member Romero reported on the May 271" Citizens Advisory Committee.
Council Member Romero announced that on June 19' the City of Lompoc will sponsor a
Channel Counties Meeting at Vandenberg AFB,. and the speaker will be Andrea Seastrand.
He asked Council to consider giving direction to staff to work with the League to
communicate the City's strong opposition to discontinuation of vehicle license fees to the
state legislature, and council concurred.
Council Member Williams reported on the Economic Vitality Corporation meeting of last
week.
F_1 01,1.1111 a.I'i 14: h 1
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Settle adjourned the
meeting at 12:10 a.m. to Tuesday, June 16,1998 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, 990 Palm
Street, San Luis Obispo.
APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 6116198
BG:dr
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City Clerk