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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/24/2007MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TUESDAY, APRIL 24, 2007 -12:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBER, 990 PALM STREET SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA ROLL CALL: Council Members Present: Council Members Paul Brown, Andrew Carter, Allen Settle, Vice Mayor Christine Mulholland and Mayor Dave Romero City Staff: Present: Ken Hampian, City Administrative Officer; Jonathan Lowell, City Attorney; Audrey Hooper, City Clerk; Shelly Stanwyck, Assistant City Administrative Officer; John Mandeville, Community Development Director; Bill Statler, Finance Director; John Moss, Utilities Director; Jay Walter, Public Works Director; Tim Bochum, Deputy Director of Public Works; Robert Horch, Parking Services Manager; Peggy Mandeville, Principal Transportation Planner STUDY SESSION Because he was unable to stay for the meeting, Brett Cross, San Luis Obispo, spoke at this time. He said the City lot on Palm and Nipomo Streets is not the best location for the parking structure and suggested that better locations would be, first, the Wells Fargo site at the corner of Pacific and Nipomo Streets, followed by the Shell Station on Santa Rosa Avenue. 1. REVIEW OF DESIGN OPTIONS FOR THE PALM - NIPOMO PARKING STRUCTURE. Principal Transportation Planner Mandeville presented the staff report, which included a history of the project, project goals, current site plan options, cost comparisons, and public input received. She clarified that the purpose of the meeting is to review design options as well as associated costs. Sam Nunes, WRN Studio, reviewed the design options and associated costs. He and CAO Hampian responded to questions. Mayor Romero called for comments from the public at this time. Tom Swem, Chairperson of the Parking Committee for the Downtown Association, spoke in support of the proposal and suggested Council should give some consideration to the economics of a larger structure before determining whether another level should be added to the proposed structure. Patricia Wilmore, representing the Chamber of Commerce, spoke in support of the proposal and asked for clarification regarding the soft costs associated with the project. Roy Mueller, Executive Director of the Children's Museum, spoke in support of the proposal. ' Mary Mitchell Leitcher, San Luis Obispo, spoke on behalf of the Palm - Nipomo site, and suggested that the structure should be larger. No further public comments were forthcoming. City Council Meeting Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 7:00 p.m. Page 2 During the ensuing discussion, Council Member Settle and Council Member Brown spoke in support of option D3 because this site is already owned by the City, has potential to serve the cultural future of Mission Plaza, can be built fairly quickly and most cost - effectively, and has the potential for adding another floor. Vice Mayor Mulholland expressed disappointment with the City's last garage at 919 Palm Street and noted that a mechanical design is safer and more efficient. She also expressed concern regarding the constrained location of the lot, as well as of the parking structure on the site. She preferred a hybrid including the angled location depicted in option H3, particularly in the event that another floor is added. She said she was reluctant to support the proposal without investigating the Wells Fargo site. Deputy Director of Public Works Bochum and Parking Services Manager Horch responded to questions raised by Council Member Carter related to revenue projections. Council Member Carter said he was not ready to act on the recommendation. His concerns included, in part, the projected budget and lack of information regarding financing of the project, as well as the location and constraints placed on the site. He indicated his interest in the Wells Fargo site. He suggested that the City should be considering metered garages and that no free parking time should be allowed. He also said he had policy issue related to providing space for a cultural Institution on the site. Mayor Romero explained why he would be willing to defer further action on this project for another year and to direct staff to investigate the Wells Fargo site in the meantime. ACTION: Moved by Settle/Brown to: 1) accept staff s recommendation to Identify Site Plan Design Option D3 as the preferred site plan for the Palm - Nipomo parking structure (self park design) without changing the parameters of the design. 2) Proceed with the preparation of a request for proposal (RFP) for future action by Council. 3) Direct staff to investigate the Wells Fargo site at the same time they are proceeding with the preparation of the RFP. Motion carried 3:2 (Mulholland, Carter opposed). There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Romero adjourned the meeting at 2:03 p.m. to Tuesday, May 1, 2007, in the Council Charriber, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. ., 1 / City APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 05/15/07 D 1 1