Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/05/2007MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TUESDAY, JUNE 5, 2007 - 4:00 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; Monica Irons, Human Resources Director; Deborah Linden, Police Chief; John Callahan, Fire Chief; John Moss, Utilities Director; Jay Walter, Public Works Director; Betsy Kiser, Parks and Recreation Director; Brigitte Elke, Principal Administrative Analyst; Kim Murry, Deputy Director, Long Range Planning; Peter Brown, Housing Programs Manager; Philip Dunsmore, Associate Planner; Dave Hix, Wastewater Division Manager STUDY SESSIONS 1. NACIMIENTO WATER SUPPLY PROJECT STATUS REPORT. Utilities Director Moss presented the staff report. He provided a background, description and status of the project, an overview of contractual requirements, the proposed decision - making process, and financing and estimated rate impacts, and responded to questions. Public Comments No comments were forthcoming. —end of public comments— ACTION: Council reviewed and discussed the status of the Nacimlento Water Supply Project and the proposed process for considering the City's continued participation in the project. No other action was taken. 2. Deputy Community Development Director Mum introduced this item. She explained that the purpose of this study session is to update the City Council as to the status of SLOCOG's planning effort and how its blueprint effort may impact the City. Steve Devencenzi. Planning Director, San Luis Obispo Council of Governments, discussed the Community 2050 Regional Plan in detail and responded to questions. City Council Meeting Page 2 Tuesday, June 5, 2007 - 4:00 p.m. Council Member Settle discussed a number of reasons why he is not comfortable with the Community 2050 Regional Plan. These included, in part, the need to communicate to the State that local government-must be able to decide local policy without the State conditioning funding, the vagueness of the HCD's (Housing & Community Development) figures related to housing elements, not wanting the State to preempt growth management policies that balance out a city s capacity to provide services with its ability to pay for those services, and that the State still does not have its own plans in place (i.e., a CIP, Land Use, Finance, Comprehensive Fixed Asset Accounting Systems). Mayor Romero indicated that he is supportive of a countywide community planning program, but that it should not restrict cities' ability to create their own plans and control their own futures. Vice Mayor Mulholland and Council Member Brown concurred with comments made by Council Member Settle. Council Member Carter noted that population growth in San Luis Obispo County has been overestimated by the Department of Finance. Public Comments No comments were forthcoming. ---end of public comments— ACTION: Motion by Brown/Carter to receive the information and direct staff to coordinate with SLOCOG as they prepare the Community 2050 Regional Plan and during the anticipated Land Use Element update visioning process slated to begin in 2009, and to convey the concerns expressed by Council Members during discussion; motion passed 5:0. Mayor Romero referenced information he will place in the Council reading file from SLOCOG its session on Smart Growth. CONSENT AGENDA In response to Vice Mayor Mulholland's inquiry regarding item C7, Public Works Director Walter clarified that the portion of Los Osos Valley Road that will be resurfaced is from Highway 101 to the northwestern City limits (as opposed to northern). Mayor Romero also referred to item C7 and expressed concern with using the slurry seal process on arterial streets because this process does not smooth the riding surface or improve the structural strength of the roadway. Mayor Romero referred to item C5 and expressed concern that the contract engineer was permitted to develop a metric set of plans, resulting in increased costs to the City to convert these plans back to standard units. Wastewater Division Manager Hix explained that costs for converting the plans and specifications from metric to standard units will reduce the project costs. Public Comments ' Loren Freye, Courtyard Cottages, thanked Council for considering item C2 (waiving develoment impact fees for deed - restricted affordable housing projects). City Council Meeting Tuesday, June 5, 2007 - 4:00 p.m. Page 3 ' Patricia Wilmore, Chamber of Commerce, discussed the Chamber's support of item C2. —end of public comments— ACTION: Moved by Settle/Mulholland to approve the Consent Agenda as recommended by the City Administrative Officer; motion carried as indicated below. C1. MINUTES OF MAY 1, 15 AND 18. 2007. ACTION: Moved by Settle/Mulholland to waive oral reading and approve as presented; motion carried 5:0. C2. ACTION: Moved by Settle/Mulholland to adopt Resolution No. 9903 (2007 Series) clarifying Resolution 9131 (2000 Series) to ensure that all deed - restricted affordable residential developments either in excess of the inclusionary requirement, or for units of four or less, are eligible for City -wide development impact fee waivers from the City of San Luis Obispo; motion carried 5:0. C3. 2007 ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT PROGRAM. ACTION: Moved by Settle/Mulholland to authorize staff to submit two grant applications totaling $390,000 to the Federal Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program for funding of equipment, training, and a vehicle to achieve Medium Operational Capability for Urban ' Search and Rescue; motion carried 5:0. C4. HIGUERA STREET PAVING PROJECT FROM MORRO STREET TO NIPOMO STREET, SPECIFICATION NO. 90684. ACTION: Moved by Settle/Mulholland to: 1. Approve plans and specifications for the Higuera Street Paving Project, Specification No. 90684. 2. Authorize staff to advertise for bids and authorize the CAO to award the contract if the lowest responsible bid is less than or equal to the Engineer's Estimate of $450,000 ($323,500 General Fund, $45,000 Water System Improvements, $71,500 for Fire System Improvements and $10,000 Collection System Improvements); motion carried 5:0 C5. AMENDMENT NO.3 FOR TANK FARM GRAVITY SEWER, LIFT STATION AND FORCE MAIN DESIGN SERVICES.. ACTION: Moved by Settle/Mulholland to: 1) Approve Amendment No. 3 of the agreement with Brown and Caldwell Engineers for additional design, additional cost estimation, and conversion to standard units for Tank Farm Gravity Sewer, Lift Station and Force Main project, specification no. 99703, in the amount of $142,000 and authorize the Mayor to execute the amendment. 2) Appropriate $142,000 from Sewer Fund Working Capital to Tank Farm Gravity Sewer, Lift Station and Force Main Design Services; motion carried 5:0. C6. RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY'S COLLECTION OF FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY INSPECTION PROGRAM FEES. ACTION: Moved by Settle/Mulholland to adopt Resolution No. 9904 (2007 Series) enabling the continued collection of multi - dwelling property fire and life safety inspection fees via the secured property tax roll administered by the County; motion carried 5:0. City Council Meeting Page 4 Tuesday, June 5, 2007 - 4:00 p.m. C7. 2007 ARTERIAL STREET SLURRY SEAL PROJECT, SPECIFICATION NO. 90680. ACTION: Moved by Settle/Mulholland to: 1. Approve Special Provisions for 2007 Arterial Street Slurry Seal Project, Specification No. 90680. 2. Authorize staff to advertise for bids. 3. Authorize the CAO to award the contract if the lowest responsible bid is within the engineer's estimate of $800,000; motion carried 5:0. C8. PUBLIC SAFETY SERVER UPGRADE. ACTION: Moved by Settle/Mulholland to: 1) Award a contract to Spillman Technologies in the amount of $234,960 to upgrade the public safety computer -aided dispatch and record management system (CAD/RMS) server. 2) Transfer funds in the amount of $149,960 from Police Department savings to the project budget to fund this server upgrade; motion carried 5:0. C9. ACTION: Moved by Settle/Mulholland to: 1) Approve plans and specifications for "Water Reclamation Facility Belt Filter Press Equipment Rehabilitation," Specification No. 90638. 2) Authorize staff to advertise for bids and authorize the City Administrative Officer to award the contract if the lowest responsible bid is within the Engineer's estimate of $150,000; motion carried 5:0. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3. Community Development Director Mandeville introduced this item and Housing Programs Manager Brown presented the staff report. Mayor Romero opened the public hearing. No comments were forthcoming. Mayor Romero closed the public hearing. ACTION: Moved by Mulholland/Brown to: 1. Authorize the reallocation of $30,000 in 2007 CDBG funds from the Anderson Hotel Pain project to the Anderson Hotel Fire/Sprinkler upgrade project. 2. Authorize the reallocation of $16,967 in unused CDBG funds from the 2001 Historic Adobe project to the 2005 Americans with Disabilities Act Corrections to City Facilities. 3. Forward the Council's funding recommendations for amending the 2001 and 2007 Action Plans to the County Board of Supervisors; motion carried 5:0. Council reordered the agenda to consider Council Liaison Reports and Communications at this time. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS Vice Mayor Mulholland reported on her attendance at the May 18th California Men's Colony Citizens Advisory Committee meeting. Council Member Settle reported on a recent Airport Land Use Commission meeting. City Council Meeting Page 5 Tuesday, June 5, 2007 - 4:00 p.m. Council Member Brown reported that both semi -pro teams have begun using the City fields for the season and all but a few issues have been resolved. COMMUNICATIONS Council Member Carter referenced a Board of Supervisors meeting that he and Council Member Settle attended at which the Dalidio project was discussed. He expressed concern regarding the Supervisors' decision related to the Prado Road overpass and asked Council to consider placing this matter on an agenda in the near future. Council concurred that this matter should be brought back at the July 17'h City Council meeting. The meeting recessed at 6:00 p.m. and reconvened at 7:00 p.m. with all members present. PRESENTATIONS Mayor Romero presented Adam Hill, Director of the Food Bank, with a proclamation recognizing June 5, 2007, as Hunger Awareness Day. Mayor Romero presented Certificates of Appreciation to students from San Luis Obispo High School who participated in the Community Services Program. Mayor Romero announced that the City is looking for volunteers to serve on the Housing Authority, Joint Use of Recreational Facilities Committee, and Parks and Recreation Commission. Information on these vacancies is available in the City Clerk's office. PUBLIC COMMENT Sifu Kelvin Harrison, San Luis Obispo, discussed his continuing concerns regarding personal harassment. Jesse Arnold, Cambria, discussed the dangers of genetically engineered food and asked Council to support the labeling of these foods. The following people spoke in opposition to the proposed height limits and development in the downtown. Their concerns included, in part, that there should be more community involvement on this matter, and that action should be delayed until October or after summer vacations are over. Pete Evans. San Luis Obispo (Mr. Evans' statement is on file in the City Clerk's office.) Lv -Lan Lofaren, San Luis Obispo Jim Duenow, San Luis Obispo Sandra Marshall, San Luis Obispo Sandra Lakeman, Emeritus Professor of Architecture and author of book "Natural Light and the Italian Piaza" R.J. "Boz" Schraae, San Luis Obispo (A petition containing signatures of approximately 445 concurring with a delay in Council's consideration of this matter was submitted and is on file in the City Clerk's office.) Joseph Abrahams, San Luis Obispo Paula Carr. San Luis Obispo Gary Fowler, San Luis Obispo, spoke in opposition to the Nacimiento project and the increase in water /sewer rates. Vice Mayor Mulholland requested, and Council Member Settle concurred, that staff should be directed to include a notice in the utility bills regarding the height issue and to delay action on this matter until the fall. There was not Council consensus to do so. City Council Meeting Page 6 Tuesday, June 5, 2007 - 4:00 p.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS 4. APPEAL OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMITTEE'S (CHC) DETERMINATION THAT THE WOOD ADDITIONS TO THE ADOBE RESIDENCE AT 868 CHORRO STREET ARE NOT PART OF THE HISTORIC RESOURCE (ARC 201 -06). Associate Planner Dunsmore presented the staff report and responded to questions. Mayor Romero opened the public hearing. Bruno Giberti, representing the appellant and Architectural Historian spoke in support of the appeal. His discussion included, in part, his disagreement that the original building could be evaluated separately from its additions, an explanation of why he thought the historic signficance of the building could be clearly demonstrated, and a review of the thematic significance of the building. Tom Jess, R 2 L Architects, representing the applicant, spoke on behalf of the project, noted the three studies that supported the CHC's determination related to the wood addtitions,and discussed the plans for the adobe. Jonathan Boriack, San Luis Obispo, spoke in support of the CHC determination and in opposition to the appeal. The following people spoke in support of the appeal and in opposition to the CHC determination: Boz Schrage. San Luis Obispo David Brodie read a statement from Allen Cooper (on file in the City Clerk's office). Elisabeth Abrahams. San Luis Obispo Marilyn Gordon, San Luis Obispo Sandra Lakeman, San Luis Obispo Paul Schmitt, San Luis Obispo Paula Carr. San Luis Obispo Dean Miller, San Luis Obispo Joe Abrahams, San Luis Obispo Bob Vessely, appellant Chuck Crotser, Member of the CHC, discussed the process undertaken by the CHC as it considered this matter. Larry Hoyt, San Luis Obispo, applicant, explained why he thought the house qualifies for demolition and said that he offered to restore a significant portion of it as a compromise. He asked Council to deny the appeal. Mayor Romero closed the public hearing. Council Member Settle and Vice Mayor Mulholland spoke in support of the appeal. They encouraged the applicant to consider the entire structure for its historic value, including the area surrounding it and expressed concern that removing the wood structure would be detrimental to the adobe portion of the structure. Council Members Brown and Carter and Mayor Romero spoke in support of the CHC determination. They discussed the historical value of the adobe and the need to preserve it in its original state, but did not object to the removal of the wood portion. ACTION: Moved by Carter/Brown to adopt Resolution No. 9905 (2007 Series) denying the appeal filed by David Brodie, thereby adopting the Cultural Heritage Committee's action to City Council Meeting Tuesday, June 5, 2007 - 4:00 p.m. Page 7 allow removal of the wood addition surrounding the Frietas Adobe at 868 Chorro Street and direct staff to modify the historic resources survey consistent with this action; motion carried 3:2 (Settle/Mulholland). The meeting recessed at 9:21 and reconvened at 9:31 p.m. with all members present. BUSINESS ITEMS 5. Housing Programs Manager Brown presented the staff report and responded to questions. Public Comments No comments were forthcoming. —end of public comments— Council Member Settle and Mayor Romero acknowledged their support of the recommendation. Vice Mayor Mulholland and Council Member Carter indicated that they would support the recommendation. However, Vice Mayor Mulholland discussed her concerns that there aren't additional options and that using low- incoming housing funds in this manner will benefit only a small number of people. She suggested that there is a need to focus on more rental units. She also expressed opposition to the 100% match. Council Member Carter concurred. Staff clarified that the City does not have options as to how the HOME funds can be used, and discussed the difference between the separate programs and how they will benefit the City and leverage more funds for future use. Carol Hatlev. Executive Director of the Housing Authority, discussed the Housing Authority's goal of assisting a wide range of income levels, the positive impacts of home ownership, and the ways the funds that are paid back through the first -time homebuyer program can be leveraged in the future. ACTION: Moved by Settle/Brown to: 1. Request the County of San Luis Obispo to amend its Home Investment Partnership Act (HOME) First -Time Buyer Program Agreement with HASLO to designate $231,070 for use within the City of San Luis Obispo. 2. Authorize $231,070 of the City's Affordable Housing Fund dollars to provide a 100% match of City funds to HOME funds, totaling $462,140 to start the City's First Time Home Buyer Program. 3. Authorize staff to work out the implementation details of the First -Time Home Buyer Program with HASLO, specifically the terns of any necessary agreements with program recipients; motion carried 5:0. 6. CONTINUED REVIEW: PRELIMINARY 2007 -09 FINANCIAL PLAN. Finance Director Statler presented the staff report. He reviewed the budget process and steps taken to date and recapped direction Council provided at the prior workshops. He noted that Caltrans has awarded the City a $495,000 Bicycle Transportation Act grant for the Railroad Safety Trail Bridge across Highway 101, contingent upon the adoption of the State budget. Council discussion ensued, during which staff responded to questions. City Council Meeting Page 8 Tuesday, June 5, 2007 - 4:00 p.m. Public Comments None were forthcoming. —end of public comments — ACTION: Council continued its review and discussion of the Preliminary 2007 -09 Financial Plan; no other action was taken. There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Romero adjourned the meeting at 10:15 p.m. to Tuesday, June 19,20(Y7, in the Council Chamber, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. A Audrey Hooperj. City Clerk cl/ APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 06/19/07 1 u