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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/08/1963!ti 33. On motion of Councilman Graves,'seconded by Councilwoman McNeil, the following - appointments were made to the-Library Board and -the Park and Recreation Commission: Gretchen Dilbeck & Richard Loomis Park & Recreation Commission 4 year terms John Heinz Library Board 4 year terms On motion of Councilwoman McNeil, seconded by Councilman Graves, the meeting adjourned at 12:15 A. M. to Monday, July 8,1963 at 7:30 P. M. Approved- this- /0 day of 1963. , C11-Y CLERK ADJOURNED MEETING OF CITY COUNCIL July 8, 1963 - 7:30 P. M. CITY HALL Invocation was given by Mayor Clay P. Davidson. Roll Cali City Staff Present: Clay P. Davidson, R. L. Graves, Jr., Donald Q. Miller, Clell W. Whelchel Absent: Miss Margaret McNeil Present: P. Chapman, Director of Planning & Building; J. H. Fitzpatrick, City Clerk, W. M. Houser, City Attorney; D. F. Romero, City Engineer; W. Schofield, Police Chief; E. P..Thompson, Water Superintendent. 1 1. Communication from Wickson R. Woolpert, Attorney, forwarding application.of Mr. Axman and Mr. McBrayer for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to operate a taxicab service in the City of San Luis Obispo. Mr. W. Houser, City Attorney, explained to the City Council the provisions of the Municipal Code requiring Council consideration of the granting of an additional taxicab company certificate. He said the first requirement was that the application should be reviewed by the Chief of Police and a report made to the Council in accordance with the Municipal Code. Mr. Woolpert appeared before the City Council and explained that he and his clients do not wish to argue the merits of an increase of taxi service in the City with the present certificate holder, but only desired that the Council grant them a certificate in order to establish adequate cab service for the City. On motion of Councilman Miller, seconded by Councilman Graves, that the City Council set a public hearing for 8:00 P. M., July 15, 1963, on the application for the ' issuance of a certificate of public convenience and necessity. Motion carried. 2. Mr. Wendt, Attorney. representing Mr. Wayne Vaughn of the Yellow Cab Company, appeared before the City Council asking that any presentation on behalf of his client be held over to the July 15, 1963, public hearing on the application for the additional taxicab certificate. - 3a. - Communication from the San Luis Obispo Land Use and Development Advisory Committee dated June 17, 1963 was ordered received and filed. 3b. The following communication was presented to the City Council from the San Luis Obispo Land Use and Advisory Committee dated July 8, 1963: "The chairman of the City Planning Commission at last meeting urged greater public participation at City government meetings. This committee asks that it be recognized by the City Council as organized members of this community, interested in all business before the City Council and Planning Commission involving building and development. The decision has been made to form the San leis Obispo Land Use and Development Committee, comprised of members of the building and development industry in this community. This committee will coordinate efforts of the industry when requested, and will serve as a friend to the City Planning Commission and City Council. A member will be present at meetings of those two bodies, for the purpose of keeping ' the industry informed and to advise when requested." Councilman Graves stated that he had misunderstood the intention of the first letter from this group as to their purpose and intention, but did agree that such a group or committee formed by citizens that are interested in the activities of the Council and Planning Commission would be a great asset to the growth of the community. Mayor Davidson agreed with Councilman Graves and stated that he believed that any group of citizens who wished to appear before the Council or Planning Commission would be of help to the City and would be welcome to take part in any of the studies and /or deliberations held by the City Council and Planning Commission. 4. Mayor Davidson introduced the subject of providing a bus system for-,the City of San Luis Obispo and reviewed for the Council the background of activities since the y' secession of the Green Bus Service in March, 1963. He stated that the City Council had appointed a citizen's committee to study whether a bus system was needed in the City and if so, the best method of implementing the service. The citizen's committee then requested that an expert-in public transportation be retained to make a feasibility study on the need or desire for a bus system in the City. The City Council thereafter retained William Farell to prepare such a feasibility report. After study by Mr. Farell, it was concluded that ariy bus system, publicly or privately owned, would not be supported or used by enough of the citizens ' to justify its operation and recommended that the - Council not initiate a City owned bus system. Mayor Davidson stated that even in view of this report and based on information since receiving the report, that he personally feels much more srongly.at this time for the City to initiate and operate a bus system for the City. Mayor Davidson urged that the Council consider the operation of a bus system by the City as soon as possible. Councilman Graves suggested that the City Council have a straw vote on the need and desire for a bus system which would allow the citizens to inform the Council as to their feelings and willingness to support a bus system with a possible increase in taxes. Mayor Davidson moved that the Farell report be referred to the City Bus Committee with instructions to study the report and recommend to the City Council the best method of establishing a bus system in the City of San Luis Obispo with information to be included so that it may be presented to the citizens through a straw ballot. Councilman Graves stated, with the condition that a straw ballot would be presented to the citizens, he would second the Mayor's motion. Councilman Whelchel stated that he agreed with Councilman Graves that the Council ' should get.a better opinion and some commitment of use from the citizens of the City before he would agree to subsidize a bus system or to have the City operate such a service. Councilman Whelchel continued that he personally had contacted many of the signers of the petition presented at a prior meeting and that many of the signers stated that they would not ride the bus themselves or support the service, but had signed the petition at the request of friends or neighbors. f2 u� The City Council discussed the best method of initiating a bus service in in the City'if desired by the citizens. After discussion the motion was carried. Mayor Davidson stated, as he understood the motion that the citizen's committee would study the report and make recommendations as to r6ute, schedule, rates, number of muses, etc., present this information to the citizens of the City in a straw ballot on the proposed system to include the amount of subsidiza- tion and annual cost to the City. Emmons Blake, member of the Citizen's Bus Committee, stated upon question of 1 Mayor Davidson, that he was sure the Bus`;Committee would be very pleased to study the Farell report and make recommendations to the pity Council as re- quested. 5. The request for the installation of a sign in the vicinity of Missicn Plaza directing the public to the County Museum was referred to the Traffic Committee for study and report of recommendations to the City Council. 6. The City Council discussed the matter of the placement of sidewalk in front of the property at 898 Center Street owned by Mr. and Mrs. Albert Gazin. J. H. Fitzpatrick, City Clerk, read a letter from Nirs. Gazin dated July 7, 1963, requesting Council help in the best method to protect the large trees in her front yard which would be destroyed or damaged by the placement of the sidewalk. The City Council discussed the problem of sidewalk installation at 898 Center Street while attempting to save'the trees on this property when and if the sidewalk ;s installed. D. F. Romero, City Engineer, read for Council information, the provisions of Council Resolution No. 174 regarding the tree policy in the City when trees are causing damage to adjacent curb, gutter and sidewalk. Councilman Graves then explained studies being carried on by the Ccuncil Tree Committee in attempting to prepare a shade tree ordinance and formulate an equitable street tree policy and based on the studies to date, he be- lieved the best solution to the Gazin problem was for the City to remove the trees and replace them with an approved tree in the fifteen (15) gallon size as he believed that this would be in line with ).past City policy and would also allow placement of the sidewalk and planting of approved and adequate trees. D. F. Romero, City Engineer., proposed that with a slight deviation in the construction of the sidewalk, that possibly the trees would.not have to be .removed as the sidewalk could be placed in such a manner that would cause the least amount of damage to the t: -ro (2) trees. Councilman �'Jhelchel suggested that the City allow a deviation in the side- walk standard by .allowing the sidewalk to be placed on top of the ground so that the tree routs would have room to grow and the trees could be saved as he believed that they should be saved if at all possible. Councilman Graves suggested that the City Engineer solicit proposals from tree surgeons in the City to help the City Engineer design.a sidewalk for the Gazin property that would allow the trees to be saved if possible. On motion of Councilman Whelchel, seconded b Councilman Graves, that a variance be granted for the sidewalk installation at .898 Center Street which would allow the installation of sidewalk above the ground and as far from the tri a possible in order to save the trees. 7. Communication from Knuthson -Helms Company requesting acceptance by the City Council of the off -site improvements in Tract No. 251, was held over to-the next meeting for report by the City Engineer. 8. The matter of the Perozzi Annexation No. 2 to the City of San Luis Obispo was ordered held over to the next meeting. 9. At this time the City Council considered the amendment to the State Employees' Retirement System to allow final compensation of retired employees to consist of the highest average earnings during any period of three (3) ­� n 06 consecutive years of membership. On motion of Councilman Miller,$ seconded by Councilman Graves, the following resolution was introduced. Resolution No. 1163, a resolution of intention to approve the amendment to the contract between the Board of Administration of the State Employees' Retirement System and the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo. Passed and adopted on the following roll call vote: ' AYES: Clay P. Davidson, R. L. Graves, Jr., Donald Q. Miller, Clell W. Whelchel NOES: None ABSENT: Miss Margaret McNeil 10. Report of the City Clerk on bids received July 2y 1963, for the construction of the Water Filtration Plant, was ordered received and filed.` L 11. Communication from the Division of Recreation notifying the City Council that they are preparing a feasibility study for the establishment of a recreation and park district as requested by the City Council beginning October, 1963. Communication was ordered received and filed. S7 - 12. Communication from the Springfield Baptist Church requesting permission to hold a dedication parade on July 14., 19 3, to parade from the Church at 160 Brook Street to their new Church at 2727 Broad Street. Request was approved on motion of Councilman Miller, seconded by Councilman - Graves, and referred to the Police Chief William Schofield for coordination and help in the parade. 13. Councilman 11iller requested that the City Attorney be instructed to prepare a ' resolution endorsing the request of the San Luis Obispo Harbor District for Federal funds to develop the district. On motion of Councilman Hiller, seconded b Councilman Graves, the City Attorney was instructed to prepare such a resolution for Council consideration at the July 15, 1963 meeting. 14. D. F. Romero, City Engineer, presented for the Council's information., . the plans and specifications for street repair program, phase "M7, part 112" and re- quested that the Council authorize the publication for -bids. - On motion of Councilman Graves, seconded by Councilman "helchel, plans and specifications were approved and the advertisement for bids. 15. D. F. Romero, City Engineer, reported on the progress of land acquisition for the Foothill Boulevard Street widening project and reported that all negotiations were proceeding favorably except the acquisition of the Spooner property as the Attorney for the Spooners objected to the covenant being added to the agree- ment which would require reimbursement to the City if the property was divided ing the future. On motion of Councilman Miller, seconded by Councilman Whelchel, that the covenant regarding future subdivision be deleted from the Spooner agreement. Motion carried. ' 16. On motion of Councilman Miller, seconded by Mayor Davidson, the contract for construction of the Foothill street widening was awarded to C. S. Construction Company, subject to receipt b the City of the Spooner property. Motion. carried. 17. The City Council discussed the request of the patrons renting parking spaces in Parking Lot #7 to have their names placed on the bumper strips. Motion carried. 18. The City Council discussed methods of removing illegally parked cars in Parking Lot #7 and upon suggestion of the Police Chief that tow away signs be placed in accordance with the Motor Vehicle Code,, it was moved by Councilman Mille , seconded by Councilman Whelchel, that the pity Engineer orde_ and install tow -away signs in Parking Lot #7.