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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/13/1970MINUTES _ADJOURNED MEETING "OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA July 13, 1970 - 7:30 P.M. City Hall Pledge Roll Call Present: Emmons Blake, Myron Graham, Arthur F..Spring, Donald Q. Miller, Kenneth E. Schwartz City Staff Present: R. D. Young, Planning Director; J. H. Fitzpatrick, City Clerk; J. Stockton, Park & Recreation Supervisor; H. Johnson, City Attorney; R. D. Miller, Administrative Officer; D. F. Romero, City Engineer; E: Rodgers, Police Chief; E. P. Thompson, Director.of Water Department. 1. On motion of Councilman Blake, seconded_ by Councilman Graham, the following resolution was introduced.. Resolution No. 2075, a resolution increasing the 1969 -70 budget. Passed and adopted on the following roll call vote: AYES: Emmons Blake, Myron Graham, Arthur F. Spring, Donald Q. Miller, Kenneth E. Schwartz NOES: None ABSENT: None 2. The City Council .set a joint meeting with the Human Relations Commission to review the proposed Minority Grievance Appeals Board with the Commission. The meeting was set for July 15, 1970 at 8:00 p.m. The City Council also set a joint meeting with the Park and Recreation Commission to review the proposed aims and objectives of the City's recreation program. The meeting was set for September-2,.,1970 at 7:30 p.m. 3. Communication from B. D..Conrad, Administrative Officer, County of San Luis Obispo, regarding disposition.of.the City owned land formerly leased to the County for airport purposes. The lease expired on May 31, 1967, and the City Council and Board of Supervisors have been discussing some way of disposing of this property. Mr. Conrad_ stated that.in order for the County of San Luis Obispo.to apply for state and federal grants to improve the airport, it was necessary for the County to either own all of the airport property or have a minimum 20 year lease. Therefore, it was imperative that the matter of this City owned land be settled as. soon as possible. H. Johnson, City Attorney, explained that a Council committee had met with County representatives regarding the lease and what should be done with the property. He continued that it was his understanding that the City was waiting for an offer from the County. Mayor Schwartz recommended that the Council committee continue their discussion with the Board of Supervisors and bring a recommendation to the City Council. The Council committee consisted of Councilman Blake as chairman and Councilman Miller as a member. City Council Minutes July 13, 1970 Page 2 4. H. Johnson, City Attorney, presented for the Council's consideration an agreement between the City of San Luis Obispo and the County Junior College District for sale of 125 feet of surplus water from Whale Rock or the Salinas Dam on a yearly basis. He stated that the City and the Whale Rock Commission must declare certain water surplus to their needs which 'could be sold unfiltered to the Junior College District. The agreement would be granted on a year -to- year basis. The agreement listed ways of measuring the water and determining power costs. H. Johnson continued that the Junior College District had made arrangements with the Men's Colony to .run the water through their filter so that it could be utilized for the district. On motion of Councilman Graham, seconded by Councilman Miller.,_ the following resolution was introduced. Resolution No. 2074, a resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign an agreement for sale of excess water to Cuesta College. Passed and adopted on the following roll call vote: AYES: Emmons Blake, Myron Graham, Arthur F. Spring, Donald Q. Miller, Kenneth E. Schwartz NOES: None ABSENT: None 5. D. F. Romero, City Engineer, submitted to the City Council a list of unpaved but traveled City streets which need improving. He stated that the priority was based on traffic flow and service to adjacent properties. He continued that in view of long standing City policy which calls for property owners to bear the initial expense of improving streets and due to the limited funds available, it would seem inequitable for the City to bear the cost of improving these streets. Mr. Romero stated that he therefore recommended that the City make available to all property owners adjacent to these streets, an assessment district for the street improvements. He suggested that the City determine the degree of parti- cipation desired by the residents through an informal petition. Then the City Council could proceed with the street improvements only where such action is desired by the residents and property owners. He felt that the formation of assessment districts would be the only way these streets could be improved. Councilman Miller felt that the City.should take the initiative in forming the necessary special assessment districts for improving these streets. He felt that the City staff should prepare the petitions and approach all the property owners on the streets needing improvements. Councilman Blake agreed that the City should take the first step in forming the special assessment district. Councilman Spring felt that the City should do the leg work and try to encourage the property owners to form a special assessment district to improve these streets. Councilman Graham agreed that these streets should be improved and the City Council should take the lead. Mayor Schwartz stated he felt that.the City Council should be very selective in arranging the priority for these streets so that the highest need could be taken care of first. He also suggested that the district should be arranged in areas for ease of development and improvements. The City Attorney was requested to look into the legal requirements for forming the district involving non - conforming streets and areas. The Planning Director was requested to look into the matter of priority for these streets as far as planning was concerned. The City Engineer was requested to continue his study and list the necessary utility improvements needed prior to improvement of the streets. City Council Minutes July 13, 1970 Page 3 The City Council agreed informally that the City would contribute the usual 10% for the construction of -the streets. The matter was continued to the.August study session. 6. Communication from .Mrs. Marie C. Netto stating she wished to retract her negative vote of June 15, 1970 regarding the Yoakum Assessment District No. 2. D. F. Romero, City Engineer, stated that with the retraction of Mrs. Netto's negative vote, the petition had now been signed by more than 60% of the property owners and the City Council could proceed with the assessment district if they so desired. The City Clerk was instructed to notify the affected property owners of the change in the percentage on the petition and the fact that the City will again hold apublic hearing on August 17, 1970 to get a formal determination from the property owners as to their desires regarding the assessment district. The City Clerk was also instructed to notify the Health Department of the public hearing. 7A. The City Council discussed the communication from the Regional Water Quality Control Board regarding the filing of a report on waste discharge by the City of San Luis Obispo by January 1, 1971. D. F. Romero, City Engineer, commented that in his-opinion, the Water Quality Control Board was attempting to enforce a requirement not specifically spelled out in the 1960 requirements. He stated that the City was meeting all treatment requirements and that only the maximum.flow was exceeding the questionable flow requirement of the Water Quality Control Board. H. Johnson, City Attorney, made the following comments on the RWQCB letter:. Current provisions of the water quality control act give broad discretion to the Water Quality Control Board. .While it is true that the 1960 regulations by - the Board based the need for new submittals for an excess discharge on an increase over the design population of 40,000, the present statutes permit the Board to require new submittals when anew discharge is threatened. It is,however, appropriate to request an extension of time to complete the new report. Councilman Miller stated that in talking with Ken Jones, engineer for the RWQCB that he was sure that the retaining'of a, consulting sanitary engineer and the required report could be extended due to the little time left between now and January, 1971. He also stated he would support a proposal to retain a different engineer for the City than has been retained in the past. Councilman Spring stated that he too felt a different engineering firm should be retained to look into the sewer plant problems. ..He felt.a different firm would enable the City to receive a.fresh.and different viewpoint.. The City Engineer was requested to write the RWQCB asking for an extension of time for the filing of the report and to inform them of the City's feelings on the sewer plant improvements made in 1962. The City Engineer was also requested to prepare an outline and specifications for retaining a consulting engineer for the sewer plant development, to be presented to the Council at the meeting of August 3, 1970: 7B. Communication from J. H.-,Jenks,, Consulting.Sanitary..and Civil:Engineer; regarding improvements and modifications to the City's wastewater treatment plant was ordered received and filed: - 7C. R. D. Young, Planning Director, presented a- proposal from R: B. Taylor; Landscape Architect, for the Phase II work of the Mission Plaza project. He continued that the Phase II would include: The design of an outdoor theater in the existing depression.adjacent to, and west of,.the Warden�Bridge; the re- - design and extension of the pedestrian plaza adjacent to the Art Center easterly to coincide with the extension of the axis.of the east sidewalk of Broad Street. City Council Minutes July 13, 1970 Page 4 That portion of Monterey Street in front of the old adobe., extending from the west end of the Mission at Broad Street to the portion of the plaza under con- struction, and changes in the topography and existing trees due to the 68 -69 flood, which would include redesign of the grading, walks, irrigation system, and planting to accommodate both the above and the changes brought about by the flood. Estimated cost for design of Phase II is $7,500. Councilman Miller stated he was in favor of proceeding with Phase II of the Mission Plaza in order to have the project completed before the bicentennial celebration. He also felt that the City Council should reconsider before proceeding with•the remodeling of the Murray-Adobe as he has studied the building and found it has very little historical significance. Further, he felt that the remodeling . work should be handled by the Historical Society, who convinced the City Council to purchase the building. Councilman Blake agreed that the City Council should very seriously look into any further expenditures of funds for the Murray Adobe. R. Leitcher, property owner, appeared before the City Council stating that the Historical Society had made plans for the use and refurbishing of the Murray Adobe and hoped the City Council would not take any action to disturb these plans. He also asked that:the City Council consider in the Phase II plans of the Mission Plaza the placement of picnic tables and benches so that tourists could have lunch in the Plaza. He also hoped the City Council would consider placing the Ramona Street horsecart and perhaps the old Los..Osos school_'. building in the Plaza. On motion of Councilman Graham, seconded by Mayor Schwartz the proposal of R. Taylor for Phase II of the Mission Plaza was accepted, with the cost to the City not to exceed $7,500. 7D. R. D. Young, Planning Director, presented plans and specifications for Phase I of the 1970 -71 Street Tree Planting Program for the following streets. Marsh Street (Higuera to.Broad and Osos to Santa Rosa), Monterey Street'. (Morro to Osos and Santa Rosa to Johnson) and Santa Rosa Street (Olive to Walnut and Peach to Marsh - west side only) and Olive Street (Santa Rosa to Osos). R. D. Young continued that the program calls for the planting of 91 trees at an estimated cost of $24,150: On motion of Councilman Blake; seconded by Councilman Graham, the plans and specifications were approved and the Planning Director was authorized to call for bids. 7E. R. D. Young, Planning Director, brought to the Council's attention that his department is now in the process of preparing specifications for a sprinkler system along the east bank of the San Luis Creek in the Mission Plaza and he would like Council permission to include that portion of the Naman property under lease to the City. He estimated that the cost to install the sprinkler system would be $500. On motion of Councilman Miller, seconded by Councilman Graham, The Planning Director was authorized to include the Naman property in the Call for bids. Motion carried. 7F. Councilman Miller suggested that the City Council consider leasing surplus buses from the unified school district and that the City start a municipal bus system on a six month trial basis to see if it'would be worthwhile. He stated that upon investigation, he has found that if the buses are not available from the SLO Coastal Unified District, the buses could be leased from the Atascadero School District, who have reduced their bus service in order to save expenses. He felt that if the buses are leased and maintained by the owner, the City would not have to hire anyone to keep the buses going. He continued that he still believed that a municipal bus system is needed in the City for the underprivileged and young people who cannot afford private transportation. He stated that he would be most happy to lay out routes for the City bus .system. He continued he hoped the City Council would consider this suggestion and authorize him to continue his investigation. City Council Minutes July 13, 1970 Page 5 After discussion . by the City Council and due to the lack of cost figures, etc., Councilman Miller stated he would continue his investigation.and come up with some definite figures and present them to the Council at a future meeting. 8. At this time, the City Council considered Ordinance No. 495, an ordinance regulating the construction, alteration, demolition and /or repair of any retaining wall within.the City of San Luis Obispo, State of California, providing for the issuance of.permits and collection of fees therefor, and providing for the violation thereof: D. F. Romero, City Engineer, briefed the provisions of the ordinance and explained the need for such an ordinance. After discussion by the City Council, the matter was referred to the next Council meeting. 9. Councilman Graham asked the City Council on behalf of the business establish- ments adjacent to Garden Alley, for permission to have the alley closed for a flea market on August 1, 1970. The matter was continued for a written request from the merchants. On motion of Councilman Blake, seconded by Councilman Spring, the meeting adjourned. l TRICK, CITY CLERK IAPPROVED: August 24, .1970 1