HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/07/2012MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2012
3:00 P.M. SPECIAL MEETING
6:00 P.M. REGULAR
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 990 PALM STREET
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
ROLL CALL:
Council Members
Present: Council Members Andrew Carter and Kathy Smith, Vice Mayor Dan
Carpenter, and Mayor Jan Marx. Council Member Ashbaugh arrived at
3:08 PM.
City Staff
Present: Katie Lichtig, City Manager, Christine Dietrick, City Attorney, Michael
Codron, Assistant City Manager, and Sheryll Schroeder, Interim City
Clerk, were present at Roll Call.. Other staff members presented reports
or responded to questions as indicated in the minutes.
--- - --------------------------------- - ------------- - - - ------- ------ - -- - -- - - -- - -------
STUDY SESSION ITEM
SS1. WATER RATE STRUCTURE STUDY.
Utilities Director Mattingly, Deputy Director of Water and Conservation Manager Munds
and consultant Shawn Koom, Associate Vice President, HDR Engineering, presented the
report and responded to Council questions.
None.
Public Comments on Study Session 1
- - -end of public comments—
BUSINESS ITEM
B1. CITYWIDE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY STRATEGIC PLAN AND
ASSESSMENT.
Finance & Information Technoloav Director Bourbeau. Information Technoloav Manager
Schmidt, Administrative An
NexLevel Information Technology. Inca presented the report and responded to Council
questions.
1
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 2
August 7, 2012
Public Comments on Business Item 1
None.
—end of public comments—
ACTION: Motion by Council Member Smith/ Vice Mayor Carpenter to: review and
adopt the Citywide Information Technology (IT) Strategic Plan and IT Assessment.
Roll Call Vote: 5 -0. Motion Carried.
Adjourn to Regular Meeting of August 7, 2012
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
ROLL CALL:
Council Members
Present: Council Members John Ashbaugh, Andrew Carter and Kathy Smith, Vice
Mayor Dan Carpenter, and Mayor Jan Marx
City Staff
Present: Katie Lichtig, City Manager, Christine Dietrick, City Attorney, Michael
Codron, Assistant City Manager, and Sheryll Schroeder, Interim City
Clerk, were present at Roll. Call. Other staff members presented reports
or responded to questions as indicated in the minutes.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge was provided by Council Member Ashbaugh.
INTRODUCTIONS
INTRODUCED AND RECOGNIZED FOUR SAN LUIS OBISPO LIFEGUARDS:
BRYAN RENGEL, RYLEY WASHBISH, SAMANTHA KELLEY AND GARRETT
COONEY WHO WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN SAVING A PARTICIPANT'S LIFE AT
THE 2012 SLO TRIATHLON.
PUBLIC COMMENT On Items Not On The Agenda
Grace McIntosh, San Luis Obispo, spoke about her commitment to a homeless services
center.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 3
August 7, 2012
Don Hedrick, San Luis Obispo, spoke about transparency in government and
homelessness.
Steve Barasch, San Luis Obispo, presented a handout regarding a newly installed fence
and spoke about the lack of maintenance of creeks and flood basins.
John Galbreath, San Luis Obispo, submitted a statement about transients and pan
handlers.
CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Marx explained the amendment to Item C8.
Public Comments On Items On The Consent Calendar
Donald Hedrick, San Luis Obispo, speaking on Item C6, requested the City seek local
talent regarding web site request for proposals.
- --end of public comments - --
ACTION: Vice Mayor Carpenter /Council Member Ashbauah moved to: approve the
Consent Calendar, Items C1(amended, Council Member Ashbaugh and Mayor Marx
requested corrected spelling of names to the minutes of July 10,2012) through C11 with
amendment to Item C8. Roll Call Vote:5 -0. Motion Carried.
C1. MINUTES OF JULY 10, 2012 (amended), JULY 17, 2012, AND SPECIAL
MEETING JULY 26, 2012.
RECOMMENDATION: Waive oral reading and approve as presented.
C2. CANCELLATION OF CITY COUNCIL MEETING OF JANUARY-15, 2013.
RECOMMENDATION: Cancel the Regular City Council Meeting of Tuesday, January
15,2013(3 rd Tuesday of the month) and reaffirm the March 20, 2012 decision to hold a
regular meeting on January 22, 2013.
C3. ASSISTANCE TO FIREFIGHTERS GRANT APPLICATION FOR 2012.
RECOMMENDATION: 1) Authorize staff to submit a grant application for an estimated
$47,000 to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to
Firefighters Grant Program to fund Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for fire
suppression personnel. 2) If grant is awarded, authorize the City Manager to accept
and appropriate the funds to Fire Department Operating Material and Supplies.
C4. GRAND JURY RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING PROPERTY AND
EVIDENCE ROOM.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 4
August 7, 2012
RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the City Manager to sign a response letter to the
Grand Jury's report on property and evidence rooms consistent with findings and
recommended responses as outline in this report.
C5. APPROVAL OF THE FINAL MAP
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution 10389 (2012 Series) approving the Final Map for
Tract 2969, 1310 Foothill Boulevard, and authorizing the Mayor to execute the Subdivision
Agreement on behalf of the City.
C6. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS — CITY WEBSITE UPGRADE, SPECIFICATION
NO. 91104 -2012.
RECOMMENDATION: 1) Approve the Request for Proposal (RFP) to upgrade the City's
website, Specification No. 91104-2012. 2) Authorize the City Manager to execute a
contract with a qualified consulting firm for the website upgrade .if the preferred proposal
is within the available project budget of $45,000. 3) Direct staff to return to the City
Council with additional cost/benefit information and analysis if the preferred proposal
exceeds the available project budget.
C7. CORRECTION TO RESOLUTION NO. 10380, SECTION 3 CONCERNING THE
BALLOT MEASURE TO MODERNIZE THE CITY'S UTILITY USER TAX.
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt Resolution 10390 (2012 Series) correcting a typographical
error in Section 3 to Resolution No. 10380, which called and noticed a General
Municipal Election to be held Tuesday, November 6, 2012 submitting to the voters a
question relating to the modernization of the City's utility user tax ordinance.
C8. BOB JONES TRAIL OCTAGON BARN CONNEC
91169. REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS.
RECOMMENDATION: 1) Approve the Request for Proposals for consultant services for
the "Bob Jones Trail Octagon Barn Connection," Specification No. 91169: 2) Authorize
the City Manager to award the contract if within the Engineer's Estimate of $77,251. 3)
amended recommendation: Appropriate $76,230 in Caltrans Transportation
Planning grant funds and amend the original project budget to $84,751 to include
additional grant funds and General Fund in -kind matching for the "Bob Jones
Trail Octagon Barn Connection," Specification No. 91169. 4) Approve the use and
transfer of General Fund in -kind grant matching funds in the amount of $8,521 from
approved Transportation Development Act funding in the Transportation Division
operating budget to the capital project.
C9. ADOPTION OF FAIR POLITICAL PRACTICES COMMISSION FORM 806,
PERTAINING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF ELECTED OFFICIALS TO
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 5
August 7, 2012
COMPENSATED POSITIONS . AND PERMITTING PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO
VOTE ON HIS /HER APPOINTMENT TO AN EXTERNAL BOARD POSITION.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Fair Political Practices Commission Form 806 for
posting on the City's web site with the mandated information and direct the City Clerk to
update as appropriate.
C10. CITY HALL ENTRY STEPS, SPECIFICATION NUMBER 91107
AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE.
RECOMMENDATION: 1) As recommended by the Cultural Heritage Committee,
approve plans and specifications for the City Hall Entry Steps, Specification No. 91107.
2) Authorize staff to advertise for bids and authorize the City Manager to award the
contract if the lowest responsive bid is within the Engineer's Estimate.
- C11. LAGUNA LIFT STATION REPLACEMENT PROJECT, SPECIFICATION NO,
91116A.
RECOMMENDATION: 1) Reject all bids received for the "Laguna Lift Station
Replacement, Specification No. 91116." 2) Approve plans and specifications for "Laguna
Lift Station Replacement, Specification No. 91116A." 3) Approve a transfer of $360,200
- -- from Sewer Fund Working Capital to project accounts; $329,600.00 to construction and
$30,600 to construction management.. 4) Authorize staff to re- advertise the project.
5) Authorize the City Manager to award the contract if the lowest responsible bid is
within the Engineer's estimate of $800,000.
PH1.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
PROJECT AT 1340 TAFT STREET
Director Johnson. Deputy Director DE
Planner Ricci presented the report and responded to Council questions.
During Deputy Director Davidson's presentation, he explained the State Density Bonus
Law.
Senior Planner Ricci presented the project including the conditions contained in the
proposed resolution.
Council Members asked questions regarding the parking, the covenant agreement and
the possibility of utilizing the den as a sleeping area.
Mayor Marx opened the public hearing,
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 6
August 7, 2012
Isabel Marques, San Luis Obispo, appeallant, expressed her concerns regarding lights
that would shine on area residences, upkeep of the alleyway, and keeping the retaining
wall. She felt the third floor was too high, that it was not compatible with the
surrounding neighborhood. She expressed that the property was in the R2 zone, but
the proposed building fit more into an R4 zone. There was no onsite manager, traffic
and noise had increased over the years. Also, that there was not enough parking in the
area.
Sandra Rowley, San Luis Obispo, representing RQN as appeallant, commented on the
changes the applicant made to mitigate some concerns. She said RQN supported staff
recommendation to approve the alternate design plan but with one more alteration,
removeal of the third story. She citied the height, mass, scale and bulk were not
compatible in neighborhood and that the den provided the capability of housing
students, which would led to more noise and more parking problems. She noted that
the dens were not included in parking regulations /requirements and that parking lifts
would require maintenance. She finalized that if the applicant did not remove the third
floor, Council should approve the appeal.
Roger Fredrickson, San Luis Obispo, attorney representing the applicant, said that the
propoerty had been a gas station with no concerns about lighting. He stated that the
project met the property development standards for the zone of that area and the
applicant had made every effort to meet community and city concerns. He said there
were concerns that the project was too tall, yet the area was zoned for 35 feet and the
project averaged 31 or 33 feet in height and was set back from residential
neighborhoods. Concerning traffic and noise, he said there were a large number of
converted homes that were rental properties and large apartment complexes.
Regarding the stated concern about den conversions, he said if the City was going to
control how an owner could use his property, then every residential property in that
neighborhood would have some kind of standard applied that they could not have their
dens converted to living spaces. If there was a concern over the public health, safety
and welfare as brought up by appealants, it should apply to every house in the area, he
finalized.
Architect Jay Blatter, showed how the project had been downsized, there was reduced
commercial square footage, reduced total building square footage, and the alley was
widened. He indicated they elimated the use of the alley and reduced the amenity
space 80 %. In terms of setbacks, he indicated that the building was moved back 21
foot 7 inches. Regarding the lift, he said he had a lot of successful experience and that
it was accepted green technology and that parking was per code.
Eran Fields, owner /developer of the project, informed that over the last four years, he
had continued to change the plans to align with the community and City, resulting in a
project that was innovative, appropriate to scale and an example of the City's vision as
outlined in it's general plan design guidelines. He said the project would improve a
blighted site with an innovative mixed use project, provide much needed housing,
City Council Meeting Minutes
August 7, 2012
Page 7
generate tax revenues, stimulate economy and all to the charm and character of
SanLuis Obispo.
Vice Mayor Carpenter asked about the size of vehicles the project could accommodate
and Mr. Fields responded if the units were leased, a size restriction could be put in the
lease and if they were purchased, no one would purchase that had large vehciles. He
said the first floor of the lift system allowed for any size vehicle so they were only
speaking about a condition where owners would have more than one large vehcile.
Mayor Marx asked if the third floor was eliminated would the project still be feasible and
Mr. Fields responsed no.
Council Member Ashbaugh asked if the applicat was open to reserving some of the
commercial parking for the tenants and Mr. Fields answered yes.
Mayor Marx opened the public hearing.
Edith Jakes, San Luis Obispo, said that delivery trucks would create hazards and the
height and mass of the project was overpowering. She felt a mixed use project would
be better suited downtown. She felt the dens would be used for housing and the
affordable unit had been decreased.
Lois Barber, Shell Beach, said she thought it was a well thought out project and
modified appropriately. She felt it would improve the look of the area and provide first
class housing.
Devin Graham, San Luis Obispo, said he was an architectural student and encouraged
the Council to uphold the original design approved by the ARC.
Phil Koziel, CalPoly graduate, felt this was the type of project the City wanted and was a
great use project for area.
Salvi Canu, San Luis Obispo, said he felt the project should move forward, the current
condition of the property was an eyesore and the project would provide needed
housing.
Truitt Yace, Atascadero, spoke in support of the project but said the retaining wall would
be a worse eyesore.
Frank Jakes, said that parking was a problem, that there was not enough spaces in the
revised plan. Also that the project had no way to get in and out for loading and that
40% of California vehicles would not fit in the stacked parking.
Donald Hedrick, San Luis Obispo, noted the project was visible at the freeway off ramp,
and would be the first thing people would see coming off the freeway.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 8
August 7, 2012
John Galbreath, San Luis Obispo, said he lived in affordable housing and was thankful
the City was doing more affordable housing. He asked what the landlord would be
responsible for, it was not affordable with utilities included.
Ellen Goodwin, San Luis Obispo, architect, said she was concerned with loss of parking
spaces and height. She also expressed concern with the affordable unit being too small
but basically supported the project.
Michelle Tasseff, San Luis Obispo, voiced her concern about noise in her area. She felt
the project was beautiful and a good project. Regarding the concerns about den
conversions, she felt the City should be concerned with garage conversions.
Steve Rigor, San Luis Obispo, said he supported the infill project, which provided an
affordable housing unit.
Brett Cross, San Luis Obispo, said the current site was an eyesore and the question
was more of was the proposed project compatible with the neighborhood. He said the
mass and scale of the project was not compatible. He felt the affordable unit was
supposed to be indistinuishable from the market rate units, which this proposal was
about half of the market rate units. He said Calfirnornia Blvd. was designated as a
scenic roadway and the view should be addressed.
Aaryn Abbott, San Luis Obispo, said he was an advocate of this type of project, in his
experience as a student, the housing was at minimum and that was why den and
garages were being used as housing.
Chad Pruett, San Luis Obispo, said it was a good project and hoped it was built soon.
Jeff Morgan, San Luis Obispo, said he felt the project was a good addition and would
benefit the City.
Shawn Reed, San Luis Obispo, said he felt the applicant had done his part to get the
project shovel ready, adding that it would bring tangible economic development
opportunities.
Grant Robbins, San Luis Obispo, said he felt the project was a good addition to the
growth strategy for the City. He felt the project compatabily would bring economic
growth.
Gil Bastidas, San Luis Obispo, said he was in favor of the project and that the architect
and applicant had made requested changes.
Stephen Griggs, County resident, said he supported the project.
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August 7, 2012
Steve Delmartini, San Luis Obispo, stated he was a proponent of infil housing but it
would always be a problem. He suggested a change in parking regulations to 2 spaces
per resident.
Chris Bertilaciho, Shell Beach, CalPoly student, explained that the current location
attracted homeless and collected trash. He expressed support of the project.
All speakers heard, Mayor Marx closed the public hearing.
At this point in the meeting, at 8:22 PM, Council took a break and all Council Members
in attendance returned to open session at 8:30 PM.
Mayor Marx asked City Attorney Dietrick to respond to consequences regarding the
remark made by the applicant that it would not be financially feasible if the third floor
were eliminated and what the legal implications would be.
City Attorney Dietrick said a statutory section regarding housing development projects
that articulate a standard be met; findings had to be made by the Council if they were to
disapprove housing development projects. She read the provision.
Council Member Carter said he supported the project. He explained that governmental
rules were to be fairly enforced equally to everyone. He said the applicant was not
requesting variances, the CN zone allowed 35 feet, a density of 12 units per acre, and
the applicant was meeting all of the rules. He confirmed it met the stated policy
regarding height, density, and goals of what the City was trying to accomplish from a
smart growth perspective. He finalized by noting the City had to allow appropriate
places for affordable housing.
Council Member Ashbaugh spoke to concerns of the affordable housing unit, saying it
seemed to be right sized. He expressed concerns with parking and commercial loading.
Council Member Smith said she heard some zoning was not compatible in certain
areas. She voiced her concern with rental properties housing too many students and
she felt the owner needed to enforce the covenants. She also noted concerns with
parking and number of students in one unit, adding that because all components were
met, she felt she had to support it. She stated she felt it was an attractive project.
Vice Mayor Carpenter said that commercial neighborhood transition to low density
would always have an awkward feel. He expressed that he hoped blight was not
driving the approval of the project. He stated that two issues that he had with the
project was the loose definition of a den, which he felt could be addressed at the
Planning Commission level. He also said there were parking issues in the area, which
could also be addressed at the policy making time. He encouraged the deficiencies in
policies be addressed.
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City Council Meeting Minutes Page 10
August 7, 2012
Mayor Marx stated that she lived in the vicinity but had no conflict. She felt that this
type of development was what the CalPoly vicinity needed. With a CN zoned property,
no variances had been requested. She said the developer said it was not financially
feasible to elimination the third story and the City Attorney explained the required
findings necessary and that there was not enough evidence to deny project. She
finished by saying the developer would have to be responsive to the neighbors and that
the provision that dens not become a bedroom should be contained in the lease and
potential residents informed about occupancy regulations.
Senior Planner Ricci explained that Condition 13 would be amended to add suggested
language "If individual units are rented, rental contract shall note that units are to be
used as two bedroom residences and that the den is not to be converted to bedroom
use." She noted that the parking condition, the new required language would state "To
ensure that parking spaces are reserved for commercial uses in the project,
appropriate signage shall be installed noting that 10 of the 13 surface spaces shall be
available for commercial uses during typical business hours."
Regarding Condition 23, commercial loading space, Senior Planner Ricci felt that the
current language provided specific requirements.
Council Member Ashbaugh mentioned a cleanup item in Condition 1, date of the
Council meeting was 8 -7 -12, not 7 -9. He requested staff add something to the effect, as
modified by applicant's submittal of July 26, 2012.
ACTION: Motion by Council Members Carter /Ashbaugh to: adopt Resolution 10391
(2012 Series) as amended, denying the appeal, and upholding the Architectural Review
Commission's action to approve the mixed -use project at 1340 Taft Street, based on
findings, and subject to conditions, including a condition approving the alternative
project design with modifications. Roll Call Vote: 5 -0. Motion Carried.
BUSINESS ITEM
132. DRAFT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN.
Assistant City Manager Codron and Economic Development Manager Clark presented
the report and responded to Council questions.
Public Comments Business Item B2
Dixie Cliff, San Luis Obispo, read a statement regarding Land Use Element 1.13.
David Brodie, San Luis Obispo, asked if Council had received the document produced by
Save Our Downtown in response to the draft plan.
Courtney Kienow, San Luis Obispo, representing the Chamber, spoke in support of the
draft plan and the importance of moving forward.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 11
August 7, 2012
Steve Barasch, San Luis Obispo, spoke about his experiences with incentives provided
for economic development and the impacts. He said the City needed to send a clear and
direct message as to what it wanted.
Fred Vernacchic, San Luis Obispo, said private sector drove a city, and that they needed
permit streamlining, a project advocate rather than a planner and a change in culture in
the planning department. He suggested that some permit costs may be put on hold for
period of time.
Don Hedrick, San Luis Obispo, spoke about the need for increased intemet speed.
Stacey White, San Luis Obispo, offered a suggestion that Cuesta College be more
identified as a community partner in this effort, more acknowlement of energy and water
efficiency, postive branding, proactively recruit new business and retain local businesses.
Bill Almas, SLO Commerce, spoke about breaking down barriers to job creation. He said
if a project met City requirements, the burden of proof should be on those opposing the
project.: He finalized that he felt infrastucture costs need to be more equally distrubted.
Erik Justesen, spoke on the 4 topics that Council would be providing direction to staff,
number one, he felt the staff had gotten it right. Number two, he felt the City needed
interdepartmental coordination during the project review process. Project management
training for for staff would be helpful. Number three, correct the fee imbalance, the fees
were out of balance and the infrastructure costs has been deferred. Number four, more
specifics for implementation, updated regularly as part of budget cycle.
Bizz Steinberg CEO, Community Action Partnership, expressed her interest in the
jobs/housing balance and the need to provide access to housing for all levels of jobs.
Also to continue to work to keep businesses and provide workforce development and
training.
Matt Quaglino San Luis Obispo, he said he thought the fees were exorbant, making it
difficult to put a project together or come up with a finance plan or deferrment plan.
Charlene Rosales, San Luis Obispo, United Way, said she felt the City should help
residents undersatnd impacts on business, business retention and recruitment should be
high on a priorty list. Other topics important to address were housing, workforce
development and training, she added.
Kyle Wiens, Atascadero, CEO IFIXIT, said the intemet structure was not sufficient in the
City and he urged the City to keep new companies in the City.
Aaryn Abbott, San Luis Obispo, suggested the City move quickly with discussion and
improvements. He felt infrastructure investment and permit processing needed to be
clear and simple to be a value to the system.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 12
August 7, 2012
Mike Multari, stressed the City should be careful moving forward and asked about the
timing of the final draft.
-- -end of public comments ---
Assistant City Manager Codron said staff was moving forward with a new draft with
comments and changes and identifying the feedback received.
Council Member Ashbaugh asked about the permit costs for a trash enclosure and
Community Director Johnson said staff would be reviewing all impact fees for municipal
services.
Council Member Smith said she felt the City should take entrepreneurial approach
rather than a cookie cutter approach.
Regarding the four areas staff was requesting Council direction:
One: Head of Household Job Definition.
Council Member Smith preferred putting on number on the item, suggesting $67,000.
Vice Mayor Carpenter said he felt staff was on the right direction, listening to the leaders
of the community. He said entry level needed housing also, that City needed
job /housing balance. He felt the definition presented was adequate.
Council Member Ashbaugh felt the number in the staff report, $64,342 was appropriate.
He indicated he agreed with the concept.
Assistant City Manager Codron said staff would create a table that would identify a full
range of incomes that fell in the head of household designation.
Council Member Carter said he agreed with Council Member Smith, there should be
one number, such as what the medium household income family of four was,
affordable housing number was $75,400 or some percentage of that.
Mayor Marx said she felt the concept needed to be refined and she was not ready to
commit to a particular number.
It was stated that staff would return with more concise figures.
Regarding direction on the second area:
Two: Permit Streamlining:
Council Member Smith said when the development review team was approaching
certain types of projects; she saw the value of integrating outside sources such as
Chamber representatives, CalPoly which had insight from the community that might be
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 13
August 7, 2012
helpful. Regarding projects that require EIR's, she suggested staff not wait until it was
complete to share information.
Vice Mayor Carpenter supported moving forward in evaluating the process and
streamlining it considerably.
Council Member Ashbaugh said he favored a review but did not want to sacrifice what
the community was used to. He felt the City could compress the application and
completion process. He added that the staff could look at allowing developers to
employ their own EIR consultants.
Council Member Carter wished staff to make sure the process was clear, fast as
possible, that there was good interdepartmental communications and that the citizens
were part of the public review process.
Mayor Marx wanted to see more interdepartmental communication and coordination
and that conflicting directions were confusing, the City needed one voice. She added
that the City could not sacrifice public participation or remove discretion of the Planning
Commission, Architectural Review Commission or Council.
Regarding direction on the third area:
1. Three: Infrastructure and Incentives
Council Member Smith said she felt the Council needed to commit to more capital
improvement funds and invest in infrastructure development. She added that staff
should look at flexible strategy and a sliding scale that recognizes the overall benefit to
the community.
Vice Mayor Carpenter felt this was one area to attract or keep business that the City
wanted to stay. He said the incentives were also an investment. Sharing fees with the
community should not be a burden on the community, he explained.
Council Member Ashbaugh concurred with the staff recommendation to take out
reference to direct incentives and staff should look at ways to reduce infrastructure
costs and consider using the City's borrowing power.
Council Member Carter also concurred with the staff report. He stated that he was not
sure Council or future Councils would be comfortable approving fee waivers. He
stressed focusing on right sizing of expectations, focus on fair share instead of fee
waivers and look at when fees are collected and consider financing.
Mayor Marx expressed that she did want the City to adopt a flexible model and that
taking out the incentives was good. She said she was concerned that there be no high
tax burden on existing residents and that the City not jeopardize the general fund but
that she was not against borrowing when appropriate. Regarding Page 17
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 14
August 7, 2012
recommendation, sales tax rebate, she stated she disagreed with it. She had no
problem with collecting fees later in the process and she wished to take out the direct
incentives.
Council Member Carter said he was expecting more in the report on fees and said it
would be helpful to understand what each entity was charging for particular items.
Regarding direction on the fourth area:
Four: Summary Matrix:
Council Member Smith said she would prefer ongoing rather than specific
measurements. She noted she was more comfortable with an entrepreneurial
approach. Regarding the development review team, she hoped staff could react to the
moment and when there was an opportunity, that the City was able to take action.
Vice Mayor Carpenter felt it was important to be very specific in tracking results as often
as possible because the success of the matrix would be in how much flexibility the City
had to adapt to changes in economic conditions. He felt the City had to invest in
development.
Council Member Ashbaugh agreed, if staff could make things more specific and tighten
the matrix and look to add working with county partnerships.
Council Member Carter explained that every finding should have a strategy related to it
and needed to be specific.
Mayor Marx said that regarding upcoming financial plans, she hesitated to pre- commit
financial resources.
Assistant City Manager Codron explained that the purpose for short and long terms,
these were strategies that required resources to be allocated as part of the budget
process.
Mayor Marx felt the sense of place was more than a brand and that open space was
also preserving the eco system and air quality. She said that time frames needed to be
flexible.
Council Member Carter expressed concern with what was left out and he voiced that he
would have explained what and why something was left out. He felt the airport should
have been referenced, Amtrak service and Cuesta College.
Vice Mayor Carpenter mentioned that this was top priority and needed to have a high
level of flexibility.
City Council Meeting Minutes Page 15
August 7, 2012
Mayor Marx stated that she felt green businesses were left out and that the plan needed
to show in a more concrete way how developing infrastructure was going to come up
with head of household jobs and that she agreed with the observations about the
airport.
ACTION: the Council received a presentation of the Draft Economic Development
Strategic Plan (EDSP), provide a forum for public input and gave direction to staff
regarding changes to incorporate into the final document.
STUDY SESSION ITEMS
SS2. REVIEW OF DRAFT CRITERIA FOR APPLICATION . OI
HYDROMODIFICATION (MANAGEMENT STANDARDS FOR DEVELOPMENT.
Interim Director of Public Works Mattingly and Deputy Director of Public Works Lynch
presented the report and responded to Council questions.
Public Comments on Study Session 2:
Don Hedrick, San Luis Obispo, spoke about lack of maintenance and restoration of
creeks..
- - -end of public comments—
Council Member Carter said he thought it was an unrealistic approach that there would
be no impact from development.
RECOMMENDATION: Participate in a study session to provide comments on proposed
hydromodification management draft criteria, including thresholds for applying the
criteria to new development, performance requirements, and impacts associated with
implementing current Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board
recommendations.
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS
No reports presented at this time.
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Marx adjourned
the meeting at 12: 10 a.m.
�C
Sheryll Schroeder, MMC
Interim City Clerk
APPROVED BY COUNCIL: September 4, 2012