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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/09/20131 1 1 minutes city of san tins oBispo SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL Tuesday, April 9, 2103- 6:00 P.M. Council Chamber, 990 Palm Street San Luis Obispo, California ROLL CALL: Council Members Present: Council Members John Ashbaugh, Dan Carpenter, Vice Mayor Kathy Smith, and Mayor Jan Manx City Staff Present: Katie Lichtig, City Manager, Christine Dietrick, City Attorney, Michael Codron, Assistant City Manager, and Maeve Kennedy Grimes, City Clerk, were present at Roll Call. Other staff members presented reports or responded to questions as indicated in the minutes. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Council Member Ashbaugh led the Pledge of Allegiance. BUSINESS ITEMS 131. STRATEGIC BUDGET DIRECTION AND MAJOR CITY GOAL WORK PROGRAMS FOR THE 2013 -15 FINANCIAL PLAN. — (LICHTIG /CODRON /PADILLA/ELKE - 4 HOURS) RECOMMENDATION to: 1) Receive an updated 5 -Year Fiscal Forecast. 2) Review proposed Major City Goal work programs. 3) Provide direction to the City Manager regarding the recommended allocation of one -time and ongoing budget resources to fund proposed Significant Operating Program Changes (SOPCs), and the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), Fleet Replacement Fund, Information Technology (IT) Replacement Fund, and Major Facility Replacement Fund. 4) Provide direction to the City Manager regarding various policy issues that should be addressed prior to the preparation of the 2013 -15 Preliminary Financial Plan. 5) Receive an update on key informational items regarding future financial issues. city council meetinc4 minutes Page 2 Tuesday, April 9, 2013 City Manager Lichtig, Interim Finance and Information Technology Director Padilla and 1 Assistant City Manager Codron presented the first three parts of the report and responded to Council questions. 1) Receive an updated 5 -Year Fiscal Forecast. 2) Review proposed Major City Goal work programs. 3) Provide direction to the City Manager regarding the recommended allocation of one -time and ongoing budget resources to fund proposed Significant Operating Program Changes (SOPCs), and the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), Fleet Replacement Fund, Information Technology (IT) Replacement Fund, and Major Facility Replacement Fund. Public Comments on Item B1 section 1 -3 Joe Abrahams, San Luis Obispo. Stated he was delighted with the process. Happiness is fulfillment; feeling good in the place where you are and your life goals are fulfilled. Spoke up for staffs R &D function, specifically regarding alcohol outlets. In regard to Economic Development, survey patterns of growth of businesses. Allan Cooyer, San Luis Obispo. Save Our Downtown spoke in regard to funding for Community Development Historic Preservation Manager; Historic Tourism, elevate Cultural Historical Commission to Cultural Historical Committee; Downtown Concept Plan; Pedestrian Advisory Committee; Creek Walk Master Plan; Economic Development Plan — developable properties in downtown to deter urban sprawl. Elizabeth Abrahams, San Luis .Obispo. Downtown Concept Plan should be considered as a Master Plan. She is concerned with alcohol downtown and comprehensive alcohol strategy; does not want the homeless to become the lone scapegoat. David Brodie, San Luis Obispo. Increase funding for City Staff to begin researching alcohol problems in downtown. Don't make the homeless the scapegoat responsible for all alcohol problems. Lando Fike, San Luis Obispo. Spoke regarding downtown renewal; especially in regard to sidewalks. Beau Barclay -Cram, San Luis Obispo business owner. Spoke as a representative of the Downtown Association. The transient problem in downtown can be taken care of by additional police force. Chris Pontius, San Luis Obispo. Spoke in support of Skateboard Park. He thanked Council for their support Myron Amedne, San Luis Obispo. Thanked Council for their support of bike lanes; and added that maintenance of the bike lanes must be included in the budget. Carl Dudley, San Luis Obispo. Would like to see additional focus on the transient issue; 1 separate it from the homeless issue. Increase Public Safety. city council meetmG minutes Page 3 Tuesday, April 9, 2013 Mark Grayson, San Luis Obispo. Loves the creek walk; it is a wonderful place. Bicycle 1 infrastructure is worthwhile. Keep up the good work. Deborah Cash, SLO Downtown Association. Mission is to "Foster an economically vibrant downtown." Recognize a problem exists in downtown and that dedicated police force needs to be put in place. Pierre Rademaker, San Luis Obispo, President of the Downtown Association. Supports additions to maintain San Luis Obispo as the happiest place in the US. Make it happier by adding a police effort in the downtown. Charlene Rosales, San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce. Continuous investment is needed into the downtown, especially revitalization of Mission Plaza and homeless services. Increased policing will create a safer downtown. Ermina Karim, San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce. Focused her comments on fiscal sustainability and economic development; strategies in the Economic Development Plan address the key issues of head of household jobs. Wants to see increasing support of cultural and economic events in SLO. Encouraged the continuation of the Economic Development Manager position. Dan Rivoire, San Luis Obispo, SLO Bicycle Coalition. Investment in active transportation is essential to our transportation network and quality of life. $25,000 does not measure up for bicycle action plan. Look for more ways to fund the building of the infrastructure for bicycling. Eric Mever, San Luis Obispo. Funding for bicycling infrastructure should be increased. Appreciates staff efforts. Sandra Rowley, San Luis Obispo, RQN. Many of the Downtown Association's concerns are found in neighborhoods as well. Appreciates the work of code enforcement and work with Cal Poly. However, there are issues that remain an outstanding. We must try to improve our neighborhoods. Jim Famalette, San Luis Obispo. Spoke on behalf of Community Action Partnership. Thanked Council for their continued support. Scott Boltin, Paso Robles. Appreciates the support of the Skatepark. ---end of public comments - -- Mayor Marx brought the matter back to the Council for deliberation. Council Members spoke in regard to downtown renewal, public safety and homelessness, and addressed questions to Police Chief Gesell regarding the policing aspect of the item. Police Chief Gesell spoke to the issue of overtime of CAT details in the City. Overtime would run around $60,000 and augment the dedicated 2 person team that will be launched in 90 days. A permanent dedication of resources to one location doesn't address fluctuations in crime trends. city council meeting minutes Page 4 Tuesday, April 9, 2013 Vice Mayor Smith made comments regarding Goals v. Investments and provided a 1 visual aid showing the ranking of the City Goals and the relative ranking of funds. 1. Homelessness 7 2. Neighborhood Wellness 10 3. Fiscal Health 9 4. Bicycles /Pedestrian 3 5. Economic Development 8 6. Downtown 6 7. Skate Park 4 8. Open Space 5 9. Maintenance /infrastructure 2 10. Transportation 1 Each of the Council Members reviewed their position in regard to the goals and provided staff with input and guidance. Staff took notes during the discussion and will incorporate matters of consensus into the next budget document. Interim Finance and Information Technology Director Padilla presented the final part of the report and responded to Council questions. 4) Provide direction to the City Manager regarding various policy issues that should be addressed prior to the preparation of the 2013 -15 Preliminary Financial 1 Plan. 5) Receive an update on key informational items regarding future financial issues. No one spoke at this time. Public Comments Items 4 -5 ---end of public comments - -- Mayor Marx brought the matter back to the Council for deliberation with regard to Policy Direction. Members of the Council discussed their views regarding this portion of the Agenda item and offered staff additional input. Council Member Ashbaugh raised the Cal JPIA issue and Interim Director Padilla responded. He is satisfied with the strategy; Council Member Carpenter agreed, as well as Vice Mayor Smith. Mayor Marx concurred. Council Member Ashbaugh commented on the first two year figures with regard to Affordable Housing Fund Administration Cost Recovery. He supports the strategy. Council Member Carpenter agreed, as well as Vice Mayor Smith. Mayor Marx concurred city council meetmG minutes Page 5 Tuesday, April 9, 2013 and feels that we should look at it more into the future with the reduction of CDBG grant ' funds. Assistant City Manager Codron clarified the situation and current funding trend. Council Member Ashbaugh asked for clarification regarding Brown Act requirements and FPPC reporting obligation and AB1234 if the City Investment Oversight Committee were to be expanded. City Attorney Dietrick and City Manager Lichtig responded. Council Member Carpenter would support having one or two members of the public and potentially two Council Members to keep transparency. Council Member Ashbaugh would support 1 member of the public and one member of Council. Vice Mayor Smith would like to see a member of the public and one member of the Council; and asked Council Member Carpenter to elaborate on why he suggested two representatives. Mayor Marx agreed to have one member of the public and perhaps one member of the Council. City Manager Lichtig requested additional clarification regarding the desires of Council. Concurrence was reached to open the appointment of the public membership to an advisory body process. COMMENT Mayor Marx announced the ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly finished City Hall Steps at 3:00 pm on April 11, 2013. In addition, she announced a meeting regarding the Safe Parking Program on June 15, 2013 at 6:00 prn at the City /County Library. Mayor Marx raised the issue of cancellation of the June 4th meeting. All four members of the Council concurred with the cancellation and the adjournment of the May 21St meeting to a regular meeting of June 17, 2013. The matter will be placed on the May 7, 2013 Agenda for action. There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Marx adjourned the meeting at 11:00 p.m. Ma6e Ken a grir&s City Clerk APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 05/07/13 1 Major City Goals Ashbaugh  Carpenter  Smith  Marx Homelessness Ad Hoc Committee Overtime proposal can be more immediate than employing additional police staff. Wants to start with the current proposal; would not want to direct additional staff to work solely in the downtown, but leave it up to the Chief for a more flexible response. Doesn’t support another ad hoc committee. Likes the creation of an MOU regarding a regional homeless services center. Likes the idea of working with the Human Relations Commission Does not agree with setting up an ad hoc committee re homelessness; wants participation to be more regional. City of SLO should not be considered owners; other Cities and the County should participate as well. Wants to see two dedicated officers in the downtown. Does not agree with setting up an ad hoc committee re homelessness; Human Relations Commission can be used. The City should have a process in place where CIP monies can be set aside for the homeless services center. P 41 some of the objectives are already being done. #13, United Way would be interested in the donation station. P 42 Stakeholders – add Downtown Association.  Proposes that in year 1 we go with the staff report idea; in year 2 add one more police officer – not specifically for downtown alone; we should be more flexible if they are needed elsewhere. It is a regional issue, not just a downtown issue. Feels the restroom situation should be addressed quickly; it shouldn’t take a year to research the issues. We should be more proactive. Doesn’t have an answer CAPSLO and County come up with a property and the City continue with ongoing funding. Staff person for low income housing. Entering into an MOU is a good idea. Likes the idea of video surveillance. Stakeholders should be expanded to include Vet center, service clubs Neighborhood Wellness Supports staff in their difficult role in pro-active code enforcement. Residential rental inspection deserves additional review. Has a concern regarding the negative repercussions the program is having. Asked a question regarding collection agency for administrative fines. Would the same collection agency be able to collect other outstanding fees; business tax licenses, etc. Rental housing inspection program would be good. Is concerned about pro-active code enforcement but feels there may need to be more support for it. Recovering code enforcement costs would be a noble goal. Fiscal Health $50 K should be spend on a community survey and educate Council, staff and the community. Supports this review of our fiscal integrity of a replacement /alternative of Measure Y. Is opposed to the $50K expenditure.   Do we want to set up a committee to review this?  Supporter of renewing Measure Y; wants to look into alternate measures, multiple measures or straw votes. Contingency plan should be studied. 9 member adv committee makes sense. Bicycles/Pedestrian Would like to see additional monies to aid in the acceleration of the missing links of our bicycle paths.   Would like to see additional monies, and volunteers to address the needs of bicycle lane upkeep. Economic Development Supports the monies dedicated to this goal. Wants to see a City position rather than a contracted position for the Economic Development Manager. With regard to Economic Development Manager position, he stated it was his idea to contract services and possibly the position.  Interested in the idea of an outside contractor who isn’t tied up in the system. A more entrepreneurial position.  Wants the Economic Development Manager position to follow the model we have; look at the job description, but have an “owners” representative who is part of the organization. If part of the job description should be contracted out; it should be in addition to the City personnel. Is still not clear where the nexus is for the creation of head of household jobs. Downtown Police Overtime proposal can be more immediate than employing additional police staff. Wants to start with the current proposal; would not want to direct additional staff to work solely in the downtown, but leave it up to the Chief for a more flexible response. He wants to see a new staffing model that includes additional police staffing, perhaps for only a few months, then sustainable with potentially 1 or 2 officers dedicated to the downtown. Would like to see more monies spent there. Wants to see two dedicated officers in the downtown. Proposes that in year 1 we go with the staff report idea; in year 2 add one more police officer – not specifically for downtown. Volunteer police staff should have a uniform that conveys authority, but doesn’t look too much like a police officer. Mission Plaza Wayfinding Likes the expansion of Mission Plaza; not sure about the closure of the dogleg – thinks it should be studied – then will be open minded to it. Garden and Broad Street – economies of scale should be expanded to the next two blocks (Osos to Morro – or another block on Monterey Street) Way finding sign project; how will it be moving forward? Barbara Lynch, Public Works Department responded: Full mock-up design signs are one their way; once the true mock-ups are accepted, then a slow roll out of the signs (7 signs per year). Council Member Ashbaugh would like to see more money put toward the program for a quicker roll out of signs. Rather than $40K he would like to see $100,000 for the next 2 years.   In favor of eliminating the traffic dogleg and expanding the plaza. Services for revenue enhancement; investing in the viability of downtown will set us up for a return on the investment in tax dollars.      In favor of expansion of wayfinding.   Elimination of the dogleg to extend Mission Plaza is important.              In favor of expansion of wayfinding.   Would like to see the dogleg closed and the plaza expanded as part of our cultural corridor. Kenneth Schwartz, former Mayor, should be involved in any redevelopment of Mission Plaza.         Feels a slow pace is alright re wayfinding.  Skate Park Supports the Skate Park.  Is in favor of the project  Wants to go for the master plan design.  Supports the project; would like to see Measure Y money used and further fund raising by the community.   Open Space  Is in favor of more rangers. Concerned whether we have enough park rangers; should we expanded $$$ for them? Jack House gazebo should be included. Good plan. Would like to see a full time rather than part time ranger.     Maintenance/infrastructure South Street median project as a CIP. On the mark.   Well done.  Transportation  On the mark.  LOVR is a major City goal and has been for a long time.   $ need to match the goal ranking. Residents should be referred to as Stakeholders