HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/13/1975Pledge
Roll Call
I�
City Staff
MINUTES
ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
MONDAY, JANUARY 13, 1975 - 7:30 PM
CITY HALL
PRESENT: John C. Brown, Myron Graham, T. Keith Gurnee, Jesse
Norris.and Mayor Kenneth E. Schwartz
ABSENT: None
PRESENT: J.H. Fitzpatrick, City Clerk; R.D. Miller, Administrative
Officer; A.J. Shaw, City Attorney; David Williamson,
Assistant Administrative Officer; E.L. Rodgers, Chief of
Police
1. Walt Lambert, Chairman, Human Relations Commission, appeared before
the City Council stating that.as per the approval of the City Council on
January 6, 1975, the Human Relations Commission met on Wednesday, January 8,
1975 and the decision was made to hire Mr. Orloff Miller as a part -time
coordinator, and additionally to hire a full -time temporary secretary as soon
as possible.
Mr. Miller would be working 20 hours per week at the salary of $747 per month.
The Secretary would work 40 hours.per_ week at the salary of $624 per month.
Both positions would be held for approximately 5 -1/2 months or until the
end of the fiscal year, June 30, 1975. Hopefully, Mr. Miller would start on
January 15, 1975 and also the Commission felt they would have a secretary by
that same date. Both positions would be on a contractural basis with the
salaries paid from the money presently in the Human Relations Commission
budget.
Mr. Lambert asked the City Council to approve this recommendation so that
the Human Relations Commission could start taking care of some of the problems
that have been brought before them and.have not been handled due to the lack
of staff personnel.
Mr. Lambert, upon question, stated that the secretary's salary was taken from
the present City salary schedule for a secretary.
The City Council held a very lengthy discussion on the amount of money being
paid Mr. Miller for the 20 hours per week. They felt that this, if it were
equivalent to a full -time position would be in one of the top executive
positions of the City and some of the Council members felt that this was too
much money.
Mr. Lambert defended the Human Relations Commission recommendation on the
basis that this is a part -time position, for only a short length of time,
and that while it was only listed for 20 hours per week, the coordinator.
spent many more hours than this in the evenings and other times in fulfilling
his responsibilities to the Commission.'
After discussion, on motion of Councilman Norris, seconded by Councilman
Graham the City Council accept the.recommendation of the Human Relations
Commission, that Mr. Orloff Miller be hired as a part -time coordinator at
$747 per month and that a secretary be hired.under a contractural.arrangement,
with a further stipulation that the Council action did not set a precedent
City Council Minutes
January 13., 1975
Page 2
for future employment of the Social Services Coordinator. Motion carried on
the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmen Norris and Graham and Mayor Schwartz
NOES: Councilmen Brown and-Gurnee
ABSENT: None
2 The City Council considered a.proposal to place a.Charter amend-
ment on the March 4 Municipal Election, which would increase the minimum
dollar amounts on public projects, subject to public bidding procedure.
At the present time, the current City Charter requires informal public
bidding procedures for public works projects between $500 and $2,000 in
value and formal bidding procedures for all projects in excess of $2,000;
but due to the loss in purchasing power and the fact that this loss in dollar
value had greatly increased administrative burdens on the City without any
apparent corresponding increase-in contract savings, it was the City Council's
feeling that taxpayers' dollars would be adequately protected and more
efficiently utilized if the City Charter were amended to allow informal
bidding procedures for projects under $1,000 and formal public bidding
procedures for all projects in excess of $5,000.
On motion of Councilman Norris, seconded by Councilman Brown the following
resolution was.introduced: Resolution No.. 2708 (1975 Series), a
resolution of the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo authorizing a
proposed Charter amendment ballot measure for the City General Election on
March 4, 1975, to increase minimum dollar amounts on public works projects
subject to public bidding procedures.
Passed and adopted on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Councilmen Brown, Graham, Gurnee, and Norris and Mayor
Schwartz
NOES: None
U-31AilI�W=W
3. The City Clerk reported on the cost of Volume No. 2 of the City
Newsletter mailed out in-December, 1974. He stated that 11,000 copies were
mailed out at a total cost of $2,291.42. ' :This cost would.be paid for partially
by the Planning Department whose questionnaire caused the Newsletter to be
twice the number of pages as normal.
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Loren Nicholskn, editor of the City.Newsietter, reviewed the results of the
latest Newsletter and urged that-if the City wished to continue this program,
they should plan on a one year approval so that the City could take advantage
of various cost.savings such as postage on an annual .basis, bidding and printing
on an annual basis, and better planning on a continuing basis from one issue to
the next.
Councilman Brown stated that he felt the Council should continue the Newsletter
at least for a one -year basis,.so that a real analysis of the value or no value
from continuing the program could -be made.
Councilman Graham.was.favorable.on continuing the Newsletter.for one year as
he felt that Issue No. 2 was very good. He could not say.as.much for Issue
No. 1, but maybe it was the questionnaire that made it more receptive to the
people.
Councilman.Gurnee stated he was in favor-of continuing the Newsletter for one
more year.on a quarterly basis, but he felt that some type of recipient
questionnaire should be in each issue so that the people of the community
could give some input to the Council on not only the Newsletter but on
various issues facing the City.
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City Council Minutes
January 13, 1975
Page 3
Councilman Norris stated he would not-support the continuing of the Newsletter_.
He felt that the information-in the Newsletter was dated, was of..little or
no value to the people, and he was opposed to the method of structuring the
planning questionnaire. He felt that the questions were slanted, that the
questions were confusing to the average person, and he also felt that the
questions were so structured that an.obvious conclusion would be drawn by
the person who wrote the question-and not necessarily by the recipient of
the questions.- He also felt that -the money for the Newsletter would be.better
1 spent for the taxpayers in other areas.
Mayor Schwartz stated.that he was in support of the Newsletter,.felt the
questionnaire was good; however,.he too stated he might question several of
the questions, but he felt that overall it was a good questionnaire and brought
out, he.hoped, some good information for.the Planning Commission and staff
to work with. He also felt that questionnaires were good to allow the
people some input to know what the City was doing.
Councilman Gurnee moved that the City.continue the Newsletter for one more
year on a quarterly basis and keep the information objective. Motion died
for lack of a second.
Councilman.Norris stated'he was.opposed to authorizing expenditures within
the budget year. He felt :that the Newsletter should be considered at budget .
time in competition with all other City expenditures and not be.considered
at a study session where the people had no input into this program.
Councilman Graham stated he was in.support of the Newsletter on a.quarterly
basis for the calendar.year. 1975:. He felt in order to see if-it-was really'
worthwhile, it should be given a.full year's run.
On motion of Councilman Brown, seconded:by Councilman:Gurnee!;that.the
Newsletter be continued to the. regular- meeting.of.the.City::Council on the
20th of January; 1975 for further consideration by the City Council. Motion
carried, all ayes.,
4. Memorandum from Councilman T. Keith Gurnee regarding recently
adopted Federal Community Development Legislation and urging that the City
Council consider the formation of a task force on Community Development and
Housing problems.
He stated that over the.years,.the City of;San Luis-Obispo had become
increasingly aware that its rapid growth was on a collision course with
its resources. He stated the community could not afford to exceed its
major resource limitations of-water supply and sewage treatment capacity.
The City might not be able to afford to.expand them, particularly when the
City fully assessed the economic and environmental consequences of such
a community intent on preserving its atmosphere.
The major resource limitation should.be. viewed as an umbrella for maximum
growth, not under a threat.of a.resource-crises,:but after-a patient under-
standing of the economic and.environmental consequences of:such_an expansion.
Until the citizens of San Luis.Obispo chose to expand the City's resource
base, the City Council must work beneath the umbrella for sensitive patterns
of controlled development with an eye towards satisfying demands for adequate
and affordable housing.
The plunge of housing starts; although not as serious in this-county as in
others, was characteristic of national economic trends. :::Contrary to assertions
of the development interests,. it was not the City's demand for quality that
was the cause of the local housing problem. High interest rates, the nearly
total absence of credit, skyrocketing.costs of materials and labor, and
inflation with its erosion of disposable-income had-taken-their toll in
this City. :Coupled with the explosive growth of Cal Poly,'these trends had
fostered the exorbitant rents and.housing prices, substandard conditions,
overcrowding, and strangled facilities were painfully evident symptoms of our
housing problems.
City Council Minutes
January 13, 1975
Page 4
He stated-the City had.a problem-. Some things were out of.the control of
the City Council, but others were.not. While the City waited for national
leadership to address this country's:economic needs, he felt the City of
San Luis Obispo had an opportunity that should not be allowed to slip
through its fingers, and that was-the Federal Housing and Community Develop-
ment Act of 1974.
Briefly he stated.there would be -over 50.million dollars available over
the next six years to non - metropolitan.areas such as San Luis-Obispo for 1
community development and the development of low and moderate income housing.
He then reviewed an outline of-the-characteristics and provisions of the
legislation,..-as well as some.recommendations . he felt should be considered
by the Council at this study session.
His major recommendation was the formation of a task force on housing and
community development, whose purpose.would be to study housing and community
development .issues.-:and.problems,.and- ..prepare grant applications required by
the legislation to.procure funding on priority projects.
He felt the outline of the act would-give most of the City Council necessary
information-and the discussions.shoulL revolve around its.contents. He
stated that he had also asked Mr.`:Rich Chubon, Housing Authority Director, to
attend this meeting to help answer questions and'give information to the City
Council.
Councilman Gurnee concluded_that..time.was:of. the essence; and he felt that
citizen participation in.resolving housing or'any other issue should be
pursued. He hoped the City Council would agree with the formation of the
task force. He felt that if the City Council did not move along and try
to procure'some.of.these funds, that.they would go to-other areas if this
City did not feel they wished- to:-proceed. His final recommendation was
that in putting together the task force on.housing and community develop=
ment that the City Council should consider composition from the following 1
disciplines:
A. City Commissions -
Citizens Advisory Committee representative
Human Relations Commission..representative
Housing Authority representative
Planning Commission representative
B: City Council
City Council member
C. Private Sector
Contractors Association representative
Labor representative
Real Estate representative
Cal Poly representative
D. Consumers
Student Body representative
Senior Citizen
Other
He felt that the Task Force chatge should-be to study local housing needs,
evaluate housing problems, and recommend prioritized methods to.alleviate
housing problems within the City'.s major-.resource limits; study community
development needs, redevelopment issues, the City Capital Improvement
Program, and recommend prioritized methods and projects for City action
and for funds through the Community:Development Act; work towards prepara-
tion of a grant application for Federal Community Development funds via the
preparation of the required Community Development Plan, Housing Assistance
Plan, and the City's revised Housing Element as part of the City's General
Plan revision; make regular reports to the City Council and propose Council
actions within the critical March and May time periods.
City-Council Minutes
January.13,_1975
Page 5
He also recommended that the planning staff-be-directed to.work with the
Housing:Authority staff as technical.assistance.to the Task.Force. The staff
would prepare information on.housing.issues and..problems,.redevelopment
issues, need for Capital facilities.that have an impact on housing, and to
be presented in simple form to.the Task Force..
David:Williamson,:Assistant Administrative Officer;,reported to the-City
Council that he had taken:on this-project-personally,. and that he agreed.
1 with almostteverything reported by.Councilman Gurnee and presented by him.
He and Mr. Chubon of the Housing Authority were proceeding on a preliminary
application for the City of San Luis Obispo :He::continued - that -to date
the primary work was gathering.basic.:data for- inclusion in an application by
the City if they so desire to proceed.
Rich Chubon; Executive'Director of.-the Housing Authority, explained for the
Council his interpretation of the.1974.Housing and Community Development
Act, and felt.the analysis by Councilman Gurnee was quite.clear�and•to the.
point..:
The City Council then discussed at length the 1974 Act with City staff and
City Housing Authority, and in what-manner the City could proceed, and what
would-be the City's responsibility if they made applications under the
act.
Mrs. Joyce Pederson, President.of.the:League of Women.Voters, appeared .
before the City Council and-made the following statement. The League of
Women'Voters.of San Luis Obispo-through local, state and national positions
had.long:been: dedicated to,the.support_of governmental actions•:aimed at
providing.,a:decent:living environment:.-for,-all-its citizens. They had been.
greatly pleased by the positive performance of the City of San--Luis-Obispo
during the past five years to promote:low -cost housing. They complimented the
City Council and the City Housing Authority on their work in this area to
date:
It was -their hope; therefore; -that. the -City would continue its`efforts:to
relieve the housing crisis here by.al-1•reasonable.means. :Certainly, the
City should take all necessary steps• to - assure- eligibi,lity:for:.federal
funding under.the newly enacted-Housing-and Community Development-Act.
Because an important -requirement.of _ the.:Act was that citizens be-.provided
adequate opportunity to.participate- in.development of.the application,.and
because they were aware of the heavy work loads already being shouldered by
other City commissions whose- work.related,to housing, they felt that'the
proposal to set up a new task force charged with specificallyrstudying
alternatives and developing.-solutions in the fields of housing.and community
development was not-only appropriate; it was crucial.
Moreover, Mrs. Pederson was personally very pleased to offer:to:the.City their
assistance. The League, having been involved in housing.issues in the
City for as long as any other nongovernmental group, was well aware
of the lack of the solid data necessary for making studied judgments.
If the task force was appointed and found that it needed volunteer workers
to gather or collate data, the .League.of Women Voters.of.San- Luis_Obispo
would be proud to serve the community in this meaningful:. and essential
effort.
Steve Tetterson. member-of the:P.lanning:Commission; spoke:in support.-of the
City's-action-,-in-applying-for funds under the•.1974,Federal Housing and
Community Development Act. He was-sure the Planning-Commission would be
more than happy to•cooperate.in:whatever route the City - Council wished to
go.
Neil.-Webre-stated,he was in :support - of.the- City.!.s application for funds
.under the.Housing and Commuhity.Development Act of 1974. .He supported the
proposal to form a task force on housing composed of a cross - section of
citizens living within the City.. He felt that-this was--one-of the most
important issues facing .the City Council and its citizens and felt it
should be solved-by the community.:.He felt-that-.the task force- should be
appointed to concentrate on housing primarily. It was his feeling that
City Council Minutes
January.13, 1975
Page 6
a task force made up of.representatives of the various.groups,and_ elements
of the community would do a more-.comprehensive job than turning it over
to a staff member.
Kevin O'Conner, ASI Cal Poly, stated he was in support of the task force
concept on housing and hoped that it would be appointed by the City Council
immediately in order to get the studies underway. He too offered the good
offices of the ASI at the University for studies and for membership on this
committee.
Councilman.Gurnee stated that -his.proposal' for a task force on- housing and
community development was not to•be limited to the small area emphasized
by the City staff. He felt that this-task force should look into the
broader aspects of housing needs within the community, and he urged that
the Council should meet again and appoint the membership to this task force.
Councilman Norris stated that while he agreed that housing was:.a critical
problem in San Luis Obispo and he felt the supply was not getting any better
due to both economic and the City's development policies, he felt that the
City staff should.continue to study the 1974 act, but time was too short to
appoint,:-orient,-and have a citizens task force prepare an application.
Councilman Brown agreed that the task force idea was not feasible for the.
1974 Act, due to the short time needed for preparation of applications for
funds. He felt that.the staff.could.handle this in a more expeditious manner,
although he felt in the long range,!studies might need a task force input.
Councilman Graham felt that the.task force was needed in order to study in
detail the housing.and community-needs of the City and -come up-with a better
analysis that could be put in-by the'City staff,'who were limited possibly
in their outlook of.the housing.picture.
Mayor Schwartz stated he was in support of the City pursuing an.application
under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, but felt that some
citizen participation-was needed in order to comply with the provisions of
the act. He felt that rather.than appoint a new committee or task force,'the
matter should be sent to the Planning'Commission to act as the lead City
agency in developing the proposal..or.program under the 1974 act. The
Planning Commission as the lead-agency -could ask for participation
from other City.boards and commissions.
Mayor Schwartz stated he felt-the Planning Commission, Housing Authority,
Design Review Board, Citizens.. Advisory Committee and staff should hold
public hearings-on pre - application with invitation to other persons for
input to the pre - application hearing.' He then stated he would later support
the appointment of a task force for an-in-depth housing and community
development study.
Councilman.Gurnee again spoke in support of the appointment of a =task
force on.housing.. .He felt that the City Council had seen the good that
could be done by a citizens group,.such as was done by the Ad.Hoc.Task
Force on Resource Inventory, a.one =shot task force which did-an-excellent
job for the City. He felt that this proposal would 'try to generate the
same type of support and input.as.was.done on the overburdened facilities.
On motion of Councilman Norris, seconded'by Councilman Brown that-the City
staff be encouraged to cooperate-in preparation of an application under
the Housing and Community Development Act-of 1974 with hearings to be held
before the City Planning'Commission and with the concept of a task force
to be continued for further consideration by the City Council if needed.
At these public hearings, the staff..was.authorized to invite representatives
of the Planning Commission, Housing Authority, Human Relatioris.Commission,
and the Citizens.Advisory..Committee.. Motion.carried, all ayes.
Mayor Schwartz declared a recess at 10:00 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 10:15 p.m.-all Council members present.
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City Council Minutes
January 13, 1975
Page 7
S. The City staff reported on the acquisition by the City of the
surplus Cal Trans property at Broad and Santa Barbara Avenue declared
surplus due to the widening of Broad Street when the entire parcel was
acquired by the City.
The City staff presented information to.the City Council suggesting an
alternative proposal be made on a different value.
1 The City Council accepted.the.report of the staff and authorized a letter
to Cal Trans-.with an alternative proposal for acquisition of this parcel
by the City of San Luis Obispo.
6. The City Council adjourned to Executive Session.
7. ... The City Council adjourned on motion of Councilman Gurnee, seconded
by Councilman Brown. Motion carried.
APPROVED:- April 7, 1975
H. zpatrick, City Clerk
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