Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/22/1978M I N U T E S ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 1978 - 12:15 P.M. COUNCIL HEARING ROOM, CITY HALL, 990 PALM STREET Roll Call Councilmen PRESENT: Ron Dunin, Jeff Jorgensen, Steve Petterson, Allen Settle and Mayor Kenneth E. Schwartz ABSENT: None City Staff PRESENT: J.H. Fitzpatrick, City Clerk; R.D. Miller,. Administrative Officer; Richard Minor, Fire Chief; Wayne Peterson, City Engineer; Robert Mote, Utilities Engineer; Rudy Muravez, Director of Finance; Dave Romero, Director of Public Services; Henry Engen, Director of Community Development; Gordon Johnson, Director of Personnel 9. City Council considered the introduction of an ordinance amending the city's Traffic Ordinance, dealing with Chapter II, Sections 3211.1 thru 3211.3, "Loading and Unloading Zones." On motion of Councilman Settle, seconded by Councilman Petterson, the following ordinance was introduced: Ordinance No. 748 (1978 Series), an ordinance of the City of San Luis Obispo amending the Municipal Code, Article III.V, Traffic Regulations, Chapter II, Sections 3211.1 - 3211.3. Introduced and passed to print on the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Settle, Petterson, Dunin, Jorgensen and Mayor Schwartz NOES: None ABSENT: None 10. Fire Chief, Richard L. Minor, submitted a lengthy report to the City Council dealing with modernization of the Municipal Fire Alarm System and acquisition of a modern communication system for the Fire Department. He stated that part of the proposed plan to combine the emergency dispatching service of the Fire and Police Departments, the present deficiencies in the Fire Department Communication System were reviewed with the Council in the communication delivered. on December 19, 1977. Following that meeting, engineers of Motorola Corporation, at no expense to the city, were contacted to conduct a radio transmission survey. This was necessary to determine the most suitable locations to construct a radio repeater site for retransmission of radio messages around the natural geographical hills and barriers that inhibit good communication. The results of the tramission survey were delivered by a representative of the corporation on March 2, 1978, and were given to the Council for review. The proposed location of the repeater site would provide effective retransmission of Fire Department communications to virtually all sections of the city. The results of the survey could not be used to ensure that the proper equipment could be purchased to attain the desired results. Two other elements.of the Fire Department communications system that should be reviewed at this time were the Municipal Fire Alarm System and the Fire Station notification system. He stated that it was the recommendation of the Arthur D. Little Study that the city eliminate the public fire alarm boxes in all cases where telephone coverage existed. The justification for such a recommendation stemmed from the high false alarm rate being experienced by the department over the past few years. With such a high incidence of false alarms (nearly 74%), the report stated that the wasted time of the runs to nonexistent fires and increased traffic hazards in their opinion far outweighed any potential benefits the system might have in identifying the locations of fires. City Council Minutes March 22, 1978 Page 2 Also, as part of the recommendation to remove the municipal fire alarm system, all private subscribers who were connected to the city's master alarm box system would have to be removed and the city should be willing to refund their cost of installation as they would no longer be protected by the fire telephone system. He concluded that all the radio equipment recommended be purchased shared common reasons for its much needed acquisition. Finally, the rationale for acquisition common to all radio equipment was: (1) New equipment will replace ancient and unreliable equipment presently in use by the Fire Department. (2) The new radios will provide power levels twice that of their current in -use counterparts. This will aid in resolving inability to communicate across relatively short distances in the city. (3) The new generation equipment is of solid -state design which has a record of greater reliability than the tubes used in much of the current equipment. Reliability is an absolute necessity for an emergency service like the Fire Department. It also prevents the delay in radio transmission ability that is common to the existing radio system. It is not uncommon to have to wait 30 -45 seconds during the early part of an emergency response while the radios warm up. This early response is important since address confirmation occurs as well as update on emergency conditions as relayed to responding companies. (4) The 4- channel ability of the new equipment is necessary to communicate with mutual aid forces so they may be effectively utilized during major emergencies. (5) The 4- channel ability is also necessary to put into service the mobile repeater system and to retain use of the current channel. (6) The use of this modern equipment will prove out ability to obtain parts for years to come. He then reviewed the special objectives in addition to those previously listed for the City Council. On motion of Councilman Petterson, seconded by Councilman Jorgensen, the City Fire Chief was authorized to proceed with the preparation of bid documents to update the City's Fire Department Communication System. Motion carried, all ayes. On motion of Councilman Petterson, seconded by Councilman Jorgensen, the following resolution was introduced: Resolution No. 3533 (1978 Series), a resolution of the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo increasing capital improvement fund appropriations for the 1977/78 Fiscal Year (Fire Department Communications System - $67,000.00). ` Passed and adopted on the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Petterson, Jorgensen, Dunin, Settle and Mayor Schwartz NOES: None ABSENT: None 11. Communication from, and appearance of, Dale W. Perkins, Library Director - City /County Library, requesting support from the City Council and a financial commit ment to incorporate both the existing functions of the present downtown library and the library administrative center into a new modern library facility somewhere in downtown San Luis Obispo. City Council Minutes March 22, 1978 Page 3 After discussion, it was moved by Councilman Petterson, seconded by Mayor Schwartz, that the Mayor be authorized to write a letter to the County Board of Supervisors via the Library Director stating that the City Council supported expending funds for a preliminary study for site location for a city /county library building and retain architects necessary to prepare building schematics and that the city has put aside $140,000.00 to help defray the costs of land acquisition for the new library site. Motion carried. City Clerk was directed to prepare a letter for the Mayor's signature. 12. Council consideration of Water Resources Control Board Order No. WR78 -3, Salinas River, Santa Margarita Reservoir, in the matters of Permits 5881 -U.S. Army; 5882 -City of San Luis Obispo and 7253 - Community of Santa Margarita. Briefly this order maintains the so- called "live- stream" concept without specific requirements for further studies or hearings (U.S. Army and City of San Luis Obispo permits); with respect to the Santa Margarita Community permit, the order extends the time for negotiating a contract with the Corps of Engineers for storage of water in Salinas Reservoir to December 1, 1981. Robert G. Mote, Utilities Engineer, submitted a lengthy analysis of Water Resources Control Board decision with Order WR 78 -3. After discussion, it was moved by Councilman Jorgensen, seconded by Councilman Settle, that the city staff be directed to contact Frederick Bold Jr., the city's special legal counsel on water matters for advice on what the City of San Luis Obispo can do to clarify the Santa Margarita Dam /Salinas River water matters dealing with the impounding of water in small dams along the river and the so- called "live - stream" concept. Motion carried, all ayes. 13. Council consideration of an amendment to an agreement between the city and the county Health Department for reimbursement for operation of a cross - connection inspection program within the City and the County of San Luis Obispo. ' Robert Mote, Utility Engineer, explained that this was a continuation of the present program but that the inspection fees had been raised from $10.00 to $12.00 per hour and the agreement enclosed would effectuate this increase. On motion of Councilman Petterson, seconded by Councilman Settle, the following resolution was introduced: Resolution No. 3534 (1978 Series), a resolution of the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo approving amendment No. l to an agreement between the City and the County Health Department for reimbursement for operation of a cross - connection inspection service. Passed and adopted on the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen Petterson, Settle, Jorgensen, Dunin and Mayor Schwartz NOES: None ABSENT: None The city staff were asked to have the city attorney look into the reference in the agreement to unilateral amendments by the Health Department. If the attorney felt there was no problem, the agreement should be forwarded. 6. The following memorandum was presented to the City Council by Councilmen Dunin and Settle. "As two members of the council, the undersigned feel it is important that the council advise the State Employment Development Department of the city's intentions in regard to allowing new facilities to develop within the city. We realize that staff have recommended and secured council approval for a position in opposition to the South Street location, but in view of the current developments including delays in coordinating downtown development with the county and the Employment Development Department's need to move ahead rapidly, we suggest that the council authorize staff to draft a letter for the Mayor's signature indicating a willingness to reconsider South Street as an alternative in the event timely downtown development does not appear possible." Signed /Councilmen Allen K. Settle and Ron Dunin City Council Minutes March 22, 1978 Page 4 After discussion of the request of Councilmen Dunin and Settle and a review of the prior action and discussions taken by the council, it was a common decision of the council that the EDD had received all information on ways and means to develop a facility and they should proceed on their own time schedule whether it be downtown or on South Street, which would include the necessary changes in zoning, general plan amendments, A.R.C. inspection, etc. A. City Clerk, J.H. Fitzpatrick, informed the council that the attorney for the Dalessi Center, Inc., Irving W. Peterson, had filed with the Superior Court of the County of San Luis Obispo for a "Petition for Writ of Mandamus" for relief from the City Council's action through.Resolution No. 3509 (1978 Series). This resolution required the DalessiCenter, Inc., to correct a water deficiency in the general area of 999 Monterey Street. The matter had been referred to the City Attorney. B. The City Council discussed communication from President Robert Kennedy, California Polytechnic State University, regarding the so- called tripartite committee involving representatives of the university, the.co.unty and the city, to discuss not only housing, but all matters of common concern to the three agencies. Kenneth E. Schwartz, Mayor, stated that Councilman T..Keith Gurnee had originally been appointed to represent the city on this committee, but apparently had never met. • Therefore, it was.common consent of the council that Councilman Jeff Jorgensen be.the City Council's representative on the Cal Poly, county and city committee. C. The City Council then continued their consideration of the 1978/79 C.I.P. dealing with utilities, the water and sewer and the special deficiencies follow- ing the formal C.I.P. Program. The City Council discussed the needs for a management study of Laguna Lake in order that the city could proceed with development.and clearing up the lake for development as a park and also .discussed the acquisition of the golf.course in increments of one -third each year. On motion of Councilman Settle, seconded by Mayor Schwartz, a public hearing was set for April 4, 1978, for public hearing on the Capital Improvement Program for 1978 -79. Motion carried, all ayes. D. The City Council adjourned to Executive Session at 1:45 P.M. E. There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Schwartz adjourned the meeting at 2:30 P.M. to 12:10 P.M., Monday, April 3, 1978. APPROVED: May 16, 1978 -� �� 'Fitzpatrick,. City. Clerk . -- - - - - -- -------------------------------------------------------------- - - - - -- L J