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 .
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