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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/11/1978M I N U T E S ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 1978 - 7:30 P.M. CITY HALL, 990 PALM STREET, SAN LUIS OBISPO Roll Call Councilmen PRESENT: Ron Dunin, Jeff Jorgensen, Steve Petterson, Allen Settle and Mayor Kenneth Schwartz ABSENT: None City Staff PRESENT: J.H. Fitzpatrick, City Clerk; R.D. Miller, Administrative Officer; Henry Engen, Community Development Director; Dave Romero, Public Services Director; Jim Stockton, Director of Parks & Recreation B. Henry Engen, Community Development Director, introduced Mr. Clark Moore, Consultant for the Arroyo Grande Resource Conservation District (RCD), regarding the proposal to annex the City of San Luis Obispo into an expanded RCD. Mr. Clark Moore proceeded by explaining the purpose of the Conservation Districts, which was a tool for improving the environment through basic conservation work on the nation's private land, recognizing the need for additional programs and new methods to meet emerging problems; these involved land use planning, control of water and wind erosion, pollution abatement, flood prevention, water supply, scenic enhancement, etc. He continued that conservation districts were legal subdivisions of state govern- ment responsible under state law for conservation work within their boundaries, just as other governmental agencies were responsible for services in their own districts. Boundaries were usually drawn along county lines or smaller areas organized along watershed lines. The purposes of the district were to focus attention on land, water and related resource problems to develop programs to solve them and to enlist and coordinate help from all public and private sources that could contribute to accomplishing the district goals. The respon- sibility of district officials was to plan and direct the program, obtain assist- ance, coordinate the help of government agencies, assign priorities to resource development tasks and serve as a community clearinghouse for information and services. Operating funds were mostly drawn from the local and state appropria- tions and contributions of individuals and other organizations. In every district, the directors made an inventory of resource needs and problems and then using public and private assistance, analyze agricultural, economic and other trends. This inventory was the basis for a long range plan of action that recorded the facts about local resources, including erosion, pollution, soil types, land capabilities, water supplies, force conditions sedimentation, fish and game habitats amongst others. It also outlined what must be done to correct the problems and develop resources for wider and better use. To meet these goals, the districts worked in two ways. First, they gave expert assist- ance to individual landowners in planning and installing scientific land use systems and, secondly they initiated and carried out community -wide programs where required. Rather than establish independent technical staffs, the districts relied on the personnel and facilities of several federal and state agencies for trained manpower. Chief among the cooperating agencies was the Soil Conservation Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the only agency that received federal funds earmarked by Congress for direct technical assistance to conserva- tion districts. Many other federal agencies provided services including U.S. Forest. Service, the Agricultural Stabilization & Conservation Service, the Bureau of Land Management, Agricultural Research Service, the Bureau of Sport Fisheries & Wildlife and others, as well as many state departments such as Forestry, Agriculture, Recreation, Highways, Education, Fish & Game, Health and Commerce. Districts retained local direction control over their program through written memorandums of understanding with their cooperating agencies. City Council Minutes April 11, 1978 Page 2 In rural areas and on substantial tracts of land, the first step taken by the conservation district was to prepare a scientific inventory of the land and water resources, soil types and erosion. Drainage problems were outlined on an aerial photograph of the property. Using this map, the landowner and the conservation district developed a conservation plan with the help of specialists to provide information on forestry, wildlife, recreation and other elements that might be involved in resource management.. The plan out- lined appropriate uses for each acre and the conservation measures and treatment needed for protection and sustained production. Measures might include strip cropping, terracing, water disposal systems, tree planting, ponds, land leveling, woodland harvesting, tile drains and marry others. The landowner made his own arrangements for all the systems. In most cases he could qualify for cost sharing help through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Mr, Moore continued that most of San Luis County had now been mapped and a conservation plan was available.for those interested. He stated the present Arroyo Grande District was limited in area and had a budget of about $2,600 which was funded out of the county's general fund. They were governed by a five - person board who were elected from the district area at large. This particular district was originally initiated to serve as a vehicle for obtaining federal grants for a flood control project along the Arroyo Grande Creek. The proposal to extend the boundaries to that indicated on the request from LAFCO was done at the request of city staff and the LAFCO staff. The ability of the conservation district to tax local residents would be limited to .02C per $100 assessed valuation levied against land only, not improvements. Therefore, an individual with a $20,000 market value lot would pay only $1.00 per year for tax. However, the district had never levied a property tax. The RCD would presumably function mainly as an information education group engaged in comprehensive planning for soil conserva- tion purposes. They would serve as an agency for attracting federal funding on various flood control projects. They did not, however, have the power to condemn land or float bonds. Existing state, county or local agency would have to serve as the actual responsible property to initiate such a program. Finally, he stated that the expanded geographic coverage would automatically bring about the ability of local individuals to petition for election to a position on the district governing body. The board would also have the power to change its name to reflect its broader geographic area. Mr. Clark then discussed with the City Council several questions as to the benefits and advantages that would occur to the City of San Luis Obispo if and when the city approved this annexation proposal. After discussion, the matter was referred to the city staff and the Zone 9 Board for report and recommendations on the advantages and disadvantages of the city annexing to the Arroyo Grande Resource Conservation District. 1. Reports on Activities of Standing Council Subcommittee: A. Area Council of Governments B. C.C.C.J.C. C. City - County -Cal Poly Advisory Committee D. Water Advisory Board E. Whale Rock Commission F. Zone 9 Advisory Committee Councilman Settle R.D. Miller reported for Councilman Petterson who was absent Councilman Jorgensen Mayor Schwartz Mayor Schwartz Councilman Dunin 2. The City Council held a general, brief discussion on street improvement items for the 1978 -79 fiscal year to include, sidewalks, sidewalk improvements, landscaping, traffic signals and traffic signal improvements, etc. i� f� City Council Minutes April 11, 1978 Page 3 During this discussion, two councilmen brought up the matter of either intentional or unintentional information being given out by employees to applicants causing in a given case, a lower level of improvements on a downtown building improvement due to the request imposed or alleged to have been imposed by the city to install mission style sidewalks on an area where no such requirement is involved. This brought several other comments about misinformation being given to developers, builders and others by the city. The Administrative Officer was directed to look into this particular matter and see if the allegation was true. If it was, correct it. If not, see to it that only city adopted ordinances and enforcement regulations were carried out rather than personal opinions. 3. The City Council discussed the request from the Human Relations Commission urging the City Council to again hold a City Workshop which had not been held for a number of years, but which they felt was an opportunity for the City Council, the staff and members of Boards and Commissions to better understand the full -scope of city government operation. Also, a communication from Foster Gruber, Chairman of the Citizens' Advisory Committee supporting the request of the Human Relations Commission for the council to again reinstate the workshop program. Mayor Schwartz reviewed past attempts by the city in developing workshop programs, normally in the spring of the year, to bring all the City.Council, Board and Commission members and city staff together to review city policies and city activities. He stated that he had reluctantly backed away from this program as he felt there was some criticism that it was called the Mayor's Workshop and not the city's workshop, but that he would be most pleased to resume the activity if the City Council so desired. Foster Gruber suggested that the chairmen of the Mayor and /or City Council to discuss the workshops and if so to come up with program The City Council discussed the workshops and and authorized the Mayor to proceed and come schedule, etc. 9:10 p.m., Mayor Schwartz declared a recess. all advisory boards meet with propriety of continuing the and content. stated they had no objection back to the council with a program 9:30 p.m.., the meeting reconvened with all councilmen present. 4. At this time the City Council discussed League of California Cities' Legislative Bulletins Nos. 9, 10, 11 & 12, and took action on the following items: a. A.B. 2659 - Labor Relations. Binding Arbitration. On motion of Councilman Petterson, seconded by Mayor Schwartz, that the City Council oppose this bill and that the city clerk be directed to so inform the appropriate committee. Motion carried, all ayes. b. S.B. 532.- Retirement. Retirement Benefit Program for Volunteer Fire Fighters. On motion of Councilman Petterson, seconded by Mayor Schwartz, that the City Council oppose this bill and that the city clerk be directed to notify the appropriate legislative committees of the council's action. Motion carried. c. A.B. 603 - LAFCO'S Urban Service Areas. On motion of Councilman Jorgensen, seconded by Councilman Settle, that the City Council take action to support this bill and that the city clerk be directed to so inform the appropriate legislative committee. Motion carried. d. A.B. 2553 - Motor Vehicle In -Lieu Fees. On motion of Councilman Petterson, seconded by Councilman Jorgensen, that the City Council take action to support this bill and that the city clerk be directed to so inform the appropriate committee of the council's action. City Council Minutes April 11, 1978 Page 4 e. S.B. 2010 - State -Local Public Works Agreement Act. On motion of Councilman Dunin, seconded by Councilman Settle, that the city clerk be directed to so inform the appropriate legislative committee. Motion carried, all ayes. F. A.B. 2744 - Labor Relations. Agency Shop Authorized. On motion of Councilman Petterson, seconded by Mayor Schwartz, that.the City Council take action to oppose this bill and that the city clerk be directed to inform the appropriate legislative committee of the city's reaction. Motion carried, all ayes. g. S.C.A. 61 & S.B. 1782 - Tax Exemption for Commercial and Industrial Rehabilitation. City Clerk was directed to procure copies of the above bills for the council's information. 5. Foster Gruber, Chairman of the Citizens' Advisory Committee, submitted a progress report on the council's assignment to the CAC for review of all advisory boards, commissions and committees of the city. He stated that Phase 1 was the completion of.the committee's assignment that encompasses the general rules for the creation and continuation of the Citizens' Advisory Board body and for the consistent selection and appointment of members thereof. He stated that there was no reason to adopt this in a rush as the council's reaction to further phases might alter its provisions in a minor manner. He suggested that the City Council study this matter of Phase 1 at their leisure and if in general it appeared to be satisfactory, put it into operation before offi- cially adopting it or one similar to it. Phase 2 of the assignment was only an intermediate step towards the adoption of Phase 3 which was not yet ready for submittal. Phase 2 outlined the general categories which were believed to be, or should be, within the scope of the citizens committees. These were functional descriptions only and should not be taken as titles of existing or proposed committees or other such organizations. The groupings were the result of numerous personal contacts with members of the City Council and the upper level staff as well as with those chairmen of standing committees who had shown an interest in the task. Phase 3 of the program would develop a detailed organization based on the categories outlined in Phase 2 with exact definitions of "boards, committees and commissions" and they would recommend specific functions and responsibilities for each agency to prevent duplication and to create a standard appeal system. This of course would be subject to much discussion with the City Council. Finally, he stated that the City Housing Authority was not part of this consideration as it was generally believed that such an organization could not be readily grouped with any others nor did it operate in conjunction with the city staff. The City Council and Foster Gruber, Chairman of the CAC, reviewed the suggested ordinance or resolution for the establishment and regulation of citizen advisory bodies and qualification and tenure of their members; this involved the authority, the application, permanent bodies, temporary duties which encompassed all of Phase 1 and a very brief review of the potential framework for :realignment of Citizens' Commit tee. responsibilities or Phase 2. The City Council thanked Mr. Gruber for bringing this progress report to them and they felt that it was working in the direction that they had in mind. While it was true that it would not please each member of the council, they hoped that a consensus could be arrived at for determination. 6. On motion of Councilman Jorgensen, seconded by Councilman Petterson, r the following resolution was introduced: Resolution No. 3540 (1978 Series), a resolution of the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo approving an agreement between the city and San Luis Coastal Unified School District for a quitclaim deed of the property owned by the city within the high school and junior high school property and authorize the execution of said quitclaim deed. City Council Minutes April 'll, 1978 Page 5 Passed and adopted on the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmen.Jorgensen, Petterson, Dunin, Settle and Mayor Schwartz NOES: None ABSENT: None EMERGENCY ITEM A communication from R.S. Dale, ECOSLO, requesting that the City Council consider allowing ECOSLO to subsidize the ridership portion of the city bus system on Saturday, May 6, in honor of "Sun Day." ECOSLO felt that a day of free bus rides for the citizens of the city would provide an opportunity for increased ridership and a possible solution to the parking problem. They asked expeditious determination by the City Council so that the project might be promoted for the Free Bus Day on May 6, 1978. D.F. Romero, City Public Services Director, reported that for the last four Saturdays, the average operating cost for the bus system in the city had been $539.89, of which $125.16 came from fares, leaving the city subsidy of $414.74. The City Council discussed the request of ECOSLO stating that there had been some misunderstanding, as some of the Council and staff felt that what ECOSLO was asking for was to pay the entire $539.89, not just the fare portion. There was discussion of other benefits of this type of a program being offered to other agencies, business establishments, etc. D.F. Romero, Director of Public Services, announced that the Mass Transit Committee would be meeting on Thursday, April 13, 1978, to discuss this matter and would submit a report for the next council meeting. The City Council continued this matter for a recommendation from the Mass Transit Committee. 7. There being no further business to come before the City Council, the Mayor adjourned the meeting to Monday, April 17, 1978, at 12:10 p.m. APPROVED: May 16, 1978 )�9: Fitzpatrick, City Clerk ------------- - - - - -- ------------------------------------------------------ M I N U T E S ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE CITY.COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO MONDAY, APRIL 17, 1978 - 12:10 P.M. HEARING ROOM, CITY HALL, 990 PALM STREET STUDY SESSION 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; Henry Engen, Director- of.Community Development; Terry Sanville, Associate Planner REPRESENTING THE COUNTY.PLANNING DEPARTMENT Present: Bryce Tingle and Jan Hubbel