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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/14/1979City Council Minutes August 14, 1979, 7:30 p.m. Page 4 3. Community Development staff to work with Richard Taylor, Public Services Department, and Design Review Board to refine project description consistent with council- approved conceptual plan. Work to be completed ty October. 4. Advance planning section to prepare a focused environmental impact report (EIR). Richard Taylor to prepare an itemized cost estimate. ' Both reports to be ready for the council in February of 1980. 5. Council to receive the refined project description, EIR, and authorize preparation of working plans and specifications in February, 1980. 6. Richard Taylor to prepare plans and specifications by May, 1980. 7. Contingent on property acquisition, council to authorize building on the project in June, 1980. 8. Construction on initial phase would begin in July or August, if significant progress and bank protection could be achieved before start of rains in late October or early November. Glenn Matteson, Community Development Department, then reviewed the conceptual plan with the City Council. He also stated that the Design Review Board recommended that the council proceed with the Taylor contract for preparation of plans and specifications. Robert Corcoran, BIA Administrative Officer, submitted a letter on behalf of the board of directors supporting the extension of Mission-Plaza to Nipomo Street. Bob Leitcher, property owner on Monterey Street, stated that he is opposed to the concept of extending the plaza through to Nipomo Street. He felt ' there were greater needs before the City Council for funds rather than spending money on more parks. He felt the City was in dire need of flood protection. He felt the city was injuring property owners along San Luis Creek due to the city not protecting private property from the annual flood damage. He also stated he would not give his land for Mission Plaza exten- sion and would fight any attempt to purchase it by the city. He then presented a history of the flooding on this stretch of San Luis Creek over the last 50 years. He felt that any development in this area would require constant, remedial treatment after each rain and flood. Mel Porche supported the Mission Plaza extension as recommended. Councilman Dunin stated he felt that the Mission Plaza extension should not be approved as a separate item, but should be discussed when the entire Downtown Specific Plan is approved by the council. Councilwoman Billig stated she supported the proposed extension of Mission Plaza, but she would hope the area would remain as natural as possible and not a formal development as in the present plaza. She felt the trails in the area were satisfactory, but questioned the extensive removal of vegeta- tion in this section of the proposed plaza. Councilman.Jorgensen stated he would support and confirm the council action in the C.I.P. and would support the.staff and Design Review Board recommenda- tions to proceed with the plans and specifications and the EIR. 1 Councilman Bond stated he would support the plan. Mayor Cooper stated he would support the proposal for the extension of Mission Plaza, as it was needed. He felt the city should acquire any land that is needed in fee title and not accept easements which always become future problems. On motion of Councilman Bond, seconded by Councilman Jorgensen, that the City Council accept the staff recommendation and the eight point scheduling and authorize them to proceed in accordance with the schedule. City Council Minutes August 14, 1979,' 7:30 p.m. Page 5 Motion carried on-the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Bond, Jorgensen, Billig; Dunin, and Mayor Cooper NOES: None ABSENT: None At 9:00 p.m., Mayor Cooper declared a recess. ' At 9:15 p.m., the City Council reconvened with all councilmembers present. 4. At this time the City Council considered the master plan for the Corporation Yard prepared by SUA Incorporated Management Consultants. Dave Romero, Public Services Director, reviewed, for the City Council, some of the key areas in the lengthy report prepared by SUA. He continued that field operations of the Public Services Department were housed in three separate yard facilities. These facilities were located some distance from one another, vary in physical condition and size, and each could be charac- terized as inadequate to meet current city requirements. Each yard has specific liabilities which are compounded by the fact that the present yard configuration limits the ability of the department to fully benefit from the recent consolidation of all city maintenance and construction activities into one department. He continued that the need for improved facilities was apparent and had been recognized by the city. As a step in achieving this, the Public Services Dept. suggested a site adjacent to the city sewer treatment plan as the potential location for the corporation yard. Prior to developing this site, it was determined that a comprehensive plan for service yard facilities be prepared. SAU, Inc. was retained to conduct an evaluation of facility needs for main- tenance and construction activities, and develop a specific plan implementation I which would include an evaluation of the proposed. SAU's specific assignment was: 1. Determine and specify the amount, type, and relative location of space required by various units of the Public Services Department through the year 2000. 2. Determine and identify the effects in space requirements during the planning period in departmental operations due to changes in commun- ity population, service responsibility, operation procedures, and technology. 3. Project personnel requirements within each division within the department by appropriate increments to the year 2000. 4. Determine the type and amount of space required by each division of the department and a consolidated corporation yard to be built on the site already owned by the city. 5. Determine the time period during which new buildings should be constructed at the consolidated yard, and recommend occupancy plans for their use. SUA submitted the following findings and recommendations: 1. The population of the City of San Luis Obispo is expected to increase , from the 1976 level of 33,500 to an ultimate population of 64,000. This is an increase of 91 percent. 2. Full time public service employees are projected to increase from 51 at present to 92 by the time the city reaches its ultimate level. 3. Existing public service yard facilities are inadequately sized and are poorly designed to insure implementation of preventative mainten- ance and repair programs necessary to extend vehicle life and main- tain efficient utilization of staff. 1 1 1 City Council Minutes August 14, 1979,.7:30 p.m. Page 2 City Staff PRESENT: Leland Walton, City Administrative Officer; J.H. Fitzpatrick, City Clerk; Henry Engen, Community Development Director; Wayne Peterson, City Engineer; Roger Neuman, Police Chief; D.F. Romero, Public Services Director. 1. The City Council members reported on activities of the standing council subcommittees which they represent. A. Area Council of Governments Councilwoman Billig B. C.C.C.J.C. Councilman Bond C. County Water Advisory Board Mayor Cooper D. Whale Rock Commission Mayor Cooper E. Zone 9 Advisory Committee Councilman Dunin Comments by the various councilmembers were noted by the council. 2. Revised traffic signal designs. Wayne Peterson, City Engineer, submitted a complete report on designs pro- posed for three intersections: Santa Rosa Street and Higuera Street Johnson Avenue and Monterey Street California and Monterey Streets Mr. Peterson reviewed, in detail, the traffic accident surveys for each inter- section and also complex engineer studies for design standards at each inter- section showing sight distance, etc. He also presented an engineering design for each intersection giving the following:. A. recommended design B. minimum design C. state standard design He continued by reviewing the design requirements for traffic signals. He stated that these requirements were established by state and federal laws, basically, the Motor Vehicle Code of the State of California requires Cal Trans to estab- lish standards and the local agencies to conform to these standards. The standards are similar to those adopted by the Federal Highway Administration. He recommended that the City Council adopt these standards and direct the staff to follow them in the design of all future traffic signals. He then analyzed each intersection of the three recommended for sign changes, explaining the reasons for the design changes and reviewing sight distance, accidents, etc. Wayne Peterson then introduced Mr. Al Billings, representing Crouse -Hinds Company, a company which developes street modules with a complete line of street furniture for all types of vehicular and pedestrian functions. Dick Gordon, Associate Engineer, then reviewed individual sketches of the proposed installations at the three intersections in San Luis Obispo, showing the minimum design changes, the state standard changes, and the use of the Crouse -Hinds modules. He also listed cost estimates for each inter- section as proposed for correction. .It was his estimate that the cost of remodeling would be approximately $22,000 per intersection, with a 20 -year life expectancy and a 10 percent interest rate, .this would come to about $2,600 per year. They felt that this.would cut the accidents at these inter- sections in half, which would be a substantial savings to the public. Wayne Peterson, City Engineer, Dick Gordon, Associate Engineer, and Al Billings, Crouse -Hinds representative, discussed in general with the City Council, the various elements of the traffic signal design program which included the possibility of larger lights, extending the mast arms over the street so the various traffic lanes could see the signals, and other improve- ments such as the trimming back of poles, trees, etc. City Council Minutes August 14, 1979; 7:30 p.m. Page 3 Councilman Jorgensen stated that he was not pleased with the information presented. He felt that he needed more information to make a decision and something with a more simple design rather than the complex ones presented. Councilwoman Billig agreed and stated that she was not pleased with the pro- posal as presented. She would consider minor "relocations to clarify sight distance to signal lights, but she was not supportive of large mast arms over the street, she felt they were not really needed for good safety. Councilman Bond stated that some traffic signal improvements should be made. He felt that simply by changing to 12 inch or 8 inch lights might help, and also by relocating some of the standards for safety sake. Councilman Dunin felt he needed more competitive cost information. He needed much more information in order to make'a'decision on the extend of the sign construction. He would support a clean -up of the area near the signs and signals in order to avoid any confusion for motorists. Wayne Peterson, City Engineer, stated that he felt it would be impossible to bring back accurate cost information as it was unavailable until the city went to bid, at which time the suppliers would go on record with costs. After further discussion, the City Council authorized the staff to prepare plans and specifications for traffic signals at the three intersections mentioned and which would contain three alternatives: 1. minimum relocation of existing facilities 2. the short mast arm, state standard 3. the Crouse -Hinds modules system Councilwoman Billig stated that she was intrigued by the Crouse -Hinds method 1 of handling trash and litter cans as part of the traffic signal installation. She urged that the city look into getting more trash and litter containers I downtown as they are needed. She felt that with additional litter cans, possibly people would make better use of them. Councilman Dunin agreed with Councilwoman Billig's comments. He also felt that additional litter cans were needed in the downtown area. He felt that if they were provided, they would be used by the public. The City Council directed Dave Romero, Public Services Director, to prepare a cost estimate to increase the number of litter cans in the downtown area. 3. Mission Plaza extension. Henry Engen, Community Development Director, presented a staff report dealing with the Mission Plaza extension'aad stated that the'City Council -had approved the general concept of extending Mission Plaza into the block downstream from the existing plaza. Money has been included in the Capital Improvement Program for land purchases and additional design work. He stated that the staff is now asking the council for additional conceptual direction so detailed planning and environmental review could be carried out. He asked that the City Council tentatively endorse the master site plan prepared by Richard Taylor and recom- mended by the Design Review Board and instruct the staff to proceed in accor- dance with the recommendations. Henry Engen asked that the City Council focus on basic features, for example, Are the types of facilities proposed desirable? Are there others which should , be included? Is the overall extent of the project and general location of the major features acceptable? Are any basic changes needed to complement other facilities the city may choose to locate in the area? He stated that the staff and architect had tried to provide maximum public enjoyment with minimum interference with existing private properties. He suggested that the City Council endorse the master site plan and approve the following program: 1. City Council authorize the program - August, 1979. 2. Council authorize contract with Richard Taylor late August or early September. 1 11 City Council Minutes August 14, 1979, 7:30 p.m. Page 6 4. The city should develop a central - corporation yard complex to meet the service requirements of an ultimate population ranging from 55,000 to 65,000 persons. 5. The facility should contain all yard related operations of the Public Services Department. 6. The site requirements for the ultimate central corporation yard complex is estimated at 5.97 acres. The recommended first stage development would require 5.2 acres of this total. The site proposed for the new yard contains approximately 7 useable acres. 7. The estimated total cost of development of a corporation site to meet the projected requirements of a city of approximately 64,000 residents, including buildings, on- ground parking, site improvements, and landscaping, equipments costs, professional fees and contingencies was estimated by SUA in 1976 at 2,692,682. D.F. Romero then presented the proposed site plan for the corporation yard which was to be located at the corner of Prado Road and Highway 101 at the sewer plant property and an alternate site on Higuera Street, an expansion of the sewer farm property called the Gudel property. Councilman Jorgensen stated he could accept, for general information, the SUA report on the corporation master plan; but he felt the city should put the plan aside as it was too expensive for the city and was a little too rich for consideration. He also felt that the most appropriate site for development was the Gudel property on Higuera Street and not the sewer plant property on Highway 101 and Prado Road. He continued that if this decision were made by the council, he felt the staff should be allowed to develop a master plan, a phasing schedule, and various department needs on a priority basis. D.F. Romero, Public Services Director, stated that, in his opinion, thb`Prado Road site best served the City's interests because it is closer to the heart of the City, thus saving time and cost in getting to and from City jobs. It is a better shape than the Gudel property, thus allowing a more flexible yard layout, it is closer to the sewer plant, thus allowing better correlation with plant operations, and is more remote from residential properties, thus providing for fewer conflicts. Although the Gudel property is less subject to flooding and will require little or no fill, in Mr. Romero's opinion, it is a pooer location for the yard. On motion of Councilman Jorgensen, seconded by Councilman Bond, that the City Council determine that the sewer plant property, Gudel site, be the location of the city's consolidated corporation yard. Motion carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Jorgensen, Bond, Billig, Dunin, and Mayor Cooper NOES: None ABSENT: None On motion of Councilman Jorgensen, seconded by Councilman Bond, that the city staff was to initiate a general plan amendment and zoning amendment as required in order for the city to use the Gudel site for a corporation yard. Motion carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Jorgensen, Bond, Billig, Dunin, and Mayor Cooper NOES: None ABSENT: None City Council Minutes August•14, 1979 - 7:30 p.m. Page 7 On motion of Councilman Jorgensen, seconded by Councilman Dunin, that the city staff be authorized to prepare a master plan, including the EIR, for developing a corporation yard site on the Gudel property with phasing of development and consideration of future disposal of the three existing corporation sites. Motion carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Jorgensen, Dunin, Billig, Bond, and Mayor Cooper NOES: None ABSENT: None 5. Roger Neuman, Chief of Police, presented to the City Council a proposal from the Office of Traffic Safety to transfer a solo motorcycle to the City of San Luis Obispo to aid in traffic enforcement. This motorcycle would be a fully equipped, 1977 Harley Davidson police motorcycle, at no cost to the city. He felt that this was an opportunity for the city, at no capital cost, to see if a motorcycle traffic program would be effective in reducing traffic problems in the City of San Luis Obispo. He continued that motorcycle enforcement programs had been used in neigh- boring cities such as Santa Maria and Santa Barbara with a high degree of success and minimal problems. Such programs, he said, had proven to be a logical alternative to the use of the standard patrol sedan which had limited mobility in highly congested areas. He felt the City of San Luis Obispo was becoming more and more congested during peak traffic periods, particularly in the downtown core district and those arterials leading to and from Cal Poly Campus and the main arterial and collector streets. He stated that many violations of a hazardous nature occur where the driver should be warned or cited, but many times traffic conditions preclude an officer in a patrol sedan from safely getting into a position to stop the violator. Chief Neuman continued that he realized that considerable controversy surrounds the use of two -wheel motorcycles by police agencies, however, the agencies they had contacted had had very few serious injuries over the long run. The key to minimize an additional risk seemed to be the proper selection of personnel, proper training, and well defined policies on proper use. He stated it would be his intent and that of his staff to use the motorcycle as a traffic enforcement vehicle and not in high speed pursuit situations, and would not be used during inclement weather. Also, the program would be analyzed for one year to see the effect the motorcycle enforcement would have on the city traffic probelms. He felt the only cost to the city would be the approximate $1,000 for protective clothing and personal equipment for the motorcycle officers. The training would be through a P.O.S.T. reimbursed program. He stated that while he also has reservations regarding safety, he felt this might be an opportunity to expand and test the effectiveness of such an approach to the ever increasing traffic problems of our community. Lee Walton, City Administrative Officer, stated that like the police chief, he had serious misgivings about bikes for the safety factor. At the same time, he was rather intrigued about the feasibility of substituting an inexpensive bike for a large vehicle in certain situations such as downtown traffic control. He stated that the police chief would probably limit its use to daylight hours and clear weather, but nevertheless it is something about which the staff needs the council's input. The City Council discussed with the police chief primarily the safety aspects of a motorcycle traffic enforcement program in the city. They were not particularly worried about the cost but primarily the safety of not only the officers on the motorcycle, but of other citizens. After discussion, it was moved by Councilman Bond, seconded by Councilman Jorgensen, that the City Council deny the request for motorcycle traffic enforcement at this time. f 1 1 City Council Minutes August 14, 1979 - 7:30 p.m. Page 8 Motion lost on the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Bond and Jorgensen NOES: Councilmembers Dunin and Billig and Mayor Cooper ABSENT: None On motion of Councilwoman Billig, seconded by Councilman Dunin, that the City Council accept the recommendation of the administrative officer and police chief and authorize the motorcycle program with a one -year analysis period. Motion carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Billig and Dunin and Mayor Cooper NOES: Councilmembers Jorgensen and Bond ABSENT: None 6. Glenn Matteson, Assistant Planner, reviewed prior action by the City Council in applying for and receiving designation as an eligible mortgage assistance area by the California Housing Finance Agency. He stated that a new funding cycle was about to begin and he felt the City Council should review the program and decide whether it wants to continue. He felt it was a worthwhile program which required minimal city involvement. He continued that CHFA has operated this program throughout the state for several years. Last year, for the first time, it became available to non - metropolitan areas. He stated that CHFA sells tax - exempt bonds and in turn uses the money to buy loans from private lenders who participate in the program. The tax- exempt status of the bonds allows mortgage interest rates two or three percent below the revailing institutional rate. Lending insti- tutions service the loans. He stated that through July of 1979, the lenders had originated 18 loans in the City of San Luis Obispo for a total value of $676,000. This amounted to 67 percent of their overall loan potential and 100percent of that targeted for purchase only. Unfortunately, nearly all the loans were for converted condominiums (in the Southwood Chalet, apparently the city's lowest cost owner housing). None of the rehabilitation potential had been used. Glenn Matteson recommended that the staff should be authorized to continue consultations with CHFA and local lenders who are or might want to partici- pate in the program, including advocacy of program changes that would make it more workable. On motion of Councilman Jorgensen, seconded by Councilwoman Billig, that the City Council continue the program in the mortgage assistance area. Motion carried on the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Jorgensen, Billig, Bond, Dunin, and Mayor Cooper NOES: None ABSENT: None ' 7. The City Clerk was asked to follow through on having "pro" arguments prepared for the special election to be held on November 6, 1979, involving City Council salary increases. 8. On motion of Councilman Bond, seconded by Councilman Jorgensen, Mayor Cooper and Vice -Mayor Dunin were designated voting delegate and alternate for the Annual League of California Cities Conference Business Session.