HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/12/1982City Council Minutes
Tuesday, October 12, 1982 - 7:00 p.m.
Page 2
bring back those-items of major concern:.:He then:reviewed some.of the
financial Ampacts and how some monies might be generated'from various
sources (see page 8 of the Council agenda report).
Councilman Dunin questioned the viability of using gas lights for all
standard poles and whether it would be efficient.
Jeff Hook explained that "gas light" poles and fixtures like those used
in San Luis Obispo as late as the 1940's would be.difficult to come by,
and the lower the pole height, the greater the number of lights needed.
Dave Romero, Public Services Director, stated a reflector is needed to
point the light downward to be more efficient. Regarding the sidewalk
program and the funding for it, he explained that over half of the
$30,000 from reimbursable sidewalk fund had already been used. New
installation for the $60,000 could be used. Staff is ready for the tree
planting phase and would be requiring the budgeted amount for it.
Upon question, Jeff Hook explained that streets in the perimeter of the
downtown were not included in the staff recommendations on downtown
beautification. Staff felt public improvements should be installed in
the downtoww core area, as that was where most people work and shop.
Councilman Griffin felt that the reduced study area and the rationale
for it was a significant statement which should be included in the
document. He questioned if the addendum would take into account as
recommendations in the manual and how private sector improvements should
;Wterface with the_public.sector.improvements.
Jeff Hook explained that an addendum to the manual would include comments
and changes made previously by Council to the public, as well as the
private sector improvements approved by Council in March 1982.. He
stated that there was no direct interface between public and private 1
sector recommendations. Private sector would be on- going; public sector
improvements could be done on a phased basis.
Councilman Dunin was concerned that the manual incorporate furniture
with benches and trash containers. He also questioned rather than
replacing the utility poles, if they could just be dressed up.
Jeff Hook stated staff did consider a cosmetic appearance with an epoxy
paint using a dark color. It is not desirable, however, because the
paint peels off very easily. P.G.& E. stated they would not -paint light
poles but rather the city would be responsible for painting the poles
and maintaining them. He stated it was staffs recommendation to integrate
downtown benches and landscape planters wherever possible.
Councilman Dunin stated he would like to see, wherever possible, trash
receptacles hidden; mid -block bulb -outs, he would like to incorporate
some street furniture in those areas. He would suggest tree cages
instead of tree wells with the possibility the downtown merchants buy
them.
Councilwoman Dovey stated she would prefer to see the mid -block paving
be done like mission -style sidewalk tiles as she felt it would be more
economical and safer. She agreed with Councilman Dunin about integrating
the furniture at the bulb -out areas.
Councilman Settle questioned if the veneer would be.more cost effective
for the mid -block paving.
Jeff Hook stated veneer paving is popular for residential - installations,
especially around pools, but staff questiond whether it would hold -up
with heavy traffic use.
Dave Romero stated he also felt that staff needed to go slowly with
this. Some areas had been in place for about 6 months, and-he would
like to continue to monitor its durability.
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City Council Minutes
Tuesday, October 12, 1982 - 7:00 p.m.
Page 3
Sandra Gillespie, representing the B.I.A. Beautification Committee,
explained the committee has met frequently discussing the recommended
actions and generally agreed with staff on most recommendations. They
agreed with the alternative of mission -style sidewalks with the banding,
agreed with staff on the recommended bulb -outs; committee did not like
the "zebra" striping in the mid -block area. With regard to street
trees, she suggested continuing with the present city street tree
program; the tree wells were still questionable. They preferred the
iron grating although it was more expensive. They would agree to
include more street furniture, although maintenance was a concern. They
would urge easily maintained and aesthetically pleasing furniture. With
regard to the trash containers, they felt larger ones were necessary;
the round ones would be all right. With regard to street lighting, they
were unable to recommend what they preferred due to the high cost and,
would therefore support the older fluted poles.
Councilman Dunin asked about the use.of kiosks and possibly a calendar
of events in the downtown area.
Sandra Gillespie stated she would be willing to work on a committee to
help plan on possible areas for kiosks or a calendar.
Roger MaCauley, 746 Monterey Street, urged the Council to take a hard
look at the time required for-construction crews to install paving,
etc., as this results in interrupted businesses from 30 to 60 days
during the construction period which could be very detrimental to those
businesses in the downtown area. He was opposed to the round trash
containers as too often they were knocked down through.vandalism and
trash is left all over the streets.
Dave Romero stated that the Public Services Department also supported
the-square containers. The round ones get rolled and trash is spilled.
After brief discussion Council directed staff to bring back more inform-
ation on the trash containers with regard to looks and textures, to be
made available for the next meeting. -
Councilwoman Dovey stated she could support.staff's presentation. She
agreed that fanning out from the Plaza first is important. With regard
to paving, she felt it was more important that overall completion of one
section be done-at a time. She agreed.with recommendations for the
mid -block bulb -out. With regard•to trash containers, she liked the
looks of the round ones but she agreed they had to be practical and if
the.square ones would be-more.practical, she.could support them.:
Containers should.be located.frequently and visually. Regarding mis-
sion -style sidewalks, she felt the program the city has available now
for the-downtown merchants is not being used heavily. She would like to
see the funding be limited.to the downtown area only and not to those
businesses on the perimeter. She felt it was important to obtain the
cooperation -of the business community and to assure that their businesses
are-not blocked for long periods during construction.
Councilman Griffin could support staff recommendations:and would emphasize
interfacing with•the private.sector with regard to style and phasing.
Councilman Settle agreed with the revised design for mission -style
sidewalks and the mid -block bulb -outs. He also would support the
lighting as recommended. With regard to-street trees, he could support
the current street tree program. He was. -open to any suggestions I rom
staff regarding tree wells. He agreed with integrating the furniture.
The signage was all right; he would hold comments regarding trash
receptacles until staff could come back with additional recommendations.
The-overall program concern was budget contsraints and -how it will
affect the businesses during construction. He too agreed with starting
at the Mission Plaza and fanning out:...
Councilman Dunin-stated that , most -important was to develop:a very
precise ten-year projection..-He felt they.-.needed the cooperation of
City Council Minutes
Tuesday, October 12, 1982 - 7:00 p.m.
Page 4
both the B.I.A. and individual business people. The disruption to
businesses should be- phased. He disagreed with staff with regard to no
recommendations on alleys; he felt alleys could be beautified quite
nicely and would like to see it incorporated into the overall program.
His major concern was with maintenance. With regard ..to. the recommended
"zebra" crossings, he would prefer them less obtrusive. -:With regard
to benches, they should be placed in well -lit locations; they should be
for seating, not sleeping, so should not be made-too comfortable.
Landscaping to be added to the bulb-out-areas. With regard to sidewalks,
they should.be fanned out from Mission Plaza but he did not feel all
sidewalks in the downtown had to be made exactly in the same design or
color, just as long as whole sections are done at one time. He would
like to see a liaison between the City Council and B.I.A. so when
implementation would begin, large objections would be eliminated. He
questioned who was responsible for cleaning the streets downtown. He
felt there needed to be better communication between the downtown
business owner'and city crews and suggested staff and a B.I.A. representa-
tive get together to eliminate duplication of efforts.
Mayor Billig felt staff had done an excellent job on the report. She
agreed with having a much more integrated approach. Mission Plaza is
the vocal point and projects should begin there. The phasing proposed
made .sense. The first phase is the most crucial. She was anxious to
get a demonstrated program going for the downtown. Integration of all
elements including street furniture and signage must-be consolidated.
Street furniture should be better integrated into the overall environ-
ment of the downtown so that benches, trash containers, and planters
were done in a consolidated manner. She agreed with Councilwoman Dovey
that mission -style sidewalk funding should be for the central core area,
not for those businesses located on the perimeter.
After brief discussion Council directed staff to answer.questions raised
by Council this evening and submit a mock sketch of what phase I might
look like continuing this item.for November 8, 1982, at 12:10 p.m.
Staff also directed to review alleys, prioritizing how they might be
incorporated at a later time.. (5 -0)
2. STRATEGIC PLANNING PROGRAM/PHASE I
Paul Lanspery, Administrative Officer, reviewed the Strategic Planning
Program outline for the Council which would provide the necessary
information and goals for the Council towork towards: 1) Fiscal
independence for the city; 2) stability of the city's economic base; 3)
better utilization of existing resources; and 4) enhancing the city's
dominant economic role in the region.. He was recommending the Council
initiate the program by authorizing staff to request proposals for
technical assistance and begin assembling background information. The
actual contracts for service would return to Council for approval. If
authorized, the program would be funded by.the project planning and
contingencies account and conducted as a special project of the Community
Development Department. He explained this document was a broad framework
needed to help the Council make policy decisions. Strategic planning
encompasses knowing what is wanted, detailing the steps to get.it, and
being prepared to act when the time is right. .It is a blueprint for
action and a long -range plan on a high level for a specific purpose.
The three objectives would be to: 1) Provide an overview of the :local
economy; 2) explore economic options available to the city; and 3)
prepare a comprehensive economic policy for the community. Although
there were seven items for the program outline, he was concentrating
primarily on the first four.
Toby Ross, Community Development Director, reviewed the four major items
in the program outline which were:. 1) The employment survey and analysis,
which included 12 individual tasks; 2) revenue analysis, which would
require some technical assistance, however, most of the work would be
done inhouse; 3) an industrial land analysis, which would require some
technical assistance; 4) techniques and resources which would require at
least two groups of technical assistants. Other areas were: 5) policy,
look at determinations for five to ten year strategies; 6) implementation,
City Council Minutes
Tuesday, October 12, 1982 - 7:00 p.m.
Page 5
which really is not a part of phase I. A schedule of projects would be
included for the first few months. The first four phases would take
approximately four and one -half months.
Councilman Griffin felt as time went on, the city would be hearing more
about economic recovery. He was excited about the strategic planning
program. The first phase would provide the crucial data for several
decision processes. He agreed with the first three components of the
program outline. When the program is finally developed, he would like
to see a component that would update the analysis and data on a periodic
basis. He would hope, in later phases of the program when the,.Council
is planning 'a design process, to keep an open mind with respect to
policies that come out of this for a long -range plan.
Councilwoman Dovey agreed it was time to become innovative and creative.
She agreed with comments made by Councilman Griffin regarding a component
to continually update this analysis. The community of San Luis Obispo
was unique because people are willing to give and to care and work
together.
Councilman Settle was very enthusiastic and would encourage staff to
continue with their program outline. He mentioned that a Mr. Clucas had
done a financial study on government expenditures that might be useful
for staff when they got to that stage. He felt the prop 4 impact and a
two -year budget would be important to him in the future. With regard to
the overall commercial and land issues, he would be especially interested
in discussion of airports and annexations. He would also be interested
in the department store perspective. He would like additional information
regarding the consultant fees.
Councilman Dunin felt there was a real potential in using this approach.
The city would be concerned with economic effects, especially with
regard to conventional versus non - conventional alternatives including
revenues. When the planning stage is considered with the economic
impact, what affect will it have on the community.
Upon question by Councilman Dunin as to what staff would like to see
this program achieve through implementation, Paul Lanspery stated the
major goal is to provide a framework to make some significant policy
decisions from a common route, and that is an expenditure of city funds,
whether it is a request for help on a downtown project, flood control
program, etc.; it is providing the data to make that policy decision
firm.
Councilman Dunin was hoping it would be more broader in addressing his
concerns with regard to planning of the economic impact on the community
from the Community Development Department's standpoint.
Paul Lanspery replied that he and Mr. Ross had talked a lot about the
outgrowth in terms of reconciling existing conflicts and stated it will
come out.
Councilman Dunin was also concerned that the-financial city- revenues and
analysis be reviewed very carefully. Land use should be closely connected
to the impact on the community.
Councilman Griffin stated he would prefer to see rewording.under the
Goals, item 1, to read "To promote fiscal self reliance for the city"
instead of using "independence." He would like the RFP be based on
specific concerns and not be too open- ended.
Paul Lanspery clarified the project would be primarily a staff - driven
project and not too much reliance on consultants or technical advice.
Councilman Dunin stated it was important to be fiscally independent but
more important to be fiscally responsible.
Mayor Billig stated the city was fiscally sound now because of past
administrations and councils. This Council is currently faced with many
City Council Minutes
Tuesday, October 12, 1982 - 7:00 p.m.
Page 6
financial uncertainties. This would be an excellent tool for self
sufficiency, It would help with the Council's ambitious work program.
She was very supportive of the staff's program outline.
After brief discussion it was moved by Councilman.Settle, seconded by
Councilman - Griffin to direct staff. -to initiate the program-and solicit
RFP's for technical assistance and review. Approval for Phase.I plans
to be brought back for- Council consideration. Motion carried,.all ayes.
C O M M U N I C A T I O N
After brief discussion Council directed the Administrative Officer to
contact the Human Relations Commission staff regarding the Salvation
Army's recent decision to discontinue "The Soup Kitchen." (5 -0)
There being no further business•.to come before the City Council, Mayor
Billig adjourned the meeting at 9:35 p.m. to .. sday,.October.26,.1982,
at 5:30 p.m. j
, gLty /tlerk
APPROVED BY COUNCIL:: 11/9/82 �! .
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M I N U T E S
ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
TUESDAY,- OCTOBER.26, 1982 5:30.P.M:
COUNCIL,HEARING ROOM, CITY HALL, 990 PALM STREET.
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
STUDY. SESSION
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers
Present: GlennaDeane Dovey, Ron Dunin, Robert Griffin, Allen
Settle and Mayor Melanie C. Billig
Absent: None.
City Staff
Present: Paul Lanspery, Administrative Officer; Pamela Voges, City
Clerk; Wayne Peterson, City Engineer; Rudy Muravez,
Finance.Director;.Ann McKibbin, Personnel.Director; Dave
Romero, Public Works Director
1. PUBLIC SERVICES ORGANIZATION /MANAGEMENT STUDY..
Council reviewed the study prepared by Ralph Andersen and Associates
entitled "Management Review of Public Services Department."
Paul Lanspery, Administrative Officer, introduced Larry Andersen project
manager who was instrumental in putting the project together, Clay Brown
was unable to make it today.
Larry Andersen, project manager, reviewed the process by which the study
had been conducted. He explained that reports had been made by both
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