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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. L 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 �! . --------------=--------------------------------------=------------ 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 1 1 1