HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/30/1993City Council Meeting
Tuesday, March 30, 1993 - 6:00 PM
Page 2
7:05 PM there being no further business to come before the City, Mayor Pinard adjourned the meeting.
APPROVED BY COUNCIL
Diane R. Gladwell, City Clerk
DRG:cm
MINUTES
STUDY SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 1993 - 7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS - CITY HALL - 990 PALM STREET
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
ROLL CALL
Council Members
1
Present: Council Members Penny Rappe, Dave Romero, Allen K. Settle, Vice -
Mayor Bill Roalman, and Mayor Peg Pinard
Absent: None
City Staff
Present: John Dunn, City Administrative Officer; Jeff Jorgensen, City Attorney, '
Diane Gladwell, City Clerk; Ken Hampian, Assistant City Administrative
Officer; Arnold Jonas, Community Development Director, Deb Hossli,
Administrative Analyst
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
There were no public comments.
BUSINESS ITEM
WOMEN'S SHELTER (File No. 1012)
Council considered a request by staff for direction on the City's Community Development Block Grant
to purchase and rehabilitate the Women's Shelter (continued from 3/16/93).
Ken Hamoian. Assistant City Administrative Officer, reviewed the staff report and past efforts to
resolve funding efforts. Deb Hossli, Administrative Analyst, reviewed Housing Element requirements,
impacts on the grant, and five options available to Council:
Option 1 - Adopt a Housing Element that includes the regional housing projections as
calculated by the COG.
Option 2 - Adopt a Housing Element that includes the regional housing projections as
calculated by the COG - with qualifiers.
Option 3 - Adopt a Housing Element that includes a mutually acceptable compromise between
the City and State regarding regional housing needs projections. '
Option 4 - Decline the grant and assist the Women's Shelter to secure alternative funding
City Council Meeting : - ' Page 3
Tuesday, March 30, 1993 - 7:00 PM
to purchase the property (e.g. Housing Authority.)
Option 5 - Decline the Grant.
George Movlan, Housing Authority Director, stated that he would not commit funds without prior
approval of the Housing Authority, but would consider presenting the option of utilizing $200,000 in
CDBG funds because of the importance of the Women's Shelter.
Council discussed the disadvantage of taking these funds from other projects and the County-wide
scope of the Women's Shelter. program.
Lamy Campbell. Women's Shelter Director, expressed his support for obtaining the $444,000 from the
grant via the City certifying its Housing Element. In lieu of this option, he described other alternatives
including the City giving the Shelter $200,000 and the Shelter raising $170,000; Housing Authority
funding; and the City purchasing the property and transferring the title and ownership to the Women's
Shelter.
Karen Ramsay, Domestic Violence Coordinator for the County of San Luis Obispo, stated the Shelter
played a vital role in successfully prosecuting spousal abuse.
Michelle Blank, 1160 Marsh St, #114, an attorney, stated her support for option #3.
Betty Culp. President of the University Women of San Luis Obispo, asked people to visualize a
spousal abuse scene and requested support for the Shelter.
' Steve Nelson. Chair . of the Housing Authority, stated his reluctance of offer the $115,000 and
supported option #3.
Rick Cohen, Executive Directory of the Hotline for San Luis Obispo County, stated his support for the
Shelter, as they refer many women that need assistance.
Frank Drake. 1868 Thelma Dr, cautioned against the City taking title because of structural problems;
the Shelter would need dear title to proceed with a children's development center proposed on the
site.
Barbara McGregor. Director of the North County Shelter, expressed her concern that they would not
be able to provide for the overflow of requests.
Pat Hams, 1437 8th St., Los Osos, urged a permanent solution.
Mary Whiteford, 431 Java, Morro Bay, stated she had used the Shelter and expressed her support.
Clarice Bell, 4280 S. Higuera #4, urged support for the Shelter, which she had also used.
Bill Helium, 972 Church St, complimented Council on its efforts, stating it was an opportunity to do
the right thing.
Angie Kina, President of the Women's Attorney Association, stated her support of for the grant
alternative.
Delores Winia, 578 Marsh, stated the Shelter had helped her, and stated her support.
City Council Meeting Page 4
Tuesday, March 30, 1993 - 7:00 PM
Eric Daniels. Assistant to State Assemblywoman Andrea Seastrand, read a letter into the record which
reviewed compromise efforts of HCD in their requirements, and gave examples of other Cities that
were in compliance with Housing Element requirements and still retained housing caps.
Scott Smith. 1411 Marsh St, Director of Programming for Peoples Self -Help Housing, stated they had
also applied for a grant and urged the City to work to change the law, but not ignore State
requirements.
Jeanette Duncan. Director of Peoples Self-Help Housing, urged the City to work with the State.
Gary Fowler, 777 Mill, opposed taxpayers money being spent to support the Shelter, and urged the
Shelter purchase the property with contributions.
Biz Steinberg, 1585 Cordova Dr., urged adoption of option #3 and expressed her concern about
restricting the Housing Authorities' ability to provide low-income housing opportunities in the future.
Carla Sanders. San Luis Obispo, stated 80% of cities are out of compliance with State Housing
Element requirements and urged Council not to compromise the high quality of life in San Luis
Obispo. She urged the adoption of alternative #4 or #5.
Council inquired about other cities with growth caps; staff responded they had no information, that
80% of cities were out of compliance and the HCD had made no offers to compromise on the required
numbers of housing units. Council discussed alternatives, processes, impacts and community needs.
Moved by Settle /Roalman to direct staff to work with the Housing Authority to pursue Option #4 for
alternative funding mechanisms, including CDBG funds for the purposes of the Women's Shelter; staff
to research cities (listed by Assemblywoman Andrea Seastrand) to determine howthey have compiled
with growth component and report back at the April 6, 1993 Council meeting; staff to explore financing
methods proposed bythe Housing Authority; motion carried (4-1, Council Member Romero voting no).
9:28 pm Mayor Pinard declared a recess.
9:48 pm Council reconvened; all Council Members present.
Moved by Romero /Rapps to direct staff to actively explore Options 2 & 3 (adopt Housing Element with
qualifiers, negotiate with State on regional housing needs projections) after checking on
Assemblywoman Seastrand's letter and securing the list of cities read by the Director of the Women's
Shelter; motion carried (5-0).
STUDY SESSION
2. STUDENT HOUSING (File No. 435)
Council considered a joint study of Student Housing Preferences (study) prepared in cooperation with
Cal Poly.
Dr. Hazel Scott . Vice President of Student Affairs for Cal Poly, reviewed various housing issues
including a 22% vacancy rate in residence halls, reductions in student population, off - campus housing
and student preferences.
City Council Meeting Page 5
Tuesday, March 30, 1993 - 7:00 PM
Dr. Gil- Stork. Vice President of Student Services, Cuesta College, stated that 40% of their incoming
students were from outside the County, which has led to joint housing programs with Cal Poly.
Donald Combs, representing the Off- Campus Housing Association, stated that his association
provides housing for 3,500 students (20% more than Cal Poly). Cueste is sending a brochure about
housing provided by the Association to potential students.
Council discussed problems, alternative strategies and their impacts and agreed that the housing
situation will be monitored at joint quarterly meetings held between the City and Cal Poly.
JOINT STUDY SESSION
ROLL CALL (Housing Authority)
Present: Commissioners Alice Martin, Donald O'Connor, Elizabeth Steinberg,
and Chairman Stephen R. Nelson
Absent: Commissioners Leland Balatti, Jamie Daniel, and Ruth Wirshup
3. HOUSING ISSUES (File No. 1032)
Council considered various housing issues facing the City, including the role of the Housing Authority
In meeting the City's housing needs, inclusionary zoning, mixed -use developments, affordable
housing, establishing a housing trust fund and Community Development Block Grant funding.
' Stephen Nelson, Housing Authority Chair, reviewed various projects now conducted by the Authority,
including county -wide Section 8 programs and the need for free land.
George Moon, Housing Authority Director, explained various types of housing and the difficulties
in providing single - family housing. He also reviewed difficulties with the Community Re- investment
Act and high interest rates.
Council discussed problems, solutions and other communities approaches. Mixed -use development
and the potential of the Housing Authority administering entitlement monies was explored. Council
requested Housing Authority input on Housing Element, especially as it related to stimulating housing
via inclusionary zoning, redevelopment and acting as an entitlement agency.
COMMUNICATIONS
COMMA. Council Member Romero asked to discuss his memorandum regarding water
consumption as it related to safe annual yield on April 6, 1993.
COMM.2. Mayor Pinard invited participation in Disability Awareness Day (4/22/93).
11:59 P.M. there being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Pinard adjourned
the meeting.
APPROVED BY COUNCIL 5/11/93
i e R. Gladwell, dAy Clerk
DRG:cm