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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/01/1997MINUTES ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 1997- 8:30 A.M. LIBRARY COMMUNITY ROOM, 995 PALM STREET 1 SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA ROLL CALL: Council Members Present: Council Members Kathy Smith, Dave Romero, Dodie Williams, Vice Mayor Bill Roalman, and Mayor Allen Settle City Staff Present: John Dunn, City Administrative Officer; Jeff Jorgensen, City Attorney; Bonnie Gawf, City Clerk; Ken Hampian, Assistant City Administrative Officer; Arnold Jonas, Community Development Director; Bill Statler, Finance Director; Jim Gardiner, Chief of Police; Bob Neumann, Fire Chief; Ann Slate, Director of Personnel; John Moss, Utilities Director, Mike McCluskey; Public Works Director, Paul LeSage, Parks and Recreation Director, Ron Whisenand, Development Review Manager, Neil Havlik, Natural Resources Manager; Wendy George, Assistant to the CAO; Jane McVey, Economic Development Manager; Carolyn Dominguez, Accounting Manager, Linda Asprian, Revenue Manager; Kim Condon, Assistant City Clerk. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD There were no public comments. COUNCILGOAL -SETTING WORKSHOP Mayor Settle welcomed attendees and introduced Don Maruska. Mr. Maruska outlined the purpose, process and guidelines for goal setting. He indicated that previous testimony from the January 14"' meeting was available in binders for public review. CAO Dunn differentiated between general goals and the action /work plans that are developed to meet those goals. He presented a brief summary of the status of the goals set during the 1995 -97 budget process, and stated that many of the goals are multi -year and while specific two year work programs have been completed, the larger goal may be ongoing into the next budget year. Finance Director Statler reviewed the five year fiscal forecast, presenting three scenarios for the level of the Capital Improvement budget. He detailed options and strategies for Council consideration during the budgeting process. CAO Dunn asked Council to set budget preparation parameters in areas of staffing and services, as well as setting specific goals and determining the level of spending for the CIP over the next two years. He detailed some of the limitations on raising new revenues set by the passage of Proposition 218. Mayor Settle opened the floor to public comment. Loren Brown spoke in favor of forming a "quasi- public" nonprofit organization to collect donations for the preservation of open space and stated that the City should annex the Airport Area . Ray Belknap, Land Conservancy, spoke in favor of working with landowners and of a public - private partnership with regard to preserving the greenbelt. Dr. Steve Hanson spoke in favor of improving police efforts to reduce alcohol use by teens, with a focus on penalizing sellers. City Council Meeting Saturday, February 1, 1997 - 8:30 a.m. Page 2 Robert Vessels, Friends of the Adobes, spoke in support of working in a partnership with the City to restore and preserve the adobes. John McCutcheon' Cal Poly University, spoke in favor of City participation with the university in the proposed sports complex. Phil Ashley spoke in favor of continued funding for ECOSLO and adding a staff biologist position to address fish and wildlife concerns. He spoke in opposition to the Cal Poly sports complex. Rose Chaplev spoke in support of increased funding for child protective services. Elmer Mever spoke in favor of providing additional parking for the Senior Center or changing the bus schedule to accommodate more frequent trips to the center. Kelly Brighton spoke in opposition to City participation in the proposed Cal Poly sports complex project, stating that it might jeopardize the area's wetlands. Geoff Land, ECOSLO, spoke in favor of protecting the area's natural resources during the annexation and development process. Bruce Bennett stated that he is concerned that the proposed sports complex would not meet the needs of both area youth and Cal Poly, and that there would be too much competition for the use of the fields. Carey Barkley, Cal Poly student, spoke regarding concerns about the transit system and the proposed sports fields. Jan Hallmarks stated that she is concerned about area wetlands if the sports fields project is completed as proposed. Eugene Jud spoke in support of developing rail transportation for the area. Richard Kreisa. Environmental Task Force, spoke in support of adding a fish and wildlife biologist to the City staff, and voiced concerns regarding the funding and use of the proposed Cal Poly sports project. Having no further requests to speak, Mayor Settle returned the discussion to the City Council. Upon the request of the City Council, clarification was given regarding the three proposed scenarios for funding the CIP, and discussion ensued. Consensus was reached by the Council to direct staff to prepare the budget within the following parameters: • achieve a balanced budget for 1997 -99, which may include temporarily reducing the reserve level and reimbursing it later • explore possible additional revenue sources • fund the CIP at approximately $1,900,000 to maintain existing facilities • maintain existing services while looking for ways to streamline service delivery Mayor Settle recessed the meeting for lunch at 12:20 p.m. and reconvened at 1:00 p.m. As Council discussed and consolidated their individual lists of goals, Mr. Maruska asked for a show of hands to indicate if at least three Council Members would like to have a proposed goal included on a list of major City goals to be further prioritized and defined. 1. Meet City's long -term water supply needs by (a) reaching agreement with North County cities on the Nacimiento & Salinas projects; (b) completing phase I of the water reuse project (5 -0). 2. Adequately maintain existing streets and sidewalks in accordance with the pavement management plan (5 -0). 3. Implement the General Plan Circulation Element projects as they relate to improved vehicle traffic (4-1, Roalman opposed). 4. Implement General Plan Circulation Element traffic mitigation projects (e.g. traffic calming) 1 1 f City Council Meeting Saturday, February 1, 1997 - 8:30 a.m. Page 3 for residential and commercial areas (5 -0). 5. Adopt and begin implementation of flood management. plans for creeks, open channels, and a closed conduit storm drain conveyance system (5 -0). 6. Acquire permits and implement Laguna Lake dredging (4-1, Roalman opposed). 7. Continue implementation of adopted bicycle plan (5 -0). 8. Begin construction of Marsh Street Parking structure expansion (3 -1 -1, Roalman opposed, Smith abstained). 9. Maintain existing level of transit service (5-0). 10. Continue transit transfer project (5 -0). 11. Participate with Cal Poly as a partner in development of sports facilities complex, subject to funding, use agreement and environmental mitigation (3 -2, Roalman, Smith opposed) 12. Continue implementation of Parks & Recreation Element, emphasizing neighborhood parks, at risk youth, youth and seniors (5 -0) 13. Continue economic development program implementation (5 -0). 14. Proactively work to revitalize Madonna Plaza and Central Coast Mall (5 -0). 15. Develop a master plan for lower Higuera Street from downtown to Madonna Road (5 -0). 16. Pursue the Airport Area annexation by completing the specific plan and implementing an interim annexation strategy (4-1, Roalman opposed). 17. Encourage creation of non -profit corporations for projects such as open space acquisition and adobe preservation (5 -0). 18. Actively encourage on campus student housing for Cuesta and Cal Poly (failed 2-3, Roalman, Romero, Williams opposed). 19. Continue neighborhood preservation efforts relating to noise, traffic, maintenance and "on campus" student housing (5 -0). 20. Continue open space acquisition funding by setting aside $100,000 per year from the General Fund (3 -2, Romero, Williams opposed). 21. Identify a permanent open space funding mechanism to be presented to voters in November, 1998(5-0). 22. Update the conservation element (3 -2, Romero, Williams opposed). 23. Protect the City's long-term fiscal health by maintaining a balanced budget, an adequate capital plan and an adequate reserve (5 -0). Council directed that even though the following items were not major City goals, that they would refer them to staff to work on under departmental programs. 1. Senior Center parking 2. HRC grants 3. Homeless Services Center 4. Library funding 5. Continued support for the arts and the PCC grant program 6. Architectural review guidelines 7. Historical preservation 8. Implementation of an employee development tuition reimbursement A list of twenty-two major goals was prepared by staff, and Mr. Maruska asked Council Members to assign points ranging from 0-4 to rank the importance of each goal, with 5 points being the most important. He explained that each Council Member had a total of 75 points to assign to the list of goals. Results of the ranking are attached, and incorporated into these minutes. Council agreed that those goals receiving 19 or more points would be ranked as "Major City Goals ", and those receiving 13 -18 would be secondary goals, while the last two would be addressed as resources permit. Council Members clarified their intent that existing programs continue. There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Settle adjourned the meeting at 4:45 p.m. to Tuesday, February 4, 1997 at 4:00 p.m. in the Library Conference Room, 995 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. ' APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 3/18/97 BG:dr 7-1W � 7 � - W0-0751 � � i