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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/16/1998CLOSED SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 1998 COUNCIL HEARING ROOM, 990 PALM STREET SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA ROLL CALL: Council Members Present: Council Members Bill Roalman, Dave Romero, Dodie Williams, and Mayor Allen Settle Absent: Vice Mayor Kathy Smith City Staff Present: Jeff Jorgensen, City Attorney; John Dunn, City Administrative Officer; Ken Hampian, Assistant City Administrative Officer; Jim Gardiner, Police Chief City Council held a closed session to discuss the following issue: ' CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - Pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9 Existing Litigation - McCartin v. City of San Luis Obispo No action was taken. Mayor Settle adjourned to open session. APPROVED BY COUNCIL: BLG:dr 1 By: Kim Gawf, City Clerk on Acting City Clerk MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL ' CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 1998 - 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBER, 990 PALM STREET SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA ROLL CALL: Council Members Present: Council Members Bill Roalman, Dave Romero, Dodie Williams, and Mayor Allen K. Settle Absent: Vice Mayor Kathy Smith 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, Police Chief; Bob Neumann, Fire Chief; John Moss, Utilities Director; Mike McCluskey, Public Works Director; John Mandeville, Long Range Planning Manager; Ron Whisenand, Development Review Manager; Wendy George, Assistant to the CAO; Kathy Mills, Recreation ' Supervisor; Terry Sanville, Principal Transportation Planner On behalf of the City Council, Council Member Williams recognized and welcomed third graders from the Los Ranchos School Civics class. PRESENTATIONS P1. Gary Felsman, Sierra Club and Geoff Land, ECOSLO, hung a painting in the Council Chamber of Bishop Peak, painted by Dottie Hawthorne and donated to the City by the Sierra Club and ECOSLO. Natural Resources Manager Havlik gave a brief statement. Mr. Land acknowledged Carol Pimentel, ECOSLO Board of Directors. PUBLIC COMMENT No one spoke under public comment. CONSENT AGENDA Council Member Romero stated for the record, that the Railroad bicycle path contract changes are necessary as a result of errors. He said he is opposed to using traffic impact fees for bicycle paths, and will only vote in favor of it because it requires four affirmative votes to pass, and it is not his intent to delay the project until a full Council is present. Council Member Williams noted that she was not in attendance at the May 26`" Higuera Street Walking tour and asked that the minutes be corrected to reflect that. City Council Meeting Page 2 Tuesday, June 16, 1998 - 7:00 p.m. Moved by Williams /Romero to approve the consent calendar, as amended; motion carried ' (4 -0-1; Smith absent). C1. COUNCIL MINUTES Council considered the minutes of: Tuesday, May 19, 1998 @ 7:00 p.m.; Thursday, May 21, 1998 @ 7:00 p.m.; Tuesday, May 26, 1998 @ 12:00 p.m.; Thursday, May 28,1998 @ 11:30 a.m.; Tuesday, June 2,1998 @ 4:00 p.m.; and, Tuesday, June 2, @ 7:00 p.m. Moved by Williams/Romero to waive oral reading and approve minutes as amended; motion carried (4-0-1, Smith absent). C2. REAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION (File No. 601 -03) Council considered the purchase of property located at 879 Morro Street for the price of $468,034. Moved by Williams /Romero to approve purchase, authorize the preparation of letter of friendly condemnation, and authorize the City Administrative Officer to sign purchase documents and deed; motion carried (4-0-1, Smith absent). C3. APPROPRIATIONS LIMIT (File No. 410 -05) Council considered establishing the City 's appropriations limit and selecting adjustment factors for 1998 -99. Moved by Williams /Romero to Resolution No. 8813 setting appropriations limit for 1998 -99; motion carried (4-0-1, Smith absent). C4. TRANSIT INTERFUND BORROWING (File No. 803 -01) Council considered interfund borrowing up to $456,100 from the General Fund. to the Transit Fund until 1997 -98 Federal Transit Administration grant revenues are received. Moved by Williams /Romero to authorize interfund borrowing; motion carried (4 -0-1, Smith absent). C5. NOVEMBER 3, 1998 ELECTION (File No. 702 -01) Council considered calling the November 3, 1998 election, and requesting the Board of Supervisors consolidate the General Municipal Election with the State -wide Election. Moved by Williams /Romero to adopt Resolution No. 8814 calling the election, and adopt Resolution No. 8815 requesting consolidation; motion carried (4 -0-1, Smith absent). C6. CITY COUNCIL MEETING SCHEDULE (File No.) ' Council considered canceling the regular City Council meetings of August 4, 1998 and November 3, 1998, and scheduling a meeting on November 10, 1998. City Council Meeting Page 3 Tuesday, June 16, 1998 - 7:00 p.m. Moved by Williams /Romero to direct staff to cancel meeting of August 4, 1998 and November 3, 1998 and schedule a meeting on November 10, 1998; motion carried (4 -0-1, Smith absent). C7. LEASE AGREEMENTS - LITTLE THEATRE & CHILDREN'S MUSEUM (File No. 1105 -04 8; 1105-06) Council considered giving conceptual approval to a long -term lease agreement with the Children's Museum located at 1010 Nipomo, and approving a two -year extension (to 2002) of the current lease with San Luis Obispo Little Theatre (SLOLT) for property located at 888 Morro Street. Moved by Williams/Romero to give conceptual approval to long -term lease for the Children's Museum, and two -year extension to Little Theatre lease, and continue to assist SLOLT's search for an appropriate long -term theatre location; motion carried (4-0-1, Smith absent). C8. VEHICLE LICENSE FEES (File No.) Council considered a statement of the City's opposition to the State phase -out of vehicle license fees. Moved by Williams /Romero to adopt Resolution No. 8816 opposing the phase -out of vehicle license fees (VLF), supporting the concept that if this occurs, any phase -out must be linked to a constitutionally- guaranteed back - filling of these revenues from other sources and the return of property taxes taken away from cities and counties by the State through the Education Revenue Augmentation Fund; motion carried (4 -0 -1, Smith absent). C9. GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (File No. 704-06) Council considered global positioning system equipment acquisition. Moved by Williams /Romero to: 1) authorize the Public Works Director to approve a purchase order in the amount of $61,584.52 to Trimble Navigation Ltd. for global position system equipment, and 2) approve transferring $24,200 from other project accounts to cover the full cost of buying and implementing the equipment; motion carried (4 -0-1, Smith absent). C10. REDEVELOPMENT CONTRACT (File No. 704 -06) Council considered executing a contract with Urban Futures, Inc. to study the feasibility of establishing redevelopment financing areas in San Luis Obispo. Moved by Williams /Romero to approve and authorize the Mayor to execute a contract in the amount of $20,000; motion carved (4 -0-1, Smith absent). C11. LEND -A -HAND PROGRAM (File No.) Council considered a program to allow residents and businesses to become actively involved in City activities by offering programs that would allow them to perform ' maintenance duties or provide service to the community. City Council Meeting Page 4 Tuesday, June 16,1998 - 7:00 p.m. Moved by Williams /Romero to approve in concept a.Lend -A -Hand program; motion carried ' (4-0-1, Smith absent). : C12. RAILROAD BICYCLE PATH CONTRACT CHANGES Council considered appropriation of an additional $100,000 for construction of the Railroad Bicycle Path. Moved by Williams /Romero to appropriate an additional $100,000 for construction of the Railroad Bicycle Path from the Transportation Impact Fee Fund Balance; motion carried (4- 0-1, Smith absent) COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS Council Member Romero reported on the SLOCOG /SLORTA meeting of June 3'", where funding for the widening of Higuera Street, the installation of call boxes on Highway 166 and the receipt of the National award for "value engineering" by the local committee for the Cuesta Grade Project were discussed. Council Member Romero reported on the progress of the proposed parking garage at the Performing Arts Center. Mayor Settle reported on a meeting with representatives from Tsao Twen, Taiwan, who met with two Council Members to strengthen a past a sister city relationship with San Luis Obispo. 1 PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. RAILROAD DISTRICT MASTER PLAN (File No.) Council held a public hearing to consider taking final action on the Railroad District Master Plan. (Continued from 612198.) Community Development Director Jonas presented the staff report, and Long Range Planning Manager Mandeville gave details relating minor amendments made to the plan. Mayor Settle opened the public hearing. Louise McDonald, SLO, Board of Directors of the Alano Club, stated that the club has concerns regarding the expenses that may be necessary for boardwalks, and asked for Council's consideration in helping them deal with any expenses incurred. Staff clarified that no immediate expenses would be incurred by the club as a result of the adoption of the plan. Mayor Settle closed the public hearing. Council discussed traffic concerns regarding Santa Barbara Street. After discussion, moved by Williams /Roalman to adopt Resolution No. 8817 which: 1) ' approves the negative declaration of environmental impact, as modified; 2) approves the Railroad District Plan, as modified; and, 3) initiates rezoning to establish the Railroad Historic District; motion carried (4 -0-1, Smith absent). City Council Meeting Page 5 Tuesday, June 16,1998 - 7:00 p.m. Moved by Williams/Romero to refer the Santa Barbara Street turn issues to staff to bring back options for a relatively expedient solution. Council Member Roalman asked to amend 1 the motion so existing bicycle lanes would not be affected; and Council Member Williams did not amend the motion; motion carried (3 -1 -1, Roalman no, Smith absent). Moved by RomeroWilliams to direct staff to bring back an item for Council's review regarding a long term study of the plan lines along Santa Barbara with regard to the Circulation Element; motion carried (3 -1 -1, Roalman no, Smith absent). 2. SATURN APPEAL - 2959 BROAD ST. (File No.) Council held a public hearing to consider an appeal by Arthur D. Murphy and Julie Stowasser of Architectural Review Commission and Planning Commission actions approving a request for a new /used car dealership and service center at 2959 Broad Street. Community Development Director Jonas presented the staff report. Mayor Settle opened the public hearing. Julie Stowasser, SLO, stated that her concerns include traffic considerations at Sweeney and Broad and her investment in her home. She asked Council to support the establishment of the dealership on Los Osos Valley Road. Art Murphy, 2974 Rockview, President of Rockview Court HOA, spoke in support of the appeal and asked Council to uphold it. He clarified that if the appeal is denied, he supports the conditions. Joe Delucia, 1042 Palm, Saturn Representative, said that he is sensitive to the homeowners' concerns, and that the conditions, as written, will adequately address those concerns. Chuck Pratzer, 738 E Higuera St., Architect, stated that he supports the recommendation and asked Council to deny the appeal. Pat Cusack, Owner of Saturn Santa Maria, said that the conditions address the concerns raised by the neighbors and asked Council to deny the appeal. Mayor Settle closed the public hearing. Council discussed the condition regarding fencing that surrounds the proposed dealership. Community Development Director Jonas noted that the condition allowing a wooden fence has been approved based on the noise studies. He clarified that the condition establishes a minimum. Council Member Roalman stated that because he is concerned about impacts to the neighborhood, he will support upholding the appeals. After discussion, moved by Romero/Williams to adopt Resolution No. 8818 determining that the project's Negative Declaration adequately addresses potential significant environmental impacts and denying the appeals; motion carried (3 -1 -1, Roalman voting no, Smith absent). 3. APPEAL - DECK AT 726 HIGUERA STREET (File No. 201 -11) , The appeal was withdrawn by the appellant prior to the meeting. City Council Meeting Page 6 Tuesday, June 16, 1998 - 7:00 p.m. 4. TREE APPEAL - 364 BUCHON (Fite No. 201 -11) The appeal was withdrawn by the appellant prior to the meeting. 5. 1998 -99 BUDGET (File No.) Council held a public hearing to consider amendments to the 1997 -99 Financial Plan and appropriating funds for fiscal year 1998 -99 in the amount of $54,509,700. Finance Director Statler presented the staff report He summarized the City's financial position, significant operating program changes and CIP projects. He said the issues for the future include Open space, flood protection PERS rates and vehicle license fees. Recreation Supervisor Mills addressed Council's questions regarding the additional Ranger's services, and Assistant to the CAO George answered questions regarding funding for Art in Public Places. Council discussed the available financing for the sidewalk program, and staff clarified that $150,000 is set aside in the Financial Plan for sidewalks. Council discussed open space funding issues. Mayor Settle opened the public hearing. John Belsher, 412 Marsh Street, suggested that money in the unallocated public art fund be used to partially fund the installation of arches at the northern and southern entrances to the City, as shown in the Downtown Design Plan. Mayor Settle closed the public hearing. After discussion, moved by Williams /Roalman to . adopt Resolution No. 8819 approving budget amendments; motion carried (3 -1 -1, Romero voting no, Smith absent). For the record, Council Member Romero stated that his no vote is because he believes the amount of the water reserve is excessive, and the increase in rates is not necessary. BUSINESS ITEM 6. STATE HIGHWAY ACCOUNT REVISED PROGRAM (File No. 1601 -07) Council considered a revised program budget for use of State Highway Account (SHA) funds and proposals to use Federal Transportation Enhancement Activity (TEA) funds. Public Works Director McCluskey introduced the staff report, and Principal Transportation Planner Sanville detailed the projects. Mayor Settle opened the meeting for public comment. Dr. John Parker reported that he is working on the cataloguing the artifacts found at the Palm Street garage site. He said that his project falls within two categories of the TEA funding, and asked the Council to support additional funding for it. ' Mayor Settle returned discussion to the Council. City Council Meeting Page 7 Tuesday, June 16, 1998 - 7:00 p.m. Council directed staff to defer further considerations of Project Study Report funding until the Draft Project EIR for the Froom Ranch Development is published. After discussion, moved by Williams /Romero to 1) adopt Resolution No. 8820 approving a revised program budget for use of SHA funds and submittal of a grant application for the use of Federal TEA funds; 2) approve a proposal to use $535,040 in TEA funds and $72,960 in State Proposition 116 funds to rehabilitate the historic Railroad Freight Building and purchase nearby surplus railroad right -of -way; and, 3) authorize the CAO to submit funding applications to the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments relative to Items 1 and 2, and to execute requisite Cooperative Funding agreements; motion carried (4-0-1, Smith absent). Moved by Romero/Williams to supplement funding for the archeological study in the amount of $28,000, to be appropriated from the unappropriated balance in the General Fund; motion carried (4-01, Smith absent) COMMUNICATIONS Comm 1. Mayor Settle said the Planning Commission has requested that Council allow them to appoint an ad hoc citizen's committee. City Attorney Jorgensen clarified that the Charter requires that citizens' committees be established by a resolution of the Council before appointments can be made. Council Members agreed that a resolution to form an ad hoc committee would have to be brought back to the City Council. CLOSED SESSION Mayor Settle adjourned the meeting to a scheduled closed session as follows: CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL - Pursuant to Gov. Code Sec. 54956.9 ' Existing Litigation - McCartin v. City of San Luis Obispo CLOSED SESSION ANNOUNCEMENT The Council reconvened in open session, and City Attorney Jorgensen announced that no action was taken at the closed session. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Settle adjourned the meeting at 10:50 p.m. to Thursday, June 18, 1998 at 12 Noon in the Council Chamber, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 717198 BLG:dr . By City Clerk Kim Condon Acting City Clerk 1