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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/27/2001MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2001 -12:00 P.M. COUNCIL HEARING ROOM, 990 PALM STREET SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA ROLL CALL: Council Members Present: Council Members Jan Howell Marx, Christine Mulholland, Ken Schwartz, Vice Mayor John Ewan, and Mayor Allen K. Settle City Staff: Present: Ken Hampian, City Administrative Officer; Jeff Jorgensen, City Attorney; Lee Price, City Clerk; Wendy George, Assistant City Administrative Officer; John Mandeville, Community Development Director; Mike McCluskey, Public Works Director; and Peggy Mandeville, Transportation Planner 1. PARKING AND ACCESS ADVISORY BODY SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITIES. Transportation Planner Mandeville presented several options for establishing a parking and access advisory body. She corrected an error In the staff report by noting that staff was not recommending the elimination of the Downtown Association Parking Committee but rather City ' staff support to the committee (see Alternatives 4, 5 and 6). Public Works Director McCluskey clarified that staff was seeking input on the structure and duties of the committee and would bring the matter back for final action in early 2002. Council questions and comments followed. Council Member Schwartz summarized concerns expressed in his memo to the Council dated November 23, 2001 (on file in the Office of the City Clerk). He argued that a new committee is not needed and suggested that the Planning Commission is the appropriate advisory body to consider issues of parking, access and circulation. Discussion followed regarding Alternative #5 as outlined in the staff report Council Members Marx and Ewan indicated a preference for this alternative. Council Member Schwartz agreed that this option was his fall -back position to having no advisory body. Council Member Mulholland spoke in opposition to eliminating the Mass Transportation Committee (MTC) and the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) in order to create a new advisory body and proposed that the Downtown Association Parking Committee, the MTC and the BAC meet as a whole every other month to discuss Issues relating to parking, access and circulation. Vice Mayor Ewan argued that it would more advantageous to combine the MTC and the BAC and broaden their scope. Council Member Marx recommended that the Council consider, as another alternative, appointing a committee of liaisons from the MTC, the BAC, the Downtown Association Parking Committee and perhaps representatives from the "uptown merchants ". A break from this matter was called by the Mayor at 1:00 p.m. for the purpose of moving to Item #2, as follows. For action on this item, see page 2. 1 Special City Council Meeting Page 2 Tuesday, November 27, 2001 -12:00 p.m. 2. STATUS OF CUESTA COLLEGE HOUSING STUDY. Cuesta College President Marie Rosenwasser provided an update on the first phase of a housing study conducted by Cuesta College, as part of an overall facilities master plan. She summarized the results of a consultant's survey and reported that the Board has decided to not proceed with Phase II until they know the on -going costs and impacts to the College. The next step will be to gather information and get input from those on campus regarding issues relating to increases in services and costs for faculty, staff, security and cafeteria programs. In addition, the possibility of pursuing a revenue bond for local funds required, In part, to acquire the dollars needed to build on- campus housing will be explored. President Rosenwasser concluded that, given the Board's change in direction, Cuesta's costs for consulting services will be much lower than anticipated. Costs to -date are just under $20,000 and, as such, the City's contribution of $10,000 for the study will be returned. The Council extended appreciation to President Rosenwasser for the update. Council continued their discussion regarding Item #1: Parking and Access Advisory Body Scope of Responsibilities: Council reviewed the various duties outlined in the alternatives proposed. Public Comment: Mike Spangler, downtown merchant, cautioned the Council that they may looking for too many "specialists" and that the many duties proposed are too diverse. He speculated that any new committee formed may become too political and end up working against the ultimate goal pf providing parking and access. He also argued that it may also be the end of the Parking Enterprise Fund. In closing, Mr. Spangler suggested that, if the Council creates a new committee, that it meet once per year with the Planning Commission, who would then report back to the City Council. —end of public comment— ACTION: Motion by Marx/Settle to refer Alternatives #2, 3, 4, and 5, as well Council Member Schwartz's "no project" alternative to the appropriate advisory bodies, such as the Planning Commission, Architectural Review Commission, Mass Transportation `: Committee, Bicycle Committee and Downtown Association, motion carried 5:0. The matter will come back to Council following review and Input by advisory bodies. COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Settle asked for an update by staff about the delay of paving Broad Street. Public Works Director McCluskey reported that the delay was due to an asphalt strike, however the matter has been resolved due to the cooperative effort of local contractors. The road will be paved by the end of the week, first part of next week at the latest, he concluded. COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS Council Member Mulholland provided a brief update about the Cultural Heritage Commission I meeting of November 26u'. 1 Lli 1 Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, November 27, 2001 -12:00 p.m. There being no further business to come before the City Council, meeting at 2:08 p.m. to Tuesday, December 0 at 4:00 p.r . in the San Luis Obispo. r\ l - .APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 12/4/01 City Clerk Page 3 adjourned the fiber, 990 Palm Street,