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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/29/2003MINUTES ' SPECIAL BUDGET MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2003 - 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBER, 990 PALM STREET SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA ROLL CALL: Council Members Present: Council Members John Ewan, Allen K. Settle, Vice Mayor Christine Mulholland and Mayor Dave Romero Absent: Council Member Ken Schwartz City Staff: Present: Ken Hampian, City Administrative Officer; Jonathan Lowell, City Attorney; Lee Price, City Clerk; Wendy George, Assistant City Administrative Officer; Bill Statler, Finance Director; Wolfgang Knabe, Fire Chief; John Moss, Utilities Director; Mike McCluskey, Public Works Director; Paul LeSage, Parks and Recreation Director; Betsy Kiser, Principal Administrative Analyst; Sue Baasch, Administrative Analyst; Dave Hix, Wastewater Division Manager; Gary Henderson, Water Division Manager; Dave Elliott, Administrative Services Manager; Keith Opalewski, Parking Manager; Austin O'Dell, Transit Manager; Carolyn Dominquez, Accounting Manager PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. WATER FUND REVIEW. Utilities Director Moss and Water Division Manager Henderson presented the annual water fund review and summarized proposed operating program changes and capital improvement plan requests contained in the preliminary financial plan. Brief Council questions followed. Mayor Romero opened the public hearing. Andrew Carter, 1283 Woodside Drive, commented that the water quality in San Luis Obispo is high and citizens get what they pay for. Mayor Romero closed the public hearing. For action,'see the next page. 2. SEWER FUND REVIEW. Utilities Director Moss, Administrative Analyst Baasch and Wastewater Division Manager Hix showed a video depicting the City's sewer system infrastructure which demonstrated examples of existing deficiencies. Staff presented: 1) an overview of the 2003 annual City Council Meeting Thursday, May 29, 2003, 7:00 p.m. Page 2 sewer fund financial review; 2) proposed operating program changes; 3) capital improvement plan requests and 4) proposed changes to monthly sewer service charges. Council questions followed. Mayor Romero opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. Mayor Romero closed the public hearing. ACTION: Moved by Settle/Ewan to accept the 2003 annual Water and Sewer Fund financial reviews; 2) conceptually approve the proposed operating program and capital improvement plan requests contained in the preliminary 2003 -05 Financial Plan, pending final budget review and adoption; and 3) direct staff to set a public hearing on June 17, 2003 to consider the adoption of a resolution increasing sewer service charges by five and one -half percent (5.5 %), effective July 1, 2003, and by five percent (5 %), effective July 1, 2004; motion carried 4:0 (Schwartz absent). 3. PARKING FUND REVIEW. Public Works Director McCluskey, Parking Manager Opalewski and Administrative Services Manager Elliott presented: 1) the annual parking fund review; 2) proposed operating program changes; 3) capital improvement plan requests; and 4) options for Proxcard pricing. Mayor Romero opened the public hearing. Andrew Carter, 1283 Woodside Drive, expressed his continued desire to see the City establish a parking and access advisory committee. He suggested looking at all options to raise revenues in order to cover the City's parking debts and voiced concern that the amount of fees collected is not enough to fund existing and proposed parking programs and projects. Deborah Holley, Downtown Administrator, summarized positions of the Downtown Association Parking Committee on the proposed stop light at the intersection of Broad and Pismo Streets and proxcard pricing. The Committee is concerned about whether or not there has been adequate study to justify the traffic light (at Pismo and Broad), and the proposal that the Parking Fund pay a larger share of the expense. She commented that they believe the traffic impacts at that intersection are associated with traffic on Broad Street and not necessarily as a result of the Marsh Street Garage Expansion. Regarding the proxcard pricing, she shared that the committee feels it is not fair to make people who park in the garage pay more, especially employees who work in the downtown. Speaking from a personal perspective, she said she would rather see the City do away with 60 minutes free in lieu of raising monthly rates. She also speculated that those in the west end of downtown will soon be looking to the proposed "Palm - Nipomo" parking structure for relief. Mayor Romero closed the public hearing. Public Works Director McCluskey reported that traffic analyses done prior to the garage expansion warranted the signal at Pismo and Broad. He added that the reason staff proposes the sharing of costs between the Parking Fund and the General Fund is due to information In the environment impact report-on the garage expansion, which predicted a large increase in traffic on Pacific Street, which in turn would meet warrants for a signal. He further added that given the high rates of turnover generated in the garage, the volume of left turning traffic from Pacific to Broad could triple. City Council Meeting . Thursday, May 29, 2003, 7:00 p.m. Page 3 ACTION: Moved by Settle/Mulholland to accept the 2003 annual parking fund review; and 2) conceptually approve the proposed operating program change requests and capital improvement plan requests contained in the preliminary 2003- 05 Financial Plan, pending final budget review and adoption; motion carried 4:0 (Schwartz absent). Council took no action to change proxcard pricing. 4. TRANSIT FUND REVIEW. Public Works Director McCluskev. Administrative Services Manager Elliott and Transit Manager O'Dell presented the annual transit fund review and summarized proposed operating program changes and capital improvement plan requests contained in the preliminary financial plan. Staff pointed out that bus replacements are proposed for the fiscal year 2005 -06, rather than in 200405 as reflected in the draft financial plan. Brief Council questions followed. Mayor Romero opened the public hearing. Andrew Carter, 1283 Woodside Drive, commented on operational issues specifically relating to routes and schedules. He added that he would not be opposed to an increase in fares. Mayor Romero closed the public hearing. ACTION: Moved by Settle/Ewan to accept the 2003 annual transit fund review; and conceptually approve the proposed operating program change requests and capital ' improvement plan requests contained in the preliminary 2003 -05 Financial Plan, pending the final budget review and adoption; motion carried 4:0 (Schwartz absent). S. LAGUNA LAKE GOLF COURSE FUND RATE REVIEW. Parks and Recreation Director LeSage presented the staff report. Mayor Romero opened the public hearing. There were no public comments. Mayor Romero closed the public hearing. ACTION: Moved by Ewan/Mulholland to accept the 2003 Laguna Lake Golf Course fund rate review; and 2) adopt Resolution No. 9454 (2003 Series) setting fees for Laguna Lake Golf Course effective July 1, 2003; and 3) authorize a General Fund transfer of $237,300 in 2003-04 for general government costs and capital improvements; motion carried 4:0 (Schwartz absent). 1 There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor-Romero adjoumed the meeting at 9:50 p.m. to Tuesday, June 3, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. inkthe Councl Chamber, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo. APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 6/17/2003 Lee Pria; City Clerk IM