HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/22/2008MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2008 — 5:30 p.m.
COUNCIL HEARING ROOM, 990 PALM STREET
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
ROLL CALL:
Council Members
Present: Council Members Andrew Carter, Christine Mulholland, Allen
Settle, and Mayor Dave Romero were present at Roll Call.
Vice Mayor Brown was seated at 5:39 p.m.
Staff Members
Present: Ken Hampian, City Administrative Officer; Jonathan Lowell,
City Attorney; Shelly Stanwyck, Assistant City Administrative
Officer; Jay Walter, Public Works Director; Audrey Hooper,
City Clerk; Tim Bochum, Deputy Public Works Director
PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION ITEM
No comments were forthcoming and Council adjourned to the Closed Session.
City Attorney Lowell announced the following Closed Session Conferences:
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — Existing Litigation
Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9
City of San Luis Obispo v. Wayne A. Hanson, et al., San Luis Obispo County
Superior Court Case No. CV 050169
CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL — Existing Litigation
Pursuant to Government Code § 54956.9
Stephen Secrest and Jeanne Secrest v. City of San Luis Obispo /City of San Luis
Obispo v. Mark Mott and Kathy Mott, San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Case
No. CV 060225
City Attorney Lowell reported on the Closed Session at the commencement of
the regular meeting.
The Special Meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m. to a Regular Meeting held in the
Council Chamber at 7:00 p.m.
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City Council Meeting
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Page 2
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MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2008 - 7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 990 PALM STREET
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
ROLL CALL:
Council Members
Present: Council Members Andrew Carter, Christine Mulholland, Allen
Settle, Vice Mayor Paul Brown, and Mayor Dave Romero
City Staff:
Present: Ken Hampian, City Administrative Officer; Jonathan Lowell,
City Attorney; Audrey Hooper, City Clerk; Shelly Stanwyck,
Assistant City Administrative Officer; Bill Statler, Finance and
Information Technology Director; Monica Irons, Human
Resources Director; Jay Walter, Public Works Director; Kim
Murry, Deputy Director Community Development — Long
Range Planning; Doug Davidson, Deputy Director
Community Development — Development Review; Peter
Brown, Housing Programs Manager; Tim Bochum, Deputy
Director Public Works; Neil Havlik, Natural Resources
Manager; Freddy Otte, City Biologist; Rachael Hendricks,
Human Resources Analyst
CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Lowell reported that Council met in Closed Session on two matters
of existing litigation as indicate above. Because both matters involved existing
litigation, there was no reportable action.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Gary Fowler, San Luis Obispo, referred to the City of Monrovia, which does not
have parking meters, and suggested that San Luis Obispo should consider doing
the same thing. He opposed adding parking spaces at the Senior Center and
suggested that a larger facility, such as the Ludwick Center, is needed instead.
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City Council Meeting Page 3
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
CONSENT AGENDA
Council Member Mulholland asked that Item C3 be pulled for discussion. She
referred to a red file memo (on file in the City Clerk's office) and asked Council to
support adding language to the City's Legislative Platform in support of the SLO
County Aiir Pollution Control District's (APCD) 2008 Legislative Platform.
Deputy Director Community Development Murry and City Attorney Lowell
confirmed that it would be appropriate to include language in support of the
County's APCD 2008 Legislative Platform.
ACTION: Moved by Mulholland/Settle to approve the Consent Agenda, with an
amendment to item C3; motion carried as indicated below.
C1. MINUTES OF DECEMBER 18, 2007, REGULAR MEETING.
ACTION: Moved by Mulholland/Settle to waive the oral reading and approve as
presented; motion carried 5:0.
C2. INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) TROLLEY REPLACEMENT.
' ACTION: Moved by Mulholland/Settle to: 1. Authorize an Invitation for Bid (IFB)
or Sole Source procurement for a previously approved Trolley replacement. 2.
Authorize CAO to award bid and issue purchase order if within current Trolley
replacement budget of $179,700; motion carried 5:0.
C3. 2008 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM.
ACTION: Moved by Mulholland/Settle to: 1. Adopt Resolution No. 9950 (2008
Series ) establishing a Legislative Action Platform for 2008, with the addition to
Exhibit A of item 68 under County /Regional priorities as follows: "Supporting the
San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District Legislative Platform." 2.
Appoint the Mayor and City Attorney to act as the primary legislative liaisons
between the League of California Cities and the City of San Luis Obispo; motion
carried 5:0.
1.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
T
MINI
Deputy Director Community Development Davidson presented the agenda report
and responded to a number of questions.
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Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Council Member Settle requested, for the record, clarification regarding driveway
access by the Fire Department and the nature of guest parking.
Deputy Director Community Development Davidson explained that the Fire
Department has reviewed and approved the plans and does not have concerns
regarding access. He then reviewed the number of guest parking spaces
provided for each unit and noted that they meet the City's requirements.
Council Member Mulholland referred to the Hydrology Report and asked whether
Council would support changing the word "should" to "shall" in Condition #6
(page 1 -68 of the Agenda Report).
Council did not object to Council Member Mulholland's request.
Council Member Carter asked for clarification, for the record, regarding variance
requests.
Deputy Director Community Development Davidson clarified that in addition to
the variance for the trash enclosures, discussion is still pending regarding a
possible variance for a fence on top of the retaining wall. However, if this
variance is requested, it would be acted on as a separate administrative action
and would not require a hearing.
Mayor Romero opened the public hearing.
Truitt Vance, applicant, discussed the design and density of the project and its goal
of reducing the number of automobile trips it generates. He also discussed the
location of the trash enclosure, access by the Fire Department and the project's
sprinkler system, and hydrology /drainage plans. He responded to Council's
questions.
In response to Council Member Settle's request for the record, Mr. Truitt confirmed
that a standard fire unit could access the units on the driveway, although the
pavement was not designed for that purpose.
Mayor Romero closed the public hearing.
Council Member Mulholland said that although she has minor concerns, she is
pleased with the design.
Council Member Settle said he thinks the strength of the project is its architecture
and that his only concern relates to circulation.
ACTION: Moved by Mulholland/Brown to, as recommended by the Planning
Commission, adopt Resolution No. 9951 (2008 Series), with an amendment to
Condition 6, changing the words "should" to "shall," approving a Tentative Tract
City Council Meeting Page 5
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Map and Negative Declaration of Environmental Impact for a 12 -unit
condominium development located at 225 North Chorro Street (TR/ER 135 -07);
motion carried 5:0.
2. 2008 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM (CDBG).
Housing Programs Manager Brown presented the agenda report. He indicated
that the City has received updated information regarding the CDBG funds
available. As a result, the CDBG funding amounts recommended for the
following applicants have been revised as follows:
Maxine Lewis Homeless Shelter - $93,031
ADA Street Improvements — Curb Ramps - $403,136
Housing Programs Administration - $84,042
Council Member Settle requested, for the record, clarification regarding
applications that were not funded under Public Services.
Housing Programs Manager Brown explained that while CDBG funding could
have been allocated to other applications, Council has made the decision to
dedicate Public Services funding to the Homeless Shelter.
Human Relations Commission (HRC) Chairperson Stephan Lamb discussed the
efforts dedicated the past two years to consider projects that would provide low
income housing. He said this continues to be a major goal and commitment of
the HRC and that it is hoped that by funding curb cuts, it will encourage
development of these projects in the future.
Mayor Romero opened the public hearing.
Jody Smith, Director of Homeless Services for the EOC, expressed appreciation
for the funding recommendations for the Homeless Shelter and Prado Day Center.
Linda McGregor, Executive Director of the 211 SLO Hotline, explained that about
20% of the calls received by the Hotline benefit the Homeless Shelter and urged
Council to take this into consideration if other funding becomes available in the
future.
Mayor Romero closed the public hearing.
Council Members acknowledged the efforts of the HRC in developing its funding
recommendations.
' ACTION: Moved by Settle /Brown to, as recommended by the Human Relations
Commission: 1. Adopt Resolution No. 9952 (2008 Series) approving the 2008
CDBG Program activities and funding as recommended by the Human Relations
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Page 6
Commission (HRC) with adjustments based on the new funding estimate. 2.
Endorse the Urban County's Draft One -Year Action Plan, including Home
Investment Partnership Program (HOME), Special Urban Projects and
Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funding. 3. Forward the Council's actions and
funding recommendations to the Board of Supervisors; motion carried 5:0.
BUSINESS ITEMS
3. LOS OSOS VALLEY ROAD/US 101 INTERCHANGE PROJECT
FUNDING PLAN.
Public Works Director Walter introduced this item, following which Deputy Public
Works Director Bochum presented the agenda report.
CAO Hampian explained that, although the San Luis Obispo Council of
Governments ( SLOCOG) staff has identified another improvement project in the
City (Highway 1 /01ive Street southbound right turn lane), staff believes the Los
Osos Valley Road (LOVR) interchange project is the highest priority and is
recommending SLOCOG pursue full funding of this project. (A red file memo
was distributed on this matter with a revised resolution and is on file in the City
Clerk's office.)
Public Works Director Walter discussed the steps that have been taken to raise
the level of awareness on all parties involved regarding the LOVR project.
Finance Director Statler responded to questions related to project funding.
Public Comments
Ermina Karim, representing the Chamber of Commerce, discussed the Chamber's
unanimous support of advocating full funding by SLOCOG for the LOVR project.
- - -end of public comments-- -
Council Members discussed the importance of the LOVR project and the need to
get full funding from SLOCOG for this project.
ACTION: Moved by Brown/Mulholland to: 1. Adopt a revised Resolution No.
9953 (2008 Series) per red file memo (on file in the City Clerk's office)
establishing a funding plan for the Los Osos Valley Road /US 101 Interchange
Project seeking a minimum of 50% grant funding from State and Regional
funding sources. 2. Establish Alternative 3 (The Minimum Build) as the City
preferred alternative subject to Caltrans review and comment; motion carried 5:0.
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City Council Meeting Page 7
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
4. CONSERVATION PLAN FOR JOHNSON RANCH OPEN SPACE.
Assistant CAO Stanwyck introduced this item, following which Natural Resources
Manager Havlik and City Biologist Otte presented the agenda report. Staff then
responded to Council's questions.
Public Comments
None were forthcoming.
- -end of public comments - --
During the ensuing discussion, Council concurred with Council Member
Mulholland's request that the word "passive" be added under section 3.2 (Goals
and Policies), that the word "appropriate" be replaced with "passive" under
section 5 (Implementation - Specific Tasks/Years 1 -2), and that minor
grammatical corrections be made on pages 10 and 11 of the draft Conservation
Plan.
ACTION: Moved by Settle /Mulholland to, as recommended by the Planning
Commission and the Parks and Recreation Commission: 1. Approve Resolution
' No. 9954 (2008 Series) adopting the Conservation Plan for Johnson Ranch Open
Space, with the addition of the word "passive" under section 3.2 (Goals and
Policies), the replacement of the word "appropriate" with "passive" under specific
Tasks/Years 1 -2 (Section 5, Implementation), and minor grammatical corrections
on pages 10 and 11 of the draft Conservation Plan. 2. Approve a Mitigated
Negative Declaration of environmental impact for the project.
Council recessed from 9:23 to 9:33 p.m. and the meeting recovened with all
members present.
5. BENCHMARK COMPENSATION STUDY 2007 RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR UNREPRESENTED MANAGEMENT AND SAN LUIS OBISPO
CITY EMPLOYEES' ASSOCIATION CLASSIFICATIONS.
CAO Hampian introduced this item, following which Human Resources Director
Irons and Human Resources Analyst Hendricks presented the agenda report.
Public Comments
Ron Combs, City Arborist, acknowledged the maintenance employees who were in
the audience. He discussed the camraderie and caring that is evident among
these and other City employees, noted how long it takes to fill certain positions,
and commented on the importance of retaining employees.
City Council Meeting Page 8
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Ed Humphrey, Lead Technician for the Streets Division, commented on the
unintended negative feelings that have resulted from the Compensation Study. He
suggested that the responsibilities of his division were not reflected in the study.
He expressed pride in his coworkers and said he wanted Council to know that they
exceed the call of duty even without recognition.
Brett Cross, San Luis Obispo, spoke in opposition to the recommendation and
expressed concern that it may affect the public's perception of the use of Measure
Y funds. He suggested that action on this item should be deferred at least until
August when there is additional information available regarding costs resulting
from the Police Officers' Association arbitration, as well as costs for other projects
such as the skate park.
Gary Fowler, San Luis Obispo, concurred with Mr. Cross, particularly in light of the
State budget deficit. He supported, however, increasing medical benefits for the
City's non - management employees.
- - -end of public comments --
CAO Hampian responded to the comments and concerns expressed. He noted
that a Town meeting will be held next week to provide the public with information
on how the Measure Y funds are being allocated. He acknowledged that the
Compensation Study process has been difficult and has affected employees in
every department, but that the process agreed on was followed with integrity.
Council Members acknowledged the feelings expressed on behalf of those
employees present, but expressed their support of the process followed in
developing the Compensation Study. They remarked on the need to pursue
possible improvements to the dependent health care coverage.
Council Member Carter said that a compensation study should be conducted
more often then every ten years.
Mayor Romero added that he would prefer a study be conducted at five -year
increments. He said he will support the CAO recommendation, but would have
preferred making compensation adjustments at one time rather than phasing
them. He said he would also have preferred expediting adjustments to
dependent health insurance, if appropriate, sooner than August. Although he did
not agree with all of the findings of the study, he said he supported the process
and thus the recommendations.
ACTION: Moved by Carter /Brown to: 1. Adopt Resolution No. 9955 (2008
Series ) implementing salary range adjustments and phased compensation
increases for a limited number of San Luis Obispo City Employees' Association
(SLOCEA) and unrepresented management classifications resulting from the
Benchmark Compensation Report 2007. 2. Approve modifications to the
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Page 9
management Pay- for - Performance Program, including elimination of the
suspended program that allowed one -time lump -sum payments for employees at
the top of a salary range. 3. Direct staff to return to Council with
recommendations to improve the competitiveness of the City contribution to
dependent health insurance for management, confidential, and SLOCEA
employees no later than August 2008 and authorize staff to re -open the SLOCEA
memorandum of understanding to discuss potential changes; motion carried 5:0.
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS
Council Member Mulholland reported on her attendance at the January 9"'
Integrated Waste Management Authority Board meeting, County Water Resources
Advisory Committee meeting, and Mass Transportation Committee meeting.
Mayor Romero reported on his attendance at the SLO Regional Transportation
Authority meeting and SLO Council of governments meeting of January 9t'. (His
written report is on file in the City Clerk's office.)
COMMUNICATIONS
None.
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Romero
adjourned the meeting at 10:35 p.m.
APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 02/19/08
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