HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/16/2008MINUTES
t REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO'
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2008 - 7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 990 PALM STREET
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
ROLL CALL:
Council Members
Present: Council Members John Ashbaugh, Andrew Carter, Jan Howell Manx, Vice
Mayor Allen K. Settle and Mayor Dave Romero
City Staff
Present: Ken Hampian, City Manager; Jonathan Lowell, City Attorney; Shelly
Stanwyck, Assistant City Manager; and Audrey Hooper, City Clerk, were
present at Roll Call. Other staff members presented reports or responded
to questions as indicated in the minutes.
PRESENTATIONS
PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY OF VARIOUS DOWNTOWNS
' Dave Garth, Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer, presented a
photographic survey of the downtowns of other communities, including the Cities of
Boulder, Colorado, and Napa, Paso Robles and Atascadero, California. He compared
photographs of San Luis Obispo's downtown with these cities and explained why the
Chamber believed improvements to the downtown are essential. His concerns
included, in part, the condition of the sidewalks, oversized trees, trash cans, standing
water, and unattractive and inconsistent signage.
Council Member Ashbaugh and Mayor Romero commented on the need to consider
improvements to the downtown as a goal during the goal- setting process.
GRAFFITI REPORTING AND DOWNTOWN. TRENDS
Police Chief Linden discussed the City's efforts to respond to graffiti concerns and
demonstrated a new on -line graffiti reporting tool. She said that future discussions
regarding how to create a more attractive downtown need to include the impact of
alcohol establishments and that downtown businesses should be engaged in those
discussions. She discussed differences between this City and some of those
referenced in Mr. Garth's presentation, particularly because of the presence of a large
number of alcohol establishments frequented by young adults who are either residents
or visitors.
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Tuesday, December 16, 2008
APPOINTMENTS
Al. COUNCIL LIAISON SUBCOMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS FOR 2009.
Mayor. Romero reported on this item.
Council Member Marx explained why she wanted to be appointed to the position of
member rather than alternate on the SLO Council of Governments and SLO Regional
Transit Authority, and asked that her position be switched with Mayor Romero's.
ACTION: Moved by Marx/Settle to approve Council Subcommittee assignments for
calendar year 2009 as listed in the agenda report except that the roles of Mayor
Romero and Council Member Marx were reversed on the SLO Council of Governments
and SLO Regional Transit Authority; motion carried 4:1 (Carter opposed).
In response to Mayor Romero, City Manager Hampian explained if the Downtown
Association has an interest in having a City Council representative attend its meetings
and serve as a liaison, it should submit a written request so stating. If that is the case,
the matter would be placed on a future agenda for discussion and action by Council.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Thomas Gutierrez, San Luis Obispo, discussed several concerns resulting from the
presence of non - Oceannaire residents loitering or skateboarding in the sunken concrete
spillage area in the neighborhood, south of Madonna Road on the Dalidio Ranch side.
Mayor Romero asked that staff investigate and respond to Mr. Gutierrez's concerns.
Mark Shaffer, San Luis Obispo, discussed a car sharing program ( "Fun Ride — The Green
Way to Drive ") that will be launched in the downtown early next year.
Gary Fowler, San Luis Obispo, expressed appreciation to several departments he's been
in contact with during the past year. He concurred with Mr. Garth's presentation and
suggested that more under - grounding of utilities in the downtown needs to be done. He
also suggested that there should be additional trash pick -ups in the downtown,
particularly at or after 10:00 p.m.
Arnold Ruiz, San Luis Obispo, discussed his continuing concerns about Laguna Lake.
City Manager Hampian noted the complex undertaking that addressing the Laguna Lake
issues will involve, which must begin with the completion of an environmental impact
report.
Tenn Mohan, San Luis Obispo, expressed concern regarding the lack of diversity of the
I current Planning Commissioners and questioned the need to advertise for the most
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Tuesday, December 16, 2008
recent vacancy when there are still qualified applicants who have not been appointed. He
' suggested using the assistance of the County Honor Farm to repair the fences in the
vicinity of the railroad bicycle path and said he had provided the Public Works Department
with a name of a representative from the Honor Farm who is willing to assist the City with
this project.
Council Member Carter explained that when interviews were last conducted for Planning
Commission vacancies, confirmation of the January vacancy had not been received.
When staff was notified of that vacancy, they were required to follow legal requirements
and advertise for it. He clarified that all applicants, including the ones recently
interviewed, will be considered for the January vacancy.
CONSENT AGENDA
C1. SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS, SPECIFICATION 90877.
ACTION: Moved by Settle /Marx to: 1. Approve plans and specifications for the Safe
Routes to School Improvements Specification No. 90877. 2. Authorize staff to advertise
for bids and authorize the City Manager to award the contract if the lowest responsible
bid is.within the Engineer's Estimate of $161,000; motion carried 5:0.
BUDGET WORKSHOP:
"BUILDING THE FOUNDATION" FOR THE 2009 -11 FINANCIAL PLAN
City Manager Hampian introduced and provided an overview of the Workshop.
Staff and consultant, Don Maruska, responded to questions throughout the Workshop.
In addition, public comments were invited, although none were forthcoming.
1. GOAL - SETTING PROCESS FOR 2009 -11.
Finance & Information Technology Director Statler discussed the purpose and various
components of the goal- setting and budget process.
Don Maruska, Consultant, discussed the criteria for establishing the major City goals,
and the objectives, agenda, and format for the January 15th Community Forum. He
discussed the multiple opportunities for community input prior to and during the
Community Forum. He reviewed suggested guidelines for Council Members during the
goal- setting process. He also reviewed the proposed agenda for the goal- setting
workshop.
Finance and Information Technoloav Director Statler discussed the process that will be
followed after the January 31 s' meeting, as well as the process that will be followed for
developing each work program that is identified during the goal- setting workshop.
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Tuesday, December 16, 2008
In response to Council Member Ashbaugh, staff agreed to use the City website as a
way of soliciting feedback prior to the Community Forum.
A brief discussion followed regarding the Community Forum feedback form, the
importance of separating new from ongoing initiatives, and the ranking system for
candidate goals.
ACTION: Moved by Ashbaugh /Settle to approve the goal- setting process for 2009 -11
with the use of the intemet/City's website to solicit additional community input; motion
carried 5:0.
Council reordered the agenda to consider item 3 at this time.
3. COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT FOR 2007 -08.
Finance & Information Technology Director Statler provided an overview of the
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and ending financial results for 2007 -08.
Kathi Niffenegger, representing Glenn, Burdette, Phillips & Bryson (GBPB), discussed
the audit process as well as the status of the audit.
ACTION: The report was presented. No action was required.
Council recessed at 9:15 p.m. and the meeting reconvened at 9:25 p.m. with all
members present.
2. FINANCIAL PLAN POLICIES AND ORGANIZATION.
Finance & Information Technology Director Statler provided an overview of the Financial
Plan policies.
During the ensuing discussion, Council Member Ashbaugh suggested consideration
should be given to changing some of the following budget and fiscal policies as follows:
Property Taxes (Page 2 -12 of the Agenda Report)
This section needs to be revised to be more current since the City no longer has control
over property tax revenues, but rather the State does.
CIP Appropriation (Page 2 -16 of the Agenda Report)
It might strengthen the policy if language was added that indicates that concurrence of
the consistency of the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) with the City's General Plan
is required with adoption of the CIP in accordance with State law.
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City Council Meeting
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Overtime
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At some point, it might be beneficial to add a generic statement-that sets forth a
principle regarding the use of overtime and how it is managed.
Council Members Manx and Carter commented on their desire to receive regular reports
on the amount of overtime being accrued.
Real Property Management
Sometime following the adoption of the budget, staff will consider the best method for
incorporating, and the best document in which to include, policies that relate to property
management.
Council concurred that the priority at this time is balancing the budget, which must be
done prior to commencing work on revising policies.
ACTION: Discussion was held. No action was required.
4. GENERAL FUND FIVE YEAR FISCAL FORECAST 2009 -14.
Finance and Information Technology Director Statler presented the Agenda Report.
Council Member Ashbaugh commented on the current unprecedented budget situation
and encouraged the public to participate in the goal- setting process in light of the
information that has been made available at this meeting.
Vice Mayor Settle commented on the lack of a State budget and that this will be a key
issue in the City balancing its budget.
ACTION: The report was received. No further action was required.
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS
Mayor Romero commented on the staff report from the SLO Council of Governments for
its meeting tomorrow that discusses the economic stimulus proposals. He noted that it
includes a list from each City and the County of projects that could commence within the
next six months. The Los Osos Valley Road project is on this list. He also reported on a
recent Mayors meeting.
Andrew reported on his attendance at a recent Parking Ad Hoc Task Force meeting.
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
COMMUNICATIONS
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Council Member Marx asked that Council consider inviting representatives from the
Urban Farming nonprofit organization to make a presentation regarding its community
gardens projects on January 20 when the community garden report will be brought to
Council. Council concurred.
Council Member Ashbaugh noted that he will be in Washington, D.C., on January 20 and
so will miss that Council meeting.
Mayor Romero referred to a memorandum from Principal Administrative Analyst Brigitte
Elke on the subject of smoking in public places. Council directed staff to schedule an
agenda item to pursue this subject further following adoption of the budget.
Council Member Carter suggested that in the future items drawing higher interest, such
as the Fiscal Forecast, should be the first items of discussion on the agenda. Vice Mayor
Settle and Council Member Manx concurred.
City Manager Hampian discussed the agenda format which Council has formally adopted
and expressed caution regarding reordering the agenda.
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Romero
adjourned the meeting at 11:45 p.m.
Audrey Hoo er
City Clerk
APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 01/06/08
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