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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/31/2009MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2009 — 9:00 A.M. LIBRARY COMMUNITY ROOM — 995 PALM STREET SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA ROLL CALL: Council Members Present: Council Members John Ashbaugh, Andrew Carter, Jan Howell Marx, Vice Mayor Allen K. Settle and Mayor Dave Romero City Staff Present: Ken Hampian, City Manager, Bill Statler, Finance Director, and Audrey Hooper, City Clerk. (Department Heads and support staff were also present to respond to questions.) Mayor Romero discussed the format for public comment and introduced facilitator Don Maruska. City Manager Hampian acknowledged Supervisor Adam Hill and made some introductory remarks. t -------------- -------------- ---------__-------- 2009-11 FINANCIAL PLAN: COUNCIL GOAL SETTING WORKSHOP Facilitator Maruska reviewed the agenda and described the process and guidelines for the workshop. Discussion ensued during which staff responded to questions and the Council formulated candidate City goals by category and discussed the relationship of goals to current activities. . PUBLIC COMMENT Tim Williams, San Luis Obispo resident and business owner, recommended that the City commission a study on the issue of binding arbitration and assess options to change it. Michael Sullivan, San Luis Obispo, suggested that an ordinance should be developed addressing neighborhood wellness and that projects that have already been approved, such as the Mitchell Park parking lot, should be given a different funding priority. Brett Cross, representing Residents for Quality Neighborhoods, suggested that any public messaging should include reference to neighborhood wellness and pointed out efforts on this behalf spans many departments and is ongoing. City Council Meeting Saturday, January 31, 2009 Page 2 Following a lunch break, Council discussed and weighted the goals, and prepared a written ballot ranking the goals. Staff returned after a recess with the following tabulation of the ranking. 1. Maior City Goals These represent the most important, highest priority goals for the City to accomplish over the next two years, and as such, resources to accomplish them should be included in the 2009 -11 Financial Plan. Infrastructure Maintenance Infrastructure Maintenance. Sustain an effective level of existing core infrastructure maintenance such as streets, sidewalks, creek & flood protection, parks and protection of other physical assets. Transportation Traffic Congestion Relief. Continue efforts on projects which relieve traffic congestion, such as street modifications, intersection improvements, pedestrian improvements, bicycle facilities, traffic signal operations and public transit. Community Development Economic Development. In collaboration with Cal Poly, Cuesta College, and the business community, develop strategies to increase economic development including emphasis on head -of- household jobs and environmentally sustainable businesses. General Government Preservation of Critical Services and Fiscal Health. Adopt a balanced budget that retains the City's fiscal health, preserves critical services and implements long term productivity improvements and cost reduction strategies. 2. Other Important Objectives Goals in this category are important for the City to accomplish, and resources should be made available in the 2009 -11 Financial Plan if at all possible. Community Development Land Use and Circulation Revisions. Initiate a focused revision of the Land Use and Circulation Elements. 1 City Council Meeting Page 3 Saturday, January 31, 2009 Open Space Preservation. Continue efforts to acquire, preserve and protect open space and develop a master plan for City -owned agricultural land. Green House Gas Reduction and Energy Conservation. Adopt and begin implementing a plan to reduce greenhouse gases and conserve energy for municipal operations and the community. Downtown. Expand Downtown beautification efforts, including enhanced maintenance and cleanliness; review and upgrade of standards; and making phased physical improvements. Leisure, Cultural & Social Services Historic Preservation. Complete a draft Historic Preservation Ordinance and update the inventory of historic and cultural resources within the City. 3. Address As Resources Permit While it is desirable to achieve these goals over the next two years, doing so is subject to current resource availability. Transportation ' Creek and Flood Protection. Advance Mid - Higuera flood protection improvements by seeking Zone 9 funding to complete design, obtain approvals and make progress toward construction as resources will allow. Leisure, Cultural & Social Services Skate Park. Develop plans and specifications and seek funding to construct a skate park. Urban Forest. Update master tree plan and develop recommendations to renew the urban forest and plant more trees. Homeless Services. Identify and pursue opportunities to implement the "Ten -Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness." A brief discussion ensued regarding the next steps In the 2009 -11 Financial Plan process. Following a brief discussion regarding Mr. Williams' suggestion related to binding arbitration during Public Comments, a Council majority directed staff to place the matter on a future agenda with options that could include initiation of a public opinion survey to determine community interest in removing from the City Charter the current provisions regarding binding arbitration and options for placing a measure on the ballot. Council Members Marx and Ashbaugh did not concur with this direction_M--- _�' ^- -_�_�_ City Council Meeting Saturday, January 31, 2009 Page 4 There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Romero adjourned the meeting at 3:20 p.m. Audrey Ho er City Clerk APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 02/17/09 1 1