HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/03/2009MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2009 –12:00 NOON
COUNCIL CHAMBER, 990 PALM STREET
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA
ROLL CALL:
Council Members
Present: Council Members John Ashbaugh, Andrew Carter, Jan Howell Manx, and
Mayor Dave Romero were seated at Roll Call. Vice Mayor Allen K. Settle
was seated a12:10 p.m.
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.
STUDY SESSION
SS1. FIRE DEPARTMENT MASTER PLAN.
' Fire Chief Callahan introduced this item, following which Consultant Stewart Gary,
Citygate Associates, LLC, summarized the key points of the Fire Department Master
Plan. He and Fire Chief Callahan responded to Council's questions.
Public Comments
Gary Fowler, San Luis Obispo, spoke on behalf of a pay increase for fire and other
public safety employees, replacement of inadequate or inoperative equipment or fire
houses, and implementation of its own ambulance service.
Erik Baskin, San Luis Obispo, spoke in support of the report.
—end of public, comments—
Council discussion followed, during which staff and the consultant responded to
questions and Council Members commented on various components of the report and
indicated their support of it as a long term guide or "roadmap" for fire department
planning in the future.
ACTION: The report was received. No further action was required.
' The Special Meeting adjourned -at 1:35 p.m. _.
Audrey H per, Cify Clerk
MINUTES
' REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2009 – 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 Marx, 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.
PROCLAMATION
Mayor Romero presented Marguerite Maxwell, Former Grand Juror Association, with a
proclamation proclaiming February 2009 as Grand Jury Awareness Month.
1—_______--------------------------------------- _— __ –__ - -_ ---- __ —_--_
PRESENTATION
Caltrans District 5 representatives Colin Jones, Public Affairs Manager, and Dan Miller,
Senior Construction Engineer, provided a briefing on Caltrans' projects that are
currently underway in the City, particularly the Highway 101 and 227 rehabilitation
projects. They and Public Works Director Walter responded to Council's questions and
comments.
Mayor Romero announced that the goal- setting process (item B1) was completed on
January 31. Therefore, no further discussion was required on this item and it was
removed from the agenda.
APPOINTMENT
Al. APPOINTMENT TO THE BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (BAC).
Council Liaison Subcommittee Chair Ashbaugh reported on the interview process.
Gary Fowler, San Luis Obispo, commended the selection of Christopher Black for
appointment to the BAC. He expressed his hope that Mr. Black will be able to provide
' guidance to some of the cycling groups within the community to minimize situations
when cyclists are not riding by the rules of the road.
City Council Meeting Page 2
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
ACTION: Moved by Marx/Ashbaugh to appoint Christopher Black to the BAC to serve
an unexpired term ending on March 31, 2010; motion carried 5:0.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Gary Fowler, San Luis Obispo, suggested an oversight committee of five people should
be appointed to review the Fire Department Master Plan in order for the public to have an
opportunity to provide input and suggestions on the implementation of proposed
increases in funds, equipment, personnel, and fire stations.
City Manager Hampian clarified that, as discussed during the Study Session, the Master
Plan is a guide that will assist in making future budget decisions. While the Plan contains
benchmarks and standards, the implementation of these will depend on the City's growth
and financial resources.
Marcia Alter, San Luis Obispo, presented Council with a copy of a book of poetry entitled,
"Poems for Endangered Places," written by SLO County poets. She encouraged Council
to read the book and let it impact them as they carry out their responsibilities.
Paula Lowe, poet, read one of the poems and discussed the importance of developers
and community members working together and listening to each other.
Nancy Cole, Cal Poly student majoring in city and regional planning, provided a recap of '
the SLO Energy Town Hall event held in September. (Her written recap is on file in the
City Clerk's office.)
CONSENT AGENDA
Council concurred with Vice Mayor Settle's request to pull item C2 for further discussion.
ACTION: Moved by Carter /Ashbaugh to approve the Consent Agenda items C1 and C2
as indicated below.
C1. MINUTES OF THURSDAY. JANUARY 15. 2009.
ACTION: Moved by Carter /Ashbaugh to waive oral reading and approve as presented;
motion carried 4:0:1 (Marx abstained because she was absent from this meeting).
C2. 2009 LEGISLATIVE ACTION PLATFORM.
Vice Mayor Settle asked Council to support the League of California Cities' Revenue
Tax Committee by sending a communication to the Governor and State legislators to
suspend from one to two years Assembly Bill 32 and Senate Bill 375 until funding has
been identified for these mandates. '
City Council Meeting Page 3
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Following discussion during which staff responded to questions, Council consensus was
' to take no action on Vice Mayor Settle's suggestion, but to direct staff to return to
Council with additional information on this matter if the League of California Cities Board
takes a position on it.
Further discussion ensued during which Council gave direction to incorporate the
foI lowing. additionaI changes to the Legislative Action Platform that were not contained
in the Legislative Draft:
Community Development
3. This item will be retained but will be revised to read as follows: "Promoting
funding of on campus housing at CSU for student and faculty housing."
Finance
The following item was added: "Supporting legislation and other measures to change
processes in California regarding: determining legislative district boundaries, modifying
term limit restrictions, and reducing the two- thirds vote required for adoption of the State
budget."
Public Safety
' 20. (This item became 22 in the final draft and was reworded to read as follows:
"Continuing State and Federal funding support for disaster preparedness,
earthquake preparedness, Homeland Security, hazardous material response,
State COPS program and other local law enforcement activities."
24. (Regarding supporting efforts to provide the Governor with authority to override
the parole board.) This item was dropped.
Parks and Recreation and Natural Resources
Council concurred that continued funding for the California Conservation Corp will be
added to the first item under Parks and Recreation and Natural Resources as indicated
in the red file submitted prior to the meeting.
Council Member Marx asked and Council concurred that .a category for energy
conservation should be added to next year's Legislative Action Platform.
ACTION: Moved by Carter /Settle to: 1). Adopt Resolution No. 10055 (2009 Series)
establishing a Legislative Carter /Settle Action Platform for 2009 with amendments noted
previously. 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.
City Council Meeting Page 4
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
C3. SETTING DATE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON SLO TRANSIT FARE
MODIFICATION. 1
ACTION: Moved by Carter /Ashbaugh to approve the date set for a public hearing on
possible SLO Transit fare modifications; motion carried 5:0.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
PH1. PROPOSED NIGHT SKY ORDINANCE TO MITIGATE THE NEGATIVE
EFFECTS OF OUTDOOR LIGHTING.
Community Development Director Mandeville and Assistant Planner David presented
the agenda report. They and Deputy Director of Community Development —
Development Review - Davidson responded to questions.
Police Chief Linden confirmed that the Police Department has no safety concerns
related to the proposed ordinance.
Mayor Romero opened the public hearing.
Bill Thoma, San Luis Obispo, discussed his experience as a local electrical and design
engineer and the light projects he has designed throughout the state. He displayed
handbooks, booklets and other resources on the subject of lighting. He outlined a '
number of concerns regarding and proposed numerous suggestions for modifying the
ordinance. He said that the definitions contained within in it should be consistent with
those of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). He asked that Council not adopt the
ordinance but allow additional time to modify it.
Staff responded to a number of Mr. Thoma's comments and concerns as well as to
additional Council questions.
Steve Shinn, representing CBS Outdoor Billboards, said his company is attempting to
comply with Assembly Bill 32, a statewide energy retrofit program for upward facing lights
on billboards. He explained that because of this the Planning Commission added an
exemption to address his company's concerns that would allow upgrades to fixtures on
existing billboards if they reduce light pollution or improve efficiency. He explained why
bottom mounted fixtures are considered safer than top down fixtures on billboards. He
responded to Council's questions.
Assistant Planner David supplemented comments made by staff following Mr. Thoma's
presentation.
Mayor Romero closed the public hearing.
Vice Mayor Settle said that he could not support the ordinance as proposed both '
because it may not have its desired effect and because of its potential unintended
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Page 5
consequences, particularly related its potential for exposure to litigation as a result of
inadequate lighting.
Discussion ensued during which Council Members supported the ordinance in general
but agreed that it needed further refinement and that staff should work with a technical
expert to make those refinements. Specific direction is contained within the following
motion.
ACTION: Moved by Ashbaugh /Carter to continue this item to a date uncertain, with
direction to staff to continue to seek input into the ordinance with specific reference to
technical standards such as, but not limited to, the definition of allowable fixtures,
means of measurements, heights of allowable fixtures, exemptions with respect to
existing residences, and an approach to correct non - conforming commercial lighting
with the intent of strenghtening the ordinance. In addition, the word "individual" will be
removed from section 17.23.080.6 (relating to holiday lighting fixtures or seasonal
lighting); motion carried 4:1 (Settle opposed).
BUSINESS ITEMS
B1. CONTINUED CONSIDERATION OF GOAL - SETTING FOR 2009 -11.
The goal- setting process was completed on January 31. Therefore, no further
I discussion was required and this item was removed from the agenda.
COUNCIL LIAISON REPORTS
Council Member Marx reported on the activities of the Air Pollution Control District Board.
Council Member Carter reported on his attendance at a recent California Men's Colony.
meeting as well as on a report made at the last Human Relations Committee meeting
regarding the Maxine Lewis Day Shelter.
Council Member Ashbaugh reported on his and Council Member Carters attendance at a .
Cultural Heritage Committee meeting last week.
COMMUNICATIONS
Council Member Marx expressed concern regarding the python that recently escaped, as
well as that the City does not have an ordinance that addresses these types of pets.
There was no Council interest in pursuing this matter further.
Council Member Marx referred to a letter received from Joseph Carotenuti regarding the
naming of streets and suggested that consideration should be giving to naming streets
after the City's historical figures.
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Page 6
City Manager Hampian clarified that the City has a street naming policy and said that staff
will provide Council with a copy.
Council Member Marx discussed the Green Job Fair and the Focus the Nation event that
will be held at Cal Poly this week. She provided Council with website addresses for
several agricultural educational centers to take into consideration for the master planning
area between the freeway, Los Osos Valley Road and Madonna Road. She referenced a
memo from the City Manager dated January 26 regarding creek and flood protection
measures. She asked whether Council would like another report regarding this matter.
Mayor Romero concurred that Council received a report last year and that it is a good
idea for them to receive one in October each year prior to the rainy season.
Council Member Carter expressed concern regarding the methodology for voting for
Council goals during the goal- setting session, particularly because different Council
Members use the methodology in different ways which can detract from building
consensus.
Council Member Ashbaugh discussed his recent attendance at a Smart Growth
Conference in Albuquerque.
Utilities Director Mattingly provided Council with an update on the wastewater spill at
Orcutt Road and Lawnwood Drive. '
There being no further business to come before the City Council, Mayor Romero
adjourned the meeting at 10:30 p.m.
Audrey Ho er
City Clerk
APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 03/17/09
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