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Minutes 2007-05-08MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL/REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2007 COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 EAST BRANCH STREET ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Ferrara called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL City Council/RDA: Council/Board Members Chuck Fellows, Jim Guthrie, Joe Costello, Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Ed Arnold and Mayor/Chair Tony Ferrara were present. City Staff Present: City Manager Steven Adams, City Attorney Timothy J. Carmel, Director of Administrative Services/City Clerk Kelly Wetmore, Director of Financial Services Angela Kraetsch, Director of Public Works Don Spagnolo, Director of Community Development Rob Strong, Chief of Police Tony Aeilts, and Police Commander Craig Hendricks. 3. FLAG SALUTE Rob Child and John King, representing the Arroyo Grande Fire Department, led the Flag Salute. 4. INVOCATION Pastor George Lepper, Peace Lutheran Church, delivered the invocation. 5. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS S.a. Mayor's Commendation -Rob Child and John King, Neighborhood Services Coordinators. Mayor Ferrara presented Mayor's Commendations to Rob Child and John King, Neighborhood Services Coordinators, in recognition of their membership in the City's Platinum Service Club for service above and beydnd the call of duty. Mayor Ferrara then reported that the City is participating in a nationwide program called "America In Bloom" and many citizens have come forward voluntarily to work with the Arroyo Grande In Bloom coordinators. He introduced Mr. Bob Lund from the Village Improvement Association and invited him to speak about the program. Bob Lund gave a brief overview of the America In Bloom program criteria and acknowledged all the local community organizations and members who had worked hard over the past six months by participating in this competition. He introduced the America In Bloom judges, Diane Clasen and Jim Corfield, who spoke briefly about the program and about their visit to Arroyo Grande. Mayor Ferrara called for a brief break at 7:15 p.m. The Council reconvened at 7:20 p.m. 6. AGENDA REVIEW 6.a. Ordinances Read in Title Only. Council Member Costello moved, Mayor Pro Tem Arnold seconded, and the motion passed unanimously that all ordinances moved for introduction or adoption at the meeting shall be read in title only and all further reading be waived. Minutes: City Council/Redevelopment Agency Meeting Page 2 Tuesday, May 8, 2007 Kristen Barneich, Chair of the Tree Guild of Arroyo Grande, spoke about volunteerism in Arroyo Grande and announced that on Saturday, April 28"', 34 people took time out of their weekend to help the Tree Guild beautify Traffic Way. She said that 27 trees were planted along Traffic Way, Station Way, and Fair Oaks. She thanked each participant by name, thanked Eclair Bakery and JJ's Market in the Village for their generous donation of sandwiches and dessert, and encouraged members of the public to acknowledge all the individuals involved in the project. 8. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Ferrara invited members of the public who wished to comment on any Consent Agenda Item to do so at this time. Upon hearing no public comments, Mayor Ferrara closed the public comment period. Action: Council Member Fellows moved, and Council Member Costello seconded the motion to approve Consent Agenda Items 8.a. through 8.d., with the recommended courses of action. City Attorney Carmel read the Ordinance title in Item 8.d. The motion passed on the following roll- call vote: AYES: Fellows, Costello, Guthrie, Arnold, Ferrara NOES: None ABSENT: None 8.a. Cash Disbursement Ratification. Action: Ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period April 16, 2007 through April 30, 2007. 8.b. Consideration of Approval of Minutes. Action: Approved the minutes of the Special (Closed Session) City Council Meeting of April 10, 2007 and the Regular City Council Meeting of April 10, 2007, as submitted. 8.c. Consideration of Authorization to Purchase Replacement Public Safetv Dispatch Console Equipment. Action: Authorized staff to purchase replacement dispatch consoles for the Police Department from Sterling Communications for $114,002. 8.d. Consideration ~:of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 8.08 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code Relating to the Use and Sale of Fireworks. Action: Adopted Ordinance No. 588 as follows: `;4N ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AMENDING CHAPTER 8.08 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO THE USE AND SALE OF FIREWORKS. 9. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 10. CONTINUED BUSINESS ITEM None. 11. NEW BUSINESS ITEMS Minutes: City Council/Redevelopment Agency Meeting Page 3 Tuesday, May 8, 2007 11.a. Review of the City's Traffic Impact Study Policy. Director of Public Works Don Spagnolo presented the staff report and recommended the Council review the City's current Traffic Impact Study Policy and provide direction to staff. Director Spagnolo responded to questions from Council concerning ownership of the data in the City's traffic model and the City's ability to update the data in-house; how criteria would be used based on location to determine if traffic studies were required; how it was determined to recommend increasing the threshold from 20 peak hour trips to 40 peak hour trips for requiring a traffic study; and clarification regarding the option for requiring an in-lieu fee. Mayor Ferrara invited comments from those in the audience who wished to be heard on the matter. Terry Payne, Miller Way, asked if Mason and Le Point Streets were addressed in the study and expressed concern about traffic impacts to these streets. Steve Ross, member of the City's Traffic Commission, clarified the option recommended by the Commission to vary the trip generation threshold depending on project location and its concern that the current threshold is too low, which could discourage small development projects. Howard Mankins, Hillcrest Drive, referred to the traffic traveling on Halcyon, particularly coming from the top of the Mesa into the City, and inquired if the City knew where that traffic was coming from. He suggested improvements at EI Campo would be a solution, although he acknowledged funding issues associated with the project. He also referred to the traffic impacts coming through Hwy 227 and E. Branch from developed areas outside the City. Upon hearing no further public comments, Mayor Ferrara closed the public comment period. Mayor Ferrara provided the following comments: - Did not want to rush into making policy changes; - Policy is intended to support goals of the circulation system, to monitor impacts and plan accordingly; - Noted that methods for trip generation counts have improved by capturing actual data (driveway counts), which is beginning to serve the City well for traffic planning, and those kinds of measurements are vital to making a valid policy; - Need to take time to get the most accurate portrayal of what the impacts will truly be; - Defining the term "peak period" is critical; - Staff needs to be able to use the Traffic Model to assist applicants in determining the traffic impacts without having to hire a consultant; - The City needs to be able to update the Traffic Model in-house, without hiring a consultant; and - Instead of an in-lieu fee, suggested the applicant spend money on mitigation for the direct impacts of a project. Mayor Pro Tem Arnold provided the following comments: Agreed that there was no rush; goal is to make the process work and have a fair, flexible policy; - Concerned about choosing a new threshold; Minutes: City Council/Redevelopment Agency Meeting Page 4 Tuesday, May 8, 2007 - Supports being able to using the Traffic Model in-house to assess project impacts; Acknowledged that concerns have been identified; and - Supports stepping back and conducting further review. Council Member Costello agreed with comments made so far and stated that he thought the City would probably want to change the thresholds, but he did not want to guess what threshold was appropriate at this time. He favdred taking the additional time necessary to review the issue further in order to focus specifically on what is trying to be accomplished. Council Member Fellows stated he appreciated the work of the Traffic Commission and staff and stated he did not oppose delaying the issue. He commented that he wasn't sure the Council has given any clear ideas or direction. In response to a question from Council Member Guthrie concerning the nexus between requiring a traffic study and mitigation, City Attorney Carmel responded that a traffic study or other data is often useful in connecting project impacts with required project improvements. He noted that the City's Traffic Model can provide that data without relying on substantial resources to a traffic consultant to provide that information. Council Member Guthrie provided the following comments: - Agreed that there should be better use of the Traffic Model to establish both the individual and cumulative impacts; - Noted that most of time, impact fees are paid; he suggested looking at the whole circulation system to establish the priorities and the projects and to also look down the road to see the new problems that will be created by the cumulative impacts of several small projects; - The Traffic Model should be used more often to determine future impacts; - The need to update the Traffic Model more frequently; - Suggested directing staff to come back with a new threshold for requiring traffic studies for smaller projects. Mayor Ferrara concluded by also emphasizing the need for evaluating cumulative impacts. In response to Council comments, City Manager Adams provided a summary of issues directed by the Council as follows: 1) Further review before increasing the threshold for requiring traffic studies; 2) Update the,Traffic Model on an ongoing basis and periodically present an overall traffic analysis for the City rather than project specific reports; 3) Increase staff capabilities to utilize the Traffic Model to provide traffic study analyses in-house; and 4) Use empirical data (actual counts) and redefine "peak hours" to better reflect local conditions. No formal action was taken on this item. 11.b. Consideration of Lease Agreement with PG&E for 5-Acre City Property at West Branch Street and Old Ranch Road for Two-Year Temporary Park and Ride Lot During Winter 2008 and 2009. Community Development Director Rob Strong presented the staff report and recommended the Council authorize the Mayor to execute a lease agreement to enable PG&E to apply for a Minutes: City Council/Redevelopment Agency Meeting Page 5 Tuesday, May B, 2007 Conditional Use Permit for a Park and Ride Lot for up to 400 cars including shuttle bus and night-lighting for winter 2008 and 2009 use. In response to Council questions, Mr. Lynn Mensinger, representing PG&E, gave an overview of the proposed shifts and associated vehicle arrival and departures per time period. He explained that the Environment Impact Report for the project requires specific mitigation, including a reduction of trips into the Diablo Canyon Plant by at least 50%. He also explained that 1,200 more people will be onsite for the project and more space is needed onsite for necessary equipment. Mayor Ferrara invited comments from those in the audience who wished to be heard on the matter. Terry Payne, Miller Way, expressed concern over the proposal as a result of negative impacts to the Historic Village, surrounding residential neighborhoods, private schools, and the freeway. She inquired whether there was some other location that was more adequate for this purpose, or if there were some other places where there could be two or three parking lots in order to reduce the parking at this location. Tom Swem, commercial broker, stated he was given this assignment to find offsite parking for PG&E to accomplish trip reduction through a park and ride lot. He noted that other types of facilities were explored, including shopping centers and some of PG&E's existing land. He said the research in South County led to County owned land and the proposed City parcel adjacent to the County land. He spoke about the long-term plan to develop a parking lot at the proposed site some time in the future and stated this short-term temporary use would provide an opportunity to develop the parking lot for long-term benefit. In response to questions from Council regarding alternate sites, Mr. Swem noted that an alternative site for the parking lot could be the County owned property located at St. Patrick's school; stated that the Five Cities Center is already impacted and is not an alternative; stated that the Pismo Outlet Center has weekend car sales in its parking lot which generate business for the Center, and a park and ride is not desirable at that location. Howard Mankins, Hillcrest Drive, stated he owns a business in the Village and said that the benefits of the proposal far outweigh the impacts for a temporary use. He noted that PG&E is a good neighbor, they have spent a lot of money in our County, and economically, the City will benefit from the additional business. Steve Ross, Garden Street, referred, to recent press regarding vehicle emissions at the dunes and stated this was an excellent opportunity for the City to take the lead to reduce vehicle trips and emissions. Terry Payne, Miller Way, asked if a deadline for the use of the parking lot would be included if a conditional use permit were approved. Staff responded yes; however, it would not preclude a provision for an extension. Hearing no further public comments, Mayor Ferrara closed the public comment period. Council Member Fellows provided the following comments: - Acknowledged two benefits including reduction in air pollution and improving the site for the future use of the proposed sports facility; - Negatives include concentrating traffic and parked cars in our community and further traffic Minutes: City Council/Redevelopment Agency Meeting Page 6 Tuesday, May 8, 2007 impacts to Brisco/Halcyon and the Village, and impacts to the residential neighborhood; - Would be better for the community to spread the burden and create multiple parking sites; suggested the Five Cities Center and K-Mart center; - Not comfortable with 400 cars at this location. Council Member Costello provided the following comments: - Stated this was a balancing act; PG&E project will impact the area no matter what happens; - Additional 400 vehicles will be traveling through the area and will stopping somewhere to take a shuttle bus; - Opportunity is there to reduce vehicles on the freeway by containing them in a park and ride lot; - Positive result is that the proposed area will become a recreation center and will be paved in the near future; - The distribution of traffic arriving and departing is spread out over certain timeframes and may provide an acceptable level of interference in the City; - The benefits of getting the cars off the freeway and reducing air pollution are significant; - Not certain parking areas can be spread out in community to achieve enough parking spaces; - Supports project and advantages to develop the property for future use; suggested some flexibility be provided in the lease agreement in case hours need to be adjusted. Council Member Guthrie provided the following comments: Appears to be the only location in the South County that can handle 400 cars in a single location; - As community partner, there is some obligation to try to make this work out; - Does not think that $150,000 is relevant as it relates to addressing traffic impacts associated with this location; - From traffic standpoint, would like an evaluation of alternative locations or spreading out the park and ride lots to reduce traffic impacts; - If no alternate locations are identified, he could approve the proposal based on the benefits discussed. Mayor Pro Tem Arnold provided the following comments: - Impact is relatively minimal for a short period of time; - There is an opportunity for long term benefit; including parking for special events like the Strawberry Festival; - Would like to see the City's costs covered in the lease agreement; - Suggested PG&E employ traffic control measures to ensure efficient ingress and egress from the site; - Can support the proposal; could also support scaling back the project to reduce the number of parked vehicles and locating an alternate site for the remaining vehicles; - Believes carpooling is a benefit. Mayor Ferrara provided the following comments: - Asked for clarification on which communities the proposed park and ride lot would serve; - Expressed concerns about negative air quality and traffic impacts due to volume of vehicles Minutes: City Council/Redevelopment Agency Meeting Page 7 Tuesday, May 8, 2007 in such a small area; - Other communities would be driving south away from the project site to the proposed park and ride location; - Suggested alternative routes to diffuse concentration of vehicles in the proposed location; - Would consider a reduced parking lot size with reduced impacts on a trial basis; would not want to commit to a two-year (ease without some flexibility; - The Council has had a number of recent discussions centered around the traffic problems around the Five Cities Center; - Would result in significant impact on traffic from Rodeo Drive, Old Ranch Road, around the Woman's Club and Community Center; and the Village; - Noted that a public hearing would have been more beneficial; - Not prepared to move forward with the proposal when the City is dealing with an existing problematic intersection very close to the proposed project site. Council Member Fellows asked if this proposal moved forward in the future whether the ARC would be able to review the plan for landscaping. Staff replied that the process would include obtaining a conditional use permit, which would require a public hearing and include standard conditions of approval. Council Member Guthrie suggested additional analysis on why this is the preferred site and whether alternative sites are available; and whether there would be consideration for additional traffic control mitigations. Action: Council Member Guthrie moved to direct staff to renegotiate with PG&E to look at revising the project to include the concept of other parking sites throughout the South County to reduce the parking on the proposed site; to restructure the lease to allow early termination; to include potential traffic control mitigation to reduce impacts to the residential neighborhoods; and to request PG&E to coordinate the proposed project with the County's public transportation companies. Council Member Fellows seconded, and the motion passed on the following roll call vote: AYES: Guthrie, Fellows, Costello, Arnold, Ferrara NOES: None ABSENT: None 11.c. Consideration of Le Point Parking Lot/Structure Feasibility Study. [COUNCIL/RDA] City Manager/Executive Director Adams presented the staff report and introduced David Vogel from Parking Design Group, who gave a presentation on the results of the study and an overview of the preferred alternative. City Manager/Executive Director Adams concluded the presentation by recommending the Council/RDA Board: 1) Approve the Le Point Parking Lot/Structure Feasibility Study; 2) Approve Concept A, Alternate 2 as the preferred alternative or Alternate 3 if a land swap can be achieved to acquire areas identified as Al and 61; and 3) Direct staff to determine if Alternate 3 will be feasible and identify options for implementation. Mayor/Chair Ferrara invited comments from those in the audience who wished to be heard on the matter. Minutes: City Council/Redevelopment Agency Meeting Page 8 Tuesday, May 8, 2007 Terry Pavne, Miller Way, stated that she lives on the street that ends at the ingress/egress point to the parking structure; expressed concern about additional traffic impacts to Le Point Street; asked if environmental review had been conducted on the project; expressed concern about visual impacts with a three story parking structure, increased trip generation at Mason and Le Point Street and the need for a three way stop at that intersection, the lack of sidewalks on Le Point Street for pedestrian access, that the proposed design of the parking structure is not within the Historic Design Guidelines, and that there needs to be an additional access for circulation. Hearing no further public comments, Mayor/Chair Ferrara closed the public comment period. Council/Board discussion ensued regarding the results of the feasibility study; clarification concerning access issues and parking space widths; clarification that the design of the parking structure is conceptual in nature and is not specifically being considered at this time; acknowledgment that public comments regarding the project are important; clarification regarding the recommended Alternatives; clarification that surface level parking is the focus with a goal to provide potential for future expansion of the parking structure; and support for Concept A, Alternative 2 or 3. Action: Mayor Pro Tem/Vice Chair Arnold moved to approve the Le Point Parking Lot/Structure Feasibility Study and to approve Concept A, Alternate 2 as the preferred project or Alternate 3 if a land swap could be achieved to acquire areas identified as Al and B1. Council/Board Member Guthrie seconded, and the motion passed on the following roll-call vote: AYES: Arnold, Guthrie, Costello, Fellows, Ferrara NOES: None ABSENT: None 11.d. Consideration of Proposed Ordinance to Comply with SB 53. City Manager Adams introduced an Ordinance to comply with requirements of Senate Bill 53, Chapter 591 of Statutes of 2006, as codified in California Health and Safety Code Section 33342.7, by describing that the Arroyo Grande Redevelopment Agency does not have authority to acquire real property by eminent domain and therefore has no program to acquire real property by eminent domain. Mayor Ferrara invited comments from those in the audience who wished to be heard on the matter, and upon hearing none, he closed the public comment period. Action: Council Member Guthrie moved to introduce an Ordinance as follows: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE, CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE TO COMPLY WITH RQUIREMENTS OF SENATE BILL 53, CHAPTER 591 OF STATUTES OF 2006, AS CODIFIED IN CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE SECTION 33342.7, BY DESCRIBING THAT THE ARROYO GRANDE REDEVELOMENT AGENCY DOES NOT HAVE AUTHORITY TO ACQUIRE REAL ..PROPERTY BY EMINENT DOMAIN AND THEREFORE HAS NO PROGRAM TO ACQUIRE REAL PROPERTY BY EMINENT DOMAIN" Mayor Pro Tem Arnold seconded, and the motion passed on the following roll-call vote: Minutes: City Council/Redevelopment Agency Meeting Page 9 Tuesday, May 8, 2007 AYES: Guthrie, Arnold, Costello, Fellows, Ferrara NOES: None ABSENT: None 12. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS Mayor Ferrara referred to an "At a°Glance" publication on the City of Anaheim's website and requested staff to develop a similar"atlas" which would include demographic data on the City's employment, population, land and geographic profiles for placement on the City's website. 13. CITY MANAGER ITEMS None. 14. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Pro Tem Arnold reminded the Council that the Economic Vitality Corporation (EVC) would be conducting its Annual Goal Setting Retreat and invited the Council to provide him with any input to take to the goal setting retreat. 15. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS City Manager Adams confirmed that a joint meeting of the Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, and Pismo Beach City Councils has been tentatively scheduled for Thursday, June 7'" at 6:00 p.m. at the South County Regional Center to receive a presentation on Green Build. 16. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS Joel Couser, Asilo, noted that he was a member of the City's Traffic Commission and stated that the proposed Lease Agreement with PG&E for the 5-Acre City property at West Branch Street and Old Ranch Road for atwo-year temporary park and ride lot during winter 2008 and 2009 did not come before the Commission for discussion. He stated that the proposed location, lease, and monetary benefit would not offset traffic problems generated in the area. He suggested that spreading out parking locations throughout the area would be a more effective solution. He also commented on proposed revisions to the Traffic Study Policy and noted that in-lieu fees for smaller projects could be applied to needed infrastructure improvements in the City. Finally, he referred to upcoming water rate increases, and noted that the City should be compensated by the State for water being released from the dam into the creeks. 17. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Ferrara adjourned t meeting at 10:18 p.m. Tony Ferrara, o Chair ATTEST: //-- ~/~ IL~~h ~ Kelly WetmorQ; City rk/Agency Secretary (Approved at CC Mtg .~O-/2-Zooh