Minutes 2007-10-09MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2007
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 EAST BRANCH STREET
ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor/Chair Ferrara called the Regular City Council/Redevelopment Agency meeting to order at
7:08 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 Tim Carmel, Director of
Administrative Services/City Clerk Kelly Wetmore, Director of Financial
Services Angela Kraetsch, Director of Public Works Don Spagnolo, and
Associate Planner Kelly Heffernon.
3. FLAG SALUTE
Bob Lund, Village Improvement Association, led the Flag Salute.
4. INVOCATION
Pastor Robert Banker, Open Door Church, Oceano, delivered the invocation.
5. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
None.
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 presented at the meeting shall be read in title only and all further
reading be waived.
Lisa Quinn, representing SLO Regional Rideshare, announced annual campaign activities
associated with "Rideshare Week" during October 15-19, 2007. She also announced a Safe Routes
to School Workshop to be held in Grover Beach on October 23 and 24, 2007.
Tim Brown, Allen Street, referred to recent sidewalk improvements on Poole Street and requested
that the City install sidewalk improvements on Allen Street as part of the Capital Improvement Plan.
He also said there was a section on the corner of Traffic Way and Allen Street that needs to be
fixed and believed this area should be a priority in the sidewalk improvement project.
Jessie Lemos, Mentone, commented on the recent band concert held in the parking lot at Wal-Mart
and expressed concern that the noise could be heard from Grover Beach.
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. There were no public comments received.
Council Member Fellows pulled Item 8.f.
Council Member Guthrie pulled Item S.e.
Minutes: City CounciURedevelopment Agency Meeting page y
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Action: Mayor Pro Tem Arnold moved, and Council Member Guthrie seconded the motion to
approve Consent Agenda Items 8.a. through 8.d., with the recommended courses of action. The
motion passed on the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Arnold, Guthrie, Costello, Fellows, Ferrara
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
8.a. Cash Disbursement Ratification.
Action: Ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period September 16, 2007
through September 30, 2007.
8.b. Consideration of Approval of Minutes.
Action: Approved the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of September 11, 2007
as submitted.
8.c. Consideration to Approve Criteria to Prioritize Sidewalk Projects.
Action: Approved the criteria for prioritizing sidewalk projects to be undertaken as part of
the Capital Improvement Program.
8.d. Consideration of Approval of a Contract with the California Conservation Corps for
the Demonstration Project to Remove Invasive English Ivy along the Arroyo Grande
Creek.
Action: Approved the proposed agreement between the City of Arroyo Grande and the
California Conservation Corps in the amount of $15,000 for the removal of invasive English
Ivy along the Arroyo Grande Creek between Mason Street and Bridge Street.
8.e. Consideration of 2007-08 Annual Report on the General Plan and Report on
Remaining Program for Development Code Consistency.
Recommended Action: Receive and file or set for City Council discussion at future regular
meeting.
Council Member Guthrie noted that the report was excellent and acknowledged the progress that
was being made. He expressed concern about policy decisions made during consideration of a
project and recommended that an update of the CEQA Guidelines, including thresholds of
significance, be moved to the project priority list.
Action: Council Member Guthrie moved to receive and file the report as amended to include an
update of the CEQA Guidelines as a priority project. Council Member Fellows seconded, and the
motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Guthrie, Fellows, Costello, Arnold, Ferrara
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Minutes: City CounciURedevelopment Agency Meeting
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Page 3
8.f. Consideration of Temporary Use Permit Case No. 07-019, Authorizing No Parking on
East and West Branch Street, the Closure of Short Street at East Branch Street
between Traffic Way and Mason Street on Wednesday October 31, 2007 for
"Halloween in the Village".
Recommended Action: Approve Temporary Use Permit Case No. 07-019 and approved
Option A by adopting a Resolution authorizing no parking on East and West Branch Street,
the Closure of Short Street at East Branch Street and the use of safety measures on East
and West Branch Street between Traffic Way and Mason Street for "Halloween in the
Village" to be held on October 31, 2007.
Council Member Fellows stated he could support Option A; however, he suggested moving the
delineators out two feet from the curb to avoid pedestrian congestion on the curb. Discussion
ensued concerning traffic, signage, and public safety issues. Mayor Pro Tem Arnold suggested
supporting Option A as recommended this year and re-evaluating the situation and safety measures
next year based on a review of the event.
Action: Mayor Pro Tem Arnold moved to adopt a Resolution as follows: "A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING TEMPORARY USE PERMIT
NO. 07-019 AND AUTHORIZING THE CLOSURE OF SHORT STREET AT EAST BRANCH,
IMPLEMENTING NO PARKING ON BRANCH STREET AND USE OF SAFETY MEASURES ON
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2007 FOR "HALLOWEEN /N THE VILLAGE" with direction to the
Police Department to use flashing signs as deemed necessary. Council Member Guthrie
seconded, and the motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Arnold, Guthrie, Fellows, Costello, Ferrara
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
9. PUBLIC HEARING
9.a. Consideration of Request from South County Sanitary Service for Integrated Solid
Waste Collection Rate Increase and Franchise Extension.
City Manager Adams presented the staff report and recommended the Council: 1) Adopt a
Resolution approving South County Sanitary Service, Inc. integrated solid waste collection rate
increase; and 2) Approve the First Amendment to the Solid Waste Franchise Agreement extending
for one year the existing Franchise Agreement with South County Sanitary Service, Inc. for
integrated solid waste collection services. He introduced Bill Statler, City of San Luis Obispo
Finance Director, who gave a presentation entitled "South County Sanitary Service Rate Review"
which included information on the process and methodology used to determine whether the request
for a rate increase was reasonable.
Mayor Ferrara opened the public hearing and invited comments from those in the audience who
wished to be heard on the matter. No public comments were received and the Mayor closed the
public hearing.
Minutes: City CounciURedevelopment Agency Meeting page 4
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Council comments included acknowledgement of the terms of the existing Franchise Agreement;
that the request was reasonable and within the scope, terms, and conditions of the Franchise
Agreement; and support for the one year extension of the Franchise Agreement. In response to
discussion regarding negotiations for renewal of the Franchise, staff was directed to request
elimination of penalties for extra recycling materials, increased marketing for recycling programs,
and establishment of a recycling program for electronic devices. City Attorney Carmel also noted
for the record that the proposed amendment to the Solid Waste Franchise Agreement should be
corrected to read "Third Amendment" instead of "First Amendment".
Action: Council Member Costello moved to adopt a Resolution as follows: "A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE ESTABLISHING INTEGRATED
SOLID WASTE COLLECTION SERVICE RATES" and to approve the Third Amendment to the
Solid Waste Franchise Agreement extending for one year the existing Franchise Agreement with
South County Sanitary Service, Inc. for integrated solid waste collection services. Mayor Pro Tem
Arnold seconded, and the motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Costello, Arnold, Guthrie, Fellows, Ferrara
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
9.b. Consideration of Development Code Amendment No. 06-004 to Amend the Zoning
Map; Applicant City of Arroyo Grande; Location - 12.77 Acres North of East Cherry
Avenue Extension (Subarea 2 of the East Village Neighborhood Plan) and Approval of
Neighborhood Plan No. 04-001 (East Village Neighborhood Plan); Applicant:
Creekside Estates of Arroyo Grande, LLC; Location - 22 Acres East of Noguera Court
Subdivision, North of East Cherry Avenue Extension, and South of Arroyo Grande
Creek
Associate Planner Heffernon presented the staff report and stated the Planning Commission
recommended the City Council: 1) Introduce an Ordinance amending the Zoning Map to change the
designation of the subject property from Residential Rural to Single-Family Residential; and 2)
Adopt a Resolution approving the East Village Neighborhood Plan.
Mayor Ferrara opened the public hearing and invited comments from those in the audience who
wished to be heard on the matter.
Mark Vascuez, representing the Subarea 2 neighbors, stated that the proposed drainage strategies
offer lots of solutions and options to be reviewed as projects come forward for each site. He
acknowledged that each individual property has its own unique constraints and he believed the
proposed options provide some flexibility in identifying the appropriate drainage solution. He
supported staffs recommendations as proposed.
Damien Mavis, Subarea 1 developer, stated he had reviewed the proposed drainage plans and they
would coordinate well with everything being planned for Subarea 1. He agreed that there were
several feasible drainage alternatives for each lot, which would provide some flexibility on how
development occurs in the future. He stated the proposal is a logical next step in the Neighborhood
Plan process and supported approval of the Plan.
Minutes: City Council/RedevelopmentRgency Meeting Page 5
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Reuel Estes, E. Cherry Avenue, spoke in opposition to the City's agricultural buffer policy as it
relates to the impact on individual property rights and property value.
Tonv Janowicz, Lierly Lane, spoke in support of the Neighborhood Plan and rezoning as proposed.
Upon hearing no further public comments, Mayor Ferrara closed the public hearing.
Council Member Guthrie provided the following comments:
- Expressed concern if the City would ever see the vegetated farm buffer that was expected as
part of Subarea 2; however, he supported moving forward with the proposal;
- Expressed concern relating to the drainage plan and stated it was in the community's best
interest to provide as much direction as possible as far as coordinating the drainage in this area;
- Stated that while a number of the drainage options may be feasible, he felt the City has an
obligation to provide the best, most coordinated plan for the drainage;
- He noted that in the past, individual surface drainage basins have been undesirable in other
locations and would be as undesirable in this location;
- Does not support drainage solutions that would dump directly into the creek
- Could support the Neighborhood Plan if two of the drainage options are eliminated; not allowing
surface basins and not allowing dumping directly into the creek, except by using a coordinated
plan; would support a single basin for the entire area.
Council Member Costello provided the following comments:
- Would also like to see one coordinated drainage solution;
- Could support eliminating the least desirable drainage plan options;
- Agreed that dumping directly into the creek is not a desirable option, nor is having individual
drainage basins throughout the development.
Council Member Fellows provided the following comments:
- Agreed with concerns expressed by Council Member Guthrie as it relates to the drainage plan;
- Stated it was to the benefit of future developers to have clear direction regarding drainage
solutions;
- Stated that sheet flow runoff to the creek should be eliminated from the list of drainage
strategies and options;
- Suggested that the drainage options be listed in order of desirability with sheet flow runoff to the
creek at the bottom of the list, and putting surface basins above that; or eliminate those two
options completely;
- Agreed that language should be added to the Neighborhood Plan that it is a concept plan;
- Supported the road acquisition process for dirt Cherry once the road improvements have been
completed;
- Supported a road width of 24 feet through Subarea 2;
- Appreciated work by the Natural Resources Conservation Service to develop the drainage
options; however, he thought leaving all the options was not a good idea;
- Supported the proposed amendments to the East Village Neighborhood Plan and would like to
approve the proposals tonight with clarifications concerning the drainage options.
Minutes: City CounciURedevelopment Agency Meeting Page 6
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Mayor Pro Tem Arnold provided the following comments:
- Supported the Neighborhood Plan and acknowledged the amount of effort that has gone into
this with the neighborhood, staff, and advisory bodies;
- Requested modifying the list of available drainage options to eliminate direct drainage to the
creek and individual surface basins; or would support some form of a consolidated plan using
both of those options;
- Requested additional language that the layout in the Neighborhood Plan is purely conceptual.
Mayor Ferrara provided the following comments:
- Expressed concern about restricting and/or eliminating the two drainage options previously
discussed due to areas where there may be no other feasible option; however, he would
support listing those two as the lowest priority or last option if nothing else works;
- Stated there was some merit in having Public Works look at the drainage options to see what
can be proposed as a suggested course of action for certain lots;
- Stated that one of the higher priorities as far as drainage should be the degree to which
integration could occur with Subarea 1.
Discussion, comments, and clarification ensued concerning the various drainage strategies and
options as it relates to drainage improvements in Subarea 2.
Action: Mayor Pro Tem Arnold moved to introduce an Ordinance as follows: `;4N ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AMENDING THE ZONING MAP TO
DESIGNATE THE SUBJECT PROPERTY AS SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL (SF);
DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT 06-004, APPLIED FOR BY THE CITY OF ARROYO
GRANDE FOR PROPERTY LOCATED NORTH OF EAST CHERRY AVENUE EXTENSION
(SUBAREA 2 OF THE EAST VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN". Council Member Guthrie
seconded, and the motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Arnold, Guthrie, Costello, Fellows, Ferrara
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Action: Mayor Pro Tem Arnold moved to adopt a Resolution as follows: "A RESOLUTION OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING THE EAST VILLAGE
NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN (NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN CASE NO. 04001) FOR APPROXIMATELY
22 ACRES LOCATED EAST OF THE NOGUERA COURT SUBDIVISION, NORTH OF THE EAST
CHERRY AVENUE EXTENSION, AND SOUTH OF ARROYO GRANDE CREEK; APPLICANT -
CREEKS/DE ESTATES OF ARROYO GRANDE, LLC", with an amendment to the map in
Attachment 3 to add language that it is a Conceptual Plan and that there is no guarantee that the
layout of the lots depicted can or will be approved; modify the drainage options in Attachment 8 to
prohibit drainage to the creek for individual lots as well as the use of surface basins, and to place
those two drainage options as the lowest priority on the list of drainage solutions and options for the
area. Council Member Fellows seconded the motion.
As a result of further Council discussion regarding drainage strategies and options as it relates to
drainage into the creek, Council Member Fellows withdrew his second to the motion.
Minutes: City CounciURedevelopment Agency Meeting page 7
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Mayor Ferrara seconded. At the request of Mayor Pro Tem Arnold, City Attorney Carmel read the
amendments to the Neighborhood Plan as follows: Attachment 3 will be labeled "East Village
Neighborhood Conceptual Plan"; on Page 2 of the Neighborhood Plan under List of Attachments,
Attachment 3 will be relabeled "East Village Neighborhood Conceptual Plan"; on Page 5 of the
Neighborhood Plan, footnote 'a' is amended in part to read "The attached Subarea 2 concept plan
for SF zoning (see Attachment 3#) is intended only as an illustration of one of many possible
development configurations and densities for Subarea 2 based on lot size and area constraints.
Using........ acreage."
The motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Amold, Ferrara, Costello
NOES: Guthrie, Fellows
ABSENT: None
Mayor Ferrara called a break at 9:00 p.m. The Council reconvened at 9:10 p.m.
10. CONTINUED BUSINESS ITEMS
None.
11. NEW BUSINESS ITEMS
11.a. Consideration of Purchase of Property at Southwest Corner of Courtland Street and
East Grand Avenue. [RDA]
Chair Ferrara declared a conflict of interest due to ownership of real property near the project and
stepped down from the dais.
Executive Director Adams presented the staff report and recommended the Redevelopment Agency
Board: 1) Approve the Vacant Land Purchase Agreement and Joint Escrow Instructions for a
portion of the vacant property at the southwest corner of Courtland Street and East Grand Avenue;
and 2) Appropriate $1,480,000 from the Redevelopment Agency Affordable Housing Set Aside
Fund for property acquisition plus escrow, appraisal, soils and environmental tests and closing
costs.
Vice Chair Arnold invited public comments from those in the audience who wished to be heard on
the matter.
Tim Brown, Allen Street, inquired how large the property was, whether it is proposed to be all rental
units, and how the City would maintain rental units in perpetuity. He further inquired whether
Proposition 1 C funds could be used for this project.
Upon hearing no further public comments, Vice Chair Arnold closed the public comment period.
In response to public comments, Executive Director Adams explained that a portion of the properly
is designated as office and a portion of the property is designated for affordable housing rental
units. He explained that the City was not utilizing Proposition 1 C funds as there was sufficient
Minutes: City Counci4Redevelopment Agency Meeting Page 8
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
funding in the Redevelopment Agency Housing Set Aside Fund. Lastly, he explained that a
Disposition and Development Agreement would be drafted which would include restrictions, such as
deed restrictions on the units, to maintain the units as affordable housing units.
Board comments and discussion ensued including support for the proposal; acknowledgement that
public input would be sought when a specific project comes forward; optimism that the City can find
a partner for development of the property; and acknowledgement that the property has been
identified for affordable rental units in the approved Specific Plan.
Action: Board Member Guthrie moved to approve the Vacant Land Purchase Agreement and Joint
Escrow Instructions for a portion of the vacant property at the southwest corner of Courtland Street
and East Grand Avenue, as amended to include a revised Exhibit No. 1 with the appropriate site
map, and inclusion of reference to APN 077-131-003 in the Agreement. Board Member Costello
seconded, and the motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Guthrie, Costello, Fellows, Arnold
NOES: None
ABSENT: Ferrara
Action: Board Member Guthrie moved to Appropriate $1,480,000 from the Redevelopment Agency
Affordable Housing Set Aside Fund for property acquisition plus escrow, appraisal, soils and
environmental tests and closing costs. Board Member Costello seconded, and the motion passed
on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Guthrie, Costello, Fellows, Arnold
NOES: None
ABSENT: Ferrara
Chair Ferrara returned to the dais.
12. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS
None.
13. CITY MANAGER ITEMS
None.
14. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
Mayor Pro Tem Arnold thanked everyone who participated in the Annual Arroyo Grande Harvest
Festival.
15. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
None.
16. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
None.
Minutes: City CounciURedeve/opmentAgmcy Meeting
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
17. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor/Chair Ferrara adjourned the meeting at 9:29 p.m.
ATTEST:
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Kelly~C,~ y Clerk/Agency Secretary
(Approved atCCUUMtg 11-13-Zoo'1-
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