Minutes 2009-02-24MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2009
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 EAST BRANCH STREET
ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ferrara called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:01 p.m:
2. ROLL CALL
City Council: Council Members Chuck Fellows, Ed Arnold, Mayor Pro Tem Joe Costello,
and Mayor Tony Ferrara were present. Council Member Guthrie was absent.
City Staff Present: City Manager Steve. Adams, City Attorney Tim Carmel, Director of
Administrative Services/City Clerk Kelly Wetmore, Director of Financial
Services Angela Kraetsch, Director of Community Development Rob Strong,
and Chief of Police Steve Annibali.
3. FLAG SALUTE
Ken Kitchen, representing the South County Historical Society, led the Flag Salute.
4. INVOCATION
Pastor George Lepper, Peace Lutheran Church, delivered the invocation.
5. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
S.a. Certificate of Appreciation presented to Mark Vasquez.
Mayor Ferrara presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Mark Vasquez for his assistance with
updating the Historic District Design Guidelines and the mansionization code changes.
6. AGENDA REVIEW
6.a. Ordinances Read in Title Only.
Council Member Costello moved, Council Member Fellows 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.
7. CITIZENS' INPUT. COMMENTS. AND SUGGESTIONS
None.
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.
Jeremv Gardner, Canyon Way, referred to Item 8.e. and requested clarification on the proposed
action.
No further public comments were received
Mayor Pro Tem Costello requested Item 8.c. be pulled from the Consent Agenda.
Mayor Ferrara requested Item 8.e. be pulled from the Consent Agenda.
Minutes: City Counci/ Meeting
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Page 2
Action: Mayor Pro Tem Costello moved, and Council Member Arnold seconded the motion to
approve Consent Agenda Items 8.a., 8.1i., and 8.d., with the recommended courses of actiori. The
motion passed on the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Costello, Arnold, Fellows, Ferrara
NOES: None
ABSENT: Guthrie
S.a. Cash Disbursement Ratification.
Action: Ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period February 1, 2009 through
February 15, 2009.
8.b. Consideration of Statement of Investment Deposits
Action: Received and filed the report of current investment deposits as of January 31, 2009.
8.d. Consideration of Authorization to Use City Property and Close City Streets for the
Annual Arroyo Grande Strawberry Festival on May 23 and 24, 2009 'and the Annual
Strawberry Stampede; Temporary Use Permit No. 09-003
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 4162 as follows: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE AUTHORIZING THE USE OF CITY
PROPERTY AND CLOSURE OF CITY STREETS FOR THE ANNUAL ARROYO GRANDE
STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL ON MAY 23 AND 24, 2009 AND THE ANNUAL
STRAWBERRY STAMPEDE; TEMPORARY USE PERMIT NO. 09-003':
ITEMS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENTAGENDA
8.e. Consideration of a Resolution Accepting an Offer of Dedication for an Easement to
Operate and Maintain Emergency Access on Canyon Way
Recommended Action: Adopt a Resolution Accepting. an Offer of Dedication. for an
Easement to Operate and Maintain Emergency Access on Canyon Way (Tract 2265 -
Village Glen).
Council Member Fellows declared a conflict of interest due to ownership of real property on Canyon
Way and recused himself from voting on the item.
City Manager Adams clarified that staff was recommending the Council accept an offer of
dedication for an emergency access easement that was originally made when the Village Glen
project was approved and does not change the character of the easement as it relates to pedestrian
access.
Action: Mayor Pro Tem Costello moved to adopt Resolution No. 4163 as follows: "A
RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE ACCEPTING AN
OFFER OF DEDICATION FOR AN EASEMENT TO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN EMERGENCY
ACCESS ON CANYON WAY (TRACT 2265 -VILLAGE GLEN)". Council Member Arnold
seconded the motion, and the motion passed on the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Costello, Arnold, Ferrara
NOES: None
ABSENT: Guthrie, Fellows (recused)
Minutes: City Council Meeting
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Page 3
8.c. Consideration of a Resolution Approving Application for Land and Water
Conservation Fund Grant for the Meadow Creek Path Connection Project.
Recommended Action: Adopt a Resolution Approving an Application for Land and Water
Conservation Fund Grant; Meadow Creek Path Connection Project.
Mayor Pro Tem Costello declared a conflict of interest due to ownership of real property near the
proposed project and recused himself from voting on the item.
Action: Council Member Arnold moved to adopt Resolution No. 4161 as follows: "A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE APPROVING AN APPLICATION
FOR LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION FUND- GRANT; MEADOW CREEK PATH
CONNECTION PROJECT". Council Member Fellows seconded the motion, and the motion passed
on the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Amold, Fellows, Ferrara
NOES: None
ABSENT: Guthrie, Costello (recused)
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
10. CONTINUED BUSINESS ITEMS
None.
11. NEW BUSINESS ITEMS
11.a. Consideration of Police Station Expansion Needs Assessment and Feasibility Study.
City Manager Adams presented the staff report and recommended the Council: 1) Review the
results of the Police Station Expansion Needs Assessment and Feasibility Study; 2) Selecf the
West Branch/Rodeo Drive new facility site as the preferred alternative; and 3) Direct staff to prepare
property acquisition, environmental review and funding recommendations. Chief Annibali reviewed
space needs and the current layout and size of the Police Station and addressed four areas of
deficiency, including detective/investigation space; storage of evidence and equipment; the prisoner
loading area (sally port); and parking.
Craig Atkinson, representing bfgc Architects, gave a presentation and reviewed the results of the
Police Station Feasibility Study; provided an overview of the building's history of use; and reviewed
the findings of the structural, mechanical, electrical evaluation. He then presented a site plan for a
proposed remodel of the existing station, including a floor plan, exterior renderings and elevations;
and then presented a conceptual study for a new facility on W. Branch and Rodeo, including a site
plan, floor plan, and elevations.
Staff responded to questions from Council concerning ability for future expansion on the alternate
site; how the proposal for a new facility compares to facilities in other cities; potential for
consolidating dispatch operations; the ability to provide an Emergency Operations Center; and the
ability to seek grant funding for the project.
Council comments ensued in support of the alternate site and looking for ways to maximize funding
opportunities; that if the City can afford to build the new facility, it would not require relocation of
Minutes: City Council Meeting
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Page 4
staff, recruitment and retention of staff would be easier; and the station would be a more energy
efficient facility; that it appears to make more sense to build new than to remodel the existing
station; that the City must look to future and anticipate its needs for improved dispatch functiohs;
construction of an EOC since the existing EOC located at the Fire Station is located in a flood zone
and is not an ideal location; that the alternate site could serve as a regional EOC; that Federal
grants may be available, and that there is a golden opportunity for land acquisition from the County.
Action: Mayor Pro Tem Costello moved to select the West Branch/Rodeo Drive site as the
preferred alternative fora new facility and to direct staff to prepare property acquisition,
environmental review and funding recommendations. Council Member Arnold seconded, and the
motion passed on the followirig roll-call vote:
AYES: Costello, Arnold, Fellows, Ferrara
NOES: None
ABSENT: Guthrie
12. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
a. MAYOR TONY FERRARA:
(1) San Luis Obispo Council of Governments/San Luis Obispo Regional Transit
Authority (SLOCOG/SLORTA). RTA Visioning meeting to be on Friday.
SLOCOG/SLORTA Board meets next week.
(2) South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District (SSLOCSD). No report as he
attended a League of California Cities meeting.
(3) Brisco/Halcyon/Hwy 101 Interchange Project Subcommittee. Nothing to report.
(4) Other. None.
b. MAYOR PRO TEM JOE COSTELLO:
(1) Zone 3 Water Advisory" Board. Has not met since last report. Will be out of town for
next meeting.
(2) Air Pollution Control District (APCD). Fire Oversight Committee. Has not met
since last report..
(3) Fire Consolidation Oversight Committee. Reported on staff activity to prepare a
grant proposal to replace the ladder truck; the Department continues to operate well;
cooperation is to be commended for all agencies.
(4) .Other. None.
c. COUNCIL MEMBER JIM GUTHRIE: (ABSENT)
(1) South County. Area Transit (SCAT).
(2) California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA).
(3) Other.
d. COUNCIL MEMBER ED ARNOLD:
(1) Integrated Waste Management Authority Board (IWMA). No report.
(2) Economic Vitality Corporation (EVC). Meets tomorrow.
(3) Other. Attended Recreation Center Subcommittee meeting which was well attended
by the public; researching other facilities and conducting some fact finding.
Minutes: City Council Meefing Page 5
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
e. MAYOR PRO TEM CHUCK FELLOWS:
(1) South County Youth Coalition. No report.
(2) County Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC). Has not met since last
report.
(3) Other. Attended a forum of rail fans; reported on plans for a Railroad Festival in
October.
13. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS:
None.
14. CITY MANAGER ITEMS:
None.
15. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS:
Council Member Fellows asked City Manager Adams for an update on Exceleron project.
Mayor Ferrara attended the League of California Cities Board Meeting and asked City Manager
Adams to distribute information regarding a scam which requests the mailing of a fee to reassess
property values for tax purposes.
Mayor Ferrara referred to a League of California Cities publication relating to the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 (commonly known as the Federal Economic
Stimulus Package). He said the League of California Cities has compiled a City Funding Book to
assist cities in pursuit of ARRA funding.
16. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS:
City Manager Adams reported that the Excelaron oil project was scheduled to be heard at an
upcoming County Planning Commission meeting with a recommendation to adopt a Mitigated
Negative Declaration. He stated that staff had prepared a letter to the County to oppose the
recommended action and to request that a full Environmental Impact Report be prepared for the
project.
City Manager Adams announced a Tourism Committee public workshop to be held on Thursday,
February 26'" at the Regional Center beginning at 5:30 p.m.
City Manager Adams reported that staff would be actively pursuing grant opportunities for various
projects.
Council Member Fellows referred to the Huasna Valley Association's 88-page review of the
County's Mitigated Negative Declaration for the Excelaron oil project and suggested that the City
stay in touch with the Association and coordinate efforts where appropriate.
17. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS:
None.
18. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ferrara adjourned the meeting at 8:02 p.m.
Minutes: City Council Meeting Page 6
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tony Ferrar or
ATTEST:
Kelly Wetmore ity Clerk
(Approved at CC Mtg ,3 /O •a`i0 09 1