Minutes 1999-05-13 SP
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MINUTES
CITY COUNCILS OF
ARROYO GRANDE, GROVER BEACH, PISMO BEACH
SPECIAL JOINT CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday, May 13, 1999 - 6:30 p.m.
Woman's Club Community Center. 211 Vernon Street
Arroyo Grande, California
1. CALL TO ORDER
Arroyo Grande Mayor Michael A, Lady called the Special Joint Meeting to order at
6:30 p.m.
2. FLAG SALUTE
Arroyo Grande Mayor Lady led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3, ROLL CALL
Arroyo Grande Grover Beach Pismo Beach
-X.. Mayor Lady -1L Mayor Keith -X- Mayor Brown
-X... Mayor ProTem Ferrara -1L Mayor ProTem Ekbom ..lLMayorProTem Mellow
-1L Runels -1L Arnoldsen ..lL Hen Ii n
-X... Tolley -1L Neufeld -X- Natoli -
...x... Dickens ...x... Santos -X... Reiss
ST AFF PRESENT
Staff members present from Arroyo Grande were City Manager Robert L. Hunt;
Public Works Director Don Spagnolo; Parks and Recreation Director Dan
Hernandez; and Administrative Services Director/Deputy City . Clerk Kelly
Wetmore. Staff members present from Grover Beach were City Manager Tom A.
Odom; Administrative Services Director Brian Johnson; and Recreation
Supervisor Becky Schram. Staff present ~rom Pismo Beach was City Manager
Michael Fuson.
4. CITIZENS; INPUT, COMMENTS. AND SUGGESTIONS:
Van Rodick, Arroyo Grande resident, stated he had seen an article In the
newspaper and asked if this meeting was the beginning of a consolidation not
only of the recreation departments but also of the entire cities.
Kasson Lunt, Pismo Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau member, stated that the
plan for recreation consolidation is the start of a collaborative effort.
CITY COUNCILS MINUTES
MAY 13, 1999
Bill Couch, Pismo Beach Parks, Recreation and Beautification. Commissioner,
spoke in support of consolidating recreation programs.
Gail Lightfoot, Arroyo Grande resident, distributed a letter to the Councils with
information from the World Wide Web relating to Proposition 11 - Local Sales and
Use Taxes. She stated that San Luis Obispo County favored this Proposition by
52% and she encouraged each of the Councils to bring this issue to its respective
communities for consideration.
John Wysong, Grover Beach resident, spoke about traffic issues on Oak Park
Boulevard. He urged the Councils to conduct a traffic survey on Oak Park
Boulevard since all the cities use this road,
5, ACTION ITEMS
a. Coordination and/or Consolidation of Parks and Recreation Programs
Grover Beach City Manager Odom highlighted the Staff Report. He clarified that
this item addressed the coordjnation/consolidation of recreation programs only
and did not include coordination/consolidation of parks. He stated that the three
cities had discussed this issue at its last Special Joint City Councils meeting in
1997 and had adopted a joint resolution of the cities supporting cooperative
efforts in recreation. He said that in the last two years there have been significant
results as an effort of that cooperation. He said staff recommended the Councils
discuss and provide direction to staff.
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Council Members asked questions of staff and made comments. There was
discussion about recreation department staffing levels within each jurisdiction as
well as what the cost of a consolidation study would be, The Councils discussed
previous efforts of consolidation in the area of public service and public safety.
Arroyo Grande Mayor Lady opened the discussion for public comm~nts.
Tom Murray, Arroyo Grande, stated the Councils should address the disparity in
capital spending for recreation, He commented that there were tremendous
opportunities for the cities to work together along the lines of what has already
been accomplished, such as the Skate, Park and the baseball fields~ He said the.
Youth Master Plan outlines the needs in tl:le community and he encouraged the
Councils to take the document into consideration.
John Wysong, Grover Beach, gave a history of the Soto Sports Complex and
stated the Complex had outgrown itself.
Bill Couch, Pismo Beach Parks, Recreation and Beautification Commissioner,
stated he would like to see the Parks and Recreation Commissions of all three
cities meet to discuss ideas on how to approach coordination and/or
consolidation of recreation programs,
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CITY COUNCILS MINUTES
MAY 13, 1999
Melissa Nichols, Arroyo Grande High School student, stated she was involved in
a campus club called Student Voices. She stated that the club had circulated a
petition to students at Arroyo Grande High School which supports the
development of a South County Community Center that would provide a multi-
use facility to serve the needs of all ages. She presented the petition with over
600 signatures to the Councils and encouraged ail three cities to work together
on the development of a Community Center.
Arroyo Grande Council Member Tolley gave Ms. Nichols a copy of the Youth
Master Plan and encouraged her to share it with her group.
Arroyo Grand~ Council Member Dickens explained that a subcommittee had been
formed to explore ideas for the development of a Community Recreation Center.
He announced that the first meeting would be held on Thursday, May 20, 1999 at
6:30 p.m, in Arroyo Grande.
Hearing no further public comments, Arroyo Grande Mayor Lady brought the
discussion back to the Councils.
Grover Beach Mayor Pro Tern Ekbom submitted a letter relating to South County
recreation for the record.
After further discussion on the cities' recreation needs and unmet needs, there
was consensus that a major study was not needed. Pismo Beach Mayor Brown
moved to encourage city staff and the Parks ,and Recreation Commissiol1s of the
three cities to continue to work together and identify areas of cooperation that
might lead to further consolidation of effort in the areas of parks and recreation
and report back to individual City Councils within 90 days. Grover Beach Mayor
Peter Keith seconded the motion.
On th~ following roll-call vote:'
Arroyo Grande Grover Beach Pismo Beactl
AyJ). Mayor Lady AyJ). Mayor Keith Ayj1 Mayor Brown
ki.!J. Mayor ProTem Ferrara ~ Mayor ProTem Ekbom AyjA MayorProTem Mellow
ki.!J. Runels ~ Arnoldsen Ayj1 Henlin
Ayj! Tolley ~ Neufeld AyjA Natoli
An Dickens AY.J1 Santos An. Reiss
The motion passed unanimously.
The Mayors from Pismo Beach and Grover Beach agreed to send a representative
from their city to the City of Arroyo Grande Community Recreation Center
Subcommittee meeting on May 20, 1999.
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CITY COUNCILS MINUTES
MAY 13, 1999
b, Joint Meetings of the Cities' Respective Traffic Commission/Committee
Arroyo Grande City Manager Hunt highlighted the Staff Report. He stated' that
direction was being requested regarding joint meetings of the cities' Traffic
Committees. He said staff was seeking direction in three specific areas: 1) the
purpose of the proposed joint meetings; 2) what type of projects would be
subject to the joint meetings; and 3) any concerns the cities have regarding the
interfacing of citizens-appointed committees and staff level committees.
Council Members asked questions of staff and discussed the,alternative~ relating
to the frequency of conducting joint Traffic Committee meetings. City Manager
Hunt commented that the types of projects being reviewed may dictate 'the
frequency of meetings, and the Councils should decide what the level of
involvement was going to be. There was further discussion about reviewing
projects that are close to city boundaries that have traffic circulation impacts in
all three cities.
Arroyo Grande Mayor Lady opened the discussion for public comments.
Colleen Martin, Arroyo Grande Parks and Recreation Commissioner, stated that
she was concerned that there were no citizens on the Traffic Committees'in
Grover Beach or Pismo Beach to review citizen traffic complaints. She urged the
elected officials of Grover Beach and Pismo Beach to look at creating citizen
. appointed Traffic Commissions in their cities.
Hearing no further comments, Arroyo Grande Mayor Lady brought the discuss'ion
back to the Councils.
There was discussion about the County's involvement in traffic circulation issues
within the South County.
Mayor Brown moved that the Traffic Committees of the three cities meet on an as-
needed basis and continue to forward development projects and traffic concerns
to the respective Councils for review and comment. Mayor Pro Tern Ferrara
seconded the motion.
On the following roll-call vote:
Arroyo Grande Grover Beach Pismo Beach
An Mayor Lady An Mayor Keith ~ Mayor Brown
An Mayor ProTem Ferrara An Mayor ProTem Ekbom A'J.!J. MayorProTem Mello'
An Runels An Arnoldsen An Henlin
An Tolley An. Neufeld ~ Natoli
An Dickens An Santos An Reiss
The motion passed unanimously.
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CITY COUNCILS MINUTES
MAY 13, 1999'
c. Discussion Regarding Intergovernmental Relations
Arroyo Grande City Manager Hunt highlighted the Staff Report. He said that, the
South County has done a good job promoting intergovernmental relations on the
local level; however, the future of the cities' will be dictated by decisions made in
Sacramento. He stated the advantages of having an advocate for the local cities
in Sacramento would be to cover legislative issues, and provide assistance with
various State departments. He said there could be cost advantages of hiring one
legislative advocate that could be shared between the three cities to represent
issues on a more direct and personal level to expand the level of advocacy. '
Council Members asked questions of staff about precedents in other
communities, levels of success in employing a legislative advocate, and how
many California cities employ a legislative advocate.
There was discussion about legislative information that is sent from the League.
of California Cities and how the cities do not have the resources or appropriate
time to send city officials or representatives to Sacramento for lobbying efforts.
Further discussion included clarifying the benefits of a local lobbyist versus
Local State representatives who do not always have time to act as an advocate
for City issues.
There was discussion about directing staff to look at cities with similar
demographics who have a legislative advocate to see what benefits have been
realized in those cities, There was further discussion about moving forward on
hiring. a legislative advocate on a trial basis to see if it works,_ and reviewing the
results on an annual basis.
Grover Beach Mayor Keith moved to direct staff to investigate the possibility of
securing a legislative advocate in Sacramento to protect the hlterests of the
South County cities. Pismo Beach Council Member Henlin seconded the motion.
On the following roll-call vote:
Arroyo Grande Grover Beach Pismo' Beach
An. Mayor Lady ~ Mayor Keith ~ Mayor Brown
An. Mayor ProTem Ferrara N2... Mayor ProTem Ekbom N.Q.... MayorProTem Mellow
An. Runels N2... Arnoldsen Ay1J. Henlin
~ Tolley N2... Neufeld tfiL Natoli
N2... Dickens ~ Santos ~Reiss
Arroyo Grande - There being 4 A YES and 1 NO, the motion is hereby passed.
Grover Beach - There being 2 A YES and 3 NOES, the motion. failed.
Pismo Beach - There being 3 A YES and 2 NOES, the motion is hereby passed.
Grover Beach Mayor Peter Keith left the meeting at 8:50 p,m.
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CITY COUNCILS MINUTES
MAY 13, 1999
d, Discussion on the Frequency of and Participants in Future Meetings
Pismo Beach City Manager Mike Fuson highlighted the Staff Report. He stated
that there were alternatives presented to the Councils to determine what kind of a
schedule to set for future joint meetings; what should be included on the agenda;
and what other agencies should attend with what level of participation.
Council Members made comments and discussed the options offered. There was
considerable discussion about the involvement of other agencies such as the
County Board of Supervisors, Lucia Mar Unified School District Board, and
Oceano Community Services District Board at the joint meetings.
Council Member Henlin moved to 1) Set a schedule for regular meetings of the
three cities twice 'a year; 2) prepare an Agenda which includes action,
information, and education items only; and 3) attendance would include the
elected officials of the three cities (Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach, Grover Beach)
and specified agencies on an as-needed, issue-by-issue basis. Mayor Pro Tern
Mellow seconded the motion.
On the following roll-call vote:
Arroyo Grande Grover Beach Pismo Beach
~ Mayor Lady Absent Mayor Keith Ayj1 Mayor Brown
~ Mayor ProTem Ferrara ~ Mayor ProTem Ekbom A'JJJ.MayorproTem Mellow
~ Runels An Arnoldsen Ayj1 Henlin
No Tolley- An Neufeld Ayj1 Natoli
AyjA Dickens An Santos Ayj1 Reiss .
Arroyo Grande - There being 4 A YES and 1 NO, the motion is hereby passed.
Grover Beach - There being 4 AYES and 1 ABSENT, the motion is hereby passed~
Pismo Beach - There being 5 A YES and 0 NOES, the motion is hereby passed.
6. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS:
a, Youth Master Plan
Linda Shephard, South County Youth Coalition Director, spoke about the South
County Youth Coalition. She gave an update of the Coalition's first year activities
which included the creation of a Resource Guide, a Youth Master Plan, and
emergency phone number cards that were distributed to high school students.
She reported that the Coalition has received over $30,000 in grant funds to assist
in producing documents and brochures. Ms. Shephard stated there has been a
lot of support from the cities and encouraged the Councils to continue sharing of
resources and support in meeting the needs of the communities' youth.
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CITY COUNCilS MINUTES
MAY 13, 1999
b. PG & E - Y2K Compliance
Barbara Engel, PG & E, gave an update on PG & E's Year 2000 compliance efforts.
She stated that PG & E is confident about supplying electricity on January 1, 2000
and beyond. She stated that the company had formed a Y2K program with a
budget of $240 million to identify critical systems, looking at environmental and
regulatory impacts, assessing and creating an inventory of critical systems,
performing remediation efforts, and testing systems. She stated that PG & E
would soon be conducting its certification phase. She reported that there was a
significant contingency plan in place with extra personnel and equipment in place
on the rollover date. She said PG & E reports monthly to the California Public
Utility Commission and they are comfortable with the status of PG & E's Y2K
compliance program.
Ms. Engel distributed a brochure entitled "Delivering Energy in the Year 2000"
which includes Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure Information from PG & E. .
7. ADJOURNMENT
Pismo Beach Mayor Brown moved, Mayor Pro TemFerrarasecondoeJ, and the
motion passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting.
Time: 9:36 p.m.
.
.
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CITY COUNCILS MINUTES.
MAY 13, 1999
MICH~tZ~
City of Arroyo Grande
ATTEST:
PETER KITH, MAYOR
City of Grover Beach ,
:
ATTEST:
-
PATRICIA A. PEREZ, CITY CL
~R~~
City of Pismo Beach
ATTEST:
~E~~
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