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Minutes 2001-07-24 MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, JULY 24, 2001 COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 E. BRANCH STREET ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Lady called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL City Council: Council Members Runels, Dickens, Lubin, Ferrara, and Mayor Lady were present. City Staff Present: City Manager Adams; City Attorney Carmel; Director of Administrative Services Wetmore; Chief of Police TerBorch, Director of Public Works Spagnolo, Director of Parks, Recreation & Facilities Hernandez; Assistant Planner Foster; and Consultant Engineer Campbell. 3. FLAG SALUTE Members of Boy Scout Troop 234 led the Flag Salute. 4. INVOCATION Pastor George Lepper, Peace Lutheran Church, Arroyo Grande, delivered the invocation. 5. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS None. 6. AGENDA REVIEW None. 6.a. Resolutions and Ordinances Read in Title Only Mayor Pro Tem Ferrara moved, Council Member Runels seconded, and the motion passed unanimously that all resolutions and ordinances presented at the meeting shall be read in title only and all further reading be waived. 7. CITIZENS'INPUT, COMMENTS, AND SUGGESTIONS Otis Page, 606 Myrtle, requested that the Traffic Analysis document associated with the. General Plan Update be released for public review. He stated he felt the report has errors and inconsistencies and that an in-depth discussion should be conducted on both the water and traffic studies as part of the General Plan Update process. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JULY 24, 2001 PAGE 2 8. CONSENT AGENDA Council Member Dickens requested Item 8.c. be pulled for discussion. Council Member Runels moved and Council Member Dickens seconded the motion to approve Consent Agenda Items 8.a. through 8.g., with the exception of Item 8.c., with the recommended courses of action: 8.a. Cash Disbursement Ratification. Action: Approved the listing of cash disbursements for the period July 1, 2001 through July 15, 2001. 8.b. Cash Flow Analysis/Approval of Interfund Advance from the Water Facility Fund. Action: Received and filed June 2001 Cash Report and approve the interfund advance from the Water Facility Fund to cover cash deficits in other funds as of June 30, 2001. 8.d. Authorization to Solicit Bids - Replacement of Four Police Department Vehicles. Action: Authorized staff to solicit bids to replace two (2) patrol vehicles and two (2) unmarked vehicles for the Police Department. 8.e. Authorization to Solicit Bids - Parks Division Riding Mower. Action: Authorized staff to solicit bids for a riding mower. 8.1. Authorization for Progress Payment No.1, Fair Oaks AvenueNalley Road Traffic Signal, City Project No. PW-2000-7. Action: Authorized a progress payment in the amount of $100,729.51 to Lee Wilson Electric Company for work completed on the Fair Oaks AvenueNalley Road Traffic Signal project. 8.g. Consideration of Request to Waive Application Fees for the Arroyo Grande Village Improvement Association's Summer Concert Series. Action: Considered and approved request from Arroyo Grande Village Improvement Association to waive the permit application fees for the Temporary Use Permit for the Association's Summer Concert Series. AYES: Runels, Dickens, Lubin, Ferrara, Lady NOES: None ABSENT: None There being 5 AYES and 0 NOES, the motion is hereby declared to be passed. 8.c. Appointment of Voting Delegate and Alternate Delegate for League of California Cities Annual Conference. City Manager Adams highlighted the staff report. Mayor Pro Tem Ferrara and Council Member Lubin indicated they would be attending the Annual League of California Cities Conference in September. Council Member Lubin offered to serve as the Alternate Delegate as he was a new Council Member and unfamiliar with the League's process. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JULY 24, 2001 PAGE 3 Mayor Pro Tem Ferrara agreed to serve as the Voting Delegate. Upon consensus of the Council, Mayor Pro Tem Ferrara was appointed as the Voting Delegate and Council Member Lubin was appointed as the Alternate Delegate for the League of California Cities Annual Conference. 9. PUBLIC HEARINGS None. 10. CONTINUED BUSINESS None. 11. NEW BUSINESS 11.a. Consideration of Establishment of a "No Parking Except By City Permit" Zone on Allen, Poole. and Short Streets Chief of Police TerBorch highlighted the staff report. He explained that a petition had been received by residents living on Allen, Poole, and Short Streets to create a "No Parking Except By City Permit" zone due to the Arroyo Grande High School students parking on those streets during school hours. Chief TerBorch stated that numerous complaints had been reported to the Police Department regarding blocked driveways; sight distance issues due to the narrow width of Allen Street; speeding; excessive noise between 6:00-7:00 a.m.; and littering. Chief TerBorch responded to questions from Council. Mayor Lady opened the discussion for public comments. Colleen Martin, 855 Olive, commented that students are also parking on Woodland Street and at the Post Office. She referenced a new law that does not allow a student to drive others for the first six months after they receive their driver's license. She spoke of the increase in new student drivers as the school year progresses, with April, May, and June being the worst months. She suggested talking to Lucia Mar Unified School District about not allowing kids to drive to school who live in close proximity to the school; and to encourage the District to issue more parking permits at St. Patrick's Church. Jamie Ohler, 126 Allen, spoke of the excessive noise in the early morning hours and the trash that is dropped on the streets by the students. He stated that the streets were not being swept because of the numerous cars on the street; and that he can't receive deliveries or guests during the week due to the lack of parking. He indicated he had spoken with Lucia Mar about this serious problem, which was followed up with numerous calls and letters. Mr. Ohler spoke in support of the establishment of a "No Parking Except By City Permit" Zone on Allen, Poole, and Short Streets. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JULY 24, 2001 PAGE 4 Robert Gaver, 121 Allen, reiterated concerns expressed by Mr. Ohler and spoke in support of the establishment of a "No Parking Except By City Permit" Zone on Allen, Poole, and Short Streets. Patty Welch, 1151 Pradera Cout, asked when this would take effect, if approved. Chief TerBorch responded that it would be effective at the beginning of the upcoming school year. Hearing no further public comments, Mayor Lady brought the issue back to Council for consideration. Council comments included agreement that there was a parking problem in this area, and support for continuing to work with the Lucia Mar Unified School District to identify alternative parking areas. Mayor Pro Tern Ferrara moved to adopt a Resolution establishing a "No Parking Except By City Permit" zone between 6:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. weekdays, excluding holidays on Allen Street, Poole Street, and Short Street; and to direct the Police Department to issue parking permits to owners/residents within the designated restricted parking zone. Council Member Lubin seconded the motion, and on the following roll-call vote, to wit: AYES: Ferrara, Lubin, Runels, Dickens, Lady NOES: None ABSENT: None There being 5 A YES and 0 NOES, the motion is hereby declared to be passed. 11.b. Consideration of Award of Contract for Financial Management Upgrade Financial Services Director Snodgrass highlighted the staff report. She explained that in 2000, Eden Computer Systems announced that effective December 31, 2001, it would no longer support the current version of the City's financial management computer system. She stated that due to the proprietary nature of the system, the City could not continue to individually support the system. After review of several financial management systems, staff recommended the Council authorize the Financial Services Director and City Attorney to continue to negotiate and finalize a contract with Eden Computer Systems for training ,and conversion costs associated with the upgrade of the City's financial management computer system; and authorize the Mayor to execute the final contract with Eden Computer Systems. Council and staff discussion included clarification on certain contract language with regard to support and maintenance. Mayor Lady opened the discussion for public comments. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JULY 24,2001 PAGE 5 Otis Page, 606 Myrtle, inquired about which functional aspects of the program would be added to an upgraded system. Hearing no further comments, Mayor Lady brought the issue back to the Council for consideration. Council Member comments included encouraging staff to carefully review the contract language in section 9.4 (Proprietary Rights) to avoid the situation from occurring again; discussion concerning the types of financial systems other local agencies are using; the payment of new licensing fees if the City were to change systems; and compatibility and conversion issues related to existing records. Council Member Lubin moved to authorize the Financial Services Director and City Attorney to continue to negotiate and finalize a contract with Eden Computer Systems for training and conversion costs associated with the upgrade of the City's financial management computer system; and 2) Direct the Mayor to execute a contract with Eden Computer Systems. Council Member Runels seconded the motion, and on the following roll-call vote, to wit: AYES: Lubin, Runels, Dickens, Ferrara, Lady NOES: None ABSENT: None There being 5 A YES and 0 NOES, the motion is hereby declared to be passed. 11.c. Authorization to Distribute the Draft Wastewater System Master Plan Director of Public Works Spagnolo highlighted the staff report, explaining how the City's wastewater system operates. He stated the purpose of the Wastewater System Master Plan was to provide a thorough review of the City's wastewater facilities, identify any deficiencies, and to propose a set of coordinated wastewater improvement projects that will provide adequate collection system capacity consistent with the needs of the City. Staff recommended the Council authorize the distribution of the draft Wastewater System Master Plan for public review. Director Spagnolo and Consulting Engineer Campbell responded to questions from Council regarding the South County Sanitation District plant, capacity and expansion issues, and timelines for projects identified as top priority. Mayor Lady opened up the discussion for public comments, and upon hearing none, brought the issue back to the Council for consideration. Council Member Runels moved to authorize the distribution of the draft Wastewater Master Plan for a 45-day public comment period; and 2) Direct staff to return to the Council with a summary of public comments and make any modifications deemed CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JULY 24, 2001 PAGE 6 necessary or appropriate. Council Member Dickens seconded the motion, and on the following roll call vote, to wit: AYES: Runels, Dickens, Lubin, Ferrara, Lady NOES: None ABSENT: None There being 5 A YES and 0 NOES, the motion is hereby declared to be passed. 11.d. Pre-Application Review of a Proposed Senior Housing Facility with a Commercial Office and Retail Complex, located at the Northwest Corner of Courtland Street and East Grand Avenue Assistant Planner Foster introduced Erik Justesen from RRM Design. Mr. Justesen presented an overview of the project which he stated was designed based on input received from City residents as a result of the East Grand Avenue Master Plan workshops; information gathered from the site plan renderings presented by Cal Poly's City and Regional Planning students showing Mixed Use with central plazas; and incorporates preferred uses as listed from the community workshops. He reviewed the conceptual site plan of the Courtland Senior Housing project; reviewed the conceptual senior housing plan which would be an independent living facility with access from Courtland; reviewed the conceptual retail plan which would consist of retail buildings fronting E. Grand Avenue; and reviewed the architectural features and amenities for the entire project. He requested the Council consider the density of the project; consider a reduction in parking; and provide feedback on the conceptual project. Council Member Dickens commented on the need for a Senior Center and inquired if it was possible to include a Senior Center that could be managed by a non-profit group within this project. Additionally, Council Member Dickens referred to the affordable housing issue and asked about level of income for occupying this project. Larry Persons, Pacific Harbor Homes, spoke about the success of common facility programs within these types of projects. He said this option was available and he would encourage it. He stated that the project was owned by a non-profit organization so the Senior Center would also be managed by a non-profit organization and the facility would be open to all senior citizens in the community. He further addressed tax credit eligibility with regard to the rent structure, stating that rent would be based on the area median income in San Luis Obispo County; City Attorney Carmel clarified that the affordability factor and related restrictions would be a condition of approval for the project, which would be approved by the Council. Mayor Lady opened the discussion for public comments. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JULY 24,2001 PAGE 7 Susan Flores, Branch Street, spoke about the County's median income and voiced her support for providing senior housing. She commented that if the density of the project was increased, the percentage of affordable units should also be increased. Hearing no further public comments, Mayor Lady brought the issue back to Council for consideration. Council Member Lubin indicated he was interested in the allocation of low-income units within the proposed project. He stated if the density were increased, the allocation of Jow-income units should be increased. He stated he was not convinced of the layout with respect to the large voJume of parking. He stated this project wouJd be located at a major entrance to the City and he would like to see the proposed architectural features for the front of the buildings. He expressed concerns about how traffic would be affected; and would like to see ramps included along the walkway. Council Member Dickens praised the applicant for designing a mixed use project. He observed that the City has been collecting the affordable housing in-lieu fees and encouraged the applicant to look into the use of the funds that are available. He stated he was reluctant to increase the density over what the draft General Plan Update proposes, but was willing to further review it. He stated there would be more active residents living in the facility and it would be necessary to have the appropriate amount of parking. He encouraged a walkway versus stairs for easier access to the retail portion of the project. He further encouraged the applicant to speak with the non-profit group, 5-Cities Seniors, regarding the management of the proposed senior community center. Mayor Pro Tern Ferrara stated he had the same issues with regard to accessibility issues on Camino Mercado; agreed that the issue regarding the appropriate number of parking spaces needed to be further studied; inquired as to landscaping for the project; stated he was not concerned with regard to the compatibility of this project with the adjacent housing project being built in Grover Beach; expressed desire for compatibility of architectural features as proposed for E. Grand Avenue; stated it would be worth exploring the issue of exceeding the allowable density in light of affordability restrictions and the potential for a reduction in the parking requirements; endorsed the plaza effect between the buildings; and strongly favored the issue of providing affordable housing within the project. He stated he would like to see the project move forward. Mayor Lady expressed general support for the project and that it was a good use for E. Grand Avenue. He stated the retail portion fronting E. Grand Avenue was very important and would set the stage for what is built across the street. He liked the plaza and mixed use concepts. He spoke of the unmet need for affordable senior housing; stated he would be open to considering a higher density because of affordability restrictions; and expressed concern for ensuring that adequate parking was available for all uses. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JUL Y 24, 2001 PAGE 8 Mayor Lady ensured that the applicant had received sufficient feedback and then concJuded discussion on the item. 12. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS a. MAYOR MICHAEL LADY (1) South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District (SSLOCSD). Council Member Runels attended the most recent meeting as the Alternate. (2) Other. None. b. MAYOR PRO TEM TONY M. FERRARA (1) Integrated Waste Management Authority Board (IWMA). No report. (2) Air Pollution Control District (APCD). No report, meets tomorrow. (3) Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC). No report. (4) Other. Distributed meeting highlights from the Public Safety Policy Committee; Attended Channel Counties Division Meeting. c. COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS A. RUNELS (1) Zone 3 Advisory Board. Discussed upgrade of plant to meet quality standards. (2) County Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC). No report. (3) Other. Reported that the Lopez Dam remediation contract was awarded to Forde Construction; and that the attendance and revenue was up for the Lopez Recreation area. d. COUNCIL MEMBER JIM DICKENS (1) San Luis Obispo Council- of Governments/San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (SLOCOG/SLORTA). Canceled. No report. (2) Community Recreation Center Subcommittee. Meets tomorrow; will be receiving presentation from Cal Poly on the project. (3) Economic Opportunity Commission (EOC). Did not attend last meeting due to vacation. No report. (4) South County Youth Coalition. No report. (5) Other. Reported that he began a new position with Lucia Mar Unified School District and his schedule wouJd not allow him to attend monthly SLOCOG/SLORT A meetings on a monthly basis. He suggested switching roles with Mayor Pro Tem Ferrara and having him serve as the primary representative. He offered to serve as the Alternate. e. COUNCIL MEMBER SANDY LUBIN (1) South County Area Transit (SCAT). Reviewed and provided direction to revise current routes to improve times; Reviewing contract issue regarding the contractor's performance and location of maintenance facility. (2) Economic Vitality Corporation. EVC has new web site - www.sloevc.org; Pat Mullen was elected as Chairman of the Board of Directors. (3) Other. None. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES JULY 24, 2001 PAGE 9 13. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS (a) Public Opinion Survey Regarding Growth (Ferrara). Mayor Pro Tern Ferrara distributed a handout to the Council regarding a survey he conducted of California cities relative to municipal decision-making. The handout summarized the results of the survey, which included the responses received from cities regarding the use of a super-majority voting requirement (4/5th's vote) or voter approval requirement for certain decisions. Mayor Pro Tem Ferrara requested the Council bring the issue back for discussion at a future meeting, following the adoption of the General Plan Update. 14. CITY MANAGER ITEMS City Manager Adams referred to the recently distributed Traffic Study Analysis for the General Plan Update, which was used to develop the Circulation Element. He requested the Council schedule a second public hearing date in order to receive a presentation by the Traffic Consultant and allow for discussion. Council and staff agreed on a tentative date of August 23,2001 for a Special Meeting. 15. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Pro Tem Ferrara reported he had received revised plans on the proposed Longs project as a result of several meetings he had with the applicants to address concerns expressed regarding E. Grand Avenue. He said he would have copies made and distributed to the Council. 16. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS None. 17. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Lady adjourned the meeting at 10:20 p.m. ~~ '. 1R Michael A. Lady, May ATTEST: , Director of l\dministrative Servicesl Deputy City Clerk