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Minutes 2001-08-28 MINUTES REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY, AUGUST 28,2001 COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 E BRANCH STREET ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Lady called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:05 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; Police Commander Andrews, Director of Public Works Spagnolo, Director of Parks, Recreation & Facilities Hernandez; Acting Community Development Director Heffernon; and General Plan Consultant Strong. 3. FLAG SALUTE Members of American Legion Post No. 136 led the Flag Salute. 4.INVOCA TION Wayne King delivered the invocation. 5. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS None. 6. AGENDA REVIEW 6.a. Staff recommended the Council move the continued Public Hearing Item 9.a. to the end of the Agenda, following New Business Item 11.b. Council Member Runels moved, Mayor Pro Tem Ferrara seconded, and the motion passed unanimously to move Agenda Item 9.a. to the end of the Agenda, following Agenda Item 11.b. 6.b. Resolutions and Ordinances Read in Title Only Council Member Dickens 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 Jerry Rutiz inquired as to the status of Rancho Grande Park and stated he would like to see the project move forward. At the request of Mayor Lady, Director of Parks, CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AUGUST 28, 2001 PAGE 2 Recreation, and Facilities Hernandez responded briefly regarding the current status of the Rancho Grande Park project. Karen Grochian, Arroyo Grande resident, spoke of the importance of preserving naturaJ and environmental resources, such as trees, within the City. Gary Sprague spoke in opposition of homes being built in Tract 1998 and stated he favored the preservation of open space. Raymond Diepenbrock, E. Cherry Avenue, stated he was an advocate of open space, green space, and parks. Bob Brownson opposed any further development in Tract 1998 and favored the protection of environmental resources in the area. He favored the preservation of the creek and opposed any destruction of wetlands and removal of oak trees. Dean Coker, representing Castlerock Development, spoke on behalf of Tract 1998, describing the proposed development using an architectural rendering. He reviewed the project area, proposed open space, the number of proposed lots, and the average proposed lot size. He stated the developer would continue to work with the City. He presented a proposed James Way Landscape Enhancement Plan and explained that the developer was attempting' to address the issue of the terraced walls with landscaping. Paul Farrell referred to the terraced walls on James Way and stated that it was the biggest eyesore in Arroyo Grande. He suggested the Council table the issue until hearings could be conducted and to defer any further discussion of Tract 1998. Patty Welsh stated she was glad to hear about the landscape plan; however, she opposed further development of Tract 1998. Doug Tait responded to Mr. Coker's comments and agreed with comments made by Mr. Farrell and Mr. Brownson. 8. CONSENT AGENDA Council Member Dickens moved and Council Member Lubin seconded the motion to approve Consent Agenda Items 8.a. through 8.g., with the recommended courses of action: 8.a. Cash Disbursement Ratification. Action: Approved the listing of cash disbursements for the period August 1,2001 through August 15, 2001. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AUGUST 28, 2001 PAGE 3 8.b. Cash Flow Analysis/Approval of Interfund Advance from the Water Facility Fund. Action: Received and filed July 2001 Cash Report and approved the interfund advance from the Water Facility Fund to cover cash deficits in other funds as of July 31,2001. 8.c. Approval of Minutes. Action: 1) Approved minutes of Regular City Council Meeting of July 24, 2001; Special and Regular City Council Meetings of August 14, 2001; and Special City Council Meeting of August 16, 2001 as submitted. 8.d. Authorization to Purchase Two (2) Replacement Police Department Patrol Vehicles. Action: Authorized staff to purchase two (2) replacement Police Department patrol vehicles from Downey Ford for $47,390. 8.e. Consideration of Approval of Five Cities Youth Basketball Agreement. Action: Approved the Parks and Recreation Commission's recommendation to extend for an additional two years the operating agreement for management of the Five Cities Youth Basketball Program between the City, Five Cities Youth Basketball, and the San Luis Obispo YMCA. 8.f. Consideration of Approval of Public Works Field Division Fees and Service Charges. Action: Adopted Resolution No. 3550 approving the 2001-02 Public Works Field Division Fees and Service Charges. 8.g. Consideration of Adoption of Resolution to Apply For Grant Funds From Roberti-Z'berg-Harris Urban Open Space and Recreation Program Under the Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air, and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2000. Action: Adopted Resolution No. 3551 authorizing staff to apply for grant funds from the Roberti-Z'berg-Harris Urban Open Space and Recreation Program under the Safe Neighborhood Parks, Clean Water, Clean Air, and Coastal Protection Bond Act of 2000. AYES; Dickens, Lubin, Runels, Ferrara, Lady NOES: None ABSENT: None There being 5 AYES and 0 NOES, the motion is hereby declared to be passed. 10. CONTINUED BUSINESS 10.a. Consideration of Approval of Consultant Contract Amendment for the EI Camp Road/Route 101 Project Study Report (PSR). Director Spagnolo presented the staff report. Staff recommended the Council approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the consultant contract amendment; and allocate an CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AUGUST 28, 2001 PAGE 4 additional appropriation of $71,223 from the Transportation Facility Impact Fund for the EI Campo Road/Route 101 Project Study Report. Mayor Lady opened the item for public comments. The following members of the public addressed the Council regarding the matter: Steve Devencenzi, representing SLOCOG, stated the SLOCOG Board had approved funding to cover its contribution to complete the current PSR and would move toward approving an additional contribution to add the additional alternative. He indicated the alternative had been discussed with Caltrans staff and that the best way to add the alternative was to integrate it into the existing PSR. Mr. Devencenzi responded to comments and questions from Council regarding routes of regional significance; clarification that the EI Campo interchange is considered a local interchange with local responsibility; the costs of the various project alternatives; funding sources; how the draft PSR reconciles with the draft General Plan Update with regard to the placement of an interchange; whether or not Arroyo Linda Crossroads (ALC) would contribute additional funding toward the PSR; clarification that the Brisco/101 project has the first priority for funding; and further clarification that the funding for the Brisco/101 project would not delay funding for other potential projects. Mr. Devencenzi indicated that in the past, most funding had been dedicated to projects in the North County and that now it was likely that projects in South County would be considered for funding. Colleen Martin, 855 Olive, cautioned the Council about spending money on projects that potentially would not happen. Neil Havlik opposed development of any roadway through environmental resources. Jane Line, resident of Falcon Ridge, stated the proposed interchange could cause much harm and destroy existing development. She expressed support for a frontage road as long as it does not affect private roads. Tim Brown, 125 Allen, stated that the proposed alternative should have been included at the beginning of the process; that Caltrans and SLOCOG should have scoped out and included it in the original PSR. Larry Turner, 323 Noguera, stated the City was spending more money for studies and he questioned who was going to pay for the project itself. Hearing no further public comments, Mayor Lady closed the public comment period and brought the issue back to Council for consideration. Council Member Dickens stated that the project has grown and expressed concerns that this project would relocate the southern entrance to the City; questioned the impacts to residents on Traffic Way; and that this proposal changes the original intent of the PSR. He stated this PSR was development driven, primarily put together by ALC. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AUGUST 28, 2001 PAGE 5 He recommended tabling the issue until there is further resolution on the Brisco/101 PSR. Council Member Runels stated that unless the issue is addressed as a whole, circulation would not improve. He stated there was a need to push the interchange south and this should be addressed before more development occurs. He supported looking at the additional alternative. Council Member Lubin commented that he found it incomprehensible that EI Campo was not considered regional. He encouraged SLOCOG and Caltrans to reconsider its regional significance. He supported a need to move forward to improve ,the intersection at EI Campo and the freeway. He stated that even without the ALC project, this would still be a regional issue. He supported moving forward to include the alternative in the study; however, he did not support conducting a separate study for the alternative. Mayor Pro Tem Ferrara stated the three current alternatives were unfeasible because of funding and that they are not going to be built. He stated that land use issues loom large and there are unanswered questions with regard to size, scale, and density of use. He said he did not support including this alternative in the current study; however, he wants to see it go forward and that it needs to be separated. Mayor Lady asked what the assurances were that SLOCOG would pay to include the alternative. Director Spagnolo responded that SLOCOG staff had assured the City it would support a recommendation for funding. Mayor Lady commented that the Brisco/101 PSR would continue to move forward. He said this alternative for the EI Campo PSR would give more information and that there was a need to look at each and every alternative. He supported staff's recommendation. Council Member Lubin moved to a) approve and authorize the Mayor to execute the consultant contract amendment; b) allocate an additional appropriation of $71,223 from the Transportation Facility Impact Fund for the EI Campo Road/Route 101 Project Study Report-Project Development Support; c) include a study of a Valley Road connection; and d) that this approval is subject to funding by SLOCOG and a request for funding by ALC. Following further discussion regarding funding, Council Member Runels seconded the motion, and on the following roll-call vote, to wit: AYES: Lubin, Runels, Lady NOES: Dickens, Ferrara ABSENT: None There being 3 A YES and 2 NOES, the motion is hereby declared to be passed. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AUGUST 28, 2001 PAGE 6 Mayor Lady called for a break at 9:10 p.m. and reconvened the meeting at 9:15 p.m. ~ Mayor Lady suggested that due to the late hour and the fact there were two business items remaining on the Agenda, that the General Plan Update public hearing item 9.a. be continued to a future special meeting. Following discussion, there was consensus of the Council to schedule Special Meetings for the continuation of the General Plan Update hearings to September 4, 2001, 6:30 p.m., September 6, 2001, 6:30 p.m. and September 11, 2001, 7:00 p.m. 11. NEW BUSINESS 11.a. Pre-Application Review Case No. 01-004 to Construct a Neighborhood Shopping Center on the Southeast Corner of East Grand A~enue and Courtland Street; Applicant: E.F. Moore & Co. Acting Community Development Director Heffernon highlighted the staff report. She explained the applicant proposes to construct a mixed-use development to include retail shops and a drugstore along the E. Grand Avenue frontage, with 60 residential apartment units toward the rear of the property in two separate, two-story buildings. Staff recommended the Council review the project and provide direction and comments to the applicant. Ted Moore, representative for the proposed project, gave an overview of the mixed-use project. Tom Lingo reviewed the plans for a drug store at the front of the property near E. Grand Avenue and explained the apartments in the back would provide for senior housing. Mayor Lady stated he did not support the proposed apartment complexes or any additional residential component on the site due to potential traffic related impacts in conjunction with the new Berry Gardens residential development currently under construction. He expressed support for the shopping center and retail use. Mr. Lingo addressed the concern with regard to traffic impacts, stating the applicant could provide information to show that the impact is low and that senior housing would be less of an impact than any other use. He spoke of the dramatic increase in the senior population and the need to provide more housing, adding that most seniors are ambulatory. Council Member Lubin asked if these would be considered affordable and what the rents would be. Mr. Lingo responded that the project would be geared to moderate, low, and very-low income persons. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AUGUST 28, 2001 PAGE 7 Council Member Lubin stated he was uncomfortable with the front of the project as designed, as he was unsure of the visual impact from Grand Avenue. He stated he had no problems with residential in the back and retail in the front. Council Member Runels asked if the drainage basin needed to be enlarged. Mr. Moore responded yes, or a pump would need to be installed. Council Member Dickens stated the proposed project was more in line with what he envisioned for the site. He supported the mixed-use concept; however, he commented on the need to provide professional office space. Mr. Lingo addressed parking issues and requirements for professional office use and the lack of available land for parking on this site. Council Member Dickens reiterated that he was hearing from the economic development community that there is a demand for professional office spaces. He further expressed concerns about residences looking out at commercia' loading docks. Mr. Lingo responded to the latter issue with regard to the ability to screen the views very well to obscure visibility of the commercial area from the residences. Mayor Pro Tem Ferrara referred to the E. Grand Avanue survey and workshops and the design concepts presented by Cal Poly which indicate a desire for mixed-use projects. He commented that this proposed plan incorporates all aspects of that concept. He stated he had no issue with traffic based on trip generation data related to senior housing projects; stated he was not completely opposed to professional office use and that there was a need to look at the trend for high-tech uses. He stated the City had a better chance of meeting its affordable housing inventory requirements by including the residential component within this project. He supported the concept of the store at the front of the property. Mayor Lady requested that the applicant consider reducing the residential density. Mayor Lady then ensured that the applicant had received sufficient feedback and direction with regard to the proposed project. 11.b. Consideration of Approval of the Update to the City's Pavement Management Program. Director of Public Works Spagnolo highlighted the staff report. Staff recommended the Council approve the June 2001 Update to the City's Pavement Management Program. Council Member Lubin asked for clarification that the goal of the pavement management program is to fix the streets in the best condition first. Director Spagnolo responded that was correct and the City would continue to maintain the best streets first. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AUGUST 28, 2001 PAGE 8 Mayor Lady opened the discussion for public comments, and upon hearing none, . brought the issue back to the Council for consideration. Following Council and staff discussion, Mayor Pro Tem Ferrara moved to approve the June 2001 Update to the City's Pavement Management Program. Council Member Runels seconded the motion, and on the following roll-call vote, to wit: AYES: Ferrara, Runels, Dickens, Lubin, Lady NOES: None ABSENT: None There being 5 A YES and 0 NOES, the motion is hereby declared to be passed. 12. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS a. MAYOR MICHAEL LADY (1) South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District.(SSLOCSD). Met 8/15. Reported on the status of the chlorine contact chamber project. (2) Other. None. b. MAYOR PRO TEM TONY M. FERRARA (1) Integrated Waste Management Authority Board (IWMA). Next meeting is 9/12. Mayor Pro Tem Ferrara stated the Executive Committee met and he has been appointed as Vice-Chair; the Executive Committee approved the Agenda for the upcoming meeting; he commended. Acting .. Community Development Director Heffernon for her work on the Construction and Demolition Debris Recycling Ordinance; he reported that the recycling rate was an admirable 66% as a partial result of the Ordinance. (2) Air Pollution Control District (APCD). No report, meets 9/26. (3) San Luis Obispo Council of Governments/San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority (SLOCOG/SLORT A). No report, meets 9/5. (4) Other. None. c. COUNCIL MEMBER THOMAS A. RUNELS (1) Zone 3 Advisory Board. The Technical Committee met; the contractor for the Lopez Dam remediation project is preparing and cleaning the site; a ribbon cutting ceremony is scheduled for October 5th to commence the project. (2) County Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC). No report. (3) Other. Attended South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District Meeting as Alternate; the Annual Budget was approved. d. COUNCIL MEMBER JIM DICKENS (1) Community Recreation Center Subcommittee. Received public presentation by Cal Poly students. Chose one concept to move forward CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AUGUST 28, 2001 PAGE 9 with. Suggested staff present a formal report and model to the Council at a future meeting. (2) Economic Opportunity Commission (EOC). No report. (3) South County Youth Coalition. No report. (4) Other. Reported that Arroyo Grande High School was working together with the IWMA with regard to recycling efforts and obtaining greenwaste cans. e. COUNCIL MEMBER SANDY LUBIN (1) South County Area Transit (SCAT). Continuing to review contract issue regarding the contractor's performance. A special meeting has been scheduled for 9/4 at 1 :30 p.m. to discuss the matter. (2) Economic Vitality Corporation. Council Member Lubin reported he has been appointed as Vice-Chair; discussion held regarding restructuring of EVC to make its role more of a support function rather than as a lead agency. Discussed structure of recruitment to replace the CEO. (3) Other. None. 13. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS None. 14. CITY MANAGER ITEMS None. 15. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS Mayor Pro Tem Ferrara distributed a handout to Council and staff regarding the status of proposed legislation which would require real estate developers to identify a reliable source of water before breaking ground on new projects. Council Member Dickens expressed concern with regard to the presentation of the invocation prior to the meeting by a non-faith based individual. Council Member Dickens reported he had received a tour of the Clark Center of Performing Arts. 16. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS City Manager Adams reminded the Council of two upcoming meetings. The City of San Luis Obispo is hosting all of the San Luis Obispo County cities at a joint meeting on October 10, 2001; and the Arroyo Grande City Council will host a joint meeting with the Lucia Mar Unified School District Board on November 15, 2001. 17. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Lady adjourned the meeting at 11:10 p.m. to a Special Meeting on Tuesday, September 4, 2001, at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers, 215 E. Branch Street. CITY COUNCIL MINUTES AUGUST 28, 2001 PAGE 10 MiCha~ . ATTEST: e,Director of Administrative Servicesl Deputy City Clerk ,