Minutes 1990-03-13
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MINUTES
MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, MARCH 13, 1990
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 EAST BRANCH STREET
ARROYO GRANDE, CA
The city Council met at 7:30 P.M., with Mayor Mark M. Millis
presiding.
FLAG SALUTE AND INVOCATION
Mayor Millis led the Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag, and the
Rev. Randy Quimette of st. John's Lutheran Church delivered the
invocation.
ROLL CALL
Present were Mayor Millis and Council Members A. K. "Pete"
Dougall, Gene Moots, Doris Olsen and B'Ann Smith.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
It was moved by Moots/Olsen, and the motion passed, to approve
Consent Agenda Items 5.A. through 5.C. and 5.E. through 5.M., with
the recommended courses of action.
5.A. Proclamation, "Census Day," April 1, 1990. Proclaimed.
5.B. Proclamation, "California Earthquake Preparedness Month,"
April, 1990. Proclaimed.
5.C. February 13, 1990, city Council Minutes. Approved.
5.E. March 7, 1990, senior Advisory Commission Minutes.
Information.
5.F. December 18, 1989, Parking and Traffic commission Minutes.
Information.
5.G. January 15, 1990, Parking and Traffic commission Minutes.
Information.
5.H. February, 1990, Parking and Traffic Commission Minutes.
Information.
5.1. Purchase of Air Filtration System for the Police Department
Communications Center. Approved.
5.J. Progress Payment No. 8, Arroyo Grande Police Station
Renovation, Project No. 754. Approved.
5.K. Bridge Street Bridge Rehabilitation Restoration, Project No.
89-90-2. Approved.
5.L. Purchase of Line Removed Equipment, Public Works Department,
Budgeted Item. Approved.
S.M. 1990 Update to the Public Works operational policy and
Procedure Handbook for Field Personnel. Information.
Item S.D. February 27, 1990, City Council Minutes. Council
Member Moots corrected the Minutes, Page 3, second paragraph of
Item 12.A. to read, "It was moved by Smith/Dougall (4-0-1, Smith,
Dougall, Olsen and Millis voting aye, Moots not voting) to adopt
Ordinance No. 418 c.s., Amending Ordinance No. 355 C.S. Royal Oaks
Estates to Modify Exhibit "A."
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6. REGISTER OF CHECKS
It was moved by Olsen/Dougall, and the motion passed, to
approve the Cash Disbursements, as contained in the March 8, 1990,
Staff Report of Finance Director David Bacon.
7.A. CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARING - REZONING AND PLANNED
DEVELOPMENT CASE NO. 89-217/TENTATIVE TRACT MAP 1769: (1) ZONE
CHANGE FROM PD PLANNED DEVELOPMENT TO R-1/PD SINGLE-FAMILY
RESIDENTIAL ZONE AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN: (21 SUBDIVISION TO CREATE
30 LOTS: FARROLL AVENUE (AT WEST CITY LIMIT LINE). HERB PHILLIPS.
city Manager Chris Christiansen explained that it was not
necessary for the Council to take action on this agenda item at
this meeting. He said that on February 27, 1990, the Council had
passed a Motion of Intent to Approve the project, and would be
voting on its approval at the meeting of March 27, 1990. He said
a Notice of Intent to Adopt a Negative Declaration with Mitigation
Measures had been pUblished.
After being assured that the Public Hearing had been duly
pUblished and all legal requirements met, Mayor Millis declared the
hearing open and said all persons would be heard regarding the
matter. When no one came forward to speak, Mayor Millis closed the
hearing to the floor.
7.B. PUBLIC HEARING - CURBSIDE RECYCLING PROGRAM FOR NEWSPAPER.
GLASS. PLASTIC. AND ALUMINUM CANS: CITYWIDE
With regard to the Recycling Program being proposed by the
South County Sanitary service, Mr. Christiansen said t~e rates to
the three cities were different. He said several weeks ago Grover
Ci ty adopted rates of $.60 per month for residential, and 9.5
percent for commercial. He said on March 12, 1990, pismo Beach
adopted a rate of $.50 for residential, and 7.81 percent for
commercial. He said there is a need for clarification of the
rates.
TOM MARTIN, controller for the South County Sanitation
Service, said it was hoped when recycling talks began that all
three cities would go together to arrive at a combined rate to
maintain the continuity that has existed for the last 20 years.
He said pismo Beach has agreed in principle to a recycling program
but 'not the rate. He said Grover city has said it would abide by
a proposed combined rate for the tri-city area of $.50 a month for
residential and 8.94 percent for commercial. He said the proposed
rate for Pismo Beach of 7.81 percent is a result of the city's
higher ratio of commercial to residential. He said the difference
in ratios creates inequities in total billing.
In response to a question from Council Member Olsen, Mr.
Martin said monthly recycling rate for a business would be
approximately $2.50.
After being assured that the Public Hearing had been duly
published and all legal requirements met, Mayor Millis declared the
hearing open and said all persons would be heard regarding the
matter.
Speaking in opposition to paying a recycling fee was SANDY
FACCHETTI of 248 Tally Ho Road. He said the fees would have a
harmful effect on residents with fixed incomes. He said it would
not be fair for a family of two to pay the same rate as a larger
household. He said the recycling should be done at the landfill
site.
Speaking in favor of recycling were DAWN WILLIAMS of 202 Oro
Drive; PAUL WEINBERG of 546 Ide Street; DICK FRANKS of 879 Fair
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Oaks Avenue; BARBARA VASQUEZ of 387 N. Elm street; JEAN BOWSER of
510 Woodland; LORNA BROWN of 508 Allen street, and BILL WALTHUR of
rural Arroyo Grande.
Points made by the speakers included, the landfill is almost
full and a new landfill would be costly; most people would recycle
if they were given the proper containers; the problem of trash
should be solved at the local level, and children would learn about
and help with the recycling at school and at home.
Questions asked by MR. FRANKS, MRS. BROWN, LORI MCDERMOTT of
440 Stanton, MARIE CATTOIR of 195 Orchid Lane, and ARMAND
CARPENTIER of San Miguel concerned, whether the recycling rates
charged would fluctuate with the market rates; whether homeowners
should continue their own recycling of materials which have high
market values; whether there would be two separate contracts with
the Sanitary Service; whether the materials collected would
actually be recycled or taken to the landfill; whether the figures
used as the basis for the proposed fee are available to the public,
and whether glass would be color sorted.
other questions asked concerned, whether there would be
thorough record-keeping so that competitive bidding on recyclers
would take place in the future; whether the City would have the
recycling contract available to the pUblic before any action is
taken; whether a fee is necessary since materials collected have
value; whether the contract should include a "hardship" Clause for
people who cannot afford the fee, and how the City would reach the
25 percent waste stream reduction required by AB 939.
KURT KUPPER, manager of ECOSLO, said he was unable to submit
a bid to collect the recyclable materials because of the short time
factor. He recommended that the three South County Cities go
together and send out Requests for Proposals. He discussed
education of the pUblic as being critical. He said in three to
five years the market for materials would be healthy.
RUTH BRACKETT of Nipomo said local collectors spend a large
amount of money shipping the materials out of the area for
recycling.
Mr. Martin said the Sanitary Service would like to reserve the
right to dispose of the materials in the most efficient manner
possible, in case the cost of recycling exceeds the revenue earned.
He said the Sanitary Service proposed the recycling plan 18 months
ago, and no one else has come forward with another proposal. He
said normally a garbage rate review takes place every two years,
and rates always have increased. He said any revenues earned from
selling recycling materials would be on the Sanitary District's
financial statements and would be used to either lower the increase
requested or increase the rate needed to continue to operate the
program.
Mr. Martin said curbside recycling will not reduce the
materials going to the landfill a great deal. He said if every
city in the County goes "on line," there will be only a six percent
reduction in what goes to Cold Canyon Landfill. He said $8,000 is
being allocated in the proposal for educating the pUblic on
recycling in Arroyo Grande.
There being no further public discussion on the matter, Mayor
Millis closed the hearing to the floor, and Council Members began <
their discussion on recycling.
Council Members Moots, Smith and Olsen and Mayor Millis said
the Council had always been in favor of recycling. Their comments
included concerns about the best possible standard rate for all
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MARCH 13, 1990
three cities being negotiated: the contract being on a trial basis
with review: the contract including statements on record keeping,
hardship cases, an education program; making sure everything
collected is recycled, and having regular garbage collection rates
and recycling fees all in one package.
Mayor Millis said the original rates proposed have been
decreased because Arroyo Grande has asked questions. He said
Arroyo Grande, should pay the same rate as is proposed for pismo
Beach - 7.81 percent for commercial, and $.50 monthly for
residential.
Mr. Martin said the Sanitary Service is not interested in
running a program on a trial basis, and will not provide commercial
collection for 7.81 percent.
HEATHER JENSEN, manager of the Arroyo Grande Chamber of
Commerce, asked if the Council actually knew the dollar numbers are
reflected on the businesses.
Mr. Christiansen said the figure would be $2,700 to $2,800
monthly citywide on the business community.
Mayor Millis asked if residential rates were lowered by
increasing the commercial rates.
Mr. Martin said total commercial collections have increased.
He said while the percentage of business dollars has not changed,
the total dollars generated by that percentage is more so the
residential increase can be offset.
After further discussion, it was moved by Olsen/Smith to
signify the Council's intent to enter into a recycling contract
with the South County Sanitary service, with the understanding that
rates will be ironed out, and a resolution to that effect will be
brought to the next Council meeting.
After more discussion concerning whether or not rates should
be in the resolution, Council Members Olsen and Smith withdrew
their motion and second.
Mr. Christiansen read the second resolution in its entirety,
and the residential rate was set at $.50 for residential per month,
and 7.81 percent for commercial.
Council Member Dougall pointed out that the words "Residential
rate shall be $.50 per month." should be substituted for
"Residential service one time per week shall be $.50. II in the
fourth paragraph, letter a).
It was moved by Moots/Smith (4-0-1, Moots, smith, Olsen and
Millis voting aye, and Dougall abstaining) to approve Resolution
No. 2376, as corrected, concerning rates for curbside recycling in
the city of Arroyo Grande.
7.C. APPEAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION DENIAL OF A LOT SPLIT. PARCEL
MAP CASE NO. 89-483: TO CREATE TWO LOTS FROM A 16.304.5 SOUARE FOOT
PARCEL: DENIAL WAS BASED ON INCONSISTENCY WITH THE GENERAL PLAN;
1131 FAIR OAKS: KIRBY GORDON AND DANIEL DOWLING
Planning Director Liberto-Blanck referred to her Staff Report
of March 13, 1990 and indicated a March 12, 1990, letter from Scott
and Kathy Preston: a March 13, 1990, letter from Stanley A. Eisner,
Director of Planning for The Keith Companies, sacramento, and a
petition from residents of Walnut, Fair Oaks and Maple Streets.
Ms. Liberto-Blanck recommended that the Council uphold the Planning
Commission denial and deny the appeal.
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city Attorney Judy Skousen spoke to the Council referring to
her memorandum to the Council on the issues raised by Kirby Gordon.
She reiterated that the 6,000 minimum that Mr. Gordon is talking
about is the minimum building site. She said it has nothing to do
wi th the General Plan, with density or zoning. She said the
General Plan sets the density and each project that comes before
the Council has to be reviewed and be consistent with the General
Plan. She said in order for this project to be consistent with the
General Plan, it cannot be more than 4.5 units per acre, and the
Council should consider only the property that is before it.
She said that each property owner that comes to the City for
a lot split or subdivision has to meet and be consistent with the
General Plan requirements on his own. He cannot take or give to
his neighbor. She said the 6,000 square feet of Mr. Gordon's site
is the minimum building site. She said this means that when he
comes in for a building permit it can be determined whether or not
that lot can be built on lot after subtracting unbuildable areas.
She said it has nothing to do with density and Mr. Gordon has
confused those two terms. She said the Sacramento Off ice of
General Planning said that the General Plan has to be complied with
by each parcel on its own without consideration of surrounding
parcels.
Ms. Skousen said the only legal thing the Council could do is
to uphold the Planning commission. She said if a law was broken
in the past, it does not mean the city should break the law today.
After being assured that the Public Hearing had been duly
published and all legal requirements met, Mayor Millis declared the
hearing open and said all persons would be heard regarding the
matter.
KIRBY GORDON of 401 Indio Drive, Pismo Beach, the appellant,
said that Noel Higa of Engineering Development Associates would be
speaking to the Council, and Tracy Wiley, a court reporter, would
be recording the meeting. He said a video tape also would be
taken.
Three points made by NOEL HIGA of EDA were, there are no
impacts raised that have not been mitigated or addressed by the
applicant, water and sewer use will go down, and traffic impacts
have been agreed to.
He said the General Plan is not site specific, but is designed
to give guidance. He used the overhead projector to show the
general area of the parcel in question, and said if all lots were
developed, there would be 39 units on 8.79 acres, which is wholly
consistent with the General Plan. He said the City will find other
oversize lots compared to their surrounding areas. He said
"infill" development is being promoted so lots should be allowed
to develop logically and consistently.
MELVIN C. CALDWELL of 565 Woodland Drive said three entities
are involved, the applicant, the governing body and the conscience
of the community. He said it is a question of treating people
fairly.
LOUISE AND JACK FAUGHT of 1125 Fair Oaks Avenue spoke in favor
of the applicant's appeal, and said no residents of the cul-de-sac
signed the petition circulated against the proposed two houses.
Mr. Gordon gave a history of the of the use of the parcel of
land in question.' He said the previous owner had been in violation
of city regulations, and the existing structures have been
condemned by the city. He said he would be demolishing the
existing structure, and building two one-story single family CITY
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MARCH 13, 1990
houses. He said the properties would be part of the cul-de-sac's
maintenance agreement and would share proportionately the upkeep
of the easement. He said lot splits have been allowed previously
in the area, and the one allowed on the parcel next door created
6,200 square foot parcels. He said his parcels would be 8,000
square feet. He said he was being treated unfairly, that his lot
split would not be inconsistent with the General Plan, that there
should be a policy toward "infill" development, and that it would
be in the interest of the neighborhood to approve the appeal.
There being no further public discussion on the matter, Mayor
Millis closed the hearing to the floor.
Mayor Millis directed that a petition opposed to the lot split
from neighbors in the area, and letters supporting it from Scott
and Kathy Preston and Stanley A. Eisner, former Planning Director
be accepted into the record.
After Council discussion, it was moved by Smith/Moots, to
uphold the Planning Commission denial of the project based on
inconsistency with the General Plan, and deny the appeal.
That motion and second were withdrawn so that a resolution
denying the appeal could be passed.
On motion of smith/Moots (5-0-0, Smith, Moots, Olsen, Dougall
and Millis voting aye) to approve Resolution 2377 Upholding the
Planning Commission's Denial of Parcel Map Case No. 89-483 Located
and 1131 Fair Oaks Avenue, Applied for by Kirby and Jill Gordon.
It was moved by Smith/Moots, and the motion passed, to amend
the title and body of the resolution to include Daniel K. Dowling
as one of the applicants.
8.A. UPDATE ON BRIDGE STREET BRIDGE AT ARROYO GRANDE CREEK
Public Works Director Karp said the bridge trusses will be
installed in mid-April, and the project appears to be on schedule.
8.B. HOOK RAMPS AT CAMINO MERCADO
Mr. Karp said the Engineering Staff is reviewing the State
plans for the hook ramps on Highway 101.
8.C. INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS AT WEST BRANCH STREET/GRAND
AVENUE/TRAFFIC WAY AND WESLEY STREET
No Report.
8.D. POLICE FACILITY EXPANSION
Chief of Police Rick TerBorch said completion of the facility
will be in four weeks.
It was moved by Smith/Moots, and the motion passed, to approve
the purchase of furnishings for the Police Facility renovation and
expansion project.
8.E. WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAM
Mr. Christiansen said he would present a complete report at
the next Council meeting.
Ms. Skousen, who is working on a Water Conservation
resolution, said it has been suggested that a rain water catching
system which hooks to a rain gutter and siphons water into a drip
system be required for all new development. Mayor Millis said he
would like to see one in operation before putting it into a
resolution. Council Member Olsen said she had seen one and it
appeared to function well.
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8.F. PROPERTY TRANSFER - FIVE ACRES ADJACENT TO COMMUNITY CENTER
Mayor Millis and council Members Dougall and Moots said they
may have conflicts of interests in this matter and left the Council
dais. Mayor Pro Tem smith presided.
Mr. Christiansen referred to his memorandum of March 8, 1990,
and said that a letter from curtis Sorg, County Property Manager,
states that the exchange of land between the County, the Royal Oaks
developers, and the City cannot take place because there are
easements, in violation of the agreement, on the land the County
was to receive.
Ms. Skousen said she had spoken with the County Counsel and
Stephen Cool, attorney for the developers, and they said the
problem could be worked out. She recommended that the city give
the County and developers two weeks before taking legal action.
Council Members agreed.
County Supervisor Jim Johnson asked if he could present the
County's point of view, and Mayor Pro Tem smith said he could be
heard at the next meeting of the Council, when the matter is taken
up.
Mayor Millis and Council Members Moots and Dougall returned
to the dais.
9.A. APPOINTMENT OF JAMES M. SOUZA TO THE PARKING AND TRAFFIC
COMMISSION: TERM EXPIRES JUNE 30. 1992 (FILLING UNEXPIRED TERM OF
FORMER PARKING AND TRAFFIC COMMISSIONER SPENCE THOMAS)
Mayor Millis nominated James M. Souza to the Parking and
Traffic Commission, and the council approved.
9.B. RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A "TWO-HOUR PARKING" ZONE ON A PORTION
OF BRIDGE STREET (137-145 BRIDGE STREET AND BRIDGE STREET FRONTAGE
OF 107 NELSON STREET 1 . ENCOMPASSING A MINIMUM OF FIVE PARKING
SPACES
On motion of smith/Dougall (4-0-1, Smith, Dougall, Olsen and
Millis voting aye, Moots abstaining) to approve Resolution No. 2378
Establishing a "Two-Hour Parking" Zone on a portion of Bridge
Street (137-145 Bridge Street and Bridge Street Frontage of 107
Nelson Street) encompassing a minimum of Five Parking Spaces.
LETTER OF REOUEST TO CONSTRUCT A RETAINING WALL TALLER THAN THE
30-INCH STANDARDS OF ROYAL OAKS. LOT 4. 11 7 RODEO DRIVE ( HARRY
PRESTON)
counqil Member Moots said he may have a conflict of interest
on this agenda item and left the dais.
Mr. Christiansen referred to his memorandum of March 9, 1990,
and recommended that council approve the request, with the
following conditions:
1. The retaining wall to be designed by a civil Engineer.
2. The retaining wall will not create any drainage problems to
adjacent properties, existing drainage swales and structures.
3. Construction shall be inspected by the Building Department.
On motion of Dougall/Olsen (4-0-1, Dougall, Olsen, smith and
Millis voting aye, Moots not voting) to approve Mr., Christiansen's
recommendation.
9.D. OFFER TO PAY A CEOA TRAFFIC MITIGATION MEASURE TO CITY ON
PROPOSED TENTATIVE TRACTS 1746 AND 1724. LOCATED IN THE
UNINCORPORATED AREA
There were questions from the Council, and Ms. Liberto-Blanck
referred to the March 13, 1990, Staff Report from Mr. Karp and her.
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She said that developers of the two tracts, which are located
outside of the city but will impact the traffic infrastructure of
the ,.city, have agreed as part of the California Environmental
Qua\~ty Act mitigation process to pay the City $2,655 per peak hour
triP. for the proportion of vehicle trips generated from the
projects into the City. She said the City would receive $40,860.00
from Tentative Tract 1746, and $60,556.80 from Tract 1724. She
said the money would be used on the City's backbone traffic system,
and to do:studies for future improvements.
Ms. Liberto-Blanck said the monies coming to the City at this
time are a result of City Staff meetings with the County ~
Environmental Coordinator's Office, caltrans, the council of
Governments, the city of San Luis obispo, and others. She said
those attending discussed how projects in the County area are
impacting the Cities.
Mr. Karp explained the formula used for reaching the per peak
hour trip figure. He said the monies will be used initially to
begin circulation modeling for identifying traffic fees. He said
the three South County cities and the County will be meeting to
establish a standard fee basis for Arroyo Grande, pismo Beach and
Grover city.
It was moved by Smith/Dougall, and the motion passed, to
accept the $2,655 per unit for Tentative Tracts l746 and 1724, with
the condition contained in the March 13, 1990 Staff Report.
WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
None.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
ADJOURNMENT
The council adjourned at 10:07 P.M.
~ A4.~d, ~;L
MAYOR .
ATTEST: 7l~a. ~
NANCY A. IS, CITY CLERK
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