Loading...
Minutes 2006-08-29 MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL . TUESDAY, AUGUST 29,2006 -7:00 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 EAST BRANCH STREET ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA 1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Tony Ferrara called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL: City Council: Council Members Jim Dickens, Joe Costello, Ed Arnold, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Guthrie and Mayor Tony Ferrara were present. City Staff Present: City Manager Steve Adams, City Attorney Tim Carmel,' Director of Administrative Services/City Clerk Kelly Wetmore, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Don Spagnolo, and Consulting Engineer Craig Campbell. 3. FLAG SALUTE: Mayor Ferrara led the Flag Salute. Mayor Ferrara acknowledged the Wood family who had experienced the loss of their young son in a tragic accident that took place in the Village earlier this morning. He requested the audience pause for a moment to send their thoughts to the family. 4. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS: Bob Lloyd, AGP Video, announced that government access channel 20 had been experiencing technical difficulties recently and encouraged the community to call 772-2715 if the channel was down. 5. CONSENT AGENDA: Mayor Ferrara invited any member of the public who wished to comment on any Consent Agenda item to do so at this time. There were no public comments received. Council Member Costello moved, and Council Member Dickens seconded the motion to approve Consent Agenda Items 5.a. and .5.b., with the recommended courses of action. The motion carried on the following roll-call vote: NOES: ABSENT: Council Members Costello, Dickens, Arnold, Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie, and Mayor Ferrara None None AYES: 5.a. Consideration of Temporary Use Permit 06-018 Authorizing Closure of City Streets and Use of City Property for the 69th Annual Arroyo Grande Valley Harvest Festival, Friday and Saturday, September 22-23, 2006. Action: Adopted Resolution No. 3948 authorizing closure of City streets and use of City property for the 69th annual Arroyo Grande Valley Harvest Festival. Minutes: Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, August 29, 2006 Page 2 5.b. Consideration of Agreement with Bob Murray & Associates for Director of Building and Fire Recruitment. Action: Authorized the City Manager to execute an agreement with Bob Murray & Associates to provide consultant services to coordinate the recruitment process for the position of Director of Building and Fire and approved an additional appropriation of $9,000. 6. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING: 6.a. Consideration of Alignment Alternatives for Newsom Springs Drainage Improvements. Council Member Dickens declared a conflict of interest due to his indirect financial interests in the Dixson Ranch and stepped down from the dais. Consulting Engineer Campbell gave a PowerPoint presentation (on file in the Administrative Services Department) of the Newsom Springs Regional Drainage Project, which depicted the watershed, existing flood problem areas, potential source control sites, sediment yield estimates, bank erosion sites, potential detention pond sites, sediment control sites, alternative alignment locations (A, B, and C), a review of the four alternatives in Alignment A, including A-1, A-2, A-3, & A-4; a review of the three alternatives in Alignment B, including B-1, B-2 & B-3; and review of Alternative C-1; and concluded by giving an overview of recommendations including selecting a preferred alignment for the Newsom Springs drainage improvements. Mayor Ferrara invited representatives from Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District (RCD) to address the Council. Julie Thomas and Cheryl Lenhardt from Coastal San Luis Resource Conservation District addressed the Council on issues regarding protection of downstream developed properties; protection of agricultural lands between Newsom Springs Canyon and the Cherry Creek extension; efforts to obtain grant funding for erosion control on stream sites; and the need for sediment control mechanisms and stream restoration. Council questions ensued regarding the use of detention basins to reduce sedimentation; the use and effectiveness of the "low flow" channel along Branch Mill Road; sizes and effectiveness of proposed collection ditches in the various alternatives; affect of flow volumes and speeds on downstream sedimentation; and the capacity of the stone culvert under Branch Mill Road. Mayor Ferrara invited comments from those in the audience who wished to be heard on the matter. Jim Dickens, Branch Mill Road, explained the content of the video taken of the area in 1997 and during the March 10, 1995 storm (copies presented to the Council at a previous meeting), which showed the extensive ponding that resulted in some damage to the agricultural fields. He expressed concern about the capacity of the existing stone culvert, and the potential for more extensive flood damage during a higher magnitude flood/storm event. He stated that there would be continued development in the Newsom Springs area that will create more impervious surfaces, which would increase the amount of water coming out of Newsom Springs Canyon. He referred to the Dixson Ranch which, in collaboration with the RCD, have looked at widening the low flow ditch to accommodate 200 cubic feet of water per second; and spoke of grant Minutes: Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, August 29, 2006 Page 3 funding opportunities for the project. He referred to the proposed alignments and pointed out that there was an additional alignment along an existing dirt road that should be considered. Julie Thomas, RCD, referred to a proposed collection ditch and inquired whose property it was located on. In response to Consulting Engineer Campbell's response that it is located on the Dixson Ranch property in order to be on the upstream side from Cherry Avenue, she commented that because the Dixson Ranch is under a perpetual conservation easement, the terms of the easement are very strict as to any non-agricultural uses for the property. She noted she would have to research the issue. Ella Honeycutt, Oak Hill Road, expressed concerns about erosion from future development projects in Newsom Springs Canyon. She noted this is a regional project that needs County participation. Damien Mavis, Cherry Creek project applicant, explained how the proposed site and development fits into the regional drainage solution. He noted that Alternative A-4 is a significant component of the project, and noted that the Cherry Creek project applicants would pay for all drainage improvements on the Cherry Creek property. Marjorie Gilliano, Valley Road, read a letter into the record (on file in the Administrative Services Department) expressing concerns about proposed future development that would increase runoff water going directly into the creeks. Hearing no further public comments, Mayor Ferrara closed the public hearing. Mayor Ferrara provided the following comments: Goals are to minimize or eliminate sheet flowing across agricultural land; minimiZe or eliminate creek bank erosion and downstream sedimentation impact; minimize or eliminate impact on agricultural production; and ensure that residents along Noguera Place get their backyards back. - Stressed the need to address bank erosion issues; ability to enhance creek maintenance efforts through grants. Council Mernber Costello provided the following comments: - Makes most sense to pursue Alignments B or C configuration as it is important to minimize the sheet flooding on the agricultural land; channel the water as it comes out of Newsom Springs to get it to the creek as expeditiously as possible; Supports modified version of Alignment B or C as suggested; Recommended pipe over ditch to minimize the impact on existing agricultural lands; Pursue studying potential creek impacts and vigorously pursue grants for creek stabilization; Goal has to be to minimize any of the flooding that occurs west of the existing low flow ditch. Council Member Arnold provided the following comments: - Concurred with Mayor's comments; - Need to make sure to avoid flooding in residential neighborhoods and strive to minimize or avoid flooding of the agricultural fields; - Favors combination of alternatives; favors modified version of Alignment B-3 to realign the road as suggested, as well as possibly raising Branch Mill Road to form some kind of ponding basin; - Also favors Alignment A-4; there may be funding issues related to Alignment B options; Minutes: Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, August 29, 2006 Page 4 - Need to support Dixson Ranch efforts to obtain grant to improve and deepen the low flow ditch; - Acknowledged that City does not have jurisdiction over County developments. Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie provided the following comments: - Need to pursue Alignment A; need to oversize pipes on lower Branch Mill; Need to look at stabilizing Branch Mill Road if it is in our jurisdiction; Would like a second look at the retention basin on south side of Branch Mill Road; Look at sediment control in Arroyo Grande Creek Need to look separately at bank erosion control in Arroyo Grande Creek; Need to look at project in phases; Alignment A-4 is only part of the fix and must not stop there; Concurs that there will be further development in Newsom Springs Canyon; however, will not increase runoff significantly. Mayor Ferrara summarized the comments as follows: - City has very large, comprehensive drainage problem; Need a formidable, comprehensive solution; Focusing on one alternative is not practical; Alignment A-4 is a must to accomplish goals; however, should not be considered as the sole, initial effort; Acknowledged huge costs that should be planned for; Plan should include action steps on a timeline as a single approach so elements are not lost; Comprehensive plan should include several elements, including Alignment A-4, a modified B-3 (to provide a straighter alignment); Look at feasibility for potential detention basin on the south side of Branch Mill Road; Include treatment of bank instability into plan (as funding is available). Move forward with environmental review. Based on feedback from the Council, City Manager Adams amended staffs recommendation as follows: - Direct staff to develop a comprehensive plan for Newsom Springs regional drainage improvements which would include Alignment A-4; Direct staff to perform additional engineering analysis and to initiate the environmental re- view process in accordance with CEQA, to include all of the Alignment alternatives dis- cussed; Transfer $25,000 from the Pavement Management Program Capital Improvement Program (CIP) budget; and Direct staff to work with representatives of the RCD to identify and apply for grant funding to further pursue future drainage improvements to reduce or eliminate impacts on existing agricultural land. Discussion ensued regarding environmental review on all the proposed alternatives and associated costs. Council Member Costello moved to direct staff to begin the engineering analysis based on all the options presented, with the concept of a master plan that would include Alignment A-4 and a study of the B & C options, as well as the potential for a detention basin; begin the environ- mental review process and issue an RFP; direct staff to continue to work with representatives Minutes: Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, August 29, 2006 Page 5 from the RCD to identify and apply for grant funding to further pursue future drainage improve- ments and creek bank stabilization in the areas that were identified in the study. Council Mem- ber Arnold seconded, and the rnotion carried on the following roll-call vote: AYES: NOES: ABSENT: Costello, Arnold, Guthrie. Ferrara None Dickens Council Member Dickens returned to the dais. 7. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS: (a) MAYOR TONY FERRARA: (1) San Luis Obispo Council of Governments/San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Au- thority (SLOCOG/SLORTA). Executive Committee met; two locations identified for alternate SLOCOG and SLORTA facilities. (2) South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District (SSLOCSD). Voted to endorse the multi-jurisdictional Creek Memorandum of Understanding. (3) Other. Announced appointment as President of the League of California Cities Mayor/Council Department, as well as another term as President of the League of California Cities Channel Counties Division. Will be seeking appointments to serve on various League Policy Committees. (b) MAYOR PRO TEM JIM GUTHRIE: (1) County Water Resources Advisory Committee (WRAC) No report. (2) Other. None. (e) COUNCIL MEMBER JIM DICKENS: (1) South County Area Transit (SCAT). No report. (2) South County Youth Coalition. No report. (3) Other. None. (d) COUNCIL MEMBER JOE COSTELLO: (1) Zone 3 Water Advisory Board. No report. (2) Air Pollution Control District (APCD). Announced upcoming composting and greenwaste workshops free to South County residents. (3) Fire Oversight Committee. Joint efforts with City of Grover Beach working well. Currently recruiting for a new training officer. . (4) Fire Consolidation Oversight Committee. Reviewed potential cost savings by consolidating purchase and use of certain equipment. Also pursuing study on potential for joint dispatch opportunities. (5) Other. None. (e) COUNCIL MEMBER ED ARNOLD: (1) Integrated Waste Management Authority Board (IWMA). No report. (2) California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (CJPIA). No report. (3) Economic Vitality Corporation (EVC). Discussed study on economic impact on wine region. (4) Other. None. Minutes: Special City Council Meeting Tuesday, August 29, 2006 Page 6 8. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Ferrara adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m. to the next Regular City Council Meeting on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the Arroyo Grande City Council Chambers, 215 E. Branch Street, Arroyo Grande, CA. \ _. LJ;(. ;k;r; At? / Tony F~'3' a,lYIayor ATTEST: (Approved at CC Mtg 10 -/0 - 20010 )