Minutes 2008-08-12MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
.TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2008
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 EAST BRANCH STREET
ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Ferrara called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
2. ROLL CALL
City Council: Mayor Tony Ferrara, Mayor Pro Tem Chuck Fellows, Council Members Joe
Costello, Jim Guthrie, and Ed Arnold were present.
City Staff Present: City Manager Steven Adams, City Attorney Tim Carmel, Director of Financial
Services Angela Kraetsch, Director of Public Works Don Spagnolo, Director
of Community Development Rob Strong, and Associate Planner Teresa
McClish.
3. FLAG SALUTE
Members of Boy Scouts of America Troop 26 led the Flag Salute.
4. INVOCATION
Pastor Robert Banker, Open Door Church, delivered the invocation.
5. SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
None.
6. AGENDA REVIEW
6.a. Ordinances Read in Title Only.
Council Member Costello moved, Council Member Arnold seconded, and the motion passed
unanimously that all ordinances presented at the meeting shall be read in title only and all further
reading be waived.
7. CITIZENS' INPUT, COMMENTS, AND SUGGESTIONS
Tracv Del Rio, Huasna Valley resident, expressed concerns about the Huasna Valley Oil
Exploration and Production Project currently in the County of San Luis Obispo's development
review process, as it relates to negative water, air, noise, traffic, and safety impacts on the
community.
Lvn Schultz, Huasna Valley resident, expressed concerns about the Huasna Valley Oil Exploration
and Production Project.
Anna Gabriel, Huasna Valley resident, expressed concerns about the Huasna Valley OiI Exploration
and Production Project and referred the Council and members of the public to the following website
- www.huasnavalley.org -for further information about the project.
Mayor Ferrara assured the citizens who spoke about the Huasna Valley Oil Exploration and
Production Project that the Council was well aware of the issues, and that the Agenda tonight
included an item under "City Council Member Items" to request the scheduling of a public hearing to
further discuss the matter.
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Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Page 2
8. CONSENT AGENDA
Mayor Ferrara invited members 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 Guthrie pulled Item 8.b. (Minutes of the Regular City Council/Redevelopment
Agency Meeting of July 22, 2008), referred to page 4, Item 9.b., and stated that he was listed as
voting twice on that item. He requested that the vote be corrected to show he voted "yes" to
continue the item. Staff noted the correction.
Mayor Ferrara referred to Item 8.c. and recognized, acknowledged, and expressed appreciation for
the late Bill Harrer, who was his original appointment to the Senior Advisory Commission.
Action: Council Member Costello moved, and Council Member Guthrie seconded the motion to
approve Consent Agenda Items 8.a. through 8.h., with the recommended courses of action and
including the amendment to Item 8.b. The motion passed on the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Costello, Guthrie, Arnold, Fellows, Ferrara
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
8.a. Cash Disbursement Ratification.
Action: Ratified the listing of cash disbursements for the period July 16, 2008 through July
31, 2008.
8.b. Consideration of Approval of Minutes.
Action: Approved the minutes of the Special City Council Meeting of July 22, 2008, as
submitted; and the Regular City Council/Redevelopment Agency Meeting of July 22, 2008,
as amended.
8.c. Consideration of Adoption of an Ordinance Repealing Chapter 2.28 of Title 2 of the
Arroyo Grande Municipal Code to Disband the Senior Advisory Commission.
Action: Adopted Ordinance No. 603 as follows: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE REPEALING CHAPTER 2.28 OF TITLE
2 OF THE ARROYO GRANDE MUNICIPAL CODE TO DISBAND THE SENIOR
ADVISORY COMMISSION".
8.d. Consideration of a Contractor Services Agreement with Lee Wilson Electric Company
Inc. to Furnish and Install Supplemental Lighting Improvements for the PG&E Park 8
Ride Lot at West Branch Street and Old Ranch Road, Project PW 2007-11.
Action: Approved a Contractor Services Agreement with Lee Wilson Electric Company, Inc.
to furnish and install supplemental lighting at the PG&E Park & Ride Lot at West Branch
Street and Old Ranch Road.
8.e. Consideration of a Resolution Adopting an Amendment to the Full Flex Cafeteria Plan
Section 125 to Include the Arroyo Grande Police Officers' Association and the Service
Employees International Union, Local 620.
Action: Adopted Resolution No. 4113 as follows: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE ADOPTING AN AMENDMENT TO THE
FULL FLEX CAFETERIA PLAN SECTION 125 TO INCLUDE THE ARROYO GRANDE
POLICE OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION AND THE SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL
UNION, LOCAL 620".
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Tuesday, August 12, 2008
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8.f. Consideration of Resolutions Establishing the City's Contribution Toward Health Care
Coverage.
Action: 1) Adopted Resolution No. 4114 as follows: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE ESTABLISHING THE CITY'S
CONTRIBUTION TOWARD HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR MEMBERS OF THE
ARROYO GRANDE POLICE OFFICERS' ASSOCIATION UNDER THE PUBLIC
EMPLOYEES' MEDICAL AND HOSPITAL CARE ACT"; 2) Adopted Resolution No. 4115
as follows: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO
GRANDE ESTABLISHING THE CITY'S CONTRIBUTION TOWARD HEALTH CARE
COVERAGE FOR MEMBERS OF THE ARROYO GRANDE CHAPTER OF THE SERVICE
EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION, LOCAL 620 UNDER THE PUBLIC
EMPLOYEES' MEDICAL AND HOSPITAL CARE ACT"; and 3) Adopted Resolution No.
4116 as follows: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO
GRANDE ESTABLISHING THE CITY'S CONTRIBUTION TOWARD HEALTH CARE
COVERAGE FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS".
8.g. Consideration to Authorize an Award of Bid for Purchase of Police Vehicle
Equipment.
Action: Authorized the award of bid to purchase radio consoles for police vehicle
equipment to Adamson Police Products of Los Alamitos, California in the amount of
$51,519.50.
9. PUBLIC HEARINGS
9.a. Consideration of Countywide Vector Control Program and Benefit Assessment.
City Manager Adams presented a brief staff report and recommended the Council adopt a
Resolution allowing the County to provide vector control services in Arroyo Grande and to conduct
a mail out benefit assessment ballot measure for a vector control benefit assessment district. He
introduced Lori Salo, representing San Luis Obispo County Department of Environmental Services,
who presented additional information relating to the creation of a Vector Control Program and
benefit assessment district in San Luis Obispo County. Ms. Salo responded to questions from
Council regarding the content of and responses to a community survey that was conducted by the
County on the subject matter.
Mayor Ferrara opened the public hearing.
Richard Waller asked how much the assessment costs would be for farmland.
Mr. Curt Batson, SLO County Director of Environmental Health, responded by reviewing the
approximate assessment costs for open range farmland as well as irrigated farmland.
Upon receiving no further public comments, Mayor Ferrara closed the public hearing.
Council comments ensued in support of the proposed Countywide Vector Control Program; that
Arroyo Grande residents would be given the opportunity to vote on the formation of a benefit
assessment district in the City; acknowledgement of the creeks running through the City and the
importance of vector control; acknowledgement that the County program is currently under funded;
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Tuesday, August 12, 2008
acknowledgement that the proposed assessment rates are reasonable and would reduce incidents
of West Nile virus and other diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, other insects, and rodents, for a
nominal cost.
Action: Council Member Guthrie moved to adopt a Resolution as follows: "A RESOLUTION OF
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE ALLOWING THE COUNTY
TO PROVIDE VECTOR CONTROL SERVICES IN ARROYO GRANDE AND TO
CONDUCT A MAIL OUT BENEFIT ASSESSMENT BALLOT MEASURE FOR A VECTOR
CONTROL BENEFIT ASSESSMENT DISTRICT". Mayor Pro Tem Fellows seconded, and the
motion passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Guthrie, Fellows, Costello, Arnold, Ferrara
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
10. CONTINUED BUSINESS ITEMS
10.a. Consideration of Recommended Preferred Alternative for the Brisco Road -Halcyon
Road/Highway 101 Interchange Improvement Project.
Director of Public Works Don Spagnolo presented a brief staff report and recommended the
Council: 1) Approve Alternate 3A as the revised preferred alternative for the Brisco Road -Halcyon
Road/Highway 101 Interchange Improvement Project; and 2) Direct staff and the City Council
Subcommittee to pursue approval and funding through the San Luis Obispo Council of
Governments (SLOCOG) and Caltrans. He then introduced Tina Chan and Mark Rayback,
representing Wood Rodgers, who gave a PowerPoint presentation which reviewed the project;
efforts to approve and fund the project to date; an overview of new Alternative 3A which includes
improvements to West Branch Street, Brisco Road Undercrossing, and the Camino Mercado
Northbound On-Ramp; reviewed the next steps which include meeting with SLOCOG and Caltrans;
reinitiate all environmental studies; investigate right-of-way implications; conduct Project
Development Team meetings; complete the project report; and obtain Caltrans approval. Staff
responded to questions from Council regarding timing for the approval process.
Mayor Ferrara invited comments from those in the audience who wished to be heard on the matter.
Anna Gabriel stated she drives a big truck and expressed concern about elimination of the
northbound 101 on-ramp at E. Grand Avenue.
Upon hearing no further public comments, Mayor Ferrara closed the public comment period.
Council comments ensued in support of Alternate 3A; acknowledgement that this has been a
difficult process; acknowledgement of efforts to maintain Caltrans standards; that Alternate 3A is
the most acceptable Alternative without having to immediately expand the Brisco undercrossing;
that there is potential for a traffic signal at W. Branch and E. Grand Avenue; some concern about
project timing and missing funding opportunities for other improvements; that this project has been
in the pipeline for a long time; acknowledgement of the traffic impacts to Brisco as a result of the
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Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Five Cities Center; the need to consider basic circulation patterns for the entire City; and optimism
that the proposed Alternative is the best solution.
Action: Council Member Arnold moved to approve Alternate 3A as the revised preferred alternative
for the Brisco Road -Halcyon Road/Highway 101 Interchange Improvement Project; and to direct
staff and the City Council Subcommittee to pursue approval and funding through the San Luis
Obispo Council of Governments and Caltrans. Council Member Costello seconded, and the motion
passed on the following roll call vote:
AYES: Arnold, Costello, Guthrie, Fellows, Ferrara
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
Mayor Ferrara called a break at 8:10 p.m. The Council reconvened at 8:20 p.m.
11. NEW BUSINESS ITEMS
11.a. Consideration of Appointment of Voting Delegate and Alternate for the League of
California Cities Annual Conference.
City Manager Adams presented the staff report and recommended the Council appoint one Council
Member as the voting delegate and one Council Member as the alternate delegate for the League
of California Cities Annual Conference to be held in Long Beach on September 24-27, 2008.
Following Council discussion, it was determined that Mayor Ferrara was the only representative
from the Council who would be attending the conference. Mayor Ferrara encouraged City Manager
Adams or a member of the staff to attend the conference.
Action: Council Member Arnold moved to appoint Mayor Ferrara as the voting delegate for the
League of California Cities Annual Conference. Council Member Guthrie seconded, and the motion
passed on the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Arnold, Guthrie, Costello, Fellows, Ferrara
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
11.b. Consideration of Proposed Short and Long-Term Water Supply Strategies.
Director of Public Works Don Spagnolo presented the staff report and recommended the Council: 1)
Adopt a Resolution declaring a severely restricted water supply condition and enacting mandatory
conservation measures; 2) Approve cone-year extension of the Agreement with Waterboys
Plumbing for the plumbing retrofit program; 3) appropriate $12,000 from the Water Fund for
purchase of a new pump for Well #g; 4) Appropriate $30,000 from the Water Availability Fund for
testing of a well site at the Pearwood Basin property; and 5) Direct staff to continue efforts
regarding other proposed short and long-term water supply strategies. City Manager Adams
clarified that staff was seeking approval to implement the short-term strategies and to direct staff to
continue pursuing the long-term strategies. Staff then responded to questions from Council
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Tuesday, August 12, 2008
concerning the proposed conservation measures; specifically potential impacts to those who have
pre-programmed sprinkler systems; how the measures would be enforced and that the City would
initially be seeking voluntary compliance with the measures; the proposed public education process;
clarification that the tiered water rate structure has generated some water savings; support for
pursuing another temporary water sharing agreement with Oceano Community Services District;
clarification regarding the treatment costs for Well #g; and whether a peer review with other
jurisdictions was conducted on the conservation measures being recommended.
Mayor Ferrara invited comments from those in the audience who wished to be heard on the matter,
and upon hearing no public comments, he closed the public comment period.
Council discussion and comments included support for all of staff's recommendations;
acknowledgement of the existing drought conditions; that it is prudent to implement the proposed
conservation measures and efforts to conserve water; support for pursuing the desalination plant as
along-term water supply source; clarification regarding the testing of a well site at the Pearwood
Basin property and what specific services the City would be receiving for $30,000; support for all
the short-term strategies, including the landscape conservation program; however, some concern
was expressed about designating specific days for watering. Staff clarified that the intent is to
monitor water use and efforts to conserve water. Mayor Ferrara also encouraged staff to use
Channel 20 to air public education videos on water conservation. City Manager Adams indicated
that staff was already working on a water conservation video for Channel 20.
Action: Council Member Guthrie moved to: 1) Adopt a Resolution as follows: "A RESOLUTION
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE DECLARING A SEVERELY
RESTRICTED WATER SUPPLY CONDITION"; 2) Approve cone-year extension of the Agreement
with Waterboys Plumbing for the plumbing retrofit program; 3) appropriate $12,000 from the Water
Fund for purchase of a new pump for Well #9; 4) Appropriate $30,000 from the Water Availability
Fund for testing of a well site at the Peanvood Basin property; and 5) Direct staff to continue efforts
regarding long-term water supply strategies. Council Member Arnold seconded, and the motion
passed on the following roll-call vote:
AYES: Guthrie, Arnold, Costello, Fellows, Ferrara
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
12. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ITEMS
a) Request to Schedule a Public Hearing Regarding the Huasna Valley Oil Exploration
and Production Project (FERRARA)
Mayor Ferrara requested, and the Council concurred, to direct staff to schedule a Special Meeting
of the City Council to conduct a public hearing on the Huasna Valley Oil Exploration and Production
Project at the South County Regional Center on either September 15 or September 17, 2008.
13. CITY MANAGER ITEMS
None.
Minutes: City Council Meeting
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
14. COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS
None.
15. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
None.
16. COMMUNITY COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
None.
17. ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Ferrara adjourned the meeting at 9:18 p.m.
Tony Ferr or
ATTEST:
Kelly Wet ore i y Clerk
(Approved at CC Mtg 8' a.lo'aoofi 1
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