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Minutes 1999-06-08 CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 1999 CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 EAST BRANCH STREET, ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA 1. CALL TO ORDER The Honorable City Council of the City of Arroyo Grande met in regular session at 7:40 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL City Council: .x. Council Member Runels .x. Council Member Tolley .x. Council Member Dickens .x. Mayor Pro Tern Ferrara X Mayor Lady Redevelopment Agency: X Board Member Runels .x. Board Member Tolley X Board Member Dickens .x. Vice Chair Ferrara X Chair Lady - - ST AFF PRESENT -lLCity Manager/Executive Director -lLCity Attorney/Agency Legal Counsel -.1LDirector of Administrative Services/Secretary -.1LChief of Police -.1LDirector of Building and Fire -lLlnterim Director of Community Development _Director of Public Works -lLDirector of Par~s and Recreation lDirector of Financial Services/Agency Finance Officer lConsultant Planner 3. FLAG SALUTE Arroyo Grande Senior Police Officer Jeff Souza led the Pledge of Allegiance. 4, INVOCA TION Pastor Paul Bautts, Bethel Baptist Church, delivered the invocation. CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES JUNE 8, 1999 5. SPECIAL PRESENT A TIONS a, Proclamation - Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run Day'. Accepted by Sr. Police Officer Jeff Souza, Police Officer Donna Hamilton, and Council Member Steve Tolley. b, Donation from the Shetler Family to the City of Arroyo Grande for Rancho Grande Park . Darren and Kelly Shetler and their daughter presented a donation of $25,000 to the City for Rancho Grande Park. 6. AGENDA REVIEW City Manager Hunt stated there was a memorandum from Mayor Pro Tem Ferrara relating to Item 7.a.; a faxed letter from Jean James relating to Item 7.a.; a Supplemental Report on Item 10.b,; and a letter from Lynn and Mike Titus on Item 11.a. 6,A, RESOLUTIONS AND ORDINANCES READ IN TITLE ONLY Council Member Runels moved, Council Member Dickens 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.A, PUBLIC HEARING . JAMES WAY ANNEXATION (VILLAGE GLEN, TRACT 2265) Council Member Tolley announced that due to a potential conflict of interest he would step down from the dais. Consultant Planner Tom Buford highlighted the Staff Report, He stated that the Council had considered this item at its May 25th meeting, and subsequently directed staff to continue working on the project to address issues of concern raised by the Council. Consultant Buford explained that the applicant had submitted a Developer's Statement that adopts the environmentally superior alternative identified in the Environmental Impact Report (E.I.R.)., He further explained' that the Staff Report addresses issues relating to ground water resources and traffic impacts. After being assured that the Public Hearing had been duly published and all legal requirements met, Mayor Lady opened the Public Hearing. Tim Brown, 125 Allen, read a prepared letter expressing ~oncerns regarding the traffic issues in the Environmental Impact Report, and the impact of the project on existing schools, He submitted the letter for the record. Carroll Pruett, 2878 Huasna Road, stated he was a member of the Lucia Mar Unified School District Facility Advisory Committee. He explained the role of the Advisory Committee was to help the School District find more sites for schools, and the Committee had talked to Mrs, James about her property. Mr. Pruett noted' 2 CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES JUNE 8, 1999 that the Committee had received a letter from Mrs. James that she was not interested in selling any of her property. Gary Young, applicant, spoke on behalf of the project. He stated that he had lowered the density of the tract to 49 units and had submitted a Developer's Statement to further reduce the impacts to water supply,' drainage, traffic,' and public services. He said this was identified as the. environmentally superior alternative in the E.I,R. Mr. Young spoke about meetings he had"relating to a proposed school site on the property. He stated the traffic concerns were addressed by reducing the density of the project. Hearing no further comments from the public, the Mayor closed the hearing to the floor. There was discussion about well water drilling, treating, and testing. Council Member Dickens commented that his concerns relating to water resources were addressed and mitigated in the E.I.R. He stated that he continued to have a concern with traffic circulation issues and levels of service. He said the mitigation proposed rely on the construction of future projects which are neither planned, scheduled, nor funded. He said planned improvements for the Brisco/101 intersection are not definite and the City cannot depend on the improvements occurring in the near future. He recommended revising and recirculating the E.I.R, Council Member Dickens stated he was not in favor of the prezoning, He said Tract 2265 warrants .Rural Re~identialzoning; however, the remaining lots should be designated Rural Estate. He stated that traffic impacts, school impacts, and modest fiscal impacts will derive less than significant , benefits to the City. Mayor Pro Tem Ferrara clarified that the Council was evaluating this project based on the City's current General Plan. He asked for further clarification that no changes or adjustments were made to the E.I.R. document as a result of the concerns expressed at the last Council meeting. Consultant Buford responded that there was one change made in the Resolution relating to groundwater resources; however, changes were not'made in the E.I.R.. Mayor Pro Tem Ferrara stated that in his view, the project still did not meet the policy statements in Objective 8.0, 8.1.b" 8.1.g" 8,2 and 8.2.f. of the City's Land Use Element. He discussed Objective 10.0 and 10.1.a., City Boundary Expansion, and questioned whether or not any of the issues had been ad~ressed which require findings to be made prior to permitting annexations. He stated that approval of this project cannot mitigate its own impacts and would have to have significant mitigation measures in order to be approved. Mayor Lady stated the applicant had made a good faith effort in reducing the density of the project; however, he was disappointed there was no changes in the 3 CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES JUNE 8, 1999 E.I.R. He commented he was also disappointed that the school project did not work out. Mayor Pro Tem Ferrara moved that the Council find the E.I.R. not in compliance with C.E.Q,A. and further direct staff to seek appropriate revisions to portions of the E.I.R. to include acceptable traffic mitigation measures consistent with the Arroyo Grande General Plan, if the applicant is willing. If the applicant was not willing, Mayor Pro Tem further moved that the Council deny certification 'of the E.I.R. and take no action on the General Plan Amendment and the Development Code Amendment applications. Council Member Dickens seconded the motion. _Voice Vote -1LRoIICall Vote Aye Lady Aye Ferrara No Runels Absent Tolley Aye Dickens There being 3 AYES, 1 NO, and 1 ABSENT, the motion is hereby declared to be passed. Council Member Tolley returned to the dais. - - 8. CITIZENS' INPUT. COMMENTS. AND SUGGESTIONS Nan Fowler, 630 Sierra Vista Circle, spoke about the address numbering system on Grand Avenue, and suggested changing it to West Grand Avenue and East Grand Avenue, She requested the Council direct staff to place the issue on a future Agenda for further discussion. Mayor Pro Tem Ferrara responded that this issue could be directed to the Traffic Commission. City Manager Hunt said it would be referred to the Traffic Commission, 9. CONSENT AGENDA Council Member Runels commented that several years ago the Lions Club offered to put a canopy/roof over the barbecue pit at the Woman's Club and asked if it could be brought up again. Mayor Lady directed staff to follow up on the matter. Council Member Runels moved and Council Member Dickens seconded the motion to approve Consent Agenda Items 9a. through 9i. with the recommended courses of action. a. Cash Disbursement Ratification. Approved.. b, Statement of Investment Deposits, Approved. c. Minutes of City Council Meeting of March 9, 1999; Special Meeting of March 11, 1999; Special Joint City Councils' Meeting of May 13, 1999; and City Council Meeting of May 25, 1999. Approved. 4 CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES JUNE 8, 1999 d. Award of Bid - Implement ADA Compliance of City Council Chambers. Approved. e. Confirmation of Landscape and Lighting Assessments. Resolution No. 3369 and Resolution No. 3370 adopted. f. Policy Language for Use of Parks and Recreation Facilities. Approved. g. Fee Waiver Request - Arroyo Grande Lions Club. Approved. h. Revisions to Lease Agreements for City-owned Property at 126 South Mason and Parcel for Santa Manuela Schoolhouse. Approved. i. Authorization to Solicit Bids for Contract Services for the Maintenance of Police Department Vehicles for FY 1999-00. Approved. _Voice Vote -X-RolI Call Vote Aye Lady Aye Ferrara Aye Runels Aye Tolley Aye Dickens There being 5 A YES, and 0 NOES, the motion is hereby declared to be passed. 10, a, CONTINUED BUSINESS: APPROVAL OF REDEVELOPMENT PLAN IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY . Executive Director Hunt highlighted the Staff Report, and introduced Steve Harding from Urban Futures, Inc. Mr. Harding presented a brief overview of the ... Redevelopment Plan Implementation Strategy and explained the near-term implementation program, which includes marketing and community outreach efforts. He further explained the mid-term and long-term implementation plans. He discussed the Resource Guide which will guide Agency Staff and Board Members during all phases of the Redevelopment Plan Implementation process. Chair Lady opened up the discussion for public comment. Ella Honeycutt, 560 Oak Hill Road, suggested that instead of hiring people from outside of the community to work on Redevelopment projects, train and develop a group in the community to do the work. Otis Page, 606 Myrtle, stated he has not followed this issue; however, he commented that $1.3 million over five years is not a lot of money and staff should be able to manage the redevelopment projects. Tim Brown, 125 Allen, commented that he worked on Grand Avenue and it does not get the attention that the Village does, He would like to see a lot of effort put on Grand Avenue. He stated ,that he thought staff could handle the redevelopment projects at this time. He said he hoped the City Council or staff 5 CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES JUNE 8, 1999 would consider an outreach program to educate laypersons on the significance of redevelopment. He encouraged the Council to bring citizens in to participat,e. '. Heather Jensen, Arroyo Grande resident and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, stated how important it was to bring on a trained economic development person to help ensure success of the program. She stated it was important to keep the businesses and residents involved in the process; however, it was also important to have the expertise of a professional to guide the community in redevelopment efforts. Hearing no further comments, Chair Lady closed the public discussion. Board discussion included clarifying the definition of blight; using redevelopment as a tool to improve infrastructure in the City; redevelopment as a tool for residential rehabilitation; and the benefit of utilizing an outside professional to guide the City in its redevelopment efforts.. Executive Director Hunt noted that literature and handouts had been prepared to educate the public about the definition of blight. Mr. Harding responded that the term "blight" was referenced for legal purposes in redevelopment law. Board Member Dickens and Vice-Chair Ferrara spoke about their attendance and what they learned at a recent Redevelopment Conference, Vice-Chair Ferrara commented that the City was currently conducting a recruitment for an Economic Development Director with a background and good working knowledge of redevelopment. He stated that this plan was tied into the Economic Development Plan and he referenced the firsffour Operating Principles on page OP-5 of the Redevelopment Implementation Strategy document. He also referenced the Marketing Strategy on page OP-15 and stressed that the City,was a member of the Economic Vitality Corporation. He commented that the City should rely on the E.V.C, as much as possible in marketing and outreach efforts. Board Member Tolley moved to approve the Redevelopment Plan Implementation Strategy. Vice-Chair Ferrara seconded the motion. _Voice Vote -1LRolI Call Vote Redevelopment Agency Aye Lady Aye Ferrara Aye Runels Aye Tolley Aye' Dickens There being 5 A YES, and 0 NOES, the motion is hereby declared to be passed. 6 CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES JUNE 8, 1999 10, b. APPOINTMENTS TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE City Manager Hunt highlighted the Staff Report. He stated that staff recommended the Council approve the agribusiness, utilities, health care, financial, and at-large appointments to the Economic Development Task Force and select a Council Member to serve thereon. Council Member Tolley moved to approve the agribusiness, utilities, health care, financial, and at-large appointments to the Economic Development Task Force.' Council Member Dickens seconded the motion, _Voice Vote -X...RolI Call Vote Aye Lady Aye Ferrara Aye Runels Aye Tolley Aye Dickens There being 5 A YES, and 0 NOES, the motion is hereby declared to be passed. Following discussion about appointing two Council Members to the Task Force instead of just one, there was consensus from the Council to appoint. Council Member Runels and Mayor Pro Tern Ferrara to the Economic Development Task Force: .. 11. a. NEW BUSINESS: DIXSON RANCH APPLICATION FOR A STATE AGRICULTURAL LAND STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM (ALSP) GRANT Council Member Dickens announced that due to a potential conflict of interest, he would step down from the dais. Interim Community Development Director Engen highlighted the Staff Report, Staff recommended the City Council adopt a resolution supporting the application of the Dixson Ranch Agricultural Preserve for a State grant to acquire development rights through a conservation easement. Council questions and discussion. included what the affect would be on surrounding properties; what advantage and/or benefit there was to the City; and clarification of the Williamson Act. Interim Director Engen responded that it would block any development on the property and this was the property owner's first step to keep the land as agriculture forever. In response to questions from Council, City Attorney Carmel explained that the conservation easement is not reversible and development rights can not be bought back. He explained that the easement would not affect any governmental entity's ability to condemn or cause a certain action on a piece of property. He 7 CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES JUNE 8,1999 explained that in this case, the City is only supporting the application by adoption of a resolution. Mayor Lady opened up the discussion for public comment. Lawrence Vandeveer, 756 Myrtle, referenced a previous City initiative relating' to perpetuity of existing agricultural land which was defeated about 20 years ago. He spoke in opposition of the application, He stated that the City should have control over land in its jurisdiction and should not be turned over to the State. Grace Stillwell, 734 Myrtle, stated her property is adjacent to the subject property and expressed her concerns about the application. She said it warranted further investigation. Ella Honeycutt, 560 Oak Hill Road, spoke in favor of the application and gave an overview of the Agricultural Land Stewardship Program, Tim Br()wn, 125 Allen, stated this application allows a private property owner to voluntarily put his property into land stewardship. He said he understood the City would still have the 'right to conduct its business. He was in favor of allowing the property owner to move forward with the grant application process. John Keen, 298 North Elm Street, stated that after hearing the facts about the ' Agricultural Land Stewardship Program, it appears to him that the taxpayers are subsidizing the applicant's property, - Vard Ikeda, 1150 Vard Loomis Lane, spoke in support of the Dixson Ranch application. He stated his family is current~y leasing this prime agricultural land from the Dixsons for farming. Leroy Saruwatari, 512 Launa Lane, spoke in favor of the application and said it was a viable alternative for farmers who want to preserve their prime agricultural land for farming. Reuel Estes, 811 E, Cherry, spoke about buffer zones and the affects on adjacent property owners. He stated that selling development rights assumes that the property will be farmed in the future, and there is no guarantee that farming will always be allowed due to problems such as chemical drift. Ella Honeycutt spo.ke again and provided additional farmland conversion statistics. Otis Page, 606 Myrtle, spoke on behalf of the proposed application. He reminded the Council that the General Plan citizens' survey had an item regarding agricultural land and 80% of the citizens responded in favor of saving agricultural land. a CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES JUNE 8, 1999 Hearing no further comments, Mayor Lady closed the public discussion. After Council comments and discussion about appraisal of the land, tax benefits to the property owner, buffer zones for adjacent land, the grant application process, and the existing mandates in the General Plan to preserve prime agricultural land in the City, Council Member Tolley requested a continuance of this item in order to meet with the applicant and obtain more facts about the Agricultural Land Stewardship Program, Mayor Lady asked the City Attorney if Jim Dickens, as the applicant, could answer questions from the Council. City Attorney Carmel said Mr. Dickens could speak on behalf of the item as the applicant. Jim Dickens, 769 Branch Mill Road, stated that the application would not be ready to submit to the State for another month and a continuance of the item wOl,lld not result in a delay. There was Council consensus to direct staff to bring this item back to the next regular meeting for further discussion. The Mayor called a recess at 9:50 p.m. The Mayor reconvened the meeting at 9:56p.m. 11. b. Y2K COMPLIANCE STATUS REPORT Financial Services Director Snodgrass highlighted the Staff Report. Staff recommended the City Council: .. . Provide direction to staff on a request from the County of San Luis Obispo for a $3,742 donation to be used for Y2K public service announcements, and; . Receive and file the Y2K Compliance Staff Report. Mayor Lady opened up the discussion for public comment, and hearing no comments brought the discussion back to the Council. Director Snodgrass stated that the Financial Services Department is preparing a pamphlet to include in the water bill to address emergency preparedness for all types of potential disasters, including Y2K. Council comments and discussion included the County's funding request for public service announcements. There was consensus from the Council that the City is effectively addressing Y2K compliance efforts and informing the City's citizens of its progress. There was further consensus to deny the County of San Luis Obispo's request for a $3,742 donation. 9 CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES JUNE 8, 1999 Council Member Runels moved to receive and file the Y2K Compliance Status Report, Council Member Tolley seconded the motion. _Voice Vote lRolI Call Vote Aye Lady Aye Ferrara . Aye Runels Aye Tolley Aye Dickens There being 5 A YES, and 0 NOES, the motion is hereby declared to be passed. 11. c. STATUS REPORT - LOPEZ DAM AND RESERVOIR FINANCE COMMITTEE Financial Services Director Snodgrass highlighted the Staff Report and said staff recommended the Council: 1. Provide direction to staff regarding the placement of remaining 1965 voter approved debt on the tax roll; and, 2, Receive and file the Lopez Dam and Reservoir Finance Committee Status Report. Director Snodgrass introduced Paavo Ogren from Cannon & Associates to answer questions from Council. Mayor Lady opened up the discussion for public comment, and upon hearing no - comments brought the discussion back to the Council. Mr. Ogren presented exhibits showing the Alternative Method of Paying Existing Debt and Water Fund Savings by Agency. He explained the history of the 1965 bond issue that received voter approval, and the benefits and drawbacks of placing the remaining debt on the tax rolls. Council Member Runels moved to endorse placing' the remaining 1965 voter approved debt on the tax roll in order to reduce the water rates. Mayor Pro Tem Ferrara seconded the motion. _Voice Vote lRolI Call Vote Aye Lady Aye Ferrara Aye Runels Aye Tolley Aye Dickens There being 5 A YES and 0 NOES, the motion is hereby declared to be passed, 10 CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES JUNE 8, 1999 11. d. APPROVAL OF ECONOMIC VITALITY' CORPORATION'S PROPOSED COLLABORATIVE AGREEMENT City Manager/Executive Director Hunt highlighted the Staff Report. He said staff recommended the City Council/Agency Board approve the Economic Vitality Corporation's (EVC) Collaborative Agreement. Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair Ferrara commented that as an EVC Board Member representing the City, he sees this as good in terms of increasing t~e City's visibility and its affiliation with the EVC a'1d County. He stated he was in support' of this Agreement. Mayor/Chair Lady moved to approve the Economic Vitality Corporation's Collaborative Agreement. Mayor Pro TemNice-Chair Ferrara seconded the motion. _Voice Vote -1LRolI Call Vote Council Aye Lady Aye Ferrara Aye Runels Aye Tolley Aye Dickens There being 5 A YES and 0 NOES, the motion is hereby declared to be passed. '& _Voice Vote -X-RolI Call Vote Redevelopment Agency Aye Lady Aye Ferrara Aye Runels Aye Tolley Aye Dickens There being 5 A YES and 0 NOES, the motion is hereby declared to be passed. 12, COUNCIL/AGENCY COMMUNICATIONS None. 13. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS None. 11 -~_._---- -------- - - ---._- . --- CITY COUNCIUREDEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES JUNE 8, 1999 15. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Lady adjourned the meeting at 10:22 p.m. to the Special City Council/Redevelopment Agency Meeting of Thursday, June 10, 1999. ~4.~ MICHAELA LADY, MAY ATTEST: ORE, ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR! - DEPUTY CITY CLERK - 12 .----------.-------