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Minutes 2006-12-11 SP MINUTES SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL MONDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2006 COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 E. BRANCH STREET ARROYO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA 1. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Ferrara called the Special City Council meeting to order at 6:36 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL City Council: Council Member Jim Dickens, Council Member Joe Costello, Council Member Ed Arnold, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Guthrie and Mayor Tony Ferrara were present. City Staff Present: City Manager Steven Adams; City Attorney Tim Carmel; Director of Administrative Services/Cit Clerk Kell Wetmore; Director of Financial Y Y Services Angela Kraetsch; Director of Parks, Recreation, and Facilities Dan Hernandez; Director of Public Works Don Spagnolo; and Executive Assistant Bassett. 3. FLAG SALUTE Mayor Ferrara led the Flag Salute. 4. INVOCATION Pastor George Lepper, Peace Lutheran Church, delivered the invocation. 5. PUBLIC COMMENT , None. 6. REMARKS BY DEPARTING COUNCIL MEMBER JIM DICKENS Council Member Dickens thanked the public and expressed his thoughts about serving the public stating it was an honor and a humbling experience. He reflected back eight years ago when he began on the Council and stated it has been a challenging, but rewarding time. He thanked all those that had faith in him and voted for him. He said it has been a wonderful experience and if it were not for his supporters, it would have been far more difficult. He said he would not replace the experience for anything and stated there were numerous people to thank; acknowledged the support of his family, including his wife and two kids; and stated that although it is with regret that he must step down at this time, he hoped the public understands that the City has a fabulous Council, a fabulous staff, and a fabulous community that is going to continue to do the things that he supports. He said he would not be going away and would go back to being a community activist. He thanked his honorary chairs, Gordon and Manetta Bennett who have been there since day one, and in follow-up for Gordon Bennett, he presented some historical information concerning Olohan Alley and requested that the Council honor Olohan Alley and not change its name. He reflected back to his campaign brochure and stated that the items listed are still near to his heart and the City has made many strides to uphold his and the community's vision. He concluded by thanking the public, his colleagues, and staff. 7. RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE CERTIFICATES OF THE COUNTY CLERK CERTIFYING THE RESULTS OF THE CANVASS OF ALL VOTES CAST AT THE NOVEMBER 7, 2006 CONSOLIDATED GENERAL ELECTION (WETMORE) Director of Administrative Services/City Clerk Wetmore presented the staff report and recommended the City Council: t) Adopt a Resolution accepting the Certificates of the County Clerk certifying the results of the canvass of all votes cast November 7, 2006 at the Minutes: Special City Council Reorganization Meeting December 11, 2006 Page a Consolidated General Municipal Election, City of Arroyo Grande; and 2) Adopt a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Agreements with the State Board of Equalization for Implementation of a Local Transactions and Use Tax. Mayor Ferrara opened up the item for public comment, and upon hearing no comments, he closed the public comment period. Action: Council Member Dickens moved to adopt a Resolution as follows: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARROYO GRANDE ACCEPTING THE CERTIFICATES OF THE COUNTY CLERK -RESULTS OF CANVASS OF ALL VOTES CAST AT THE NOVEMBER 7, 2006 CONSOLIDATED GENERAL ELECTION". Council Member Arnold seconded, and the motion passed on the following roll-call vote: AYES: Dickens, Arnold, Costello, Guthrie, Ferrara NOES: None ABSENT: None Action: Council Member Dickens moved to adopt a Resolution as follows: "A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY ARROYO GRANDE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE AGREEMENTS WITH THE STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF A LOCAL TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX". Council Member Arnold seconded, and the motion passed on the following roll-call vote: AYES: Dickens, Arnold, Costello, Guthrie, Ferrara NOES: None ABSENT: None 8. OATH OF OFFICE ADMINISTERED BY CITY CLERK WETMORE City Clerk Wetmore administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Tony Ferrara, Council Member Costello, and Council Member Fellows. 9. REMARKS BY COUNCIL MEMBER CHUCK FELLOWS Council Member Fellows stated it was his pleasure to be seated with the most famous people in Arroyo Grande, that he was honored to be part of this elite group and to have the opportunity to also become famous or to remain infamous depending on point of view. He thanked all those who helped him get to this point; thanked everyone who voted for him; thanked those involved in his election campaign; gave special thanks to his campaign manager, Caren Ray, co- treasurers Linda Shiraci and Betty Guthrie, and his sign guy Bill McCann. He recognized and thanked his family, including son Matt, daughter Amy, daughter Kristen, and wife Linda. He referred to his campaign brochure where he made pledges to advocate for our small town rural character; to protect the prime farmland while supporting the agriculture industry; to follow smart growth principles when evaluating development applications; to vote for projects that benefit the community and not special interests; to support bringing dining, lodging and shopping opportunities to Arroyo Grande; to provide open accessible government with respect for the process which includes polite discourse; and to use his knowledge of the environment to think globally and act locally. He said during the next four years he will honor the trust placed in him by remembering those pledges. 10. REMARKS BY COUNCIL MEMBER JOE COSTELLO Council Member Costello thanked the people who voted for him in this past election and reaffirmed his dedication to the City, his willingness to serve on the Council, and to do the business of the City. He urged the public to stay involved and commended those who do Minutes: Special City Council Reorganization Meeting December 11, 2006 Page 3 participate. He hoped to justify the public's confidence in him to serve for four more years. He thanked those involved in his election campaign; thanked his treasurer, wife Eileen; and expressed special thanks to his wife and son Zack for their support. He pledged to do his best, stated he takes this position very seriously, and looked forward to working with the Council and the staff to make sure the City continues to move forward. 11. REMARKS BY MAYOR TONY FERRARA Mayor Ferrara spoke about Council Member Dickens and stated he and Jim go back a long ways, that they compared ideologies back in 1997 and ran for Council together in 1998. He reflected on their experience when they were first elected to the Council and noted that over time they were able to effect the changes that ultimately comprised their primary agenda. He noted that early next year there would be a special night to honor Jim. He said that it was a pleasure and an honor to work with Jim Dickens and he wished him well. Mayor Ferrara said he felt fortunate and honored to have run unopposed in this election; said he does not take this responsibility lightly; and said he was going to continue to work hard over the next two years to earn the confidence that the public has shown in him. He said there are a few things he hoped to improve on, but for the most part, in looking back, the Council has had the opportunity to make some significant and positive direction changes for the City. He referred to the charming Village as an example. He said he was thankful to Jim for the education and commitment to preserving agriculture and that this experience has allowed him to get to know more about the City's agricultural history, the contributions it makes to the City's economy, the wonderful farm families, and protection of agriculture is now a priority of the City. He stated that over the course of the next two years, his next challenge is to finish what has started on E. Grand Avenue to enhance the business area. He said that Council decisions are not always easy, but he wanted everyone to know that the Council does this job because they care. He invited the community to stay engaged; said he was optimistic about the future; and said he was looking forward to serving over the course of the next two years. 12. SELECTION OF MAYOR PRO TEM City Manager Adams presented the staff report and recommended the Council appoint Council Member Arnold as the Mayor Pro Tem for the next one-year period, pursuant to Council policy. Action: Council Member Costello moved and Mayor Pro Tem Guthrie seconded to appoint Council Member Arnold as the Mayor Pro Tem for the next one-year period. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote of all those present. 13. ADJOURNMENT Mayor Ferrara adjourned the meeting at 7:06 p.m. to the Regular City Council Meeting of Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers located at 215 E. Branch Street, Arroyo rande, California. ~ Tony Ferra ? yor ATTEST: 11~~ l ~I~ Kelly et ore, City Clerk (Approved at CC Mtg 1' `i ~ Z~ ~ ~ )