The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutMinutes 121404Approved January 25, 2005 CC Minutes 12/14/04 Page 1 of 10 CITY OF ATASCADERO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Tuesday, December 14, 2004 7:00 P.M. CLOSED SESSION: (Immediately following Redevelopment Agency Meeting) 1. PUBLIC COMMENT – CLOSED SESSION – None 2. CALL TO ORDER a. Conference with legal counsel – Existing Litigation (Govt. Code Sec. 54956.9 (a)) 1. City of Atascadero v. Dorsey et al. 2. City of Atascadero v. Borg b. Personnel: City Attorney (Government Code 54957) 3. ADJOURN 4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT Interim City Attorney Tom Gibson announced that no reportable action was taken on Item #2.a. City Manager Wade McKinney announced that no reportable action was taken on Item #2.b. REGULAR SESSION: 7:00 P.M. Mayor Luna called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and Council Member Pacas led the Pledge of Allegiance. Approved January 25, 2005 CC Minutes 12/14/04 Page 2 of 10 ROLL CALL: Present: Council Members Clay, Pacas, Scalise and Mayor Luna Absent: Council Member O’Malley Others Present: City Clerk / Assistant to City Manager Marcia McClure Torgerson and Deputy City Clerk Grace Pucci Staff Present: City Manager W ade McKinney, Assistant City Manager Jim Lewis, Administrative Services Director Rachelle Rickard, Community Development Director Warren Frace, Public Works Director Steve Kahn, Community Services Director Brady Cherry, Police Chief John Couch, Fire Chief Kurt Stone, Deputy Public Works Director Geoff English, Redevelopment Specialist Marty Tracey and Interim City Attorney Tom Gibson. COMMUNITY FORUM: Pastor Haynes, True Spirit Missionary Baptist Church, led those present in prayer. Cindy Sazar, Allemande Lane resident, expressed concern regarding the removal of several old growth pine trees in her neighborhood. Jackie Davis, Allemande Lane resident, would like to have her trees back for privacy. Esteban Andrade, Allemande Lane resident, requested the City to come up with an alternative to the removal of the trees. Fire Chief Kurt Stone gave some background information on the tree removals. There was Council consensus to bring this issue back, with a staff report, on a future agenda. Jim Patterson, Atascadero Mutual Water Company, announced that Atascadero has been named a Groundwater Guardian Community again this year and stated the Woodlands and Watershed Calendar is now available. Daphne Fahsing thanked Council and the Road Department for paving the remainder of Portola Road and asked if a ridge at the end of Portola could be fixed. Public Works Director Steve Kahn addressed Ms. Fahsing’s question. Bob Pittenger, President Atascadero Babe Ruth, introduced himself to the Council and discussed the plans for improvements to Alvord Field. Approved January 25, 2005 CC Minutes 12/14/04 Page 3 of 10 Karen Vega spoke of her concerns regarding a property under construction on El Camino Real. Susan Warren, North County Connection, updated the Council on available community- based services by distributing a SAMHSA newsletter. (Exhibit A) Mayor Luna closed the Community Forum period. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: MOTION: By Council Member Pacas and seconded by Council Member Clay to approve the agenda. Motion passed 4:0 by a roll-call vote. PRESENTATIONS: 1. Proclamation commending Atascadero Native Tree Association (ANTA) for outstanding service Mayor Luna read the proclamation and presented it to Joan O’Keefe, President of ANTA. Mrs. O’Keefe thanked the City for the recognition, and spoke about differences in landscaping for the Pavilion and Colony House. 2. Loaves & Fishes – 20th Anniversary Grigger Jones, President of Atascadero Loaves and Fishes, thanked the Council , staff and community volunteers for all they have done to help the organization. 3. Robert “Grigger” Jones – Planning Commission Service Award Mayor Pro Tem Scalise presented Mr. Jones with the Award and thanked him for his service to the City. ELECTION CERTIFICATION: 1. Reciting the Fact of the General Municipal Election – November 2, 2004  City Clerk recommendation: Council adopt draft Resolution, reciting the fact of the General Municipal Election held on November 2, 2004, declaring the result and such other matters as provided by law. [City Clerk] Approved January 25, 2005 CC Minutes 12/14/04 Page 4 of 10 MOTION: By Council Member Clay and seconded by Council Member Pacas to adopt the draft Resolution, reciting the fact of the General Municipal Election held on November 2, 2004, declaring the result and such other matters as provided by law. Motion passed 4:0 by a roll-call vote. (Resolution No. 2004-091) OATHS OF OFFICE: 1. Administration of Oaths of Office – Newly-elected Council Members George Luna, Wendy Scalise, and Jerry Clay, will be sworn in by City Clerk Marcia McClure Torgerson. City Clerk Marcia McClure Torgerson administered the Oath of Office to Council Members Luna, Scalise and Clay. CITY COUNCIL REORGANIZATION: 1. Council Appointment of Mayor – The City Clerk will accept nominations from the Council Members MOTION: By Mayor Luna and seconded by Council Member Pacas to nominate Mayor Pro Tem Scalise to the position of Mayor. Motion passed 4:0 by a voice vote. 2. Council Appointment of Mayor Pro Tem – The new Mayor will accept nominations from the Council Members MOTION: By Council Member Clay and seconded by Council Member Luna to nominate Council Member O’Malley to the position of Mayor Pro Tem. Motion passed 4:0 by a voice vote. Mayor Scalise recessed the hearing at 7:46 p.m. Mayor Scalise called the meeting back to order at 8:02 p.m. Mayor Scalise thanked Council Member Luna for his service as Mayor over the past year and spoke about her commitment to the community and challenges the City will face in the year ahead. Approved January 25, 2005 CC Minutes 12/14/04 Page 5 of 10 COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS: Council Member Luna thanked Council, staff, employees and citizens for the year he had serving as Mayor and for the last election and the vote of confidence by the citizens of Atascadero. Council Member Clay spoke about a card he had received from Mrs. H urd thanking him and Council Members Luna and O’Malley for their help in placing a dumpster on her property. Council Member Clay also spoke about the Babe Ruth field. Mayor Scalise thanked Steve Martin and Paula Anton for their efforts in organizing the Winter Wonderland. Mayor Scalise also spoke about efforts to clean up medians along Highway 101. A. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. City Council Meeting Minutes – November 9, 2004  City Clerk Recommendation: Council approve the City Council meeting minutes of November 9, 2004. [City Clerk] 2. October 2004 Treasurer’s Report  Fiscal Impact: None.  Recommendation: Council approve the City Treasurer’s report for October 2004. [City Treasurer] 3. October 2004 Accounts Payable and Payroll  Fiscal Impact: Total expenditures for all funds is $1,711,246.13.  Recommendation: Council approve certified City accounts payable, payroll and payroll vendor checks for October 2004. [Administrative Services] 4. City Council 2005 Meeting Schedule  Fiscal Impact: None.  Recommendation: Council approve City Council 2005 Meeting Schedule. [City Manager] MOTION: By Council Member Luna and seconded by Council Member Pacas to approve Items #A-1, 2, 3 and 4. Motion passed 4:0 by a voice vote. Approved January 25, 2005 CC Minutes 12/14/04 Page 6 of 10 B. MANAGEMENT REPORTS: 1. Recreation Center Site Selection  Fiscal Impact: Will be determined once FEMA and grant monies are set.  Recommendations: Council: 1. Approve the selection of the Traffic Way/Hay & Feed/City Corporation Yard site for development of the Recreation Center building. 2. Direct the City Manager to proceed with the development a Youth/Community Center building and site plan for the Traffic Way location. 3. Direct the City Manager to prepare a plan for the relocation of the Corporation Yard and the removal of unnecessary waste water related facilities. [Community Services] Community Services Director Brady Cherry gave the staff report and answered questions of Council. Council Member Pacas gave a PowerPoint presentation with handout on the Lake Park Site as the preferred location for the Youth Center. (Exhibits A and B) PUBLIC COMMENT Eric Greening spoke in support of the staff recommendation and suggested adding the wording, “and associated facilities” at the end of the first recommendation. Mr. Greening raised several concerns regarding FEMA funding. Barbara Combs stated her agreement with the Lake Park site for safety reasons. Ellen Beraud stated she has many signatures in favor of the Lake Park site and cited traffic, visibility and access as negative issues for the Traffic Way site. Bob Pittenger indicated the Lake Park is a treasure and Council must be careful on how much more is placed on site. Rick Mathews, Parks and Recreation Commissioner, stated he favors the combo site and outlined his reasons for this choice. Lou Coppo spoke in favor of the Traffic Way site and indicated the Lake site was not as safe as presented. John Nielsen presented his vision for the proposed Youth Center. Barbie Butz, Parks and Recreation Commissioner, spoke in favor of the Traffic Way site. Approved January 25, 2005 CC Minutes 12/14/04 Page 7 of 10 Susan Warren stated that the youth involved in the planning process have said they want to be downtown, and she favors the combo site. Mayor Scalise closed the Public Comment period. Council Member Pacas reiterated her support of the Lake Park site. MOTION: By Council Member Luna and seconded by Council Member Clay to approve the selection of the Traffic Way/Hay & Feed/City Corporation Yard site for development of the Recreation Center building and associated facilities, and direct the City Manager to proceed with the development of a Youth/Community Center building and site plan for the Traffic Way location, and direct the City Manager to prepare a plan for the relocation of the Corporation Yard and the removal of unnecessary waste water related facilities. Motion passed 3:1 by a roll-call vote. (Pacas opposed) 2. Solar Energy System Permit (4515 Rosita Ave./Borm)  Fiscal Impact: None.  Recommendation: Council give staff direction. [Community Development] Community Development Director Warren Frace gave the staff report and answered questions of Council. PUBLIC COMMENT Gary Borm, applicant, spoke about his efforts to mitigate the problem and answered questions of Council. Dennis Broders spoke about his concerns with the solar energy system. Eva Esparsa stated her concern with impacts to the neighborhood from this system. Dennis Broders spoke about the trucking business Mr. Borm has brought to the neighborhood. Mayor Scalise closed the Public Comment period. Mayor Scalise recessed the hearing at 10:18 p.m. Mayor Scalise called the meeting back to order at 10:25 p.m. Approved January 25, 2005 CC Minutes 12/14/04 Page 8 of 10 3. Review of Assessment Districts and Special Taxes  Fiscal Impact: $20,000 from the General Fund Reserve and Tree Replacement Fund.  Recommendations: Council: 1. Appropriate $20,000 from the General Fund Reserve and Tree Replacement Fund, direct staff to hire consultants to perform an initial study of a citywide assessment district or special tax, carry out polling to determine levels of support, and if necessary conduct community workshops; and, 2. Direct staff to report findings regarding assessment districts and special taxes to the City Council at a future date. [City Manager] Assistant City Manager Jim Lewis gave the staff report and with Jim Maguire of Muni Financial answered questions of Council. PUBLIC COMMENT Jim Patterson, ANTA member, expressed his concerns with using tree mitigation funds for the study. Joan O’Keefe agreed with Mr. Patterson and stated that ANTA has developed a plan to use the tree funds to mitigate the loss of native trees. Eric Greening indicated he shared the views of the previous two speakers stating he is concerned that there was no consultation with ANTA before proposing use of these funds. He urged Council to take no action tonight. MOTION: By Council Member Clay and seconded by Mayor Scalise to go past 11:00 p.m. Motion nullified 2:2 by a voice vote. (Pacas, Luna opposed) Mary Jazweicki questioned whether an assessment needs a 2/3’rd majority or simple majority. Bill White, Atascadero Professional Firefighters Association, encouraged Council to support this item. Cory Meyers, member of ANTA, requested Council to keep them in the loop for tree fund expenditures. Mayor Scalise closed the Public Comment period. Council Member Pacas stated she would like to look at the results of the original survey done six years ago before she makes a decision on this. Approved January 25, 2005 CC Minutes 12/14/04 Page 9 of 10 MOTION: By Council Member Clay and seconded by Council Member Pacas to continue this item until there is a full Council and additional information is available. Motion passed 4:0 by a voice vote. Mayor Scalise stepped down from the second part of this presentation as she lives on one of the streets under consideration. Assistant City Manager Lewis spoke about alternative methods to assist neighborhoods in financing improvements if they choose to make them on their own. Council Member Luna suggested staff bring this back when they bring back the first issue. Mayor Scalise rejoined the hearing. 4. Budget Calendar  Fiscal Impact: None.  Recommendation: Council set a public hearing for January 11, 2005 to hear community priorities for the 2005-2007 budget cycle. [Administrative Services] PUBLIC COMMENT – None MOTION: By Council Member Luna and seconded by Mayor Scalise to set a public hearing for January 11, 2005 to hear community priorities for the 2005-2007 budget cycle. Motion passed 4:0 by a voice vote. C. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Mayor Scalise announced the following committee assignments: County Mayor's Round Table – Mayor Scalise EOC – Council Member O’Malley Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA) – Council Member Pacas S.L.O. Council of Govts.(SLOCOG)/S.L.O. Regional Transit Authority (SLORTA) - Council Member Luna There were no changes to the following committee assignments: Air Pollution Control District (APCD) Atascadero State Hospital Advisory Board Approved January 25, 2005 CC Minutes 12/14/04 Page 10 of 10 Atascadero Youth Task Force City / Schools Committee (2) Economic Vitality Corporation, Board of Directors (EVC) Finance Committee (2) League of California Cities – Grassroots Network Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCO) North County Homeless Coalition Water Committees (2) D. INDIVIDUAL DETERMINATION AND/OR ACTION: City Manager City Manager Wade McKinney announced a joint City Council / Planning Commission development tour scheduled for January 6th from noon to 5:00 p.m. Additionally, the Council’s strategic plan is scheduled for January 28th and 29th. E. ADJOURNMENT: Mayor Scalise adjourned the meeting at 11:25 p.m. to the next regularly scheduled meeting of the City Council on January 11, 2004. MEETING RECORDED AND MINUTES PREPARED BY: _____________________________________________ Grace Pucci, Deputy City Clerk The following exhibits are available for review in the City Clerk’s office: Exhibit A – Susan Warren, SAMHSA Newsletter Exhibit B – Council Member Pacas, PowerPoint Presentation re Youth Center Exhibit C – Council Member Pacas, handout re Youth Center