HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 012406 ` Approved as Amended 2/28/06
18Y$ 18 CITY OF ATASCADERO
CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
700PM
REGULAR SESSION 7 00 P M
Mayor O'Malley called the meeting to order at 7 00 p m and Mayor Pro Tem Pacas led
the Pledge of Allegiance
ROLL CALL
Present: Council Members Clay, Luna, Scalise, Pacas and Mayor O'Malley
Absent: None
Others Present: City Clerk / Assistant to City Manager Marcia McClure Torgerson,
Recording Secretary Grace Pucci
Staff Present: City Manager Wade McKinney, Assistant City Manager Jim Lewis,
Administrative Services Director Rachelle Rickard, Public Works
Director Steve Kahn, Community Development Director Warren
Frace, Fire Chief Kurt Stone, Police Chief John Couch, Deputy
Public Works Director Geoff English, Deputy Community
Development Director Steve McHarris, Associate Planner Kelly
Gleason and City Attorney Patrick Enright.
COMMUNITY FORUM
Pastor Vern Hugh Haynes, True Spirit Baptist Mission Church, led those present in
prayer
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Bill Obermeyer stated his concerns about the impacts to his property from the Fetyko
project. He requested a wall be installed to protect his property
Eric Greening requested that Council announce the time, place and content of the
upcoming Strategic Planning meeting
Mayor O'Malley announced the Strategic Planning Session would be held Friday and
Saturday, January 27 and 28 in the City Council Chamber and reviewed the agenda
Mayor O'Malley closed the Community Forum period.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA.
MOTION By Council Member Luna and seconded by Council Member
Clay to approve the agenda.
Motion passed 5.0 by a roll-call vote.
COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS
Council Member Scalise read from a prepared statement regarding an experience she
had with a local newspaper reporter
Mayor O'Malley referred to an insert in the Tribune of the "Top 20 under 40" and
announced that Assistant City Manager Jim Lewis and Planning Commissioner Greg
Porter were recognized Mayor O'Malley spoke about a controlled burn training for the
Fire Department and thanked the Rottman Group for providing the buildings He also
complimented city staff and Council on their efforts in the downtown
Council Member Clay spoke about how nice it was to have young people on the City
Council, Planning Commission and city staff
PRESENTATION
1 Proclamation Declaring February 2006 "Grand Jury Awareness Month"
Mayor Pro Tem Pacas read the proclamation and presented it to Gail Gresham of the
Grand Jury
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A. CONSENT CALENDAR.
1 City Council Meeting Minutes — December 13, 2005
■ City Clerk Recommendation. Council approve the City Council meeting
minutes of December 13, 2005 [City Clerk]
2 California Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE) Grant Application
(Historic City Hall Restoration)
■ Fiscal Impact: Possibility of up to $3,000,000 in grant funding for the
restoration of Atascadero's historic City Hall
■ Recommendations. Council
1 Adopt Draft Resolution approving the grant application for California
Cultural and Historical Endowment (CCHE) funds for restoration of the
historic City Hall, and,
2 Authorize the Administrative Services Director to execute a contract
with the California Cultural and Historical Endowment if the City is
awarded said grant. [Administrative Services]
3 Second Reading. ZCH 2004-0087/CUP 2004-0133/TPM 2004-0056 (6910
Navaioa)(Vaughn and Young) Construction of Four (4) Detached Single_
Family Dwellings
■ Fiscal Impact: None
■ Recommendation. Council adopt on second reading, by title only, Draft
Ordinance A approving Zone Change 2004-0087 based on findings
[Community Development]
4 Second Reading. Title 9 Planning and Zoning Text Amendment / ZCH
2005-0106 (Bennet/Norris) Conditionally Allow Indoor Shooting and
Archery Ranges
■ Fiscal Impact: None
■ Recommendation. Council adopt on second reading, by title only, Draft
Ordinance A approving Zone Change 2005-0106 based on findings
[Community Development]
5. Off-Site Beer and Wine Sales License Determination (7600 EI Camino
Real, Suite #1) (Perry's Parcel and Courier Service)
■ Fiscal Impact: None
■ Recommendation. Council determine that public convenience or
necessity would be served by the issuance of an off-site beer and wine
sales license to Perry's Parcel and Courier Service [Community
Development]
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6 Police Vehicle Mobile Data Computer System
■ Fiscal Impact: $97,551 00 provided by Supplemental Law Enforcement
Service Fund (SLESF) grant funds designated for this purpose
■ Recommendations. Council
1 Authorize the purchase of six (6) complete Mobile Data Computer
(MDC) systems to be purchased from and installed by CDCE, Inc ,
and,
2 Authorize the purchase of mobile Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)
software, message switch and six software licenses from Executive
Information Services, Inc. (EIS) [Police]
MOTION By Council Member Scalise and seconded by Council Member
Clay to approve Items #A-1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
Motion passed 5.0 by a roll-call vote. (Luna opposed Item #A-
3) (Item #A-2.1 Resolution No. 2006-004, Item #A-2.2 Contract
No. 2006-002, Item #A-3 Ordinance No. 488, Item #A-4
Ordinance No. 489)
B PUBLIC HEARING
1 7705 Navajoa Avenue Planned Development. ZCH 2004-0092 /
CUP 2004-0139 / TTM 2004-0060 (Tanner / Fragione) Five (5) Unit
Detached Residential
■ Disclosure of Ex Parte Communications
■ Fiscal Impact: None
■ Recommendations. Planning Commission Recommends Council
1 Adopt Draft Resolution A certifying Proposed Mitigated Negative
Declaration 2005-0058, and,
2 Introduce for first reading, by title only, Draft Ordinance A approving
Zone Change 2005-0092 based on findings, and,
3 Adopt Draft Resolution B approving Conditional Use Permit 2004-0139
(Master Plan of Development) based on findings and subject to
Conditions of Approval and Mitigation Monitoring, and,
4 Adopt Draft Resolution approving Vesting Tentative Tract Map 2004-
0060 based on findings and subject to Conditions of Approval and
Mitigation Monitoring [Community Development]
Deputy Community Development Director Steve McHarris gave the staff report and
answered questions of Council
Ex-Parte Communications
■ Mayor O'Malley stated he had received a call from Russ Thompson, project
engineer
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■ Council Member Clay stated he spoke with project engineer Russ Thomson earlier
this evening
Council Member Luna explained his concern that PD-7's and PD-25's tend to convert
multi family projects such as apartments to single family residential thus loosing the
more affordable option, and in this project there will be no affordable housing as the
developer is opting for in-lieu fees
PUBLIC COMMENT
Russ Thompson, applicant's representative, spoke about the history of the project,
stated the applicant is in agreement with the staff report as written, and answered
questions of the Council
Mayor O'Malley closed the Public Comment period
MOTION By Council Member Scalise and seconded by Council Member
Clay to accept the Planning Commission recommendation to
adopt Draft Resolution A and to introduce by first reading, by
title only, Ordinance A approving the Zone Change, and, to
adopt Draft Resolution B, and, to adopt the Draft Resolution
approving the Vesting Tentative Tract Map
Motion passed 4 1 by a roll-call vote. (Luna opposed) (Item
#B-1 1 Resolution No. 2006-005, Item #B-1 3 Resolution No.
2006-006, Item #B-1 4 Resolution No. 2006-007)
2 Road Abandonment 2004-0015 Request to Summarily Vacate an
Undeveloped Alley (EI Camino Real/Principal Avenue)(Westpac
Investments, Inc. / The Wallace Group)
■ Disclosure of Ex Parte Communications
■ Fiscal Impact: None
■ Recommendation. Planning Commission recommends Council adopt
Draft Resolution A summarily vacating an unconstructed alley right-of-way
based on findings and subject to conditions of approval [Community
Development]
Deputy Community Development Director Steve McHarris gave the staff report and
answered questions of Council
Ex-Parte Communications
None
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PUBLIC COMMENT
Brad Breckwald, applicant's representative, stated the applicant's agreement with the
staff report and answered questions of Council
Eric Greening stated his agreement with the road abandonment and asked what the
riparian setback would be once this is accomplished
Mr McHarris stated there would be no changes in the setbacks to the creek.
Mayor O'Malley closed the Public Comment period.
MOTION By Council Member Luna and seconded by Council Member
Clay to approve the Planning Commission's Recommendation
adopting Resolution A summarily vacating an unconstructed
alley right-of-way based on findings and subject to conditions
of approval
Motion passed 5.0 by a roll-call vote. (Resolution No. 2006-
008)
3 Community Facilities District 2005-1 / Annexation #1
■ Fiscal Impact: None
■ Recommendations. Council
1 Adopt Resolution A, authorizing Annexation #1 to Community Facilities
District No 2005-1 (Public Services), and,
2 Adopt Resolution B, calling a special election and submitting to the
voters of the City of Atascadero Community Facilities District No 2005-
1 (Public Services) Annexation #1 propositions regarding the annual
levy of special taxes within the Community Facilities District to finance
police services, fire protection and suppression services, and park
services therein, and the establishment of an appropriations limit, and,
3 Adopt Resolution C, declaring the results of the special elections for
the City of Atascadero Community Facilities District No 2005-1 (Public
Services) Annexation #1 County of San Luis Obispo, State of
California, on the propositions with respect to (i) the annual levy of
special taxes, and (ii) the establishment of an appropriations limit, and
authorizing the recordation of the notice of special tax lien [
Community Development Director Warren Frace gave the staff report and answered
questions of Council
PUBLIC COMMENT— None
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In response to Mayor O'Malley's questioning City Clerk Marcia McClure Torgerson
reported that there were no written community protests for this action, that there were
two voters in this district, that the property owners have filed a consent and waiver for
this election and that she concurred with holding the election today
MOTION By Council Member Scalise and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem
Pacas to adopt Resolutions A and B
Motion passed 5:0 by a roll-call vote. (Resolutions No. 2006-
009 and 2006-010)
City Clerk Marcia McClure Torgerson announced the results of the special election 27
yes and 0 no for both propositions 1 and 2
MOTION By Council Member Scalise and seconded by Council Member
Clay to adopt Resolution C as presented by staff
Motion passed 5.0 by a roll-call vote. (Resolution No. 2006-011)
C MANAGEMENT
1 Solid Waste Collection Services. Response to Council Questions
■ Recommendation. Council direct staff on how to proceed regarding the
City's contract with Atascadero Waste Alternatives [City Manager]
fir►,
City Manager Wade McKinney and City Attorney Patrick Enright gave the staff report
and answered questions of Council
Ex-Parte Communications
■ Mayor O'Malley stated he had spoken with members of the current contractor and
members of another solid waste service in addition to a former city manager and city
attorney
■ Council Member Clay stated he spoke with Mike Fredericks and his partner about
this item
■ Council Member Luna stated he spoke with Mike Hoover of Chicago Grade Landfill,
and Bill Worrell of IWMA.
■ Mayor Pro Tem Pacas stated she spoke Keith Ramsey of AWA and Andy Takata,
former Atascadero City Manager
■ Council Member Scalise stated she had a conversation with Mr Goodrow of Mid-
State Recycling, and Mike Hoover
1. Council comments were as follows
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Council Member Luna stated that ambiguities in the contract must be reviewed and that
the City Attorney's recommendation is appropriate
Mayor Pro Tem Pacas stated that Atascadero has received good service and great
rates and while she favors continuing with AWA she believes it is a good idea to review
the contract.
Council Member Clay thought it was a good idea to review the contract and indicated he
also sees no problem with the way the current provider has performed
Council Member Scalise stated it behooves Council to look out for the best interests of
the community and insure a contract that serves the community at an equitable rate
Mayor O'Malley agreed that Atascadero has received excellent service from the current
provider; however, he believes the only way to guarantee the best option available is to
use the free market system He indicated he would feel more comfortable with a shorter
term
PUBLIC COMMENT
Keith Ramsey, District Manager of Atascadero Waste Alternatives, distributed a
handout to Council and explained why he thinks the City should maintain the agreement
with their company (Exhibit A) Mr Ramsey answered questions of Council
Mayor O'Malley closed the Public Comment period
MOTION By Council Member Luna and seconded by Council Member
Scalise that pursuant to Section 3a of the Solid Waste
Collection Franchise Agreement with Atascadero Waste
Alternatives, Council directs staff to send a letter to
Atascadero Waste Alternatives, before February 1, 2006,
notifying them of the City's intent to reexamine the term of the
Agreement.
Motion passed 5.0 by a roll-call vote.
Mayor O'Malley recessed the hearing at 8 14 p.m
Mayor O'Malley called the meeting back to order at 8 28 p.m
2. Customer Service Initiative
■ Fiscal Impact: Funds are available in the 2005-07 budget for the customer
service initiative
■ Recommendation. Council receive, comment on, and file this report. [City
*01 Manager]
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Assistant Manager Jim Lewis gave the staff report and answered questions of Council
Council Member Scalise indicated she would like to see the phone directory by subject
completed sooner rather than later
PUBLIC COMMENT
Eric Greening commented that there were good ideas presented and questioned the
use of the word legendary, stating he would prefer a more accurate word
Joanne Main, Atascadero Chamber of Commerce, congratulated the city on their efforts
and announced that Nancy Friedman the "Telephone Doctor" will be coming to
Atascadero to address customer service issues for the business community
Brenda Cowan stated she felt "ground breakers" would be a better word than legendary
Mayor O'Malley closed the Public Comment period.
3 Citywide Annexation Area / Community Facilities District No. 2005-1
■ Fiscal Impact: None
■ Recommendations. Council
■ 1 Adopt Draft Resolution A, adopting a boundary map showing the
boundaries of the territory proposed for possible future to Community
Facilities District No 2005-1 (Public Services), and,
2 Adopt Draft Resolution B, declaring Council's intention to authorize the
Annexation of Territory to Community Facilities District No 2005-1
(Public Services) and to authorize the levy of a special tax therein to
finance certain services [Community Development]
Community Development Director Warren Frace gave the staff report and answered
questions of Council
PUBLIC COMMENT— None
MOTION By Council Member Luna and seconded by Council Member
Clay to adopt Draft Resolution A and Draft Resolution B
Motion passed 5.0 by a roll-call vote. (Resolutions No. 2006-
012 and 2006-013)
4. Medical Mariivana Dispensary Consideration
■ Fiscal Impact: None.
■ Recommendation Council direct staff to enforce the current Municipal Code
1%1W with respect to non-permitted uses [Police]
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Police Chief John Couch and City Attorney Patrick Enright gave the staff report and
answered questions of Council
Ex-Parte Communications
■ Mayor O'Malley stated he has spoken with the County Health Officer Dr Thomas
and with the landlord and several tenants where the current clinic operates as well
as the owner and staff at the facility
PUBLIC COMMENT
Brenda Cowan spoke about her need for medical marijuana and the difficulty in
obtaining it.
Carol DeHart explained that medical marijuana is the only substance that helps her deal
with her pain and urged Council to adopt an ordinance that would be compassionate
Craig Donville spoke about his medical condition and how medical marijuana has
helped him and explained that he must go to Oakland or Santa Barbara to get the
medication he needs
Susan Johnson expressed her support for medicinal marijuana being available for those
1%W who need it and for a dispensary in the area
Russell Peterson spoke about his medical condition and how medicinal marijuana has
helped him and explained the need for a safe dispensary locally
Daniel E Eister read from a prepared statement in favor of allowing a medical
marijuana dispensary in Atascadero
Gail Lightfoot, Chair of the Libertarian Party of San Luis Obispo County, expressed their
support for allowing a dispensary for medical marijuana in Atascadero
Debbie Garcia stated she suffers from chronic pain and it is a hardship to travel a long
distance to attain her medicinal marijuana She urged Council to allow this use
Crystal Valdez spoke of family members who rely on medical marijuana every day to
deal with their pain and thanked those who came tonight to support opening a
dispensary in Atascadero
John Robinson spoke in favor of the group who has opened the dispensary in
Atascadero
Kevin Klono stated he suffers from a back injury and explained how medical marijuana
has helped to relieve his pain and how difficult it is to acquire it when needed
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Russell Beers stated he has been to many dispensaries and the one in Atascadero is
the most professional he has seen
Freddie Sarenana spoke about his injuries and explained why medical marijuana has
been effective for his pain and stated the facility in Atascadero is one of the most
professional he has ever been to
Larry Willis thanked the Council for bringing this issue to the public and explained that
his wife had a stroke and has ceased eating and he hopes that medicinal marijuana can
help to maintain her appetite
Steve Harding stated he has glaucoma and medical marijuana has prevented him from
going blind He urged the Council to vote to keep the dispensary open
Charles Lynch, owner of Central Coast Compassionate Care Givers, explained how
medical marijuana has helped him deal with his own pain, stated he hoped he could
work together with the city to settle this issue and explained how he came to define his
clinic under the category of health services Mr Lynch answered questions of Council
Eric Greening stated he favors the conditional use permit process and suggested a
criterion for the CUP should be accessibility to public transit.
,. James McClarty explained how many prescription medicines can impair an individual's
ability to function and stated the facility in Atascadero is very professional
Freddie Sarenana mentioned that there is a federal marijuana program going on at this
time and explained how it works
Larry Willis stated he doesn't understand why the City has involved itself in this issue
and questioned how the landlord would be libel if he allowed this use
Gail Lightfoot stated she has met two of the patients in the federal marijuana program
and they told her the marijuana the government provides is not effective
Mayor O'Malley closed the Public Comment period.
MOTION By Council Member Luna to direct staff to prepare an ordinance
amending the zoning ordinance to allow medical marijuana
dispensaries as a conditional use
Motion failed for lack of a second
Council Member Scalise remarked that she could find no support within the Atascadero
business community for allowing a medical marijuana dispensary
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Mayor Pro Tem Pacas commented that it would be worthwhile to get input from other
cities that have had experience with this before moving forward with adopting the
conditional use permit process She expressed concern that the currently operating
facility was not completely honest with city staff when they applied for a business
license
MOTION By Council Member Luna to direct staff to prepare an ordinance
amending the zoning ordinance to allow medical marijuana
dispensaries as a conditional use and require the existing facility to
go through that process
Motion failed for lack of a second
Mayor O'Malley indicated that he understood why the current business owner took the
approach he did however; he cannot support the continued operation of a non-
conforming use He is also concerned for the rights of property owners and wants the
ordinance to allow for a process that would include them as well as the entire
community
MOTION By Council Member Luna and seconded by Council Member
Clay to direct staff to prepare an ordinance amending the
zoning ordinance to allow medical marijuana dispensaries as a
conditional use and that the existing facility must go through
that process, it would be shut down and move through that
process, and the background to develop that ordinance would
use the experiences of other cities
Motion passed 4 1 by a roll-call vote. (Scalise opposed)
D COMMITTEE & LIAISON REPORTS
None
E INDIVIDUAL DETERMINATION AND/OR ACTION
City Council
Council Member Luna thanked the City attorney and Police Chief for their reports
and cooperation
City Clerk
City Clerk Marcia McClure Torgerson announced that the City Council has
elected Roberta Fonzi to fill the current Planning Commission vacancy
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City Manager
City Manager Wade McKinney reminded Council of the Strategic Planning
session on Friday and Saturday and the grand opening for the temporary City
Hall on Monday, January 30th
F ADJOURNMENT
Mayor O'Malley adjourned the meeting at 10 43 p m to the next regularly scheduled
meeting of the City Council on February 14, 2006
MEETING RECORDED AND MINUTES PREPARED BY
C /,4 ` j
Grace Pucci, Deputy City Clerk
The following Exhibit is available for review in the City Clerk's office.
Exhibit A—Atascadero Waste Alternatives handout
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