HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 040902 Approved April 23,2002
MINUTES
19 19-71-0
CITY OF A TASCADERO
CITY COUNCIL
TUESDAY, April 09, 2002
7:00 P.M.
REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY: 6:30 P.M.
CLOSED SESSION:
1. PUBLIC COMMENT - CLOSED SESSION
2. Call to Order
a.) Conference with legal counsel - Pending litigation (Govt. Code
Sec.54956.9)
Diamond v City of Atascadero
3. Adjourn
4. CLOSED SESSION REPORT
City Attorney Roy Hanley announced there was no reportable action
taken.
REGULAR SESSION, 7:00 P.M.:
Mayor Arrambide called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. and Boy Scout Gabe
Clark led the Pledge of Allegiance.
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ROLL CALL:
Present: Council Members Clay, Johnson, Luna, Scalise and Mayor
Arrambide
Others Present: City Clerk Marcia McClure Torgerson
Staff Present: City Manager Wade McKinney, Community Development Director
Warren Frace, Administrative Services Director Rachelle Rickard,
Public Works Director Steve Kahn, Assistant City Manager Brady
Cherry, Deputy Executive Director John Jansons, Technology
Director Andrew Fruin, Police Chief Dennis Hegwood, Fire Chief
Kurt Stone and City Attorney Roy Hanley.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
MOTION: By Council Member Luna and seconded by Council Member
Johnson to approve the agenda.
Motion passed 5.0 by a roll-call vote.
PRESENTATIONS:
1 . Proclamation declaring April 14-20, 2002, "National Library Week."
Mayor Arrambide read the proclamation and presented it to Marcie Cunningham,
Atascadero Martin Polin Branch Library. Ms. Cunningham thanked Council for the
recognition and their support.
Mayor Arrambide presented Atascadero News Editor Lon Allan with an engraved
pen as a token of appreciation for his efforts in keeping the public informed
regarding the actions of the City Council and Planning Commission. Mr. Allan
thanked the Council.
Mayor Arrambide presented Sgt. Joe Allen, Atascadero Police Department, with a
five-year service pin. Police Chief Hegwood spoke about the Special Response
Team (SRT) of which Sgt. Allen is the leader.
COMMUNITY FORUM: None
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COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REPORTS:
Council Member Johnson announced the birth of his tenth grandchild today.
Mayor Pro Tem Scalise asked how many streets signed up for assessment districts.
City Engineer Steve Kahn stated that approximately 25 people signed up and they were
grouped into sections of town.
A. CONSENT CALENDAR:
1. City Council Minutes— March 26 2002
■ City Clerk recommendation: City Council approve the City Council minutes of March 26,
2002. [City Clerk]
2. Authorization to Review Confidential Sales and Use Tax Information
■ Fiscal impact: None
■ Staff recommendation: City Council adopt the draft Resolution revising the individuals
authorized to examine confidential Sales and Use Tax records of the State Board of
Equalization. [Administrative Services]
3. Santa Ysabel Avenue Rehabilitation Project - Bid No. 2002-001
■ Fiscal impact: $285,000 (STIP Fund), $250,000 (Streets & Bridges Impact Fees Fund) and
$149,460 (General Fund) (in FY 2001-03 Budget).
■ Staff recommendation: Council authorize the City Manager to execute an agreement with
Souza Construction, Inc. to construct the Santa Ysabel Avenue Rehabilitation Project at a
maximum cost of $684,460.00, including contingencies and construction engineering, and
make the necessary appropriations. [Public Works]
4. Final Tract Map 2001-0016 -Tract 2317 Phase III - (TTM 98013)
3900 Traffic Way(Shores/Wilson)
■ Fiscal Impact: None
■ Staff recommendation: Council:
1. Accept Tract 2317 Phase 111; and,
2. Accept the offers of dedication for San Anselmo and Orillas Way for street purposes,
public drainage easements, and public sewer easements; and,
3. Reject offers for Orillas Court for street purposes, and public utility easements for
San Anselmo, Orillas Way, and Orillas Court without prejudice to future acceptance;
and,
4. Authorize the City Manager to enter into a Subdivision Agreement with the Owner;
and,
5. Authorize the City Manager to approve the Road Maintenance Agreement for Tract
2317 Phase III. [Public Works]
5. Reinstitute Code Section Banning Cargo Containers - Ordinance second
reading
■ Fiscal impact: None
■ City Attorney recommendation: Council introduce for second reading by title only, and adopt
Ordinance No. 394 adding Section 8-1.103 banning the use of cargo containers and railroad
cars for specified purposes within the City of Atascadero. [City Attorney]
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MOTION: By Council Member Luna and seconded by Council Member Clay
to approve the Consent Calendar.
Motion passed 5.0 by a roll-call vote. (item #A-2 Resolution
No. 2002-010, Item #A-3 Contract No. 2002-005, Item #A-
4.4. Contract No. 2002-006 and Item #A4.5. Contract No.
2002-007)
B. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
1. West Mall Closure - request of the Atascadero Unified School District
■ Fiscal impact: Minimal costs for the installation of the 4-way stop at West Mall and
Lewis Ave. and the removal of the crosswalk striping.
■ Staff recommendation: City Council approve the request from Atascadero Unified
School District for the closure of West Mall between Lewis Avenue and Olmeda Avenue
during Atascadero Junior High School hours, beginning September 2002. [Public Works]
Public Works Director Steve Kahn gave the staff report and answered questions of
Council.
Council Member Clay reminded Mr. Kahn that originally it was suggested that the
closure would be for several months on a trial basis. Mr. Kahn indicated that
there were two ways that this could go: 1 ) Trial closure prior to school letting out,
or 2) Wait until school starts and try a trial closure for several months and then
report back to Council. Council Member Clay stated that he would like to see it
done before school lets out. Additionally, Council Member Clay inquired which
crosswalks would be removed. Mr. Kahn stated that one crosswalk, the mid-block
crosswalk near the intersection of West Mall and Lewis, would be removed and a
four-way stop would be placed at West Mall and Lewis. Council Member Clay
expressed concern with the removal of this crosswalk as it has always been used
and is the natural ingress and egress from the two schools.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jim Stecher, Superintendent of Atascadero Unified School District, expressed his
support for this proposal and submitted letters from the California State PTA,
Atascadero PTA, Atascadero Junior High School PTSA, and Atascadero Junior High
Site Counsel and Staff encouraging the Council to agree with the proposal and go
with the closure of West Mall. Superintendent Stecher indicated that he would be
in favor of scheduling the trial period after school has resumed in the fall, and
stated he was supportive of removing the crosswalk in the middle of the street.
Mr. Stecher answered questions of Council. (See Attachment A)
Mayor Arrambide closed the Public Comment period.
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Council Member Clay stated that he fully supports the closing of West Mall and the
idea of a review; however, he cannot support the crosswalk removal.
MOTION: By Council Member Johnson and seconded by Council Member
Luna to support the closure and removal and to revisit at the
winter break.
Motion passed 4:1 by a roll-call vote. (Clayopposed)
C. COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Mayor Arrambide
1 . S.L.O. Council of Governments (SLOCOG)/S.L.O. Regional Transit Authority
(SLORTA): The major interchanges throughout Atascadero are targeted for
renovation. Approximately one-third will be funded by SLOCOG with the
hope that local development will underwrite the remaining two-thirds. The
issue with CAL TRANS is that the bridges in question are all too low. Mayor
Arrambide reminded Council that included in the plan is a frontage road
between Atascadero and Templeton. Regarding Proposition 42, it is
proposed that in the year 2008, Atascadero will receive approximately 1 .82
million dollars. Mayor Arrambide reported on the Housing and Community
Development Department for the State of California, and the regional
allocation for affordable housing in Atascadero.
2. County Mayor's Round Table: Meeting was held at Atascadero and included
attendance at the reception for Barbie Butz.
Mayor Pro Tem Scalise
1 . No report, but requested a timeline for the General Plan at the next meeting.
Council Member Luna
1 . Integrated Waste Management Authority (IWMA): The subcommittee will
meet tomorrow to discuss Paso Robles joining the IWMA.
D. INDIVIDUAL DETERMINATION AND/OR ACTION:
1 . City Council
Council Member Johnson reported that he was in San Diego, met with the
Secretary of Labor and discussed Proposition 975 (prevailing wage). Trailing
legislation 1335 should be watched carefully.
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Council Member Luna stated that it appears the Governor will be signing and
sending to the electorate a 2.5 billion dollar bond issue on monies for
building affordable housing. Council Member Luna felt that the consultants
on the General Plan Update should be aware of the legislation and set
Atascadero up for the potential of utilizing some of that money should the
legislation pass. .
2. City Clerk
The City Clerk reported that five applications have been received for the Planning
Commission positions and the closing date is Thursday, April 11 th. Interviews will
be held at the next Council meeting on April 23rd.
3. City Manager
The City Manager reported that the special pickup day is Saturday, April 13th; see
the Public Works Director for locations. The service for Kurt Pearson is Friday,
11 :00 at the Cemetery. Assembly Bill 1755 (Escape Bill - Maldonado) is now
scheduled for the Public Safety Committee on April 16th. The weed abatement
press releases are out and fire officials are checking properties.
E. ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor Arrambide adjourned the meeting at 7:46 p.m. to the next regularly
scheduled meeting on April 23, 2002.
MEETING RECORDED AND MINUTES PREPARED BY:
'A
Marcia McClure Torgerson, City Cl I
ATTACHMENT A - Letters submitted by Mr. Stecher
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Attachment: A
Atascadero 'City Council Mtg.
April 9, 2002
/M
CIT/T chi Id.oncvoic
C.
Atascadero Jr. High School PTSA
6501 Lewis Ave.
Atascadero, CA 93422
Date: January 231d, 2002
To: City of Atascadero
cc: 1) Rolfe Nelson, Principal, Atascadero Jr. High School
2) California State PTA, Los Angeles California
Subject: Proposed Road Closure of West Mall During School Hours
Attachment: California State PTA Resolution:
"School Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Improvement"
The Atascadero Jr. High PTSA is in full support of the proposed closure of West Mall
Street during the day when students need a safe passage from one side of campus to
the other. Our school campus has a unique traffic problem since a city street divides it in
two sections. Daily, hundreds of students are required to cross West Mall Street to walk
to their classes or visit the school office. Students' ages range from 11 to 14 years and
include children with impaired hearing or sight and physically handicapped. The PTSA
supports the effort to keep our students safe by reducing or eliminating any potential
traffic safety problems.
The California State PTA recently passed a Resolution (see attachment) that highly
endorses the effort to provide student pedestrian safety.
It is the Atascadero Junior High PTSA's position to support the daily closure of West
Mall Street as a viable solution to insure complete student pedestrian safety.
Sincerely,
?orisL. Erlanson
AJHS-PTSA President
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CALIFORNIA STATE PTA
930 Georgia Street,Los Angeles,CA 90015-1322
SCHOOL TRAFFIC AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IMPROVEMENT
(adopted by convention delegates April 2001)
WHEREAS, The California State PTA recognizes the importance of promoting school safety
policies,educational outreach programs,and implementing traffic and
pedestrian safety solutions for pre-Kindergarten through grade 12 school
children,parents,and communities;and
WHEREAS, The need for traffic engineering,new safety technologies,education outreach,
and the enforcement of safe driving laws are recognized by safety experts as
vital to improving safe routes to and from schools by reducing hazards and
increasing student,community,and motorist awareness; and
WHEREAS, Recent data show that California ranked 12`fi highest in the nation in child
pedestrian vs.vehicle fatalities and serious injuries for children 5-12 years old,
and the National Highway Traffic.Safety Association states that 43%of school
age pedestrian fatalities occur between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.;and
WHEREAS, Safety studies have identified key school pedestrian and traffic safety issues
including
(1)unsafe routes to school,
(2)speeding/reckless driving in school zones,
(3)unsafe parking and drop-off/pick-up practices,
(4) school bus loading zone conflicts and double parking,
(5)unclear school area signs and crosswalks with low visual impact and
recognition,
(6)poorly maintained/faded crosswalks and signs,
(7)utility construction and street/public works hazards,
(8)inadequate crossing guard program funding,
(9)lack of sustainable school safety education/staff training, and
(10)inconsistent enforcement and parking control intervention; and
WHEREAS, Inconsistent state and local safety policies,as well as ineffective safety
procedures and school zone traffic signs/crosswalk markings,contribute to
traffic and pedestrian safety risks for school children,and further reinforce the
critical need for implementing comprehensive statewide school safety
improvements,training programs,operational procedures, and legislation;now
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the California State PTA and its units,councils anddistricts urge the
creation and implementation of school safety committees where none exist;and
be it further
RESOLVED, That the California State PTA urge its units,councils and districts to participate
with school safety committees and to work with parents,students,teachers,
local law enforcement,other appropriate agencies,and their school
communities to improve traffic and pedestrian safety for children,and identify
and improve,where necessary,safe routes to and from schools; and be it further
120
RESOLVED, That the California State PTA and its units councils and districts urge their
superintendents,school boards,elected officials and other policy-makers to
support local and state efforts to(1)reduce traffic and pedestrian safety
problems/hazards for children,(2)increase motorist and pedestrian awareness
by using the latest technological improvements(technologies)in signs
crosswalk design,pavement markings,and traffic control devices,and.(3)
implement policies in a systematic and uniform manner for all of California's
schools to address traffic/pedestrian safety education and enforcement; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the California State PTA and its units,councils and districts urge state and
local legislators and other policy-makers to support comprehensive
improvements in traffic and pedestrian safety for pre-Kindergarten through
grade 12 school children, and to create a safer environment for all of
California's school children in partnership with schools,community
organizations,city,state,and appropriate federal agencies; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the California State PTA and its units,councils and districts advocate and
support legislation on the state and local level to double all traffic fines for
moving violations within posted school zones and further advocate that fine
revenues be committed to school traffic safety/pedestrian programs, including
crossing guards.
Action by PTA Organizations Position
2 District PTA Approve
Pglo Alto Council(6h District) Approve
6 District PTA Executive Board Approve
BACKGROUND SUMMARY
Major school safety policy reform and traffic engineering technology upgrades are needed to
improve statewide and local approaches to traffic safety forre-Kindergarten through grade 12
school children. Changes are needed in the areas of(1 localandschool district operations and
policy in the areas of school safety education,(2)traffic engineering, signs and control devices
design,and(3)safety laws and enforcement.
The new technologies and design applications currently available have proven to be effective in
increasing the visibility of pedestrians in school zones,as well as increasing motorist and
pedestrian awareness of safety and compliance with traffic laws.These approaches are cost
efficient and are effective in reducing pedestrian fatality and injury to school children and the
community at large,when applied uniformly and maintained and reinforced with sustainable
safety education and law enforcement.
Second District PTA's study,"PTA School Children's Traffic Safety Project 2000,"and its plan
of action and recommendations supported by their PTA comm�nay advisory group in
Participation with the City and County of San Francisco Board of Supervisors,Board of
ducarion,Transportation Authority,Traffic Engineering Department,Police/California
Highway Patrol,California State Automobile Association(AAA)and others,recommended
action in the areas of safety education,traffic en ineering,law enforcement and legislation.
Many of these recommendations have been implemented.
The adoption of this resolution and a comprehensive plan of action for local school districts can
result in increased motorist awareness,stronger visual impact of school zones and crossings,
higher compliance with traffic laws through education and uniform enforcement,and could
ultimately reduce the fatalities and injuries to California's pre-Kindergarten through grade 12
school children.
In the belief that the greatest gift to our children is a safer school and community environment,
this resolution is dedicated to those school children who have been injured and lost their lives
while walking to and from their schools over the years.
121
February 6,2002
Atascadero City Council
6500 Palma Ave.
Atascadero,CA 93422
Dear City Council Representatives;
I am writing on behalf of the School Site Council for the Atascadero Junior High School,
urging you to vote in favor of the closure of West Mall (between the school buildings)
during school hours. We are confident that you share our concern for our children's
safety,and recognize the critical danger inherent in the current situation.
Thank you for you consideration.
Sincerely,
n {
Anne Youngq t, chairp rs n
Atascadero Junior High School Site Council
cjj
OA
122 r-
�eto�Unior
Date: February 20, 2002 �� s
h o
To: City of Atascadero
From: Atascadero Junior High School Staff a D'sting*,``y
Subject: Proposed road closure of West Mall during school
hours
The Atascadero Junior High School staff, unanimously endorses
the closure of West Mall during school hours. Our staff, along
with our PTSA and SSC, feel that the closure would reduce traffic
and the circulation of vehicles near our campus. Because a city
street that divides our campus we feel that our students are at
risk for possible harm or injury.
Within close proximity, to the junior high are: the Fine Arts
Academy, West Mall Alternative, and the Mommy and Me Programs.
Together these programs have the potential of over one thousand
students crossing the street many times during the day. The
closure would help to prevent injuries and other possible
consequences due to frequent and sometimes unsupervised
crossings of that street. Thanks for your support in this matter.
Rolfe Nelson, Principal ,, CA
CH[�t�t
123