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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin 11-06-9610 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH - November 6, 1996 The City Council convened in a regular meeting, of which the agenda was legally noticed and posted, at 6:31 p.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, California. Roll was taken and the following Councilmembers were PRESENT: Councilmembers Mastin, Malone, Wattenburger, and Vice-Mayor Shoemaker. ABSENT: Mayor Schneiter. Staff Present: Public Utilities Director Barnes, Finance Director Elton, Assistant City Manager Harris, City Manager Horsley, Public Works Supervisor Looney, City Attorney Rapport, Planning Director Sawyer, Public Works Deputy Director Seanor, Senior Planner Stump, Senior Civil Engineer Woods, and City Clerk Giuntoli. 2. Invocation/Pledge of Alle_qiance Vice-Mayor Shoemaker gave the Invocation, and Councilmember Wattenburger led the Pledge of Allegiance. Vice-Mayor Shoemaker referenced a letter from several individuals and groups relative to support for a community center, and requested that since the letter required a response prior to November 16, it be added to the agenda as an urgency item. MIS MastinlShoemaker to add discussion of the letter regarding the community center to the agenda as Item 9b, carried by an all AYE voice vote of the Councilmembers present. 3. Approval of Minutes a. Re_clular Meeting - October 16, 1996 MIS Malone/Wattenburger to approve the Minutes of the regular meeting of October 16, 1996 as submitted, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Malone, Wattenburger, and Vice-MayorShoemaker. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: Councilmember Mastin. ABSENT: Mayor Schneiter. b. Re_clular Adjourned Meeting - October 307 1996 MIS MastinlMalone to approve the Minutes of the regular adjourned meeting of October 30, 1996 as submitted, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Mastin, Malone, Wattenburger, and Vice-Mayor Shoemaker. NOES: None. ABSTAIN' None. ABSENT: Mayor Schneiter. 4. RIGHT TO APPEAL DECISION Vice-Mayor Shoemaker explained the appeal process. 5. CONSENT CALENDAR MIS MastinlMalone to approve the Consent Calendar as follows: a. Adopted Resolution No. 97-33 and Resolution No. 97-34 Setting Limitation for Fiscal Years 1995-96 and 1996-97; b. Awarded Contract to Stiles Construction for the Construction of Leachate Booster Station Improvements at the Ukiah Landfill, Specification No. 96-17, in the Amount of $136,960; c. Adopted Resolution No. 97-35 Abolishing On-Street Parking Spaces and Establishing Loading Zones on the West Side of North Oak Street North of Henry Street; d. Denied Claims for Damages Received from NCO Head Start, and Kimberly and Donald Rinehart, and Refer to City Insurance Carrier, REMIF; e. Received Notification Regarding Purchase of Sodium Hydroxide Produ,cts from Pressure Vessel Service, Inc., in the Amount of $298 Per Dry Ton; f. Awarded Bid for Sodium Bisulfate Products to Pressure Vessel Service, Inc., in the Amount of $560 Per Dry Ton; g. Awarded Bid for Two Replacement Vehicles to Lasher Auto Center, in the Amount of $30,933.69 and One Replacement Vehicle to Silveira Pontiac/Buick/GMC, in the Amount of $22,324.89; h. Received and Filed Report regarding Purchase of Police Vehicle and Approved Budget Amendment of $10,500 to Fixed Asset Replacement Fund No. 698. Regular Meeting - November 6, 1996 Page 1 Councilmember Malone had a question regarding Item 5f, stating that staff indicated a bid price from Van Waters & Rogers at $316 per dry ton, but had also indicated a "NO BID" for the total bid amount. Public Utilities Director Barnes advised it was common for companies to issue a "NO BID" for various reasons. Discussion followed wherein it was determined more information was needed on Item 5f. MIS Malone/Wattenburger to amend the previous motion and recommend referring Item 5f back to staff, to be presented again to Council at the regular adjourned meeting of November 15, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Mastin, Malone, Wattenburger, and Vice- Mayor Shoemaker. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Mayor Schneiter. The amended motion to approve the Consent Calendar, Items a through e, g and h, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Mastin, Malone, Wattenburger, and Vice-Mayor Shoemaker. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Mayor Schneiter. 6. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Kathy Hopper, Project Coordinator, Mendocino Community Health Partnership, informed the Council that in July the Mendocino County Department of Public Health received a grant from the California Wellness Foundation to develop a community health improvement plan. In order to develop the plan, the Health Partnership was established, comprised of four local collaboratives: the Healthy Start Policy Council, Mendocino Works, the Communities Can/Managed Care Coalition, and the Mendocino County Public Health Advisory Board. The project area covered by the health improvement plan includes the area along the Highway 101 corridor from Hopland to Willits and Potter Valley. This particular program differs from other similar programs because of the California Wellness Foundation's focus on population health issues and all of the things in a community that can affect health, including poverty, unemployment, the environment, and legislative issues. One of the first steps toward developing the plan will be a community meeting to be held at the Conference Center on Saturday, November 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. She invited the Councilmembers to attend and participate in discussion regarding the assessment process and ways to improve, coordinate or supplement services. Vice-Mayor Shoemaker advised that Item 8a would be heard at this time, since it was not yet the 7:00 p.m. hour scheduled for the Public Hearing. . UNFINISHED BUSINESS Discussion Re_clardin.q Installation of a Temporary Traffic Barricade on Marlene Street and Adoption of Resolution Establishing Marlene Street as a One-Way Eastboun(~ Street Between Lorraine Street and Orchard Avenue City Manager Horsley advised that at the previous Council meeting, discussion had occurred relative to the solution of the traffic problems caused by 300 to 1,000 vehicles a day traveling down Orchard Avenue and Marlene and Lorraine Streets to the Redwood Business Park, with action taken to install a temporary barricade on Marlene Street to prevent through traffic from South Orchard Avenue. Subsequently, over 100 residents of the area have responded with comments and suggestions for alternative solutions, which include establishing Marlene Street as one-way eastbound between Lorraine Street and South Orchard Avenue, thereby keeping vehicles from traveling down Orchard, but still allowing the neighborhood to use the four-way stop at the Orchard and Gobbi intersection. She further advised that a public hearing would not be held at this time, but that public input from the residents would be heard, since this was a community neighborhood process and many individuals wished to speak to the issue. Deputy Public Works Director Seanor used slides to illustrate the location of the proposed barricade, and the alternative suggestion of establishing Marlene as a one-way ~street eastbound. Councilmember Mastin asked staff whether making Lorraine Street one-way south from Marlene, in conjunction with Marlene being made one-way east from Lorraine, had been considered. Staff indicated that it had not, because it was felt that would merely shift the traffic problem on to Betty Street. Vice-Mayor Shoemaker invited the audience to offer input relative to the issue. Regular Meeting - November 6, 1996 Page 2 12 Several residents of the neighborhood came forth to state that the recently posted 15 miles per hour speed limit was ineffective due to the lack of enforcement. Some felt the installation of speed humps would aid in slowing the traffic. Concern was expressed relative to pedestrian safety, and the dangers caused by speeding traffic on the streets which lack sidewalks, forcing schoolchildren and other individuals walking to their destinations to share the streets with moving vehicles. Further concern was expressed that the amount of traffic in the neighborhood would continue to increase, and that eliminating the traffic problem from one street would force the problem onto another. Although it was recognized that the barricade on Madene Street should be put in place, with periodic traffic counts administered to measure the effectiveness of the traffic calming measures, it was also acknowledged by several residents that these measures did not address the traffic problem in this neighborhood in its entirety, and that a more permanent solution was needed. Councilmember Wattenburger stated that traffic will continue to be moved from Betty Street onto Waugh Lane; the problem relates to speeding vehicles and a lack of sidewalks. The ultimate solution is to finish Waugh Lane through to Talmage Road, provide the through traffic on that avenue, and retum the neighborhood to a neighborhood by reducing the overall speed. Temporary or permanent speed humps should be installed on both Lorraine and Betty Streets. The previous Council decisions relating to the construction of a temporary six-month barrier on Marlene Street and the establishment of an Improvement District to make Waugh Lane a two-lane street to provide transportation all the way through from Talmage Road to Gobbi Street must be implemented. The ultimate solution is to make it so difficult to use that entire neighborhood that it will force the traffic out onto the freeway where it actually belongs. He further stated that it was important to follow through on the Council's decisions, and not return meeting after meeting with new alternatives. Vice-Mayor Shoemaker stated he wanted public safety to set the neighborhood as a priority area and enforce the speed limit in the area. He inquired regarding the time frame for installation of the barricade on Marlene Street. Mr. Seanor replied the barricades had been delivered and were ready to put in place. MIS Wattenburger/Malone to approve, in addition to the previously approved traffic calming measures, the installation of speed humps on Betty and Lorraine Streets, with the location to be determined by the City Engineer, and that traffic control be increased in the area. Vice-Mayor Shoemaker offered the audience the opportunity to speak at this time. Residents commented on the need for a stop sign on Betty Street and Cooper Lane, and the opinion that the City could realize income from the traffic citations levied on speeding vehicles. It was noted that stop sign requests should be directed to the Traffic Engineering Committee, and that the City receives no money from speeding violations. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Mastin, Malone, Wattenburger, and Vice-Mayor Shoemaker. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Mayor Schneiter. PUBLIC HEARING Introduction of Ordinance Amending Division 9, Chapter 2, Article 6 of the Ukiah City Code Revisinq the Provisions of the Nei,qhborhood Commercial (CN) Zoning District Councilmember Mastin recused himself from the meeting at 8:04 p.m. due to a potential conflict of interest. Senior Planner Stump advised that on October 30, 1996 the City Council accepted the Planning Commission and staff recommendation and introduced an ordinance rezoning 83 parcels along Dora Street to "C-N" (Neighborhood Commercial). This action was taken, in part, with the understanding that staff would bring back amendments to the "C-N" text to make it a Iow intensity, neighborhood- serving commercial district, and not a general commercial district as it is currently constituted. On October 23, 1996, the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing and considered staff's proposed modifications to the "C-N" district text. After considerable discussion and a number of changes, they voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council adopt the ordinance amending the "C-N" district text to make it genuinely Neighborhood Commercial. The recommended text revisions include adding a Purpose and Intent Section, reducing the number of allowed uses, adding residential uses to the allowed uses, revising the permitted uses, modifying the development standards, adding a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) standard for commercial development, and adding additional requirements to assure the compatibility of land uses. Regular Meeting - November 6, 1996 Page 3 13 PUBLIC HEARING OPENED: 8:05 p.m. No one came forward. PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED: 8:06 p.m. Vice-Mayor Shoemaker voiced his concern relative to building height limit and his desire that the neighborhood character be preserved. He recommended the final sentence of Section 9060 be amended to read, "Additionally, the provisions of this Chapter are intended to assure that development is compatible with the surrounding community, in terms of both design and use, and that it does not adversely impact surrounding properties." MIS WattenburgerlMalone to introduce by title only the amended Ordinance Amending the Division 9, Chapter 2, Article 6, of the Ukiah City Code, carried by an all AYE voice vote of the Councilmembers present. City Clerk Giuntoli read the Ordinance by title only. MIS WattenburgerlMalone to introduce the amended Ordinance Amending the Division 9, Chapter 2, Article 6 of the Ukiah City Code, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Malone, Wattenburger, and Vice-Mayor Shoemaker. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Mastin and Mayor Schneiter. 7b. Introduction of Ordinance Amending the City Zoning Map to Rezone Two Parcels Alonq Clay Street in the Dora Street Corridor from "R-3" to "R-I" Councilmember Mastin returned to the meeting, and Councilmember Wattenburger recused himself from the meeting at 8:17 p.m. due to a potential conflict of interest. Senior Planner Stump advised that on October 16, 1996, the City Council introduced three separate ordinances rezoning a total of 93 parcels in the Dora Street Corridor rezoning area as a part of the citywide General Plan rezoning program. At that meeting, it was determined that the Council could not discuss or take action on two parcels because of potential conflicts of interest of two of the four Councilmembers present, and the resulting lack of a quorum. The two parcels are located in the City's westside residential area at the southwest comer of Clay and Dora Streets, and are developed with well maintained single family residences. Accordingly, the General Plan has designated them as LDR (Low Density Residential), and directs their rezoning from "R-3" (High Density Residential) zoning to the corresponding "R-I" (Single Family Residential) classification. PUBLIC HEARING OPENED: 8:18 p.m. No one came forward. PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED: 8:19 p.m. MIS MalonelMastin to introduce by title only the Ordinance Amending the City Zoning Map to Rezone Two Parcels Along Clay Street in the Dora Street Corridor Rezoning Area From "R-3" to "R-1 ," carried by an all AYE voice vote of the Councilmembers present. City Clerk Giuntoli read the Ordinance by title only. MIS MalonelMastin to introduce the Ordinance Amending the City Zoning Map to Rezone Two Parcels Along Clay Street in the Dora Street Corridor Rezoning Area From "R-3" to "R-1 ," carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Mastin, Malone, and Vice-Mayor Shoemaker. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: CouncilmemberWattenburgerand Mayor Schneiter. The Council recessed at 8:20 p.m., and reconvened at 8:30 p.m. with Councilmernber Wattenburger in attendance. 8b. Discussion and Approval of Traffic Calminq Measures on Clara Avenue and Ford Street Deputy Public Works Director Seanor advised that at the May 14, 1996 Traffic Engineering Committee (TEC) meeting, traffic islands were recommended for City Council's approval. One island would be located on Clara Avenue at Orchard Avenue. A second island would be located on Ford Street at Orchard Avenue. A third location, which is actually a neck down, would be on the west leg of the Clara Avenue intersection with Mason Street. At the October 8, 1996 TEC meeting, three Regular Meeting - November 6, 1996 Page 4 14 traffic circles were recommended for City Council's approval. The circles are a temporary structure; the islands would be permanent. The circles would involve three different designs. At Myron Place and Ford Street large concrete planters approximately 2.5 in height will be assembled in a circle in the intersection. At Clara Avenue and Sidnie Court pre-cast stone blocks will be placed in the intersection to form a traffic circle. The third circle, at the intersection of Sidnie Court and Ford Street, will be a large equipment tire casing. All circles will contain landscaping to attract the driver's attention. All locations will be fitted with reflectors to enhance night visibility. He further advised that the main emphasis of the project for the traffic island circles and the neck down is to reduce vehicular speed in the neighborhood. Before and after vehicle speed surveys will be conducted on Ford Street and Clara Avenue, and traffic volumes will be collected before the project is constructed and after the project is implemented. Staff proposes to report back to Council after the circles have been in place for six months. After this initial period, staff will prepare a report and make a recommendation to Council whether or not to proceed with permanent installation of traffic circles at the three locations. Vice-Mayor Shoemaker commented that the left turn islands seemed short and allowed only one car to fit in them. Mr. Seanor said this was a preliminary design, and that normally in a left turn pocket 25 feet per vehicle is allowed. The island on Ford Street at Orchard has a driveway on the north side which could be impacted by the placement of the island. Vice-Mayor Shoemaker voiced his concern regarding how the neck down on Clara Avenue and Mason Street will affect bicycle traffic. Eric Larson, 123 Clara, stated that, concerning the neck down at Mason, it was important to understand that in the areas where traffic is effectively calmed, the speed is reduced to where bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists can exist simultaneously on a street without a great deal of danger. That intersection, which is potentially dangerous given the close proximity of Mason Street to the railroad tracks, should not be negotiated at more than 15 or 20 miles per hour. The idea of a neck down is to slow traffic at critical points, and the issue of whether a bicycle should or can negotiate those lanes should be a mute point, theoretically. Experimentation and analysis will bear out the reality. Councilmember Malone inquired regarding stop signs in the area. Mr. Larson replied no additional signs would be installed, since the vehicular stopping and starting generates pollution, which should be avoided if possible. Discussion followed regarding bicycle lanes and accident frequency and severity. It was noted that bicycle lanes are included in the design for Ford Street and Clara Avenue. Vice-Mayor Shoemaker stated he would support the traffic calming measures if he knew that the neck downs included bicycle lanes between the curbs as well as the travel lanes for vehicles. MIS MastinlMalone to approve the traffic calming measures on Clara Avenue and Ford Street, with adequate bicycle lanes included in any design, and authorize release of funds in the amount of $40,000 for construction of the project, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Mastin, Malone, Wattenburger, and Vice-Mayor Shoemaker. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Mayor Schneiter. . NEW BUSINESS Set Date for Regular Adjourned City Council Meeting to Adopt Resolution Canvassing Results of November 5, 1996 Election and Swearing in of New Councilmembers and Mayor City Manager Horsley advised that noon on Friday, November 15, 1996 was the best date for all concerned to hold the meeting. Also slated for discussion will be the issue of an appointment to fill Councilmember Malone's position since he was successful in his candidacy for the mayoral seat. It was the consensus of the Council to meet at noon on Friday, November 15, 1996. 9b. Urgency Item - Discussion of Support for Community Center Vice-Mayor Shoemaker advised regarding the letter from a group of individuals working toward the Regular Meeting - November 6, 1996 Page 5 15 building of a community center, which would include a multipurpose indoor gym, community meeting facilities, athletic fields, and a skateboard/rollerblading park. The group would like to attend the Wellness community meeting being held Saturday, November 16, and request funds of an annual allotment of approximately $25,000 per year over a four-year period. They would then go to the community and attempt to raise an additional $500,000 in that four-year period. They are requesting the Council issue a letter of suppod for their endeavors. MIS WattenburgerlMalone to issue a letter, prior to the community meeting scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 1996, requesting the California Wellness Foundation to support the creation of a community center in Ukiah, carried by an all AYE voice vote of the Councilmembers present. Ms. Horsley commented there are several groups in the City that are forming and working together to explore the possibilities of various recreational facilities. 10. CITY COUNCIL/REPORTS Councilmember Mastin reported he had attended the Economic Development Finance Committee (EFDC) meeting and was contemplating resigning his position with the committee due to pending City Council committee reassignments. However, the Executive Director notified the committee of his resignation, so he postponed his departure until December. At the next Executive Meeting of EFDC, a topic of discussion will be the possibility of disbanding EFDC and combining with the County as an alternative to instituting a search for a new Executive Director. He further reported that six design plans for the transit center were presented at the MTA Board meeting. Councilmember Malone reported the first League Division meeting for the Redwood Empire Division will be occurring on Saturday, February 1, 1997, in Ukiah. Councilmembers are requested to decide by November 15 which policy committee they wish to serve on. The policy meetings will occur on January 23 and 24. He further reported the Main Street Program will be having a pre- Valentine's Day Dinner on Thursday, February 13, 1997. Vice-Mayor Shoemaker reported the Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority will meet in the City Council chambers on Wednesday, November 13, at 9:00 a.m. On November 8 the lawsuit will be filed in court challenging the Environmental Impact Report. He further reported that the trees for the Plaza have been ordered and will be delivered next week. 11. CITY MANAGER/DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS No report was given. 12. CLOSED SESSION (None) 13. ADJOURNMENT MIS Malone/Wattenburger to adjourn to the regular adjourned meeting at noon on November 15, 1996, carried by an all AYE voice vote of the Councilmembers present. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:04 p.m. Mar~/Giun~i, City Clerk b:cc\ccl 10696.min Regular Meeting - November 6, 1996 Page 6