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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin 01-15-97a42 MINUTES OF THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING- JANUARY 15, 1997 The Ukiah City Council met in a special session, which had been legally noticed and posted, at 7:40 a.m., in the Civic Center, Conference Room No. 3, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, California. The following Councilmembers were present: Councilmembers Ashiku, Kelly, Mastin and Mayor Malone. Absent: None. Staff present: City Manager Horsley, Recording Secretary Giuntoli, and City Clerk Henderson. 2. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS No one came forward. 1 UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Interview Applicants for City Council Positiorl Vacated by Sheridan Malone i. Judy Pruden was the first applicant to be interviewed by the Council. Ms. Pruden chose not to present an opening statement. Mayor Malone opened the questioning of Ms. Pruden by asking her whom she thought Councilmembers, staff and Commissioners should represent. She stated that Councilmembers should be responsible to the entire community, staff should carry on the business of City Hall while being responsible to the public, and that Commissioners could be more objective and follow their personal preferences. Councilmembers questioned Ms. Pruden regarding her views of the General Plan as it is today, her ability to compromise, her thoughts on the needs of youth in our community, landfill issues and her involvement with the current lawsuit by the ^shoffs against the City, her views on property rights in conjunction with historic preservation, and the need for a Redevelopment Agency. Ms. Pruden expressed her wide range involvement with the recent General Plan update process, how much she learned from the experience and the need to prioritize the implementation of the General Plan elements. Ms. Pruden spoke to her experience as a youth leader in Ukiah, the importance of letting our youth know what is available to them in the community, and in letting them know that we care about them. As to landfill issues, she was not in favor of increasing the tonnage delivered to the landfill. She felt that there have been many bad practices used by the City at the landfill in the past 30 years, would like to see it closed in two years, realized the expense involved, and stated that she is not a party to the Ashoffs' lawsuit. Ms. Pruden spoke to her interest in history and especially the history of this area. She felt that respecting our history is a popular issue, but that problems arise when butting historic significance against land use advocacy. On the subject of Redevelopment, she liked the results of Redevelopment, but not the process. She thought the City needs to look at how it spends Redevelopment dollars. Ms. Pruden chose not to make any closing remarks. ii. Guadalupe Chavez was the next candidate to be interview by the Council. Ms. Chavez chose not to make an opening statement. Council queried Ms. Chavez as to her views on to whom the Council, staff and Commissioners should be responsible, if not appointed to Council, her willingness to serve on a commission, her involvement in leadership programs, how she would finance activities for youth, the needs of the Latino community, the best use of Redevelopment Iow and moderate income housing dollars, her perspective on growth and land use issues, and how she would use the General Plan as a planning tool for the City. ~ Ms. Chavez thought Councilmembers, staff and Commissioners should be responsible to the entire community and that outside sources and scholarships should be looked to for funding youth activities. She stated she is presently a padicipant in Leadership Mendocino and that this experience has helped her get to know the County and to share her culture with others. As to the needs of the Latino community, she believed that the current welfare cuts are a big concern, will cost more in the long run than they will save, and will create a crisis situation and a lot of pressure for the local community. She felt there needs to be collaboration among agencies to meet these needs. Special Meeting - January 15, 1997 Page 1 43 As to the Redevelopment Iow and moderate income housing set aside funds, Ms. Chavez stated that spending money on Iow income rental and self-help housing is a priority. On growth and land uses, she recognized the need for new businesses and new jobs, felt that job training without jobs was useless, thought that we need to attract new business to this community, but would not like to see a population explosion where the community loses control of development as she witnessed in another city. She would prefer new businesses that create new jobs for local residents, not for companies who would relocate here and bring their workers with them. Ms. Chavez indicated that she would want to get the community involved in the General Plan process and would want its opinion on priorities. She would encourage Latinos, Native Americans and youth to inform the City of their needs. Ms. Chavez stated in her closing remarks that she thinks the City Council should represent the citizens and that grass roots efforts are important. She has been involved in the American Cancer Society to give representation to the Latino Community. She wanted to have this Council position to let the entire community have access to the Council. iii. Phil Baldwin was the next candidate interviewed by the Council. He chose not to make an opening statement. The Council presented Mr. Baldwin with an array of questions, which he answered as each was presented. Among these queries, he was asked whom he thought Councimembers, staff and Commissioners should represent, if not selected, would he serve on a commission, his feeling about the General Plan document and how it should be used, his thoughts on from where new funding should come, his experience as a Supervisor of Santa Cruz County and his views on landfill issues. As to representation, Mr. Baldwin thought that since it was impossible for a Councilmember to represent the entire community, a Councilmember should represent his own supporters and his own conscience. Staff should be responsible to the City Council and should not act alone. As to Commissioners, Mr. Baldwin stated he was not sure of the process there, supposed Council would have to appoint from a limited applicant pool even if none of them shared its view, but was not sure it necessarily should do that. He would be willing to serve on a commission. As to the General Plan, Mr. Baldwin felt that too much money was spent on it, so it should be taken seriously. He thought it was full of "mays" and "cans", but that overall it was a good document. He felt the problem with it was that its vision (i.e., for parks, trails, creek restoration), does not have any way to be funded. He also felt it should not be implemented in neighborhoods without consulting the people who live there. He felt that the General Plan is weak in the area of airport issues and that agricultural interests were too strong in the process. He has land use concerns, particularly the allowance of second units in single family neighborhoods. On the issue of funding and new taxes in light of Proposition 218, Mr. Baldwin cited the need to work with the State Legislature and to educate the public to vote for new funds. He did not think raising the sales tax was the answer and thought both the sales tax and the Electric Franchise Fee are regressive taxes. He realized the Council was in a bind over how to replace the Franchise Fee; the Council could look to Redevelopment or to a new form of tax. Mr. Baldwin outlined the successful recall effort against him while he was a Supervisor for Santa Cruz County. As to the issue of the landfill, Mr. Baldwin admitted a degree of ignorance on the siting of a transfer station, thought more recycling should be done, and that we should look to Marin County's transfer station and how it has impacted its neighborhood. He did not know if it was okay to increase tonnage. Mr. Baldwin had no questions of Council. iv. Roy Smith was the final interviewee for the vacant Council position. He stated that the questionnaire spoke sufficiently to his experience and skills. , Councimembers asked a number of questions, including whom should Councilmembers, staff and Commissioners represent, they asked him to speak to provisions of the General Plan, what the City's involvement in the railroad should be, and to address landfill and planning issues. Mr. Smith stated be felt that Council should represent the entire community, staff should represent the policies of the City Council and Commissioners should represent the residents of the City. He very possibly would serve on a commission, if not appointed to the City Council. Special Meeting - January 15, 1997 Page 2 44 As to the General Plan and historic preservation, Mr. Smith would not use General Fund revenues for historic preservation, but felt those provisions were important to have. His priorities for use of General Fund monies would be for public safety, fire protection, and streets and lights. He also felt the General Plan should be followed as much as possible. When asked what he would say if asked to describe Ukiah to San Francisco's Mayor Willie Brown, Mr. Smith replied that he would tell Mr. Brown that Ukiah is a great place to raise kids, that it is scenically beautiful, a place where you know almost everyone, that it is a friendly community, a progressive community, and that efforts are being made to deal with issues as they arise. He would also invite him to come for a visit. Mr. Smith would ask Mr. Brown how he deals with certain issues, particularly economic development and welfare reform. As to the City's involvement in the railroad, Mr. Smith indicated he thought the railroad is important to the community, that it needs to be pursued and that he looks forward to the day that he can take the train to the Bay Area. Also, he looks forward to rail service helping Ukiah to become a tourist destination. On landfill issues, Mr. Smith was concerned about the present proposed site for the transfer station and would await the outcome of the court challenge thereto. He also stated he would stand behind the majodty vote of the Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA) on the siting issue. He felt accepting extra tonnage now was permissible, if this would facilitate closing the site earlier and cut down on expenses in the long run. On planning matters, Mr. Smith thought Ukiah is about saturated with the "big box" development its demographics would allow. He also stated the Council should be involved in any decisions to allow more of this type of development and needed to follow the General Plan as regarding this issue. Mr. Smith spoke to his concem with welfare reform and where the jobs would come from to put these people (one fifth of the county's population) to work. The City needs to get involved. He did not have a preference at this time as to how Redevelopment's Iow and moderate housing funds are used. As a member of the City Council, he would deal with public safety issues surrounding an increase in homelessness due to welfare reform. At 9:15 a.m., Mayor Malone continued the meeting to 5:30 p.m., January 15, 1997, to interview Planning Commission applicants. Colleen B. Henderson, City Clerk Special Meeting - January 15, 1997 Page 3 45 MINUTES OF THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL REGULAR ADJOURNED MEETING - January 15, 1997 The Ukiah City Council convened in regular adjourned session, which was legally noticed and posted, at 5:37 p.m. in Conference Room No. 3, Ukiah Civic Center, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, California. Roll was taken and the following were PRESENT: Councilmembers Ashiku, Kelly, Mastin and Mayor Malone. ABSENT: None. Staff present: Assistant City Manager Harris, Recording Secretary Giuntoli, Planning Director Sawyer and City Clerk Henderson. 2. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Mayor Malone asked for comments from the audience. No one came forward. 3. NEW BUSINESS 3a. Interview Candidates for Vacancy on Planning Commission Mike Brown was the first candidate to be interviewed. Mr. Brown chose not to make an opening statement. Councilmembers asked a series of questions. In reply, Mr. Brown stated that he felt the Planning Commissioners should represent the people. He also replied that it concerns him that the Redwood Business Park is still in the process of being built. He thinks of himself as an environmentalist and does not want to see projects that environmentally hud the Ukiah valley. He stated that he is involved in the Rod and Gun Club. As to his employment with a major gravel supplier, he is a vice president at Parnum Paving, however, he would deal with issues project by project. He spoke to his familiarity with the General Plan and his preference to evaluate each project as it came before the Commission, looking at all the issues. As to his thoughts on traffic circulation, he felt traffic congestion was a major problem, but currently had no suggestions as to how to solve the problem. On "big box" development, he had mixed feelings; he would like to see tax dollars for Ukiah, but realized that "big box" retail stores could also hurt the local business community. His highest priority for development would be to see the business park finished, his preference there being for light industrial development. He also believes the developers, the City and the Planning Commission should work together on issues and projects. Mr. Brown had no questions of Council. Mike Correll was the next applicant. Mr. Correll gave a brief biography of himself: a Vietnam veteran, married with two children, works for PacBell, has run a small business, has traveled, and likes Ukiah very much. Responding to questioning by the Council, Mr. Correli stated that he thought the Planning Commission should represent the City in general, that is split between elected officials and the general public. In the same line of questioning, he thought the Planning Staff should represent the City Council and the manner in which they want the City to go forward. As to the Redwood Business Park, Mr. Correll thought the Park was already favoring retail/commercial over light industrial, but that some of the area should be set aside for light industrial development as originally planned. He sees no traffic problems there. As to pornography shops trying to come to Ukiah, Mr. Correll would discourage such if one came before the Planning Commission. He would argue for taking such a shop outside the City where it would be less visible. When asked if the Planning Commission should take a larger role in planning, he replied that it is important to do so in order to avoid poor planning and too much building too quickly. The Planning Commissioners' infl'uence could be felt by approaching Councilmembers, talking to the public and actively campaigning for issues. He thought that Planning Commission meetings ran fairly well and were sophisticated and intense. Mr. Correll asked Councilmembers what they were looking for in a Planning Commissioner. The reply--someone flexible. Joe Chiles was the next interviewee. Mr. Chiles stated he was interested in this appointment because he has a background in this area and is interested in the community. He has lived here Regular Adjourned Meeting - January 15, 1997 Page 1 46 two and a half years, is married with two children, is a self-employed property manager and a full-time house husband. He voiced his desired not to be involved in politics, but to bring a citizen's point of view to the Commission. In answer to questioning, Mr. Chiles stated a Planning Commissioner should represent the City, primarily to follow the General Plan, City Codes and Ordinances. He felt it was staff's responsibility to provide necessary information. As to traffic, he stated the less there is of it, the better, and felt public transit, bike lanes, and more infill development were the ways to achieve that. He felt that the Vichy Spdngs residential development was our worst example of "leap frog" development. He stated the further development of the Airport Industrial Park is political at this point. Each application to develop in the Park should be examined. If no one wants to put in light industry, then develop it some other way to provide revenues for the City. As to "big box" development, he would expect the developing retailer to look at the demographics of the area to see if more were warranted. Mr. Chiles spoke to his involvement on the Planning Commission in Gait, California. He felt that a Planning Commissioner occasionally has to deal compassionately and find a way to provide waivers if necessary. He did a lot of subdivision maps in Gait as that city grew seven percent in one year. He also had experience with EIRs and negative declarations. As to his flexibility, he would go to any length to accommodate projects, if that project was not hurling neighbors, and if it were not a hazard or nuisance. He could not support second units in R-1 zones, but would look at the lot size as a factor in such decisions. Paul Eveleth was not available for an interview. 4. ADJOURNMENT,. The meeting was adjourned at 6:26 p.m. Colleen B. Henderson, City Clerk Regular Adjourned Meeting - January 15, 1997 Page 2