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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin 05-21-97110 MINUTES OF THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting - May 21, 1997 A regular meeting of the Ukiah City Council, the agenda for which was legally noticed and posted, convened at 6:30 p.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, California. Roll was taken and the following Councilmembers were PRESENT: Chavez, Mastin, and Mayor Malone. Absent: Councilmembers Ashiku and Kelly. Staff Present: Public Utilities Director Barnes, Fire Engineer Clark, Community Services Director DeKnoblough, Finance Director Elton, Assistant City Manager Harris, City Manager Horsley, Public Works Director Kennedy, City Attorney Rapport, Fire Operations Chief Sandelin, Police Captain Williams, and City Clerk Henderson. 2. Pledqe of Allegiance Mayor Malone led the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Malone announced item 7c., Vehicle Abatement -495 Ford Street, Ukiah, had been rescheduled to the June 4, 1997 Regular Meeting, and item 9b., Consideration of Request by the Ukiah Valley Medical Center for the City of Ukiah to Provide the Transformer for the Obstetrics Wing, had been withdrawn from the agenda. . Approval of Minutes Regular Meeting of May 7, 1997 MIS Mastin/Chavez to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 7, 1997, as submitted, by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Chavez, Mastin, and Mayor Malone. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmembers Ashiku and Kelly. 4. RIGHT TO APPEAL DECISION Mayor Malone reviewed the appeal process. 5. CONSENT CALENDAR MIS Chavez/Mastin to approve the Consent Calendar as follows: a. Approved the Disbursements for the month of April 1997; b. Awarded the bid to Rinehart Oil, Inc. for a supply of petroleum products for City facilities; c. Approved the purchase of one 1996 or newer dealer or factory demonstrator Type-3 ambulance; d. Approved the Agreement with Management Unit for Temporary Reduced (Tiered) Level of Work Schedule, Salary, and Benefits; e. Received the Report of Proposal for Providing Fuel Card Lock System and awarded the Service Agreement for same to Redwood Oil Co.; f. Received Report Regarding Estimated Costs for Employee Retirement; and g. Approved Resolution No. 97-74 Establishing a Two Hour Limited Parking Zone Along the South Side of Mill Street Between South State Street and Main Street. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Chavez, Mastin, and Mayor Malone. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmembers Ashiku and Kelly. Councilmember Kelly joined the meeting at 6:34 p.m. Regular Meeting - May 21, 1997 Page 1 111 . AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS No one came forward. . UNFINISHED BUSINESS Ratification of the Final Indemnification Agreement with the Cities of Willits and Fort Bragg Public Works Director Kennedy noted, in order for the City of Ukiah Landfill to receive waste from Willits and Fort Bragg, an indemnification agreement is required to indemnify those cities against any claim or liability for hazardous or toxic waste contamination related to the deposit of that waste. Mayor Malone asked for audience comments. No one came forward. MIS Mastin/Kelly to ratify the Landfill Agreements which provide specific indemnification to the cities of Willits and Fort Bragg in regard to the solid waste they deposit in the Ukiah Landfill, and to authorize the Mayor to execute the agreements on behalf of the City, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES' Councilmembers Chavez, Kelly, Mastin, and Mayor Malone. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Ashiku. 8b. Discussion and Action Concerning the Closure of Marlene Street at Orchar( Avenue Public Works Director Kennedy outlined the traffic count tabulations for the neighborhood from Gobbi Street to Talmage Road and from Waugh Lane to Orchard Avenue. He noted one-way traffic eastbound on Marlene Street into Orchard Avenue has been successful in diminishing traffic flow through this neighborhood. Mayor Malone asked for audience comments. Arleen Shippey, 43 Lorraine Street, felt the traffic problem in the neighborhood has been solved by the one-way, eastbound flow of traffic on Marlene Street to Orchard Avenue. Sylvia Rocha, 21-A Lorraine Street, spoke to the need for increased speed bumps in the neighborhood. Pat Cave, 5 Lorraine Street, was dissatisfied with the one-way flow on Marlene Street and would prefer Marlene Street closed altogether. Willie Gomes, 18 Lorraine Street, preferred removal of the traffic light at Talmage Road and Airport Boulevard so that traffic would not exit or enter the neighborhood at that point. Elaine Burgess, 41 Lorraine Street, preferred the one-way eastbound configuration of Marlene Street. Chuck Williams, 3 Betty Street, commented on general traffic patterns in the neighborhood. City Manager Horsley noted she would look into the access onto Talmage Road from Betty Street and report back to the Council. MIS Mastin/Kelly to approve Resolution No. 97-75 Establishing the Opening of Marlene Street at Orchard Avenue as One-Way for Eastbound Traffic, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES' Councilmembers Kelly, Mastin, and Mayor Malone. NOES: Councilmember Chavez. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: CouncilmemberAshiku. Regular Meeting - May 21, 1997 Page 2 112 . PUBLIC HEARING Consideration of Herbicide Spraying by Caltrans City Manager Horsley noted at the April 2, 1997 meeting, the Council requested a public hearing be scheduled to discuss herbicide spraying of the freeway rights of way within the City limits. Rick Knapp, District Director of Caltrans District 1, outlined the Caltrans Vegetation Management Program, emphasizing the focus of the program is primarily for safety, both for the motorist and from a fire hazard perspective. Caltrans has reviewed many alternatives to herbicide spraying, and has a goal to reduce such spraying, even though now minimal, by 80 percent by 2012. Mayor Malone opened the Public Hearing at 7:47 p.m. John McCowen, P. O. Box 454, Ukiah, preferred the reduction of herbicide use. Barry Vogel, 280 North Oak, called for a total ban of herbicide spraying. Chuck Williams, 3 Betty Street, felt Caltrans was responsive to public concerns and stated he would welcome the Caltrans spraying program in Ukiah. The Public Hearing was closed at 7:58 p.m. · In response to questioning, Public Works Director Kennedy noted the City uses only five gallons of herbicide per year throughout the City. The consensus of Council was to have Caltrans bring back to them a modified spraying plan, and for City staff to report back on the current use and methods of spraying herbicides within the City, together with a proposal to reduce the spraying to the point of total elimination of herbicide spraying within the City. 7b. Consideration of Resolution Adjusting Fees for the Ukiah Municipal Golf Course Community Services Director DeKnoblough outlined the operating deficit incurred at the Golf Course since the purchase of the back eight holes from the County of Mendocino in fiscal year 1993/94. The Golf Course Committee has recommended fees increases on a one-year basis, while staff recommends a five-year fee adjustment program. The Public Hearing opened at 8'15 p.m. Larry Steppe, 9745 West Road, Redwood Valley, spoke against the fee increases. Elsie Nielson, 980 St. Francis Way, member of the Golf Course Committee, felt the increases were unfair to Senior Citizens, and preferred any increase to be for one year. Jay Ferrigan, 1477 Deerwood Drive, felt the proposed increases targeted seniors, and would like to see more City effort to promote the Golf Course outside the area. Bob Maloney, spoke against raising the rates of Senior Citizens. Mark King, 588 Hazel Avenue, spoke against raising the rates. Don Rones, 717 Live Oak Avenue, member of the Golf Course Committee, supported the Committee's recommendations on a one year basis. Regular Meeting - May 21, 1997 Page 3 113 Fay Hefte, 641 Chablis Court, member of the Golf Course Committee, preferred the Committee's recommendations over those of staff. Perry Ramsay, Chair of the Golf Course Committee, asked for the increase to be on a yearly basis, not for five years as staff recommended. Roland Nielson, 980 St. Francis Way, knew increases were necessary, but not as proposed. He felt the matter should be referred back to the Golf Course Committee. The Public Hearing was closed at 9:52 p.m. City Manager Horsley emphasized the appreciation of the City for the volunteer contributions from the Community on behalf of the Golf Course; however, the lack of reserves in the Golf Course fund, and the severe deficit the City faces in its budget, necessitate an increase in fees. Staff was attempting to plan ahead with this five-year projection of fees. MIS Mastin/Kelly to approve Resolution No. 97-76 Adjusting Fees for the Ukiah Municipal Golf Course, as submitted, as a one year increase. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Chavez, Kelly, Mastin, and Mayor Malone. NOES: None. ABSTAIN' None. ABSENT: Councilmember Ashiku. RECESSED: 9:19 p.m. RECONVENED' 9:30 p.m. Councilmember Chavez had some questions regarding the Golf Course fee increases, however, no motion for formal reconsideration was made. . NEW BUSINESS Report Regarding Commission and Board Member terms Expiring June 30, 1997 and Set Date to Interview Applicants It was the consensus of the Council to interview the applicants for the Planning Commission prior to the July 2, 1997 Council Meeting. The procedure outlined in the City Clerk's report was acceptable to Council. 9b. Consideration of Request by the Ukiah Valley Medical Center for the City or Ukiah to Provide the Transformer for the Obstetrics Wing This matter was vacated from the agenda by the applicant. SC, Approval to Issue a Request for Proposals Relative to Examining the Electric Utility's Options Under Utility Restructuring Public Utilities Director Barnes asked the Council to allow him to issue a Request for Proposals to ask an industry consultant to define the City's options and possible long term strategies under electric industry restructuring. John McCowen, P. O. Box 454, Ukiah, felt this knowledge could be acquired through the Northern California Power Association (NCPA). ~ Director Barnes responded NCPA may be interested in bidding on this proposal. MIS Kelly/Mastin to approve issuing Request for Proposals relative to examining the Electric Utility's options under utility restructuring, carried by the following roll call vote' AYES: Councilmembers Chavez, Kelly, Mastin, and Mayor Malone. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Ashiku. Regular Meeting - May 21, 1997 Page 4 114 9d. Approval of Covenant with Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority Councilmembers noted they received letters from Patrick McAIlister and the Mendocino County Employers Council. City Attorney Rapport noted the Covenant would obligate the City's waste stream to be delivered to the Solid Waste Systems Transfer Station on North State Street for 20 years from the time of closing of our landfill. He asked for an amendment to the proposed Resolution which would specify the time for closure of the Ukiah Landfill at 1.7 years after closure of the Willits Landfill. To meet closure costs of the Ukiah Landfill, it is necessary to collect revenues for this amount of time. Mike Sweeney, General Manager, Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA), outlined the steps taken to arrive at this point in the development of the Transfer Station. Patrick McAllister, representing North Forks Improvement Group, spoke against entering into the Covenant. He felt this would be an undesirable economic decision. Robert Wright, 67 Bonita Place, asked the Council to table the issue. Richard Shoemaker, Chairman of MSWMA and addressed the liability policies of MSWMA. Mendocino County Supervisor, MIS Mastin/Malone to approve Resolution No. 97-77 Providing a Covenant Regarding the Use of Solid Waste Transfer Station, as modified by the City Attorney to allow for closure of the Ukiah Landfill 1.7 years after the closure of the Willits Landfill, thereby approving the Covenant between MSWMA and Solid Waste Systems, Inc. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Chavez, Kelly, Mastin, and Mayor Malone. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Ashiku. Se. Consideration of Pendinq Federal Aviation Administration Flight Service Station Closure and Authorization for Mayor to Sign Letter to Frank Riggs in Support of Maintaining FAA Service at Ukiah Airport MIS KellylChavez to authorize the Mayor to sign a letter to Frank Riggs in support of maintaining the Federal Aeronautics Administration service at the Ukiah Airport, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES' Councilmembers Chavez, Kelly, Mastin, and Mayor Malone. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Ashiku. 10. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS Councilmember Chavez commented she appreciated "Bike to Work Day" and felt it was a good way to promote biking in the City, but that the City needs to do more to promote bicycle safety. She also attended a Ukiah Valley Sanitation District meeting. Councilmember Kelly reported on upcoming Sun House Guild events, mentioned the proposed Skateboard Park Committee was looking into a site on City property at Low Gap Park, and noted the Arts and Recreation Center Site Selection Committee had looked at the Montgomery Wards site for its location. Councilmember Mastin noted he was erroneously listed as a member of the Investment Oversight Committee on the list of Terms of City of Ukiah Board and Commission Members. He believes Councilmember Ashiku is the Council's designee. City Manager Horsley agreed and noted the error will be corrected. Regular Meeting - May 21, 1997 Page 5 115 Mayor Malone reported a reception is scheduled for May 23, 1997 at Assemblywoman Virginia Strom-Madin's Ukiah office. He attended a celebration of Buddha's birthday at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, and also attended a Train Station Committee meeting and a Northwestern Pacific Railroad Authority meeting in Fortuna. 11. CITY MANAGER/DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS City Manager Horsley asked the Council to schedule a Goal Setting Session for the Council the first week in June. The date of Tuesday, June 3, 1997, to begin between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m., was established for this session. 12. CLOSED SESSION __ There was no Closed Session. 13. ADJOURNMENT MIS Mastin/Malone to adjourn the meeting at 11:21 p.m carried by a voice vote of all AYE. " ~:olleen B. Henderson, City Clerk Regular Meeting - May 21, 1997 Page 6