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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin 02-18-98193 MINUTES OF THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL Regular Meeting - February 18, 1998 A regular meeting of the Ukiah City Council, the agenda for which was legally noticed and posted, convened at 6:32 p.m. in the Ukiah Civic Center Council Chambers, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, California. Roll was taken and the following Councilmembers were present: Ashiku, Kelly, Mastin, and Mayor Malone. Absent: Councilmember Chavez. Staff present: Customer Service Supervisor Archibald, Public Utilities Director Barnes, Community Services Director DeKnoblough, Customer Service Representative Goodrick, Assistant City Manager Harris, City Manager Horsley, Public Works Director Kennedy, City Attorney Rapport, Fire Operations Chief Sandelin, and City Clerk Henderson. 2. Pledge of Allegiance Councilmember Ashiku led the Pledge of Allegiance. . _Approval/Correction of Minute-~ Regular Meeting of February 4, 1998 MIS Kelly/Mastin to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 4, 1998, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Ashiku, Kelly, Mastin, and Mayor Malone. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: CouncilmemberChavez. 4. .RIGHT TO APPEAL DECISION Mayor Malone reviewed the appeal process. 5. CONSENT CALENDAR MIS AshikulMastin to approve the Consent Calendar as follows: a. Approved Disbursements for the Month of January 1998; ' b. Adopted Ordinance No. 998, Amending Division 9, Chapter 6, Adicle 4, Section 9661 of the Ukiah City Zoning Code; ' c. Awarded bid for annual Chlorine Products; d. Awarded bid for Liquid Ferric Chloride; e. Approved Budget Amendment for City Manager Training and General Supplies Funds; f. Received notification of award of bid to Jackson Equipment Company in the amount of $9,808 to Perform Required Maintenance and Repair at the Lake Mendocino Hydro Facility; g. Received report regarding the Acquisition of Consultant Services Pursuant to Section 1522 of the Ukiah Municipal Code for Traffic Sign Inventory and Reflectivity Study; h. Received report regarding the Acquisition of Consultant Services Pursuant to Section 1522 of the Ukiah Municipal Code for Pavement Analysis on Perkins Street; and i. Adopted Resolution No. 98-28, Amending Resolution No. 98-24 Establishing Procedures for Conducting Administrative Hearings Requested Pursuant to Vehicle Code Section 40215. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Ashiku, Kelly, Mastin, and Mayor Malone. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: CouncilmemberChavez. 6. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMC No one came forward to address the Council. .UNFINISHED BUSlNES.~ Report of Traffic Calming Devices on Ford Street and Clara Avenuc Public Works Director Kennedy reported on the apparent success of the trial traffic calming measures installed in the Wagonseller's neighborhood to counteract the effects of the increase in traffic expected to be generated by the new Kmart. A summary of the speed limits before and after the installation of the calming devices attests to the fact that the speed of the vehicles traveling through the area has been lowered by some five miles per hour, in all but one of the device locations. The measures taken at Mason Street and Clara Avenue have not been particularly effective. Public reaction to the traffic calming measures generally has been favorable. City Manager Horsley noted the use of the circles as calming measures are temporary during this trial pedod. If permanent devices are approved, planter boxes with conical-shaped mounds will be installed in the place of the circles. The mounds, by nature of their design, will allow for greater visibility. Regular Meeting - February 18, 1998 Page 1 194 Councilmember Mastin had concerns regarding the ability of school buses to navigate the current traffic circles. Public Works Director Kennedy noted the buses have been rerouted to alleviate any problem with turning radii. Discussion ensued regarding the advantages of the circles over speed humps, the costs of various calming devices, and the designs of proposed permanent measures, should the Council choose to construct permanent calming. Mayor Malone welcomed comments from the audience. Mike Deckard spoke in favor of speed humps and noted the existing circles are difficult to see in the dark and inclement weather. Tony Ford, a resident of Ford Street, spoke against the traffic calming devices and urged their removal. Lorie Leaf, former resident of Clara Avenue, spoke in favor of traffic calming measures for this area. Judy Pruden, 304 S. Hortense, property owner in the Wagonseller's neighborhood, noted her tenants in the area were very supportive of the measures, as was she. Tom Greenaway, a resident of Clara Avenue, was very supportive of these measures. Donna Roberts, 781 Sidnie Court, was very supportive of the efforts to calm traffic in this neighborhood. Eric Larson, 123 Clara Avenue, commended the staff for their efforts in this regard and willingness to work closely with the Wagonseller's Neighborhood Committee to achieve success in this area. Discussion took place regarding various possible calming devices, designs thereof, and possible improvement for bettering the visibility of the currently installed devices. The report was received by the Council with the suggestion that illumination of the devices be improved. Staff will contact the resident of the area, Leticia Trejo, who had expressed opposition to the traffic calming measures in the form of a letter and petition. . NEW BUSINESS Consideration and Adoption of Resolution Approving Memorandum of Understanding for Employee Bargaining Unit - Department Head Unit This matter was discussed in Closed Session at the conclusion of the regular meeting. Once returned to Open Session, the Council took the following action: MIS AshikulKelly to approve Resolution No. 98-29, Adopting the Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Ukiah and Department Head Unit, which carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Ashiku, Kelly, Mastin, and Mayor Malone. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Chavez. 8b. Award of Contract for Civic Center HVAC System Cleaning in the Amount of $8,020 and Approval of Budget Amendment City Manager Horsley noted some employees who work in the Civic Center have been having respiratory problems, seemingly caused by dust and mold building up in the duct system. After 10 years of use, it is time the ducts were thoroughly cleaned. Community Services Director DeKnoblough noted, even though the system has been routinely serviced, it has not been thoroughly cleaned in 10 years. In the future, funds for such cleaning and servicing will be included in the yearly Civic Center maintenance budget. · MIS Ashiku/Mastin to approve an amendment to the 1997-98 Budget by increasing expenditures in Account No. 100.1915.301.000 in the amount of $8,020, and award a contract to AC&R Services for cleaning of the Civic Center heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Ashiku, Kelly, Mastin, and Mayor Malone. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: CouncilmemberChavez. Regular Meeting - February 18, 1998 Page 2 195 8c. Consideration of Local Task Force Recommendations Related to Solid Waste Diversion' Policies for Inclusion into the AB939 Summary Plan Public Works Director Kennedy asked the Council to consider deferring any action concerning Local Task Force recommendations regarding AB939 solid waste diversion policies for inclusion in the mandated Summary Plan until after the new waste characterization study, being conducted by the Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA), is completed later this year. Bruce McCracken, Solid Wastes Systems, noted the City is making improvement in the amount of waste being diverted from the Landfill through recycling. He suggested targeting specific groups to remind them of the necessity of recycling waste. City Manager Horsley noted the need for periodic re-education of the public in this regard. Mike Sweeney, Executive Director, MSWMA, noted the Waste Characterization Study would be completed in about six months. The Summary Plan may be amended later to include the study. Mike Deckard complimented the City on its recycling efforts. MIS MalonelMastin to recommend the MSWMA Board reference the forthcoming Waste Characterization Study in the Summary Plan and state that needed changes, if any, in diversion policies and programs will be made after the results of the Study are presented to the member agencies, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Ashiku, Kelly, Mastin, and Mayor Malone. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: CouncilmemberChavez. 8d. Approval of Budget Amendment for Heatinc~ System Repairs and Installation of Natura Gas System at Civic Center - - Community Services Director DeKnoblough noted this action was prompted by problems with two heating units in the fire apparatus bay. The cost of repairing the units would be approximately $4,500 per unit. The cost of converting the units, and eventually the entire Civic Center complex, to more efficient natural gas was evaluated. Staff recommends, based on future savings, eventual conversion of the entire heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at the Civic Center to natural gas. Future expenditures for the gradual conversion will be included in yearly budgets. This budget amendment would fund only the cost of bringing the gas line to the building and providing the heating units for the fire apparatus bay. MIS MalonelMastin to approve an amendment to the 1997-98 Budget by increasing expenditures in Account No. 100.1915.800.000, in the amount of $16,000, for installation of a natural gas system at the Civic Center and replacement units for the fire apparatus bay, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Ashiku, Kelly, Mastin, and Mayor Malone. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Chavez. Se. Approval of Agreement with Mendocino County to Provide Employee Parkin~ City Manager Horsley noted this proposal was brought forth as an effort to provide County employees with designated parking spaces and hence free up on-street parking in the downtown area. The County of Mendocino has expressed an interest in providing this parking for its employees. The proposed agreement provides for a maximum of 130 parking permits to be issued to the County at the monthly rate of $7.50 per space. Community Services Director DeKnoblough noted the designated spaces are distributed throughout various parking lots within Parking District No. 1. The concerns of County employees regarding lighting in the lot at Main and Standley Streets have been addressed by improving the lighting on that lot and bringing the lights to full working order. Customer Service Supervisor Archibald mentioned the County will be billed and will pay for the spaces on a biannual basis. Car window stickers will be issued as identification for permit holders. City parking revenues are expected to increase because of the agreement even though there will be revenue lost from fewer parking tickets being issued. MIS KellylMastin to approve the Agreement with the County of Mendocino to provide employee parking in Parking District No. 1 and authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents. Richard Shoemaker, Mendocino County Second District Supervisor, 710 Willow Street, noted the Parking Agreement was a major achievement for improving the availability of parking in downtown Ukiah. Regular Meeting - February 18, 1998 Page 3 196 The motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Ashiku, Kelly, Mastin, and Mayor Malone. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: CouncilmemberChavez. 9. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS Councilmember Ashiku mentioned Mike McDonald has left his position as Executive Director of the Northern California Power Agency to take a position with Enron. Councilmember Kelly attended a Sun House Guild meeting at which it was announced the Guild is endorsing a special bottling of zinfandel by winemaker John Parducci. Proceeds from the sale of the wine, which carries a Sun House label and dedication to community volunteer Pat Denny, are expected to be in the neighborhood of $35,000-$40,000 and will benefit the Grace Hudson Museum. She passed around a teacher's packet prepared by Museum staff for the current exhibit, Artists of the American West, and noted the national importance of the upcoming Pomo basketry exhibit. Sheila Olivera of the Community Garden Project will be making a presentation to the Guild Board of Trustees regarding a garden project and walkway proposal for the property to the east of the Museum. Councilmember Kelly also attended an Ads and Recreation Center board meeting. That group has had response to its survey aimed at youth and is planning an adult interests survey to be run in the Ukiah Daily Journal The Grapevine Cafe in Redwood Valley is sponsoring a Cakewalk to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Ukiah. Councilmember Mastin attended the Main Street Comedy Club, was a guest on Beth Bosk's KMFB call-in program, and attended the Electric Car Recharging Station ribbon cutting ceremony. He would like to agendize for discussion the possibility of a ballot measure to eliminate the position of a directly- elected mayor. Mayor Malone noted he received a complimentary letter from the Recovery Foundation of the Southwest regarding the Conference Center. He also received a letter from Ruth Rockefeller regarding the lack of FEMA and OES reimbursement to the small businesses that have been providing goods and services to keep the railroad in operation. He attended a meeting of the North Coast Railroad Authority in Fortuna and also a Greater Ukiah Chamber of Commerce meeting. An expanded county-wide tourism board is forming. The committee for the proposed railroad center is holding a scoping session next week. He attended two meetings of the Inland Water and Power Commission last week. 10. CITY MANAGER/DIRECTOR REPORTS City Manager Horsley asked for two Councilmembers to volunteer to meet with the County of Mendocino regarding water rights issues. She felt it imperative that the City and the County have a united front in this regard. Councilmembers Mastin and Ashiku agreed to participate in informal talks with County representatives. She noted the City's banner was hung over State Street for a few days. A number of groups have shown an interest in advertising their events by tagging their message onto the bottom of the City's banner. She announced the City Attorney has determined it will not be necessary for the City to conduct an election under the dictates of Proposition 218. The Council recessed to Closed Session at 8:52 p.m. 11. ....CLOSED SESSION a. G.C. § 54957.6 - Conference with Labor Negotiator, Negotiator: Candace Horsley i. Department Head Unit The Council reconvened in Open Session at 9:55 p.m. See action taken on this matter as noted in item 8a above. 12. ..ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:56 p.m. en B. Henderson, City Clerk Regular Meeting - February 18, 1998 Page 4