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MINUTES OF THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL
Regular Meeting - March 4, 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: Chavez, Ashiku, Kelly,
Mastin, and Mayor Malone. Absent: None. Staff present: Public Utilities Director Barnes,
Community Services Director DeKnoblough, Assistant City Manager Harris, City Manager Horsley,
City Attorney Rapport, and City Clerk Henderson.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Malone led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mayor Malone announced an urgency matter had arisen regarding the Refinancing of the Lease
Purchase Agreement for the Senior Center and noted the need for the Council to consider the matter
at this time.
MIS Mastin/Chavez to add the matter of Refinancing of the Senior Center Lease Purchase
Agreement to the agenda, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Chavez,
Ashiku, Kelly, Mastin, and Mayor Malone. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None.
The matter was added to the agenda as item 7c.
.
A_oprovallCorrection of Minutes
Regular Meeting of February 18, 1998
MIS Mastin/Kelly to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 18, 1998, as submitted,
carded by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Chavez, Ashiku, Kelly, Mastin, and
Mayor Malone. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None.
4. RIGHT TO APPEAL DECISION
Mayor Malone reviewed the appeal process.
5. CONSENT CALENDAR
Councilmember Ashiku commented on the wording of the letter of support for the North Coast
Railroad Authority under item Sd. He agreed to approve the letter as presented.
MIS Mastin/Malone to approve the Consent Calendar as follows:
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Denied Claim for Damages received from Patti Mattem/Joe Cooke, Brenda Clark, and Barbara
Madden, dba Lucky Distributors, and referred to Joint Powers Authority, Redwood Empire
Municipal Insurance Fund;
Received notification regarding Alarm System Modifications at the Wastewater Treatment
Plant;
Awarded a bid to Krug, Bixby, Long and Associates to Provide Computer, Software,
Communication Equipment, and Installation Services at the Wastewater Treatment Plant;
Approved Letter of Support Regarding the Nodh Coast Railroad Authority's Recovery of FEMA
and OES Reimbursements;
Adopted Resolution No. 98-30, Authorizing Submittal, Execution, and Acceptance of Federal
Emergency Shelter Grant (FESG) - 1998;
Adopted Resolution No. 98-31, Designating Agent for Filing Financial Assistance Application
to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and California Office of Emergency Services
(as amended); and
Awarded bid to Rainbow Agricultural Services for Lease/Purchase of New Vacuum Mower.
6. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Tim Holman, 308 Clara Avenue, addressed the Council regarding the Traffic Calming Measures
in the Wagonseller's neighborhood. He noted the barriers were unsafe and inconvenient, and he
urged the Council to consider other options.
Mayor Malone noted the measures were installed on a trial basis. The Council will re-evaluate the
effectiveness of the barriers in three months.
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City Manager Horsley will send Mr. Holman information regarding the Wagonseller's Neighborhood
Committee which is involved in supporting these traffic calming measures.
Jonathan Davidson, 309 Clara Avenue, spoke against the installation of the barriers and would like
to see them removed.
.
NEW BUSINESS
Introduction of Ordinance Amending Ukiah Municipal Code Section 7008 Regarding
Holidays for Enforcement of Parking Regulations
City Manager Horsley noted this proposed ordinance is meant to clarify the Municipal Code as it
relates to holiday parking in the downtown area.
Assistant City Manager Harris noted the ordinance updates the Code to specify holidays currently
observed by the County of Mendocino as well as the City of Ukiah.
MIS MastinlAshiku to introduce, by title only, the Ordinance Amending Division 8, Chapter 1,
Section 7008 of the Ukiah City Code Regarding Holidays for Enforcement of Parking Regulations,
carried by a voice vote of ALL AYE. Absent: None.
City Clerk Henderson read by title only the Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Ukiah
Amending Division 8, Chapter 1, Section 7008 of the Ukiah City Code Regarding Holidays for
Enforcement of Parking Regulations.
MIS MastinlAshiku to introduce the Ordinance Amending Division 8, Chapter 1, Section 7008 of the
Ukiah City Code Regarding Holidays for Enforcement of Parking Regulations, carried by the following
roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Chavez, Ashiku, Kelly, Mastin, and Mayor Malone. NOES:
None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None.
7b. Discussion of Possible Ballot Measure to Eliminate Directly Elected Mayor Position
{Councilmember Mastin)
Councilmember Mastin asked the Council to consider a ballot measure which would eliminate the
position of directly-elected mayor and return the position to one which rotates in some manner
among five elected Councilmembers. He noted the burden of the time commitment involved to
whomever acts as mayor, with a two-year commitment being an unreasonably long time to serve.
Councilmember Ashiku was supportive of the idea.
Mayor Malone agreed the position takes a great deal of time, and it could be expensive to
candidates to run every two years. Rotating the position of mayor among the Councilmembers would
eliminate the need to fill a vacancy created by a Councilmember, if that Councilmember were elected
Mayor mid-way through a four-year Council term.
Councilmember Mastin asked City Clerk Henderson her opinion on the subject, since she, at one
time, was a directly-elected Mayor.
City Clerk Henderson replied it has been only about 15 years since the position of directly-elected
mayor was approved by the people of Ukiah at the ballot box. She felt, in light of the defeat of
several recent ballot measures to eliminate the elected City Clerk and City Treasurer positions, the
public would not be receptive to this idea. She would prefer not to have the measure reconsidered
at this time.
Councilmember Kelly felt the public might be receptive to the idea as the change would eliminate
the need for the Council to appoint someone to fill out the term of any Councilmember who may be
elected Mayor with two years of his/her Councilmember term remaining.
City Manager Horsley offered the argument that other cities our size, as well as Mendocino County,
do not directly elect the chairperson of their councils or boards.
Councilmember Chavez noted she had the same concerns originally as City Clerk Henderson, but
noted there are valid reasons for eliminating the direct election of the Mayor.
Discussion ensued regarding the issue.
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It was the general consensus of the Council to refer the matter to staff for preparation of possible
ballot arguments, together with an estimate of the costs involved of putting the matter on the
November ballot.
7c. Refinancing of the Senior Center Lease Purchase Agreement
City Manager Horsley noted this matter was brought before the Council as an urgency item in order
to respond to the Senior Center's immediate need to refinance its Lease-Purchase Agreement. The
City acts as a conduit only for these funds, assuming no liability.
MIS KellylMastin to approve the refinancing was withdrawn by the maker and the second on advice
of City Attorney Rappod.
It was the consensus of the Council to refer the matter to staff, so required procedures, including a
public hearing, may be followed in order to facilitate this request. The matter will be brought back
before the Council at its March 18, 1998 meeting.
8. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Chavez thanked staff for continuing to work with the Main Street Committee to
facilitate the Cinco de Mayo parade. The Main Street Program is hosting a volunteer appreciation
evening. She encouraged the Council to suppod the American Cancer Society's Daffodil Days
fundraiser.
Councilmember Ashiku had nothing to report.
Councilmember Kelly expressed her concern for the location of a new school in the Lover's Lane
area. She noted a forthcoming informal meeting between County of Mendocino, City of Ukiah, and
Ukiah Unified School District representatives regarding the location of the proposed new elementary
school. She would like to see the documentation from the State which addresses the issue of
locating the school near the Airport. She attended an Economic Development Financing Corporation
meeting; all of its loan funds have been distributed. She attended a Mendocino Council of
Governments meeting; it looks as if the Willits Bypass will be fully funded. She attended a County
Board of Supervisors meeting to advocate for the selection of a contractor for the Air Quality Study.
She shared a copy of the Skateboard Park Committee's spread sheet with the Council; the first-
choice site location for the park is Low Gap Regional Park. She met with a group of people from the
"Oleander Neighborhood"; she was very appreciative to staff for facilitating this positive meeting.
She attended a meeting of the Transit Station Committee.
Councilmember Mastin attended a Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA)
meeting at which the issue of illegal roadside dumping was addressed. He was pleased to have
Ukiah Unified School District cosponsor Recycling Day at Eagle Day School in Redwood Valley. He
requested the matter of the future of the MSWMA North State Street Transfer Station property be
agendized. He attended a meeting of the Mendocino Transit Authority which dealt with budget
matters. He noted Larry Sheehy will be sponsoring a workshop at which the idea of "local currency"
(a barter system) will be explored. He asked the location of "River Street," the site of a proposed
liquor license for use by The Pub.
City Manager Horsley noted the license was most likely to serve a concession stand. River Street
is probably a former name for Gobbi Street, east of Highway 101.
Mayor Malone attended a Chamber of Commerce retreat in Samoa. He attended the scoping
session for the Transit Station site. He distributed copies of AB96, dealing with the use of
transportation dollars. He noted the upcoming Mendocino County Employers Council reception.
9. CITY MANAGER/DIRECTOR REPORTS
City Manager Horsley showed the Council draft designs for City directional signs and asked for their
comments on the design. She distributed tickets to the Ukiah Fire Fighters Association fundraiser,
A Fabulous Fifties Revue. Mendocino County approved the parking agreement to provide parking
in the downtown area for its employees.
The Council adjourned to Closed Session at 8:02 p.m.
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10. .CLOSED SESSION
a. G.C. Section 54956.9{b)- Conference with Legal Counsel Regarding Anticipated
Litigation - Significant Exposure to Litigation, 1 matter
b. G.C. Section 54957.6 - Conference with Labor Negotiator - City Manager
The Council reconvened in Open Session at 8:42 p.m. No action was taken.
11. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
Oolleen B. Henderson, City Clerk
Regular Meeting - March 4, 1998
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