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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin 04-29-98222 MINUTES OF THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING -April 29, 1998 An Adjoumed Regular Meeting of the Ukiah City Council, the agenda for which was legally noticed and posted, convened at 8:18 a.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. Staff present at some time throughout the meeting were: Customer Service Supervisor Archibald, Public Utilities Director Barnes, Electric Supervisor Bartolomei, WatedSewer Operations Superintendent Borecky, Community Services Director DeKnoblough, Finance Director Elton, Customer Service Representative Goodrick, Risk ManagedBudget Officer Harris, City Manager Horsley, Conference Center Manager Jenney, Purchasing Supervisor Kennedy, Public Works Director Kennedy, Public Works Supervisor Looney, Police Administrative Captain McBride, Fire Operations Chief Sandelin, Public Works Deputy Director Seanor, Accounts Payable Specialist Sechrest, Acting Museum Director Smith-Ferri, Senior Planner Stump, Accounting Supervisor Thurkow, Police Captain Walker, Community Services Supervisor Weselsky, Police Operations Captain Williams, Senior Civil Engineer Woods, Executive Assistant Yoast, and City Clerk Henderson. 2. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS No one came forward to address the Council at this time. The matter of item 4a was moved forward on the agenda to be taken at this time. 4. NEW BUSINESS 4a. Approval of Letters Regarding the Selection of Representative to the Section 7 Policy Committee City Manager Horsley noted the Sonoma County Water Agency has initiated a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the National Madne Fishery Service (NMFS). Through this MOU, the Agency has offered to prepare the biological assessment required by Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act as it relates to Steelhead trout in the Russian River and to work in direct communication with USACE and NMFS on the interpretation of any assessments and possible mitigating measures pertinent thereto. In this regard, a Public Policy Facilitating Committee is being formed. Three members of this committee were appointed by the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. It would be in the City of Ukiah's best interests that at least one of Mendocino County's representatives to this committee be familiar with the City's water and sewer plants requirements as well as those of the City's hydroelectric facility. Richard Shoemaker, Mendocino County Supervisor, explained the background of the MOU and stressed the need for Mendocino County representation which reflects the City's interests. He urged the City to notify the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors accordingly. There was discussion as to the evolution of the appointment process and the seriousness of the need for the City to make its position known. MIS Kelly/Mastin to authorize the Mayor to submit a request for reconsideration of appointments to the Public Policy Facilitating Committee by and to the appointing body, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Chavez, Ashiku, Kelly, Mastin, and Mayor Malone. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. Mayor Malone excused himself from the Meeting for a few minutes. Vice Mayor Mastin assumed the Chair. . 3a. 3a.i. Special Order of Business - Budget Goal Setting Workshop Review of 1997-98 Accomplishments and 1998-99 Objectives for Various City Functions Public Works (Engineering and Administration, Street Maintenance, Corporation Yard, Garage, Solid Waste Disposal Site) Public Works Director Kennedy presented an overview of the Public Works Department's accomplishments and objectives. He noted his department will be contracting out much of the design work for engineering projects due to the reductions in his staff the past few years. Among the depadmental accomplishments he noted were the 1997 Street Striping Project, Phase II of the ADA Ramp construction project, and sidewalk replacement and storm drain modification projects. Next year's projects will include the completion of construction documents for the rehabilitation of Perkins Street and Orchard Avenue, and traffic signal modification at Low Gap Road and State Street. Customer service continues to be a top priority of this depadment. Adjourned Regular Meeting -April 29, 1998 Page 1 223 Mr. Kennedy answered Council questions regarding various City engineering and construction projects. Mayor Malone reassumed the Chair at 8:45 a.m. Councilmember Mastin recommended the City have an accurate 5-year implementation plan for the street rehabilitation program. Mr. Kennedy noted the street rehabilitation software program acts as a reliable tool in projecting when the streets will be in need of rehabilitation. City Manager Horsley noted it is necessary to put funds in reserve in order to properly facilitate such a revolving rehabilitation program. Discussion ensued regarding various street maintenance plans and projects. City Manager Horsley noted the use of herbicide alternatives for weed abatement are being reviewed by a committee. The results of that review are expected to be reported to the Council in June. Mr. Kennedy reported slurry sealing of AC pavement surfaces has been completed at the Corporation Yard, as well as underground tank removal, and chain link fence installation. There has been some soil contamination in the area around the diesel tanks. Mr. Kennedy noted staffing has been reduced at the garage. The one full-time mechanic works primarily on heavy equipment. There was discussion of the types of vehicles being serviced and the pros and cons of doing repairs in-house versus using pdvate mechanics who may be more adept at fixing newer vehicles. The cost factor involved in sending vehicles out for repairs was also considered. City Manager Horsley mentioned that many of the Public Utility vehicles are serviced privately, the Fire Department does its own repairs in-house, and the Airport and Community Service vehicles are primarily serviced at the City garage. As to the Solid Waste Disposal site, Mr. Kennedy projected the Landfill would close in October or November of 1999, with an extension to May of 2000 allowed, if necessary. His department is progressing well with closure and post-closure plans. The City has a 30-year post-closure commitment for monitoring and maintaining the site. 3a.ii. Public Utilities (Electric, Water, Sewer) Electric Supervisor Bartolomei outlined the accomplishments and goals for the Electric Department. He noted the City has met the federal standards for changeover of PCB transformers and his department is on schedule regarding its 5-year plan to replace or recalibrate the electric meters throughout the City. Public Utilities Director Barnes noted commercial meters were replaced in the first phase of the meter replacement program. Commercial meters take longer to replace than residential meters. Water/Sewer Operations Superintendent Borecky noted the video equipment was acquired for sewer main monitoring, a sewer cleaning truck was put into service, and the 40-year accumulation of biosolids at the Sewer Treatment Plant have begun to be processed for disposal. Discussion took place as to how to best dispose of the sewer sludge. It may be able to be processed and recycled for use in the vegetative ground cover at the Landfill. Councilmember Ashiku left the meeting at 9:44 a.m. Mr. Borecky noted the repair and maintenance accomplishments and objectives for the water system. RECESSED: 9:53 a.m. RECONVENED: 10:04 a.m. 3a.iii. Communit Services Parks Recreation A uatics Sun House/Grace Hudson Museum Ukiah Valley Conference Center Conference Center Manager Jenney noted among his accomplishments an expense to revenues analysis, implementation of banquet and wedding reception pricing, preparation of an information Adjourned Regular Meeting - April 29, 1998 Page 2 224 packet for wedding receptions, and redesign and updating of the marketing package. He plans to complete a list of prospective new clients and implement a local media advedising program in the next fiscal year. The client base for the Conference Center is expanding and he would like to see more business tourism in the County. He has been working with the Finance Depadment to produce clearer accounting procedures which reflect a more accurate picture of the Conference Center's revenues and expenses. He noted the Center is close to breaking even this year. Community Services Director DeKnoblough noted a growing market for wedding receptions at the Conference Center. In the area of parks, Mr. DeKnoblough mentioned Observatory Park is scheduled for construction this fall. He noted the productive neighborhood involvement in the proposed park's design and development phases. Community Services Supervisor Weselsky provided an overview of the Recreation and Aquatics accomplishments and objectives. The Recreation staff has met with recreation service users on how best to serve their needs. She noted Anton Stadium is at maximum use; revenues are not generated from the use of the stadium, but groups volunteer maintenance and repair services in trade for using the stadium and field. She noted the need for a full time spods coordinator and the necessity of raising recreation fees to cover the cost of that position. She noted staff's ongoing efforts to obtain maximum use of the City Swimming Pool. Mr. DeKnoblough noted he and his staff have met with Ukiah Unified School District personnel regarding the use of City and School Distdct facilities and the equivalent costs of trading use of such facilities. Judy Pruden, 304 S. Hortense, Ukiah, suggested the City offer the use of the swimming pool to the elementary schools for aquatic classes in the fall and spring. Staff noted such activities are currently in place. Museum Curator/Acting Director Smith-Ferri mentioned there have been three major exhibits this year at the Grace Hudson Museum. The foudh exhibit, Porno Indian Basket Weavers, Their Baskets and the Art Market, will open on May 16, 1998. Museum promotions this year have included public education programs and educational packets for the use of classroom teachers. The Museum is enjoying the first year of a two-year, $50,000 Institute of Museum and Library Services operating grant. 3a.iv. Public Safety (Police, Fire, Parking Dispatch) Police Operations Captain Williams highlighted the accomplishments of the Police Department, including an update on the relocation of the Dispatch Center, the initiation of the Citizens Police Academy, and the success of the Community Oriented Police (COPS) program. Police Administrative Captain McBride noted COPS is a program which puts officers out into the community; it is a mobile program, no matter where it is located. In response to Council questions, Captain Williams replied the bicycle patrol will resume with the spring weather and the Police Department has several bilingual officers, with cultural awareness training always included for new officers. There was a discussion regarding space expansion needs of the department as well as the need to upgrade several of its vehicles. In the area of Dispatch, the department will be developing a program in conjunction of the California Department of Forestry at Howard Forest and the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office. A Reserve Dispatcher program will also be implemented. Captain McBride noted the Parking District is administered by the Police Department in a close working partnership with the Finance Department. The agreement with Mendocino County for employee parking spaces is in place and talks are proceeding with the Courts for provision of juror parking. The Council will be asking to consider parking meter fee increases in the upcoming year. Judy Pruden noted penny parking meters are outdated and would like to see the parking fees increased. City Manager Horsley noted the City is planning to raise the fees and to have a uniform parking fee schedule throughout the Parking District. Adjourned Regular Meeting - April 29, 1998 Page 3 225 Fire Operations Chief Sandelin noted his department's accomplishments were consistent with its 1997/98 goals. His primary objective for next year is to complete the drill tower. He will also be replacing some older vehicles. Councilmember Kelly inquired as to the status of the storage shed on the Dora Street side of the Civic Center. She was concerned for the aesthetics of that building as well as any new storage facility to be constructed. Councilmember Mastin inquired of the recent development of properties on the western hills. Chief Sandelin noted any westem hills development is closely monitored by his department and falls within the long-term vegetation management plans for the western hills. 3a.v. Finance (Finance Administration, Computer Support Services, Purchasing, Billing and Collection) Finance Director Elton updated the Council on the computer system's capabilities of dealing with the changes at the year 2000. It is a continued goal of this department to see that all of the City's computers will function with the date change. He noted his department is looking at consequences and options upon Electric Utility Deregulation, particularly the effect on the billing and collections operations of the Finance Department. Fast and efficient customer service is of primary importance in billing and collection. He would like to see a planned replacement program established for the computer and technical equipment. He would like to provide more cross-training for Finance Department personnel. Councilmember Kelly complimented Mr. Elton on the format of the current financial reports. 3a.vi. Planning Senior Planner Stump mentioned the City-wide rezoning program to create zoning districts consistent with the new General Plan which was accomplished last year. General Plan implementation will continue as will the development of a Master Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan, funded with traffic impact mitigation fees from the Kmart project. Staff is also coordinating effods with the County of Mendocino to gain County approval and adoption of the Ukiah Valley General Plan. An air quality study will also be forthcoming. The Planning Department needs to provide a substitute building inspector as the City only has one person trained in that position. Mr. Stump fudher noted a master plan for Riverside Park is likely to be funded by a grant from the Coastal Conservancy. Staff is currently working with developers Hull and Piffero regarding the permits necessary to proceed with their work in the western hills. 3a.vii. City Manager (Secretarial Pool, Personnel/Risk Management, Airport) There were no questions from the Council regarding the Secretarial Pool. City Manager Horsley noted the Personnel/Risk Management Department also includes the Americans with Disabilities Act compliance officer as well as the safety compliance officer. The Airport staff will apply for Federal Aeronautics Administration grant funds for Airport improvements. 3a.viii. Elected Officials {City Clerk) City Clerk Henderson noted approximately 200 boxes of outdated City records had been destroyed and another 200 new boxes were processed for storage. Storage needs should not increase dramatically, if dead files are purged regularly. She also noted that she and the City Manager are recommending a salary "step" schedule be established for the City Clerk position. 3a.ix. Redevelopment City Manager Horsley noted the Ukiah Redevelopment Agency budget accomplishments and objectives would be continued for review at the next regular meeting of the Ukiah Redevelopment Agency on May 20, 1998. The Council adjourned to Closed Session at 12:18 p.m. The Council reconvened in Open Session at 12:59 a.m. Adjourned Regular Meeting - April 29, 1998 Page 4 226 St CLOSED SESSION Public Employee Appointment - Title: Police Chief, Fire Chief No action was taken on this item. 5b. G.C. Section 54956.8 - Conference with Real Property Negotiator, Property: A Portion of AP No. 184-100-03, Negotiator: Candace Horsley, Under Negotiation: Terms of Payment No action was taken on this matter. 6. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m. - C~olleen B. Henderson, City Clerk Adjourned Regular Meeting - April 29, 1998 Page 5