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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin 08-07-96461 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH - August 7, 1996 The City Council convened in a regular meeting, of which the agenda was legally noticed and posted, at 6:34 p.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, California. Roll was taken and the following Councilmembers were PRESENT: Mastin (with a 7:15 p.m. arrival), Malone, Shoemaker, and Mayor Schneiter. Absent: Councilmember Wattenburger. Staff Present: Public Utilities Director Barnes, Finance Director Elton, Assistant City Manager Hards, City Manager Horsley, City Attorney Rapport, Personnel Officer Revheim, Planning Director Sawyer, Deputy Public Works Director Seanor, and Executive Assistant Yoast. 2. Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance Assistant City Manager Harris gave the invocation, and Mayor Schneiter led the Pledge of Allegiance. . Special Order of Business Introduction of Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Elizabeth Brazil City Manager Horsley introduced the new Chamber of Commerce Director Elizabeth Brazil, who was selected by the Chamber from a pool of several candidates. She advised that Ms. Brazil has an excellent grasp of the position, is doing a superb job, and will be updating the Council on Chamber activities on a regular basis. Elizabeth Brazil, 200 South School Street, thanked the Council for inviting her, and stated she is looking forward to taking the Chamber forward. One of her goals will be to develop a Chamber data base for the benefit of the community, visitors, or referrals. Al~l~roval of Minutes Re~qular Adjourned Meeting of June 25-27, 1996 (continued) MIS Malone/Shoemaker to approve the Minutes of the June 25-27, 1996 regular adjourned meeting, as submitted, carded by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Malone, Shoemaker, and Mayor Schneiter. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmembers Mastin and Wattenburger. 4ii. Special Meetin~ of July 17~ 1996 MIS Malone/Shoemaker to approve the Minutes of the July 17, 1996 special meeting, as submitted, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Malone, Shoemaker, and Mayor Schneiter. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmembers Mastin and Wattenburger. 4iii. Regular Meeting of July 17, 1996 MIS MalonelSchneiter to approve the Minutes of the July 17, 1996 regular meeting, as submitted, carded by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Malone, Shoemaker, and Mayor Schneiter. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmembers Mastin and Wattenburger. 5. RIGHT TO APPEAL DECISION Mayor Schneiter explained the appeal process. 6. CONSENT CALENDAR Ms. Horsley explained that on Item 6f, the amount should be amended to $51,824.38, and noted that the insurance company is reviewing the claim due to a question regarding the timeliness of the claim's submittal. Councilmember Shoemaker requested that Item 61 be pulled, thereby making it Item 9e under New Business. MIS Shoemaker/Malone to approve the consent calendar as follows: Regular Meeting - August 7, 1996 Page I 462 a. do e. go m. n, Received Report of Disbursements for the Month of July 1996. Adopted Ordinance No. 967 Amending City Treasurer Compensation. Adopted Ordinance No. 968 Amending Chapter 3 of Division 8 of the City of Ukiah City Code Regulating Parking in Municipal Parking Lots. Approved Project Change Orders and Release of Retention to Pacific Mechanical Corporation and Authorized the City Clerk to Publish a Notice of Completion Relative to Work Performed Dudng the Construction of the Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility. Approved Budget Amendment for Expenditures Relative to Tree Tdmming Services. Authorized Payment to Freightliner Enterprise Corporation/American LaFrance Fire Apparatus, in the Amount of $51,824.38 for Repair to Fire Department Aedal Ladder Truck. Declared Surplus Property and Authorized the Purchasing Officer to Solicit Bids and Dispose of Property if No Bids are Received. Received Report of the Acquisition of Cataphote Powder for Traffic Marking Applications. Awarded Consultant Service Contract to Lawrence and Associates, in the Amount of $25,764, to Construct Five Gas Monitoring Wells. Received Notification Regarding Purchase of Liquid Aluminum Chlorhydroxide. Authorized the Mayor to Execute Service Schedule No. One to the Member Resource Marketing Project Agreement Relating to the Identified Power Sale to Shelter Cove Resort Improvement District No. One. Approved Legal Publishing Services as Submitted by Ukiah Daily Journal for Fiscal Year 1996/97. Adopted Resolution No. 97-12 Authorizing Application for Federal Excess Property in Accordance with Title IV, Rural Development Act 1972. The motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Malone, Shoemaker, and Mayor Schneiter. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmembers Mastin and Wattenburger. 7. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS No one came forward. UNFINISHED BUSINESS .Adoption of Ordinance Rezoning Various Properties in and Around the Wagenseller Neighborhood, Pursuant to Implementation of the Adopted General Plan Councilmember Shoemaker excused himself from this discussion as he owns property within 300 feet of the subject properties. Mayor Schneiter noted this leaves only two Councilmembers present to consider this item and, therefore, it will be postponed until there are sufficient Councilmembers present to offer a vote. 8b. Approval of Agreements Between the City of Ukiah and Redwood Business Park Owners, et. al, for Extension of Airport Park Boulevar~ Mayor Schneiter advised that if this item is to be acted upon, it will occur after Closed Session. .NEW BUSINESS Introduction of Ordinance Amending Sections 2580 and 2581 of the Ukiah City Cod.-' to Require Drug and Alcohol Testin~ of Taxi Cab Drivem Ms. Horsley introduced Personnel Officer Revheim, and explained the City does currently permit taxi cab drivers within the City limits. This Ordinance will add a new requirement for the permits. Personnel Officer Revheim explained that currently the Director of Public Safety is authorized to issue permits; however, there are new California Government Code requirements requiring him to perform drug tests when the drivers apply for the permit, and upon recertification. The City Attorney has prepared the Ordinance, and it is provided for introduction by the City Council. MIS Shoemaker/Malone to introduce, by title only, the Ordinance Amending Section 2580 and 2581 of the Ukiah City Code to Require Drug and Alcohol Testing of Taxi Cab Drivers, carried by an all AYE vote. Executive Assistant Yoast read the ordinance by title only. Regular Meeting - August 7, 1996 Page 2 463 MIS MalonelSchneiter to introduce the Ordinance Amending Section 2580 and 2581 of the Ukiah City Code to Require Drug and Alcohol Testing of Taxi Cab Ddvers, carded by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Malone, Shoemaker, and Mayor Schneiter. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmembers Mastin and Wattenburger. 9b. Presentation of Final Report for Traffic Signal Coordination Feasibility Study Ms. Horsley introduced Deputy Public Works Director Seanor and gave a brief biography of his background before being hired by the City of Ukiah. Mr. Seanor commented he was pleased to be working for the City of Ukiah. He explained the Traffic Signal Coordination Feasibility Study, prepared by W-Trans, Whitlock and Weinberger, which came about from MCOG funding for 1995/96. He noted the report looked at the feasibility of interconnecting, with physical widng, the 11 different traffic signals along State Street, and how it would affect traffic flow conditions. He further explained specific Tables regarding Floating Car Results, Travel Time/Travel Speed Comparisons, and Comparison of Intersection Level of Service Calculations, and commented on alternatives recommended by the Study, including one involving the intersection of Standley and Perkins. Discussion followed relative to the cdtical need for parking in this area, the possibility of having a single center lane that would turn either way, and that the Report is only looking at traffic flow and not taking parking into consideration. Mr. Seanor noted Table 7, Comparison of Alternatives, and explained staff is requesting direction from Council regarding application for MCOG funds for alternatives listed in the Report. Discussion followed relative to the high cost of implementing a time coordination of signals versus other alternatives at other intersection locations. It was noted the City has some detector loops which are not fully operational. Further discussion followed relative to the replacement cost of $2,000 per detector loop. Mr. Seanor discussed Table 8 of the Report, Cost/Benefit Comparison, and explained staff"s recommendations, including: 1) Not installing hardwire interconnect due to the high cost relative to the anticipated benefit; 2) Not implementing the time-based coordination recommended in the report; and 3) Council recommending to staff to proceed with a Hazard Elimination Safety project to return to Council dudng a public headng. Discussion followed relative to costs associated for each of the alternatives, and Council wanting an analysis, for comparison purposes, of what it would cost to repair the detector loops. Mayor Schneiter commented he could not see eliminating any parking in the downtown area, and the slight increase in traffic flow would not be worth the loss of parking. He would prefer to thank MCOG for the study and not make the recommended changes. Councilmember Mastin ardved at 7:15 p.m. Councilmember Malone concurred with Mayor Schneiter and noted there are some other solutions worth exploring that would not eliminate parking. MIS Malone/Shoemaker to receive the report only, carded by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Mastin, Malone, Shoemaker, and Mayor Schneiter. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: CouncilmemberWattenburger. 9C. Adopt Resolution Establishing No Parking Zone on Both Sides of South State Street from 200 Feet North of Mill Street to 300 Feet South of Hastings Avenue Ms. Horsley explained the proposal, which would create a middle lane on State Street, between Mill and Hastings, for turning left in both directions. Parking would be eliminated; however, there are parking lots at other locations, and this area is past the main downtown district. A public hearing would be held, so the businesses in that area could offer their comments on the proposal. In order for staff to seek funds from Caltrans, Council must approve pursuing the project. Mr. Seanor advised that staff was notified that the City was a successful candidate for the Caltrans Hazard Elimination Safety Project, and therefore Caltrans would fund 90% of the project, including engineering design. It is a good project and the City has identified the match in Regular Meeting - August 7', 1996 Page 3 464 the budget. There would be a small transition at either end of the lane and there would be the need to remove parking at points along the stretch of read. Also, as part of this project, the City would be able to construct the improvements at the State and Talmage intersection, as illustrated in the Final Report for Traffic Signal Coordination Feasibility Study considered earlier by Council. Staff is requesting Council direct staff to proceed with design of the project, and the resolution would not be effective until the date the project is awarded. Ms. Horsley advised it was appropriate to hold the public heating pdor to the adoption of the resolution. If Council authorizes staff to apply for the funds, the necessary process can proceed. Discussion followed relative to transition of the lanes at the beginning and end of the turning lane, and options for preserving the on-street parking. Councilmember Shoemaker noted that he had a concern relative to the time frame for funding from Caltrans; however, the City Manager and City Engineer do not feel there is a problem. Ms. Horsley advised that Council could approve the concept and not pass the resolution until the public headng is held. MIS ShoemakerlMastin to approve the request for funding from Caltrans and take the necessary steps to conduct a public headng, carded by an all AYE vote. 9d. Introduction of Ordinance Amending Section 101 of the Ukiah Municipal Code Relative to City Manager Position Ms. Horsley advised that the City Attorney provided a memo which states that imposing a time limit on when the City Manager shall reside within the City Limits is illegal, although a mileage limit is legally acceptable. Therefore, the proposed change to the Ordinance stipulates that the City Manager must reside within 15 road miles of the City Limits of the City of Ukiah. MIS MalonelMastin to introduce the ordinance, by title only, amending section 101 of the Ukiah Municipal Code relative to the City Manager position, as submitted by the City Attorney, carried by an all AYE vote. Executive Assistant Yoast read the ordinance by title only. MIS MalonelMastin to introduce the ordinance amending section 101 of the Ukiah Municipal Code relative to the City Manager position, as submitted by the City Attorney, carded by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Mastin, Malone, Shoemaker, and Mayor Schneiter. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: CouncilmemberWattenburger. 9e. Adoption of Policy Resolution Amending Policy Resolution No. 25 Declaring Policy Re~arding Reimbursement of Expenses for Elected and/or Appointed City Officials~ Officers, and Employees Councilmember Shoemaker questioned whether the $45 was pertaining to meals or parking, tolls, and other miscellaneous expenses. Ms. Horsley explained it is a meal reimbursement only, and that for shorter partial day trips she will determine eligibility for the meals when a travel reimbursement form is processed. MIS MalonelMastin to approve Policy Resolution No. 29 Amending Policy Resolution No. 25 Declaring Policy Regarding Reimbursement of Expenses for Elected and/or Appointed City Officials, Officers, and Employees, carded by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Mastin, Malone, Shoemaker, and Mayor $chneiter. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: CouncilmemberWattenburger. Item 8a was reconsidered at this time since a sufficient number of Councilmembers were present for discussion. Councilmember Shoemaker excused himself from the meeting at 7:35 p.m. Sa. Adoption of Ordinance Rezoning Various Properties In and Around the Wa~enseller Neighborhood, Pursuant to Implementation of the Adopted General Plan Regular Meeting - August 7, 1996 Page 4 465 Planning Director Sawyer explained that on July 17, the Council approved on a 4-0 vote to introduce an ordinance amending the City Zoning Map to rezone 51 lots in and around the Wagenseller neighborhood. The ordinance is now before the Council for adoption. MIS MalonelMastin to adopt Ordinance No. 969 Amending the Official Zoning Map for the City of Ukiah, California, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Mastin, Malone, and Mayor Schneiter. NOES: None. ABSENT: Councilmembers Wattenburger and Shoemaker. ABSTAIN: None. Councilmember Shoemaker returned to the meeting at 7:40 p.m. 10. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS Councilmember Mastin reported on the recent Chautauqua program. He further explained the reason he was late to this evening's meeting was due to his attending an EDFC meeting in Laytonville, where he toured the Harwood Mill. Funding for EDFC appears positive. Councilmember Malone reported he attended the recent NCRA meeting. They have just taken on a new operations person. The steering committee met and a letter will be drafted for a request for funding, as recommended by Bruce Richards. Presently everything looks favorable. Councilmember Shoemaker advised the City was successful in secudng the Landfill Permit from the State Solid Waste Management Board at their meeting in Ukiah. Mayor Schneiter advised he received a copy of a FEMA letter by John Eldridge, which is reporting some deficiencies. He noted a few of the items are tagged as serious, and confirmed that staff is working on this item and will provide a response for the Council's information. He also brought attention to an article "Roll Call" which he distributed to Council. 11. CITY MANAGER/DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS Ms. Horsley advised that the City will be entertaining the wives of visitors to Ukiah associated with the Rotary program, and that she views this as the beginning of good communications between different organizations in the City. The City Council recessed to the Ukiah Redevelopment Agency meeting at 8:39 p.m. Council reconvened from the Ukiah Redevelopment Agency meeting at 8:45 p.m. and entered Closed Session at 8:50 p.m. 12. CLOSED SESSION Conference with Legal Counsel Regarding Anticipated Litigation - Si¢;nificant Exposure to Litigation Pursuant to Subdivision (b) of Section 54956.9 (1 case) Council recessed from Closed Session to the Ukiah Redevelopment Agency meeting at 9:00 p.m. Council reconvened from the Redevelopment Agency meeting at 9:02, to take action on Item 8b. 8b. Approval of A~reements Between the City of Ukiah and Redwood Business Park Owners, et.al, for Extension of Airport Park Boulevard MIS Malone/Mastin, for the Mayor to authorize the City Attorney to enter a letter agreement with the Attorney for Redwood Business Park owners, extending the date of the tolling period in the Agreement to provide additional time to negotiate the remaining agreements so that the City Council will have time to consider whether they can approve the Agreements at the next meeting of August 21; and authorize the City negotiators to adjust the dates in the two remaining agreements appropriately to account for that delay in approving those agreements, if they can be approved, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Mastin, Malone, Shoemaker, and Mayor Schneiter. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Wattenburger. 13. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:04 p.m. / Mar~ Giuntoli,'City C~k cc080796 Regular Meeting -August 7, 1996 Page $