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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIn 03-02-9443 MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH - March 2, 1994 The City Council convened in a regular meeting, of which the agenda was legally noticed and posted, at 6:34 p.m., in the Council Chamber of the Civic Center, 300 Seminary Avenue. Roll was taken and the following Councilmembers were present: Mastin, Malone, Shoemaker and Mayor Schneiter. Absent: Councilmember Wattenburger. Staff present: City Clerk McKay, City Manager Rough, City Attorney Rapport, Community Development Director Harris, City Engineer/Public Works Director Kennedy, Assistant City Manager Horsley, and Redevelopment/Economic Development Coordinator DeKnoblough 2. Invocation/Pledqe of Alleqiance The Community Development Director delivered the Pledge of Allegiance and Vice-Mayor Shoemaker led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. Proclamation Declarinq March 7 - 13, 1994 as Toastmasters Week Mayor Schneiter read and presented the Proclamation to Toastmaster Ken Brown, who informed Council the Ukiah charter was formed in 1984 and they are celebrating their 10 year anniversary next week, and invited all to attend their weekly 6:30 a.m. Friday meetings. Approval/Correction of Minutes 4a. Reqular Adjourned Meetinq of February 15, 1994 M/S Mastin/Shoemaker to approve the minutes of the regular adjourned meeting of February 15, 1994, as submitted. The motion was carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Mastin, Malone, Shoemaker and Mayor Schneiter. NOES: None. Absent: Councilmember Wattenburger. 4b. Reqular Meetinq of February 16, 1994 M/S Malone/Mastin approved the minutes of the regular meeting of February 16, 1994, as submitted. The motion was carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Mastin, Malone, Shoemaker and Mayor Schneiter. NOES: None. Absent: Councilmember Wattenburger. 5. Riqht to Appeal Decision Mayor Schneiter reviewed Section 1094.6 of the California Code of Civil Procedures regarding the appeal process. CONSENT CALENDAR M/S Shoemaker/Malone to approve the Consent Calendar as follows: 6a. Received the acquisition report of contractual services for removal of wood and yardwaste at Solid Waste Disposal site to Reuser, Inc. for the unit cost of $3.00 per cubic yard, not to exceed $10,000, as authorized by the City Manager. 6b. Denied the claim for damages received from Alice Arnold and referred it to the City's insurance carrier. The motion was carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Mastin, Malone, Shoemaker and Mayor Schneiter. NOES: None. Absent: Councilmember Wattenburger. 7. Audience Comments on Non-Aqenda Items None. NEW BUSINESS Sa. Recommended City of Ukiah Support for Northern California Public Broadcastinq, Inc., and Consideration o£ Proposed $500 Grant for FCC Licensinq Application The City Manager reported on the effort by local citizens to form a new public radio station which will provide a greater range of programming for the Ukiah Valley and Lake County. This new group is called Northern California Public Broadcasting, Inc., who are proceeding with an application to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) which will cost $10,000. They have received several donations from both private and public organizations, and therefore are requesting a $500 grant from the City of Ukiah. Discussion ensued regarding the existing public radio station in Philo. Barry Vogel, spokesperson for Northern California Public Broadcasting group, reported on the support in the Ukiah Valley and Lake County communities, and on the proposed programming and studio locations. Mayor Schneiter stated any future request for financial assistance will need to go through the normal non-profit assistance program at budgeting time. Nicole Swaya, KZYX Program Director, Laytonville, reported their station is making progress at fixing the signal reception here in Ukiah and Willits, and they are encouraging more programs. She indicated they have a new Board of Directors, who want to broadcast to the Ukiah Valley and urged finding the best use of Federal funding. Bruce Haldane, KZYX Board of Directors, stated that KZYX will not go off the air if a new station is formed. He noted a second station will nly take some programs and federal funds, and feels it is best to have only one public radio station. He stated they are committed to a satellite station here in Ukiah, and urged a more efficient use of limited funds for only one station. Councilmember Mastin stated, "I have a problem supporting a second public radio station in a limited market area, and it seems to me, would we be sitting here considering this matter if it weren't for political problems, real or perceived at the existing station, or would we be asked to support the existing station to expand their facilities or help them get relocated over here, either their broadcast antennas or whatever here, as opposed to supporting a second public radio station in the area." Mayor Schneiter stated, "Absent an application, would we be hearing from the proprietors and operators of the other organization? They have been to the Council before." "I could not answer" Councilmember Mastin stated, · Mayor Schneiter stated, "I think there may be another side to that part of the issue. I have mentioned the fact that there is signal difficulties around here, and Mr. Vogel has been one to point out some method that I could gain a better signal, and it has on occasion, so I suggest that we are not being so narrow minded as to have alittle turfism going there. Anyway, what is the pleasure of the Council?" Councilmember Shoemaker stated, "I would like to make the comment that I think a satellite studio in Ukiah would have been, or would be a good thing for KZYX. I see that a present application for the money or the license, but the new group is trying to fill the market for Lake County and Ukiah area. I have watched and paid attention and listened alittle and read, and up till now, I did not see the response to the Ukiah Valley evident, to KZYX, and I don't really want to see a coastal and inland public access wedge Reg. Mtg. March 2, 1994 Page 2 thrown in between us, but I just wonder how these two groups might work together to try to keep the dollars from being split so badly, or if there is going to be a satelite station Ukiah or a total separate entity, they might get together and work that out. And if, I guess this money is directly for an application to the FCC, and I guess I support that application, but, on the other hand, I support that they try to meld it together and put it back together also." Councilmember Mastin stated, "It seems that "working it out" has not worked and that is why this group has formed and is here in the first place." Councilmember Shoemaker stated "Well then I support the group that is here." ' ' Councilmember Malone stated, "I don't really have a problem supporting this because I think that if you can get a broader perspective, you may in fact get more public radio listeners. They might even go back and forth, depending on their real interests and subject matter. And I think that to have that kind of opportunity, is like, it's unlikely that both of them would really suffer that much if you look at it from the perspective that Chinese restaurants do better when there are more of them close together. It just tends to create alittle larger market place for that kind of product I think that's the way it works. I will support it." ' Barry Vogel replied. Mayor Schneiter stated we have received a letter from Henry Bates, and his letter supports the establishment of a Public Radio station to serve the Ukiah Valley and Lake County, and I just want to make that known to those that are here. Councilmember Malone stated, "I just want to make another comment too. In terms of diminishing the pool; I've been listening to public radio at my business for more than 20 years, because I can get it by cable. I think you need to know that, that market is out there too, and you would be basically competing on the airwaves for that kind of thing. To have one more broadcasting doesn't, in my mind, reduce the likelihood that either people will have access or that programs can exist. I think its a better opportunity for everybody.,, Mayor Schneiter stated, "I would like to make one last comment, before we need to take action. If somebody told me that a group of individuals whose names appear on our staff report and who are in the audience, were going to come to us and ask for something, and knowing who these people are, I would be more than glad to support that effort because we are not being asked to do something that is-not responsible, that hasn't been thought out, and hasn't got some kind of foundation. I support the application I'm going to vote for it whenever the motion is made." ' M/S Malone/Shoemaker that we extend support for Northern California Broadcasting Incorporated, and authorize the grant in the amount of $500 for FCC licensing application. The motion was carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Malone, Shoemaker and Mayor Schneiter. NOES: Councilmember Mastin. Absent: Councilmember Wattenburger. Bb. City Attorney Report to Council Reqardinq Brown Act Leqislation Amendments The City Attorney and Council proceeded to discuss the recent amendments to the Ralph Brown Act of Open and Public Meeting Laws which become effective April 1, 1994. No action was taken. 45 Reg. Mtg. March 2, 1994 Page 3 8c. Solicitation for City of Ukiah Representative to Mendocino Business Development Center (MBDC) Formation Steerinq Committee The Redevelopment/Economic Coordinator reported on the concept of a county wide business enterprise center which was developed by a steering committee. He explained the MBDC would be responsible for carrying out the overall economic development goals and objectives of the County, and he further reported on the proposed organization in which a City of Ukiah representative to this Steering Committee is desired. Discusssion ensued regarding Federal economic development funds, the previous Mendocino Business Center operation and it's demise. It was the consensus of Council to appoint Councilmember Shoemaker to this steering committee. Sd. Consideration and Nomination of City Representative to the North Coast Railroad Authority Board of Directors Mayor Schneiter reported the North Coast Railroad Authority (NCRA) has sent him a request for a nomination of a City representative to fill a vacancy on it's current seven member Board of Directors. Council discussion ensued regarding the NCRA procedures, and issues the NCRA is currently involved in. Mayor Schneiter nominated Councilmember Shoemaker which was seconded by Councilmember Malone. It was the consensus of Council to nominate Councilmember Richard Shoemaker. CITY COUNCIL REPORTS Councilmember Mastin None. Councilmember Malone Commented he watched the video regarding the Sytech facility operations. Councilmember Shoemaker Noted he received a notice from the League of California Cities regarding a Community Services conference in Sacramento April 13 - 15, 1994, and encouraged our department staff to attend. Mayor Schneiter Reported the City Clerk has received four Planning Commission applications, so the close of the application has been established at Noon on March 9th, and would like to schedule applicant interviews by Council, prior to the next regular meeting. He reported on the two day NCPA meeting he attended in Sacramento. City Manaqer/Department Head Reports None. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, at 8:17 p.m. the meeting was adjourned to March 16, 1994, at 4:30 in Civic Center Conference Room # 3, for Planning Commies ion applicant interviews. / / f ,~ ..,, . CCMIN. 156 / a~gJ~"~ay CMC/.~E, City Clerk Reg. Mtg. March 2, 1994 Page 4