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HomeMy WebLinkAboutmin 10-29-80244 CITY COUNCIL MINUTES CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS UKIAH, CA. 111 W. Church October 29, 1980 Special Meeting 6:30 PM AGENDA CALL TO ORDER INVOCATION PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ACTION TAKEN City Council meeting is from September 3, 1980 adjourned session. Councilmembers present: Riley, Feibusch, Snyder, Myers, Hickey Staff present: Kruth, Orchard, Harris, Tillotson, Melvin. Staff absent: Swayne Mayor Hickey Councilmember Feibusch 1) Award of bid for mini trucks Acting City Manager Kruth stated that the City Council at its September 17 meeting awarded bid for three mini trucks to Ukiah Datsun. He further stated that Ukiah Datsun is unable to fulfil the conditions of the bid to supply the trucks. The second bidder was Doug Clark Autoland Motor Co. Staff recommended rescinding the previous Council action and award the bid to the second bidder. M/S: Snyder/Riley to void the purchase order to Ukiah Datsun for three mini-pickups. Unanimously~carried. M/S: Snyder/Myers to award bid for three Mazda mini-pickups to Doug Clark Autoland Motor Co. in the total amount of $16,268.88 including sales tax and that the two 1968 Chevrolet trucks and one 1967 Ford truck be sold within six months. Councilmember Snyder asked if the purchase was really necessary? Acting City Manager stated that the purchased pickups are a replacement for the three older full size trucks as part of a continuing program to downsize the vehicles for better efficiency. Councilmember Myers felt, in his opinion, there shOuld be a complete reexamination of any major allocation. Councilmember Feibusch stated that American made cars should be purchased instead of foreign automobiles. It was pointed out that American made mini pickups are foreign made. Co~ncilmember Riley felt that ]ow m~leaqe trucks could be more , economical in the long run. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Riley, Snydcr, }[ickey NOES: Feibusch, Myers ABSENT: .None 2) Study session for Lee Enemark, Downtown consideration of the Merchants representati%~, proposed Sign Ordinance stated the joint meetin~ of the Planning Commis and Ad lloc Committe(~? on the tl~r~o areas of concern re(larding si~.ln or(li_I]~l~Ce r~;u'lt~l in a c(~ml)]~t~ ~;}~].J.t ot] those issues wi l:l~ n() c'lc~ilr clj~':t~c:ti()~l on ;lily jtls;tlC~ l~rovi(lc~(l. 245 Planning Director Harris asked the Council to give staff direction how the ordinance should be prepared; specifically regarding'the three major issues of regulations by zoning districts, a grandfather clause and freeway signs. He also gave a slide presentation'of signage in various California cities. Councilmember Riley asked what Santa Rosa is doing with their sign ordinance? Planning Director stated that Santa Rosa is concentrating on their downtown area with plans t° expand that area to try and bring all businesses into conformity. He also felt it is very difficult to design a sign ordinance and still provide flexibility. Councilmember Riley expressed concern regarding the difficulty in enforcement of the sign ordinance. Councilmember Feibusch suggested that'replacement criteria be set at 50% of the original investment value and if repairs exceed 50%, the sign should be replaced. Councilmember Riley asked what will happen to the amortized funds and would they be paid back? She also asked how many businesses have voluntarily complied with the requirements of the proposed sign ordinance and if the grandfather clause is allowed, would their position be weakened? She also stated that issues of fairness and financial integrity are certainly involved. Marge Thatcher, ~16 Nokomis, expressed concern with the cost of replacing signs. Jim Smith, Cox Motors, stated with businesses having to meet payroll and overhead it would be difficult to set aside funds for replacement of signs. He felt all businesses would conform eventually, but it couldn't happen overnight. Curt Firestone, Director of North Coast Regional Center, felt this was an opportunity for the City Council to help beautify the community and make the community more attractive to residents and tourists. Councilmember Feibusch felt that the overhead electrical wires were far more ugly than the nonconforming signs. David Horowitz, Beacon Lane, agreed'that the overhead wiring was bad but felt the high signs compounded the issue. He'also felt the sign ordinance was a compromise and stated the proposed sign ordinance is not to eliminate signs but to bring them into conformance for fair competition. Walter Heady, Redwood Valley, felt the Council should lOok at the economic picture and relate to that'and'not penalize the business community. Councilmember Snyder suggested a compromise whereby the City could offer financial assistance to business owners, possibly through grants. Mayor Hickey stated it has been his personal expe~ience, and in talking to people, that in a strange community, people depend upon the highway signage. Councilmember Myers asked about liability to those new businesses already abiding by the present sign ordinance. City Attorney Orchard stated he didn't think there would be any legal'liability but it would be an unhappy situation. He suggested the grand- father clause could be operative upon certain events: sale of business or a new sign and conformity would occur over a pericc of time. Mayor Ilickey asked how, upon sale of a business', the new owners fi46 would be made aware of the sign ordinance. Councilmember Snyder stated application fo~ a business license could be a control factor. Mayor Hickey read a letter from Vincent Angell who felt the grandfather clause should be included, special freeway zone created;' repair of signs with less than 50% damage and no requirement of the new standards upon an existing sign upon sale of the business. Jack Thatcher, 892 N. State, felt some businesses might have to close their doors if they had to replace their signs. Curt Firestone asked how many businesses come under the grand- father clause and how many businesses are home owned or owned by national companies? Planning Director stated that in April, 1980, there were 194 nonconforming signs and 180 conforming. Since that time, several have come into compliance. He stated he did not have knowledge of home owned vs. national ownership of businesses. Judith Hummer-Fox, Ukiah, stated the grandfather clause should be incorporated into the ordinance and expressed-concern regarding freeway 'signage with the growth of businesses in that area. Planning Director Harris pointed out that the City Council may want to consider that the sale of a business with no name change may not require alteration of the sign. Councilmember Feibusch stated he was in favor of the grandfather clause but would like to have the 50% replacement clause. Businesses should turn off revolving signs and eliminate blinking lights. He is not in favor of installing any additional high rise signs in regard to the freeway signage and was in favor of signs, upon sale of business, coming~into compliance with the sign ordinance. He also felt there should be only two zones: residential and industrial-commercial. Councilmember Riley asked if it was important to differentiate between the sale of a business or sale of a parcel? Council- member Snyder pointed out that a parcel could have more than one business on it. Planning Director Harris stated one of the problems with the current ordinance~is that it relates to the parcel as oPposed to individual businesses and each tenant's signing becomes difficult. Mayor Hickey felt it should be spelled out by business. Council~ember Feibusch felt it was important to include in the ordinance that the property owner must give his consent to the signs being installed. Planning Director stated that having the property owner approve of the sign puts it back on the parcel owner. · Councilmember Riley stated she had measured 660' from the freeway and felt the businesses allowed to have signage would be overwhelming. She also felt if the freeway signs are allowed, it should be restricted to gas, food and lodging. Councilmember Snyder stated she was opposed to high rise signage on the freeway and gave as an example the signs at San Dimas. Mayor Hickey stated he agreed with Councilmember Riley's comments and felt that signage should be high enough to be visable for motorists on the freeway but should~ be confined to gas, food and lodging. Discussion was had as to the poor signage on ~he freeway for the downtown area, Curt Firestone urged the City to lobby for freeway signage with Cal Trans. Mayor Ilickey poi4nted out that Cal Trans' policy is to put signago only on .inteYstate highways and confine it to Ad j. M t q. ] 0/2')/80~~' .~, fl47 towns of 5,000 or less. Councilmember Riley suggested that the private add public sector could work together to set up our own logo system. Councilmember Feibusch felt the freeway signs should be limited to gas, food and lodging, but in the interim, pursue signage from Cal Trans. Councilmember Snyd~r asked if Cal Trans would allow the placement of City signs? Mayor Hickey did not think Cal Trans would allow it. Joe Kruger, 711 E. Perkins, stated he was for Cal Trans signage. He also stated that if the grandfather clause is granted and not freeway signage, it would create unfair competition. He felt billboards were the biggest blight on the freeways. He also felt it was important for the business community to have equal share in competition through signage. RECESS: 8:30 P.M. - RECONVENE: 8:38.P.M. Councilmember Riley felt the simpler the zoning the better it would be and felt the best designation would be residential and commercial-industrial. Councilmember Snyder asked if signage should be related to the business and not the parcel and was this covered in the present ordinance? Planning Director stated it basically relates to the parcel. Councilmember Riley felt that only color swatches be required and not a detailed color rendering. She further asked for clarification of charges for a permit that had expired and a new permit obtained. Planning Director stated this was standard terminology from the building code. Councilmember Myers asked if hanging signs were addressed in the sign ordinance? Planning Director 'stated this was covered by the variance procedure provided in the ordinance. Councilmember Myers felt the question of business frontage should be addressed. Councilmember Riley asked if flyers were covered in the ordinance? Planning Director stated he would look into it. Councilmember Riley spoke to historical signs and retention of them. Planning Director stated that the ordinance speaks'directly to historical and architectual signs. Councilmember Snyder referred to page 142c of the Code, Article 4 b) 6) which refers to Article 3. She felt this was in error. Planning Director stated he would check, this out. 3) Resignation of City Manager Mayor Hickey suggested that a consultant be hired to advertise, eliminate those not qualified and come up with a list of five or six qualified for the Council to interview. Councilmember Riley felt the Council should take the responsi- bility for hiring the City Manager. Councilmember Feibusch felt recruitment should be made in Mendocino County. Council- member Riley felt recruitment should be from outside the County and that staff assistance be utilized. She also suggested that criteria be established for the hiring of a new City Manager. Mayor Hickey suggested that a job description'could be obtained from the League of California Cities. Councilmember Myers felt the Council had the expertise to handle subject matter. Adj. Ml:~!. ] 0/2 ')/fi 0 248 Mayor Hickey set November 12, 1980 from 4-6 P.M. for a study session to set goals for the hiring of a new City Manager. ADJOURMENT - 9:25 P.M. MARY MELVIN Deputy City C1 erk Ad .). Mtq. I 0/:~ ') / t{ 0 l',l~l(.' 5