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Home My WebLink Aboutmin 1975-09-03 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH SEPTEMBER 3, 1975 The City Council convened in regular session at 8 : 00 p.m. with Councilwoman Pearson, Councilmen Norgard, Wood, Simpson, and Mayor Weinkauf present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilman Norgard led in the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On a motion by Councilman Wood, seconded by Councilman Pearson it was unanimously carried to approve the August 20, 1975, minutes as submitted by the Clerk. GENERAL WARRANTS On a motion by Councilwoman Pearson, seconded by Councilman Norgard it was unanimously carried General Warrants #1940 to #1968 inclusive in the total amount of $40, 747 . 15 be approved and ordered paid. MAYOR WEINKAUF ADJOURNED THE COUNCIL MEETING TO A MEETING OF THE UKIAH REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY - 8 : 03 p.m. The City Council reconvened in regular session at 8 : 05 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING-TELEPROMPTER CABLE TV PROPOSED RATE INCREASE Subject matter was considered on an informal basis by the Council at the August 20th meeting. Mayor Weinkauf declared the public hearing open at 8 : 06 p.m. Mr. Jim Larsen, Attorney for Teleprompter was present in the audience and asked that the supporting documetns which had previously been provided Council, be made a part of the record. Subject documents listed below will be made a permanent part of the Teleprompter contract file: 1. Letter of request dated August 4, 1975, from Teleprompter of Ukiah. 2. Statement of operations 3 . Balance Sheet 4. Schedule of costs and expenses 5. Notes to financial statements 6. Letter from Teleprompter dated April 1, 1974 . The following persons were present in the audience to speak in opposition to subject rate increase: 1. Mr. Tom Kirkpatrick, 1131 North Oak 2. Mr. Jerry DAniels, TV rapair Technician, West Redwood Valley 3 . Mr. Dave Williams, KUKI The opposition made the following points: 1. The national average monthly rate for cable TV is $6 (Santa Rosa and Healdsburg were cited as examples in the immediate area who make this charge) 2. Not speaking about a competitive situation - the cable is the only choice in some areas; in Redwood Valley particularly. 3 . Improvements need to be made to the system; specifically the branch lines that feed off of the trunk line need improvement. 4. A large portion of the increase is going to national tele- prompter' s speculative charges which will eventually profit the company. 5. Denial of subject increase could result in improved service. 6. Poor quality signal - company not responsive to complaint calls. 6) MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH SEPTEMBER 3, 1975 7. The concern is for good TV reception for the community 8. The company committment to the customer is as important as what the company expects from the customer. 9. Customers are being asked to pay more money for less service (loss of local originating station) Objections raised by the opposition were answered by Attorney Larsen M and the local Teleprompter Manager, Mr. Langton. Mr. Larsen stated the rate increase is necessary to keep up with inflation. The company has filed financial data which is justification for the requested increase. It was pointed out that in the process of comparing rates it is important that a comparison of equipment be made as well as distribution of customers. Based on FCC standards and requirements, Teleprompter service is satisfactory. Mr. Larsen also pointed out that utilities are given across the board increases in the amount of 10% - this request is for 6. 9%. Public hearing was closed at 8 : 45 p.m. Council raised questions and made the following points : 1. How is the system monitored? Do we rely on FCC? 2. What recourse does the Council have if the reception gets worse. 3 . Is the request for rate increase originating nationally or locally? 4. Good reception and improved service important. 5. Concern with the loss of local originating station after the last increase was granted. 6. Customer has a third choice - no TV at all. 7. Comparison cited that employee salary increases do not necessarily mean increased performance from those employees. 8. Not aware Teleprompter service is the only TV service available in some sections of the city. 9. Educational channel important City Attorney pointed out that rates set forth in the resolution con- sidered at this time also increased the rate to $8 per month for those customers who had been paying $6 per month. Mr. Langton confirmed the point made by the City Attorney. Councilman Norgard made a motion, seconded by Councilwoman Pearson to adopt the resolution granting the rate increase to Teleprompter. The following roll call vote resulted in loss of the motion: AYES: Councilwoman Pearson and Councilman Norgard NOES: Councilmen Wood, Simpson and Mayor Weinkauf ABSENT: None Mr. Larsen requested that findings of fact of subject hearing be pre- pared in writing . PUBLIC HEARING-ZONE CHANGE APPLICATION NO. 76-3 (S.OAK ST. ) Council had been provided with a history of this proposal and all supporting documents relating thereto. Subject request by certain property owners on South Oak Street is to rezone from R-2 to R-3 all properties on said street between West Clay and West Gobbi, in- cluding one parcel on the south side of West Mill. --.. At this point in the meeting, Councilwoman Pearson absented herself based on a possible conflict. Public hearing was opened at 9: 00 p.m. City Manager reviewed application and Planning Commission action. Plan- ning Commission public hearing motion to approve the zone change lost 3-3, with one member absent. Motion to approve with certain parcels excluded lost 2-4. Motion for denial approved 6-0. Planning Commission report was referred to the Council. Mr. Claude Nichol and Mr. Thomas Ellis spoke in favor of the applica- tion. They pointed out the number of businesses presently on the street. In their opinion, such development should continue. This 2.J 4 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH SEPTEMBER 3r 1975 would effect the tax rate and determine the manner in which their property could be developed. With the present zoning the residences will continue in a rundown condition. There was no one present in the audience to speak in opposition to subject zone change. Public hearing closed at 9: 10 p.m. The proposed zoning ordinance changes density in the R-3 zone. There appears not to be the same urgency in subject matter as heretofore; the immediate necessity for rezoning has disappeared. It was pointed out that to open the area wider to commercial develop- ment could be a problem. The matter should be viewed in light of the proposed zoning ordinance. A mixture of uses is not objectionable. On a motion by Councilman Simpson, seconded by Councilman Norgard it was carried by the following roll call vote to uphold Planning Commission decision with direction to the Commission staff that the area be designated R-3 under the proposed zoning ordinance. RESOLUTION NO. 76-15 APPROVING APPLICATION FOR 1974 STATE GRANT FUNDS On a motion by Councilman Simpson, seconded by Councilwoman Pearson it. was carried by a majority voice vote Resolution No. 76-15 be adopted and the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign same, "Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Ukiah Approving The Application For 1974 State Grant Funds (Swimming Pool) " . On a motion by Councilman Wood, seconded by Councilman Simpson it was unanimously carried to table the matter and delegate responsibility to Councilman NOrgard to present a proposal for Council consideration. DENIAL OF CLAIM FOR DAMAGES WALTER WILLCUT FOR SON, 830 HELEN On a motion by Councilman Wood, seconded by Councilman Simpson, it was unanimously carried to deny the claim for damages filed by Walter Willcut for his son, Craig in the total amount of $5, 000 and refer same to the insurance carrier. DENIAL OF CLAIM FOR DAMAGES BEN TROEDEL, JR. FAMILY 1811 SOUTH STATE ST. SPACE 11 On a motion by Councilman Simpson, seconded by Councilman Wood, it was unanimously carried to deny the claim for damages filed by Ben Troedel, Jr. , Patricia Troedel,, and Ben Troedel III, in the amount of $25, 200, $25, 100, $25,100 respectively, and refer same to the insurance carrier. REQUEST & AUTHORIZATION TO CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THREE AXLE DIESEL DUMP TRUCK On a motion by Councilman Wood, seconded by Councilman Norgard, it was unanimously carried to authorize the Clerk to call for bids for one three axle Diesel Truck with a 10-12 yard dump body, bids to be received prior to 2: 00 p.m. September 16th. - - REQUEST & AUTHORIZATION TO CALL FOR BIDS FOR 2 STR. ALUMINUM CONDUCTOR On a motion by Councilman Norgard, seconded by Councilman Simpson it was unanimously carried to authorize the Clerk to call for bids for 20, 000 feet of 2 str. alumimum conductor, bids to be received prior to 2: 00 p.m. September 16th. MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH SEPTEMBER 3 , 1975 COUNCILMAN SIMPSON Councilman Simpson reported on the recent meeting of the National League of Cities he attended. A mock City Council meeting was filmed which was most interesting. In a more serious vein, there were dis- cussions on how cities will pay their bills. It was determined that city owned utilities is the answer to remain solvent. Mayor Weinkauf also attended subject meeting and reported he was pleased to know that this Council solves problems in a more amicable manner than . ,� many of the other cities. JAMES WELLER, 710 WEST CLAY Mr. Weller volunteered to serve on the Planning Commission to fill the current vacancy. Mr. Weller has been employed by Mendocino County Planning Department for two years. He stated he has experience and an understanding of development and is ready and willing to go to work. Mr. Weller stated in his work, recommendations are made to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. He does not deal with County development issues. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned to Executive Session at 10:15 p.m. The Executive Session was adjourned to 7 : 00 p.m. September 17 , 1975 to interview candidates for Planning Commission and Project Area Committee. Ma or — ATTEST: City Clerk