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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin 08-04-71 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH AUGUST 4, 1971 The City Council of the City of Ukiah convened in regular session at 8:04 p.m. with Councilmen Scotto, Buxton, Simpson, Pearson, and Mayor Norgard present. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Councilman Buxton led in the pledge of allegiance. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On a motion by Councilman Simpson, seconded by Councilman Pearson, it was unani- mously carried the minutes of the meeting of July 28, 1971, be approved as submitted by the Clerk. SPECIAL WARRANTS On a motion by Councilman Buxton, seconded by Councilman Scotto, it was unani- mously carried Special Warrants #4228 to #4236 inclusive in the amount of $19,224.41 be approved and ordered paid. ORDINANCE NO. 616 ADOPTED CHANGING COUNCIL MEETINGS TO FIRST & THIRD WEDNESDAYS The City Attorney read subject ordinance which was introduced at the previous meeting. Council opinion regarding action to follow was pointed out by various members of the Council in the fallowing manner. 1) If at some future date it is determined that the two meetings per month are inadequate, necessary changes can be made at that time. 2) A letter from the League of California Cities office was read which listed 19 cities of comparable size to Ukiah who meet only two times per month. One city in the 20 unit sample meets once a month. 3) Importance of a full Council at each meeting was stressed. 4) Time spent on city business and problems other than at Council meetings far exceed the time spent at the regular meetings. 5) Staff time saved in preparation for each meeting was w nsidered an important factor in this action. On a motion by Councilman Buxton, seconded by Councilman Simpson it was carried by the following roll call vote Ordinance No. 616 be adopted and the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign same, "Ordinance Of The City Of Ukiah Amending Division 1, Chapter 2, Article 1, Section 51 Of The Ukiah City Code". AYES: Councilmen Buxton, Simpson, Pearson and Mayor Norgard. NOES: Councilman Scotto ABSENT: None CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS The City Attorney reported the property owners have been notified to take care of overgrown hedges at two intersections reported at the previous meeting as needing attention and received assurance the matter would be taken care of in two weeks. Follow up will be made at that time. REPORT ON MENDOCINO STATE HOSPITAL PLANNING FORUM City Manager reported sixty to seventy individuals met to consider alternate uses for the Mendocino State Hospital and personnel. Hospital and state officials as well as City Manager and representatives of the Board of Supervisors were represented at the several meetings held. This group was divided into six groups to enumerate what they considered to be the most productive use for the facility. Individual ideas were discussed resulting in four or five logical types of uses which could be put into effect. One which appeared to be most productive was expansion of the mental retardation program. The State Department of Mental Hygiene representatives stressed the fact that any modification had to be put into effect rapidly or phase out of the hospital would continue. The fifty-eight positions being terminated at this time cannot be stopped. Information gathered at this meeting will be taken back to Sacramento and put into a report form. A change of Department of Mental Hygiene policy will be required to put such a program into effect. City Manager stated in his opinion, the position the Council has taken to date is a good one. In the event the MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH AUGUST 4, 1971 - PAGE 2 hospital closes, loss of revenue to the city would amount to a quarter of a million dollars per year or as much as a half million dollars per year if a portion of the personnel were not absorbed in other positions in the city. DISUSSION OF SB920 CREATING A NORTH COAST AREA PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION City Manager reported subject bill was introduced by Senator Collier last year, but was withdrawn by him at a later date. The bill has again been intro- duced with several revisions, all of which are not known at the present time. Said bill creates a North Coast Area Planning and Development Organization with a prescribed membership from five northern California Counties (including Sonoma County) . Representation of the executive board would be a representative from each Board of Supervisors and one representative from combined City Councils of each County selected by the Mayors from each city. City Manager reported said board appears to be autonomous and a qualifying factor in any grant program. Based on the current philosophy of planning the basic program has a lot of merit, however, many points require investigation particularly its conflict with other state agencies. Senator Collier's office will be contacted to obtain current revision of the bill. APPROVAL OF INCREASED TAXICAB RATES City Manager reported the present taxicab owner has requested a rate increase. Copies of the present schedule of rates and regulations plus a tabulation of comparison of taxicab rates with other cities in the area were distributed to the Council. The request is for a rate increase to 80° flag drop, plus ten cents per 1/7 of a mile, 25° for each additional passenger over two and meter to be kept on cruising time at all times. The City Manager reported audit of the books indicate a rate increase is justified inasmuch as revenue at the present time is not financing the operation. On a motion by Councilman Scotto, seconded by Councilman Buxton it was unanimously carried to approve the taxicab rate increase as requested. The City Attorney stated a resolution embodying the above enumerated rates should be adopted to put said rates into effect. Councilmen Scotto and Buxton then amended their motion as indicated in the adoption of the following resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 72-13 ESTABLISHING TAXICAB RATES On a motion by Councilman Scotto, seconded by Councilman Buxton, it was unanimously carried Resolution No. 72-13 be adopted and the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign same, "Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Ukiah Establishing Taxicab Rates: . ALTERNATE METHOD FOR GAINING OPINIONS FROM PARKING DISTRICT NO. 1 City Manager reported need of an alternate method for obtaining majority opinion regarding what can be done within the parking district concerning the increase in parking meter fines. Efforts made to date through the Downtown Merchants Association have not been conclusive since said association does not represent a majority of the downtown merchants. City Manager asked for authorization to prepare a questionaire for Council consideration to be sent to all property owners and businesses within the parking district setting forth a series of options which could develop a new policy within the district to give tangible relief to debt retirement of the parking district. On a motion by Councilman Buxton, seconded by Councilman Scotto it was unani- mously carried to authorize the City Manager to prepare a questionaire to be distributed within the Parking District No. 1 as recommended by the City Manager. 1 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH AUGUST 4, 1971 - PAGE 3 MEMBERS OF AIRPORT COMMISSION & RECREATION & PARKS COMMISSION INVITED TO COUNCIL MEETING Council approved City Manager's suggestion to request subject commission members attend the next Council meeting to discuss the planning projects which have been assigned to each commission. LIBRARY BUILDING PROGRESS City Manager reported State Library forms to apply for the 15% increments of the grant money have been received. Assurance has been given by State Library officials that the clearing process is rapid. COUNCILMAN SCOTTO Councilman Scotto asked how the water system is performing during the recent hot weather. City Engineer stated we have had no problems and have on occasions pumped as high as six million gallons per day. Councilman Scotto asked about the detour of traffic at State and Gobbi. It was explained this is a joint project by the telephone company and Pacific Gas And Electric Company in laying conduit. Traffic has been routed through the adjoining parking lots. COUNCILMAN BUXTON Councilman Buxton asked if employees would be paid since payroll warrants were not approved at this meeting. City Manager stated arrangements have been made to take care of times when the payroll cannot get to the Council prior to pay day. COUNCILMAN SIMPSON Councilman Simpson asked about the status of the numbering system and was advised a full report from Mr. Carpenter has not been received. Councilman Simpson asked the status of the Westwood Acres development and was advised the matter has been delayed because the owner is out of town. Councilman Simpson asked the status of the budget and City Manager reported appointments with two management employees and eighteen individual employees must be completed before the total salary package can be presented for Council consideration. Councilman Simpson asked the status of the regional park and was advised the County is in the process of completing construction drawings. The current status will be checked. COUNCILMAN PEARSON Councilman Pearson asked the status of the traffic study and was advised repre- sentatives of the engineering firm to conduct said study will be in town Tuesday to begin the work. MAYOR NORGARD ---- Mayor Norgard asked if work on Redwood Avenue is in the budget and was advised the intent is to do the needed work this summer. Mayor Norgard asked how the dog pound program is developing since take over by the County. City Manager reported it appears the arrangement is working out satisfactorily with some problems yet to be discussed and worked out with the County Administrator. Mayor Norgard stressed the importance of the same level of service being maintained as set forth in the contract. WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD MEETING City Engineer reported meeting with subject board this date and stated require- ments of the sewage treatment plant were modified slightly. Requirements for discharge were tightened again and will require considering the acquisition of ponds for storage. There are times when the limit of capacity is reach before MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH AUGUST 4, 1971 - PAGE 4 discharge is allowed. There will be specific recommendations in this regard at a later date. ADJOURNMENT There being no further regular business, Mayor Norgard declared the meeting adjourned at 9:42 p.m. Mayor - ,T— ATTEST: A s City Clerk