Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin 12-03-69335' MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH DECEMBER 3~ 1969 The City Council convened in regular session in the Council Chambers at 8:01 p.m. with Mayor Henderson, Councilmen Scotto, Crook, Norgard and Hill present. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On a motion by Councilman Crook, seconded by Councilman Hill, it was unanimously carried the minutes of the meeting of November 19, 1969, be approved as submitted by the Clerk. SPECIAL WARRANTS On a motion by Councilman Crook, seconded by Councilman Norgard, it was unanimously carried Special Warrants #1238 to #1246 inclusive in the amount of $8,347.90 be approved and ordered paid. PAYROLL WARRANTS On a motion by Councilman Norgard, seconded by Councilman Hill, it was unanimously carried Payroll Warrants #912 to #934 inclusive and #16,802 to #16,931 inclusive for the period of November 16th though November 30, 1969, be approved in the total amount of $46,635.38. SANDELIN CLAIM FOR DAMAGES DENIED The City Attorney reviewed a claim filed by F. W. Sandelin in the amount of $106.44 for damage to an aluminum awning on the building located at School and West Smith Streets. Claimant alleged said damage resulted from collapse of high voltage electrical wires. It was recommended the the claim be denied. On a motion by Councilman Scotto, seconded by Councilman Norgard, it was unanimously carried the claim for damages by F. W. Sandelin in the amount of $106.44 be denied. FROHLING CLAIM FOR DAMAGES DENIED The City Attorney reviewed a claim filed by Betty Armour Frohling, Studio City, California, in the total amount of $60,000.00. Claimant alleged injuries resulted when a rented golf cart at the Municipal Golf Course turned over. It was recommended the claim be denied. On a motion by Councilman Hill, seconded by Councilman Scotto, it was unanimously carried the claim'for damages by Betty Armour Frohling, Studio City, California, in the amount of $60,000.00 be denied. The City Attorney will determine how the City is protected with regard to accidents of this nature. CITY ATTORNEY REPORTS TAX ON UTILITIES The Senate and Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committees held a joint hearing in San Francisco on two aspects of taxation of utilities. The proposal for taxation of government-owned utilities was in the form of a round-table discussion rather than formal presentation of testimony. Those speaking in behalf of taxation of municipally-owned utilities as well as the opponents were reviewed by the City Attorney. A member of the Assembly Revenue and Taxation Committee indicated he would oppose any proposals permitting the State to levy a tax on municipally-owned public utilities if the property tax can be labeled regressive. He stated his opposition is not only because it is regressive but it pun- ishes publicly-owned utilities which are providing efficient service at a low cost to the consumer. It seemed generally agreed that discussion of any major tax reform program will include this controversial subject of utility taxation. 33'6 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH DECEMBER 3, 1969 - PAGE 2 PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING WEED ABATEMENT COSTS The City Manager reported the required notice of weed abatement charges to individual property owners has been posted as required by state law. At 8:15 p.m. Mayor Henderson declared the public hearing open regarding weed abatement costs. There was no one present in the audience to speak in opposition to said costs. The City Engineer explained the manner in which the charges were computed. The property owners will be billed for said charges prior to the amount being placed as a lien against the in- dividual properties. A letter will be included with each statement of charges indicating the rights of said property owners and advising of a time when complaints may again be registered with the Council in those cases which cannot be settled by staff. On a motion by Councilman Hill, seconded by Councilman Scotto, it was unanimously carried to continue the public hearing regarding weed abate- ment costs to February 4, 1970. DISCUSSION WITH LIBRARY ARCHITECT Mr. Max Kappeler, Library Architect gave a detailed presentation of schematic drawings for the proposed City Library building. Two plans were presented for Council consideration. Shceme "A" proposed a facility containing 10,400 square feet which would allow for an estimated growth projection of two years. Scheme "B" would provide 12,000 square feet with an enlarged children's room, book area, and provision for a base- ment. The estimated projection of growth for this plan would be seven years. Mrs. Marcia Smith, Children's Librarian was present in the audience and spoke in regard to the area proposed for the children's section. She stated the plan as proposed in Scheme "A" would not allow enough room to accomodate the number of children who regularly attend the story hour which is conducted at the present time in the county portion of the library facility. The enlarged area proposed in Scheme "B" would allow for continuation of this important phase of the children's program. The Board of Library Trustees will discuss the proposed plans with the Architect and the City Manager prior to the December 10th meeting at which time the proposal will again be considered by the Council. MAYOR HENDERSON DECLARED A RECESS AT THIS POINT IN THE MEETING - 9:59 P.M. AWARD OF BIDS FOR FIRE STATION ADDITION (AUSTIN HALL) City Manager reviewed the following tabulation of bids received for con- struction of an addition to the fire station: Austin Hall, Ukiah Crane of Ukiah John Wagner Construction Co. Christensen Construction Nolan Jack Hunt $17,696.00 18,540.00 19,400.00 19,445.00 22,470.00 The low bid was 10% above the engineer's estimate. The City Manager re- ported some savings could be realized in the work proposed to be done by acceptable change orders; however, it appears that the allocation for this project will be exceeded by as much as $1,000. City Manager recom- mended the bid be awarded to the low bidder, Austin Hall. On a motion by Councilman Norgard, seconded by Councilman Hill, it was unanimously carried the bid of Austin Hall be accepted for construction of addition to the existing Ukiah Fire Department Building in the total amount of $17,696.00 DISCUSSION REGARDING ZAP COMMUNICATIONS POSTPONED City Manager reported the discussion regarding Zap Communications proposed operations had been postponed at their request. 3; '7 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH DECEMBER 3~ 1969 - PAGE 3 APPROVAL OF REQUEST FROM DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS ASSOC. City Manager reported the Downtown Merchants have again made the request to allow potential customers free parking in the downtown area during the Christmas holidays. The Association has agreed to pay the rate of 25¢ per meter per day charge during the period of December 15th to 24th inclusive, for a total of $558.00. On a motion by Councilman Crook, seconded by Councilman Norgard, it was unanimously carried to approve the request from the Downtown Merchants Association for customer parking as reviewed by the City Manager. BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVES EXTENSION OF LIBRARY OPERATION City Manager reported the Board of Supervisors has executed the "Agreement for Continuation Of Library Service". Certified copies of said agreement will be furnished the Library Board of Trustees and the Board of Super- visors. SHELTER FOR RIFLE RANGE IN COW MOUNTAIN AREA City Manager read a portion of the Board of Supervisors minutes requesting that the Council consider a request for City participation in the shelter for the rifle range in the Cow Mountain Area. On a motion by Councilman Scotto, seconded by Councilman Crook, it was unanimously carried that the City not participate in said project and to so advise the Board of Supervisors. LIONS CLUB TO INSTALL SPRINKLER SYSTEM IN VINEWOOD PARK City Manager reported the Board for the Lions Club has authorized labor to install the sprinkler system in Vinewood Park and expressed his appreciation of their generosity. COUNCILMAN CROOK Councilman Crook suggested that a city-wide clean-up campaign be con- ducted in the spring and fall each year. Councilman Crook requested that the City Manager obtain a copy of the anti-burning ordinance recently adopted by the City of Fresno. Councilman Crook asked if proceeds from the sale of the library property could go into the City's General Fund. The City Attorney will check into this matter. COUNCILMAN NORGARD Councilman Norgard asked about the demolition of buildings on three sites in the city. The City Engineer explained the progress being made in each case. COUNCILMAN HILL Councilman Hill asked the City Engineer how accurate he felt his estimates are for construction of public buildings. The City Engineer made the explanation. Councilman Hill asked when we plan to get moving on the traffic and housing plans. City Manager reported that we could get started as soon as we hear from the state as to their approval of information submitted to date. 338 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF UKIAH DECEMBER 3~ 1969 - PAGE 4 MAYOR HENDERSON Mayor Henderson commented on the Pop Warner football team and the splendid record they have made this year and expressed thanks to the Lions Club for their sponsoring the team. Mayor Henderson referred to the unusual amount of smoke in the valley this year and indicated that air pollution control should be encouraged. ADJOURNMENT As there was no further regular business, the Mayor declared the meeting adjourned at 10:37 p.m. MAYOR ATTEST: CITY CLERK