HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin 01-21-04 MINUTES OF THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21,2004
The Ukiah City Council met at a Regular Meeting on January 21, 2004, the notice for
which had been legally noticed and posted, at 6:30 p.m. Roll was taken and the
following Councilmembers were present: Rodin, Andersen, Baldwin, and Mayor
Larson. Councilmember absent: Smith. Staff present: Community Services Director
DeKnoblough, Risk Manager/Budget Officer Harris (sitting in for City Manager Horsley),
Interim Public Utility Director Kennedy, City Attorney Rapport, and Deputy City Clerk
Ulvila.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Students from St. Mary's School led the Pledge of Allegiance.
URGENCY ITEM
Mayor Larson stated that there is a need to take immediate action and the need for
action came to the attention of the City subsequent to the agenda being posted. The
Urgency Item concerns: Approve budqet amendment in the amount of $2,607 to
authorize payment of Water Riqht Fees assessed by the State Water Resources
Control Board for water diversions authorized by Permit Application A025691.
M/S Rodin/Andersen adding Agenda item 8b under New Business to the Agenda,
carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Rodin, Andersen,
Baldwin, and Mayor Larson. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT:
Councilmember Smith.
3. PRESENTATION
3a. Presentation From Redwood Empire Municipal Insurance Fund (REMIF)
Jeff Davis, REMIF General Manager, provided his annual presentation regarding the
City's coverage through its self-insured pool. This self-insured pooled effort has
provided stability in the areas of loss coverages, risk management, safety oversight,
training, and health benefits for its members. The City of Ukiah's insurance coverage
has expanded and includes comprehensive general and auto liability coverage, workers'
compensation coverage, property coverage, fidelity insurance, boiler/machinery
coverage, auto physical damage coverage.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
4a. Adjourned Regular Meeting of November 177 2003
Councilmember Rodin inquired about language at the bottom of page 1 that shows
$75,000 instead of $150,000 for the Fire Department.
Council discussed the matter and felt that the amount of money needed by the Fire
Department was clarified elsewhere in the minutes to be $150,000.
Councilmember Rodin noted a correction to page 3, second to last paragraph, that the
second sentence should read, "The City can't use those tax proceeds to displace the
amount of General Fund revenues budgeted for public safety in 2003/2004."
Regular City Council Meeting
January 21,2004
Page 1 of 5
She also noted on page 5, the last paragraph, and on page 6 in the fifth paragraph, she
voted "Aye", not "Abstained".
City Attorney Rapport advised that the minutes could be approved subject to the
Deputy City Clerk verifying the vote on pages 5 and 6.
M/S Rodin/Baldwin approving the minutes of the Adjourned Regular Meeting of
November 17, 2003, as corrected, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES:
Councilmembers Rodin, Andersen, Baldwin, and Mayor Larson. NOES: None.
ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Smith.
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
4b. Re_clular Meeting of December 37 2003
Councilmember Andersen noted the misspelling of his name on page 3. He also
noted that the first sentence in the third paragraph on page 3 should read,
"Councilmember Andersen supported the concept of constructing a fountain, noting
implementation of a large tree in place of a fountain may obstruct the view of the stage
area".
M/S Andersen/Baldwin approving the minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 3,
2003, as corrected, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers
Rodin, Andersen, Baldwin, and Mayor Larson. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None.
ABSENT: Councilmember Smith.
5. RIGHT TO APPEAL DECISION
Mayor Larson read the appeal process.
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
M/S Andersen/Rodin approving item "a" through "d" of the Consent Calendar as
follows:
a. Approved Disbursements For Month Of December 2003;
b. Adopted Resolution 2004-17 Approving City Of Ukiah Qualified Bidders List For
2004;
c. Awarded Purchase Of Liquid Sodium Hyprochlorite To Pioneer Americas LLC In The
Amount Of $40,964 Plus Tax;
d. Approved Retainer Agreement With Jarvis & Kay, LLP.
Motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Rodin, Andersen,
Baldwin, and Mayor Larson. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT:
Councilmember Smith.
7. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
Alex Washington invited the City Council to the graduation ceremony for California
Conservation Corp (CCC) and he distributed invitations to Council.
Megan Covalin, Chas Williams, Cristina Lopez, and Emily Scaturro, students at St.
Mary's School, each gave a short speech concerning St. Mary's School's educational
curriculum, the importance of maintaining a student council, and the events scheduled
Regular City Council Meeting
January 21,2004
Page 2 of 5
in celebration of Catholics Schools Week. An Open House is planned for January 27th.
They also noted this is the 35th year of Mardi Gras and encouraged the public to join
them at the Fairgrounds for an evening of fun.
8. NEW BUSINESS
8a. Status Report And Discussion Regarding The Conduct Of A Community
Desi_~n Forum And Workshop
Planning Director Stump introduced the idea of conducting a Community Design
Forum and public workshop. The Planning Commission was supportive of the concept
and recommended the plans focus on the desired outcome, geographic focus, and
potential participants that could include developers, architects, concerned citizens,
Councilmembers, County staff/County Board of Supervisors, and other members of the
community and County.
Alan Nicolson, a Ukiah architect, stated that he would like to see the Ukiah Valley
effectively plan and apply architecturally pleasing design elements to developments and
complement other developments that help shape and preserve the natural beauty of the
Valley. He recommended all interested professional and public members meet to share
growth concepts and establish a context for desired development goals.
During discussion, the Councilmembers favored the Ukiah Planning Commission and
City Council meeting jointly to discuss design issues and to stimulate input and public
comments. They also favored having a series of forums to discuss design issues with
County Planning staff and the County Board of Supervisors.
Councilmember Rodin inquired regarding the status of the Ukiah Valley Area Plan
(UVAP) and commented input from a Community Design Forum could help shape the
planning and growth objectives for adoption of this document.
Director Stump reported, additionally, the Ukiah General Plan Community Design
Element adopted in 1995 and the City of Ukiah Commercial Design Guidelines adopted
in 2001 provides community design guidelines and standards. The General Plan
document addresses the guidelines for establishing design review programs, how to
seek out future design to become "preservable" structures, providing aesthetically
pleasing urbanscape, seek uniform and application of attractive landscaping standards
for non-single family residential development throughout the Valley; and information on
how to improve the appearance of the City "gateways".
He stated that the forum could focus on community design issues to include guest
speakers, video presentations, and other related land development and building design
topics for discussion. The Housing Element Update addresses the issue of the use of
vacant land and/or land that is underutilized. The Design Forum could identify specific
properties where development opportunities could occur and effective design elements
applied.
Councilmember Andersen stated it is important that the design standards
implemented for the Ukiah General Plan harmonize with those of the UVAP in order to
Regular City Council Meeting
January 21,2004
Page 3 of 5
preserve and maintain the beauty of the Valley without having design standards that do
not complement one another.
8b. URGENCY ITEM
Ar)r)rove Budget Amendment In The Amount Of $2~607 To Authorize
Payment Of Water Right Fees Assessed By The State Water Resources
Control Board For Water Diversions Authorized By Permit Application
A025691
Risk Manager/Budget Officer Harris advised that the City is required to make a
payment prior to the next City Council meeting to avoid interest charges and penalties.
The spending authorization is necessary to pay for water right fees assessed by the
State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) for authorized water diversions related
to the Lake Mendocino Hydro Electrical Generation Plant pursuant to Section 1066 of
Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR). The new fees imposed resulted
from State legislation directing SWRCB to fund its budget through fees collected from
water rights holders and water rights applicants rather than from the State's General
Fund. The City has not budgeted for the payment of the new water right fee
assessments and so an amendment is required to authorize the expenditure.
M/S Rodin/Andersen approving budget amendment authorizing additional expenses
within the Water and Conservation Department of the Electric Utility Fund, Account
#800.5536.630.007, in the amount of $2,607 to pay for Water Right Fees assessed by
the State Water Resources Control Board; carried by the following roll call vote: AYES:
Councilmembers Rodin, Andersen, Baldwin, and Mayor Larson. NOES: None.
ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember: Smith.
9. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilmember Andersen reported the Council has been working on the sales tax
initiative (Measure G) to formulate strategies for educating/developing public support
and campaign fundraising. The Housing Element Update Committee will meet next
week and he is a member of this committee. The Skateboard Park Committee meets
regularly and he anticipates that the planning phase, site selection, and accompanying
issues can be resolved by next year. He briefly commented on the State budget crisis
and how the City and County have been affected.
Councilmember Baldwin reported on the recent Russian River Watershed Council
meeting. The meeting focused on the proposed management plan to be developed by a
consultant. He also attended a Mendocino County Inland Water and Power
Commission subcommittee meeting to discuss the benefits associated with a reduction
in the river flow and reserve water behind the dam.
Mayor Larson reported he and Councilmember Baldwin attended a Martin Luther King
event and stated various speakers were in attendance. He has been working on the
sales tax measure and receives e-mails concerning the ramifications of this issue.
10. CITY MANGER/CITY CLERK REPORTS
Deputy City Clerk Ulvila reported that the City has received Easy Voter Guides printed
in both English and Spanish. These pamphlets are now available at the counter at City
Regular City Council Meeting
January 21,2004
Page 4 of 5
Hall. Also, the City Clerk's office received a binder from the IRS with 2003 forms that
are available for copying.
She reported that Kevin Cotroneo has submitted his resignation from the Traffic
Engineering Committee. A Press Release was issued to solicit applicants for
appointment to this vacancy, The deadline for submittal is January 30, 2004 at noon.
FPPC form 700, Statements of Conflict of Interest, have been sent to City
Councilmembers and City staff and the deadline for filing is April 1,2004.
11. CLOSED SESSION
No action taken.
12. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the City Council meeting was adjourned at 7:39 p.m.
Marie Ulvila, Deputy City Clerk
Gathy fila~adly, Transcdp~nist
Regular City Council Meeting
January 21,2004
Page 5 of 5