Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin 05-05-04MINUTES OF THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2004 The Ukiah City Council met at a Regular Meeting on May 5, 2004, the notice for which had been legally noticed and posted, at 6:30 p.m. in the Civic Center Council Chambers, 300 Seminary Avenue, Ukiah, California. Roll was taken and the following Councilmembers were present: Rodin, Andersen, Smith, Baldwin, and Mayor Larson. Staff present: Community Services Director DeKnoblough, Finance Director Elton, Risk Manager/Budget Officer Harris, City Manager Horsley, Fire Chief Latipow, City Attorney Rapport, Public Works Director Steele, Planning Director Stump, Police Chief Williams, and City Clerk Ulvila. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mendocino County Under-sheriff Hudson led the Pledge of Allegiance. 3. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATION 3a. Proclamation: Wildfire Awareness Week in Ukiah Mayor Larson read the Proclamation proclaiming May 9-15, 2004 as Wildfire Awareness Week in Ukiah and urged all residents to be active in Ukiah's fire safety in preparation for the upcoming fire season by adhering to this year's theme of "It a Clear Choice". Ukiah Fire Chief Latipow accepted the Proclamation. He discussed the City's partnership with California Department of Forestry (CDF) and noted that without the assistance of CDF the City would be unable to protect the western hills. CDF Assistant Chief Jim Davis discussed the Air Attack Base at Ukiah Airport and explained that aircraft will arrive there on June 16 with full staffing and a helicopter. 3. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATION 3b. Proclamation: Walk & Roll Festival Mayor Larson read the Proclamation proclaiming May 16-22, 2004 as Walk & Roll Festival in the City of Ukiah, and urged all who are able to take advantage of the benefits offered to those who ride a bicycle, walk, or ride a M'I'A bus to do so during this week and throughout the year. Valerie Lawe, from the Rock & Roll Coalition accepted the Proclamation and discussed activities planned for the Walk & Roll Festival. She noted that Councilmember Rodin and Councilmember Andersen will participate in competition. 3. PROCLAMATIONS/PRESENTATION 3c. Presentation: Karin Wandrei with the Mendocino County Youth Project Karin Wandrei from the Mendocino County Youth Project provided a presentation regarding the status of the agency. She discussed SHARE Youth Crisis service, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling services, PASSAGES Adolescent Alcohol and Drug Treatment, school services, Family Enhancement services, and the Transitional Living Program. Regular City Council Meeting May 5, 2004 Page 1 of 7 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4a. Regular Meeting of April 77 2004 M/S Smith/Baldwin approving the Regular Meeting presented, and carried by unanimous consent. Minutes of April 7, 2004, as 5. RIGHT TO APPEAL Mayor Larson read the appeal process. 6. CONSENT CALENDAR Councilmember Andersen requested that at some future date Council revisit the issue of surplus materials and their disposition to try to revise that policy with an eye toward of increasing the amount of money that can be return to the budget from the disposition of surplus materials. M/S Andersen/Smith approving items "a" through "e" of the Consent Calendar as follows: a. Received Report of Emergency Acquisition of One 400 AMP 480 Volt Service Entrance Panel with Meter Socket, Distribution Panel, and 2 KVA Dry Transformer; b. Received Report of Expenditure of One 125 HP Motor From GE Supply, in the Amount of $7,293.10; c. Received Report of Disposition of Surplus Materials, Used Equipment, and Supplies; d. Approved Administrative Assistant- Homeland Security as a Grant Funded Position for MESA Within the City of Ukiah; e. Approved Budget Amendment to Purchase Three Portable Vehicle Covers and 18 Wildland Fire Shelters. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Rodin, Andersen, Smith, Baldwin, and Mayor Larson. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. 7. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Michael Deckard, Ukiah, discussed disputes he is having with his neighbor with regard to blocking a fire lane and trespassing. Bruce Foster, President of the Greater Ukiah Chamber of Commerce, discussed the article in the local newspaper with regard to the Mendocino County Employers Council's views concerning Measure G and encouraged Council to find ways to get more funding for public safety. 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 8a. Consideration of Low Gap Park as Site for Development of a Skatepark Councilmember Rodin recommended the matter be continued to a future meeting. She is the Council's representative on the Ukiah Player's Theater (UPT) Board and at their recent Board meeting they expressed concerns with the recommendation to locate the skatepark at the Low Gap site. She felt it premature for the Council to move forward with this plan until further discussion occurs. Regular City Council Meeting May 5, 2004 Page 2 of 7 M/S Rodin/Andersen recommending continuance of the agenda item pending further discussion. Councilmember Andersen advised that there are continuing discussions with regard to the NCRA property site and felt it would be premature to discuss the Low Gap Road site. Councilmember Baldwin was of the opinion that members of the audience should be allowed to speak regarding the agenda item. Councilmember Andersen agreed and withdrew his second to the motion. M/S Rodin/Smith recommending continuance of the agenda item pending further discussion. Councilmember Rodin withdrew her motion and Councilmember Smith withdrew his second to the motion. Ann Rosenthal, parent of a skateboarder, discussed skateboarding as a healthy and positive activity for children to be involved in. She discussed her frustration with the matter of locating a site going on for many years. Dotty Coplen, Ukiah, hoped the matter of finding a site would be resolved soon. City Manager Horsley explained that this City Council has been very active in pursuing a site. She noted that the UPT are concerned but there is renewed interest at the railroad site and the City may be able to finalize something very shortly. M/S Rodin/Smith to table the matter to a future meeting. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Rodin, Andersen, Smith, Baldwin, and Mayor Larson. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. 9. NEW BUSINESS 9a. Introduction of Ordinance Amending Ukiah City Code Section 2053, Emer_~ency Response Cost Recovery City Attorney Rapport discussed the proposed ordinance amending Ukiah City Code Section 2053, emergency response cost recovery. The matter is also included under Closed Session if Council needs to discuss litigation. He discussed reasons for amending the definition of "incident". M/S Rodin/Andersen to introduce Ordinance by title only, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Rodin, Andersen, Smith, Baldwin, and Mayor Larson. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. Deputy City Clerk Ulvila read the title of the Ordinance, "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Ukiah Amending Section 2053 of the Ukiah City Code Pertaining to the Recovery of Emergency Response Costs from Intoxicated Drivers." Regular City Council Meeting May 5, 2004 Page 3 of 7 M/S Smith/Baldwin to introduce Ordinance, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Rodin, Andersen, Smith, Baldwin, and Mayor Larson. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. Councilmember Baldwin requested that Agenda item 9d be heard next. 9. NEW BUSINESS 9d. Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Request From County of Mendocino For Support of Federal Legislative Program Fundin_~ Request~ City Manager Horsley advised that this matter was continued from the April 21, 2004 Council meeting. The City has received a letter from Hal Wagonet, Board of Supervisors Chairman, and seeking support of Mendocino County's Federal Legislative Program funding requests for several projects. Jim Anderson, Mendocino County Administrator, provided an overview of the County's Federal Legislative Program with regard to significant needs of the County so as to have an increased opportunity for federal funding. He discussed each of the requests addressed in his letter to the City. Tape lb Considerable discussion followed between Mr. Anderson and Councilmembers concerning the County's requests, how they might affect the City of Ukiah and its residents, and whether it is appropriate for the City to send a letter of support. A summary of Council's views on each item is listed below: COYOTE VALLEY DAM~ LAKE MENDOCINO, Energy and Water Appropriations, Army Corps of Engineers, Request $250,000: Unanimous consensus of Council was to support the project. HELIPAD, Request $500,000: Unanimous consensus of Council upon condition that the residents were satisfied with mitigations. PUBLIC SAFETY MICROWAVE SYSTEM, Request $5,500,000: Unanimous consensus of Council. WASTEWATER - UKIAH VALLEY SANITATION DISTRICT, Request $74,000,000: It was the consensus of Council that if the project is funded, any benefit would be spread among all users of the City's Wastewater Treatment Plant. WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN, Environmental Protection Agency, Request $400,000: Unanimous consensus of Council. RECYCLED WATER USE PLANT United States Bureau of Reclamation, Request $200,000: Unanimous consensus of Council. FUNDING FOR SEPTAGE DEHYDRATORS, Request $100,000: Unanimous consensus of Council. REDEMEYER ROAD EXTENSION, Request $370,000:4-1 vote to support. It was the consensus of Council to write a letter of support for those items discussed. 1 NEW BUSINESS Selection of New Council Representative for the Sun House Guild Meetings Regular City Council Meeting May 5, 2004 Page 4 of 7 Councilmember Rodin explained that as the Council's representative on the Sun House Guild, she has been unable to attend the 4:00 p.m. meetings. Councilmember Baldwin volunteered to be the Council's representative. M/S Smith/Rodin selecting Councilmember Baldwin to serve on the Sun House Guild Committee for the remainder of the year, and carried by unanimous consent of the Council. Maryann Norris, Ukiah, voiced her opinion with regard to the previous agenda item in that anything growth inducing should be investigated further. 9. NEW BUSINESS 9b. Introduction of Ordinance Amending Ukiah City Code Sections 1151 and 1152 Governing the Appointment and Term of Office for Members of the City Planning Commission Councilmember Baldwin explained that his proposal to Council would allow each Councilmember to appoint a Planning Commission member to serve the same term as the Councilmember. Tape 2a City Attorney Rapport explained that it was his understanding that Council had wanted each Councilmember to have the right to appoint one member of the Planning Commission but they wanted those appointments approved by the whole Council. The alternative wording submitted by Councilmember Baldwin that he reviewed is fine. He offered another proposal that it be phased in as each current Commissioner's term expires while Councilmember Baldwin is proposing that all of the Commissioners' terms expire on January 1, 2005. He explained that the person the Councilmember appoints would serve for the Councilmember's term of office. Discussion followed as to when the appointment would become affective as well as discussion of Options A and B as submitted by Councilmember Baldwin. It was noted that this new process would allow the current Commission ample time to deal their current major projects. Councilmember Andersen stated that despite whatever changes are made, the application process should continue and he voiced his opposition to interviewing applicants. He was supportive of Option A. Mayor Larson discussed diversity among Commissioners with regard to geographic composition. He noted that the Ordinance suggests that "any resident" can be appointed and does not signify any age limitation. City Attorney Rapport stated that residency within the City limits is the only requirement in the current section of the Municipal Code. There was discussion regarding the process for handling a hypothetical situation in which a City Councilmember failed to appoint a Planning Commissioner. Regular City Council Meeting May 5, 2004 Page 5 of 7 M/S Baldwin/Smith to direct staff to return at the next meeting with a revised Ordinance that meets the intent of Option A. Councilmember Baldwin explained that the Commissioners whose terms expire in June 2004 would have the option of continuing to serve until January 2005, and then on January 1,2005, all Planning Commission seats will become vacant. John McCowen, Ukiah, explained that if Council reforms the nominating system, the Councilmember nominating someone would want to make sure that person are qualified and would take responsibility for their nomination to the Planning Commission. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Rodin, Andersen, Smith, and Baldwin. NOES: Mayor Larson. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: None. 10. COUNCIL REPORTS Councilmember Andersen reported that he attended a meeting of the Mendocino Solid Waste Management Authority (MSWMA) and listened to concerns regarding the current hauler's approach to apartment recycling. He is interested in having something agendized for future discussion with regarding apartment recycling. Another issue concerned solid waste trucks with hydraulic problems. Councilmember Smith reported spending part of last week in Washington, D.C. on behalf of Northern California Power Authority (NCPA) and the City's involvement with NCPA. NCPA felt it was a successful experience and that they received positive support. He reviewed some of the issues that were discussed. He reported that he substituted for Councilmember Baldwin and attended the Ukiah Valley Sanitation District meeting today. The action taken at the meeting was relative to the County's Legislative Program. There was also discussion regarding amending the connection fees with a tiered rate structure. They discussed repealing ordinance #22 that deals with placing limitations on newer sewer hookups, as a result of the optimization study in which Brown and Caldwell reported an additional 920 equivalent sewer services could be safety added. That matter was also passed and it will become effective June 4, 2004. City Manager Horsley advised that the Sanitation District is asking to have the Brown and Caldwell report to be reviewed by another engineering firm at an estimate of $55,000 to $65,000. A joint meeting is planned for the beginning of June. At that time the Sanitation District will bring forward a request for the Council to share in that cost. Councilmember Baldwin reported receiving a letter from the Russian River Flood Control District stating that they would refuse to participate in any new Joint Powers Authority with the County Water Agency and adamantly stating that they wanted the Inland Water and Power Commission (IWPC) to be the lead agency. He recommended that this matter be placed on the City Council's agenda so Council could advise him how to vote as the City's delegate concerning what should happen on that issue. He has asked that at the Council's first meeting in June that Council consider a City Regular City Council Meeting May 5, 2004 Page 6 of 7 statement concerning the Hopland Bypass and local funding for the Bypass. He also discussed banners over State Street. He noted that in today's newspaper there is a Letter to the Editor from Justin Wyatt, Vice President of the Ukiah Police Officers Association, and he felt that the article misrepresented his positions. Mayor Larson reported he was a presenter for two of the McCovey awards. He also attended the Community Center open house and walked a mile in a pair of women's high-healed shoes during an event sponsored by Project Sanctuary that raised $5,000. He gave a 17 syllable welcome address to the ukiaHaiku event. He felt this could become a significant event to draw interest to Ukiah. He attended the Hillside Clinic Women's Health open house. He sat on a panel with Police Captain Dewey concerning revising recruitment policies and regionalizing them so local agencies in Mendocino and possibly Lake County would participate in a recruitment process that would provide the City with better candidates for its Police Department. He attended meetings of MCOG and LAFCO. Last night he attended a Gang Prevention forum and there is continued interest. He attended a meeting of the Financial Review Committee and four fagade projects were approved. 12. CITY MANGER/CITY CLERK REPORTS City Manager Horsley reported that staff met today concerning the ballot measure to coordinate a public meeting which will be held at the Conference Center. She reported that the City received a $500,000 grant that for the Community Development Commission (CDC) Revolving Loan Fund. She discussed the waster water funding trip to Washington, D.C. which has a cost of approximately $1,300 per person, and noted that the consultant specifically asked that the Mayor attend. Tape 2b City Manager Horsley advised that the trip would most likely take place during the week of May 17th or 24th. Councilmember Andersen advised that he may interested in attending. 13. CLOSED SESSION G.C. ~i54956.9 (a)~ Conference with Legal Counsel- Existinq Litiqation, Dubrav et al. v. Alameda County Superior Court Case No. 200205 Council did not go into Closed Session. 14. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the City Council meeting was adjourned at 8:58 p.m. ! Marie UIvila, City Clerk Regular City Council Meeting May 5, 2OO4 Page 7 of 7