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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMin 05-19-04 MINUTES OF THE UKIAH CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING WEDNESDAY, MAY 19, 2004 The Ukiah City Council met at a Regular Meeting on May 19, 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, Smith, and Vice Mayor Baldwin. Councilmembers absent: Councilmember Andersen and Mayor Larson. Staff present: Public Works Director Steele, Community Services Director DeKnoblough, Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisor Gall, Risk Manager/Budget Officer Harris, City Manager Horsley, Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Jamison, City Attorney Rapport, Civil Engineer Eriksen, and Deputy City Clerk Riley. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Jim Mulheren led the Pledge of Allegiance. w COMMENDATIONS/PROCLAMATION Commendations for Ukiah Police Officer Barry Inman~ Mendocino County Deputy Sheriff Andrew Whiteaker~ and Thomas Fletcher Vice-Mayor Baldwin read a commendation to Ukiah Police Officer Barry Inman, Mendocino County Deputy Sheriff Andrew Whiteaker, and Thomas Fletcher in recognition of their selfless act of providing immediate assistance in rendering life saving actions. Fire Chief Latipow also commended the three gentlemen, and added that two Ukiah Valley firefighters also provided assistance at the scene. w COMMENDATIONS/PROCLAMATION Proclamation: Peace Officers Month in Ukiah Vice-Mayor Baldwin read a proclamation proclaiming May 2004 as Peace Officers Month in Ukiah and encouraged all residents to remember those who gave their lives for our safety and express appreciation to those who continue to dedicate themselves to maintaining Ukiah as a safe and enjoyable place in which to live. Police Captain Walker accepted the proclamation and expressed his gratitude. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 4a. Regular Meeting of April 21~ 2004 Deputy City Clerk Riley advised that the minutes are not complete at this time and would be presented to Council at its next meeting. 5. RIGHT TO APPEAL DECISION Vice-Mayor Baldwin read the appeal process. Regular City Council Meeting May 19, 2OO4 Page 1 of 6 6. CONSENT CALENDAR M/S Rodin/Smith approving item "a" through "e" of the Consent Calendar as follows: a. Approved Disbursements for Month of April 2004; b. Authorized Renewal of Contract with the Salvation Army to Provide Professional Services for Ukiah C.A.R.E.S. Program; c. Adopted Ordinance No. 1054 Amending Ukiah City Code Section 2053, Emergency Response Cost Recovery; d. Approved Contract Addendum with Citygate Associates for Continued Performance of Developing an Annexation Strategy and Negotiations; e. Approved Letter of Support for Homeless Treatment Grant. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Rodin, Smith, Vice- Mayor Baldwin. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Andersen and Mayor Larson. 7. AUDIENCE COMMENTS ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS Rosalind Peterson, Redwood Valley, addressed the Council regarding layoffs at the Mendocino County Probation Department. In her opinion, the layoffs will quickly lead to a public safety issue for the community, thereby impacting the City Police Department. al UNFINISHED BUSINESS Introduction of Ordinance Amending Ukiah City Code Section 1151 and 115~ Governing the Appointment and Term of Office for Members of the City Plannin.,,1 Commission City Attorney Rapport summarized the agenda summary report for this item, originally heard at the May 5th City Council meeting, and which now includes the Council's recommended revisions. James Mulheren addressed the Council and expressed his concern regarding having five new commissioners on the same date, resulting in a potentially serious learning curve. Commissioner Rodin addressed Mr. Mulheren's comment, explaining that she shared his concern, and it is her intention to nominate someone who is already on the commission. M/S Smith/Rodin introducing Ordinance by title only, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Rodin, Smith, and Vice-Mayor Baldwin. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Andersen and Mayor Larson. Deputy City Clerk Riley read the title of the Ordinance, "An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Ukiah Sections 1151 and 1152 of the Ukiah City Code Concerning the Appointment of Commissioners to the Planning Commission and Their Terms of Office." M/S Smith/Rodin introducing Ordinance, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Rodin, Smith, and Vice-Mayor Baldwin. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Andersen and Mayor Larson. Regular City Council Meeting May 19, 2004 Page 2 of 6 8b. UNFINISHED BUSINESSS Consideration of Site for Skatepark Development Due to ongoing property negotiations, this item will be discussed in Closed Session prior to Council action. 9. NEW BUSINESS 9a. Presentation by Omni Means Ltd.~ Regarding City-Wide Traffic and Circulation Study Civil Engineer Eriksen introduced consultants Paul Miller and Ross Ainsworth from Omni Means Ltd. and briefly summarized the traffic circulation workshop held earlier on May 19th, Consultant Paul Miller provided a Power Point presentation regarding the Ukiah Citywide Circulation Study. Omni Means has studied existing traffic conditions, identified problem traffic areas, and formulated recommendations regarding circulation. As part of his presentation, Mr. Miller described the areas within the City that are currently operating at a deficient level of service and provided two possible alternatives for diverting downtown traffic. A brief discussion followed regarding the proposed roundabouts and how revisions to Main and Oak Streets might impact those neighborhoods. Vice-Mayor Baldwin expressed his desire for a workshop in the evening for those who were unable to attend the daytime workshop. Mike McCann, Ukiah, inquired regarding the safety of pedestrians attempting to cross roundabouts. Gordon Elton, Ukiah, inquired regarding the proposal to make Oak Street one-way and where that one-way street might merge with two-way traffic again. He expressed concern regarding the impacts on the residential neighborhoods in this area. Jim Mulheren, Ukiah, inquired regarding the possibilities of extending Orchard Avenue in a southern direction and utilizing Dora Avenue as a one-way instead of Oak Street. Mr. Miller addressed the question regarding pedestrian safety by explaining that the consultants are looking at a multi-modal system and have taken into consideration both pedestrian facilities and bike paths. Pedestrians cross roundabouts at a location before the center, so that they are only crossing one lane at a time. Regarding utilizing Oak Street as a one-way, he explained that this presentation is just a draft and further considerations regarding residential neighborhoods and one-way streets will be made. He also explained that Dora Street might be considered as a one-way street, creating third and fourth alternatives to the current traffic system. Vice-Mayor Baldwin expressed that, of the two alternatives presented, he preferred Alternative~Two, as it did not change Oak Street. He also noted that he would like to see an emphasis on the downtown School Street area. Regular City Council Meeting May 19, 2004 Page 3 of 6 Councilmember Rodin stated that she would like to see examples from other communities. City Manager Horsley remarked that she was impressed with the innovative ideas from the consultants. 1 NEW BUSINESS Authorization of the City Manager to Negotiate and Enter Into a Profession Consulting Services Agreement with Owen En.qineerin.q and Mana_aement Consultants to Provide Construction Management Services for the City of Ukiah's Water System Improvement Proiect for an Amount Not to Excee,~ ~522~600 Public Works Director Steele provided an overview of the staff report, explaining that Owen Engineering and Management Consultants would provide construction management services for the City's Water System Improvement Project. M/S Smith/Rodin authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and enter into a Professional Consulting Services Agreement with Owen Engineering & Management Consultants to provide construction management services for the City of Ukiah's Water System Improvement Project, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Rodin, Smith, and Vice-Mayor Baldwin. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Andersen and Mayor Larson. 1 NEW BUSINESS Discussion and Possible Action Re.qardin_q Appointment Process anH Terms for the Airport Commission City Manager Horsley explained that an error was discovered in the Airport Commissioner term limits, leading all terms to expire at the same time. The Deputy City Clerk is proposing that the terms be staggered to prevent this from happening in the future. In addition to the recommendation provided in the agenda summary report, a Commissioner has brought forward a proposal in which two terms would expire in 2004, two more in 2005, and one in 2006, referred to as 2-2-1. Mark Ashiku, Airport Commissioner, stated that Chairman Fowler and the Commissioners discussed this issue and the Commission feels it would be appropriate to stagger the terms 2-2-1 in order to maintain continuity. Both he and Commissioner Whetzel have agreed to have their terms extended. Councilmember Rodin expressed agreement with the 2-2-1 proposal. A brief discussion followed regarding which Commissioners would hold which terms, and it was determined by consensus that Commissioner Ashiku's term would be extended to 2006 and Commissioner Whetzel's and Commissioner Beard's terms would extend to 2005. Regular City Council Meeting May 19, 2004 Page 4 of 6 M/S Rodin/Smith directing staff regarding staggered terms and to solicit applications for the vacancies on the Airport Commission, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Rodin, Smith, and Vice-Mayor Baldwin. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Andersen and Mayor Larson. . NEW BUSINESS Set Dates and Times for Fiscal Year 2004-2005 Bud_clet Hearin_q City Manager Horsley explained that whereas the City staff usually holds a goal-setting budget session separately, Mayor Larson has requested that it be done as part of the regular budget sessions this year. If this is acceptable with the Council, those budget hearings could be held June 29th at 8:00 a.m. and the joint hearing with the Ukiah Valley Sanitation District could be held at6 3:00 p.m. on June 30t h.. It was the consensus of the City Council to combine the goal-setting sessions with the regular budget sessions and to hold those hearings at 8:00 a.m. on June 29th and 3'00 p.m. on June 30th. 10. COUNCIL REPORTS Councilmember Rodin reported that she attended the homeless shelter's grand opening and the Walk and Roll Festival. In honor of the Festival, she has been riding her bike more and encourages others to do the same. Councilmember Smith reported that he spent the day as a participant of the Walk and Roll Festival and noted that some of the downtown intersections do not have curb cuts appropriate for wheelchairs. Vice-Mayor Baldwin reported that he attended a Mendocino County Inland Water and Power Commission meeting. He explained some of the recent changes in membership and noted that consideration is being given to revising the JPA in order to encourage the County to re-join the agency. Also, at a later meeting, he will ask the Council to take a stance on the Hopland bypass and possibly provide funding. Finally, he appealed to the community to slow down on the City streets. 11. CITY MANGER/CITY CLERK REPORTS City Manager Horsley reported that several staff and Council members attended the homeless shelter grand opening. City Attorney Rapport reported that the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors has decided to negotiate an agreement regarding the area commonly referred to as the Brush Street Triangle area. In order to discuss this agreement, a two-person subcommittee will meet with two Councilmembers. He recommends agendizing this item for next Council meeting in order to establish this sub-committee. Regular City Council Meeting May 19, 2O04 Page 5 of 6 As the Council prepared to adjourn to the Ukiah Redevelopment Agency and Closed Session, Vice-Mayor Baldwin asked if there were any public comments on the Closed Session item regarding the site for the skatepark. Terri Paul, Ukiah, stated that her son, now 33 years old, was a senior in high school when fundraising and discussions regarding the skatepark began. She encouraged the Council to consider the kids when making this decision. Jim Mulheren, Ukiah, noted that the Willits skatepark is progressing faster than Ukiah's. He also noted that the Skatepark Committee prefers the site at the Perkins Street train depot. Adjourned to sit as the Ukiah Redevelopment Agency: 7:56 p.m. Reconvened: 8:15 p.m. Adjourned to Closed Session at: 8:16 p.m. 12. CLOSED SESSION a. Government Code ~54956.8 - Conference with Real Property Negotiator Property: Assessor's Parcel No. 002-232-12 (Depot Property) Owner: North Coast Railroad Authority Negotiator: Candace Horsley Under Negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment Reconvened at: 8:30 p.m. 8b. UNFINISHED BUSlNESSS Consideration of Site for Skatepark Development Community Services Director DeKnoblough explained that the City of Ukiah proposed a 20-year lease to North Coast Railroad Authority (NCRA) for a portion of the Perkins Street train depot site in the amount of $300 per month, with a 20-year option to renew. NCRA accepted this proposal. M/S Rodin/Smith directing the City Mangager and City Attorney to prepare a lease with NCRA for adoption at the next City Council meeting, carried by the following roll call vote: AYES: Councilmembers Rodin, Smith, and Vice Mayor Baldwin. NOES: None. ABSTAIN: None. ABSENT: Councilmember Andersen and Mayor Larson. 14. ADJOURNMENT The. re being no further business, the City Council meeting was adjourned at 8:33 p.m. S erk Regular City Council Meeting May 19, 2OO4 Page 6 of 6