City of San Juan Bautista

CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING: MAY 4, 2007

 

 MINUTES

 

The meeting was CALLED TO ORDER at 6:04 p.m. by Mayor Priscilla Hill as she invited all present to join in the Pledge of Allegiance.  Mayor Hill then indicated this was a special meeting called for the purpose of discussing Motorcycle Only Parking Signage for may 5th, 2007 during the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL:

Council Members Present:  Mayor Priscilla Hill; Vice-Mayor Dias, Councilmember Edge, Councilmember Laverone, and Councilmember Paradice.

Council Members Absent: None

Staff Present:  City Manager (CM) Jan McClintock; Deputy City Clerk Trish Paetz, and Minutes Clerk Judi Johnson

Staff Absent: None

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

ON A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER LAVERONE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER EDGE, THE AGENDA WAS APPROVED (5-0) AS PRESENTED, WITH THE UNANIMOUS AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF ALL COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT; NONE WERE ABSENT.

 

CONSENT ITEMS

Approve Affidavit of Posting Agenda

 

ON A MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER EDGE, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER LAVERONE, THE AGENDA OF CONSENT ITEMS WAS APPROVED (5-0) AS PRESENTED, WITH THE UNANIMOUS AFFIRMATIVE VOTE OF ALL COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT; NONE WERE ABSENT.

 

ACTION ITEMS

Discussion and Direction to Staff re: Motorcycle Parking

 

CM McClintock presented the staff report, delineating that in December, 2006 the Council had received a ‘lot of complaints about motorcycle(s) parking  all over 3rd St. The complaints included the noise factors, unsafe  riding practices, racket attached to starting the motorcycles, and exhaust into business. Several issues and suggestions were discussed at that time, CM McClintock said, including:

-                     no motorcycle parking on 3rd

-                     setting aside portion of side streets if motorcycle parking is required

-                      

CM McClintock said, “Since the City can’t preclude parking on 3rd St., the Council decided to set aside parking for motorcycles. A decision was made to set aside four spaces with the potential for more. The Council said if the number of cyclists coming into the City grew it could be tied to more density at the designated parking site(s). Now the City has been asked to do away with those selected sites. Staff does not have the leeway to make decisions such as this, so it is back to the Council.”

Mayor Hill opened the public hearing.

 

Halina Kleinsmith thanked CM McClintock and the City Councilmembers, explaining that because the May 5 business sponsored fashion show would bring over 200 attendees plus 60 models and an additional 50 people were anticipated to be in attendance for wedding, vehicle parking would at capacity. “We – the business owners – would appreciate having you look at revoking the motorcycle only parking in designated spaces on 3rd and Mariposa as these are major areas for having events like this and the prime spot are on the block of Jardine’s. We are asking that you do this to facilitate so those attending have ease of mind that when patrons come they can park cars and not compete with the motorcycles. So at least tomorrow, we are requesting no ‘motorcycle parking only’ signs be placed. We see this as a wonderful way to address a temporary measure to see from the stand point of 30 businesses who are working with the fashion show and customers who come to shop on a weekly basis. Cars are discouraged from coming in with motorcycle only parking on 3rd St.,” Ms. Kleinsmith concluded.

 

Richard Ponce told the Councilmembers that he thought the City was at a point to make a serious decision: whether to make the City a quaint little historic town or a biker haven. “I can’t it figure out,” Mr. Ponce said, “It doesn’t make sense to have parking set aside for bikers when many of the spaces in town could use for customers – not for motor-cyclists. Just try to walk downtown between 1 – 4 (p.m.) on weekends. The motorcyclists won’t move, and you can’t get by. We need to decide the image of the Town.” Mr. Ponce continued by saying that from 3 – 4 pm, there is no control as the cyclists roar out. “It might have been a good idea, but it is being abused,” Mr. Ponce said. “Are they paying us – or are the businesses being taking advantage of? It really needs looking at.”

 

Helena Walton said she has a new store downtown and would like to see the customers park on 3rd St. She told the Councilmember’s her store is right next to the strip of motorcycle parking. “I’m trying to generate more business but the motorcycle crowd is not cooperating – and it is discouraging business on the street. It distracts from what we could do in City,” Ms. Walton said. She urged the Council to allow people to park on the strip. Answering a question, Ms. Walton said her shop is at 302 3rd St.

 

Joan Lottermoser said a concern is that the Councilmembers might not know that the motorcyclists were taking up spaces. Ms. Lottermoser she had complaints about handicapped and the elderly who had difficult accessing her business.  “The motorcycle people could walk, but they won’t. That makes it very difficult for others,” she said.

Ms. Lottermoser said that the restaurant business for outside dining has suffered as the motorcycles make so much noise the patrons can’t enjoy the area (outside).

 

With no others present to address the matter, the public hearing was closed.

 

Mayor Hill asked how much in money sales tax brings to the City from the fashion show? She said she wanted all those present to realize that the Council was asked in January to put the current policy into effect. “Furthermore, I was badgered to call the Special Meeting for dealing with this matter. We need to have to items put on the agenda on time, and not have to call special meetings. I have listened to the tapes of previous meetings to ensure I understood all the issues. We have to think of merchants who have motorcycles parked on the street versus business people who park in front of the business. We’ve had complaints that the motorcyclists don’t patronize the businesses, but just go to the bars. All this was open for discussion in December but we were not able to agendaize a request for change for action at a regular meeting now. The timing of the business population is poor, also.”

 

Vice Mayor Dias said, “With all the stuff going on in the city, having a special meeting for motorcycle parking is ridiculous. It all started four years with George Rowe. In December the shop owners came in and asked about having parking by the wall, so we thought to put the motorcycles there.”  Vice Mayor Dias said his routine had been badly interrupted by this special meeting. To Councilmember Laverone, Vice Mayor Dias said, “It’s my understanding that one motorcycle can park in one space. (Council-member Laverone concurred this is true.) We did the experiment for motorcycle parking downtown and now you’re asking for us to take down the signs – that’s fine. Last weekend there were about fifty bikes in town. If you walked into Daisy's or Mom and Pop’s there were not fifty cyclists, but maybe 15 inside the buildings. Where are they all?” he asked. “They are walking around town. I did understand where

the residents and business owners are coming from. We’ve been trying, going on three years, Mayor Hill lot long – trying to get vehicle codes enforced in the town – understand residents and business people who have problems. We’ve been begging and have put word out – but along chewing us out, you need to tell the Sheriff  - to make him understand – we need help to enforce our ordinances.” Vice Mayor Dias said the residents need to complain to the Sheriff about the wheelies, noise, and smoke.”

 

Mayor Hill emphasized the business owners need to come up with a solution, not just complaints.

 

Vice Mayor Dias said, “We can take the parking signs down, but we can’t make a difference without a lot of help.”

 

Councilmember Laverone agreed with Vice Mayor Dias, “It’s ridiculous to have demands of a meeting like this to be held. Vice Mayor Dias and I had other plans which had to be put on hold - and this meeting is ‘ridiculous’!”

 

Councilmember Laverone referenced a letter from local business owners, saying, “Most of these businesses came to the Council in December 16, 2006 and many at that time begged the Council to do something about the motorcycle parking. So, out of concern, the Council voted to put them all in one spot, now we have concerns of noise. We seem to have a split-a-frenia among the businesses – I want you to know that we must have consensus (from the business owners) so the City Council can work toward solving this problem. There is need for unity. In December, the Council listened to several business owners, none of whom are here now; but at that time, at least as many asked to have the parking congregated.” Councilmember Laverone told that if the bikers perceived actions by the City as discrimination, they will follow the law. They will be parking downtown with one bike per parking space. “This is an issue the Chamber of Commerce should be speaking to. You all need to get together and then everyone here should get together with the Monterey Bay Federation of Bikers. They are the ones who handle lawsuits of discrimination against bikers. They can urge members to self-police themselves. You may be able to get a consensus from the bikers to park differently and shop more. I

agree there appears to be intimidation with all the bike’s and noise. I strongly suggest your own organization to lobby the Monterey Bay Federation of Bikers – the City cannot do it.”  Councilmember Laverone told of discussion he had with Sheriff Hill, telling all present, “One thing he has done, because he recognizes increase in bikers, is ask the CHP to do enforcement around the City.” Councilmember Laverone concluded by saying how much he wished for unity among the business owners, “We need a consensus of the business owners.” 

 

Councilmember Edge commented this is obviously a serious issue in the community and asked if the request before the Council was for this weekend only. He went on to address the issue of having the spaces set aside and expressed concern of setting a number of parking spaces aside and not having them used. I’m OK for this weekend,” Councilmember Edge said, “but we do need to study how to reach a long-term solution.”

 

Councilmember Paradice echoed Mayor Hill’s question of having the bikers bring money into the Town. I haven’t seen much in sales but I do see the cyclists in front of Daisy's and Mom and Pop's – does anyone have a graphic on that? The problem is parking: we have the Mission, the Plaza, and the Historic District. We have to figure out parking since parking is at a premium. We need the business owners to go back to Plan A and what are we going to do?

 

Vice Mayor Dias commented that it seems about 80% of the owners and employees of the businesses park nearby the businesses – or in front. If they would park on 4th St., then there would be more spaces for customers, he pointed out.

 

Mayor Hill stressed the Council is ‘here to try to work with each of residents and businesses – we want a non- selfish plan that will work’.

 

CM McClintock reminded that the Council could limit the parking change beyond the activities of Saturday, May 5, 2007.

 

VICE MAYOR DIAS MOTIONED TO REMOVE THE ‘MOTORCYCLE PARKING ONLY’ SIGNS PERMANENTLY UNTIL A BETTER PLAN IS PRESENTED. COUNCILMEMBER LAVERONE SECONDED THE MOTION WHICH PASSED (5-0) WITH THE FOLLOWING VOTE: AYES: COUNCILMEMBER DIAS, COUNCILMEMBER EDGE, COUNCILMEMBER HILL, COUNCILMEMBER LAVERONE, AND COUNCILMEMBER PARADICE. NOES: NONE; ABSTAIN: NONE; ABSENT: NONE.

 

Adjournment:

 

FOLLOWING A UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED MOTION BY COUNCILMEMBER LAVERONE/VICE MAYOR DIAS FOR ADJOURNMENT, MAYOR HILL DECLARED THE MEETING CLOSED AT 6:30 P.M.

 

 

Recorded and transcribed by:                                    

 

 

Judi Johnson