of
the
CITY COUNCIL
CALL TO ORDER: Following a study session at 5:00 p.m., as
posted on the meeting agenda, the regular session of the San Juan Bautista City
Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor George Dias.
PLEDGE
OF ALLEGIANCE:
Mayor Dias led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL
CALL: Council Members Present: Mayor
George Dias, Council Members Priscilla Hill, Ed Laverone, and Robert Paradice
Council Members Absent: Vice-Mayor
Rick Edge
Staff Present:
City Manager Jan McClintock; City Attorney Thacher; City Planner Matthew Sundt;
Acting City Treasurer, Linda McIntyre; Fire Chief
Elected Officials Present: Linda McIntyre, City Treasurer;
Members of the Public Signing in as Present: Cara Vonk, Tony Boch.
1. Approval
of the Agenda
President Diaz requested that Agenda item 8.a., regarding the Mission View Estates, Lang
Street lift station, be postponed to a future meeting, as the City is still
investigating the matter, and that Agenda item 7.e, amending the Municipal Code regarding conversion of multifamily
rental units to condominiums, be
tabled to a date uncertain. Upon motion made by Council Member Laverone,
seconded by Council Member Paradice, the agenda was approved (4-0-0-0)with the
requested modifications, with the following vote: Ayes: Hill, Dias, Paradice, Laverone;
Noes: none; Abstain: none; Absent: Edge.
Adjourn to Closed Session: The Council adjourned to closed session. At
6:12 p.m., the open meeting was resumed.
2. Ceremonial Items:
A. Presentation
to Loyaza for Decorations: The
City Council presented a Certificate of Appreciation and expressed
gratitude to Rosa Loyaza for her generosity
in decorating City Hall for the Christmas holidays.
3. Public Comment on Items Not on the Agenda: Robert Cosio made
reference to the bid accepted by the City for repair or replacement of 26
street lights. He expressed concern that GFI breakers were not reinstalled on
the light poles; the pole foundations and anchor bolts were not repaired; and
safety barricades were not used by the contractor. Mayor Dias noted that the
current Code requires one GFI per block instead of one per light pole; the City
Engineer reported that the foundations were good; and some specified items in
the original bid were traded for additional cement work.
Mrs.
Jolene Cosio asked if the Council gave permission to change the original
contract for the street lighting work. She noted that one of the lights on
Mrs.
Cosio asked if the City has addressed the issue she spoke about at a previous
City Council meeting concerning a property on First and Monterey Streets that
is littered with abandoned cars, discarded furniture, and other unsightly
items. The City Manager assured that
code enforcement is in process.
Mr. John
Hopper stated that he is a resident of
4. Informational Items
A. Closed
Session Report: City Attorney George Thacher reported that no
actions were taken in closed session.
B. Presentation on
During
the CEC presentation, Mr. Schwartz noted that currently the City is out of
compliance in terms of its Housing Element and, therefore, is ineligible to
access the many grant funds available. He stated that his company wants to help
the City bridge that gap.
Mr.
Schwartz asked for comments from Council Members regarding their primary
concerns and focus for the City. Responses included: the Mission and State Park;
the City’s historical district; destruction of the City’s ambience by too much
growth; City infrastructure (roads, sewer, water); public safety; sustained
economic support; the need for recreation facilities and a viable community
center; preservation of historic and public buildings; parking; library
facilities; availability of public restrooms.
The
CEC representatives spoke about grant funding for various projects that could
address the concerns, as well as short term and long term strategic planning.
The Council thanked the CEC representatives for their informative
presentation.
C. Monthly Financial Statements: There were no
questions regarding the City’s financial statements.
D. Code
Enforcement Report: City Manager
McClintock noted that the Code Enforcement Report does not include actions
taken during the past two weeks, such as those pertaining to the property on
E. Library Report: No comments.
F. Fire
Chief’s Report: No missed calls; no
comments.
G. Sheriff’s Monthly Activity Report: No comments or questions.
H. Report of CLG Grant: The City Manager reported that progress is
being
made, and the CLG (Certified Local Government)
Grant will be on the
Council’s
meeting agenda next month.
I. Status Report on Municipal Services Review
and LAFCO Actions: The City Manager reported that the Council’s concerns
regarding the Municipal Services Review were sent to LAFCO Director Judi
Johnson. She stated that she will take the concerns under advisement and
requested to speak to the Council at one of its upcoming meetings.
J. Status Report on Upgrades to the Sewer
Plant Capital Improvement Project: City Manager McClintock reported that Pond #2
is in the process of being upgraded.
K. Status Report on the Tertiary Water
Treatment Plant Construction Project: The City Manager made reference to a report to
the City from Bracewell Engineering regarding upgrades to the tertiary
treatment plant and Department of Public Health and Regional Water Quality
Control Board requirements. The City manager reported that the project is on
schedule to be completed by December.
L. Water Infrastructure Project Report: No report. Local resident Tony Boch commented that it would helpful to know the
status of the water infrastructure project and the specific plan project, as
well as what City fund is being used to pay $4600 per month to Project Manager
Davis. The City Manager clarified that payments for services to the Project
Manager are broken down by category and applied to water, sewer, and other City
budget items as appropriate.
M. South
N. Public
Works Report: The City Manager
reported that implementation of contracted services for public works is in
progress, including the transfer of current City public works employees,
effective January 27, 2008.
O. Update on
P. Update on City of Hollister’s Use of Waste
Water Disposal in the
Q. Highway 156 Report: No updated report at this time.
R. Reports by Public Officials: COG, LAFCO,
Water Resources Association, Revolving Loan, AMBAG, Integrated Waste Management: No report.
S. Report on Cable Franchise Renewal
Activities: City Manager McClintock reported that
T. Committee
Reports and Future Direction by the Full City Council:
i. Public
Works: No report.
ii. Parks/Recreation/Library:
No report.
iii. Development
and Historic: No report.
iv. Budget/Finance/Economic
Development: Councilmember Laverone reported that the City received a negative
response from
v. Public
Safety/Fire Department: Mayor Dias
reported that he attended a meeting with the County to discuss the problems and
issues regarding emergency/fire responses, money, and communications. Discussions will continue.
vi. Ad Hoc: County Cooperative Agreements
re (1) Fire Response; (2) Traffic Impact Fees; (3) Drainage Impact Fees; (4) Park Impact Fees; (5) Library Usage: No report.
7. Consent Items
Upon motion made by Council Member
Hill, seconded by Council Member Laverone,
and unanimously carried, the Consent items A through
D were approved.
A. Affidavit
of Posting Agenda
B. Minutes
for December 18, 2007 Regular City Council Meeting (with minor
corrections)
C. Minutes for July 27, 2007 Special City Council Meeting
D.
Waiver of
E. Adoption of Ordinance Adding Chapter
10-3 to the Municipal Code
Regarding Conversion of Multifamily Rental Units (Condominiums): This item was postponed and removed
from the agenda.
8. Action Items
A.
Discuss Status of Work on Resolution
2008-XX Approving and Directing Payment of Sums by Owners of Lots in Mission
View Estates, Unit No. 2, Pursuant to a Maintenance Covenant for a Sewage Lift
Station: This item was postponed and removed from the
agenda.
B.
Introduction of Ordinance 2008-XX
Amending Certain Provisions of Chapter 5-9 of the Municipal Code; Grease Traps: City
Manager McClintock spoke about the City’s sewer problems caused by grease traps
in local restaurants. She referred to specific details of an ordinance drafted
by Bracewell Engineering to mitigate the problems. She noted that
implementation could occur in steps over a nine month period to give business
owners an opportunity to work with City staff, after which unannounced
inspections would be made. During the discussion that followed, Council Members
asked questions about the ordinance and how the City would pay for grease trap
inspections. The City Manager explained
that the cost of the inspections would be paid for with monies the City will
save the reduction in cleaning clogged sewers. It was pointed out that
mitigation of the grease problem is essential prior to development of the
City’s upgraded sewer treatment system.
After further discussion, upon motion made by
Council Member Laverone,
seconded
by Council Member Hill, and unanimously carried, the Board
approved
introduction of the Ordinance regarding grease traps for restaurants.
C.
Introduction of Ordinance 2008-XX,
Title 11: Historic Preservation Ordinance Update:
The City Manager reported that the State Historic Preservation Office
has reviewed the Ordinance and has no concerns or objections. In addition, it has been approved by the
Planning Commission for presentation to the City Council. The Ordinance streamlines some processes by
allowing administrative review.
Community
member Cora Vonk expressed concern that the proposed ordinance exempts signs
and various projects adjacent to historic areas as well as minor alterations
windows, roofing, and paint. She spoke about accepted color palates for
historical buildings. Ms. Vonk stated that more clearly stated guidelines would
better serve property owners in streamlining the approval process and saving
money. She urged the Council to request that the Historical Resources Committee
develop more specific design guidelines for historic preservation.
Upon motion
made by Council Member Laverone, seconded by Mayor Dias, and unanimously
carried, the subject Ordinance was introduced.
D.
Public Hearing (1) to Consider Protests
to Sale of City Property to Old Mission Church in Exchange for Old Mission
Church Property of Approximate Equal Value (Less than $1,000.00), and (2) to
Consider Adoption of Resolution Approving Said Exchange:
City Attorney Thacher stated that after a public hearing to receive any
protests regarding the exchange of properties with the
E.
Discussion and Direction to Staff on
the Use of an Advisory Committee and
other Details Regarding Sales Tax Increase and Growth Management
Ordinances
to be Taken to the Voters in June 2008. The City Manager began
by noting
that there are no specific guidelines regarding duties of an Advisory
Committee and how members are appointed. During discussion several concepts for the
appointment process were considered, such as each Council Member appointing one
person to the Advisory Committee, or accepting volunteer applications and
conducting a drawing of names. There was discussion about: whether the
Committee would have oversight of the budget process for use of increased sales
tax revenues (assuming passage of the measure) or only an advisory capacity;
frequency of financial reporting to the community. The City Attorney noted that
the City of
Regarding the growth management initiative, the Attorney
Thatcher noted that the City might be able to use its previously adopted
Environmental Impact Report; if not, there could be a time issue for the June
ballot. Council Member Laverone stated that he still has questions about
guidelines from the Department of Community Housing Development regarding what
is acceptable for a growth ordinance; that he would like more public input; and
that the Ordinance be reviewed by the Planning and Land Use Committee.
Public comments:
Tony Boch spoke about growth control and state that if the growth
ordinance is not amended, the City will remain in its current status of
ineligibility for the various grant monies that other similar cities receive.
He stated that he believes the citizens who voted against the growth ordinance
measure were not adequately informed; that the voters need to understand the
issues and approve a housing element for the city; and that the committee’s
first priority should be educating the voters and stakeholders.
Cora Vonk commented that the growth ordinance was poorly
drafted and was not acceptable to the community in terms of protecting the City
of
The City Attorney recommended leaving details of the
advisory committee open by using the words “may” (rather than “shall”); also include
language providing for the assignment of two Council Members to serve as an
advisory resource to the committee; that it meet twice a year or more often if
needed. It was suggested that the committee could meet with the City Treasurer
instead of Council Members and request City Council member advisement if
needed. The City Manager suggested that the best process for formation of the
committee is to allow local citizens to apply and draw names from the pool of
applicants.
The City Attorney stated that he would prepare a draft of
several options for the Council to consider at its next meeting.
F. Ted
Stephens Annexation: Continued.
9. Set Future Agenda Items and Status
The City Manager stated she will be requesting a Park
& Recreation Committee meeting to set new rates for use of the Community
Center. The meeting will be posted in accordance with the Brown Act to allow
all of the City Council Members to attend.
10. Comments
A. City
Council: None.
B. City
Manager: City Manager McClintock asked
Council Members to reserve February 7th, 2:00 p.m., for a special
surprise event on
The
City Manager also reported that January 16th is the 100th
anniversary of
C. City
Attorney: None.
10. Adjournment to joint meeting with san
juan-aromas school district (january
23, 2008) Upon motion made by Council
Member Laverone, seconded by Council
Member Paradice, and unanimously carried, the meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m.
_______________________
Mayor
ATTEST:
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